architecture

Working While Working

architecture photography, black and white photography, street photography

Always willing to take a shot even when I’m suppose to be “working”. Photography is a true love of mine and I’m always ready to take my shot. I over-edited this shot to try to see the end result. I obviously like it but I can see areas that I can improve like the floor and the walls closest to the subject.

Been working hard at my day job and not realizing how little effort I’ve been putting into my passions. I’m doing my best to incorporate more passion into my life while still getting a paycheck. Sometimes it’s tough as I’ve been getting overtime almost everyday. Even on my days off I just feel like resting.

I’m in the process of finding a new day job and redesigning this site. I’ll be dedicating more time to myself even as I’m on the clock. I experienced this at my last job but not going to allow myself to just float through life doing more work for others than myself. It’s time for a change and less resting.

I’ve got a few projects on my mind that I will be fleshing out pretty soon. Stay tuned there’s more to come!

Palo Alto Times

architecture photography, interior architecture
Palo Alto

Found some time to get some editing done during my day job. Haven’t been using my time wisely outside of work as I’ve just been crashing after work as I’ve been getting overtime almost everyday. It’s a decent problem to have.

Anyway, I took this shot on my way to Stanford university in Palo Alto, CA. It’s a throwback to the older photos I took in the beginning of uploading my photos to this blog. It was nice to take this kind of shot again. Overall, my time in Palo Alto was well used as I was snapping away and relaxing with my friends.

Actually right after walking to Stanford university me and my friends decided to drive to San Francisco to spend the night there. So Palo Alto was a nice prelude to an even greater experience.

Have a good day and stay warm,

David

Experimenting with Drone Photography

architecture photography, black and white photography

A shot of the parking structure at Cosumnes River College. Was heading out with my friends when one of them allowed me to use their drone to shot some shots last year.

DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0261.JPG

I truly experimented with what kinds of shots that I wanted while still exploring the limitations of the drone itself.

DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0255.JPG

Wondering which direction I should take my experimentation.

DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0260.JPG

My favorite shot of the experiment. I enjoy the overall pattern and the breaking of the pattern despite the structure not being captured straight. I was proud of this shot, so much in fact that it’s hanging on my wall.

It was my first time experimenting with drone photography but hopefully it won’t be my last. Sadly, my friend’s drone was stolen and I never made an attempt to buy a drone myself. So I have to simply wait and buy a drone myself if I ever want to experiment again.

It was truly a good learning experience, I would suggest any photography and/or videographer take part in their own drone photography experiment.

Focusing In

architecture photography, black and white photography

It’s been a while since my last trip thanks mainly to the pandemic. I took a break with my friend and went exploring in Palo Alto & San Jose. It was fun exploring Stanford University for the first time. There wasn’t a lot of people which made it easier to take shots of the architecture. I truly love the campus as it has a historical and peaceful atmosphere.

I’m starting to focus in on my goals and dedicating all the time that I can to do what I love. Sure, I still have to work a normal job but I’m working on sitting on more cash while still living life. One of my current co-workers has become one of my friends and has been inspiring me creatively. We have been challenging each other creatively which has been a nice change of pace.

Will be diving deep into Skillshare by taking courses on Iphone photography, video editing, and a few other subjects. Slowly but surely I will become more of the man I seek to become.

Stay focused,

David

Commitment

architecture photography, black and white photography

Explored Palo Alto for the first time with my friend. We found this tunnel near Stanford University and I took a moment to shoot a few shots including this one. It was a spontaneous shot but my friend was gracious enough to pose for me. It was a good trip, explored Stanford and downtown Palo Alto.

Decided to commit myself to pursuing the greatest version of myself. I am committed to ending my bad habits and adding them with good ones. I’ve already started the process but I have a good amount of work to do. But I know I will prevail in the end. A co-worker of mine has motivated to make the commitment and inspires me to continue my process of pursuing my freedom.

Still shooting with my iPhone 11, will be taking a iPhone photography course to hopefully improve my skills. Eventually, will buy a new Nikon camera. I am thinking about the Nikon D5500 or the 5600. We will have to see in the near future.

I’m dedicated to this new journey I have descended upon. It’s starts tonight.

Have a good night and will write again soon,

David

New Beginning

architecture photography

A simple shot of good times to showcase new beginnings.

Been a while since I’ve updated this blog. I haven’t been taking photos sadly but that will change once I get an off day. I have a new job and will finally quit my retail job. I’m trying to learn how to edit better thru Lightroom and Photoshop. Will be taking a class on the subject matter on Skillshare very soon.

My new job is physically taxing but financially much better than my retail job. I’m hoping that Saturday will be the last time I clock in and out of my retail job. I’m going to miss some of my co-workers but I know that the job isn’t in my future plans and is truly toxic. I am acting on a six month plan that I made up a few weeks ago and so far it is working out well. There’s a lot for me to do but I’m going to push myself to get uncomfortable in order to be the greatest version of myself and to live a happier life.

Peace & stay sane,

D

Simple Times

architecture photography, black and white photography

A simple shot I took after leaving the Golden Gate Bridge. I simply wanted to capture these buildings in the background. Now I wish that I could go back to those times. Sure my legs were killing me but I was enjoying life and traveling.

I have a few interviews in the upcoming week. I’m hoping to be out of my current job soon. I am starting to develop depression again. I am doing my best to simply enjoy life but it’s hard when you hate your job with a passion to the point where you don’t care. It’s been a while since I wrote anything so it feels nice to be able to express myself in a way that everyone can understand.

My investments are going well, I’m starting to see results from same of the the gambles I made. Going to be a bit more aggressive while maintaining a healthy portfolio of dividend stocks.

Going to re-start my exercise program and stick with it. I need to get up from this plateau. Will be pursuing writing again, will be giving my pencil a few miles before hitting the hay. Have to be at work at 4 am tomorrow so there’s not a whole lot of time to get ready.

I will be editing more photos so I can update this blog on a regular basis. Have fun and work hard,

David

Goals

Uncategorized

A shot of my friend exploring art and trying to find an exit. This was a send off trip as he shortly left to join the military. So this is a great photo to represent a good time and to showcase his departure. Might try to re-edit this shot and work on the walls.

My new camera lens came in and I’m happy with it so far. Will take better photos of it tomorrow and showcase it. Going to break it in on a photo walk. I am more willing to invest into my passions and myself. I normally don’t because I don’t like to see my bank account balance go down. Haha I’m sure that’s most people but I’ve decided not to wait and work hard towards my goals.

Going to be buying a zoom lens next and a new phone next. I’m not too happy with the kit zoom lens I have and my phone is shitty at best. However, will space out my purchases in order to keep my finances healthy especially during these current times.

Viewed a webinar about investing yesterday and set a goal for my investing. Which is to earn 70k from the stock market. Right now, my portfolio is worth $984, so I have a long way to go. However, now that I have goals towards investing I can better determine which stocks to go for and my approach to investing in general. Going try my hand at being a more aggressive investor. Will be continuing to study investing and put in 100 dollars every two weeks.

Besides that, I focused on my side hustle of re-selling on E-Bay. I’m not making much money doing it but the small amounts I am earning are adding up. Also decided to go to Japan in April of 2021 so I’ll be saving up for that. Applied to a few jobs that will teach me new skills and hopefully diversify my resume. Was turned down by one but I’m hopeful that I’ll hear back from one of the others.

Get your goals down and the work will be easier as you at least know your starting point.

Enjoy your life,

David

Challenge

architecture photography, black and white photography

A shot of the Golden Gate Bridge that I took earlier this year. It was my first time walking across the bridge and the area around it. I had a lot of fun and it was a true test of combating my fears. I managed to successfully fight my fear of heights and walked across.

Finally, committed and bought a new lens for my camera. It is suppose to come on Thursday. I went with a 35mm lens that I can’t wait to test out. I believe that I am still going to buy a second camera but still doing research on it. Sometimes I wait longer than I should to buy something because I don’t like to spend money. However, watched a lot of videos yesterday and just decided to buy the lens.

Going to try my hand at writing film scripts and a webcomic that I have an idea for. Besides all that, I have just been working and exercising. I’ve lost a few pounds but I’m going to check my weight tomorrow to see if I’m actually made progress. After work today I went on a ride on my motorcycle and I felt so free from all the stress built up from working.

Watched two of my brothers graduation and it hit me kind of emotionally. They are growing up fast but also thought about my time in middle school and elementary. It’s got me motivated to pursue what I want to do no matter how much money I have to use to do just that.

I have a 4:30am shift tomorrow, so going to exercise and hit the bed before I get no sleep.

Peace and stay hungry,

David

New Places

architecture photography, black and white photography

Shot of the entrance to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. I was able to take this shot as it was right after it opened. Luckily for me not a lot of people were there and I was taking one of my friends there for the first time. It’s a simple architecture shot of a place with such peace and beauty that’s hard to create. I like the empty space on the upper left side, it helps give the shot balance as below it the shot is crowded.

Finished 3 hours out of a four hour shift as I was just done with the people and the place. I have work tomorrow at 4:30 am, then two days off. I’m going to be applying to so many jobs and annoying people until I can find a job with a better work environment and a better life and work balance.

Still not certain where I’m going with this site or my life. I’m growing my audience slowly which is how it should be but at times I get impatient. Can’t say that I enjoy social media like Instagram & Facebook. It’s the shit in my sandwich that I have to tolerate to get anywhere as a photographer, writer, and whatever else I choose to pursue.

I know that I have to work harder and I’m doing my best in order to do that. I’ve been studying too much and need to focus on this site and my other endeavors. Now is kind of the perfect time since we can’t really go anywhere due to the virus. I’m tired of this life and I really need to make the effort to escape. So before I hit the hay, I’ll be reading, cleaning my room, organizing my room, exercising, answering questions I have for myself, preparing for tomorrow, and formulating a strategy to implement.

That’s it for me for now, I have to get things cracking. I’m thinking about experimenting with the format of my posts but we will see. Gotta go to new places!

Thank you for your time,

David