Stream of Unconciousness, the Mind of Zarli

Went out with Jolene to take some pics at the beach.  I've been on this kick lately about wanting to get pictures of waves hitting the model and catching the action.  Went out with Jolene, cause she got a new bikini.  I am not very happy with the lighting at all.    There were some decent shots, but the direction and softness of the lighting was not what i had hoped.
http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/8822386_eFFGD

I think in the past, i just relied on an on camera flash and semi automatic settings.  That worked for some things ok, but now i want to try off camera flashes and more manual control.  The lighting for many shots came out harsher than i wanted.  I need ti try some experiment with perhaps changing the angle of the softbox.  perhaps try and brign it more to the front of the model.  I also want to try different ideas for using the on camera master flash as a fill as well.  I need to make a list of different ideas i need to test.

Oerall, the results are a bit disapointing, but at the same time, i'm excited about trying to learn soemthing new.

http://www.wikihow.com/Pose-Like-a-Model
A pretty nice little guide.  Didn't get a chance to watch the video yet.  There are a few other links at the bottom too.  One about walking a catwalk.  that might be helpful to those who participate in the Loli Fashion Shows.

Been a bit buys lately and LJ was not working for some reason for a while.  Decided to check at random and looks like i'm back online.  Got a bit of catching up to do.  For now,pictures since i last posted:

( Galleries under cut... )

Got my new Softbox yesterday.  Erin was nice enough to help me test it.  She had a new dress she wanted pictures of, though i think i'd like to do a more dedicated shoot for the dress.  some of the shots came out nice.  I'm very happy with the quality of the light.  Makes me want to get more stuff.. At the very least i think i want to get a smaller octagonal box for fill and catch light. heh.
( Sample pics: )

Jolene had this new Red Dress. We shot these at the Park in Kapolei. Might want to try this again at night. Now that i fixed my 580ex speedlight, i want to try using manual flash settings more. It's quite a bit more tricky. I'll need to get a bit more used to adjusting for each shot.  One of the biggest things is getting used to how much each minor adjustment makes to the exposure and shadows.

Man takes a picture of an ATM being services and is accosted by Security and then detained by the police.

Here's my double take:
1) what happened to him was just plain wrong and a violation of his civil rights.  i really hope he can find a good lawyer and sue.  The more this kind of stuff becomes public the more people will be aware that they can't just arbitrarily make up rules and enforce them with threats of violence.

2) at the same time, i think the guy could have been more polite about it.  it is generally a bad idea to antagonize the people with guns and bullet proof vests... even if you are right.  I think he could have more politely explained his case and went off on his way.

reminds me of another case in the UK, where a man was physically accosted by a security guard for taking a picture in a mall.

Was looking at some of my fireworks pics and realized this kinda look likethe FSM:
Am i a prophet or a madman?

I first got into Photography when i was a kid.  It was more because i loved playing with the camera than anything about the pictures.  I stopped when i was a teenager as i got into gaming and comics.  I got back into it when i was playing with my mother's P&S and a friend after a wedding.  We had so much fun, i decided to buy a camera and shoot her.  Here is some of what came about: http://ryusen.smugmug.com/Models/376275  Shortly after she was out of my life, i bought my first DSLR and a zoom lens. http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/6550362_pCajo#416761157_6DkVZ. ; I mostly did nature and beach shots for a while, then i discovered cosplayers.  http://ryusen.smugmug.com/Cosplay

For a long time, my idea of photography was if i see something that caught my eye, i wanted to show other people.  That was cool for a few years.  Now i'm looking at my photography also as a means of personal growth.  I am trying to learn new things.  New ways to position lights from my "safe" patters i learned at first and what not.

This is where you can help.  I want people to give me assignments/homework.  They can be anything really.  I'll consider anything that the logistics aren't impossible or too difficult for me.  For example, anything where i don't have access to the people, the locations, or stuff for is automatically out.  So is there anything you've ever wanted to see me shoot?  Just respond here and i'll look into it.

Thanks to Dane for taking the pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryusen/sets/72157617716950204/

These are my personal pics from the set that i shot for the promoter:
http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/8112751_bfkTe/1/528896156_5HhzF

Just various Pics taken during the Seattle Trip.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryusen/sets/72157616652148781/
And for the Lolis: Food Porn!

Other than Freezing our butts off and being really tired every day, the trip was great. Other than the Con we got to see Bruce Lee's Grave, took some nice pics of the skyline, Pike's Place, and the Columbia Center. Still to come is a go carting video and pictures from Sakura Con.

Jani's cuteness seems to work with adding weapons to the mix. It creates a nice contrast of personality. I am still trying to find the poses and expressions sometimes though.
( Pic and Link Below... )

Trying to finish a few of the shots i'd done before i leave for Seattle. First is an experimentation with more harsh lighting and duotones.
( Pic Below )

Got the Yoyos done and they came out pretty nice. Better than i thought they might have. The secret: "Bling Bling Flowers!" I kind of like how the light from my flash reflected off of them. Almost made them look like they were glowing with energy.

( Pic and Link... )

Went with the Loli's to the Contemporary Museum.  Honestly, i'm not as much for Museum, but this one has an awesome garden in the back.  Wilma once asked if i liked Museums, and i said, most of the time, i'm more drawn by the design of the building than the art pieces inside.  The Garden was so big, though that we got separated a bit and i didn't get as many pics of the girls as normal.  I didn't discover there is a certain zeness about negative space around flowers.  especially if it is filled with bokeh. 

http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/7431598_WzD4w