xynn tii imagery.

My Former Crush: 50 Biscayne

Yea, I was pretty high up, for Miami at least. 50 floors above the ground and looking south from Everglades on the Bay, you’ll receive this nice view of 50 Biscayne. It’s still relatively new as it opened to residents in 2008. The color palette used within this tower’s exterior design is excellent and really stands out during the day and at night. I dimmed the surrounding towers, making them less distracting.

I can’t decide for sure which directional view I like best in dwntwn Miami. My condo balcony looks out west to the city, as planes touchdown at Miami Int’l. But the east view is just as great, especially at night. The beach is always spotlighted from the distance, making it viewable from the dwntwn area. So majestic and easy on the eyes, I really look forward to its progression. Future hurricanes better play nice!

Rewind: Oldest Eyecandy In Town

Per request, I re-released this photo over at the Fansite. This is the first of the photos taken within my Eyecandy Portfolio, long before I started taking photography serious. In fact, I randomly took this shot after Art | Basel in December of 2008. I welcome you to purchase this print via xynntii.com right now.

LBJ & CB Alongside Flash

It’s been a few days since the announcement so I’m simply telling you what you already know. Even the hospital coma patients are aware of Lebron James’s new $110 million, 6-year contract with the Miami Heat. Just as important, Chris Bosh (5-time NBA All-Star) has also joined the squad. Not to mention, Dwyane Wade has opted out of free agency to re-sign.

Let’s make something clear: I don’t engage in the bandwagon thing. My heart will always be with the Lakers. However, being a Miami resident, it would be inhumane for me to not like what just happened. Obviously the Miami economy is approaching the launching pad for take-off, not to mention: season tickets sold out entirely within a couple days; a complete 360 degree turnaround from last season. The Heat are indeed back in business.

As soon as I heard about the Welcome Party for the Big 3, I got in contact with media relations over at the American Airlines Arena and they were kind enough to allow me access for photo coverage. (Thanks so much to Liz & Jeff) It was great, simultaneously being an arm-length away from Bosh, James & Wade during the press conference. c:

This is noteworthy: During the interview of Heat’s General Manager Pat Riley and Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, they made very clear on the intension of bringing in a couple other Big Names for next season. Where in the world did they get all of the cap space!? Seems like a worthy investment if you ask me.

The Most Legendary Landmark in Dwntwn

Well, you can’t even see it in this shot, but the Freedom Tower encapsulates 85 years of Miami history. You can’t say that about too many structures still standing in the dwntwn area.

Currently, this guillotine is still on display just outside the Freedom Tower, apparently for the awareness of past torture methods used by… yea, I really have no idea why this random guillotine is out there. But I was asked to take a shot of it for a last minute assignment a couple months ago. Came out pretty well, but I made sure to keep my distance. :p

Eyecandy Tastes Better at my Portfolio!

You know you want a taste of my Eyecandy. But luckily, it comes in an abundance of sizes! Don’t think nasty; I’m referring to my photos over at portfolio.xynntii.com.You can see all of my photos by clicking “Portfolio” at the top. Some are misled by the slideshow, but those who have been to online portfolio’s before understand that it’s just an opening teaser.

You can even buy prints directly within the genre galleries so go crazy! The most popular print sold thus far this premiere month has been Venus Williams is Pretty Damn Intimidating! Listen: You don’t have to stress over it anymore. Buy that print in addition to any other within Eyecandy today.

Acknowledge the Olympia Theatre.

During the finale night of Miami Int’l Film Festival (MIFF) 2010 I was called to get some shots of the audience; folks waiting in line for tickets and making their way indoors. I wanted to create a sense of perspective and location so before crossing the street I got low, set up the tripod and take exposure takes its course. Coincidentally, a Benz sped by a the same time I triggered off. Fortunately I was able to capture the people in one piece, in contrast to the strobe effect from the vehicle.

Zipping Past the Miami Film Festival

The Most Blank Stares I’ve Ever Received

Your Majesty: Olympia Theatre

Undisclosed Hallway of Maurice Gusman

Above are links to all the other recent photos I’ve taken and published from the Gusman Center and Olympia Theatre. See how considerate I am? Always got your back! =D

Fansite Community Growing Rapidly! Join In.

In May of last year, I started a puny sharing platform for :xynn tii imagery over at facebook. Soon enough it became a Fansite and folks actually started looking at my photos and reading the write-ups (at least that’s the impression). But don’t be discouraged; now that you’ve been informed, you don’t have to be an outsider any longer! Join the facebook fansite now and take advantage of that sexy Like Button. c:

Now, All It Needs is Some Paint

Back in February I rendezvous’ed with the construction workers in Dwntwn Miami. This was my first and (still so far) only photo opp on a satisfyingly dangerous construction site. I really want to do this again, but Turner Construction doesn’t seem to be budging. Either way, it’s a bit too late to return to these specific grounds because the structure of the building has been enclosed and is waiting for primer and painting.

These guys are working on what will be the Culinary Arts building for Miami Dade College, a couple blocks from where I live. It’s about 9 stories with abnormally high ceilings, which caters too the students cooking activities.

You Might Not Understand This, But You May.

This is Talitha Anyabwele, a client from May. I was fortunate enough to photograph her while she was in Miami on business. We set up at the sexy Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key. She’s a great spirit and is a theater actress of her own show called Black Girl Speaks. Go to her website to learn more about the performance and locations!

I was feeling pretty damn artistic the day I decided to take this specific photo in a different direction. The original actually looks fairly different from the end result. I don’t know exactly what I created, but it looks more like it could be Talitha’s Avatar, minus the blue scaly flesh. I don’t want there to be a misconception: all of her shots were not edited to look this way. I decided to experiment on this one to see what I could create. This editing style is definitely a premiere to my Eyecandy Portfolio. Perhaps only the open-minded will be able to view and understand such an image; it’s not the typical shot.

Lakers! Love you guys and the entire front office! I’m looking forward to the 3-Peat run next season! ^_^

Great Discussions over at the Fansite!

Make sure to become involved in the deep conversations I have with fans and opposers alike at :xynn tii imagery’s facebook fansite. One of my latest responses to a question sparked a big rally of comments and constructive controversy I suppose you could call it. Actually, as I write this update, the conversation carries on, so go throw yourself in the mix! It’s within the landscape image titled ‘Soaring Above the Cloud Beds’.

Since xynntii.com is only around 6 months old, I still have a very lop-sided fanbase over at facebook. But patience and time will soon bring all of that traffic here to my photo blog. Also, look forward to the premiere of my online portfolio with smugmug coming next week! 3 months is the making ➥ This is going to be a revolutionary playground extension to xynntii.com where you will be able to view my 6 genres of photography and also buy prints directly within the portfolio site! I’ll leak all of the details in the next update. Can’t wait to share it with all of you!

Late Night at the ol’ Bayfront Park

Living across the street from Bayside Marketplace and the Port of Miami is probably only a bad thing if your condo faces Biscayne Blvd. Next to Bayside is the Bayfront Park Amphitheater where all the cultural festivals take place annually. The Haitians have some serious pride and when I say noisy, I mean straight rambunctious! Sometimes the crowd can have a way of guiding to them with all of the crunk in the air. I took the time to head out there after it had died down a bit. I didn’t take any shots on the festival grounds, but saw an Eyecandy opportunity at Bayside. I decided not to mask out the moving people or the moving ship because I feel it adds some meaning to the frame. c:

It Feels So Real Up There!

Well, during my time near the runway strip I got stopped by airline security as I tried to snapshot the American Eagle Jet that flew me from Miami to Pensacola, Florida. Guess I wasn’t sneaky enough and too far away from their sights, but there’s always a next time. ^_^ Because I didn’t get a shot while on the ground, I made sure to take full advantage of my window seat! I’ve never really looked out at the clouds while being level with them. There’s an ironic feeling that hits you in the gut once you notice how much of a contrast there is above and below the cloud beds. Such a tranquil vibe seems to exist where humans don’t reside, this case being up in the sky. Then of course you have the world that exists under it where we as a people implement countless strategies on polluting the air, but cannot find one successful way to stop a damn oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Everyone say “awkwardly pathetic” on three!

Photographer or Photoshopper?

The other day I received an excellent question from Danilo over at my facebook profile. He asked: “Are you a photographer or a photoshopper?” Alright, so let me get right to the point. Asking a photographer that question is the same as asking James Cameron: Are you a filmmaker of a CGI-er? [Cameron is writer and director of Avatar.] To answer Danilo’s question, which I gratefully appreciate him asking, I am a photographer and I’m not sure exactly what it means to be a photoshopper. If by using the Adobe program Photoshop at least once in life deems me as a photoshopper, then… okay and whatever, sounds like fun to me. =D

What I do know is that software and technology have escalated beyond our years, providing endless possibilities within the realm of visual arts. If one is to notice the post production techniques used on photos, you can’t help but see similar techniques used in film as well; our levels of creativity are evolving. This all plays into the part of :xynn tii imagery‘s slogan – have an open mind – and not limiting yourself. But of course, this is simply my opinion.

100° in Vero Beach & Smugmug Portfolio

Just came off a necessary celebration vaca in honor of xynn tii imagery‘s anniversary on 1 May. What an excellent time for the semester to end. Vero Beach was actually better [and hotter] than I anticipated. I would have never imagined that it would reach near triple-digits. There was such a drastic temp-difference from Miami to Vero so it really caught me off-guard. Nevertheless, Vero is crazy beautiful and its beaches have nice seclusion to them [something you'll never get from South Beach]. I definitely look forward to heading back up there within a couple months.

In relation to my portfolio [hosted by the unmatched Smugmug]; the deadline of 10 May still stands and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you! As I mentioned earlier, it’s going to share the same playful layout theme of xynntii.com, along with the 6 genres of my photography: Commercial, Editorial, Landscape, Media, Monochrome & Runway. This portfolio will be versatile; you’ll be able to purchase prints and the photo files directly within the portfolio interface. So user-friendly. c:

The Ultimate, in Blasian Persuasion

Alright, so I’ll try to keep this appropriate and PG-13ish.

I was fortunate enough to have a close friend visit me in Miami last year. But unfortunately for her, she was sick the entire trip. I call her Sonja, which she doesn’t like but that’s okay. [Sonya, Sonja: same thing] She drove down from Virginia with a few of her college girlfriends [Julia, Jody & Stephanie] during the Spring Break. They were the typical Miami newbies so I did my best to make sure they didn’t leave disappointed.

The reunion was beyond memorable though, I loved it. It had been a few years since our last rendezvous, dating back to high school in South Korea. Her personality hasn’t changed a bit but her level of persuasiveness has multiplied! She’s so pretty; it was only right that I got a shot of her at the hotel, while she coughed all over me.