On Location: Tennis Form.

I miss doing photo shoots. Creating an image from my mind and using my photography skills to complete it is such a satisfying feeling for me. I always try my best to get my own final image. It's always surprising to see the final result too because it doesn't always out as planned, but it definitely get the overall mood. In my mind, I'm always Mr. 6 Pack so reality tends to linger in my photos. Hahaaa.

I finished watching the Serena vs. Venus match up at the US Open and it was inspiring. So inspiring, I decided to participate at my work's tennis tournament. It's suppose to promote health and this other bullshit, but I came here to win!!!

Set up
Body: Canon 7D Mark II
Lens: Canon 28mm f/1.8
Light: Canon 430ex sync via Canon 7D master

I wanted to practice my serve for the upcoming tournament so I took my basket of balls and went to town on them. Hahaa. Trying out new things like a slice serve down the middle. It's a slick serve, but I'm finding the consistency difficult. After being properly warmed up, I decided to pull out the camera. So just took about a dozen photos, cause I was getting tired of chimping. For a impromptu photo shoot, it's not too bad. I'm already getting criticized for stepping on the line. Foot Fault on my part. Already lost the point.

Next time, I think I'll use another light source. It'll be dedicated to a tennis photo, so i'll have better lighting.

As always, game, set, and match. Holding at Love.

Oregon Again and Again!

I went to visit my Vietnamese family in Oregon late November til early December. I was just there in past April. Yeah I went again. So what. This time I was able to see a Pete and Steph in their own environment, uptown Portland. Everything was literally walking distance. When I say everything, I mean bars. Pete was introducing me to more scotches, filling me with knowledge. I enjoy blends but single malts are pretty fresh too. Keepin' it G even up in hipster Oregon.

What did I do up there? Ate, drank, played video games, drank some more, and just spent quality time with family and friends. I was able to see their new cars. Kiet got a badass Tacoma and Steph got her cool looking 4WD Subaru Outback. Yeah, we still saw Diego. It was great to see their new apartment. We were able to walk to the Holiday Ale Festival when Khiem got the evil eye from a chic cause he saw her trip. HAHAA! I think thats the only time I drank beer. Everything else was shots or scotch. Wait, I also watched the Chargers lose to the Bengals. That was depressing. After all the drinking, I fell asleep in the bar. It was alright, they had a couch and they let me. You can't do that in Cali.

Another thing you can't do in Cali is experience a true winter. The cold breeze and walking throughout the city is amazing. Architecture was fun to shoot with the seasons changing. I can shoot Portland all day if the weather would let me.

One of my favorite things doing in Oregon didn't even involve going out. It was hanging out in the apartment and talking about life with Pete and Steph. One question that still strikes me "Are you happy?" Such a simple question being so deep. I still talk to Pete on the regular, but in person is a whole different story. Thats why its important for me to visit them. Hanging out with their family was a lot of fun. Chillin' with Mother, mafia Dad, Partner in crime Kiet and Khiem, and it's always pleasant to hang out with Jessica. Like I said in a previous post, it's all about being present. I can't wait to visit Oregon again. Steph and Pete are great host. Thank you guys for everything!!! I miss you guys already.

Camera Info: Canon 20D with either 50mm 1.4 or the 28mm 2.8 and trusty 430ex during indoor flash use.
Since this trip was mostly for me, I doubt people will save these pictures besides Pete and Steph. Check out the photos individually on my Picasa page.


Oregon Trip AGAIN!!! from Ryan Florido on Vimeo.