Pictures of daily life, events, objects and locations from around the world; all taken from my own perspective. More information is available here, or view the complete collection on Gallery
There’s nothing than seeing Vancouver at dusk. The setting sun provides a blend of colours that you just can’t really replicate anywhere else. The open sky with the clouds massed against the North Shore mountains and glow from the city created some interesting light mixtures. See the rest, including some night shots of the recently renovated BC Place Stadium too!
Even at night, the Mission San Antonio de Valero – forever known by history as the Alamo, teems with people. While catching a short break from San Japan after dinner, I snapped a few pictures of the chapel before returning to the hotel.
It’s hot in Texas, and that’s not describing the weather! San Japan 4TW had sizzling style as costumes paraded through the Marriott Rivercenter hotel in the heart of San Antonio. Want more? Check out the rest on Gallery!
China lights up the night
The first evening of the Celebration of Light started off on the right foot. Although the fireworks festival is down to three days from four, it still was a spectacular show with the first performer, China, setting the bar. Event organizers made some adjustments to help spectators have the best experience – an increased police presence to clamp down on disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, signs that arranged the beaches into alphabetized sections (similar to that of a parking lot) to help people find their friends, and a grand stand for others who just wanted to sit and have a clear view. Even a stunt pilot provided some intense aerial acrobatics for those who waited on the sandy shore of English Bay.
The overcast sky and threat of rain didn’t dampen the spirits or the pyrotechnics. With the barges closer than ever before, everyone was treated to waterfalls of fire, champagne bursts of light, and the thunderous boom of exploding stars. And with a brilliant selection of music, the crowd was definitely pleased. Missed the show? Check out some of the best shots on Gallery!
The winner from 2010, Spain, is on Wednesday, August 4th, and Canada wraps up the celebration on Saturday, August 6th.
Project Naruto is the first in what is to be a series of photographic adventures of various animated figures on trips around Vancouver and possibly beyond. I’ve been toying (no pun intended) with the idea for a while, thinking of having a 6 inch Naruto Uzumaki suspended from fishing wire from a branch and using some tricks to make it looks as if he was leaping through the trees. Instead, Naruto ended up being placed in a few poses during one of my frequent journeys through Stanley Park.
It turned out to be quite interesting once I moved out from the trails in the forest and then onto the sea wall and out to Canada Place. The forest seemed quite fitting considering that Naruto itself takes place within Konohagakure (The Village Hidden in the Leaves). The figure proved to be a challenge when placed in position and toppled over comically a few times while I adjusted myself to take the picture. I had bought Naruto a few months earlier on eBay, and he arrived without a stand — this made things a bit interesting since the feet are aren’t really designed to support the top of the character, thus requiring the use of the special stand. I encountered a few strange looks at Waterfront station from a group of tourists after Naruto capsized off the sign holder and onto the platform.
The next set will be, hopefully, featuring Sora from Kingdom Hearts II. I’ve already got a few thoughts of how I want these next pictures to turn out. I might have better luck with this set as the game Kingdom Hearts II utilizes a vast world — everything from the beach to a dystopian cityscape. Sora shouldn’t be too much of a pain, considering his shoes are much larger providing a little more stability when poised. That, and the Keyblade weapons can be removed from his hands, whereas Naruto’s kunai are permanently affixed.
All pictures from Project Naruto can be found in The Lab on Gallery.
Now that Anime Central has finished and everyone has headed home, it’s time to reminisce over all the colourful costumes and events. Of course, a recap of the entire convention will be available in the coming days. Until then, pictures!
With my new Nikon D5000 in hand, Sakura-Con would be the first test to see how it held up at a convention. Overall, the camera worked amazingly well and the battery held up (along with my memory card). I just need to take pictures in a brighter light and adjust the flash in these scenarios for better shots. Until then, enjoy my collection of photographs from the Sakura-Con weekend on Gallery.
A review of the convention will be available in the next few days.
As I’m still getting the hang of my camera, I took some test shots with my Naruto Uzumaki and Edward Elric figures outside. They’re a little large; click the link below to view the photos. Read the rest of this article…
Canada Place and Coal Harbour
I grabbed my camera and tripod this evening and decided to take myself up on an idea I had for a while: snap some photos of Vancouver at night from Stanley Park. I started on the seawall just off from the totem poles at Brockton Point where I encountered another photographer taking pictures. She had forgotten the clip for her tripod and asked if she could borrow mine. We ended up spending half an hour taking pictures before the weather decided to force us to pack up.
After driving along, and contemplating whether I should stop and take pictures of the illuminated Lions Gate Bridge, I decided to park at Prospect Point and try anyways. Upon making my way up to the overpass that crosses the approach to the bridge, I ran into the photographer before and we spent some more time clicking away. I tried taking some pictures from the viewing platform at Prospect Point to get a profile of the bridge, but the rain made it difficult, so rather than risk damaging my equipment I called it a night.
I’ll have to select an evening where it will be drier and perhaps a little warmer — might even try and get a shot of the Nine O’Clock Gun going off too.
Amazing cosplay, all day long!
Check out the ever-growing gallery from this year’s Anime Evolution out at the University of British Columbia! New pictures are being added every day in the late evening, so be sure to return each night.
If you don’t see yourself, track me down on Sunday — just look for the Naruto with the camera!
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