Happy New Year 2011

The 2010 is almost gone! It is time to remember and say "thank you" for all good things that happened to us in the old year and welcome the new year with happiness and joy! I wish you all a great 2011. Let the rabbit bring you lots of pleasant surprises, smiles, health, peace, prosperity, success, and of course love. Thank you for following my blog and I hope to continue traveling with you through photography in the New Year 201 1!

Happy New Year 2011!

From Your PhotoEnthusiast

Source:zastavki.com



I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Christmas is time for joy and merrymaking!

Please receive my heartfelt wishes of peace, love and happiness this Christmas. Spread Christmas cheer together with your family and friends.

With sparkling Christmas wishes,

Your PhotoEnthusiast

Tip 5: Holiday Portraits

Tip 5: Portraits. If you’re shooting inside, try using the bounce-flash technique mentioned earlier. Adding just a little pop of flash will bring life to your portrait. You achieve better separation from the background when you use flash and colors come to life. If you’re shooting outside, try using an inexpensive reflector to add some snap to your portrait. Try placing your subjects in front of a shaded area. Reflect the light from the sunny area back at your subjects. This way, the shaded background will be darker than your subjects, creating nice separation.
Mix up your poses. After shooting the mandatory classic group shot (guys in back, ladies in front, smile!), try some new poses to make the shot more interesting. How about photographing three generations of hands on a rail? Or maybe use a step ladder to get above your subjects and have them lie in a circle below you. You have willing subjects—your family—so be creative!

Source: Digital Photo Magazine

Go Canes!

Tip 4: Dial up your ISO

Dial up your ISO for indoor shots. Today’s cameras offer improved technology that even a few years ago would seem impossible to accomplish. One area that has seen incredible improvement is the high-ISO performance of digital cameras. Today, we can easily shoot at ISO speeds of 800, 1600 and even 3200 with minimal noise in the final image. Use this to your advantage next time you’re shooting indoors and don’t have a flash. Dial up your ISO and shoot away. I recently photographed an ice skater in an indoor rink for a magazine story. The light was low, so I set my ISO at 3200 and produced handheld tack-sharp images.

One subject for which I like to use high ISO is photographing candles and candlelit scenes. A flash would ruin the mood of these shots, but by using a high ISO I can capture church scenes and candlelit faces using only the available light.


Source: Digital Photo Magazine

Tip 3: Shoot holiday lights at twilight

3. Shoot holiday lights at twilight. One of the best things about winter is that many people adorn their houses and trees with holiday lights, which are great subject matter to photograph during the season.

My favorite time to shoot is at twilight. The perfect time is when your exposure renders the lights bright against a deep-purple sky. Wait too long, and the sky goes dark; shoot too early, and the lights don’t show well. Don’t limit yourself to shooting houses with lights—create your own scene to shoot. I like to add holiday lights to glowing tents, skis, snowshoes or anything else that will be interesting. If you don’t have an extension cord to reach your string of lights, try using a portable generator to give you power.

Another fun activity photographing holiday lights is using long exposures and zooming during the exposure. Also try rotating your camera during the exposure. You can produce an endless kaleidoscope of colors and motion blurs.

Source: Digital Photo Magazine

 

 

Tip 2: Use bounce flash indoors

2. Use bounce flash indoors. Remember the last time you went to a party, broke out your camera and started shooting candid shots of friends and family, confident that you were creating some fantastic images? But when you browsed the images on the computer, you had overexposed faces, black backgrounds and red-eye reflections in grandma’s eyes that reminded you of a horror movie. Next time, try using bounce flash to eliminate these problems.

Bounce flash works by aiming your TTL flash head toward the ceiling or other reflective surface and bouncing the light back onto your subject. Many rooms and buildings have white ceilings, perfect for bounce flash. Just remember, your flash will pick up the color of the surface it’s bouncing off of.
 
TTL speedlight flashes still read bounced flash output via TTL, so your exposures should be about right. But the quality and direction of light from bounced flash will create softer light and eliminate red-eye reflections. Bouncing flash off ceilings also brightens up big rooms, reducing dark backgrounds. Next time you’re at a party, try a test bounce-flash shot and see what you get; you might be surprised.


Source: Digital Photo Magazine
 

Tip 1: Make the Snow White

The holiday season is quickly approaching. It is time to start buying presents, selecting the holiday menu and also start charging your photo cameras. I would like to share with you a few tips on how to enhance your photos this holiday season. I found them very useful and hope you use them to create memorable images. Courtesy of Digital Photo Magazine - your #1 guide for better digital photography.

Here goes the first tip for all those who are lucky to have some snow out there:)

Tip #1. Make the snow white

The easiest way to make snow white is to check your histogram after you take the shot. The histogram represents the amount of specific tonalities in a scene, with the right side representing the bright tones and the left side showing dark tones. When reviewing your histogram, make sure it’s pushed to the right side so the snow is white. Do this in manual mode by opening up (choosing a wider aperture) or slowing your shutter speed, both of which let in more light in the exposure. In program, shutter and aperture modes, add light by going +1 stop or more with the exposure compensation button. Your histogram should push right up against the right side to make the snow white.



Winter scenery




Christmas Decorations 2010

This is how we decorated for Christmas this year! Enjoy and get ideas:)

Thanks "Michael's" for having everything for a perfect holiday season!

Lightened up tree

More light

Go Canes!

Snowflakes remind me of cold Russian weather

Love donuts, even on the Christmas tree

Nacimiento de Jesus

My creation: some ashberries and  pine cones all covered by snow

It's beginning to feel like...

With such cold days here in Miami, the only thing I can think of is Christmas, decorations, trees, and presents. These two pictures are old but give you an idea of how Russians decorate trees for the holiday season. They are truly gorgeous every year!

P.S. The picture of my beautiful Christmas tree to come soon!

Town of Sergiev Posad. Main plaza tree.

Moscow's most beautiful tree at the GUM (fency department store).

Find Anna

Click here to see one of my photos featured on ePhotoAwards.com.

Did you find me? No? I'm the one with the flower...

Welcome back, Winter!

Winter is one of my favorite seasons, partly because of the holidays coming with it. When I lived in Russia, I always looked forward to the winter season because I could play snowballs and ice-skate. Now that I am in Miami, I am still a winter fan, although without snow and the cold it doesn't feel the same. Today in Moscow it's 15 degrees F below zero and in Miami it's 71 degrees F. What a difference, huh!

I took this picture from my apartment in Russia, couple of years ago. It was a really cold morning, but absolutely beautiful! Trees stood still all covered by white frost. I hope this picture brings some freshness and winter sensation into your housholds as it did into mine when  I saw this picture this morning. 

 Happy Winter!

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National Geographic Photo Contest

Tomorrow is the last day to submit photos to the National Geographic Photo Contest 2010. The first thing I did this morning was to send three shots some of you voted for in late October. Below are the pictures I sent. Keep fingers crossed for me! And a big "thank you" for all of you who helped me choose the best  pictures.

1. Contrasts

2. On Top of the World

3. On Fire

Fisherman's Diary

My boyfriend Yuniel is obsessed with fishing. And I am obsessed with taking pictures of him fishing. The following is a photo report of one day I spent fishing with Yuniel in Cuba. I named this "Fisherman's Diary," because through these photos you get an  idea of how people fish in Cuba and how bored I would be had I no camera with me:) Enjoy and feel free to share your ideas about fishing.


El Caleton. Matanzas, Cuba, Fishing spot.



First try.



Looking for bait.

Fishing instruments - all you can find.

Cousins giving it a second try.



Same + Cristal

First and last victim. We did let it go eventually.

In progress.

Avangard.



Double Rainbow

I took this picture when boating a few months ago in Miami, Fl. It was a beautiful morning, right after a perfect storm. Double rainbows are rare but have scientific explanation. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research gives the following explanation:

"The rainbow we normally see is called the primary rainbow and is produced by one internal reflection; the secondary rainbow arises from two internal reflections and the rays exit the drop at an angle of 50 degrees° rather than the 42°degrees for the red primary bow. Blue light emerges at an even larger angle of 53 degrees°."

Note that the colors of the two rainbows are reversed. Amazing!

Hops+Malt+Barley-Fermentation=?

Have you ever tried Malta? Have you ever wondered what’s inside this delicious soft drink? If you haven’t, then read the headline of this post and if you are good at math, then you got it! Yes. Malta is actually a beer that has not been fermented. Malta originated in Germany in the 19th century as Malzbier that translates from German as “malt beer.” Up to the 1950s, it was considered a fortifying food for nursing mothers, recovering patients, and elderly. Malta is often perceived as a Latin American drink, but, in fact, it is enjoyed in Germany, as well as some parts of Africa like Nigeria, Chad, Ghana, Cameroon, and in the Indian Ocean.

Malta is made out of hops, malt and barley, so it has very similar ingredients to beer. But it does not taste like beer at all. Malta is also a very good source of vitamin B. As everything that is tasty, Malta is high in calories: 140+ depending on the serving. There are more than 40 Malta brands. This particular Malta (pictured) is of the Bucanero brand, the largest brewery in Cuba which also produces Bucanero, Mayabe and Cristal beers. I took this picture when having lunch at a local restaurant in Playa Giron, Cuba.

Enjoy some Malta, if you haven’t yet!


P.S. Many Latin Americans enjoy it with condensed or evaporated milk. Tastes good!

Accidental encounter

The most beautiful sceneries are not advertised in glossy magazines, nor are they featured in popular TV shows. They are found by accident. I think that is awesome being able to discover things yourself and see them for what they really are. This summer I had a memorable accidental encounter with a place called “La Arboleda.” We were driving with no reason in a rainy day and ended up in this unforgettable place. Purity and tranquility were the first two words that came to mind when I stepped into La Arboleda’s possessions. Everything was so dazzle green! It seemed like someone had painted all trees and grass bright green colors just before our arrival. It was simply UNREAL!

“La Arboleda,” named so because of its beautiful grove of trees, is located in the Province of Matanzas, Cuba. Hidden between hills and mountains, this place is not easy to be found. But it is worth visiting! The tropical greenery, warm breezes from the Canimar River, chirping birds – all this makes “La Arboleda” the perfect vacation destination for those tired of the busy dust-laden city. Ride a horse, rent a kayak or a water bicycle, or just flop onto hammocks and enjoy some delicious Cuban food. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

I felt so relaxed after staying in “La Arboleda.” I enjoyed the food, the cool water of the Canimar River and made lots of pictures of the flora and fauna of this amazing place. I highly recommend “La Arboleda” if you want to disconnect and enjoy a calm stay in close connection with untainted nature. Discover it for yourself!

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Stunning Silence

These types of photos are among my favorite: silent, still, and nevertheless beautiful. I took this particular picture in Matanzas, Cuba, in a rancho called "La Arboleda."  It is the perfect destination to escape from the noisy and busy world. Tropical greenery, palms, grove of trees, warm breeze from the Canimar river - a perfect match for a perfect getaway! More photos and description of "La Arboleda" to come soon. For now, just enjoy this beautiful scenery!

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Welcome to Miami!



Bird's eye view of Miami Downtown, August 2009.



I want to dedicate this post to the beautiful city of Miami, which I have been calling home for three years now! Enjoy the bird's eye view of this evergreen city.  I took this picture from a plane, when going to Russia for summer vacation last year, and it came out pretty good! By the way, for those who don't know, Miami is the only major city in the U.S. to be founded by a female - Julia Tuttle. It is also the nation's only major city that is bordered by two different National Parks - Everglades National Park to the west and Biscayne National Park to the east!

Gotta love you, Miami!

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Helia for sun and Anthus for flower

It is a gloomy rainy day in Miami, Fl. I hoped these sunflowers could bring a bit of sunshine and joy to your households or offices, wherever you may be when reading this post. I took this picture in the Cienaga de Zapata crocodile farm in Cuba. Aren't they beautiful? In fact, sunflowers are one of the most popular garden flowers, very easy to grow. They are also one of the world's leading oil seed crops, secondly to soybeans. Sunflowers are pretty amazing, as their powerful root system removes large amounts of toxic metals, even uranium (!)

Most people think that sunflowers follow the sun. But they don't. It happens only when sunflowers are very young, not even ready to bloom. First thing in the morning, sunflowers point toward the east, by noon - straight up, and by the evening - to the west.

So, if you have been wondering how to keep the sun shining all day long, consider growing sunflowers!


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Peace & Solo Amor!

A school bus with encouraging messages. Varadero, Cuba, 2010.

Peace and love are two things everyone searches for. No matter your religion, race, or where you come from. I took this picture in Varadero, Cuba, this summer. I liked how locals painted a school bus with encouraging messages "solo amor", "friendship caravan", and "peace". It shows that there is always place for love and peace in our hearts, even in a place where people struggle to survive.

Cultivate love and peace in your hearts every day! You'll see what a better place this world could be!

Human beings who look like machines...

"Modern Head" by Roy Lichtenstein, outside the American Art Museum

We stumbled upon this giant blue statue when passing by the American Art Museum in Washington D.C.  The first thing I thought of when I saw it was a head. And indeed, this statue is called “Modern Head.” It belongs to Roy Lichtenstein, a renowned American pop artist, famous for his bright comic-book stylings. “Modern Head” is part of the artist's series of human figures resembling machines. The sculpture is 31 foot tall and weights 13,000 pound. It was seen at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Fl, and was previously installed in Battery Park City, one block from the World Trade Center in New York. "Modern Head" survived the 9/11 attacks and was acquired by the American Art Museum in 2008. It is a major figure in the pop art movement, experts say. The idea of creating images of human beings that look like machines pervaded Lichtenstein’s work throughout his career (he died in 1997).

In fact, the National Galley of Art in D.C. has the largest repository of Lichtenstein's work. So, if you liked the “Modern Head,” you should definitely check out Lichtenstein’s exhibits there when in D.C.

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Best lunch/dining experience in D.C. Part Two.

The best of the best dining place in D.C. for me was Open City, a small coffehouse/diner/bar on 2331 Calvet Street. You can tell it is a very popular community gathering place once you're in there. It is always crowded! We had to wait about an hour to get a table. But all the waiting time was worth the friendly service we received and the yummy food we enjoyed.

Open City positions itself as a "third place." Indeed, you'll feel its welcoming home atmosphere once you're in there. Open City is famous for serving traditional breakfast all day long. So, if you are in D.C. and want eggs at midnight, you know the place to go. Open City has a great selection of main dishes, appetizers, house-made pastries and desserts. It also has a great selection of cocktails, wine, and beers, right girls? Gluten-free menu is also available. Below we are pictured at Open City waiting for our so needed dinner to be served. I can't recall exactly what everyone ordered, but everything was delicious! Thank you Alexa for this photo!

Enjoying some wine/beer before dinner at Open City 

Two other places I need to mention when talking about the best of the best places to have dinner at in D.C. are: Bertucci's on Pennsylvania Av. and Moby Dick's in Georgetown. If Open City is famous for its all day long breakfast, Bertucci's is famous for its brick oven. Yes, in the center of every Bertucci's you'll see a huge brick oven where many of its dishes are cooked. It keeps the dishes fresh and enhances their natural flavors. Make sure to ask for their home-made bread and olive oil for dunking! It is great!

Moby Dick's offers a great variety of healthy and fresh fast food. Enjoy dishes with lamb, chicken, tenderloin, fish, vegetables, and rice with their special house seasoning (that is kept in secret). They serve big portions, so go there when you are hungry! Make sure to try their house-made baklava. It is delicious!

Unfortunately, I didn't make any pictures in neither of those places. But I enjoyed their food a lot and just couldn't help but making a notice about them.


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Best lunch/dining experience in D.C. Part One.

You've already learned about the amazingly beautiful Washington D.C. at night, the explosively funny sake bombing, and even some paranormal activity we witnessed in the nation's capital (lol). Now time has come to share with you the best of the best lunch and dining places we discovered during our stay in D.C.

First comes first. Taste of India.

That day we couldn't make up our minds about where to have lunch at. The only thing we knew for sure was that it had to be a warm place, because the fall wind of D.C. was becoming chillier with every minute. After wandering for about 20 min. and looking into different places' menus, we finally decided to go to Taste of India. We were greeted in a very Hindu way - by multiple bows. Thrilled by such a traditional greeting, we headed toward our table. The menu sounded very tasty - lots of boneless chicken and spices! I think, we all ended up ordering chicken in different sauces. We didn't have to wait long for our food to be served, and the chicken was yummy! Prices are moderate, taken into consideration that the nation's capital IS expensive. So, if you are in Washington D.C., staying close to the Woodley Park Metro Station, and want to try good authentic Indian food, visit Taste of India.

P.S. Make sure to try their bread. Although, the waiter will remind you many, many times about their bread, for only $1.95...

Having our first yummy lunch at Taste of India in D.C.

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Paranormal Activity in D.C.

This just goes beyond my understanding...but still ENJOY:)

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Get a taste of China...without leaving U.S.

您好 (hi).  I love this interconnected world! I love the fact we can no longer view countries in isolation. They are slowly but surely all becoming part of one community– the global community. As an international studies major student who adores traveling and learning about cultures, I was fascinated to encounter the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington D.C.

Pictured above is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen - the Friendship Arch, a traditional Chinese gate that marks the H and 7th Street (the Chinese neighborhood of D.C.). This colorful $1 million work, designed by the local architect Alfred H. Liu, includes "7 roofs up to 60 feet high, 7000 tiles, and 272 painted dragons in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties." The Arch was erected in 1986 to celebrate friendship with Washington's sister city of Beijing and was hoped to reinforce the neighborhood's Chinese character. The idea definately came through. By the way, the Chinatown area used to be populated by German immigrants, and only in the 1930s was it inhabited by Chinese immigrants.

Make sure to visit the Chinatown neighborhood when in Washington D.C. Get a taste of China without leaving the States. The area has all its signs in both English and Chinese. A good practice for those currently learning Chinese or those just considering it. 再见 (bye-bye).

Starbucks in Chinatown, D.C.

Subway in Chinatown, D.C.

Local restaurant in Chinatown, D.C.



Another view of the colorful Friendship Arch in Chinatown, D.C.

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