XYNNImagery

Posts Tagged ‘fansite’

➥ via xynn tii imagery.™ facebook fansite
_____________________________________________________________________

A Therapeutic Occurrence.
I feel that in order to accurately represent Miami from a visually standpoint, everything has to be exposed. You might be surprised to hear this, but there’s more to this city than just the damn skyline and south beach, seriously! I can’t name one major city that does not contain an unusually vast homeless population, can you?

I was able to take photos regarding a cover story for the college paper; this article spoke on the topic of homelessness around campus. But what’s truly unique about this scenario is who I was able to meet: a Miami native who is simply down on his luck.

In dwntwn, exactly one block from where I reside, you will find 43-year-old Jorge Valdivieso, husband and father of 2 kids [son, 8 and daughter, 5]. This man lost his job just 2 months ago and is now living on the streets.

Jorge’s situation is so complex because despite his circumstances, he still has a family to attend to. He explained to me the actions he’s taking to make sure his wife and children are secure and not without shelter. One of those ideal methods is how he attracts pedestrians for money.

This is How You Hustle! ↓
Jorge has managed to sculpt a serious hustle game with these roses he creates from plants [It's like a plant of a plant o_0] It’s seems to be quite the money-maker; Just within the ten minutes I spent with him, he must have made at least 10 bucks! I asked what got him into this ‘artform’ and he replied:

” There’s this Jamaican guy I met on the streets that told me ‘Look mahn, you learn how to make these plant-flowers, you’ll never go hungry mahn.’ ”
_____________________________________________________________________

Food For Thought.
It’s when I take really meaningful photos like this that teaches me to be as open-minded as possible. Even more, it teaches me to become increasingly grateful towards the fortunate lifestyle that I live.

As Jorge’s story portrays, nothing is guaranteed in life [our stable job, our warming home, not even our existence]. This is a point that we need to recollect more often.
_____________________________________________________________________

How Was it Done? ↓
Ahh, so I had to use the partial monochrome method, once again. It was necessary for this shot because I want you to closely focus on Jorge and his flowers as opposed to everything else going on in the frame.

1. I kept the original photo in color and used the Photoshop Quick Selection tool to outline Jorge’s body and the flowers.

2. Once that is done, I right-clicked on what I outlined and selected ‘Inverse Selection’ which will outline everything but what I selected initially [I hope you're not confused already]

3. Here’s where I call for the CS4 plug-in Silver Efex Pro to convert the selection to monochrome, leaving Jorge and the flowers in color because it was not within the selection scope.

This Is Not An HDRI!
Really, I promise, this is not a high dynamic range image. I used another plug-in by Nik Software called Color Efex Pro, which has a abundance of presets that can give your image the HDRI look. I may use this technique more often because it’s a bit faster yet just as effective as Photomatix.

.stay tuned | see you soon.

SIZE DOES MATTER ➠ FULLE SCALE IMAGE
_____________________________________________________________________

No, seriously! Ask Questions.
I’ve been receiving excellent comments and questions regarding xynn tii imagery.™ But now I want to officially welcome everyone to ask questions, providing them as a comment on the fansite wall or even within photo comments.

Whether you have a question regarding the post-production of the images I take or you have a personal question for me [whatever it may be] all you have to do is ask.

The greatest part of this process is how your inquiries will be answered! → Find the answers to your questions within the details of the next image update. So you get a two-for-one: While receiving a response to your comment, you are also presented with another premiere image! Most of the responses with be in the “How Was It Done” section of the details, as you will see below.

I feel this Q & A scenario works both ways because I’m usually presented with questions I would have never considered to bring up. At the same time, I’m providing insight to those interested in my photos. >_<
_____________________________________________________________________

Image Detail.
I find myself taking countless images on the Miami Dade College Wolfson campus, literally across the street from where I reside. This of all places has got to be the most notorious location out of every campus of MDC. It’s the legendary X.

Several of the older press colleagues of mine have spoken of this monument being here for quite some time. This downtown campus opened in 1970 [when I was -30 years old ^_^] and apparently this X monument made its way on campus in the 80’s. Yea, I know… I should way more about what I’m photographing. >_<

What I enjoy most about the scenery is how many students it attracts on a daily basis. It has that ideal courtyard feel and students seem to like that. Some even consider doing every possible thing with the exception of going to class, and it is all done publicly, right next to that damn X. =/
_____________________________________________________________________

HOW WAS IT DONE? ↓
All of my HDRIs are initially merged and tonemapped using Photomatix Pro. Unfortunately, that’s only the first step of about 10 total. =_= One of my fans Glerick Ignacio asked a couple questions. Let me respond to them now…

➟ Prevent Ghosting
The term ghosting is used when you have moving subjects within your frame, such as people. When you use the long-exposure setting on your camera, anything that is not stationary will more than likely be blurry and deformed as a end result. From what I know, this can only be prevented within the original photo by not using that long-exposure setting. The Photoshop layer masking technique is my favorite because it allows you to remove unwanted ghostings. You can achieve this by going to Layer > Layer Mask in any Photoshop version. c;

➟ Monochrome Editing
There is this crazy! Photoshop CS4 plug-in I was able to get my hands on called Silver Efex Pro. I use this plug-in like I have no sense, I’m serious. All of my latest monochrome images were converted and treated using this plug-in. It is made by Nik Software. They’re the best.

Keep those comments and questions coming!
.stay tuned | see you soon.

SIZE DOES MATTER ➠ FULLE SCALE IMAGE
_____________________________________________________________________

Positively Overwhelming.
How ironic! I created this xynn tii imagery.™ facebook fansite in May 2009 with the initial intent on just keeping my photos organized for some people to see, and maybe even enjoy.

0_0 I can’t stress this enough: I NEVER imagined that I would receive this much constructive criticism from the fans [and even the opposers] within the past 9 months. it’s been a miraculous roller coaster ride and for that, I’m so humbled and overjoyed! c; I’ll never stop loving your fanbase and I’ll continue to take in your feedback with the largest grain of salt. >_<

HELLO TWENTY!!
B.DAY TIME ➥ It’s been a long, rigorous and life-changing 12 months for me and I can’t even begin to express how much I’ve learned and grown as a person and freelance photographer. I strongly believe that life experiences shape you into the person you are and I’ve been fortunate enough to discover so much within Miami. I’m in love with this city and the opportunities it has given me. I think you need to come see what I mean firsthand. Make a trip to orgasmic Miami today… No, seriously, bring your ass here, now. :p
_____________________________________________________________________

Image Detail.
Miami construction sites never seem to get old; such a true representation of this area. Another serious appreciation to Andrew Knight of Turner Construction for pressing my name to the Big Boys in Corporate, giving me access to the scene.

Unfortunately I wasn’t even able to get these guys’ names so I could give them a shoutout. =/ Too bad, I wasn’t even able to speak to any of the construction workers, they were too focused on making sure not to cut their arms off.

How Was it Done? ↓
You can now say that I’m obsessed with High Dynamic Range Imaging [HDRI]. They look so sexy. c; I combined and tonemapped 3 of these exposed images in Photomatix Pro. But I made sure to drastically lower the luminosity. Surprisingly I didn’t have to do much in relation to the lighting conditions and colors. Lightroom 3.0 helped out some though. c;

.stay tuned | see you soon.

via xynn tii imagery.™ flickr.

Receive the xynn tii imagery.™ VIP treatment via the facebook fansite! Seriously, the fans are treated like royalty, because they deserve it! All image upgrades are featured at the fansite before anywhere else on the web. 0_O That’s right, I said it: all xtii.™ images premiere at the fansite before heading to flickr and even xynntii.com! c;

10,000+ supportive fans | Once again, I have to express my appreciation to the entire fanbase that have responded to the call of diversity. I’m seriously in love! ^_^ Continue to share any and all images with credits and links to your friends, family and co-workers.

TWITTER! continues to gain appraisal from fans as well. When you follow xynn tii imagery.™ you will not only receive links to unreal images from other photographers in the world, but sneak-peaks on what to anticipate from xtii.™ in the near future. Yea, like I said: VIP treatment! Believe me, you will always be informed on anything and everything xynn tii imagery.™ So necessary.

IMAGE DETAIL
I’m not really too hung up on horizontal images, as my current portfolio suggests. But sometimes its just unavoidable. =/ View the larger size of the image; the smaller size looks so disgusting. Bigger is better.

While at Bayside Marketplace, across the street from where I reside in dwntwn Miami, I caught a shot of the lonely carousel to which I rarely see in action. When it’s in business, there are never kids riding on it. The carousel operator seems to treat it like an iPod, turning it on  just so the music plays, hoping to entice the kids that walk right past it every time] How embarrassing.

I kept debating whether to post this photo as color or monochrome. Then I came across a Photoshop plug-in that I used for the first time. Silver Efex Pro is the sheeeiit! It gives the photographer more options to play with lighting and structure within black-and-white shots! I really love it and I may just have to take more monochrome images from now on because of it.

Happy ‘10! >_<
.stay tuned | see you soon.

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.

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.

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. ^^

Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

In honor of the first one to do it, the late great André Kertész.
For class, I was assigned to mock the style of renown photographers.
Thought it would be crazy boring, but I’m glad I did it. c;

Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

via xynn tii imagery™ flickr.

This is one of several courthouses in dwntwn Miami.
Wouldn’t this make a nice postcard ? Ha

Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.

via xynn tii imagery.™ flickr.

Who said dwntwn Miami doesn’t have bright lights ?! Ha

I was really grateful to have gotten this shot! I was actually allowed access to one of the highest levels of my condo residence in dwntwn Miami. I’ve been craving this opportunity for months. c;

This image points to the south, toward the Brickell district. I am a serious fan of the Bank of America Tower [purple skyscraper at right] because decades it has managed to remain a highlight of the dwntwn Miami area, literally. It began groundbreaking in 1983 and to much surprise still has that modern look to it.

What separates this Bank of America Tower from its surroundings are the interchangeable LED lights that mock colors based on specific times of the year or event. [For instance, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, the tower was lit in pink] Remarkable idea, I love it.

This image also depicts the architectural renovation process of Miami. You can clearly see that the buildings start to look more modern as you track from the bottom of the image to the top, which is a true representation.

It really is only a matter of time before the Hyatt Regency Hotel and James L Knight Center [white buildings at center frame] are renovated and the same goes for much of the dwntwn area. I think its necessary and I look forward to seeing how Miami will look in 5 to 10 years from now. c;

This is a high dynamic range image and also my 1st taken with my new Canon D7 ! I used a -2 to +2 exposure metering [where I merged 3 images together during post production] No photoshop! was used during this process. I developed the image with photomatix and lightroom. c:

Believe it or not, I believe the most interesting section of this photo is actually in the very back. You can see a cruise ship from a far that separates the water from the sky! That divide gives the background more of a 3D-rounded look.

But hey! Please supply your critique on this image via commenting here or even via twitter. Is this image in or out ?

Join the fanbase via xynn tii imagery™ facebook fansite.