santa cruz beach

• full gallery at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jonairten/20090615SantaCruzBeach#
  

jpeg vs... RAW

This post is for those of you SLR users who shoot jpeg only (including ME, lol).
Click HERE for a link to an awesome pro-shooting-RAW argument.
After reading that, I might just start shooting jpeg+RAW! (jpeg because I'm afraid I won't have the time to process all those RAW files)

P.S. Need a RAW-file editor? Look no further!
RawTherapee (it's free!)

international convention 2009!

International convention was so AWESOME!! Sorry for taking so long to upload the pics, but here they are finally!!...

neat architecture!

reflections...

more reflections..

Vietnamese, Tagalog, Japanese

Chinese, Vietnamese

Baptism candidates!! I think it was 25+!!!
*congrats to everyone! Including:
Kevin, Helen (Vancouver BC, Canada)
Krystie Phan, Daisy (Seattle, WA)
Vi Vo, Karen Thai (San Jose, CA)
Richard (Oklahoma City, OK)

Vietnamese, Japanese

*smooch!*

• FULL GALLERY at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jonairten/20090621InternationalConvention#
• feel free to download the pictures from there if u'd like! :)
• picnic/volleyball/after-party pics coming soon!...
  

It was such an amazing experience being there, and seeing all the brothers and sisters from around the world - there were over 3000 delegates total (mostly from Korea/Japan)...and they were all sooo happy to see us and to be at the convention =D Many of em also wore their traditional dress - as you'll see in my pics... I can't wait til the next one!!

multnomah falls

• this is the waterfall that was on the black and white bookmarks Portland Vietnamese Cong. was giving out :)
  

flowers #4

Just an update!

Here's what's been going on/what's gonna happen in the next few weeks/months!

Events:

• International Convention 2009 - It's Over! =( ...Pictures will be uploaded! (will take at least 3 weeks...)
• Graduation party for Minh and Hien! Coming up soon :)
  
• Tennis tournament... (haha I know, random) I'll be in "18 & under" bracket if I decide to join the tourney. It's the 11th/12th weekend. I'll play if my games are after my sat. meeting :)
• More sports! Soccer/tennis every week, hopefully we'll start our volleyball season soon too. I'll try to bring my camera & practice shooting sports!
  

Equipment:

• Bought an 85mm f/1.8 prime... - my new (up close and personal) indoor, portrait, and sports lens :)
• Keeping my 18-55mm IS for landscapes and travel
• 50 f/1.8 is staying also, for portraits and group portraits, as well as indoor photos
  

thanks for your support everyone! =D
let me know if you have any ideas/tips for me on equipment/shooting techniques/etc.