Red Mums: for mom on Mother's Day

Every two weeks or so, I dress up my living room with a bouquet/pot of flowers.

In Feng-Shui, any living plant/flowers will emit Chi (the universal positive energy) into the room.

I purchased a pot of this blooming Red Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) during my 2008 grocery shopping as my Xmas flower and present for my mom (for her memorial altar in my living room).

One evening,while looking with admiration of it's vibrant red and yellow colors and the folded petals, I let my sense of Creativity kicks in: I cut one stem, used my iron to hold it and the ironing board as my stage, wrapped one night stand lamp with cheese cloth as my improvised studio lights and blackboard as my backdrop. First attempt was a failure. Second try was a success.


How far did the my above image Red Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) go?
4th place: Northern California Council Of Camera Clubs (N4C) Pictorial Basic Projected March2010

2nd place: Livermore Valley Camera Club (LVCC) Pictorial Projected Basic 02/19/10


My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune.

Happy Mother's Day to all the MOMS!

[click on the images to enlarge]

May 3, 2010 Winning Images: never cease to grow

I just came back from a combo work/pleasure trip in Florida but managed to upload and print my images for the competition meeting...Tired from the trip but that doesn't mean I will skip the camera club...When you have the passion for learning, no matter what it takes and no matter what you feel, you will never cease to grow.

May 3, 2010 Livermore Valley Camera Club

Travel Projected Basic
1st place: "California Adventure", Anaheim CA

judge commentary: This is a good sunset image. Your have all the details and the reflection is a bonus. The maker can also enter this in Pictorial competition. Very nice.

my commentary: This is an old picture taken 3 years ago. I don't ride rides anymore as I used to live in Disney area in Anaheim 8 years ago. I only go to theme parks now just for photography esp. sunset/night pictorial. Yes, this was taken at sunset.

Photojournalism Projected Basic

Honorable Mention: "April 22, 2010: Denver International Airport shutdown due to lightning and severe thunderstorm."

judge commentary: Date of event is not necessary. I like the mood of this image: dark clouds and foreground. Very nice.

What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity. In the end there are no certain answers." ~ Martina Horner

[click the image to enlrage]