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2013-05-17 04:16:43 (193 comments, 199 reshares, 2525 +1s)

I'm enjoying this new G+ layout. Here's another Tall Photo I hadn't shared before. Taken in Sydney, Australia in January.  This dramatic sunset was going off and I was scrambling trying to find the best spot to take a photo. Fun times!  

Tomorrow I'm headed to South Korea for two nights. Does anyone have any suggestions on cool buildings or landscapes to photograph for my two quick nights there in Seoul? 

2013-05-16 05:52:47 (270 comments, 316 reshares, 3032 +1s)

Trying out the new Tall Photos in G+!  I took this one in France, at Mt. St Michel. +Trey Ratcliff and I spent some time in this wonderful place, and this was one of my favorite photos from the adventure. I never shared it here on G+ because the old format favored landscape-wide photos. What do yo think? :) 

2013-05-13 21:35:13 (35 comments, 9 reshares, 174 +1s)

A lot of people ask me about my workflow - how I process photos and that sort of thing. Lightroom 4 is a big part of it, and the new Lightroom 5 (currently in Beta) will be as well. I find Lightroom to be so much easier than Photoshop (though I use that too!) On Wednesday, the Lightroom product team will be hosting a hangout where we can all ask questions and hear what's going on with the new product. My photographer friends 
+Dallas Nagata White and +Ed White are going to be acting as the Google+ community representatives and help field the questions from the user base.  Don't miss it, it's Wednesday at 11:00am PST. Here's the event link: 
https://plus.google.com/events/c8trrra6064daff60ul6ukltleo

2013-05-09 00:19:05 (163 comments, 162 reshares, 1898 +1s)

Here's a shot I took from the Google Office in Japan several weeks ago. Tokyo is an amazing town. How fun would it be to work for Google in such an exciting city?  We had a dramatic sunset that night, it started looking ominous (captured here), but it happied itself up after awhile... :-) 

2013-04-26 02:08:24 (332 comments, 320 reshares, 2610 +1s)

The London Tower Bridge. I shot this on a cold day in November last year. It's really an amazing site and fascinating when you consider construction started in 1886. I've never seen the drawbidge portion go up and down. Apparently it's a rare event these days :-) 

2013-05-07 11:02:35 (227 comments, 200 reshares, 2011 +1s)

Here's a shot from Queenstown, New Zealand I took in January. You don't have these sorts of views in Los Angeles, where I am right now. I wonder where the closest place to see stars like this is outside of LA? Joshua Tree? Not really sure.  I've not been shooting for a few days and am itching to shoot something epic :-) 

2013-04-18 17:14:01 (166 comments, 109 reshares, 1559 +1s)

It feels nice to be back in Los Angeles using my desktop computer with a large screen and updated versions of my photo software. One of the joys of geekdom, I suppose. As I was backing up my files from the trip and updating everything, I pulled up this photo of the Manhattan Beach pier I took over a year ago when I was just getting started with photography. It was really fun to process an old shot on my big screen, and using an actual mouse. Such  a nice zen morning, and I vivdly remember the feeling of being at this pier back on this special day. I'm happy :-) 

2013-04-18 15:13:26 (158 comments, 86 reshares, 1493 +1s)

I'm back in Los Angeles... looking forward to a night of rest in my own bed. Here's another shot from Japan. I spent a few days in Kyoto on this trip and was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a real-life Geisha slipping inside a traditional inn on the streets of Gion. Not my typical kind of shot, but it's probably still one of my favorites from the trip. 

2013-04-17 05:00:17 (97 comments, 77 reshares, 1130 +1s)

Spent the final night in Japan at the Robot Restaurant (see +Trey Ratcliff's post) and wandering around Kabukicho shooting street scenes. It's pretty wild there, but I caught this more peaceful moment as things were shutting down very late. This shop owner was putting away his lanterns for the night. 
The Japan adventure is over for now. Jumping on a flight to Los Angeles in a few hours, but I'll definitely return to Japan soon. I love it here.

2013-04-16 02:20:25 (250 comments, 245 reshares, 2329 +1s)

On Sunday, +Trey Ratcliff and I continued our Japanese adventure guided by +Negoro Kaori, her husband and +Sulwyn Lim (two Google+ employees in Japan).  We stopped to eat in this quaint place on the road to Mt. Fuji. I loved this village, and tried to capture it in a way that evoked that storybook feeling it gave me. This is my last night in Japan, I'll miss it. :-)

2013-04-14 00:14:25 (194 comments, 138 reshares, 1489 +1s)

I've been in Japan for almost a month now, and my BFF +Trey Ratcliff joined me 3 days ago. Last night we went out shooting with +Takahiro Yamamoto and encountered this GIANT GUNDAM, an amazing 7-story tall robot, which even has its own themed cafe here in Tokyo. The cafe was closed, so we didn't get to eat GUNDAM-shaped cookies or anything cool like that. This morning we are about up to head towards Mt. Fuji with some friends we made at Google+. I'm excited to get out of the city and see a little bit of the countryside today. :-) We should have no trouble since our new Google+ friend +Negoro Kaori also works on Google Maps here in Japan. (Btw, if you are using an iPad with Apple's map app, be sure to download the Google Maps app. Apple Maps is horrible in Japan, and almost everywhere else outside of the US!) Update: Can anyone tell us about the origin of the GUNDAM?

2013-04-09 17:38:39 (195 comments, 138 reshares, 945 +1s)

I always find country-by-country health care comparisons to be intriguing. I've been in Japan for 3 weeks and got sick a few days ago. Today I went to a hospital and was delighted with the experience and service.

First, I found a place within a few miles of my hotel that advertised English speaking physicians (quick Google search got me that),

Second, when I entered the hospital it felt more like a nice hotel or lounge than a place for sick people. There was even a live piano player in the main lobby / waiting area.  

Third, I easily found the receptionist, told them my symptoms and was assigned a department and doctor within minutes. The forms/info were minimal. They required a 30,000 Yen Deposit (about $300 US). 

Fourth, the doctor called me in within seconds of walking across the main lobby to his area. He hadc... more »

2013-04-09 11:39:55 (213 comments, 229 reshares, 1942 +1s)

The Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park is a wonderful place to visit. If you go there just at sunrise, there's almost no one there. Just a few temple attendants sweeping the leaves. I've been in Japan 3 weeks now, I gotta say I love this place. Here's a photo from my first morning, when my sleep schedule was messed up and I actually got up before sunrise. :-) The shrine itself is a large, impressive structure. This is just a little building outside where you can scoop up water with a ladle to clean your hands and mouth before entering the main shrine.

2013-04-04 18:28:34 (410 comments, 326 reshares, 3179 +1s)

I caught a dramatic sunrise from the top of the Hyatt hotel where they filmed Lost in Translation the other morning. This is one of my favorite shots from my current Tokyo trip. Loving this place :-) 

2013-03-26 01:51:53 (500 comments, 379 reshares, 3218 +1s)

Washington DC at Sunrise About two weeks ago I was in Washington DC laying on the ground, shooting this sunrise over the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument. When I was there I'd heard talk about the blooming of the Cherry Blossom trees, but I was there too early for that. Well, now I'm in Japan and the Blossoms are in full bloom... I haven't gotten a great photo of them yet. Still trying :-) 

2013-03-18 11:51:43 (362 comments, 245 reshares, 2300 +1s)

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo The Shibuya crossing is famous for the tidal wave of pedestrians that flood across the street in every direction. It's really awesome to be down there in the mix.  

This photo was taken around midnite when I arrived in Japan last night.  I was super tired, but I got this shot just before I went to sleep.  I plan to be here for a month, maybe longer. I've been to Japan a few times, but that was back in 2007 when I was working and not taking photos, so I've actually seen very little of the city.  

Can anyone recommend photo spots around the Tokyo area? Or other photographers who are living here/shoot here a lot. I'd like to see what the locals have captured. What's the best place to go up in a building and get a skyline shots of the city? In a week or so I'll probably venture out to Osaka, Kyoto and other more scenic areas. Soany... more »

2013-03-13 03:48:03 (378 comments, 261 reshares, 2632 +1s)

Just spent a week road-trippin in the American South - mostly in Georgia and North Carolina. Before I arrived I'd Googled locations and was hoping to  get a cool photo of a swamp. I never quite did find what I imagined in my head, but I found this dried up and drained swamp on my last day in Augusta, GA. I woke up with a few hours before my flight and the sky looked intense. The clouds were ominous and strange and I thought to myself, "Dang, no photos today." Normally I look for happy blue skies and I won't even shoot in these conditions, but it turns out the muted and somber tones were perfect for this location. 

2013-02-21 06:44:48 (498 comments, 725 reshares, 5317 +1s)

Here's one I took about a month ago in Sydney, Australia. It's shot from underneath the Sydney Harbor Bridge, which was built in 1932. For a time, it was the world's widest long span bridge. And until 1967 it was Sydney's tallest structure. :-) 

2013-02-20 07:09:10 (374 comments, 208 reshares, 2360 +1s)

Shot this one in Oahu, Hawaii too. The moon cast an unusual color light because of the volcanic fog coming from the Big Island. That's my friend +John Hook holding still for 30 seconds while I captured this long exposure. We were camping on the beach at Bellows ... Awesome time :-) 

2013-02-19 09:04:20 (500 comments, 568 reshares, 4233 +1s)

Yesterday I went out to shoot some underwater photos in hopes of capturing dolphins. None of the dolphin photos came out good, but I did capture a double rainbow. It's a nice feeling just floating in the ocean and seeing this :-)  (Even nicer when you've got your camera!) This was shot in Kapolei, just off Electric Beach on Oahu.

2013-02-07 06:23:44 (376 comments, 198 reshares, 2335 +1s)

Up in the clouds, or ...? I think this photo is a little misleading at first. Yesterday me and some friends went hiking out to a remote group of cliffs past Hanauma Bay on Oahu. We had stopped to take shots on this unique arch ... It sorta looks like we're up in the clouds, but it's actually a long exposure during the day with an ND Filter, so that's just water below him there (thanks David for showing me how to do that). I've been in Hawaii for about 10 days now, taking photos every chance I get. I've had a great fun with my fellow photographers: +Dallas Nagata White +John Hook (pictured), and four others who don't use G+: zaknoyle.com, jonasmaon.com, David Chat (unrealhawaii.com), and sticksxstonesjewelry (instagram)

2013-02-06 21:11:23 (165 comments, 180 reshares, 1414 +1s)

So we were adventuring today...all kinds of dangerous ocean shenanigans were occurring...and I managed to capture one of +Tom Anderson in sequence. Tom, is the camera okay?

2013-01-24 00:08:48 (390 comments, 321 reshares, 2821 +1s)

We all love Google+ but one of the best unexpected things it has brought me is a new best friend, +Trey Ratcliff. I just spent two weeks with him in Australia and New Zealand. He's changed my life in many ways, and the most obvious is that he got me started taking photos. I was a bit sad when he moved to New Zealand earlier this year, but after visiting him there this week, I know we'll have many adventures there throughout our lives... And, of course, we still continue to travel the world together.

Here's a photo I took of Mount Cook from our trip last week. New Zealand is even more beautiful than it looks in the Lord of the Rings movies. Go visit if you ever get the chance!

2013-01-22 22:05:03 (364 comments, 359 reshares, 2506 +1s)

Did you know you can walk right up to Lava? I discovered this on my recent hike to an active Volcano on the Big Island in Hawaii. The slow-moving lava flow is hot, but you can get right next to it... literally within inches. I was about 2 feet away when I took this long-exposure shot. Kilauea is the most active volcano in Hawaii, go see it if you can, it's something you'll never forget! I'm headed back to Hawaii today and am thinking of heading out there to see the Volcano again!

2013-01-22 06:11:31 (271 comments, 220 reshares, 1930 +1s)

Finally getting a chance to post a bunch of recent photos! Just after New Years Eve I took a 3 hour hike out where the Kilauea volcano lava flows into the ocean on the Big Island in Hawaii. Here's a shot of my photographer friends +Ed White and +Dallas Nagata White standing in front of the lava! I love that you can see stars above the extremely bright lava flow! 

2013-01-21 23:55:59 (246 comments, 227 reshares, 2047 +1s)

On the road back from Milford Sound, +Trey Ratcliff and I pulled over to take some star shots. This one was interrupted by an on-coming vehicle which created this crazy eye in the sky effect. That's not photoshop, it's a lens flare that appeared in camera. I don't think I could recreate it if I tried, kinda cool! 

2013-04-11 03:27:44 (251 comments, 148 reshares, 1839 +1s)

Just spent two weeks with my BFF +Trey Ratcliff. We started in Australia and spent the last week in New Zealand. Last night we were in Milford Sound and the moonrise was creating fantastic and beautiful light on the water and mountains. I discovered my camera timer had a 20s setting (I thought it only went to 5s, which limited my selfies), so I had more than enough time to go strike a pose in my own shot. That's me in front of the classic New Zealand landscape, the place Rudyard Kipling called the 8th wonder of the world! I learned that by reading a flyer in the bathroom at the lodge where we spent the night :-) Tip: I always like to remind people-- click on the photo and press space bar to see it full screen. 

2013-01-05 08:14:37 (350 comments, 235 reshares, 2382 +1s)

I landed on the Big Island / Hawaii last night and drove around randomly and got this photo. Tonight I'm heading up the dormant Mauna Kea Volcano on the with 5 photographers friends I just picked up at the airport: +Dallas Nagata White +Ed White +John Hook @sticksxstonesjewelry(instagram) +David Chatsuthiphan With this many photographers we're bound to return with one good shot!  

2013-01-23 07:19:22 (500 comments, 539 reshares, 4478 +1s)

I arrived in Hawaii a few days ago. I like being somewhere warm for the holidays...This shot was taken yesterday on Christmas night. I knew I was getting something special and it was pure awesome... or it was until the wave that came in five seconds after this shot was taken. The following wave was thigh-high and knocked me back on to a group of rocks. I got completely soaked and almost destroyed a second camera in the ocean. It was worth it, though! I love this shot from the North Shore of Oahu. Remember to press space bar to see it full screen. Happy Holiday :-) 

2012-12-25 12:29:53 (497 comments, 565 reshares, 3512 +1s)

Happy Holiday & Merry Christmas  Here's the most impressive & largest Christmas tree I've seen. I photographed this about a month ago in Paris, France at the Galleries Lafayette. I had to shoot a "vertorama" (like a "panorama" but going up and down) just to capture it all!  

2012-12-20 09:07:09 (494 comments, 455 reshares, 3069 +1s)

Twitter Social Research. I answered back a troll on Twitter and it went viral. Like seriously viral "MySpace Tom" started trending on Twitter. The post got 5,000 retweets and the guy who originally attacked me ended up deleting his account.

It seems the main thing people are interested in over there is showing off, one-upping each other and fighting. I've noticed that this kind of behavior before gets a lot of attention on Twitter, but never experimented with it myself. I rarely attack trolls... I mean who cares? Am I being too negative to assume people just like to see a fight, or is it maybe just because it was funny? Twitter's 140 character limit makes it a nice medium for jokes. 

To keep things in perspective, I usually post photos there and get 5-15 retweets from my 190K followers (pathetic!). As mentioned, my come back to this guy just got 5,000... more »

2013-01-07 05:51:59 (497 comments, 735 reshares, 5337 +1s)

Here's a shot I took on my first night in London a few weeks ago and I  was having fun with my new fish eye lens. The Clock Tower is over 150 years old, and houses the largest 4 face chiming clock in the world.  This was a tricky shot and lots of fun to put together!  

Google+ Tip: Click on the image and press spacebar, it jumps to a full-screen version of the shot. This is new; one less step to get to full screen. Thanks Google+!

2013-01-10 05:52:27 (500 comments, 574 reshares, 3176 +1s)

Here's an amazing road I discovered on my recent trip to China. It's just under 7 miles long and has a total of 99 turns. The road is cut out of the side of the mountain and takes you up 1,100 meters (3,600 feet). At the top (end) of the road, there's an interesting hole through the mountain (sort of like an eye of a needle). You can walk up a ton of steps and visit a temple in the hole. I think I'll go back some day to get a better photo. ;-) 

2012-12-06 20:07:51 (170 comments, 54 reshares, 784 +1s)

I've been inspired by Los Angeles sunsets. Here's something I made. Question for you all: single photograph, HDR, or digital painting? :-)  

Update: It is indeed a single photo. Not HDR or tonemapped or processed in any really unique way. Just some Lightroom touchup. I was kind of amazed myself that it looked this way without really doing much to it. I guess it was the unique reflective light on the sand (which made me stop to take the photo in the first place) and the slightly longer shutter speed which gave it that sort of unreal, painting-like quality. Thanks for all the guesses and comments everyone :-)  I took a behind the scenes photo on my Android phone while I was taking this photo, because I suspected people would think the light on the sand was faked some how: http://instagram.com/p/Sy7_qlgSbo/

 *Tip:* This is one you need to see big to appreciate. Clickthe ... more »

2012-12-03 21:20:11 (114 comments, 51 reshares, 360 +1s)

In the last 3 years, I haven't paid much attention to new music. I don't watch videos or listen to the radio, preferring to listen to all the old stuff I've collected. I did, however, buy the CD Some Nights from Fun.  I actually bought it the first week it came out. I was curious because I had tried to sign this band back in 2008 to a record label I had "MySpace Records" (original name, eh?)  The band went with another label, which was probably a wise move, as MySpace Records was shuttered after I left the company. Anyway, the rest is history, I suppose: I just learned that Fun. is one of the biggest bands of the year. But I wanted to share these videos in case you're like me and don't watch videos often.  I never saw any of the videos until this morning. All three just blew me away: 

We Are Young: http://youtu.be/Sv6dMFF_yts
So... more »

2012-12-03 07:13:14 (178 comments, 97 reshares, 1204 +1s)

I'm back in Los Angeles after 2 months away from US soil. It's nice to be back in "easy" weather -- never too cold, even when it's raining; never too hot, even when it's hot.  I went down to Santa Monica on my first night back and got this photo at sunset. Lots has happened since I left the US -- Obama was re-elected, there's now an iPad mini, the Giants won the world series in a 4 game sweep, and MySpace doesn't suck anymore. I'm pretty happy about all 4 developments, though I don't really have a strong opinion about Obama's re-election. Maybe because I'm a Myers-Briggs INTP (or so I learned recently). Glad to be home, both in LA and on G+ ! 

2012-11-21 10:49:49 (491 comments, 469 reshares, 3087 +1s)

I just spent two weeks in France (Paris, Lyon & Mont Saint Michel). Here's some notes from an Outsider as I Chunnel my way out:

* everyone is fashionable; scarves are a must
* the women are tall (but then I just arrived here from China)
* the men are good looking - ooh la la 
* they don't hate Americans, and aren't rude if you can't speak French
* the countryside is gorgeous and there is no shortage of Albino cows
* it's hard to find anything to eat BUT pastries, cheese and chocolate (ugh!)
* full-blown restaurants that serve other items seem to focus on Italian dishes!
* food is outrageously expensive - $30 US = $80 France
* if you miss the agreed upon eating times, you're stuck with McDonalds or "QUICK" a McDonalds knockoff
* lots of smokers
* Audrey Tatou is everywhere (magazines, billboards, etc.)
*... more »

2012-11-14 09:16:53 (136 comments, 72 reshares, 649 +1s)

'Lair Love'...  withstanding the weight of fear. More #SurrealFashion from the Paris workshop with +Trey Ratcliff :D Shot during in the dungeon of the Chateau de Champlatreux, with a tiger from Paris's Natural History Museum!

This was the piece I began editing in class with Trey. It was funny because I was playing with my pictures whilst Trey demoed HDR; he remarked on it and then I made it my subsequent demo piece. I knew it was an overly ambitious concept and I didn't know whether it would work. The painterly synergy of golden fur on golden dress sustained my motivation. With the encouragement of him and the class (including +Tom Anderson/MySpaceTom who was on the workshop!) I became increasingly enamoured with the fear symbolism of the tiger and the bizarre comfort with which the staunch female character 'loves the lair'.

Model - Sophie Bergeret,... more »

2012-11-07 05:35:35 (396 comments, 220 reshares, 2021 +1s)

I just spent a truly awesome few weeks in China. I love the place, it is amazing. So much history, and so much natural beauty from deserts, to jungles (yes!); from mountainsides, to peaceful rice-terraced valleys. One problem, though: no Google+!  Our beloved site is blocked in China (or at least it was while I was there). It could be because China is just about to go through a big government power change. Some people told me that Internet access has seen more heavy censorship surrounding this event. For all you Americans, maybe this will add a new layer of appreciation that you can vote today. :-)   Here's one of my favorite shots I got from the Forbidden City in China. 

2012-10-22 08:39:08 (475 comments, 327 reshares, 2478 +1s)

Update from Hong Kong I took this photo from an observation deck in the tallest building in Hong Kong. I had to shoot through the glass and was able to avoid reflections by holding a woman's scarf and another's shawl over the window and edges of the lens. I set the camera's timer because both hands were occupied; even my knee got in on the action pushing one part against the glass. If you are trying to visualize my setup, I sorta looked like Spiderman trying to climb the window. The result was this shot of the harbor, boats and skyline which includes a building you might have seen in Batman, not Spiderman!

2012-10-19 08:48:40 (492 comments, 687 reshares, 4674 +1s)

I've been in Hong Kong for about a week. I've had many adventures and met many new friends, but getting good photos has been tough. I'd chased down innumerable dead ends before heading up to Victoria's Peak, Hong Kong's main tourist attraction. It makes a nice photo (even on a night with no visible clouds), but I feel safe in saying this is something you really must visit in person. It's truly awesome up here, and one of the most distinctive cityscape skyline views in the world!

2012-10-12 13:11:35 (492 comments, 1094 reshares, 5293 +1s)

I specifically flew to a small group of islands in Malaysia to get this photo. How did I know this existed? I saw it on Google+ about 6 months ago! I'd wanted to see it for myself, but I didn't read much about it and the pic I'd seen was very small. I assumed it was a road, but it's actually a footbridge. Head to Langkawi to see it. The bridge is 2,300 feet above sea level and there's an awesome view from up here.

I had some computer trouble, but I got a new laptop and I'm back on the interewebz and in Hong Kong now. If you have some ideas for good photo spots in Hong Kong please share. All I've seen is Tai O, Victoria's Peak, the building skyline on the water, and Disneyland haha. :-)

2012-10-06 04:42:04 (495 comments, 1108 reshares, 5372 +1s)

Yesterday I went to the Batu Caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These are massive caves. First you walk up hundreds of steps high into the mountain, then you wander through the impressively tall limestone caves until you reach the center of the mountain and a small Hindu temple. Above the temple is an opening in the caves above where light shines through illuminating the chamber and giving it a heavenly feel. While I was there 30 or so monkeys climbed down from above and greeted us at the temple below... I was so excited but the HIndus worshipping at the temple seemed to find the monkeys an annoyance.  I probably won't put the monkey pics up here on G+ here's one I put on Instagram: http://instagram.com/p/QaP6KTASfY/

I went there because my Malaysian friend showed me an awesome photo of a temple inside the cave. I thought my trip would be complete if I couldg... more »

2012-10-05 05:17:19 (495 comments, 842 reshares, 5088 +1s)

I landed in Kuala Lumpur yesterday... Fortunately I found this spot just in time to get some photos at sunset. The two main towers look awesome as the sun sets on them... they reflect light in a truly unique way, but I couldn't quite bring it out in a photo so I decided to share this photo from when it was very dark. :-) The two central towers were the tallest in the world until 2004, when Taipei 101 took over (if you go back in my stream far enough, I've got a photo of Taipei 101). Now a building in Dubai is the tallest. The bridge connecting these two towers is still supposed to be the tallest bridge in the world, so take that Dubai!  I got interrupted about 15 times while taking this photo when others asked me me to take snapshots of them in front of the towers! I guess it looked like I knew what I was doing because I was using a tripod. :-) 

2012-10-04 06:25:06 (335 comments, 223 reshares, 1901 +1s)

Yesterday I spent about four hours at the wonderful Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, Malaysia. It was very quiet here... I was surprised it wasn't filled with tourists. It was a little cooler in the mountains and there was a nice breeze.  This is purported to be the largest Buddhist temple in South East Asia. There is much more to it, many different structures and levels as you climb the mountain. They were rebuilding a massive statue (I think it was the Goddess of Mercy) ... I will return to see it when it's done. It's truly fantastic, and also, I think, the tallest statue of Kuan Yin in the world. :-) 

2012-10-04 00:50:36 (483 comments, 457 reshares, 3288 +1s)

Last night in Penang, Malaysia there was a beautiful sunset. I get the idea that there's colors like this here all the time. From what I understand the weather is pretty consistent in Malaysia - always humid which leads to nice clouds and nice colors like this. One more night in Penang and I'm heading to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.  

The water is incredibly warm here -- nicer than a heated pool. It looks so serene and peaceful, but I heard there are jellyfish in the ocean, so I thought better of wading out to get a nicer angle on the rocks. And now to really kill the fantasy,  as I walked back to the hotel, I got attacked by a crazy wild pack of dogs on the beach. Fortunately I was able to scare them all off with a ferocious gorilla yell and a few kung fu swipes of my tripod. 

Right now I'm sitting by the pool watching the SF Giants put an end to the LA Dodgers season.(A... more »

2012-10-02 13:26:37 (483 comments, 264 reshares, 2244 +1s)

I left Macau yesterday... Here's the Sai Van Bridge, Macau Tower, some condos on the banks of the Nam Van Lake... Nice place to live. Lots of people gather near the lake and spread out blankets to eat dinner at night. I liked Macau more than I expected. I'll definitely return some day. If I ever want a little bit of Vegas in Asia, then I know where to go. :-) Some of the hotels - the Galaxy in particular - are so ridiculously over the top, it's quite good fun. 

I'm now in Penang, Malaysia sitting on the beach. I'm iPadding it up and figuring out where I want to go in this beautiful and friendly country. I knew English was compulsory in schools here, but I didn't realize they speak English so well. Malaysians are so nice, it's making things easy. :-) 

2012-09-30 06:40:54 (494 comments, 383 reshares, 2884 +1s)

Fireworks at the Macau Tower  One thing I love about photography is it's an international medium of communication -- both in the shots you take and in the friends you make doing it...  Last night I was walking around Macau looking for stuff to shoot and I met someone who thought I was going to shoot a fireworks show. "Fireworks!?" I said... I had no idea. It was on!  Eventually I found a spot where literally 100s of photographers had gathered around a lake, but I was mystified by where they were setting up... It seemed like it'd be better to head up a nearby mountain.

I was running out of time, but I started huffing up this steep hill hoping to find a better spot. Unfortunately I kept hitting one dead end after another. I started to get worried as the hour of 9pm was approaching, the scheduled time for the show. But then sweet relief, I found my spot, and there was asm... more »

2012-09-29 06:00:47 (486 comments, 387 reshares, 2677 +1s)

Had a nice flight to China... I slept well, and had a brief layover in Taiwan. I like being in Taiwan, as it's a place I'm very fond of, even if only for an hour. I actually ran into a friend in the airport who was on her way from America to Vietnam to teach Pilates.. Small world! She paused to not walk through a photo I was taking and didn't recognize me...  I said "Kelly, please get in my photo!" She looked quite shocked.

Last night I went to Macau & mostly walked around the area where the Venetian, Conrad and City of Dreams hotels are located. I just discovered this morning that this is not actually Macau proper.. So I'm headed out across the bridge to the old town. Here's a photo I got in the Venetian Casino. They seem pretty OK about taking photos here, though they insist I turn my hat backwards whenever I enter a casino. At first I thought the... more »

2012-09-27 04:50:38 (487 comments, 612 reshares, 3763 +1s)

I mentioned last night I'm heading for China ... I take off in a few hours. From there, in about a month, I'll go to Europe, but that's about all I know for sure so far. I'm going to see where the photo opportunities lead me.  

Here is a photo from a trip earlier this year -- I stopped in Turkey on the way to Italy and got to see the Hagia Sophia in person. The Hagia Sophia is on some of the 7 Wonders of the World lists (there are many lists). It is truly stunning.  They do not allow tripods inside, so I had to improvise to get this shot. I don't believe I violated any religious doctrine with my method.  Throughout history this basilica has been used as both a Catholic church and a Mosque. It's near 1700 years old, so it's seen a lot of changes over the years! 

I've actually spent the last two days de-packing for this trip. Usually I gosom... more »