Sunset

Together

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

London

I finally got around to sorting and editing my London photos that were taken in my latest trip.  This photo was one of those photos that you just take while you are walking. No thoughts, just point and snap and then you realize it actually looks good and has potential. Sometimes unplanned photos turn out to be better than the ones you spend hours upon hours thinking about!

This photo was taken from the Millennium Bridge while we were on our way to the Tate Modern. While it was freezing, the day was beautiful! Very blue skies and not a single cloud in sight. Very rare for London but we got lucky.

I am a person that simply love skylines (still believe no skyline can beat the NYC skyline) but when you are in a city like London (or Paris) it's actually good that they prohibit such tall buildings. I think if London had a skyline similar to NYC it would kill it's authenticity.

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

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.

Voyeur

First off, I apologize for the delay in posting something new. Having a creative block mixed busy times is not the ideal combination. Some quiet times appear ahead with a trip to London that's in store.

Just when I thought that the rainy season was over and Spring came to greet us fully, I of course went out for a walk with my photo camera when suddenly it started raining. It was a short burst of rain. At first I was going to be disappointed but then I took advantage of the situation and got closer to my subjects. Macro photography was always close to my heart but I still have a lot to learn but in the meantime I am enjoying it.

The subject in this photograph is a wild flower...a purple flower but as usual I don't know the name of it. It is very abundant and you can see it everywhere you look, at least in Malta.

This photograph was shot using a Canon 40D with a 60mm Macro Lens. It was converted to black and white 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 - Black and White

Yeah today I couldn't decide whether to post in color or black and white so I am posting both! This is the black and white version of this Spring.

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

The Flow

I took this photography recently and it was one of those rarest moments when I do actually like the photograph right on the preview screen of the camera.

The white leaf of the Peace Lily and the black leaf look like two pieces of fabric that are being waved around the center of the flower, hence the title of the photograph. This one I had in mind to keep in color but I thought that in black and white the effect I mentioned is more visible.

I also like the way the light is falling onto the subject. I used nothing but available light.

It's like I am finally finding my niche in photographing plants and flowers and I am happy with it especially when it comes to photographing a Peace Lily.

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

You can buy this print from my Etsy shop by going here: The Flow or you visit my shop for a wider variety of prints by going here: LRAPhotos on Etsy

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.

Majestic

What better landmark can describe New York City if not the famous Empire State Building? I wonder if there any tourists who visited New York City and missed seeing this wonderful piece of architecture.

This black and white photograph of the Empire State Building has been sitting on my hard drive for some time now so I decided to bring it out and include it in my blog.

I still remember the very first time I saw the building, and being up there. I wish I could erase the experience from my mind and do it all over again. I have never felt so absolute and minor compared to this humongous building. It is a building so simple, yet so grand that there is no sore eye that can't look it and say 'Wow that's beautiful!'

New York City is one of those cities that you can't help fall in love over and over again with every corner you turn. There is always something to see. It's the city where dreams come true (and I am sure also the city where a lot of dreams are shattered, but lets not think about that.)

This black and white photograph was shot using a Canon 40D. It was edited and converted using Photoshop CS4.

San Remo From Central Park

From the very first time I've seen this building I was fascinated by it and I didn't even know who lives in it yet!

Almost everywhere you walk in Central Park you could see it. You could see it there standing like a giant amongst the trees. Whether it's a cloudless clear day or a stormy sky, the San Remo building looks in character. It screams New York City, the posh life in New York City.

I took this black and white photograph last Summer on my last day visiting the fantastic city. For some reason, the photos I take on the last week or day are the photos that I hold close to my heart. I know this one is not one of my best black and white photographs but still I felt like showing it, as the San Remo building is one of my favorite in all of New York City (have a I said that already?)

This photo was taken using a compact Samsung camera. Edited and converted to black and white 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.

In the Heart

Digging in the archives once again and I came across this photo that I shot back when I got my 60mm f/2.8 macro lens. I think the photo was shot in Nacogdoches, Texas. 

Once again I don't know the name of the flower and really would like to know so if you any of my readers know what kind of flower it is, please let me know. I would really appreciate it.

Someone asked me why I am not posting these close up photos of flowers in color. There is a simple reason...I always thought that black and white photos look more dramatic and have a more abstract feel, which I really love.

Also for those interested in buying my prints, I will be opening a store on Etsy very soon. More information coming soon.

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

Almost Erotic

Sometimes unplanned things turn out to be nicer than planned things and here is a perfect example. After watering my plants I grabbed the camera and was playing around with some settings when I accidentally hit the shutter. I didn't even bother to look at the preview.

Later when I was home I was looking at the other photos I snapped and saw this and my jaw almost dropped. I only cropped the photo to remove the unnecessary things that were in sight.

I came up with the title because when I first looked at the photo I thought it depicted something erotic. I don't know what, it was just how my eyes perceived the photo.

The plant is an Umbrella Tree that I bought a few weeks ago. It's been growing like crazy and is one of my favorite plants to photograph (together with the Peace Lily)

The photo was shot with a Canon 40D and a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens, it was then edited and converted to black and white using Photoshop CS4.

Wrapped up in Love

"A kiss is a rosy dot over the 'i' of loving." Cyrano de Bergerac 

Lately all I seem to posting are flower close up photos...I guess it's just a phase...or maybe not. Since I have been exploring my macro abilities I found no better subject than flowers so far. So yeah, I will be posting flower photos for a while. :)

I would like to learn the names of the flowers that I photograph but my brain can't handle all those names but it's a work in progress.

This photo here turned out to be one of my favorites on this blog. Very soon I have to pick out 36 photos published on my blog to be printed 4x6 and they will all be hanged on a wall in a 'heart' formation. It's going to be a tough job but it's a job that will be interesting.

Photo was shot using a Canon 40D with a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens. It was edited and converted to black and white using Photoshop CS4.

Star Flower

"Beauty is but a flower, which wrinkles will devour." Thomas Nash

Right now I am going through a phase in which I am enjoying macro photography and when it comes to macro photography what is a better subject than flowers?

I have been walking past this one flower for a few days on my way to work and I always notice the star pattern on it. Recently I just grabbed my camera and went out to get a few photos. I thought if I am going to wait any longer either someone will pick it up and it will die. Up to today it was still there and I hope it stays there as every time I see it, it always makes my day better. It's amazing how nature can be so beautiful and perfect.

This photo was difficult to get as it was windy and we all know the closer you get to your subject the more stillness you need so I just sat there waiting with the camera in hand for when the wind shows some mercy.

I shot this photo using a Canon 40D with a 60mm f/2.8 macro lens and edited/converted to black and white using Photoshop CS4.

Pride

"Don't quack like a duck, soar like an eagle." Ken Blanchard

This photo is a couple of years old and when I found it on my hard drive collecting dust I instantly remembered the pain this photo caused to get one that is in focus.

First of all the eagle was not flying in the wild, but it was at a bird park. When it was it's turn to fly and show off everybody suddenly jumped off their seats to the front with their cameras. That was the beginning of a near impossible task. Then came out the eagle and believe me when I say that they fly way too fast and these were still my early days of photography so I was not sure what I was supposed to do.

Finally when it was taking a break I captured this photo which in my opinion turned out great. I was quite happy with it. Once again I faced the dilemma...color or black and white. I picked out the black and white and decided that from today onwards most of the photos I upload are going to be in black and white.

This photo was shot with a Canon 40D using EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and edited in Photoshop CS4.

Wilderness

Once again I faced myself with the black and white versus color dilemma but today I really couldn't choose so I am posting both.

The top photo is the original photo, converted to black and white, while the bottom photo is cropped piece from the black and white picture.

I don't know the name of this flower but I would guess it's a wild flower. I noticed the tree, which was mostly barely but for a few of these flowers while I was taking a walk today. The weather was terrible...strong winds and it was changing from sunny to cloudy in a matter of seconds.

When it comes to macro photography I am still learning the ropes and while it's beautiful it requires a tremendous amount of patience and dexterity, especially since I don't carry a tripod around with me. I still have a lot to learn but as they say, practice makes perfect.

This photo was shot using my Canon 40D with a 60mm macro lens, then edited in Photoshop CS4