• Archive for December, 2009

  • Dec 31

    dwntwn miami is so unorthodox


    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    No, seriously, it really is! All these one-way streets in the dwntwn area is what really pisses Miamians off! I complain about it on Twitter all the time yo!

    Now, from an Everglades on the Bay vantage point, looking to the north, you just might see the legendary Freedom Tower, American Airlines Arena, Marina Blue, 900 Biscayne, Ten Museum Park or even the ridiculously luxurious Marquis Miami. But none of that is what makes dwntwn Miami just straight-up weird.

    It’s the fact that dwntwn has an unusual look to it, or at least for right now it does. =/ With all this construction going on you could see it as a renovation period, or what architects are dubbing a “Manhattanization wave”. But that’s just half the story.

    What’s my Point?: nothing is being done to expand the roads in dwntwn, which is a major mistake. As I mentioned in an earlier vlogcast™ image detail, so much money is being invested to bring traffic and residents in, but Miami is simply too damn small for this movement. Some might say the city is ‘too far gone’ meaning an excess of construction has already taken place, eliminating the opportunity or room for road expansion. =/

    Would you believe that construction on Miami Beach has created the same exact problem? Ha, but who am I to say: I’m just a broke college student! Oh well.

    IMAGE DETAIL |
    Another HDR brought you to via the Canon D7, my new Akemi >_< I actually didn’t have to edit this image too much; lighting was the main focus. Some artificial light was implanted on the main road [Biscayne Blvd] in the image to contrast it from everything else.

    & yes, I have to admit the moon is fake, but give me credit; it looks pretty damn real. c; I added it using the selection tool in CS4 and it is placed behind the clouds. I also dodged the skyscapers to highlight them. I edited this image using the following software below.

    NECESSARY SOFTWARE!
    Photoshop CS4
    Lightroom 3.0
    Photomatix Pro

    There are also several plugins for Photoshop which I also find useful. They will be revealed in the next few vlogcasts™ for xynn tii imagery.™ Anticipate progression and improvement from xtii™ in 2010!

    HAPPY NEW YEARS!
    to the entire fanbase over at the xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite! Love ya so much for your interest.

    .stay tuned | see you soon. ^_^

  • Dec 29

    kiss of “unconditional surrender”

    UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER THE KISS |
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    [Ay dios mio, I need to stop taking so many vertical photographs. =/  What's happening to my diversity ;p]

    It’s been dubbed “Unconditional Surrender”, a statue monumenting the epic kiss between a Navy sailor and a nurse of the WWII efforts in 1945. The situation took place in Times Square, New York City following the announcement of V-J Day. Naw, I don’t know what V-J stands for. :x

    But, I’ve been able to research some controversial news regarding this statue. O_O Seems as if some [perhaps even most] Sarasota, FL natives are not too happy with this statue and its location, deeming it as a false representation of the real moment. What’s your take on that? I clearly don’t see how it’s demeaning in any way.

    In fact, opposition has gotten so out of hand that an online petition has been going around to keep the statue in its place along Sarasota’s Bayfront coastline. I’m pretty sure the artist J. Seward Johnson is sweating bullets each and every day. ^_^

    Seriously, “Unconditional Surrender” has been relocated several times within the past 4 years for security purposes. Prior to Sarasota, it was displayed in San Diego, CA. What is this about? & why is it now in Sarasota? If you know, please clarity via your comments.

    As for the image itself, this is an HDR, using 3 exposures set at -2, 0, +2 with the new Canon D7. Masking was done in Photoshop CS4 using a couple of the original images to take away the excessive detail created by Photomatix. A program that I’m finding useful is Noiseware, which was used to create the blur effect of the clouds.

    Loving your fanbase via the xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite! :D

    .stay tuned | see you soon.

  • Dec 25

    flight delays = not a good look!

    WHILE @ MIAMI INT'L...
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    Miami Int’l wasn’t as busy as I thought it would be the other day. 0_o

    I headed to Tampa for the weekend to go see my Mother’s side of the family, but first of course I had to be statutorily raped by flight cancelations and delays. What a disgusting series of events.

    My initial flight was terminated due to a crazy storm that made way into the Miami area the morning of. Then my alternate flight was delayed 3 hours. How fun! :(

    But fortunately I was able to book a seat on a jet plane that got me to Tampa in half the time [ a little less than 30 minutes c; ] I love you Continental Airlines and I accept your apology!

    During the major delay, I had enough time to watch Hannibal via Netflix and also to take an HDR shot inside the airport. Everyone obviously looked at me crazy because seeing a person take out a tripod in an airport usually raising suspicion. But I really liked what I saw when I looked toward one of the concourse alleys. The ceiling was insane! Hope you enjoy. c:

    Happy Holidays to you and yours! Celebrate responsibly. c;

    Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

  • Dec 17

    what!? where’s the palm tree?

    EVERGLADES ON THE BAY CHRISTMAS TREE | dwntwn MIAMI
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    WARNING:You may like this so much that you’ll want to BUY THIS PRINT NOW @ the xynn tii imagery™ storefront! c;

    Wow, Everglades on the Bay just displayed the condominium Christmas Tree today! Getting a snapshot was a must. Although I was very surprised it wasn’t a palm tree, but instead the traditional pine tree. This is a really good look.

    I sincerely wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a responsibly-celebrated New Years! c;

    .stay tuned | see you soon.

    Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

  • Dec 14

    let me guide you, to marina blue

    LET ME GUIDE YOU, TO MARINA BLUE | dwntwn MIAMI
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    TWITTER = THE BEST I EVER HAD.
    Yea, it’s kind of a big deal to become an active Twitter user. For serious, make sure you’re following each and every tweet of xynn tii imagery.™ I like to think I am a true twitter user [& there goes the ego].

    Some often get the misconception that Twitter is simply a social network where you only let people know what you’re doing every minute of the day. WRONG, WRONG! It’s more than that. Trey Ratcliff [the best HDR photographer in the game] will tell you firsthand that its about sharing the Internet with… with the Internet. Twitter makes it easier to share links with one another at the fastest rate possible.

    Links are what make up the world wide web, and we’re constantly searching for news, inspiration, etc. Twitter is ideal for bringing all of this together as one big foundation. As a person that enjoys taking photos, I am constantly receiving links via the people I follow for inspiration and… everything. You can only get the most out of this Twitter by simply following the right people and being proactive and educational within your own tweets.

    Look, the bottom line is: If you use Twitter for what’s its truly meant for and if manipulate all of its capabilities, you’re bound to discover that it’s actually quite useful and worth your time. Most importantly, follow xynn tii imagery c;

    IMAGE DETAIL |
    The Marina Blue. Yea, it’s pretty sexy. It’s architecture is just ridiculous, and I mean that in a good way! It’s another relatively new condo residence of the dwntwn Miami area. It’s almost directly across the street from where the Miami Heat play [AA Arena]. I really don’t know much about it except that I know I can’t afford to live there… and that… it’s a sexy-looking skyscraper. ><

    I wanted to lead the viewer’s eyes to the tower by finding an angle in which it would be centered and in the background. Do you think I accomplised that? =p I would love to go inside this place and hopefully within the next few days I will have the opportunity to shoot some images from one of their top floors. I would be able to get a decent shot of the AA Arena from up there, with the traffic strobe-lighted through the long-exposure process. Mhm, sounds like a plan.

    Soooo, do you like this photo? Are you a Twitter user? Are you following xynn tii imagery™? Do you strongly dislike how the media is eating Tiger Woods inside out!?

    Tell me what you’re thinking. Comment this post and leave a comment via Twitter using the hastag #vlogcast. [ I will be able to find your tweet easier when you use the hashtag c: ]

    .stay tuned | see you soon. ^^

    Become a fan via the xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite. c:

  • Dec 11

    yyyyea, this is miami in december.

    POOLSIDE @ EVERGLADES ON THE BAY | dwntwn MIAMI
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    I’m officially in a relationship with my condo residence. Ha

    It has begun. I’m now taking random hdr images of Everglades on the Bay. But it’s like a necessary-random, I think. This place has an incredible amount of eye-candy, especially the amenities level. But I seldom head down to this level for the 6 pools or the weight rooms. Why?

    For one, we all know blasians don’t swim [ yes, I said it! and it's true >_< ] Secondly, there is still no one even living here, so the amenities level gives me that “I am Legend” feel. Awkwarrrrrddd. Although I do plan to check out that new spa that just opened. I’m secure enough with myself to say that busy men need massages once in a while. c:

    OH & BY THE WAY: If you’re wondering whether or not this photo was taken in December… yea, it was, on a typically humid 85-degree day is good ol’ Miami, Fl. No snow, no breeze, no holiday feeling what-so-ever! Is this ridiculous? To me, yes it is. I’m used to having all four seasons [being from South Korea] and the humidity gets old after about… 10 minutes of living here.

    So before you visit the Miami area during any part of the year, slap yourself for even considering to pack a scarf, let along a pair of jeans. c;

    Loving the fanbase at the xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

  • Dec 10

    goodbye akemi :( Nikon D200 SOLD.

    NIKON D200 HAS SOLD.
    Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera [Body Only]

    The body is in great condition. It has been handled with care throughout all of its use. The body comes with:

    Li-ion Rechargeable Battery [EN-EL3e]
    Battery charger [MH-18a]
    LCD screen cover [BM-6]
    Camera strap [AN-D200]
    Mount cover [BF-1A]
    Nikon Capture NX software disk
    Picture Project 1.6 software disk
    Manual booklet
    Service warranty

    Camera was purchased by a client within Miami, Fl.

  • Dec 09

    no, this is the real everglades!

    NO, THIS IS THE REAL EVERGLADES! | dwntwn MIAMI
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    Dwntwn Miami is growing excessively fast; so fast that I doubt the city is ready for what it’s creating. It’s puzzling how the city continues to approve of mass land development projects for 50+ story towers and fails to consider expanding the roads within the area. They’re forming ways to lead traffic in, but not making room for them to leave=/ All I can say is WOW, let’s start thinking outside of the box ! please.

    Okay praise-time: I love this condo residence in the center frame, which held its grand opening in January 2009 [it's actually still under construction]. &amp; If you know your history of dwntwn Miami [yea, I don't even know the history and I live here] then you are aware of the legendary Everglades Hotel being the predecessor of the land that is now occupied by these two 55-story towers called Everglades on the Bay.

    The design has a real presidential look and even includes some sexual connotations within the interior design, which is quite common for perverted Miami. [ Oh, I decided to head to the front of the American Airlines Arena to get some of its title into the frame. Not too many Miamians really appreciate this arena, but l'm a serious fan of its architecture :x ]

    So, whenever you decide to come experience the very chilly 500 degree weather of south Florida, make sure to stop by the Everglades on the Bay. It’s necessary ! c; Also, swing past the construction site of what is going to be the first Marriott Marquis in Florida, which is merely peaking out of the right side of the frame. It will open in July 2010.

    Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

  • Dec 07

    let’s call em’ everflections.

    THEY CALL EM' EVERFLECTIONS |
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    Whenever I pass through the lobby of my condo residence in dwntwn Miami, I always take its scenery for granted, until today.

    It was around noon when I decided to take the front entrance of the tower I live in. [I had just come from class.] As soon as I entered I noticed something particular. It was so crazy how illuminated the lobby was; the sun was in the perfect place to cast shadows and brighten the indoor reflection off the marble floor.

    I decided to go get my Canon D7 just to see what angles I could play with in the lobby. However, for about 10 minutes I got distracted with Jerry Springer, so the shadows started to disappear by the time I got back downstairs. Ha >_<

    & then I grabbed a snack too, so I’m grateful for what I was able to capture, despite my procrastination. I believe the reflection of the walls and objects within the area mixed in with the shadows creates a really good look. c:

    So here is another HDR image I thought would be worthy of sharing. Also, I decided to grayscale another image I took from a different angle in the lobby as well. If you’re viewing this from the xtii™ facebook fansite, hop over the the BW&G album to see what I’m referring to. Stay tuned | see you soon. ^^

    EVERGLADES ON THE BAY | dwntwn MIAMI
    Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

  • Dec 06

    viceroy miami or icon brickell?

    VICEROY MIAMI or ICON BRICKELL?
    via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

    ATTENTION: The Storefront for xynn tii imagery™ has premiered! & it’s only because of the fans that this company is progressing so fast. Support xtii™ by purchasing your prints now via imagekind. More prints will become available every day so maintain the anticipation! c:

    IMAGE DEATIL |
    [Make sure to view this image at the larger size to get a feel for its detail]

    I’ve been meaning to upload this image for weeks now, as I took it in October for a school assignment. I really don’t like my film photography class at all [because I now despise film and its process] so I consistently find myself taking digital photos for homework. The professor gets really mad! Ha

    I traveled a couple miles south of central downtown Miami to the Brickell district, where all of the true skyscrapers are located. There is a relatively new hotel/condo residence right across the bridge called the Viceroy Miami.

    The exterior and interior alike of the Viceory include an abundance of fine cosmopolitan art. Just off of Brickell Avenue are these awkwardly-figured statues, representing the theme of expression throughout the entire place. Swag-crazy !

    I’ve attempted to enter the neighboring Icon Brickell condo residence to get some shots of the amenities level, but I keep getting rejected. =/ If you don’t live there [or don't know anyone who lives there, its hard to get access ] Regardless, when you’re in the Miami area, go check out these two masterpieces.

    This image is an HDR, and I had to do several masking processes in Photoshop to get the lighting just the way I wanted. I also used ‘High Pass’ [a technique that I stole from my Miamian colleague Pedro Alvarez] to obtain the crisp detail within the statues.

    Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.