Dan's blog about Photography and things

Just finished shooting for the Ideal schools . It is a private high school in Ashburn VA. The founder Deep Sran's approach is much like a typical graduate school in a graduate school setting. With a doctorate degree in Critical Thinking and background as corporate lawyer, he has both academic and 'real' world knowledge. The students are encouraged to think for themselves to come to a conclusion, as opposed to learning how to get better test scores. The classes are very small. The space is well thought out to promote interaction and provide a very comfortable relaxed atmosphere. The school has a very hands on approach. Students will build their own wooden surfboard. They will touch on subjects like hydrodynamics, physics, and math during the project. They even get their hands on running a real business. Group outing for lunch to a local outdoor restaurant, Ultimate Frisbee or kickboxing for gym class! It was a pleasure experiencing this new method of ed...

I contribute regularly to Arcangel Images which is England based photo-agency that specializes in book covers. They have an excellent selection that is more artistic/dramatic. Here's some recent books with my photos on them This photo was taken near Virginia/Maryland border on a small country road. Its a small motel. The long exposure (4 minutes) allowed the clouds to look velvety.  This photo was taken in D.C. during the Chinese New Year parade. The mixture of colors and wind blown flags captured my eye.

Been looking for a different way of seeing. I produced these pictures without thinking too much about it. What I did know was that I wanted to capture a mood not a photograph. I've been really getting into that shallow depth of field. It allow me to control what I was really looking at.  Honestly, I think when we see with our eyes we focus on whatever part of that subject and somewhat discard the images that is around it.  I think photography allow you to learn about yourself, since you'll have to justify either to yourself or to the viewers what was interesting to you when you decided to trip the shutter. Most of the time we can't explain it, but if you believe in it enough and know how to go about using the tools, other people might see it too.

Had an opportunity to shoot the great Chef Peter Chang for Oxford American Magazine . Todd Kliman, a food writer expresses his quest for his cuisine in this article . Considered one of best Schezuan Chef, he is known to pick-up and leave once he is 'discovered'. Todd managed to track him down to Charlettesville, VA where he was cooking in a very low key restaurant named "Taste of China". I was asked to photograph him in his surroundings that depicts his elusiveness and his tendency to shy away from the spotlight. It should have a mysterious mood so I brought my own light for more dramatic lighting. Carol Ann Fitzgerald the editor, allowed me creative freedom to shoot whatever that seemed to fit the article. A rare oppurtunity indeed! Soon after the magazine was released on beginning of March, he took off again! Unbeliveable. I'm so glad that I had the chance to shoot this intriguing figure. During the shoot, he never came across as a person wh...

I've spent some of my youth in Frederick, MD. Fond memories. Its strange to return to the place after so many years. I don't know why I love to shoot strait into the light so much. It flairs up the lens and you lose contrast...a technical no no, but to me what I gain in mood supersedes the technical loss. I take pictures to capture human feelings anyway, and sometimes that cannot be bound by technical rules. I was reviewing my portfolio few days ago and I noticed that I have old cars all over the place! I love old cars, especially in its "natural" settings. My wife makes fun of me that I'm growing old when I talk about the old days but those were the days! View from inside of a small Cuban restaurant. Molasses soda and jerk chicken sandwich to finish the day.

I've always done nature photography along my editorial/commercial work. Nature photography, to me is very introspective. I usually go to parks near where I live and just walk around. Sometimes I find something sometimes I don't. This was long shutter speed (1 sec.) long enough to blur the water but short enough to keep the texture. I understand now that its really about your mind set. Sure, the scenery helps but if you're not awake enough to see it, you'll walk past it and complain that the park/scenery had nothing to offer. I've done this many times. This was sunrise. Very back lit! It made all the leaves translucent and glow. Thanks to Zeiss T coating, contrast was still nice. I believe that beautiful pictures can be had almost anywhere. The question is am I awake enough to see it? Love this wavy line... like Chinese calligraphy. The morning fog separated the thin tree from the background nicely. Taking pictures in nature for me is like medita...