How is it done??

People always ask me "so Juan...how do you process your pictures after you take them; what do you use to make them look like that??" Well, here's my workflow that I use for all my photography. First I import my pictures into my Macbook (more on why I use Apple Computers exclusively later). Once there, I will look at each one to see if there is anything to be fixed. If there is I will usually use Adobe Photoshop CS3 to fix anything from freckles to moles to scars, or to erase things in the background...replace colors, etc. Photoshop is an awesome powerful program used by most if not all magazines today.

After that is done I import them into another program called Lightroom. This program lets me fix many pictures all at once and apply things like sharpening and edge darkening for a more professional look. It also does special effects and other fun stuff. After that I will save copies of the "fixed" photos and voila!...ready to use. You will see all this on the pictures posted on this blog from time to time. So, there you have it!

How to comment on my blog

If you see something you would like to comment on, you can do so by clicking on the title of the blog. This will open that post and you will see the following at the bottom:



Simply click on the "Post a Comment" link and you will be able to leave a comment on the blog. The same applies for every post on which you want to comment. Please keep in mind that your comment should be appropriate...no bad words or anything like that ok? I do reserve the right to delete comments so please be nice.

Chronicles Of Narnia : Prince Caspian

Here is the trailer for the sequel to Chronicles Of Narnia. These books are so awesome and it's cool that they're being made into movies.

Another amazing band

They are Casting Crowns...another great christian band. Their songs are very touching and this is one they put out earlier this year.

I love these guys!!!

This is MercyMe...one of the top christian rock bands. They are so awesome. I had the chance to see them in concert in 2004 and they rocked the house!! Check them out!!

Fall

Here's some pictures I took this fall when the trees were changing colors. I love this time of the year when there are so many trees that look like they're on fire.

Think on these things...

Have you thought what kind of year you're going to have in 2008? Will the new year be challenging, boring, uneventful...or will it be victorious and a year of successes? You, dear reader, will determine how your year will go. I'm a firm believer in the concept that what you say comes to be. Our words are not just dead...they are alive and by speaking positive you will make good things happen. Granted, this does not mean you won't have hardships...those are a part of life. But it's how you tackle them that matters.

In any army there are losses. Not every army wins every war. But you don't see the army crying and moaning because of one loss....they examine what they did and make changes accordingly to ensure success. This is how we should live. Why expect a disastrous defeated year when we could speak the positive and change things? I personally am expecting an awesome 2008 full of new opportunities. I believe that this is the year good things will happen for me. I believe that my best days are ahead of me...not behind me. I will be a winner, not a loser. My ventures will go as planned, and my relationships with my friends and family will be better and stronger.

So, how will YOUR 2008 turn out?

Michael English

I have just finished reading an awesome book about contemporary christian singer Michael English. I have always been a fan of his and his unique voice. In 1994 he was involved in a scandal where he admitted an affair with another christian singer. His book tells the story of that event and how he descended into drugs and alcoholism and how God brought him out of it.

I remember first hearing about the scandal and thinking "I hope we christians don't make a fool of ourselves by pointing fingers and judging", and that's what happened mostly. We love to preach about grace and mercy but don't show any ourselves when one of our brothers or sisters fall...this is why many who fall don't come back and become rebellious and don't seek to get back up...because we their family make it hard if not impossible to with our gossiping and judgements.

Anyways, pick this book up...it's an amazing read and reflects how God never gives up on his children no matter how low we sink. Check out these two videos:

What I have and what I want

I have pretty much a decent camera right now...the Sony F828. I have had it since 2003 and it has worked consistently and given me some good results. However, I do need to expand a little and my wish list for cameras basically consists of two. First I would like to own a Sony Alpha 100 camera; lots more features and very flexible. Plus you can change lenses to suit your needs (my F828 has a fixed lens). The second camera I would want is a Nikon D80. I love the results I've seen others get with the Nikon cameras and it is a very trusted brand. The lenses are also interchangeable. Both cameras are 10+ megapixels...mine is only 8. So, either camera would be very nice to own.

A bit about me

Ok so..ummm...I'm into photography and music. I have been a musician since age 3 when I started learning and playing drums and at age 7 became the drummer for my father's church. I have been interested in photography since 2002 when I purchased my first digital point-and-shoot camera. My dream job?...well it's to travel the world taking pictures for National Geographic. I do enjoy travel and I love airports...so many interesting characters under one roof...hehhe. I also love coming online and reading about photography (I'll share my links later). I also read a lot of photography magazines which I will talk about later as well. Right now tho I am working for a wonderful company where I am very happy. I also teach sunday school at my church which I love to do because my kids are fun (hi y'all!). I have 9 nieces/nephews who I adore...they keep me entertained. That's me in a nutshell!

Merry Christmas!

Welcome!!

I see you found my blog...who let you in???!!! Just kidding...welcome. I am hoping to post frequently and share some stuff. There will be pictures too of course. You can share by replying to my posts which I will be checking frequently and responding to. Hope you enjoy yourself!