Please don't litter

Because even the smallest piece of trash could change our ecosystem. Today, my dad sent me a few links of photographer, Chris Jordan's work. Jordan has been documenting the world and it's irresponsible and over-indulging aftermath in traveling exhibitions depicting global mass consumption and pollution. In the past decade, Jordan has captured the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and chronicled the outcome of many albatross chicks throughout Midway Atoll. Maybe we will think twice about what we eat and where we leave our garbage if we catch a closer glimpse at the damage that our cultures are capable of creating.

An unaltered image of a baby albatross on Midway Atoll. Photograph by Chris Jordan.

"Something new..."

Since I have begun working with a photographer, I have had to branch out to a few different aspects of society that I had never expected to deal with. One aspect is the wedding industry with all of its glitter and flutter. For the past few weeks, my downtime has consisted of researching the extravagant field by watching TV shows from, "Who's Wedding Is It Anyways?" to "Say Yes to the Dress" while reading up on the latest trends in magazines. Although I am not planning anything in the near future, I thought I could share some of the cute ideas and vendors with my lady friends who are in the market for the "perfect day"!

DRESSES

annenamba.com – created with the best kimono material
priscillaofboston.com – magic that could be within your price range
lynnlugo.com – design your own bridesmaids dresses

HAIR
saragabriel.com – beautiful hair accessories
mariaelenaheadpieces.com – princess headpieces

INVITATIONS
zazzle.com – customize your stamps

annagriffin.com
dauphinepress.com

minted.com
gryphonstationers.com

A sample veil from Sara Gabriel's Headpiece Collection

*Calibration

Hello my pickles and friends.

It has been a while and many bloggable events have come and

gone. Sometimes I miss out on them and sometimes it's just better to let them rest in our memories. Whatever the case, sorry for the absence and delay.

At the moment, the house is clean, the kitten is clean and the island looks like it may cleanse itself after a few muggy days of vog. Spring cleaning is over and summer may begin.

Interestingly, as much as I have mocked the idea of master photographers and the like, I was recently given the opportunity to switch from one career to the other while staying diligently in the arts. I, Yumi Virginia Vong, am now an apprentice master wedding photographer. A few months ago, I claimed the email address of masterphotographer@me.com through Apple's MobileMe accounts and sure enough, it predicted my future.

Step 1 complete. Time to initiate Step 2: complete training in a different field, learn more about people and how they respond to life and apply to Step 3.

I've got the bike. Now, ride!

Local International Post Production

Yesterday, I had the honor of joining some of Hawai‘i's finest and most experienced key grips, sound technicians and producers in a daylong photo and video shoot for a German TV show. The locals, otherwise nicknamed the "A-Team", were some of the most efficient and productive people that I have met recently. Los Angeles' Jerry Avenaim, who has shot faces like Halle Berry, Tom Greene, Eva Mendez and Donald Trump, was also on the set and kept the show running with his world-class directing. It was so refreshing getting out of the office and behind the scenes to be the visual artist on a set. Although I would love to do something like this full time, I doubt I have the stamina to work nonstop with a production crew!

"Magic Yumi" waiting for the tethered shots in post production's Village Blackout tent

Masters of Photography

A good deal of last night was spent discussing the idea of what a Master Photographer could and should be. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, a "master" can be anyone from a religious leader to a significant figure of the past, but is often known as an individual of consummate skill who is qualified to teach. Can one honestly be a self-proclaimed master? How many years of knowledge and experience entitle someone to advertise the title, let alone the image of maturity?

Despite the doubt and confusion, I believe many Masters live among us. The ones that understand that the last stroke of paint and the final edit still do not make them the best. The people that continue progressing after they have proved a point to their professors and clients. The proof is sometimes in the work, but mainly in the passion. Here is a list of a few of the humble Masters that I have come across along the way.

Stephanie McCrea

Osamu Kobayashi

Noah Pfarr

Dana Deininger

Kim Herbst

Brendan Coyle

Shaun Martin

Jason Pastrana

Johnny Robles

Michael Tyler

Garrett Guidera

Ben Keating