Update

Hello. Yes. I sound a bit... numb right now. Well at least I think I do. But that's just because I've been through lots since my last post, and a lot of things have changed since that post. Some are happy, but some are not so good. But hey. I know the Lord is above, looking after me, and He will always be there, to support me and to guide me. At least I know He is there.

This will just be an update to show that I'm still alive, and that I'm still around. Nothing much. Well yeah, I'd probably just touch on a little bit of what I have accomplished during this period.

First things first. Sugar Hit! After 2 years of wanting to go. I finally went. With a group of friends, we went up to Shangri-La Hotel at the Rocks, and we had a lovely dessert. I'll talk about that later on.

Second. BHBC church camp! It's been more than a year since our last church camp, and this time it was certainly much warmer than last time! I'll do that post within this week. I promise.

So keep tuned!

My 22nd!!

Chris' 22nd

So finally... another year! Chris has just +1-ed his age... and hopefully has matured that much more.
For his birthday this time, we had a game of bowling which was pretty good, considering we didn't play for a long time. For dinner we had Korean barbecue which was pretty moderately priced (only $25-28 with 2 shots of alcohol!)

This wine was so good!! I was my first time drinking Korean wine, and this one tastes pretty good. It's called Black Raspberry Wine, a must try in Korean restaurant!

We then headed up to Cockle Bay Wharf thinking that there was fireworks. But after waiting 1/2hr, nothing happened.

So instead, we found a spot for 12 people at The Chocolate Room, and we had a hot chocolate..

This one was so special!! It had a tea light candle at the bottom warming the mug at the top..

Then this was mine.. It was a hot chocolate, and it was so.. strong and sweet! I guess that's what you get for a 70% chocolate hot chocolate..

Cappuccino?

Brand new start. Brand new 365 challenge with Brian

Yes, you read it right! I started a new 365 project again. I failed in my previous one mainly because I was very busy, and there just wasn't enough time for me to take a photo and upload it. Or even take a photo, and forget I actually took a photo. So to keep my interest going I decided to take on the challenge again with a twist!
For this challenge I got Brian to join as well. So the two of us. Photography Noobs. In for a year of photography where we are opponents! So basically, we post the photo onto Facebook, and DigitalRev, and whoever gets the most likes in that week, wins and gets to choose the next theme. Yeah! Themes, we have themes this time. So basically it's themes. Enough said.
So we've both conquered 2 weeks already, and starting on the 3rd week..

First week: Red, White and Blue

Week 2: Reflections... This one was relatively easier than week 1's theme..

This weeks: Monochrome... I've never tried this before, but I have done black and white before... will post some other time!

Tutorial: What's easier to edit? Overexposed or Underexposed?

What is the point of editing a photo to be correctly exposed? It's because we just took a photo that is good in many ways, but the light is way to bad. Too dark? Too bright? Don't even know? Look here.
So, what can you do to a photo that is overexposed or underexposed? Edit it! That's the best you can do, since you've taken the photo already. And it's probably the only good shot compared to the rest of your shots. But, even though you can edit it, I prefer editing the exposure on an overexposed shot mainly because it will darken the whole shot, and it won't add any noise to the processed shot.
So here's an overexposed shot:

I prefer using Lightroom 2 over Photoshop because it's quicker and easier to process compared to Photoshop. And I could easily import my photos into the album and edit them. 

So this is the edited version of the overexposed shot. It's a shade darker, and there's less flare on Toad's green cap. The details on the cushion are also easier to see. The sky outside is also bluer, with less flare dulling the colour.

Now onto the underexposed shot. The main subject is dark. It's lacking detail, the sky is dominating the photo, and yeah, you can't really see Toad.

So here's the edited version. Toad has brightened up and the cushion has the details. The sky has been exploded with  light, and you can't even see it. But what is the real problem in this picture? It's the noise. There's far too much noise on Toad, and the cushion, and it's just gross. That's the problem with editing an underexposed shot. 

Let me explain. When a picture is taken, the light hits the sensor, turning it into the pixels. So, if majority of pixels are dark, when you brighten them, they will go bright, but will cause discolour in them.

So what's the best type of exposure to edit? My personal preference would be the overexposed shot. It has less noise, and it keeps and adds details to the shot.

There are a few ways in trying to nail the exposure correctly in any situations and they are (come on, add some drum rolls):

Buy a D4.

Use a tripod.

Use flash.

Tell your friend to stay still.

And here's a nailed pic

Rea's 21st

Finally... Rea's 21!! She's the last to be 21st among our group of friends. So yeah, finally. It was a simple, but different this time. Some of us went to Galaxy World, which is the first as a group. I didn't take any photos there...
Then we had dinner at a place near Capitol Centre called En Casa. It was Spanish Cuisine, and the food was pretty good, and the service was good considering we weren't going to be the people who will spend tonnes of money there.

Then we had fireworks, these were my favourite shots of the night

Photo Walk @ Luna Park and China Town

Finally. After three and a half years of photographing with my 06' made Nikon, I have finally went out with Brian to purposely take photos of our well-known Sydney!

Organizing it was really easy as we knew where we were going to do, and it was just the matter of just knowing how to get there. So even though we knew we were heading to Luna Park for our first stop, getting there was a slight problem. I sound so un-Australian, or un-sydneyian (if that's what you call it) but I don't know how to get onto the Harbour Bridge on foot! I've been over it by car, train, bus and ferry (just under it), and yet, I'm nearly 22, and I don't know how to go ONTO the bridge. I sound so un-local all of a sudden. But on the day, we asked the friendly CityRail staff at Circular Quay, and she told us there's a lift on the Harbour that is near those palm trees and Opera House. 

So our first stop was Luna Park. Along the way, we had a few good shots of our City... and the lifestyle around here...

It was about an hours walk from Circular Quay, and it's a very relaxing walk, no steep ends nothing. Well at least I think it was relaxing.. Maybe not Brian though.

So here we are, safely arrived at Luna Park, and it was so good, because there's so much to take, and most importantly, it's free. You can't say no when it's free. No way.

It took us about 2 hours to finish taking what we wanted from Luna Park, providing it was free the whole way. So next was just walking back to the Harbour side, and taking photos there.
We did some levitating shots... I'm addicted to this stuff!

Brian has more shots of me levitating too..
We saw this patch of green grass with the bridge on top, and it made some interesting patterns on the grass... the grass also waved so pretty too! Too bad I can't video it on my camera..

Then we went back onto the bridge, and saw several locks on the fence. I think it represents people's marriages and the 'tying-the-knot' moment, I wonder what this area will look like in 50 years?

I converted the photo to black and white because the light around us was too harsh, and it created heavy shadows. I felt that black and white made it look flat, but it enhances the details instead.

Then I saw this, and it made me smile... Where would I be without my mother? I don't think I'll end up achieving or doing what I have, at this point. She will ALWAYS be my star... the brightest of all as well.

I always wanted to be in this line of people to try out this 'Emperor Pastry Puff', but timing wise, I've never tried it, and will really want to one day... Has anyone tried it before? Tell me what it's like!!

While I was buying my first SodaGreen music CD from the shop, Brian was taking photos of a lions backside.. Did it fart?

We then ended up on Dixon Street, and took some panning shots

And a bike.

We then headed up to Capitol, and took some photos of the toys in the machine... Until a guy said in a heavy Chinese accent, 'No Photo!!' full with hand and everything, I think he was running up to us too.. It was funny, and concerning.