Pow Wow Hawaii 2017 - 03/05/2017

Sunday, I wanted to pick up something from Fisher Hawaii but then found out they were closing in 5mins. Since I had my Lumix, I ended up taking some pics in the neighborhood. I had drove around the block but found that it was easier to walk around. It was a HOT and HUMID day but it was great seeing all these new art in the neighborhood.. I found a new rendition of my favorite piece at the side wall of Fisher Hawaii..

I think this one is from last year, but I was new to me..

Cactus Garden at Kapiolani Community College - 02/20/2017

It's been a long time since I went on a shoot and get together w/ fellow photogs Celia and Erick.  We decided to go to the Cactus Garden.  I got to use my 100mm macro lens. It was a great day and I had a great time.  

For post editing, I tried a different technique by looking at the histogram in the Camera Raw to adjust the photo so all the edges are brought back towards the center of the histogram by adjusting the exposure, contrast, shadow, etc.. setting.  Once I did that, I didn't have to adjust much after the photo opens in Photoshop Element.

I tried doing some close up macro shots..

There was a family of chicken w/ the rooster and 3 hens.. He moved around a lot so it was hard to get a good shot.

Some shots i took because i really liked the colors.

We went to Chili's for lunch and we had such a good time talking that I totally forgot to take pic of what I ate.  It was a great day indeed.

Voggy Sunset

Vog in the recent days made for an interesting Sunset.  I finally took my Canon 6D to take some full frame shots.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I haven't posts as much this year but will try to do better next year. 
I've seen Santa on this boat docked near the Aloha Tower for weeks now on my way to Chinatown. Finally I made an effort to go get a shot of it before Santa's deflated.

"Super-est" Moon of 2016

Last night was supposed to be the largest super moon since 1948 and the next one isn't until 2034.  I can never figure out how to take pic of the moon since I'd either get the Moon and no scenery or scenery and a blown out moon...Until I figure out how that works, I figure I'd use my Panasonic Lumix.  This was taken just after sunset around 6pm.  I guess with the mountain and houses (Waialai Iki I think) to compare, it looks more impressive.

22nd Annual Honolulu Festival - 03/12 - 3/13/2016

Every year, I look forward to going to the Honolulu Festival to see my favorite performers, the parade and the fireworks.

This year I caught the lantern performance.  They balance lanterns on their head, shoulder and back side.  Side note, it was super dark inside and w/o the high ISO and work in photoshop, it would be impossible to get any pics.

It was really awesome to see their balancing skill.

These lanterns aren't that small or light..even though it's paper and bamboo.

I walked around to catch some craft booths.. pounding this leaf-shaped copper piece.

It turns into a cool chopstick holder..

At the parade, there were groups from all over the world like this band from Mexico playing the song 'Tequila'.

This group's from Taiwan.

Flag throwers from Italy.

The setting sun was hard to shoot because of the bright glare, but after the sunset, it started to get dark and even harder to shoot. 

Finally the lighted floats started to arrive... meaning the end of the parade is near.

After waiting 2 hours, I finally get my shot at the fire breathing dragon... very difficult to shoot because it's dark, and very bright and lots of crowds.. 

At 8:30pm, the Nagaoka Firework Show started.  The crowd seem larger than previous year,  The tide seems higher so there was less sand to sit on.. so I ended up setting up in the crowd w/ my tripod. I didn't read my manual so I couldn't find the BULB setting!!  I nearly panicked and called it a day but then I realize I can just set it for 8 secs. It worked out quite well at F11.  

It started to get larger w/ this chrysanthemum pattern.  I had to zoom out.. thus catching the coconut tree in my shot.

Towards the end when the fireworks got really large, the entire trunk was caught in my shot.. 

I learned a few things from this shot.. 1) Found the BULB setting in the turn knob after I got home, 2) even though my 'neighbor' next to me kicked my tripod (3 times), the darkness and the long exposure didn't pick up any blurriness. 3)Next time check for coconut trees.  I had no idea it would block my view.

At the festival, the guy pointed out that the fireworks show used only the two smaller balls, the ones in Japan uses the larger size one.  From the looks of the firework show, The Nagaoka fireworks show must be HUGE.