xynn tii imagery.

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:

‘xynntii.com/about’ is Pretty Much Done!

There’s nothing I enjoy more than having the opportunity of adding to xynntii.com, which is evolving pretty fast. Thanks a billion to the escalating flickr community for all of their visits and photo-support. Until recently, I wasn’t really into the world of flickr but I see now how beneficial its sources can be for xynn tii imagery. Besides, I have to pay for that damn pro account, so I’m being a lot more productive with it now. c;

Anyway, xynntii.com/about, my conversational biography, has been released! I dislike biographies that are so serious and are written more like a novel; in this case, the story can get dry and boring. So I decided to stay consistent with the entire theme of xynn tii imagery by making my bio a little bit corky and playful. Make sure to also see 8 Disturbing Things About Xynn Tii, which is pretty inappropriate, but that’s why I like it!

The Audience Loves Playing with Toys

If there is anything that’s steadily consistent with Ultra Music Festival every year, it was how crazy the crowd acts. Well, considering how expensive those tickets are, I would dance my ass off too! But surprisingly, there seems to always be a positive vibe between everyone in attendance. This year attracted well over 100,000 fans and yet there were 0 reported injuries, which is amazing considering that amount of traffic!

I always find myself getting hit in the head with one of 200 beach balls flying around the stage. But it’s a fun, exciting and safe environment filled with diverse hardcore fans. That’s the reason why I look forward to Ultra in 2011, which apparently is set to be 3 days long instead of the usual 2. 0_0 Oh sheeeiit!

Friend Request Me for More!

To see all 100 of my best images from Ultra 12, add me via facebook now. I flipped the script a little by placing these images on my profile as oppose to the fansite. I even uploaded 2 video clips that I shot while on the scene! o_O Yea, I’m pretty serious about that. But understand that all of this eyecandy is only accessible to my facebook friends so add me and go check it out: your imagery orgasm awaits you. :p

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Let’s break it down for what Ultra accomplished in 2010:

• 100,000+ ticket sales

• 178 different countries were involved

• 1.4 million people watched via online stream

• 65,000 chat messages exchanged during that stream!

• 0 reported injuries [always a plus]

& guess what I heard? Ultra is making plans to extend the schedule for one more day, making a total of 3! This would be a first for UMF and guarantees at least 50,000 more ticket sales. Redonkulous, I know.

In 2011, there’s no other event I look forward to more than Ultra. What I enjoy most about it is the diversity. Did you see the point above about 178 different countries being invloved!? That’s some serious global marketing. I’m telling you: UMF producers Ray Steinman and Steve Lieberman of SJ Lighting know exactly what they’re doing.

But I can only describe my experience. Find a way to Miami during the last week of March in 2011 so you can feel the energy for yourself. It’s beyond necessary! c;

How Was It Done?

I’ve fallen in love with this simple Photoshop CS4 plugin called Color Efex Pro; it’s amazing! It has more presets than any other plugin I know of [3 times more than Topaz Adjust] I use the ‘Pro Contrast’ and ‘Tonal Contrast’ presets all the time now. Tonal Contrast can give your image an easy pop, specifically within the details. Follow that treatment with Pro Contrast, to help with color correction.

Some may think this is an High Dynamic Range Image but it’s not! There are always methods you can use to give your image the HDRI-look without using the honorable Photomatix. c;

This image was captured using my sexy Akemi [Canon 7D] with no flash, f/4.5, 28 mm focal length, 640 ISO & an auto-white balance. The lighting came out so great not because of my camera setting; it was via the bright lights of the stage. You can see what I mean by looking through the reflection on the orange sunglasses of the guy looking down.

What’s Up Next?

Sony Ericsson Tennis Open has already commenced here in Miami Fl. and I’m going to be photo covering the women’s finals yo! This is going to be my premiere appearance to this venue and I look to get some really great shots from high up in the crowd and possibly courtside [we'll just have to see ] Can’t give all the goody new away right now so stay tuned | see you soon. c:

You can view all 100 of my best shots from Ultra 12 via my facebook profile! c;

Creative Commons License

Hey fans! You’re welcome to use any images for redisplay, sharing, backgrounds, etc. Just make sure to include credits and links with each image and you’re all set. Simple. COMMERCIAL USE is not permitted unless solely authorized by xynn tii imagery.

Head Over to the Fansite!

➡ The xynn tii imagery facebook fansite is where you can view all 100 of my best shots from Miami Int’l Fashion Week 2010. There only a select few displayed here, so navigate yourself to fans’ playground; it’s pretty necessary that you do. c;

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I’m a serious fan of how two ginormous Miami fashion venues debut within the same month. Funkshion Fashion Week was a great appetizer for the Fashion industry, but Miami Int’l Fashion Week was definitely the full course meal! 0_0

So much eyecandy flooded this event and I’m not going to take up too more of your time with these unnecessary words; the photos speak in more words and languages than I could ever dream of! I felt it was my obligation! to dedicate an entire album just for MIFW over at the fansite; I simply couldn’t narrow the images down to just 20 or 30; I wanted to share as much I could based on the experience I had, so why not create the first triple-digit photo album? ^_^

View these 100 premiere images, right out of the oven from MIFW 2010. Hope you enjoy! Jad Ghandour, I’m now you’re humble servant! T_T

I Want More!!

Okay, okay relax. If you would like to read the extensive details I provided on Funkshion Fashion Week 2010, head over to the Funkshion update.

You can view all 100 of my best shots from Miami Int’l Fashion Week 2010 via the fansite! c;

Creative Commons License

Hey fans! You’re welcome to use any images for redisplay, sharing, backgrounds, etc. Just make sure to include credits and links with each image and you’re all set. Simple. COMMERCIAL USE is not permitted unless solely authorized by xynn tii imagery.

What’s The Latest?

Choas, beyond chaos is going on right now in regards to Miami events. This is the most anticipated time of year [other than September] where a ginormous train of events touch down in the Miami area. Just this week I completed my coverage of the Miami Int’l Film Festival at the Gusman Center in dwntwn Miami. It was much better this year so stay tuned for the countless images I took of the Olympia Theatre! c;

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This was my premiere attendance to Funkshion Fashion Week! A major appreciation to Kevin Coleman of Ay Mami TV for his support in getting me into this event. He’s definitely one of the most proactive guys I know in the business. So many top fashion designers showcased their clothing lines on the runway: Franovik Designs, Craig Signer, Silvia Tcherassi, Unaluna, Dragana Ognjenovic, Gustavo Cadile, and the most creative of them all…Custo Barcelona. What an amazing imagery experience I had, seriously. I enjoy Miami runway showcases for several reasons…

1. Networking accompanies fashion shows so effortlessly and consistently. Dozens upon dozens of big names of the 100 billion $ fashion industry always make an appearance. Most of the time, they’re just standing there, waiting for you to walk up and introduce yourself, exchanging business cards during the meet-and-greet. T_T

2. This is one of my favorite Miami photo opportunities. I really enjoy wrestling with the other press guys and girls on the media podium to get a good position, right in front of the catwalk. It’s so funny though how serious some of them are, never even cracking a smile during the entire event! Some of them, I feel, need to loosen up.

3. & Lastly: Did you seriously think I was going to leave this one out ➥ The lady models are so SEXSAYYY! Oh my goodness! 0_0 Orgasmic. Learn more about Funkshion Fashion Week ➥ http://funkshion.com.

You can view all of my best shots from Miami Funkshion Fashion Week 2010 via the fansite! c;

What’s The Latest?

O-My-Goodness, Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival are fast approaching. In fact, their debut is right around the corner [23-27 March]. These two events take place at Miami Beach and dwntwn Miami. If you’re not familiar with this ginormous music venue, you can view the photos I took of it last year via my personal facebook profile. All you have to do is add me to see them. Sharing is caring. c;

This is the time of year I anticipate more than anything Miami-related and I’ll make sure to share my experience with you via xynn tii imagery.™ c;

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The Olympia Theatre of the Maurice Gusman Center has to be the most legendary and prestigious theatre in Miami, by far. Its premiere opening to dwntwn Miami was in 1926! But that’s not even the amazing part. What leaves me mind-boggled is that the Gusman Center is still used very frequently to this day.

& The Olympia Theatre has been kept in mint condition, you’ve gotta go take a peak sometime, it’s really beautiful. I’l be sharing interior photos in the near future! You have to stay tuned to see them. Near the top of the Gusman Center on the outskirts of the Olympia Theatre [5 stories up or so] there are these hallways that have the creepiest feel ever! But creepy in a good way. T_T

I actually found this hallway on accident as I was heading down the stairs from the top of the audience. The colors of the walls and the mood I felt at the time really called for a photo, so I had to snap a couple shots. Surprisingly, no one entered the hallway as I set up the tripod = so necessary. c;

What’s The Latest?

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to add me as your friend via my personal facebook profile At my profile, you not only receive early insight on fansite updates, but you also get a front row seat to the biggest Miami venues.

See, the fansite is simply eyecandy of my best images, but I create albums on my profile, containing hundreds of shots to the biggest Miami events for all to see. c; You can only view them by linking your profile to mine, so make that request right now! c;

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I’ll say it until the day I die: Doraku Sushi knows exactly what they’re doing, more than any other sushi joint in South Florida, I’m certain of it. I fell in love with Doraku the moment I laid eyes on it [kinda like when I first saw Twitter and the Macbook Pro ^_^]. According to a few sources of mine, Doraku is only one of a handful of Florida sushi bistro’s that actually have professional chefs visa’d directly from Japan. [That's some serious stuff]. So you just have to believe their sushi is the best, and is cut perfectly every time.

I initially planned on getting some snapshots inside of the Doraku restaurant, which was no problem to the general manager because I’m such a frequent guest. c; But it was just so damn crowded that night, I really couldn’t find the angle I wanted. So I headed outside after eating with Darren and took this one.

Although I would love to be bias toward Doraku, I have to shine light on another sushi bistro that will be premiering in downtown Miami any month now. Zuma Miami. has been getting quite the buzz lately. In fact, Zuma’s debut in Miami will be its premiere restaurant to the entire United States as well. They only have about 4 other restaurants in the world so this should be big.

You can find out more about Zuma and whether they’ll be premiering in your neck of the woods by heading over to their site!

How Was it Done?

This high dynamic range image was processed using 3 different exposures, bracketed at -2, 0, +2 [Canon 7D] and fused together using the wonderful photomatix. I also did some masking in Photoshop CS4 to remove excessive lighting, as I usually have to.

I kept the ghosting effect on some of the people that were walking to portray movement in the frame, but I did take some out. The only thing I dislike about this shot is that damn tree in the top right, which really pissed me off during post-production. It’s in the way!! T_T

SO MAKE A MOVE ➾ Ask all questions you may have about… anything. Post the question to the corresponding image or at the fansite. wall and you’ll receive a response within the next update! Stay proactive fans. c; Loving your fanbase, forever!

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Lincoln Rd of South Beach, Fl has undergone a more-than-necessary renovation process toward its west end, near Alton Rd. I remember this construction site first commencing when I premiered in Miami during the spring of ’08. During the construction process of this multi-purpose tower at the corner of Lincoln and Alton, the entire walkway surrounding it was always fenced off. So I never got a chance to see this wonderfully stained-glass movie theatre across the way for what it really was.

There’s a sushi joint called Doraku within this complex that is easily my favorite restaurant on the beach. I had just finished eating there before I took this shot [I'll post an image really soon showcasing the Doraku entrance! c;] A former neighbor of mine, Darren Lewis, accompanied me to Doraku for a very very late B.DAY dinner! ^_^ That would be him at center frame, talking on his out-of-date G1 phone. c;

& The Complaints Ensue.

Apparently this new extension of Lincoln Rd is not well liked by all, especially the handicapped. I just got word [from a very credible source in dwntwn Miami] that there has already been serious complaints filed in regards to the rugged pavement of this new walkway.

Now personally, I never thought of this as an issue, probably because I have two feet and I seldom use a wheelchair. But I now see how this creates a problem. The pavement is made of granite I believe, and its not smooth all the way across, its rocky. =/ Regardless, I really don’t think the city will made any changes to the walkway post-construction.

How Was it Done?

Color correction was definitely key in post production of this high dynamic range image. From the stained glass, to the granite floor, I removed a large amount of excessive color casted in unwanted places. I definitely look to provide more images from the beach scene, because that’s what Miami’s all about right?!

B.DAY = Necessary Distraction

This week, I’m out of town on my B.DAY trip, but I definitely don’t want that to get between you and all the xynn tii imagery.™ upgrades. Don’t miss a beat ➠ stay up-to-date right here at xynntii.com!

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This mall is easily the largest indoor shopping complex in South Florida. Those who have been there should be very familiar with the high velocity of traffic it consumes everyday. Aventura Mall is ginormous, something you definitely have to see for yourself. I had the opportunity to go there for the 88th time just after Christmas in 2009 and I brought my Mom along with me, who came to visit during the winter break. c:

Anyway, I snuck a shot of one of the Mall alleys during our tour of the place. I had a feeling it would look much better in HDRI format, so you know I had to convert it.

Hello Twenty!

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. >_<

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

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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;