Orange Dusk in Baja Coast: color or hue?

The image on the left is, so far my 2009 winning picture...still travelling and competing with the other winning pictures in Northern California camera clubs for Intermediate Print Pictorial category.

I stepped up by accident at the camera club on June 15 from Basic to Intermediate level competition. I hesitated at first because I did know I had a fear of failure BUT that fear compelled me to fight off anything that might support it. Then one member told me "It's OK, take the challenge! You shouldn't compete in Basic anyway since you produce such fantastic photos." So, I took the challenge of competing with 2 professional photographers and 1 photography instructor and got the 1st place.

Standing alone in a 100 ft drop, the colors of the sky and the sea changes from yellow to orange to pink to red orange to blue until it becomes pitch black. For 3 hours of non-stop sunset pictorial, I have witnessed and captured the phenomenon called Hue. To see it is a gift... during my birthday trip in Baja California Mexico.

The word color is the general term which applies to the whole subject - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, black and white and all possible combinations thereof. Hue is the correct word to use to refer to just the pure spectrum colors.

I'm a self-taught photographer. Never took a class but attended some seminar/lectures that I didn't really learn anything. I certainly think training is important: self-training and to learn from a pro. The Orange Dusk in Baja Coast can never exist without the "eye" and "passion", not just by the camera+lens alone.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my travel companions/my cousins Dollie&Jeff for showing me the beauty and light of Baja California Mexico ~ It is their 2nd home and the Orange Dusk is actually the view from their "El Muchacho" cabin.

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator” ~ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
[click on the picture to enlarge, click the above title Orange Dusk in Baja Coast to see the colors of Erendira BC Mexico].

The Shroud Of The Missions: the cross

"The Shroud Of The Missions" is a personal favorite this year. Though not a competition material, I BELIEVE this image has "something" on it ~ a different approach, a different perspective, a different concept...whatever it is, this image calls for attention.

The CROSS is not the church itself, it is the backyard door...Imagine yourself walking in a path surrounded by Eucalyptus trees. As you get closer to the door, you are walking under the wood-framed mosquito net. The net has a dual purpose: one as a shade from the sun and one to catch the fallen leaves. And just before you reach the door, you look up and "The Shroud Of The Missions" is what you see.

I am posting this blog today, July 11 to commemorate the birthday of my mom. How do I celebrate her? ~ just like the first time I looked up on the CROSS, I whisphered to God "She belongs to you now, please take care of her".

[click the image to enlarge, click the above title to play "Be Not Afraid, I Go Before You Always".]

TRUE COLORS: my exhibit

Color is everywhere. Color can change our mood and inspire us. Color is an art, an expression, a beauty. Imagine our world as black and white...dull, isn't it? Look around you, what colors do you see? Have you ever seen the movie "Pleasantville"? ~ It is a richly-textured fantasy that dramatically plays out the clash of American values on a stage that gradually shifts from shades of black and white to vibrant colors.

True Colors is my photography exhibit title. It is to express my passion, to show what I have captured and to present the image as it is. I use natural light and weather to capture the mood and spirit of the mountains, the waters, villages, lighthouses, flora and fauna. Outdoor: my goal is to locate those timeless images and portray them in a way that encourages people to stop and appreciate the natural beauty. I like to shoot a variety of subjects that appeal to my "eye". Though I have something in mind, I don't fixate on it ~ I'm always open to whatever nature provides me, open to any possibilities. I prefer mix of weather and doesn't confine to the magical hour of sunrise and sunset but also shoots during the middle of the day and still try to be productive. Inspired by the sharpness and quality of light in Ansel Adam's black and white photos...line, texture, light, and composition becomes more important each day and each time I click the shutter in my camera.

Coming this Fall: TRUE COLORS 2009

[click the play button to see the movieclip Pleasantville and see what colors can do to the World.]