Wedding Canvas Art

Beautiful canvas arts are now available for weddings. They come in varies sizes, even custom ones! Email me for more info!

Thi Cosmetics in Palo Alto

Today was my first baby shoot of the new year. The shoot was in Palo Alto, therefore after the shoot, I dropped by Taylor Pham's latest store, Thi Cosmetics in downtown Palo Alto. Walking into the space, the first thing I noticed was the airy and contemporary space. The overall theme of the store is vogue chic. I've known Taylor for years when we both first got into the wedding business but this was the first time I met Taylor's business partner Mimi. Mimi is just as nice and fun as Taylor. They definitely make a great team.




Taylor was in the middle of a "class".




Here is Mimi, my new friend.

Contemporary Silk Album

I am extremely excited about this new album that I am offering this year. It is one of my fine art albums. The entire look and feel of this album is elegant, classic but yet contemporary. I love how each page is cut and glued by hand. When you purchase this album, make sure to get the elegant album box as well!

{comes in different colors as well, taupe, black, blue, orange...etc.}

Sanyo Eneloop Batteries

Over the years, I used many different types of batteries to power my flashes. As a photographer, my requirement for a set of batteries is to be able to recharge in a fast manner. I used lithium, alkaline, off-brand and branded rechargeable batteries, nothing seem to work until now...

The AWESOME, looks good, quick recycled, supposed to be "earth friendly" rechargeable battery has arrived... the Sanyo Eneloop. First I thought to myself, what are these fancy batteries? just another marketing gimmick I am sure. I thought companies repackage something to make them nice, then slap a name to them, then jack up their price by 100% so people think it is better. For this, I am a true believer! I have used these batteries for a few weddings and I must say, they rock! I don't even need to carry my external flash battery (which weights a ton practically) anymore! These batteries recycle the charge so quick that I can continuously shoot 5 frames on my 5D with no problem! Get some!!

So my "AUGIE RATING" for these batteries ---> THUMBS UP!!

Nikon, now I am impressed

I have always shot Canon cameras/lens, so of course I am going to be bias. At the beginning of the DSLR war, Canon was clearly the winner and they pretty much grabbed most of the DSLR market. Anyone you run into shoots Canon DSLRs.

A few years ago, Nikon had it with Canon and began their attack. Their strategy was to price all of their DSLRs lower compared to the Canon cameras. On top of that, Nikon decides to throw in as much technology and features into their entry level DSLRs as possible. Nikon started to see their increase in market share.

One of the toughest battle that Nikon faced was Canon's full frame sensor cameras (1DsMark3 and the very popular 5D). Full frame sensor cameras are DSLRs with a 35mm film dimension sensor. Nikon did not have any full frame cameras to compete, so Canon was the only choice for those that want full frame. Nikon came back and came back strong. They offered their high end, kick butt D3 (full frame) a few months ago and now they just announced their latest "affordable" full frame D700.

Now if someone walks up to me and ask the question: "Do you think Canon or Nikon is better?", I am going to have a hard time answering.



Click here for more product information

Battle Between Canon and Nikon

I get a lot of questions asked by my readers on a weekly basis, but this one has to take the top prize:

"Which brand do you think is better, Canon or Nikon?"

Canon and Nikon will always have their rivalry. Here is my honest opinion about the two. It does not matter. They both have great lenses and great cameras. People may perceive one brand as "better" because their parents had that brand or their friends told them that it is "better", but in my opinion, they are both just as good.

Professionals all over the world use both for different reasons. I am a Canon user. Why? I started with them 15 years ago and have kept using them since. Well, after you spent thousands of dollars on their gear, you are pretty much "locked in" ;) Once you are a certain brand user, you are pretty much "hooked" because these 2 brands (intentionally or not), make their product VERY differently. What am I talking about? OK, in the Canon world, everything is very electronically managed, for example, changing from continuous to one-shot shooting mode, it is all managed through a menu system. In the Nikon world, it is a simple switch flip (mechanically). Also, in the Canon world, when you turn the zoom ring on a lens, you turn anti-clockwise, but in the Nikon world, it is the complete opposite. So whenever I play with a Nikon camera, I feel completely dyslexic.

Before Nikon came out with the Nikon D3 camera, Canon had the advantage of having the only camera with the full frame sensor (equivalent to 35mm film dimension). Now, Nikon caught up and produced its first full frame sensor camera - the D3, Canon no longer can claim their advantage. Also, I am hearing a ton of great stuff about the new D3 from Nikon!

If you are a beginner or looking to get into a DSLR, my opinion is that either brand will work for you. In the entry level DSLR world, they offer a lot for a reasonable price. This is the companys' strategy to get you buy into their products, invest your money in lenses, then they get you "hooked" (pretty much like drug dealers...heh).

I shoot mainly with my Canon 5D. I absolutely LOVE this camera. Only gripe I have is I wish it had a better built. It feels a bit flimsy, but the guts of this camera is close to perfect. I heard the new 5D is coming out soon, so I am sitting tight, waiting for Canon to announce their new toy. I hope they will use a better body frame on it.

Speaking very generally, you get a bit more with Nikon in the entry level DSLR world. Canon dominated the DSLR market for many years and Nikon is catching up very quickly (and have surpassed in my opinion) by coming in at somewhat lower price. Nikon and Canon both have exceptional products and reputation, so you won't go wrong with either one.

New Product: Canvas Print

This beautiful new product came today in a big box. It is my latest offering - canvas print. Love it love it! This is a 20"x24" print. I recommend this size for most. The back is nicely wrapped with a dust cover and mounted hardware ready to go!

These are definitely great for children portraits, but also great for weddings and many others!

There are also other sizes that I offer:

All in inches:
16x24
20x20
20x24 (what i have below)
24x36
30x40
36x48

Prices start at $500 (plus tax)