ETC Photography

Little update

2010-03-26T02:07:00.000-07:00

So, I just got a new Macbook Pro 15.4" Laptop. It's wonderful. I've installed Adobe Photoshop CS4 and it's quite nice. I have to say, though, I am certainly not used to editing on a laptop, and a screen so small. Also, the mac format on photoshop is a little skewed to my liking still. You can certainly say I am not a fan of CS4...yet. I feel like this, severely, will affect my photos unless I keep with it. It's definitely a nice piece of machinery to own though..

Other than that... I'm GRADUATED! But, to me, none of that means shit until I'm employed as an engineer. Which I am not... yet. It's stressful and slightly depressing. The job market sucks in California. All I hear about are offers from east coast states, korea or jobs that have nothing to do with engineering i.e. (business, marketing, finance) .. wtBS!?

Even though I'm graduated I'm still studying like a dog. Well, not a dog, but pretty much all the damn time. Except for the past week, I've been REALLY lazy with it. I'm studding for the EIT / FE (Engineer in Training / Fundamentals of Engineering) exams which will then lead me to obtaining my professional engineer license. Woowoo: Ericson Calderon, P.E. That sounds kinda cool, no?

So whoever (i know, no one) reads this, wish me luck. Pray I get a job in the automotive, aerospace or weapon technology industry!

Goodnight 'yall.

2009-08-06T23:22:00.001-07:00

Wow, totally freaked? Glad I didn't do anything stupid... so, photography is coming back around, just need to do some quick fixes before I'm back strobing up the town of Cypress and wherever these legs can get me! Watch out :p

What the FUCK!?

2009-05-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Girls are fucked up. Do they not think logically? What the hell runs through their heads? Maybe it's just the girls I deal with. DUnno.. I need to find myself here. I know what I need. But I know what I want. It's tough.

Does anyone ever feel like smashing someone's face in? (not a girl) I've felt like that lately. Some guys need to take a step back and realize what they're jumping into before acting. I need to take some of my own advice.

I'm hungry! :\

I'm Sorry, beloved TV tray, but you'll always have a spot in my heart!

2009-04-07T03:30:00.001-07:00

I'm Sorry, beloved TV tray, but you'll always have a spot in my heart!
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Well, it's 3am, I've got class at 8. Shit. As tired as I was a couple of hours ago, it feels like I can run a marathon right now.

I was looking back at my photostream and I clicked on this one. Though it's not exactly a good photo, it does have a lot of meaning to me. This was the day photography became that much less of a hassle to do. Prior to this, I was stacking TV trays and text books to support my camera. Now look at me, I've got fancy shmancy carbon fiber support. Along with that, since then, I've picked up 3 light stands, 3 umbrellas, adapters, gels, ties, bags etc.. The goods. Now, thinking about my purchases, has the gear improved my shots? No. Has it made it easier to shoot and more desirable to shoot? Yes. It's much more portable and much easier to look at, but by no means was I ever struggling to pull off what I had lighting wise, unless it called for extreme heights with the camera or lights (which was rare for me). I'm finding it hard to throw away my Box-o-crap full of crap I made to modify the light I had. They are great back ups for when things break.. Like, my three umbrellas I just broke. Yeah, great. I need to pick up a couple umbrellas and I'm thinking a real softbox.. but, while they're broken, I think I'll bust out the old school stuff and see what kind of good I can do. Which reminds me, I build these things to last! Sure, they're cardboard boxes and paper. Some foil. Some tape. Some imagination. But they help me put together my crazy world through my eyes and into yours. And, shit, they'll take a damn beating before anything rips, tears, breaks, or complains. So, to all who is discouraged by any means, don't be afraid to try something new. It can't hurt you, it can only make you better. Learn from it.

Goodnight whoever reads these. (I'm sure it's just me.)

Enough lolli-gagging around!

2008-10-02T13:52:00.001-07:00

Rawwwr!!
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Oy! So, normally after exams I take it pretty easy. I have been doing that. What I didn't realize is that I have 2 Power plant (thermo II) projects due on Tuesday and some Numerical analysis HW due on Wednesday. and there's no damn time to relax! AhhHHHgh! The project seems foriegn to me right now because it's not the same format as the HW, and I'm back to stressing in a matter of a few hours. Darn me. And I was being lazy up until that little flame under my ass was realized. Crap. Darn. I don't know if I'll have time for my 365 AGAIN!

Relief!

2008-10-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

Whoo! I took my Fluid Mechanics exam today and I think I did fairly well. I might have made some small errors , as usual.. But I hope it's not too significant to my overall score. Sorry, I missed the 365, I'll make it up though! Studies first ;)

Fluid Mechanics

2008-09-30T01:57:00.001-07:00

Always in the back of my mind
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

My first exam is on Wed. Ugh. I am in stress city. Sleep is missed. Energy is wanted. Brain activity is dying. Must..sleep...I'm surprised I even pulled this shot off in good time. Took only 20 shots. :) I'm getting better at setting up my light!

set up to my shot:

Num-Num-Shabah, num-num shabah, num-num shabah!

2008-09-28T15:02:00.001-07:00

Take it
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

This was a fun shot. I had to stand on top of my thick university physics book to get high enough to my awesomely adjustable make shift tripod...not. Then I had my sb-26 under my hand snooted up so I had less spill on my body/face. the 580 ex II was shot through my DIY softbox II to my left, pointed at my hands. I was going for a tribal / dark look. I think I got it, it kind of creeps me out. The stick, it's just a stick I widdled down from a once bigger stick up at Kern River. Unfortunately this is another late piece to my 365 project set. I've been so damn busy. I'm sorry. Engineering doesn't allow me to devote much time to anything but itself. Damn greedy engineering. The point is, I got it done..eventually. I might miss today's shot too. Ugh, I feel bad, but ..you gotta do what ya' gotta do.

...Now what?

2008-09-26T08:52:00.001-07:00

...Now what?
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Ideas from shots are running out. Well, I guess I can't really say that because I usually don't know what I want to do until 5 minutes before I start doing it. But it seems like it gets harder and harder to set up for the light I want. I had 2 failed attempts before this shot. I wasn't in the best mood either. Maybe I work best when I'm angry? School is stressful, girls are stressful, friends can be if they are needy, and my stomach stresses me out too! Damnit I only have time to eat 2 or 3 times a day!

Haha fun times at 2:37am

2008-09-25T02:37:00.001-07:00

What the hell is growing on me cuttin' stick?
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

I was having fun photoshopping this image and I ended up liking it better than my Day 3. Darn!

Day 4

2008-09-25T01:47:00.001-07:00

It's what I love
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Here's today's shot dedicated to my love for hockey. Here's my set up shot:

Nothing really special happened today. Went to class, got my learn on while being sleepy..found out I have a few tests coming up. It's crunch time baby!

Grr.. I just found out I took those shots at 1250 ISO! UGH. I was wondering why it was so noisy at 100% crop! Oh well, doesn't look too bad since most of it is over exposed.. I wonder if that hurts detail?

Finally! We're up to date

2008-09-24T02:10:00.001-07:00

Substantialiscious!
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Okay, WHEW! That was a lot of updating. Anyway, if you haven't noticed, I've picked up the way of a strobist. I'm definitely still learning. I don't even have any light stands or umbrellas. I've just been using stuff around the house/work to improvise my light. I do own 2 speed lights (canon 580 ex II & Nikon Sb-26) and a Cactus trigger. This shoot was shot at work and I only had a few minutes to do it between working and cleaning up. I took about 45 frames. They all were pretty random shots, I didn't have much time to think about or set up the shot. I totally forgot my softbox I made from home so I had to make a new one. I took a sheet of cardboard and cut a hole to fit my speed lights. Then I slit an X in it so it could fold up, sort of like a flower. Then I jimmied some tape and wax paper and viola!

I even made my own GELS! I took wax paper and some dry erase markers and stacked them until I got the desired color tone.

Here are both of my creations:

I had a shot edited for tonight but my computer froze. I punched it. Yeah, it learned it's lesson.

I do too much of this..

2008-09-24T02:02:00.001-07:00

Yet another late night..SWAMPED!
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Study. Day in and day out. This is my second shot for my 365. This shot took about 20 minutes and boy was it crunch time. I still didn't turn it in before midnight :-\

Here's the set up:

365 Days

2008-09-24T02:00:00.001-07:00

Jumping in!
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Okay, so I finally started my 365 project. This was my first image. I have an alternate and I still can't decide on which I like better..

Here was the set up:

Did I mention this guy should model for a living?

2008-09-24T01:59:00.001-07:00

^
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Craig's put up with a lot of my lens being in his face. I dunno, he's pretty photogenic and I don't think he realizes it.

USC (#1) vs. OSU (#3)

2008-09-24T01:58:00.001-07:00

A Formal Introduction
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

What a BORING game. This is Ryan when we were waiting outside of the coliseum waiting for the USC players to arrive on the bus and walk through the entrance.

`Craig should model for me.

2008-09-24T01:56:00.001-07:00

'Nuff said.

`
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

FAST FORWARD!!!!

2008-09-24T01:55:00.001-07:00

Speed bike
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Alright, I planned on going through pictures chronologically until I caught up with real time. Yeah right. That would take ages. Here's my summary. I got my lens. Took some sweet shots at the Huntington Beach. Went to hollywood, got some sweet shots there. Went to the beach again. A lot of random shots around home and at friends houses. More beach trips. Snowboarding trip. A drought of no pictures. And then BAM! We're almost caught up.

Pictures seen at my flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/alas26

New Lens!

2008-08-28T02:10:00.001-07:00

Seagul sunset
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Well Christmas came and I got a new toy. The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens! This thing is a GEM! Unfortunately after purchasing this, my Tamron 28-75 had not much of a future with me. I had to sell it. It felt wrong to sell this lens. It was SHARP! It was loud, it was slow, it hunted..it.. okay, it had to go. But it was my first lens and I had some sentimental issues letting it go. Fortunately, now, I'm glad I let it go for the extra $300 in my pocket. Guess what I bought it for? Yep, $300. Wow, lenses are a good investment! AND! With the economy today, prices for gear has sky rocketed so the value has gone up as well. Boy am I dandy. This shot was one of the first shots with my 17-55. Still, one of my favorite shots. Taken at Huntington Beach Pier; enjoy!

Dirt biking

2008-08-28T02:04:00.001-07:00

Dust cloud
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

This is my friend Eric Clease. He took me on my first dirt biking trip out in El Mirage. The place was completely flat and dusty..well except for the outer rim of the salt flats were bushy and bumpy with some hills and dips. Turns out I got comfortable on that bike a little too fast. So, I was haulin' A$$ down the salt flats back and fourth, back and fourth, and when i say haulin' man was I FLYIN'! I was coming in for my final flight (and little did I know, soon I was going to literally be flying) towards camp and I decide, Hmm.. I can go a little faster before I begin to brake. Stupidly, I hit the gas even more then decide it's time to stop. Now it's time to stop. What's happening? I'm still going too fast! Okay, calm down. Down shift I down shifted. Now my engine is revving louder, my heart is pumping faster, I'm coming in still too fast and I still need to brake! Okay, right hand, right foot, brake. Right hand, where's the brake? And here's where it all went wrong. I twisted the throttle instead of applying pressure to the brake. So, now revving at a higher RPM, I hit the gas and my front end comes up. Great, I'm wheeling into the bushes and hills and dips. As I enter the bushy/hilly/dippy place, my body goes completely limp. I don't think I really chose to do that, the ride was so rough I had no choice. I felt like a piece of meat. Am I going to die? This is happening so fast! The dirt looks soft. I should be fine..? I hit a hill. Up I go with the bike. As I land, my limp hand (still attached to the throttle) rotates again and causes me to go even faster! I'm heading towards a bigger jump, and all I can think is, Oh crap, TUCK AND ROLL! I'm launched from the bike and land on a big fluffy mound of dirt. I hop up immediately and notice I'm about 15 feet from the bike! I run up to the bike pick it up and try to start it. My two buddies, Eric and Ryan, come running up laughing at me! after all of that dramatic action, they come up laughing! It turns out they saw me fly in the air from over the truck they were sitting in front of. I guess I got some mad air. Anyway, I ended up braking the brakes, clutch, and handle bar and I bought him replacements. What a trip.

Just FYI, I've got my M1 now and YES I know how to brake. :D

The Results

2008-08-28T01:49:00.001-07:00

the prints
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

Hey, it turned out photography was a great investment! I've got all these great pictures from a trip to NY to visit my dad and boy was it fun. I printed a few 8x10's and a couple 12x14 photos and they turned out fantastic.

Photography

2008-08-28T01:48:00.001-07:00

Of fun
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

So, photography for me started at an early age. Though I never owned my own camera, I'd always love to play with them. My friends hated when I got a hold of their cameras because it would end up with a full memory card of images of the same thing but with a billion different angles. :p

I've always had hobbies, and the latest one (before I had my camera) was fixing up my car (2006 Scion tC..yeah I know, not fast, but definitely fun). I was at a friends house about to purchase a head unit for my stereo system in my car. I had it all lined up ready to buy, I even pushed the "buy it now" button. For some reason that button never worked. I don't know if it was an issue with my paypal, or maybe just wasn't meant to be. So, I went home that day and thought to myself..hmm, do I really need a damn head unit? What else could I use my hard earned cash on that maybe would benefit me? Oh, I know! RIMS! ...err I know I want rims..but what good will that do me? A camera!? Yeah! Wait.. I can't just jump into it like that.. Let's make a spread sheet of the pros and cons of my 3 items of lust! So that's what I did. Turns out that the camera won that battle by a land slide and I purchased my first camera, the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (A.K.A. 400D). I bought a used Tamron 28-70mm f/2.8 lens off of Fred Miranda after a lot of research.

Entering The Blog World

2008-08-28T01:39:00.001-07:00

Self
Originally uploaded by Ericson Calderon

So, I've finally figured out how this thing works, and you know what's awesome? It's free!