I’m Satisfied w/ not Getting Electrocuted.

Following the unprecedented success in print sales from Coming Home to a Sherbet Twilight, I also looked to capture the opposite effect; the sunset during a disgusting storm. I only wish every sunset was sexy but it doesn’t always work out, especially after it rains.

To put this photo over the top I decided on converting it to monochrome, adding in a copper tint. I enjoy it every time: when I’m able to witness those light rays striking through the clouds and spotlighting the land below. Now that’s the sexy part. ^_^

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

This Makes for a Sexy Desktop!

Head over to my Eyecandy Portfolio, where you can download this photo and use it as wallpaper for your computer desktop! Even though I’m extremely bias in saying this: it feels great waking up to this photo in the morning when I open my Mac. ^_^ (Soooo bias I know, but my ego made me say it!) I released this photo over at Eyecandy a few days ago and it is selling astronomically! It was grand opening mayhem! You can go buy this print now as well.

I mentioned this within An Orgasmic Sunset: I’m rarely ever at my condo to witness all of the sexy evening sunsets. It pisses me off because I miss out on a lot of them and I almost missed this one! Luckily I got home from Miami Beach in time to capture what I call a Sherbet Twilight. I’ve never seen anything like it in real life. I only enhanced the vibrancy, not the saturation. There were a couple guys on the balcony of a high rise across the way that know exactly what I’m talking about: this sunset was surreal. =D

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

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:

The Comment Cabin Nears Completion

I’m always gonna be about making xynntii.com as user-friendly as possible. One of the most engaging sections of this website needs to be the comment section, where people can not only share their thoughts on posts and pages, but also read up on previous comments. Hence, the Comment Cabin, another inutitive piece of this website that I’m sure you’ll find useful.

Approaching completion next week, the Comment Cabin will display your comment magically within it’s individual block. =D [that was corny]. You’ll also be able to comment directly with your Facebook, so your profile pic will appear as a thumbnail alongside your comment! I’m real anxious to add this to xynntii.com’s playground!

“Brickell or Dwntwn Miami?” Same Thing, Ignoramus!

I try to be as polite as I can be but tourists [and some natives] just don’t get it: Brickell is considered within the dwntwn area. I suppose you can call it the ‘business district’ of Miami. Countless times I’ve had to explain that to people. I’m a ridiculous hypocrite though, considering that I just found out for myself, about 6 months ago, that Brickell is part of dwntwn Miami. & I’ve been living here for 2 years so that’s pretty disgusting.

This image was shot at the Epic Hotel pooldeck looking to the south into Brickell. I found it hilarious that all traffic was heading towards me, leaving this District, the entire time I was setting up. Brickell is a great site for photos though! So many random skyscrapers used for nothing more than office space. I get the feeling that we’ve gotten to the point where architects and realtors are only constructing towers to be able to say “Hey yea, I’m the owner of the tallest building in Miami; how you like me now?” I think our ego’s drive us into bankruptcy, not our ignorance.

Progress Far Beyond My Realm of Expectations

Setting my ego aside, just temporarily: I had no idea what I was doing when I established xynn tii imagery in May ’09. I just saw it as a way to to make some good legal money on the side. Initially, I didn’t have a website, no advertisements or clientele, not even a decent camera. 12 months, 45 clients and 2 sponsors later [with tremendous support from an escalating fanbase], I’ve been fortunate enough to turn this company into something that’s pretty serious toward the visual attraction of South Florida.

But I wouldn’t even say that xynn tii imagery has reached its appetizer. Its just sitting down at the table, getting ready to order. There’s so much more I’m capable of doing with this movement via future clients, collaborations and partnerships. This isn’t a one-man band; the best ideas come to life when countless minds merge ideas and skills. This is the greatest thing I’ve been able to learn and mature at within business and I will use it with every next step I take alongside xynn tii imagery. Most importantly though: the fanbase has been insane!

Hello Vero Beach, Florida =D

I’m lodging at the nostalgic Vero Beach for the weekend, celebrating this Anniversary with a handful of friends and company associates. Miami does get old every once in a while and a nice 3 days away seems to always refresh it. I have to admit I’m doing more work than relaxation as I’m meeting with a potential sponsor! In fact, I’m writing this post just before our meeting. 0_0 Hopefully I’ll get a chance to dive in the beach waters before heading back to Miami; wish me luck, and the time!

Everglades Undergoes Monochrome Surgery

Not too long ago I released a status update to the fansite. I mentioned that I would reveal my favorite monochrome image to date. If you’ve been following xynn tii imagery since December ’09 then you’ve seen this image before, but in color. I’m real anxious to see which one you like better: Color or Monochrome? Both images speak to me in different ways, even though they’re fraternal twins.

I’m gonna make an attempt to get Everglades on the Bay to display this or the color print somewhere within the twin towers. If any of the Everglades realtors read this, please act surprised when I come in and ask. ^_^

More From Gusman Center During MIFF 2010

For some reason this year I took a completely different approach toward the Miami Int’l Film Festival. Instead of the usual boring podium pics, I made it a priority to capture the architecture of the Olympia Theatre, inside and out. Because of this initiative, I was able to see so much more of this place in comparison to last year, where I was highly distracted by Miami Female Eyecandy! 0_0

In continuation of the random discussion I created within the last MIFF image post, I was very shocked at how many people just stood around and starred at me as I got this shot. I didn’t received those “Oh, I’m so interested in what you’re doing” type stares. I got those “What the hell is he doing, he look ridiculous” type stares. I decided to set up for this shot after nearly everyone had left this area [the main entrance] and were seated in the theatre. I figured this would help alleviate traffic, which it did. But it didn’t prevent the spectators. Too bad no one bothered to raise their head to see what displayed above them. =/

“There’s No Way The Ceiling is Really That Illuminated!”

Well I have to be honest: it really isn’t. Obviously there would need to be a ginornous light source to create such an orgasmic-looking scene from above. Those ceiling lamps clearly would not provide that much illumination; hence the High Dynamic Range Imaging process. ^_^

1. I always use a tripod, so get in the habit of using one as well. It makes the editing process so much easier. At this site, I captured 3 shots at the exact same position using 3 different exposures, bracketed at -2, 0, +2. For HDRI’s, I consistently use Photomatix to fuse the exposures together. There is also a great tonemapping feature included in the program. Keep in mind though, Photomatix is typically only the first of about 8 steps.

2. Next, it’s time for Photoshop! Using color correction, desaturation and tonal contrast is a must. Color Efex Pro, an excellent plug-in that I use, can get this job done the best. I use it more than any other plug-in. I’m sure you  will find it very productive and user-friendly.

Oh Sheeeiit ➡ The Fans Playground

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. c;

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! >_<