Los Angeles in Little Tokyo at Night

Today is one of those beautiful nights in Los Angeles. It is a cool 64 degrees and crystal clear. We had just finished dinner in Little Tokyo and had finished walking around the area. We were on the way back to the car and I decided to shoot again in the dark while waiting for the light to turn green. This is just a random point in time. Technology has really advanced in the years as a shot like this before would require a tripod. Today it was my trusty Nikon D700 with my 50mm 1.4 D. No "Vibration Reduction" lens here but I do wish they would add that feature to a prime lens.

Nikon D700, 50mm, f2.8, 1/80, ISO 2500


Here's the Los Angeles Skyline from the other side of the street corner.

Berlin Wall on Wilshire Final Display

Finally, I was able to see the 10 pieces of the Berlin Wall on display. With the 10 pieces up, this is the largest single display of the Berlin Wall outside of Europe. They did not put up the final 3 pieces until the final week of the exhibit. Unfortunately for me, it was also the same week we were moving our office so I didn't get to see the artwork until nighttime. It was after 6PM and with the daylight savings time change, it was already dark. I did not bring a tripod with me but lucky for me, I had decided to take along my trusty D700 instead of my D5000. The D700 can basically shoot in the dark. The security guard looked at me and kindly moved away so that I can take my picture. I was happy to successfully capture this random point in time!

Nikon D700, 50mm, f2.8, 1/80, ISO 6400

Berlin Wall on Wilshire

For 2 days while driving home, I passed by this open art exhibit and I was wondering what was going on. To me it looked like pieces of the Berlin Wall. The weird thing is that I have actually seen 2 different pieces of the real Berlin Wall before and it has always been behind a fence so that you can't touch it. After some quick searching on the Internet, I found out that it is in fact real pieces of the Berlin Wall! Currently there are 7 pieces on display in Los Angeles. There should be 10 total when the exhibit is complete. This will be the most pieces of the Berlin Wall ever shown outside of Europe.
This a perfect random point in time moment as I was capturing different random points in time before me.

Nikon D5000, 35mm, f8.0, 1/125, ISO 200


I believe this is the West Berlin Side.


I believe this is the East Berlin Side.


More information on The Wall Project.

Chicago Millennium Park Bean

This random point in time was about one and half years ago. I had two goals in mind on this vacation; photograph the Chicago skyline at night and photograph the bean. The Chicago Millennium Park Bean turned out to be extremely fascinating. I love the reflection of the skyline on this piece of art. You can even see the photographer in the shot. Yes that's me in the reflection. I always get asked where are you in the pictures? Well, here I am...

Canon 40D, 24mm, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 100

35 degrees and windy Chicago night skyline.

A wider angle of the Chicago Millennium Park Bean.

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific Jellyfish

We had a visit to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific a couple of weeks ago with some friends. Aquariums brings a unique lighting challenge as you get some very dimly lit areas with some fast moving wildlife. This is where the Nikon D700 just shines. It has such amazing low light capabilities combine with incredible accurate fast focusing that makes some pictures possible as with the jellyfish above. I used the 50mm 1.4D prime the entire time.

Nikon D700, 50mm, f2.8, 1/40, ISO 6400

Here are some other random point in time moments.

Even a sea lion wants an iPhone.

Wonderful jellyfish.

Spidercrab strikes a pose.

Finding Nemo.

Feeding time.

So blue...

Seahorse.


I can blend.

Life size whale.

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge at dusk

This is the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. I still remember this random point in time. Dusk is when you get an opportunity for some of the best lights for a night shot. You get the wonderful blue sky and yet you still get the artificial man made lighting. This is when a tripod becomes your best friend. I had to take this shot quickly because we only had 2 quarters for the parking meter. I still love visiting San Francisco and look forward to visiting it again.

Canon 40D, 35mm, f8.0, 15s, ISO 100