Monday, July 14, 2008

All-Star Game 2008



I think probably the only people interested in tomorrows game are the freak baseball fans, New Yorkers and the Paparazzi. why would the Paparazzi care, like DUH! A-ROD and Madonna, its like the only thing that matters, actually I don't care. Baseball on the other hand, now thats something to talk about. The Mid Summer Classic has been happening since 1933, and the National league hasn't won the All-star game in  a while 1996 to be exact. To me thats a long, long time.  

The 2008 All-Star spot was done by Fox sports in-house creative group and BUF. You can watch the non-condensed non-You Tube version here

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Fireworks at Chavez Ravine



Last Night I attended the Fireworks extravaganza at Dodger Stadium, the Fireworks were pretty awesome. The game on the other hand, didn't bode so well for the home team. No, I'm not saying  the Dodgers lost by a lot, but it was a close game. The final score was 5-3 in 11 innings. I guess at least after other agonizing loss to the Marlins, the fans had something to look forward. Firework, were definitely a lot more enjoyable, than spending the next 45 minutes in your car, trying to exit the park. Of course, if you stayed to see the whole fireworks show you would probably have to deal with the parking later, or if your me, you leave half-way during the show and enjoy the last of the fireworks through the rearview mirror. 

Monday, July 7, 2008

HDR part 2



Heres another photo of my girlfriends "most beloved" of all her cats, this one is a picture of "Monkey Bear," and yes this cat also suffers from jaundice. Sometimes it surprises me that she hasn't put clothes on this cat. This photo uses the same technique I shot for Mama Bear, but he was a little more difficult. Monkey was a bit of a challenge, considering he's constantly moving and the only time monkey's not moving is when he's sleeping*. One of the things they teach you in HDR 101 is to take photo of non-moving still life, because you get a ghosting effect in your photos. By using the program Photomatix** and I was able to solve this problem pretty easy. Photoshop seemed to create  an adequate HDR image, but Photomatix was far superior and was able to solve the ghosting effect pretty easy, and with just a minor retouching job my photos 
of the cats seem to come out pretty good.  

* Yes I could take a picture of a sleeping cat, but to me it looks like he about to fart or he's going to explode. 
**Photomatix is HDR software & Plugin for tonal mapping and exposure blending.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

HyDRa and the CAT



One of several photos I shot using the Technique called HDRI or HDR, I like to refer it to as "HDRA." Not to familiar with HDR you can look here.  My girlfriend has two cats and I decided to take a couple of pictures of them, the one above is called "MAMA BEAR," shes a real cute cat, and yes she has jaundice, look at her yellow eyes!!!!  Well I digress, back to HDR, this is my first Photo using HDR and I think it came out pretty good. 

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

FXPHD Term 9


I know this will be only my second term but so far I've been very impressed, but I would like to get the word out this is a very great VFX training program, I think what is so unique about these  online classes is you get to learn from professions whom are very accomplished and you also get to voice your opinions and questions in a forum based environment. As a member to get access High quality footage from this and other shoots as well as other effects materials, such as traditional 2d animation and advanced mult-pass 3d renders. 

Some of the classes I look forward to this next term are Digital audio Post, Cinema and After Effects and Matte Painting. You can learn from their website.