Taking a Leap

November 3, 2009

2:33 PM

Well I did it. I finally decided to create an online photography portfolio , which will be fully online this December. As you may know, though I have been into photography for years I have only gotten my first DSLR camera this past summer. I always figured the photographer mattered more than the equipment. Well, getting the DSLR turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made. While it's true the photographer is the most critical element to taking good photographs, having the more powerful lenses have really broadened my range and let me grow as an artist. Working with better equipment has also fueled my interest in photography. I've been studying up on techniques and, yes, purchasing more equipment. It's a vicious cycle.

I'm sure every first time DSLR user thinks "Hey, I could do this professionally some day!" In my (admittedly biased) opinion, I think I am somewhere in the middle of the crazed hobbyist realm. I think my dabbling in other creative fields (art, fiction, etc) has given me a bit of a leg up, despite my late start. But at the same time I recognize I have a lot of room to grow. For every ten photographers I think I can outshoot, there are ten more who put me to shame. So I study what they do, learn how they play with light and how to invoke feelings in each shot. In the spirit of personal growth, I thought it would be worthwhile to put my photography online. That way I can always look back at where I've come from, and hopefully get feedback and advice on how to grow.

I guess the proof is in the pudding, or, in this case, photos speak louder than words. So be sure to come back to SKTyler Photography and please let me know what you think.

Baking Time!

October 17, 2009

9:42 AM

I seem to just be no good about blogging lately, or at least no good about long blog messages. (I am pretty consistent with small facebook updates.) At some point I will have to sit down and decide if it really makes sense to continue the website. I suspect that I will change the nature of the blog. Rather then make it all-things-personal I might focus on photography or baking, too hobbies that I have just dove into at an alarming rate. Since I have been sharing some photos lately of our travels, I thought I'd share some cookie ideas this time.

I am particularly into baking interesting looking sweets. Last July I made bug cookies for my mentor's little boys bug party. I used melted chocolate through a home made piping bag with a really small hole for the legs, and big and small m&ms for the bodies. They looked great, but I decided I wanted more of a challenge next time

Then this September I made Alien's and Saucer cookies. The aliens are actually a doughnut on half a marshmallow covered in frosting. I used twizzlers pull-n-peal for the antennae and half a small m&m for the eyes. For the saucers I used an upside down reese's peanut butter cup for the dome, and mini m&ms for the lights. It make look like chocolate icing, but it's actually my own peanut butter recipe, died to match the reese's cup.

I really enjoy baking. I like thinking of myself as part "home maker" and it gives me a chance to be creative. It doesn't hurt that I have a massive sweet tooth either!

Back and Off Again

September 3, 2009

1:02 PM

I'm back! Well, in spirit. I'm about to head onto a plane and leave again (for the 9th plane trip this year)! In fact, I have been on a plane every month since last march, and will continue to be through April with the possible exception of November. With all the time I'm spending in the air, you think I would get over my fear of flying, but I am still nervous with every take off, or sprout another arm from the radiation.

So what have I been up to? Well, the flying started with an internship at Microsoft Research (MSR) which was awesome. I got to play with cool data and work with very smart people. You know that recruiting question when the recruiter asks whether the candidate would rather be a little fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a little pound? I think my response should be a medium fish in the ocean. I love having so much to learn from everyone, and still having an impact. It was an amazing experience, I highly recommend it.

Then it was often to Boston for SIGIR and my first paper talk. Last year my lab mate, Jessica, presented my work at ADMA, so this was my first time address an audience and I was nervous! There was some absolutely breathtaking architecture, but silly me brings my camera and not the battery charger. Ah well, Domingo and I will have to make a return visit some day.

Next Domingo and I planned a romantic getaway to Hawaii. It was our practice honey moon. We spent ten days on Oahu, hiking, snorkeling and enjoying a good luau or two. This time I remembered my camera, and took over 2 thousand pictures! Talk about great practice. I think I am improving, what do you think?

After we got back, we tackled the deck improvement project we had been talking about since we moved in. When we were house hunting last year we were looking for a read-to-move in, but none wee in absolutely perfect condition. The one we settled on was good overall, but the deck hadn't been sealed in years, and the wood was old looking. So a few weekends ago we finally got around to removing the old dead plants from the planters, stripped what remained of the old seal and re-sealed. Looks much better now, doesn't it?

As for Lily, she is still doing well. Enjoying her sunshine. She'll be bummed when the rainy season starts.