Hoang.Tran's photostream

It is only with a heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. --Antoine de Saint Exupery

Good photographs are seen in the mind's eye before the shutter is tripped, but they are made in the darkroom. For it is the final stage of photography--in a picture meant to be looked at, admired, perhaps honored.--Anonymous, The Print (The Life Library of Photography) by Time-Life Books

The craftsman who wishes to do his work well must first sharpen his tools. --Confucius

Every other artist begins with a blank canvas, a piece of paper...the photographer begins with the finished product.--Edward Steichen

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever...it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.--Aaron Siskind


A life message from George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."

-George Carlin





My Gear:

Nikon D90
Nikon D80
18-200mm VR
18-55mm VR
11-16mm f/2.8 Pro DX Tokina
18-105mm VR Nikkor
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikkor
70-200mm f/2.8 Nikkor
50mm f/1.4G Nikkor (07.21.2010)




Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head
Manfrotto Bogen 055XPROB Tripod
Kata 3N1-30 3 in 1 Sling Bag Black Camera Backpack
Verticle Battery Grip For Nikon D90 MB-D80


Books

-Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
ISBN: 978-0817463007

-Understanding Shutter Speed by Bryan Peterson
ISBN: 978-0817463014

-Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography by Bryan Peterson
ISBN: 9-780817-441814

-Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1 and 2
ISBN: 978-0321604033

-The Moment It Clicks by Joe McNally
ISBN: 978-0321544087

-The Hot Shoe Diaries
ISBN: 978-0321580146

-National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography by Tim Fitzharris
ISBN: 978-1554071951

-Digital Travel Photography by Dan Heller
ISBN: 978-1-57990-973-4

-Perfect Digital Photography by Jay Kinghorn & Jay Dickman
ISBN: 978-0072259216

-The BetterPhoto Guide To Digital Nature Photography by Jim Miotke
ISBN: 0-8174-3553-0

-Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories by Glen Johnso
ISBN: 9-780471-790174

-Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography by Ferrell McColloug
ISBN: 978-1-60059-196-9

-The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby
ISBN: 978-0-321-50191-2

-Light: Science and Magic by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, Paul Fuqua
ISBN: 978-0240808192