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Hmm, not much to say about this one. Let me see … it is your standard brick corner complete with arches, located at one of the most prestigious Universities in the US. It comes complete with long hallways leading to equally good educational prospects. While you are considering which direction to take, you can enjoy a refreshing drink at the nice little water fountain. Come by and join me for a pensive good time at the Stanford University corner.

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My first licensing deal! A nice lady from Stanford University contacted me about licensing my photo for an event they are hosting. We worked out a deal and all was good. I am still not sure what the event is, but I am sure it will be cool …

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I took this photo about a year ago when a friend and I were exploring the path at the end of Crissy Fields. I added the light bleed in post production to give it a dramatic effect.

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Have you ever seen Leping Zha’s amazing photography of the Yellow Mountains? They look like something out of a fable. I spent a lot of time and energy getting to this place and unfortunately, the weather was not great so I only managed to get a few good pictures, but it was still worth it. I was so exhausted by the time I got there that most of it is a blur. I do know for sure that the experienced involved hiking with a friendly Thai dude, getting up way too early and looking down on the tops of clouds from jagged mountains. I am not sure where I took this photo but it was in my camera so I am fairly certain it was real =)

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I was only a couple hours from Everest Base Camp when my driver suddenly stopped the car and motioned for me to get out. I looked around and surmised that this was probably not an ambush so I took my camera with me and climbed a nearby hill. When I got to the top, I was greeted by this view of Lady Everest. I took a few quick photos and got back in the car before I froze my nose off, not knowing how lucky I was to get this unusually clear shot of the peak.

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I wish I had one of these at work …

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I like photography because it has so much to do with chance. I was thinking of this little castle in the clouds I saw from the top of Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse. The clouds were perfect, there was a bit of blue and the light was just right to give it a fantastical effect. How was it that I was there at that precise moment when all the elements came together? I think back on that day and all the random little detours and choices that were necessary to get me there. I love floating around with my camera, ready to capture whatever life has planed out for me.

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I have had a few opportunities to visit Shanghai and I am never disapointed with the sights. This is a view the Pudong District from across the river. It was late and I had been walking all night and was about to call it a day when I came across this view. I setup my rig and took a few shots right before they literally shut off the lights. I got an image of some technician in a dingy little room throwing a switch and laughing to himself in the dark. I looked around wondering if someone was playing a practical joke on me, but I guess there is no need to show off after 11pm.

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I got a few requests to see the color version of this photo. I am not sure which I like better …

“If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?”
“Tibet. I don’t know why, but I think I have a connection to that place.”
“Then you should go.”

I ended up spending eight days in the land of snow. My time there was certainly short, but it was characterized by silent, long distance drives through endless plateaus and mountain ranges. I visited ancient monasteries, saw a people struggle to hold on to a dying way of life, and was enveloped in sheer natural beauty. It was a trip marred with the pang of loneliness in which I spent most of my time in contemplation of my surroundings. I was at the rooftop of the world, staring at the vast blue sky in a state of reverence as I gradually re-mended a connection, I suspect, I once had. At the time, I did not realize all of this. It was only once I was back in Beijing that I noticed the jarring incongruence.

Unfortunately, it did not take too long for me to lose that newly formed connection, but the memory remains and I am grateful for it. All of this is very abstract, but sometimes that is the only way to experience certain things. I am left with a deep sense of respect and gratitude for the Tibetan people.

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There is no better place to try out infrared photography than a wooded area. We were doing a quick trek through Mariposa Grove in Yosemite when we came across this giant sequoia tree. I wanted to accentuate its huge stature so I got up close to the base and shot up with a wide angle lens. The infrared gives it an extra bit of uniqueness.

I wonder if anyone would notice if I hollowed out the middle and lived inside?