xynn tii imagery.

It’s Time for Surgery.

I’ve come to realize that the Fans need a better looking playground here at xynntii.com with a user interface that is to die for. The demand over the Fansite is growing rapidly and it’s only a matter of time before a couple more sponsors join in, so xynn tii imagery. needs to be prepared for it.

Because of this revelation, I have chosen to team up with a couple of sick designers from Collision Labs to completely revamp this company’s identity. Beginning next month and ending before December, xynn tii imagery. is going to have a better logo and an even better site design. Words can’t describe how ready I am for this renovation process and I’m doing it only for the Clients/Fans! Speaking of which, the new Client Booth will be insanely dynamic and easy to use. Stay tuned!

Let’s Take It Wayyy Back!

I came across a great tutorial at Chris Spooner’s Blog on how to give your photos a wacky retro look using Photoshop. Just a little experiment I had to fool around with, specifically with this photo of Andrea Carolina.

This is one of Andrea’s (sexy Colombian) favorite photos from a shoot that we did last year. It was crazy how much hype there was over her shoes. The heels are great, but seriously? Look who’s wearing the heels! This shot was taken at the pool deck of where I live in dwntwn Miami. I despise the 90 degree sun but it made for a great substitute to the softbox I didn’t have at the time.

Come to think of it, I took this photo with my old camera, the Nikon D200. Wow, has it really been that long? I’ve had the Canon 7D going on a year now. But fortunately, Andrea and I look forward to doing another shoot before this year’s end. Gotta love the opportunity.

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

It’s More Than Just a Slideshow

A goal that has been 12 months in the making, this is the sole reason why I continue to taking photography so seriously. I’ve worked and progressed tirelessly to establish portfolio.xynntii.com and it is finally here for everyone to consume! I call it Eyecandy because this portfolio is remarkable and includes a variety of neat features! First off, it opens up with slideshow that displays a handful of fan favorites (and some of my personal favorites too).

Don’t be misled! The slideshow is just an appetizer. The following screenshot details how to navigate to any of the 6 genre gallery’s. Here, I’ve neatly organized all my images based on the genre they fall under. Like many of you already know, I take a crazy amount of different shots, so I make sure to categorize them for a user-friendly viewing experience!

Buy Your Prints Directly w/ in the Portfolio!

The greatest feature of Eyecandy is the ability to Buy Prints with just a couple clicks while you browse the different genres gallery’s. Head over to the Buy Prints page where I included an easy-to-follow screenshot guide on how to choose your prints, the sizes and paper finishes. Sizes range from 4×6 to 30×40 canvases! I was surprised myself on how diverse the size selection is. Here’s the remarkable part: Prices Start at a Jaw-Dropping $12! The massive size variety will be able to accommodate all requests.

Enough of my jaw-flapping; go check out my Eyecandy Portfolio now! The best thing to happen for :xynn tii imagery thus far!

She’s an Argentine Israeli!

I don’t know what was more thrilling: photographing this beautiful specimen or almost getting hand-cuffed for climbing to the rooftop without authority. =/ Either way, I have memories from this day that will last forever; Eva Levin is clearly a big part of that.

This photo session was not really planned at all, more of a random thing we did in-between classes. [Okay, I can sense the hate emails coming in already: Keep in mind, this took place months before :xynn tii imagery was established as a company. So no, Eva was not a client of mine.] Luckily the Gusman Center was just a few blocks away from campus and Eva was down for anything. I took the initiative to get entry to the back of the building where these older looking staircases resided.

We went crazy with this! I remember we bought some balloons thinking we could incorporate them into the session. Then we realized after the fact that we didn’t have acces to a helium machine. So we decided to inflate them manually and… yea it didn’t really work out. Eva’s a photographer too so her poses and facial gestures came so naturally; it was a breeze. My favorite shot from this day was her suicide photo called “Just Do It”, which I snapped just before we were escorted off Gusman’s roof. Miss ya & love ya Eva Diva! Forget the Middle East, come back to Miami. c:

Tell Me How You Really Feel

For those who are not familiar with my personality and way of running things: I respond to all questions posed by the likers and dislikers, whether they be positive, negative or just straight-up weird. If there’s anything I strive to evoke more than your acceptance, it’s your attention. I don’t share my images with the expectation of winning over all that see them. You cannot please everyone, I figured that out years ago. But I’ve come to the conclusion that if I earn your attention, make you think a little bit and  leave you with something in mind, then mission accomplished.

As I express within my conversational auto-biography over at the about page, my approach towards visual arts is inextricably linked to :xynn tii imagery‘s slogan -Have an open mind. Growing up in Asia, and traveling around the World multiple times during the process, I’ve been exposed to cultures and situations that have broadened my way of thinking far beyond most people’s realm of imagination or understanding. It’s because of this that I enjoy reaching deep into the heart of certain matters and making of it something that is unique and is less common than what is typical.

My perception on photography is a great example. Even though :xynn tii imagery and my photo skills are just one year in the making, I can’t help but showcase diversity; my open-mindedness will not allow otherwise. This is why I focus on six main genres: commercial, editorial, landscape, media, monochrome and runway. For me to limit or narrow my photo opportunities to just landscapes or wedding portraits would be asinine. Miami is too grand of a place for me to dismiss all of what it has to visually offer.

7 Days Until Portfolio Grand Opening O_O

This is going to be more Colossal than xynntii.com! I continue to say it and I absolutely mean this. My portfolio and its sexy interface is going to be the ultimate playground renovation that the Fans have been waiting for. Keep in mind, my premiere portfolio, hosted by smugmug, will be designed with the same theme and feel as what you see here at xynntii.com. Same playfulness, same corniness. It’s gonna be pretty disgusting [in a good way]. Remember to check-in on Monday 24 May for this update. I want you to be the first to see. If you’re friends with me on facebook or you have joined the fansite, then you’ll be sure to receive status update and promotions about it.

My Balcony Makes Way for Some Intense Eyecandy

The condominium realtor detailed that I would only have a good view of the west. Is that so? This photo was shot pointing to the south. But I made sure to crop out my balcony wall that was raping the left side of the frame. I had to make it seem as if I have that perfect view; you know how it is, my ego made me do it. If you’ve been following :xynn tii imagery for several months, then you’d recognize this blue tower as the Bank of America skyscraper that I’ve photographed in several other landscape shots, including one my favorites: Bank of America ‘State of Mind’. I elevated up to one of the unaffordable penthouses for that shot. I enjoy basking in the ambiance of places I know I’ll probably never have the opportunity to live in. It’s called… denial.

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.

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. ^_^

Oh Damn!

Didn’t I say I was giving the HDRI artform a rest for a couple more vlogcastsâ„¢? Whoops, my bad. >_<Wish I knew then what I now know about the Inter-Continental Hotel in dwntwn Miami. Let me try to keep my composure when I say this: The lobby is frazy sexy! [Yes, frazy  is what I meant to say. c:] Hard to believe this place has been here since ’82 and is still relative today.

But seriously though, what I enjoy most about the Inter-Continental Hotel is their culturally diverse business. It appeals to people from so many different countries, which is a really, really good look. I promise you: I heard at least 7 different languages while I was there. Getting inside the lobby without a reservation was easier than I thought. Typically when you walk past Valet, they always want to interrogate you about where you’re heading [Or is that just with me?]

Upon entering one of the 10 double doors, you’re greeted by this enormous figure [as seen in the image] that favors the shape of a face. This thing is huge yo! But I seemed to be the only one fascinated by it, so I decided to head upstairs where I could get a good angle.

Next Obstacle = Security! O_o

Yea, I almost got in trouble when 3 security guards damn near walked through walls  to get to me for questioning [they came out of no where]. I did what I normally do though: took the photo then showed it to them so they could see my intentions. This move worked as usual, I gave out the business card and continued taking some more shots as they left me alone. So necessary!

SYMPATHY TIP: WHenever walking around with your DSLR camera mounted on its tripod, try to look as innocent as possible. You already appear suspicious enough because at first glance it looks as if you’re holding a rifle. So just be calm. c;

History Has Been Made

with this HDRI image being added to the xynn tii imagery.â„¢ portfolio. Why? It’s my first image without the xtii.â„¢ logo. Insanity, or strategy? Your fanbase support is the sheeeiit! I appreciate all of your comments and replies over at the fansite and via twitter!