Together

Nothing much to say here, but it turned out to be one of my favorite Hipstamatic photos.

Grand Chandelier

First of all I would like apologize for the delay in posting something new. I am afraid I don't have any particular excuse this time except that I was away for a few days. London was the destination.

I remember the first time I set foot in the city of London, I didn't quite like it and I could not see why people go crazy about it. Five visits later and I can't get enough of it. The same thing happened with New York City. The first visit I just wanted to get on a plane and come back to Malta. Now I can't get enough of both.

I honestly believe that this last visit was the best London visit so far. We stayed in the heart of Mayfair and while I did enjoy shopping, the best thing was roaming and discovering new streets by walk. We saw things that were off the beaten path and ate at restaurants that I am sure we wouldn't have found if we stayed at our usual touristic area.

Anyway enough praising (even though it's not even close to enough for me). This grand glass chandelier, which I have seen for the very first time in my life (thanks to my special partner) can be found at the entrance of the Victoria and Albert museum. I was so shocked (in a good way) when I saw it that I almost cried and I couldn't move. I have never seen anything like it in my whole life and it will stay imprinted in my mind for a very long time, if not forever.

There is something that makes color seem special in London. Maybe because of the weather? Maybe because it's dark almost all the time. So as soon as you see something as magnificent as this chandelier, your brain will instantly take a mental picture and will store it forever.

This photograph was taken using a Canon 40D with a 60mm macro lens. It was converted to black and white and edited using Photoshop CS4.

Paradise

Ok here is a photograph in color for all you color lovers! The colors are so beautiful in this photograph that I just couldn't resist converting it to black and white.

These majestic cliffs are found on the South-West part of Malta in a picturesque town called Zurrieq. This particular area here is called Wied iz-Zurrieq (wied meaning valley in Maltese.) It's a very popular attraction for tourists and Maltese alike. 

You can go anytime to admire the view at Wied iz-Zurrieq but I always like going in the early evening so this place offers spectacular sunsets for all you hopeless romantics out there. It is easily one of my top 3 favorite spots in Malta and there is a very good reason why.

You can buy this print by going to my Etsy shop : Paradise

This photograph was taken using a Samsung compact camera and edited in Photoshop CS4.

Towards The Light

This street has always caught my eyes at how beautiful it looks when the sun is hitting it from a certain spot. The contrast between light and shade is brilliant and from within a distance it's like you are walking towards a light tunnel. Sometimes it's so bright that you can really see what's at the end of it.

A few days ago I decided to take a walk around the area and while I was busy experimenting with my camera I almost forgot I was walking on one of my favorite streets in Malta. I walked back and took a few photographs.

The street starts in Floriana and goes all the way to Valletta. What you see in the photograph is the sidewalk. Beside it there is a somewhat narrow road and beside that there is a huge square. If you have ever watched Isle of MTV (Malta) you would know what square I am talking about! The party usually takes place at that spot.

This black and white photograph was shot using a Canon 40D with my usual 60mm Macro Lens, which also does a great job at shooting portraits and street scenes. The photograph was converted and edited using Photoshop CS4.

This print can be found at my shop on Etsy: Towards The Light and if you want to browse my other photographs please go here: LRAphotos

Spring

After a bout of a few miserable months of rain and dark clouds, spring has finally sprang in action. It all happened so fast but I am glad it did. I honestly believe that this is the best time of the year even though it reminds us that we are looking forward for a scorching hot summer ahead of us.

I took this photograph today. I decided to wake up early and go roam around and look for wild flowers. I was not disappointed. Perfect weather and the gardens I went to were almost empty.

I took both my iPhone and my Canon 40D with me and ended up not using the iPhone at all. This photograph was shot with a 60mm Macro Lens and edited in Photoshop CS4.

You can view the black and white version by going here Spring - Black and White

If you are interested in buying my print please visit this link: Spring or you can visit my Etsy shop for a wider selection of photographs by going to this link: My Etsy Shop

Vintage Flowers

It's been quite a while since I posted on this blog. I was busy and I am finally enjoying some freedom at least (or at least I hope so).

The flowers in the photograph were found at one of the Deli's in New York City and I was using my iPhone. I wanted to get closer but since I didn't have a macro lens with me this is as close as I could get. I gave the photograph the vintage look using Photoshop and what you see is just a mixture of purple, red and pink.

You can buy this print in an 8x8 size by going to my Etsy shop: Vintage Flowers or if you want to see my other prints please go here: My Etsy Shop

The End

This fine art black and white photograph was taken a couple years ago but I didn't see it's potential until yesterday when I was browsing through my photograph archives.

At first some would call it abstract and while I do agree, I can fully see what's in it and that's maybe because I took the photograph myself and know what I was looking at. Having said that, I was always a fan of abstract photography but I never felt good enough at photographing it. Some of you would say it's easy but I beg to differ. Yeah it's easy to take a photograph of a random close up and let people guess what it is, but that's not what abstract is all about.

Anyway this fine art photograph was shot using the black and white camera settings. I rarely use the setting but I decided to give it a try. I was not entirely happy as I like my black and white to be dramatic and very contrasty. So I had to edit the photograph in Photoshop to add more drama to it.

The photograph was shot using a Canon 40D with a 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens.

This print is for sale on Etsy here: The End 
Or you can visit my shop for a bigger selection here: LRAPhotos on Etsy

Spikes

I don't often post abstract black and white photographs on this black but here is one. What you see here is actually a flower, a macro photograph of a wild flower. As usual I don't know what the name of the flower is.

The photograph was originally shot in color but since the colors were a little bland I decided to convert it to black and white. Nothing new there as by now you all know that I prefer black and white over color.

For those who have been keeping up with this blog you know I opened a shop. For those that are new you can view/purchase this print here: Spikes or you can view my shop here: LRAPhotos on Etsy

This photograph was shot using Canon 40D with a 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens. It was converted to black and white using Photoshop CS4.

Reminiscent

It being Sunday and me being sick I turned to photography! At first I didn't know what I was going to photograph but then I went to the terrace and saw this cute little pot with blooming flowers in it. It was the perfect candidate even though it was a little windy and as we all know when it comes to macro photography, the slightest puff can ruin your photo.

For this particular flower photo I had decided to upload it in color but when I viewed it on the computer I didn't like what I was seeing much, so there goes the black and white conversion.

I don't know what this type of flower is called, all I know is that it was small, cute and pretty!

This photograph was shot using a Canon 40D with a 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens. Photograph was edited using Photoshop CS4.

Eighth Avenue

Today I was once again browsing through my old photos (by old I mean maybe two years old) and I came across this one. At first it looked like a tourist's photograph but then I looked again and saw the potential of a great black and white conversion.

For those who don't know Eighth Avenue is in Manhattan, NYC. This part of Eighth Avenue is very close to Macy's, which is my second favorite area in Manhattan (first is Times Square).

This line is only intended to people who know what I am talking about. Notice the 421? I guess someone was a minute late. :)

Anyway this photograph was shot using a Canon 40D. As far as the lens goes, I can't really remember which one I was using because it's been too long. As for editing and black and white conversion I used Photoshop CS4.

The Door

Valletta, Malta

"Knowledge of what is does not open the door directly to what should be." Albert Einstein

Today I am posting another photograph of my Valletta by Night tour. This photo was shot just opposite the location of my previous photo. 

Today the building is where the Parliament meets but it has a lot of history. It was built by the Knights of St.John and it was their residence. It's simply enormous inside and full of grandeur. The Knights sure did have good taste regarding architecture and location. 

It was recently restored too and it looks nicer than ever. Add the night ambient to it and you have some eye candy. It always baffles me that a building that was built around 1560 is still standing there and has a purpose. I always try to imagine the lush life that those Knights lived back then.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV.

In Dreams

Zabbar, Malta

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." Oscar Wilde

The first impression I got when I see this photograph was 'dreams'. Not the kind we experience while we are awake, but the actual dreams that we experience while we are asleep. The blue border contrasted with the dark background and a lighter sky all for some weird reason or another remind me of a dream.

The church in the photograph can be found in Zabbar. While it's not one of the nicest churches in Malta, I believe there is something around it that makes it all worthwhile to visit. Right in front of the main door (which is the lower middle one in the photograph) there is a street that stretches almost 1km straight down (0.6 miles.) While I have never seen this myself I have heard it several times. If you are standing at the very edge of the street and the main door of the church is open, you can see the altar. The main church door is right in the center of the street and seeing it from a distance is quite impressive.

Even though it slightly resembles (I repeat, slightly) Red Square in Moscow, this church has basically nothing similar to the Kremlin. It's the effects I used on Hipstamatic that are making it look alike.

For this photo I used my iPhone 3G with the Hipstamatic app. Settings were random and I don't really remember what type I used.

Christmas is Gone

Republic Street, Valletta

"A Merry Christmas to everybody! A happy new year to all the world!" Charles Dickens

So the season came and gone and so did the decorations. I can't believe take months getting prepared to decorate and then it all goes away in a blink. 

Republic Street is one of my favorite streets in Malta. During the day it's a nightmare with all the people walking but at night especially after midnight it's almost totally empty and it's nice and somewhat romantic to take a stroll, especially during Christmas.

When I was walking, I had no intention to take any photos but I couldn't refuse not snapping one of the street.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV.

Right Turn on Broadway

Manhattan, New York City

I can't believe that we are about to celebrate another Christmas Eve. It only feels like yesterday that we were celebrating the last one. How does time go by so fast?

Yes, I have not been uploading photos everyday. This month has been a chaotic one with work, a new apartment and lots of shopping. The blog has been on my mind all the time and it now looks like I am pick up its pace again.

I took this photograph last December in New York City. Nothing really out of the ordinary. I just like the contrast and feel to it. 

This photo was shot using my Samsung compact camera and this is the first photo on my blog that hasn't been edited at all.

One last thing before I close this is that I wish a very big HAPPY CHRISTMAS to my followers and readers and I hope you will have a wonderful time.

The Man

New York City

"Color can do anything that black-and-white can." Vincente Minnelli 

This was one of those random photographs I love to snap then I try to find a story behind each one. In this photograph the main subject is the man. I feel like there is no need to explain which man I am talking about.

What is he thinking about? Why is he looking at the sidewalk? As soon as you look at him these questions pop in your head and there is no way that I am going to an answer unless by some weird chance I meet him again.

This black and white photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV.

A Reason to Celebrate

Fireworks in New York City

Today marks a special milestone for this blog...this is my 100th picture and I thought it was appropriate to have another fireworks photograph. 

Like the other two photographs I have posted in the past, these photographs were shot on New Year's Eve in Central Park. The weather was perfect and we had the perfect spot. There was not the slightest wind, therefore the fireworks display was immaculate.

Anyway, what I started last summer is still going strong, with 100 posts and 12,000 views. Once again I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my subscribers and followers to keep encouraging me in continuing my journey.

Nostaliga

Valletta, Malta

"Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity." Robert Morgan

Another photograph in the Valletta series. I am ashamed to say that I don't know anything about those two moments in the photograph. All I know is that the garden that they are set in is wonderful. 

The garden can be found just before you enter the capital city. The area used to be a bus terminus (the main one) but with some latest changes, the bus terminus moved and it was a very good choice.

This photograph was shot using my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done using PS CS4.

Strait Street

Strait Street, Valletta

What you see in this photograph is a part of what could be the most notorious street in Malta. It is also one of my favorite streets and I wish I could go back in time to see it in its glory as I am almost sure that there is no possibility that it will be revived. So what's so special about Strait Street?

After WWII, when Malta was a British Colony, Strait Street was packed with bars and dancing clubs. It was also packed with all kind of sin. Prostitution was big here and it was something that the sailors loved. I never tire of hearing my grandma reliving her old days (mind you, she was not a prostitute) of dancing the night away and going back home drunk. 

Most of the banners for bars and clubs are still there today. You can see one in this photograph called Tico Tico. I am glad the banners and signs survived all this time and I hope that they won't be removed. Who said people didn't know how to have fun back then huh? I think fun was more pure than nowadays and I will give anything I have to at least go back in time even if it's just for a day.

This photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV.

Republic Street

Republic Street, Malta

"A man in the house is worth two in the street." Mae West

Five is my favorite number and when I took this photograph I realized that right in front of me there were five people walking in line right in front of me. It's a coincidence, but it's a nice one.

This is the main street in Malta's capital city, Valletta and it's called Republic Street. It's a really old city that was built by the Knights of St.John and it still features a lot of things that go way back then. The new streets were done a few years ago and I like the element of it. It mixes well with the old historical buildings.

As far as Valletta goes, I usually prefer to get off main streets and go to less frequented ones. There are more subjects to photograph and the back streets are usually very narrow but pack a lot of heart.

I shot this photograph using my iPhone and the Hipstamatic app. Some editing was done using PS CS4.

Misere II

Vittoriosa, Malta

"After a storm comes a calm." Matthew Henry

A continuation with the photograph I posted yesterday which you can find here Misere. For those who don't know misere is in Latin and means mercy. I always thought it was a profound and suitable name for really dense clouds...the reason? I don't really know.

This photograph was captured on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app. Some minor editing was done in PS CS4. Settings for Hipstamatic were BlacKeys B&W/Lucifer IV.