Ladies from Red: This too is our world

Dear Not-My-President,

As this is our first time writing to you, I hope that you would take us seriously. We came to this country not by our own volition. For several years, we have been dedicated in our work - even though a lot of our work is done underground.  Pay is difficult but it helps us send money to our families back home. We just hope that you would reconsider your immigration policy.  I think I speak for most of my fellow workers.  After all, we helped made this country great.  Please do not send us back to Mars.

Sincerely,
Sexy Sadie

#urbanism #windowdisplay #madeinchina

Taking My Time

A picture paints a thousand words.  Need I say more?

#Instagram #simplyTrafalgar

Enjoying the California weather with the New Zealand wine

Shot on iPhone 7 plus.

For the longest time I have been a red wine drinker.  My favorite was a Cabernet Sauvignon.  And then I switched to a Merlot.  Lately, I have been more of a Pinot Noir drinker.  I drink it with food or just by itself.  Then Rose brought home a Sauvignon Blanc the other day.  I always thought it was a so-so variety.  Until we tasted the Matua Sauvignon Blanc.  The 2016 is good.  It has a scent of citrus and the aroma is delightfully fruity.  A great wine for a nice late winter in Southern California.  I think I'll be stocking up in time for Spring.

Right now, the weather is gorgeous.  But tomorrow we are headed for a big storm.

Cheers.

#wine #savignonblanc #iPhone7plues #shotoniPhone

Back to Instagram

Screenshot of my Instagram Page on iPhone 7 plus.

I think it's been over a year since I last posted on Instagram.  I was tired of the you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch yours environment.  I felt that my art was being cheapened.  The same reason I have deactivated my Facebook account.   Yet I realized I needed to have a wider forum where I can share my work.  Magnum Photographer Matt Black once said that "as a photographer, you have a moral obligation to to publish your work and reach as many people as possible."  I thought about this, and I think I would be willing to give Instagram another try.

If you can indulge me for a bit, please check my posts on this link and let me know what you think. Cheers.

#Instagram #MattBlack #Screenshot #iPhone7plus #shotoniphone

Loving the 2014 Pinot Noir

Another Test Shot Using the Carl Zeiss 80mm f2.8

Dear Line 39, 

Please consider me a big fan of the Line 39 Pinot Noir.  We drink the wine almost every day.  My wife and I have been stocking up on cases of this wine.  

I freelance as a photographer.  The other day, I was testing how my vintage Carl Zeiss 80 mm would work with my Canon 5d mark ii.  Years ago, I had used the lens on my Hasselblad 500CM, a fine medium format film camera.  I thought what  would be a better test subject than my favorite wine bottle of the Line 39.  I so love how the result came out that I want to share the photo that I took. I hope you will approve.  

I am aware that this may sound like a pitch.  But I have no expectation.  I simply want to share my love for your Pinot Noir.  

Keep up the good work.

Best,

Juzno Man

#CarlZeiss80mm #lensadapter #Hasselblad500cm #wine #Line39 #PinotNoir #fanletter #findyourline

Window in Northern Italy

Italian Window 

Oh yes, you would never know.  You would never know.  I may look rustic and old outside but beneath this veneer of perceived epiphany  that badly deserves sympathy -- I am youth ... I am vigor... I am the future.  I know you need to come in.  Oh need -- such a vulnerable word.  Need -- that should not be the appropriate word.  It relates to being helpless.  We don't want that.  Perhaps, you should want to come in.  Want -- yes that is a better word.  It implies free will.  You have a choice.  Choose me.

#simplyTrafalgar #TrafalgarInsider

Persistence Pays

Juzno man!

On January 8 the homily was all about the Epiphany of the Lord.  Well I experienced my own epiphany - I have decided to seek you guys out and spend few minutes together once a week if I'm lucky or whenever inspiration arises.  How will I execute this promising resolution?  I will write to you about anything and everything.

Here's my first story - certainly about Lucas (my 3 year old grandson), he is my world you know.  He always invites me to play with him because you see I am his BFF (oh well at least I think that!)  A few nights ago while playing with lego creating Star Wars characters, I prayed over his right eye because it has a sty and is severely infected.  After my unsolicited entreaty, I asked him to say Amen, two times, steadfastly he refused.  On my third attempt, a loud thunder roared through the sky, he shuddered, instantly I went for the kill - you should say it now - without hesitation and with vigor he shouted AMEN!!!

Good day,
Au

Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and Mimi thanks you

I wanted to create a personal thank you card.  With the help of Mimi, this is what we came out with.

She is 11 years old.  In dog years, that is over 70 years old.  So basically she is a septuagenarian.  But she still has a lot of drive.  Especially, when there is food incentive.  The only way to get her to sit down.  Such as when we were making this photo.

Looking forward to a thankful Spring.

#Mimi #Pomeranian #smalldog #thankyoucard

How I overcome GAS

Lately, I have been experiencing GAS.  Not that odious ethereal substance.  I mean "Gear Acquisition Syndrome".  I have this on-and-off addiction to buy new toys.  It doesn't happen all the time but when it does it is hard for me to fight my obsession.  So I decided to look back at the stuff I got through the years knowing that there must be something I acquired but have forgotten about it.  Lo and behold, I found my lens adapter.  It's a metal piece that I got it years ago to be able to use my Hasselblad lens on my Canon EOS cameras.  The device was still in its box.  And I don't really remember using it.

I got out my old Canon 5D and looked for my Sonar f/4 150mm that I used on my Hasselblad 500CM.  Took several test shots and right away I fell in love with this new creature that I had assembled.  Well, it actually looks more like a monster and weigh a ton.  Most of the parts are metal except for the switches and the rubber strip to protect the camera.

As always, my favorite test shot is Mimi.  So here's a sample of the images I took.  The focus is less than ideal.  I would have wanted the main focus on Mimi's left eye but I missed.  The vintage lens had to be operated manually.  With an excited dog, it's not always easy to get a clear shot.  Overall I think the result is decent.  This will have to do.  For now.

#Lensadapter #testshots #Fotodiox 

Skull Sword Handle

Sword in Toledo, Spain

Toledo has a history in the production of bladed weapons, which are now popular souvenirs of the city.  It is a city in central Spain. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage and historical co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures.  As such it is at times referred to as the "City of the Three Cultures".  Given the current cultural clashes in this ruined world, maybe we can learn something from this historical city.

#metallurgy #Toledo #Spain #sword