The Lighthouse Near Belitung

This lighthouse was built by the dutch in the 1870's....and is still in use today...the island it sits on is idyllic...your typical tropical paradise!!

More Orchids

I don't really consider myself a "flower" kind of guy...but when it comes to orchids, there is something that really catches me...maybe it is the fact that they are so difficult to grow and that there are so many different varieties of them...they are cool flowers even for the non-flower type guys like me...

By the way, on my recent trip to Singapore, I was only armed with my D300 and the 50mm lens. It was somewhat liberating walking around with only one lens, and it forced me to be more creative with what I took photos of...a good preview for shooting with the Leica.

I still don't have a lens for my M9. So, my M9 is just sitting on my desk begging to be used...

Orchid Walk

Those are orchids...yes, unreal. If you go to Singapore, don't miss the Botanical Gardens. Inside the Botanical Gardens you can find the National Orchid Garden, and it is nothing short of spectacular...

My New Leica M9

Well, I did it...I took the plunge...I bought the new Leica M9 in Singapore. It did not come without it's price though. It is an extremely expensive camera, so I had to sell most all of my Nikon equipment in order to afford the camera. I still don't have a lens for the camera either...the Leica lenses are the world's best, but they are also the world's most expensive. I will buy two lenses for the camera this week (If I can sell what remains of my old Nikon stuff). I have yet to decide which lenses to buy, but will let you know later this week. I can't wait to go out and shoot with my new camera...I am sure it will be every good as it is supposed to be. I will be writing my review of the camera as soon as I get out and shoot with it...

So, stay tuned...

By the way, I have kept a few items from my old equipment...I kept my D70 and a couple of lenses as it is the camera I use underwater. If I ever get rich, I will sell the D70, and get the D700 and a new housing for my underwater stuff...but that is down the road...WAY down the road.

It was sad to see my D300, and some choice lenses go, but I am sure they would just sit and collect dust once I start using the M9...and I wouldn't be able to afford the M9 if it weren't for selling my old stuff...so, so long Nikon...till we meet again...

The Ion Mall

I can't help but take photos of this building on Orchard Road in Singapore...it just screams, "Take my photo"....it is a VERY cool building, and should be for its price...I think it is the most expensive mall ever built in Singapore...

Another From Nepal

If you enjoy trekking, Nepal is a MUST...the most incredible mountains in the world with some of the most incredible people living in them. In the background is the famous Machapuchhre, known as the "fish tail". This mountain is sacred in Nepal and has never been summited.

I get back from Singapore tomorrow...see you on Sunday!

Nepal Girl On The Trail

I am in Singapore buying my new camera...this one is from the archives, as will tomorrow's post. The nice thing about Blogger is the ability to make scheduled posts...so, if you leave on vacation, you can post photos ahead of time leaving no gaps in your blog.

Ha! I should take my own advice at times...It is too easy to just get lazy, and not post...

Something Different

So here's something a little different. Take a couple of your favorite portraits, add some textures to it, change the blend modes, mask out parts you don't like, and experiment to create a new and different art. Here are a couple I did, and I think the results are kinda cool. I am thinking of making large prints of these (and a couple more), and selling them. They are more "art" than photography, and people like to hang "art" on their walls...

You might not like what I have done with these, but I think they are cool and different...it was sure fun making them!

I am off to Singapore tomorrow to get a new present for myself. I made the decision. I am getting the Leica M9 and a couple of lenses. It was not an easy decision as I had to sell most all of my Nikon equipment in order to afford the purchase. I have done it though, so there is no turning back now...I will let you know how the new system works for me in future posts...and I look forward to posting new photos taken with the Leica!!

Kathmandu Roof Tops

I was fascinated with all the action happening on the rooftops of Kathmandu, Nepal.

My buddies and I had a nice lunch on top of one of these rooftops, so I had to peer over the railing and see all the action going on...never a dull moment in Kathmandu!

Action On The River

This is a unique place...Yangshuo, China...

Shooting Pigs For a Funeral

First off, I must apologize for not making a post since Wednesday. I try to post a new photo every day except Saturdays, but got wrapped up in work, and my internet was down for two days as well. It is actually pretty tough to post every day...I have a pretty large catalog of photos, but I am in need of some new stuff. Now that summer is here, I plan on making a few trips to fill up my "tank" of photos...

Below is a photo I took of the chief of a small village in Papua shooting a pig for a funeral. An important man in the village had died, and many pigs were killed in his honor. The funeral lasted a few days, and was an incredible event to be invited to witness.

Hong Kong Architecture

Hong Kong is a great place to walk around with your camera...great buildings, and cool people everywhere...