Day 31 - Viramos Todas

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/2.8

Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 800

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

HELLO EVERYONE!  So I moved today, I left Ângela’s house and moved in with Ronan & Elvis. Today was a good day I ended up going to the Pantufas + Z recording studio with André. We are planning on recording a music video for them this weekend. This should prove to be interesting and fun. Today I had initially thought of putting four images together to say “end 1” for the end of the first month… but I never realized how difficult it is to find objects that look like letters. So I gave up on that idea, for that kind of project I think I need to actually wake up early and venture out to find all the letters. I am here now at Pedro’s house and we have been drinking and drinking… and drinking. There is a saying in Portuguese that means to … I guess chug or drink all – virar todas, and well tonight we are virando todas. Here is the picture of the empty bottle incorporating the literal translation of the saying (to flip it or turn over). I found it to be very creative, ladies and gentlemen I give you Viramos Todas!


P.S.


This picture was created by putting a macro lens between me and the bottles and then focusing on the lens. The result was a clear picture of the bottles upside down and a hazy picture of them right side up in the background.

Day 30 - Beautifully Dilapidated

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  18mm (18.0-55.0mm)  f/3.5-5.6

Focal Length: 18mm

Aperture: f/13

Shutter Speed: 1/160

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Yet again, I start another one of my stories by telling you I went to go visit a friend. Today I woke up very early… 10:30am. I had made plans with Ronan to meet up with him at 11:30am for lunch. By the time I showered and got ready it was already 11:20am there was no way I was going to make it to his house on foot. So I called a moto-taxi – OH DEAR GOD! – How I hate moto-taxis, not only because I am a big guy and these bikes are the little 250cc bikes but because I have no control over the bike… and not to mention I hate riding bitch. Any who, I get to Ronan's and we have a great homemade lunch, very delicious. Ronan and Elvis are the kind souls who offered their hospitality to me, I will be living with them – it is a spiffy place, I like it. Ok well back to the description of the picture, a few days back when I went to André’s house I was walking down the street and as I came to a bridge I saw this shabby little rundown building. I thought it was enchanting– in its own unique way. Confucius once said “Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.” And it is true, I found this building to be beautifully dilapidated, it has this charm to it. One that seemed somewhat beguiling – the stories that it must hold, the families it housed, the fire it survived or rather the fire that took its life. I give you Beautifully Dilapidated. I hope you see the beauty in this as I did.

P.S.

There is also a new picture in the album RunnerUps of a dog (with the same title) that was there in front of the building.

Day 29 - Pretty Kitty

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/2.2

Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

It seems that every day I am visiting a different friend, today I went to go visit Pedro. He sent me a message mid-afternoon, like 2:30pm or 3:00pm, to let me know he was back in town.  I had just woken up; I stayed out all night last night and did not make it home until about 7:30am. Since I had not gone out of the house yet I got ready and ventured out to Pedro’s. I get to his house and knock on the door and to my surprise his brother, Isaias, opens the door. Isaias is the big lovable guy with a humungous afro, and a great sense of humor. Oh how I missed him. I go inside and I find Marli and Enoc, Pedro’s parents. They are the some of the kindest hearted and welcoming people I have ever met. They took me in for Christmas of 2010 and New Year when I was down here the first time. It was nice seeing them again. We chit chatted for a bit, Isaias and me that is; Pedro being asleep did not join in on the conversation.  Then Isasias told me about how they rescued this itty bitty kitty, maybe a month old, because it was abandoned by its mother. They named her Amu, the poor thing looked disoriented and terrified, not because she was mistreated or anything like that but because she was acclimating herself with the new house, and things for her must have seemed big and scary. 

Day 28 - On Track

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal Length:18mm

Aperture: f/3.5

Shutter Speed1/1600 sec:

ISO Sensitivity:400

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

I went to go visit Thiago today and to get to his house I simply followed the tracks for a good amount of the walk. As I was walking I was thinking, thinking of some of the good ole train idioms that we use; stay on track, chuggin’ along, runaway train, ride the gravy train, even train of thought.  The one I was most fixated on was "staying on track." Are we so adamant on having our entire future planned out that we leave no room for spontaneity? Do we forego adventure for security? Do we really go after what we want or do we simply let society dictate what we want? Maybe you want a house, a car, a good job. With all that you get put into the rat race, and once in it is nearly impossible to get out. I know where I want to be, but will I really stay on track or will I diverge as the days, weeks, and years pass on? How many of your plans actually got accomplished? Well I do know one thing for sure – I am the one laying the tracks for this train!

Day 27 - Reminiscing Raindrops

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 55-200mm F/4-5.6G

Focal Length: 200mm

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/3200 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 6400

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Rainy days are great, for me they take me back, back to those early days when rain would not stop us from wanting to go outside and play. It had the complete opposite effect for me, I wanted to run outside and jump in the puddles and just lay looking up at the sky and let the drops just splash on my face. Even when it was hailing outside, in Chicago, I remember running outside with all my sisters. We would collect hail stones and throw them at each other and even save some in the freezer… why? I do not know. Why do we do half the things we do when we are young, because it is fun and we can. I really love today’s picture for that reason. It takes me back to a better time; a time when wet clothes did not matter - ladies and gentlemen I give you Reminiscing Raindrops.

Day 26 - Tiradentes

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/1.8

Shutter Speed: 1/13

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

Location: Tiradentes, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Have you ever woken up and not known what day it was? Well today I went about my business thinking it was Wednesday. It was funny I kept telling everyone “yea we’ll go one Thursday” or “Thursday we should go drink here/there.” Any who I went to Tiradentes today and there is this sort of Film Festival thingy going on –really cool I like it. It is a very old school colonial town but since it is setup for the festival I did not take any pictures of the city street level. I went up a very steep hill and caught this beauty – I would not believe this was a real picture if I had not taken it myself. Yea yea, I know it is a little out of focus but I did not take my tripod so this is the best I could do given the circumstances.

Day 25 - André and his New Toy

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 400

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Today was my first day in São João del-Rei, I arrived at Ângela’s , I did not call ahead because I wanted to “surprise” her, she was not home. I waited like an hour and a half for her to get there.  Once there the internet did not work, I spent another hour fixing that- customer service in Portuguese is a bitch. But I did get it fixed. Finally I went to Andre’s and here he is with his new toy I brought him.


P.S. 
we were taking pictures of eachother taking pictures... dorks , I know, but it was cool.
Here is the link to the one he took, click here.

Day 24 - My New Apprentice

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm f/1.8 

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: 1.8

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

Location: Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Today was my first day back in Brazil, and boy was it filled with surprises. First I could not sleep, and I forgot to take my sleeping pills – that ten hour flight from Charlotte to Rio seemed ETERNAL. Then in Rio they misplaced one of my bags and then after they found it the electricity went out at the airport. But since I was running late and I almost missed my flight to Belo Horizonte they let me cut-in line for a speedier check-in. Well, I got on to the plane just in time and we all get settled down and buckled in and wait for takeoff… and wait… and wait. After about 20 minutes of blindly waiting the captain gets on the intercom and informs us that since the electricity went out the fuel pumps, to refuel the jet, were not functioning. We wait another hour before a fuel truck gets around to our plane. We take-off and I get to Belo Horizonte over an hour late and there was Marina and Mateus to pick me up. I get to their house and have a good time catching up, and then Marina sees my harmonica and asks me to teach her… My New Apprentice can now play the most popular harmonica riff. 

Day 23 - The Original Reality TV

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm f;1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/18

Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec

ISO Sensitivity:1600

SW: LR3

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

As I sat there at the Charlotte International Airport I could not help but smile at the elderly couple looking out the window. I smiled because this to me made me think of how in the good ole days people would sit outside on the rocking chairs and just gaze the day away.  I thought it would be appropriate for the image to be in black and white.

Day 22 - Kim Tim

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm F/1.8D 

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: F/1.8

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

Location: Austin, Texas

Today was a great day, my little sister came back home. I had not seen her in years and every time I would come to visit she would be gone or when she would be home I would not visit. I was so excited and this is the radiant, gorgeous and … beguiling sibling – Little miss Kim Tim. However the sad part of the story is that she finally came home but I am on my way out and I will only get to see her for a little over 24hrs…. sad times; Love you mija!

Day 21 - Weapons of Mass Destruction

Device: iPhone

other details unknown

These are my instruments of creation and destruction. I venture out into the world on the hunt, seeking my prey, to share with you my perception of reality. Whether massive or minuscule, far or near they shall not escape my grasp.

Day 20 - Good Morning Tree

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G 

Focal Length: 26mm

Aperture: F/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/500

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200

SW: CS5

Location: Austin, Texas

As my departure date draws closer and closer I really feel it is not just a dream anymore, I am really leaving. I wake up earlier, and dream of being there already. I have two days remaining. And today I woke up and saw this beautiful sight – I call it “God Morning Tree” because it truly felt like a good morning. 

Day 19 - The Iconic Capitol Building

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G 

Focal Length: 22mm

Aperture: F/3.8

Shutter Speed: HDR - Multiple exposures

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1600

SW: CS5

Location: Austin, Texas

Went to bed last night at like 2:30-3am and woke up at 6:30. I had to go pick up a friend from the bus station by 7:15. Drove all through morning rush hour traffic and made to the station about 15 min late. To my surprise, the bus was running late, it would not arrive until 1pm. Wow so much fun! Of course, trying to create a good habit I took my camera with me. Because of my early rise this has been one of the longest days of my life. I took my friend and his lady around town to show them the sites here in Austin. I got loads and loads of great shots. However, I can only pick one and here it is…The Iconic Capitol Building.

P.S. I have been up since 6:30am and I am still up, just got home and barely staying awake just to post this for you! See how much I appreciate you! =P

Posted at 12:45am

Day 18 - Whatcha Doin'

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm F/1.8D (+17 macro filter)

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: F/3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200

Location: Austin, Texas

I spent most of the day working today and felt quite accomplished. Today, when I left home, I made sure to take my camera with me… but I did not see anything worth photographing. I ran to the gas station to pump up and as I was pumping, I had this unsettling sensation that I someone was watching me. I turned my head and BAM! This little critter is just ogling me with an expression on his face that said “Whatcha Doin?” Ladies and gentlemen, meet Moe the Moth. =)

Day 17 - Balanced Meal

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm F/1.8D

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: F/1.8

Shutter Speed: Multiple Exposures - HDR

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1600

SW: CS5 (HDR Photo Merge)

Location: Austin, Texas

Today was supposed to be a relax day… but apparently I do not know how to drive. I backed up and broke the driver side mirror. This turned my relaxed day into a hectic one. I ventured out to run my many errands; however, I forgot my camera at home. I went to the junk yard – this would have produced a disgustingly beautiful picture. On my way home, I was re-introduced to REAL traffic, not that pseudo-Las Cruces-traffic. A normally 30 min drive took me over an hour and a half. Moreover, the entire drive home I kept thinking “I should have brought my camera. We are going so slow I could get off and take a picture before we start moving again.” Alas, I had to come up with a creative image here at home. This is it… for me, growing up, no meal was complete without beans and rice – a truly balanced meal.

Day 16 - Three Wise Monkeys

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 50mm F/1.8D

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: F/2.2

Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100

SW: Lightroom (B&W effect)

Location: Austin, Texas

Today was a madhouse; we had all these little people running around the house. They are a rambunctious little bunch and it is unbelievable how much ruckus they can make. Nevertheless, I must be honest; I rather have a house full of disharmonious children than not because with them they bring a happiness and alegria that would brighten even the gloomiest of souls. These are my niece and nephews. 

Day 15 - Little Mr. Lincoln

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR VR 55-200mm F/4-5.6G (+17 macro filter)

Focal Length: 55mm

Aperture: F/22

Shutter Speed: 1 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100

Location: Austin, Texas

Today I slept in very late – and it felt good. It is so nice not having to wake up early for anything. I had this vontade, this urge to take a picture of something really small that most people miss. I took some pictures of small flowers, an apple up-close, and some critters outside, none of which made the cut. Finally, I remembered Little Mr. Lincoln, and wondered how many of you were aware of his presence and had actually seen him on the reverse side of a penny. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Little Mr. Lincoln on his grandiose cathedra.

Day 14 - Midnight Stroll

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G (

Focal Length: 55mm

Aperture: F/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/6 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO HI 2 (2 EV over 3200)

Location: Burnett, Texas

Today was the second part of my trip back to Austin. That being said I had fully intended to wake up early and hit the road, needless to say, that did not happen. By the time I got on the road, it had already begun to get dark and the sunset was truly beautiful. However, since I had already taken a picture of a sunset I was waiting for something else. The last few nights I noticed that the moon came out a few hours after it got dark; there is also a bridge that I was to cross about the same time. I was imagining how the picture was going to look, how I was going to setup the camera, and how I was going to frame it. Sadly, when I got to the bridge the yellow moon was nowhere in sight. I was so upset. And so, I continued driving to Austin and as I passed the Burnett I spotted a smaller bridge with ducks and quaint little lights.

P.S.

The stupid moon came out 40 minutes after passing the spot where I wanted it.

(I took a picture of it but it did not make it on to the blog. It will be on Facebook in an album labeled “Runner-ups”.)

Day 13 - Starlit Silhouette

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G

Focal Length: 18mm

Aperture: F/3.5

Shutter Speed: 30 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 800

Location: Guadalupe Mt., Texas

I finally got what I came for, so now it is off to Austin I go. I was driving all through the night and pulled over in the middle of nowhere to gaze at the stars. Ah - how they are beautiful! They twinkled, sparkled, and glimmered and I wanted to catch that. The best part about it is how the came out different colors.

Day 12 - Surreal Sunset

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR VR 55-200mm F/4-5.6G

Focal Length: 120mm

Aperture: F/4.8

Shutter Speed: HDR - Multiple exposures

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100

SW: CS5

Location: El Paso, Texas

Today I spent the day waiting... and waiting... and waiting. I was supposed to pick up a certain something but that did not happen. I had taken a few pictures throughout the day; some crows, some cool lens trick, and this sunset. It was a tough call, however, I feel I chose the right one for you guys. I hope you enjoy it! 

Day 11 - Airplane Peanuts

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: AF 50mm F/1:1.8 D

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: F/1.8

Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100

Location: Flying somewhere over Texas

Last night I went to bed around 3 am and had to wake up at 6 to catch a flight. I was very excited to take some aerial pictures for you, once in the air I came to the sad realization I was flying west ward over Texas... there is nothing but desert! So I figured I would do what my niece, Anais, told me -- get the airplane peanuts and make them into the shape of an airplane. I thought it was funny and genius. The credit for this image is all hers! 

Day 10 - M

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G (additional +17 macro lens)

Focal Length: 26mm

Aperture: F/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/4 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 400

Editing SW: LR3

Location: Austin, Texas

I felt like a little kid today. I had ordered some accessories over a week ago and they were due to arrive today. I opened up the packages and there they were – my new wide-angle lens, my fish eye lens, and some macro filter lens. So, to continue with the analogy, I setup my new toys and started playing with them right away. It took me awhile to figure out that after a certain magnification the focus ring no longer works and that you have to physically move the camera forwards/backwards until you focus on the correct plane. Yummy! Who wants candy?

Day 9 - Deep Blue Bliss

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G

Focal Length: 44mm

Aperture: F/5.3

Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1600

Editing SW: CS5

Location: Austin, Texas

After looking into Juliana's eyes I knew I had to take a picture to let you know how gorgeous the baby – and her eyes – are. This precious little girl is a little under 3 months old and is already charming everyone that lays eyes on her. 

Day 8 - Naked Trees

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G

Focal Length: 18mm

Aperture: F/3.5

Shutter Speed: HDR - Multiple exposures (15 sec - 1/1.3 sec)

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 800

Editing SW: CS5

Location: Austin, Texas

Today was kind of a lazy day, being that it was all gloomy and rainy outside. I did not do much nor go out of the house. I decided to run down to the duck pond again for today's picture. It was nice dark and I wanted to see if I could get some nice nighttime HDR images. It really did not come out how I expected but I hope with practice I perfect the technique.  

Day 7 - Ambush

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G

Focal Length: 36mm

Aperture: F/11

Shutter Speed: HDR - Multiple exposures (1/320 sec - 1/6 sec)

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100

Editing SW: CS5

Location: Austin, Texas

After reading a few articles on HDR, thanks to Íris, I decided to try it out for myself. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It is a technique used to produce an image with a wider dynamic range between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. In other words, it more closely represents what the human eye sees, making it more realistic. Here is the completion of my first attempt at an HDR image. I took Sy’s little ninjas and posed them for today’s image … Ambush.