We Have Moved with a Big “Stride” – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

Friends, happy new year!

As mentioned in our last post of 2014, we were moving.  Now, 2 weeks into 2015, I’m happy to announce that, despite the dust, we have officially moved to a place where both our website and blog are under one roof and more exciting work and features will be unveiled as we “unpack”.

So this will be our last post on WordPress.  I thank you for being part of our growth in the last several years.  Without you, I would not be able to continue sharing and growing at the same time.  I’d say that you have shaped, in a way, how we are today.  I’m sad to say good-bye and wished that you will not leave us.  

If you’d like (and I will be thrilled) to stay in touch with our developments, simply subscribe with your email address on the top right corner of the blog page*.

While there, you’ll see what the “stride” is all about.  See you at the new place!

*You know me, I will not sell or rent your email addresses.

Happy holidays and we are moving!

Hi all!  I know I’ve been MIA for a while.  

First off, I’m working on a move, including my website and blog.  I appreciate all your support over the years and would hope to continue seeing you around when the new blog is up and running.  If you would take the one minute (not even) to fill out a short form in the link below, you will be the first to know of our “grand opening”:

http://eepurl.com/ba87a1

Now, the fun stuff…

This year, I’ve been busy exploring the surface of this planet. :-)  My “assistante” and I charted our way to Europe.  You may know that we went to Italy.  Do you know that we went to Italy twice? :-)  We’ve been to where the God Father One was filmed, The Postman (In Italian “Il Postino”), Under the Tuscan Sun…  The list went on…

We went to countless ruins and medieval villages that I can’t wait to share the stories demonstrating such richness of culture and the friendly cats (even though I got scratched), dogs, donkeys (and my “assistante” go bitten), the cows, the sheep…

The image in this card was made in Pisa.  We all know the Leaning Tower.  Yet, Pisa is so much more than that.  As I was photographing the night scene of River Arno, I saw “Christmas lights effects” in October.  And I wish that you find the spirit of Christmas and stay merry, jolly and happy in every day of your life!

As we all continue to learn and search the essence of ourselves, I realized that it has been a year that’s changed me profoundly on a spiritual and creative level.  And this change will for sure flow into what and how I create.

If you haven’t, don’t forget to sign up our mailing list before you leave: http://eepurl.com/ba87a1.

I look forward to sharing with and getting inspired by you in the years to come.  See you next year!

Movement of Black and White in Suzhou Museum – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

Continue along the same line about something being “intrinsically” set with me creatively, this image is another proof (please see here for my other post).  It was made a few years ago at the Suzhou Museum (苏州博物馆), which was designed by the world-renowned architect I.M. Pei. I didn’t realize at the time that my love to observe movement of lines and contrasts was already there.

 

 

 

Seniors Gathering in Historical District of Suzhou (苏州), China – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

I’m sure all creatives can relate. As we progress artistically, our interests in visual cues and expression techniques change. However, it seems that something is “buried” so deep in me that it hasn’t left me these years; or is it something that represents the intrinsic “true me” that’s simply waiting for me to realize one day?

This image was made a few years ago in Pingjiang Road (平江路), Suzhou (苏州), China. Little did I know that my interest in observing and documenting the interaction among seniors, especially in their communal gatherings, has been “set in stone” from a long time ago. :-)

 

 

 

Inspiration from Change of Season – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

Could it be the recession of sun from the horizon or the eventual reduced heat that makes me remember this image?  It was made in the famous Humble Administrator’s Garden (拙政园) in Suzhou (苏州), China. The dabbled light gives out a sense of mystery and romance, doesn’t it?

Life in Slow-Motion in Lipari, Italy – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

What happens when life moves in slow motion or you hold your eyes open without blinking, so long that your eyes hurt, or both?  You call it blurred vision?  I call it fine art. :-)

This is what I made when I kept my eyes open for a long time at dusk at the port of Aeolian Island of Lipari – a boat sailing away into the distance, probably for the last time of the day.

A Visual Test in Lipari, Italy – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

I am (long) of the opinion that humans bring any scenery alive (I’ve said something like that before, haha…), especially the ones on the land of Italy.  My lenses have been following them even more so than when I’m else-where, maybe because they are so animated. :-)  My eyes found a match in this little court yard of Aeolian Island of Lipari off of Sicily.  Nonetheless, this “person” adds so much life to this corner.  What do you think?

 

The Love of a Child and a Dog in Sicily, Italy – Los Angeles Travel Photography

I confess, I haven’t been good on staying actively online.  I’ve been traveling and creating at the same time though and I can’t wait to share all that I have experienced/created.

One of the trips took me to Italy.  Yeah, that Italy, where everyone knows/dreams/talks about.  Boy, was I not prepared for the artistic and spiritual impact from such a land that’s rich in its history, culture, architecture, culinary interests and human dynamics.  Words are not enough to express all that I have taken in.  Still having Italy in my dreams weeks after we came back explains it.

One of the things that I did notice (and am able to describe in words) is that they have the cutest babies/children and pet dogs.  Upon arriving at the small island of Levanzo off of Sicily, I was taken by this father-daughter-dog trio.  On this little island far from the rest of the world, I saw something that doesn’t change – the love of a baby girl to her daddy and that of a pet dog keeping a watchful eye on his/her human family.  No words were spoken.  And yet, none was needed.

P.S. Speaking of love, I have been working on a system that provides you, my loyal fans, an enhanced experience with my creations.  Before all the details are spilled, let’s say we may be moving.  So be prepared for subscribing to a list to make sure you receive all future updates. :-)

Lost in Time in Xingping, China – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

Remember the gentleman that lost track of time by the side of street in Carmel, California?  Well, I have another version of it, in China.

In the days when I was growing up, we tended to refer to future as the 21th Century, as if it’s somewhere far far away.  With a blink of eyes, we are already more than a decade into the so-referenced Century.  A visit to Xingping (兴坪), an ancient town that’s close to Guilin(桂林), China, makes me realize, maybe, some people have never been “back to the future”.

In this little room, it’d be safe to say that everywhere your eyes land, you’d see an indication of time – three calendars and one clock.  And yet, history seems to refuse to leave.  I mean, if Mao Zedong (毛泽东) is still around, he’d been 121-years old.

 

A Movie Poster Made on the Street of Mexico City – Los Angeles Travel Photographer

“A scene is a scene.  But a scene with people comes alive”, says yours truly. :-)

Did I tell you that a short walk from our hotel to the historical downtown in Mexico City and back was stretched into a whole (fun) day?  Yes, that’s one of my strengths, in my own opinion. :-)  Think about it, for a kid that loves candies, wouldn’t it be the best thing in the world if the candy lasts the whole day?

When visiting a place on foot, in addition to the monumental locations (sometimes skipped for subjective reasons), we check out the nooks and cracks with much joy.  And this is what we were greeted with, at the end of the day, on our way back to the hotel – four gentlemen sitting on the same bench, each doing their own thing.  What a fun “scenery”!  I exclaimed, in my heart, and secretly raised the camera to my face. :-)

Now, if you allow yourself to step back a little, it looks like a movie poster, doesn’t it?  What would be the name of the movie, if that’s the case?  You can totally make it up.  Why not have some fun!  

P.S. If you are curious, please follow the links for my other Mexico City or Travel Photography.  What’s life without curiosity anyway? :p