My experience as a first time entrepreneur, photographer, and someone who does a bunch of other stuff.Tumblr (3.0; @jonlau123)http://www.jonlau.com/<p><a href="http://smu.gs/tpUNS3"><img src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Portrait/Animal-1/i-MV4v9cq/0/M/DSC0270-M.jpg"/></a>This is the first time I attended a big gathering for photographer. It was quite an eye opener as I encountered all the different types of die-hard photographers out in the field. Certainly, equipment and gear are big part of photography and having the proper gear can really help make that great shot. But centering the conversation around expensive lens and fancy equipment is actually really annoying. This is not how seasoned photographer should differ themselves from the amateurs. The camera companies are really doing their part on consumerizing this art form by making great camera affordable for the public. When equipment homogenizes, we can finally focus on the art itself - the composition, exposure, and moment. Everything else is really just a usability enhancement.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/15092486133http://www.jonlau.com/post/15092486133Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:18:00 -0500ActionAnimal<p>2011 is going to be pass by really quickly in the next few days and this is the time to reflect on what I have learned in the past 12 months in the area of photography. To see my best shots from this year, check out <a href="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/20640823_XWmfxS" title="2011 Best Shots" target="_blank">my gallery</a>.</p> <p><img height="150" src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/i-n9sbFZt/1/Th/DSC0245-Th.jpg" width="150"/><img height="150" src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/i-n8XC3wq/1/Th/DSC0112-Th.jpg" width="150"/><img height="150" src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/i-nhRfNqx/0/Th/DSC0034-Th.jpg" width="150"/></p> <p>At a glance, all my shots from this year mainly focused on landscape, objects, and texture. I took a lot of picture of the space around me, the places i visited, and any interesting artifacts at those places. Toward the end of the year, I started to photograph flowers and other object that requires macro. I suppose the challenge for next year will be to really work on capturing people - both candidate and modelled shots.</p> <p><img src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/i-nqRfhs5/0/M/DSC0755-M.jpg" width="500"/><br/><em>This is a shot taken later in the year, which I got right in one shot.</em></p> <p>It’s probably not apparently through the end product, but I notice the amount of time I invest in post-processing is incrementally shorter and most of the time I had the exposure just right so there was almost no need for any post processing adjustment. I made this huge leap after reading a book specifically on exposure technique - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Exposure-Snapshots-Great-Jeff-Revell/dp/0321741293" target="_blank">Exposure: from snapshot to great shot</a>. Although there are still much work to be done in the flash photography area and for the shots which has very high contrast.</p> <p><img src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/i-DbjXwnX/0/M/DSC0706-M.jpg" width="500"/><br/><em>This is a shot which was exposed correctly upfront and the composition was well balanced to bring out the contrast between the weary sunset sky and the joyful ferris wheel.</em></p> <p>In terms of composition, my ability to compose is improving but it is very hard to gauge exactly what considered to be an improved composition. This is probably an area which will require a lot of reading and experimenting to improve. </p> <p><img src="http://jonlau.smugmug.com/Montege/2011-Best/i-KpN4vBS/0/M/DSC0216-M.jpg" width="500"/></p> <p>Overall, it’s a productive year for my first year as a photographer. I want to use this skill to tell untold story of different parts of people’s lives (ugly and good). Let’s travel the hidden path and capture interesting things to show the world. </p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/14424489722http://www.jonlau.com/post/14424489722Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:52:00 -0500<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw3205tqUF1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Light</h2><p>This is what it means to live in Santa Monica - you end your day with a beautiful sunset and the lively colorful night life begins right afterthat.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/14111225111http://www.jonlau.com/post/14111225111Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:52:53 -0500<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvrwdsnZ3i1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Bonsai</h2><p>1/50 at f5.6 55mm ISO 200 What does it mean when your sole purpose is to be confirmed in a space to entertain others?</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/13820085993http://www.jonlau.com/post/13820085993Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:17:52 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvrq7w9JOg1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Light</h2><p>1/15 sec at f1.8 ISO: 800 35mm I was strolling around at the Santa Monica Pier and noticed the awesome color on the roller coaster. Roller Coaster brings both fear and joy. It is the perfect antithesis of itself.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/13817173370http://www.jonlau.com/post/13817173370Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:04:43 -0500<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv9fxnHxJL1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Sunset at a pier at Tahoe</h2> <p>1/40 f/22 <br/>18mm <br/>ISO 200</p> <p>This is taken right before sunset at a beach at Tahoe. The glowing warm light was casted over the sand and the pier, and contrasted against the clear blue water at Lake Tahoe.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/13341456342http://www.jonlau.com/post/13341456342Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:05:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv9f8e9x1u1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h2>Paddle boat on Tahoe</h2> <p>f/13 1/80<br/>105mm<br/>ISO100</p> <p>After driving around the whole lake, we finally settled at a spot where we could get a good glimpse of the sunset. I have my tripod setup and waited until the sun was half way down. Its glowing light projected onto the paddle boat and created a very weary feeling for the photo.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/13341175020http://www.jonlau.com/post/13341175020Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:50:00 -0500<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv0cmkCRQA1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><div> <p>ISO 1600<br/>1/15 at f1.8<br/>Location: Vine De Syrrah</p> <p>This photography was taken because this girl happened to be under a beautiful warm light at the bar, and I happened to have my camera with me when I was out bar hopping that night. For the longest time, I thought that people generally would object any photo request. However, I took this shot of her after I ask her to let me take this picture of her. </p> </div>http://www.jonlau.com/post/13108047401http://www.jonlau.com/post/13108047401Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:15:00 -0500<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq0cotjEcQ1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/>http://www.jonlau.com/post/8987804646http://www.jonlau.com/post/8987804646Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:29:16 -0400<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq0cpsmAnb1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Dance in the moon light</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/8987819957http://www.jonlau.com/post/8987819957Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:29:00 -0400<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq0cpioiZI1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Definition of a good time.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/8987815330http://www.jonlau.com/post/8987815330Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:29:00 -0400<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpjyeppWog1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/>http://www.jonlau.com/post/8595788691http://www.jonlau.com/post/8595788691Sun, 07 Aug 2011 05:59:12 -0400<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnghooPTxK1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>First attempt at night photography. Definitely, I am no where near the skill of those experts at national geographic. </p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/6976173103http://www.jonlau.com/post/6976173103Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:57:00 -0400<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln050aUXAz1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The foundation of a warehouse.</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/6664243583http://www.jonlau.com/post/6664243583Sat, 18 Jun 2011 16:02:00 -0400<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25118844?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=f20a5c" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p><a href="http://jonathanmoore.com/post/6594467334/stuxnet-anatomy-of-a-computer-virus">jonathanmoore</a>:</p> <blockquote> <h2><strong>Stuxnet: Anatomy of a Computer Virus</strong></h2> <p>Fascinating and beautifully designed infographic on the recent Stuxnet virus that was used to cripple Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities last summer.  With the design of the virus combined with stolen security clearances and twenty zero days holes, Stuxnet was able to cause some serious damage and set back Iran’s efforts.  Now that the virus is open-source and available for download, the question is who be the next to use Stuxnet with its capables of shutting down nuclear reactors or oil pipelines.</p> <p>The direction and animation of this infographic was done by Australian motion designer <a href="http://patrickclair.blogspot.com/">Patrick Clair</a> and written by Scott Mitchell</p> </blockquote>http://www.jonlau.com/post/6597090219http://www.jonlau.com/post/6597090219Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:27:28 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmubnbm3Fm1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Should old things be abandoned in the past after it propelled us into the future?</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/6557031883http://www.jonlau.com/post/6557031883Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:40:00 -0400<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmrvinpR5i1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Finding serenity at an abandon peer in half moon bay. </p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/6516853843http://www.jonlau.com/post/6516853843Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:56:00 -0400<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmrvgbta0D1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Everyone please meet Suzie! Tracey’s cute puppy and It took me quite a bit of work to get this awesome soulful shot!</p>http://www.jonlau.com/post/6516837539http://www.jonlau.com/post/6516837539Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:55:00 -0400<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljsj965AvP1qdfw7uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/>http://www.jonlau.com/post/4684846867http://www.jonlau.com/post/4684846867Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:48:41 -0400<a href="http://www.inc.com/articles/201104/americas-toughest-ceo-coach-navy-seal-rob-roy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+inc%2Fheadlines+%28Inc.com+Headlines%29">America’s Toughest CEO Coach</a>http://www.jonlau.com/post/4640843971http://www.jonlau.com/post/4640843971Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:05:49 -0400