circadianreflections

The Safety Talk…

April 3, 2011Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Safety Talk…, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Field trip with West Valley College’s Photography Dept. to Death Valley National Park.

Before driving into Titus Canyon our fearless leader Brian gave us a talk about being safe while driving on this road. It was narrow, steep, and really rutted in places. A 4×4 or high clearance vehicle was recommended. He didn’t tell us about the really narrow part being really high with no guard rails! That freaked out a few people.
I want to go back and park at the turn out just before that and take photographs of the view. It was awesome, but we couldn’t stop, and it was far too bumpy, and dusty to get a clean shot from the moving car shooting out the window.

This red Jeep was brand new! She wanted to break it in she said.

A mile to mile and half before we exited the canyon the Drivers let the passengers get out to hike out the rest of the way. Then the drivers parked outside the canyon and hiked back in…if they wanted to. I was a passenger and you know I hiked out. I got a few neat photos from here.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 17-35mm @35mm| f8| 1/200 sec| ISO 160| Manual Mode| Hand-held

Sing your heart out!

April 2, 2011Posted in Uncategorized1 Comment

Is this a California Thrasher? , originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Click the photo to view it large.

I saw, and heard this little bird in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California last week while there for a Photography Field Studies Class.
I wish I was as brave as this little bird who landed on this cushioned seating in the courtyard at the Ranch. Without a care in the world he found his Center Stage.

Me, I have Stage Fright so bad I dropped out of Toastmasters 9 talks into it. I got hives preparing the 10th and final talk, and I dread having to introduce myself at events or classes. My palms get sweaty, my brain goes blank…my face gets red, my eyes glaze over, and get hot…yes, my eyes get hot! I’m a wreck inside. Somehow I manage to get through, but wish I were this comfortable, and as brave as this little bird who sang his heart out in the public square.

I’m going to remember this little bird the next time I have to introduce myself or face a room full of people. I won’t sing my heart out, but with luck I won’t glaze over or stumble over my own name.

Does anyone know what this bird is? Is it a Thrasher? Thanks for any help with Identifying it!

Nikon Issues 3rd Update since Earthquake and Tsunami

April 1, 2011Posted in NikonLeave a comment

Still struggling with rolling blackouts and worries about getting materials and components from business partners they warn they may not meet customer expectations.

Nikon issues third update after the earthquake in Japan

They hope we understand and I will be patient. 🙂

H/T Nikon Rumors

An impromptu stop along the way home

April 1, 2011Posted in Uncategorized3 Comments

An impromptu stop along the way home, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

I couldn’t resist stopping for a photo of this field of California Goldfields, Phacelia, and I think Brittlebush. The dead branch is full of holes the woodpeckers use to store their goodies in.

Searles Valley, California, Hwy 178, Desert;

“Footprints on the Sands of Time” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

March 31, 2011March 31, 2011Posted in Uncategorized4 Comments

“Footprints on the Sands of Time” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

I went on a field trip with West Valley College’s Photography Dept. to Death Valley National Park. On the second evening of the field studies class we hiked the Mesquite Sand Dunes. I hiked out about mile with a few friends for sunset. The contours, light, and shadows were awesome!

I took about 1000 photos in 5 days. You’ll probably get bored with my Death Valley trip long before I do.

Interview with Rummy Makmur Beauty and Fashion Photographer

March 22, 2011March 22, 2011Posted in Interviews, PhotographyTagged Beauty, Fashion, Interview, PhotographyLeave a comment

Meet Rummy Makmur, a Beauty and Fashion photographer, and good friend based in Santa Clara, CA., a little hamlet in the middle of Silicon Valley.

I met Rummy (pronounced roomy), nearly 3 yrs ago at a Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk.

Rummy is a prolific and passionate photographer, balancing both a career in the electronics industry, and his passion for photography.

Rummy says he’s still working to define and refine his style, but whether he’s shooting edgy, new age, Gothic, or romantic scenes he leaves his mark with his innate sense of style, beauty, and creativity.

CircadianReflections- Give us a little bit about your background, where you were born or, grew up, and when you came to this country?

[Rummy]- I was born and raised in North Sumatra in Indonesia. I came here to the States to attend university and studied chemical engineering.

CircadianReflections- How would you describe yourself as a photographer and describe for us your signature look?

[Rummy] My main interest is shooting beauty and fashion, perhaps more on beauty. I feel beauty is simple to shoot but yet at the same time is challenging. When it’s done right, it is very satisfying. I don’t think I have a signature look even though some people who look at my work may feel I have one. I am still experimenting and trying to define and refine my style.

CircadianReflections- Describe to us how all this began for you?

[Rummy] To be honest, before I bought my first DSLR, I had no interest in photography. I owned a very cheap point and shoot and I rarely used it if any at all. One day, I was in a Cosplay conference and helped my wife take some photos of the Cosplayers. Suffice to say that most of the photos turned out not so good and blurry due to the lighting condition in the conference area. Challenged by that, I started to have more interest in finding out why the images were so bad. I thought having a better camera would give better result so I went and purchased my first DSLR. To my surprise at that time, it did not improve at all. From there, it’s been a journey in learning and finding out about lighting, about color and about what makes a great image. And I am still learning.

CicadianReflections- Describe to us your first “real shoot” where were you, what you were doing, and who you were with?

[Rummy] I tried a lot of genres when I first started: landscape, architecture, street photography, people, etc. I found that shooting portrait was most satisfying and for some reason, I had better eyes for portrait. My first “real shoot” was when I participated in local San Francisco meet up group for Strobist to learn about off camera lighting. That was the first time I shot a model. Having a first shoot was quite exciting and I definitely learned a lot in how to work with a model.

CircadianReflections- What has been your most rewarding achievement as a portrait/beauty artist?

[Rummy] I think that is still to come! Although, I find all my projects rewarding… my goal is to continue to make my shoots more dynamic, and compelling.

CircadianReflections- When you first started what was your biggest dream? And have you accomplished that?

[Rummy] I actually didn’t expect a lot when I first started. I just wanted to take better pictures and learned all things related to photography. My goal right now is to get more publications for beauty and fashion. It’s hard, but I am working on that.

CircadianReflections- Who’s your favorite beauty portrait photographer, and who do you draw inspiration from?

[Rummy] There are a lot of beauty photographers that I admire. I try to browse and look around for inspirations, not just from one photographer. So I don’t have a favorite photographer, per se. However, if I need to name somebody, I really like the work of Gavin O’Neill for beauty and skin work.

CircadianReflections- What is it that you like the most about shooting Portrait/Beauty aside from other types of photography?

[Rummy] As we all know, lighting is important in photography. I feel that I have more control of the lighting when I shoot portrait/ beauty. The lighting will be however I want it to be, even for outdoor. In addition, being able to interact with the subject makes it a bit easier and maybe more interesting.

CircadianReflections- In your opinion what are the tools a photographer must always have in his/her photography kit?

[Rummy] I’d say, from portrait standpoint (I assume these are items that you always carry around):

1. Decent camera (entry level is fine and any brand)

2. good lens

3. Color checker (to adjust white balance and color correction in post)

4. External lighting (minimal should have external flash/ strobes) and its modifiers

Hmm, those are the items that I always carry around.

CircadianReflections- Currently you’re working on your photography business “part-time”, and holding down a regular 8-to-5 job in the Electronics Industry. Do you have aspirations of turning your Photography work into a “full-time” business?

[Rummy] No, not at all. My current goal is not necessarily making this into a business. My dream is to shoot for beauty ad campaigns some day.

CircadianReflections- What’s on the horizon for Rummy Makmur?

[Rummy] I’m hoping for more publications this year.

CircadianReflections- What advice would you give a new photographer who would like to start a business as a Portrait/Beauty Photographer?

[Rummy] I won’t give any advice from business standpoint as I am still learning. But, for any new photographers who are just starting shooting portrait, my advice is to keep shooting and shoot often. That’s the only way to learn.

On Radio Road

March 21, 2011March 21, 2011Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged Aquatic birds;, Birds, California, California Reserves;, Nature, Nikon, Photography, Redwood Shores, Wildlife2 Comments

These birds make me smile! They have such a friendly face, but their walk is awkward…. and….stilted. Probably because they’re trying not to disturb the water as they hunt for food.

“The Black-necked Stilt forages by probing and gleaning primarily in mudflats and lakeshores, but also in very shallow waters near shores; it seeks out a range of aquatic invertebrates – mainly crustaceans and other arthropods, and mollusks – and small fish, tadpoles and very rarely plant seeds. Its mainstay food varies according to availability; inland birds usually feed mainly on aquatic insects and their larvae, while coastal populations mostly eat other aquatic invertebrates. For feeding areas they prefer coastal estuaries, salt ponds, lakeshores, alkali flats and even flooded fields. For roosting and resting needs, this bird selects alkali flats (even flooded ones), lake shores, and islands surrounded by shallow water.” ~ Wikipedia

For this shoot I met photographer, and friend Marianne Bush out at Radio Road which is part of Redwood Shores Reserves. After we shot around the lagoon for a while we walked over to a channel that feeds the lagoon where Marianne had spied a Bufflehead while we were driving in. An aquatic bird in the Sea Duck family that has been on my list for sometime. The Bufflehead was no longer there, but we did see this little duck below. Both Marianne and I were very excited because neither one of us had seen this bird before. Marianne being the much more experienced birder had an idea of what breed it might be. When we left we were both anxious to get into our bird books to see if we could identify it.

Marianne was able to ID it faster than I did. She wrote to tell me we had seen a Blue Winged Teal! Very uncommon on the West Coast. You can image how thrilled we both were. A month later looking at this photo I can still feel that thrill of excitement one gets when seeing a new species for the first time.

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