On Vacation

I am headed out of Indonesia for about three weeks. Will be flying to the States tonight, will visit my parents in Virginia Beach, and then off to Guatemala with some good friends. I am not sure if I will be posting to the blog while I am gone as I am only carrying my ipad with me (and my camera gear of course), but I am looking forward to some new photos to post when I return. This will be my first trip to Central America...I have heard great things about Guatemala, so really looking forward to that trip.

If you follow this blog, please don't leave me...I WILL be back SOON....!!

One last photo before I take off....I am always looking for textures and color when walking around places. This boarded up place was near Fatahilla Square in North Jakarta...

Trees and Texture

I was playing around with some of my China photos from this past Christmas. I really find it enjoyable and relaxing doing post processing. Some people hate it, and some even don't like photographs with ANY post processing....I don't really understand that, but in this day in age with digital photography, I find the PP work just as fun and exciting as taking the photo....well, sometimes...and I also believe the PP is really important in showing one's vision as an artist....anyone can snap a photo of something, but not everyone can create "art" from their photos...along with composition and lighting, PP is also important for the final image...in my opinion.

For the photo below, I first converted it to black n white, and then added some textures to the photo which brought back in some color...I like the result...It might not be for everyone, but as long as I am happy with it, who cares what others think, right?

Game of Chess

Had a great couple of days in Singapore seeing some old friends. We didn't get out much, but had a great time talking, laughing, drinking good beer, and catching up with good friends. It was a nice break from the regular routine here in Jakarta. I also picked up my new underwater housing for the camera I still don't have...the D800. The D800 is on order, but who knows when I will actually have it in hand.

I liked this photo of these kids playing chess in Jakarta...Have a great weekend!!

Different Version of The Boat Guy

A few days ago, I posted a portrait of the boat guy I have seen most every time I go up to Sunda Kelapa. I posted the photo on Google+ . Another photographer that I admire on Google+ is Mike Shaw. He really does some fine post work in Photoshop, and I have always admired what he does with his portraits. He chimed in on my post, and after a couple of emails back n forth, he took the challenge to work his magic on my portrait. Below is his version of my portrait. I like it...

I am off to Singapore for a couple of days....I won't be making any posts during that time....see you on Thursday!!

Barrels

Yea, I know, it's just a bunch of old barrels of fuel, but great colors, don't ya think?

Hard Living

Most people in Jakarta don't live in the multi-million dollar mansions or the high rise apartments you see downtown. Most live below the poverty level in these slums. The thing that always amazes me, however, is how happy and welcoming the people are in these areas. I guess they just adopt the attitude, "it is what it is", and live with it. Never do I hear a person complain...kids run around being kids, and the adults do what it takes to put food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Down By The Tracks

My buddy and I went down to the railroad tracks today for a short photowalk. I brought along with me some photos I had printed to hand out to the people. People are always so gracious about having their photo taken, but rarely (if ever) do photographers actually give printed photos back to the people. So, that's exactly what I did...and you wouldn't believe the smiles!! Suddenly, everyone wanted their photo taken as I promised I would be back again with more prints...

A couple of kids hold the photo I took of them a few months ago...

Same Guy, New Photo

I took a photo of this same boat guy at Sundah Kelapa this past August. He is still there doing his thing with the boats. I told him I already had a good photo of him (one of my all time favorite shots), and asked him if I could get another. He happily posed again...hard to beat the lines on his face...the stories he could tell...

Photowalk Jakarta

My buddy and I hosted a Photo/Cultural walk yesterday for a group of students from the University of Virginia. Most were not photographers, so it turned into more of a cultural walk rather than photowalk, but I of course, took photos. This is one of my favorite shots from the day...