A peep into the real Shanghaia

Posted by MIJI on Aug 13, 2009 • (0)

Saying hello from Shanghai again~ :))

Today, I’m going to introduce Jin Mao Tower Hyatt Hotel, which is known as the tallest hotel in the world. Jin Tao Tower has 88 floors and the hotel is located from the 53^rd floor to the 87^th floor. The exterior alone is jaw dropping.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/6sㅣf/3.7ㅣISO 800ㅣ0.00EV l 5.6mm]

A line of taxi waiting for people coming out of the hotel. More than 90% of the taxi drivers waiting here can carry simple English conversation.

The foreign company buildings you see behind are shining with colorful lightings as if competing with Jin Mao tower for attention.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/2sㅣf/3.9ㅣISO 80ㅣ6.3mm l manual mode]

The entrance of Jin Mao Tower with an impressive exotic appearance. The blue color particularly stands out in this picture. If you apply the cool function that the camera offers to the picture, then you can increase the blue tone without the help from Photoshop.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/1.0sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.2mm l manual mode]

The night view of Shanghai seen from the sky lounge windows of Jin Mao tower.

The tower is so high that when the weather is cloudy you can actually see the clouds float around outside the window and you feel like standing on the sky~!!!

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/2sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.2mm l manual mode]

Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center standing tall as if representing the pride of the Chinese. On the left is Jin Mao Tower and on the right is Shanghai World Financial Center.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/3sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.2mm l manual mode]

The Jin Mao Tower appears to be taller in the picture because it’s at the front, but actually the World Financial Center you see behind is the highest building in Shanghai, rising higher than Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/3sㅣf/3.9ㅣISO 80ㅣ6.3mm l manual mode]

The loud mechanical noise of repair work coming out of the construction site preparing for the Shanghai Expo next year was no exception around the Jin Mao Tower.

“ Oriental Pearl Tower “

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15 minutes walk from the Jin Mao Tower.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Oriental Pearl Tower is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Shanghai. They call it the Pearl Tower, referring to the sphere that composes the architecture. Maybe Shanghai people’s pride bursts out from the Tower rising tall in the middle of Shanghai? Most of the tourists think that this tower is only used for sky lounge but it’s also used as a receiving tower for broadcasting.

I felt a bit dizzy to see it in real but I could tell why this symbolizes Shanghai after feeling its dignity. Before finish my post, I want to share this landmark on the map, especially for you guys~ <3<3<3<3<3<3<3 

View Larger Map

C’ya~!!

How to get cool pictures in hot summmer

Posted by Caem on Jul 19, 2009 • (0)

July. The so called ‘Holiday season’! Where do you want to go for vacation? When you return from vacation to your ordinary life, the flood of fatigue and work wait us. It is only time that can console us. Well, at least for Ca’em. Hehe. Vacation season! You will probably clicking away madly with your camera under the burning sun, but you always get disappointed if the results are not that satisfactory.

In fact, the scorching sunlight is not a welcomed guest for photo shooting. Then, what about a gray sky in a rainy day? Not a welcomed guest neither for vacation nor for outdoor shooting. This week, Ca’em plans to share tips on how to effectively take photos in extreme conditions. Let’s take a shot at clear and crisp photos that you can successfully take even when you don’t have an expensive DSLR. Pictures so cool that appear ready to freeze your eyes regardless of the camera. Let’s take a look at example pictures and a few tips on how to take clear pictures.

If you want clear pictures, you first need a clear and bright sky. Even with divine skills and perfect knowledge, if you are not lucky with the weather, you cannot get a nice picture. A blue sky is a good example of a clear landscape that you can easily find around you. The earth is hot due to the hot summer sun but the blue sky is ever bluer. In terms of the season, the sky is bluer in the dry autumn and winter, when the air carries less impurity compared to spring and summer. However, it is still boring to capture the blue sky alone. You have to have at least a good few white pieces of cloud to make it more interesting. A summer sky cleared up after the rain is indeed a gift from nature.

I have tatken those pictures when I’ve been Tokyo. See?? You must know that the important of weather.

Secondly, it is important to make it a habit to check the weather when you plan to take pictures. You can easily go online to check weather information real-time. You can obtain basic information such as the time of sun rise, sunset, as well as visibility and ceiling. You can check the ceiling info on Yahoo weather or The weather networks.

Lastly, set exposure to under and use saturation for more vivid blue color. Set the exposure 1 or 2 levels lower than the appropriate exposure. In other words, setting the mode a little darker as if lacking some exposure, produces good output. In general, objects are expressed darker when the exposure is a little insufficient. Considering that overexposure obscures the original color and whitens the picture, it is not difficult to understand that under exposure adds depth to the color.

As an exercise, Ca’em set the image size to 7M(3648*2056) and tried saturation and contrast to avoid overexposure from the strong sun reflection and to highlight the achromatic color object. The image size made the photo appear much fuller, quite different from what you get from full image size. Something like a full picture, closer to the object or capturing only the gist of a remote landscape. Sometimes, slimming down the photo is a good way to produce good outcome.

WB500(HZ10W) F7.5 l 1/125s l ISO200 l 0.00EV l saturation High

WB500, which supports 10.2 mega pixels, is a good choice to express the inherent colors of objects. However, quality pictures require some busy ass moving. Depending on the weather, the camera should be set up accordingly. Because WB500 supports wide angle lens, it has a dark lens. To complement this, adjust the saturation value under “effect” depending on the object. Set the exposure value to 0.0 under Program AE and adjust saturation value to High/Medium/Normal at effect. The outcome has been quite effective in conveying the original color of the object. Hmmmm.. is it because the object is yellow and green? The color constract is breathtaking. :)

WB500(HZ10W) F3.3 l 1/90s l ISO200 l 0.00EV l 4.3mm l saturation High

!!! One watch-out before going further! Serious underexposure risks making the object appear dark. Set the exposure to ‘under’ depending on the feel you want to get across or the surrounding environment, but still within the range of appropriate exposure. Meanwhile, you can also play around with the “auto bracketing”, which takes photos under the three settings of underexposure, appropriate and overexposure, and HDR (#Post13) that combines these three photos, so don’t be hesitant to try various exposures! However, I recommend using a tripod for AEB because it takes long time to store and hand shake is likely to occur…!!!

The pictures below are all shots using underexposure and saturation high. The wart dancing elegantly on the flower petal, a ship floating on a calm river.. These are all scenes you cannot see in the city. Vacation - a sweet escape from the busy reality. If you have yet to decide your vacation destination, a place with open skies would be nice. I truly recommend it to people looking for beautiful landscape and vivid pleasant memories in this hot hot summer. Before you depart, though, check your batteries and don’t forget to bring drinking water and a towel to block the sun! That’s it for today.

“ Same, same but different “

WB500(HZ10W) F3.3 l 1/6s l ISO200 l 0.00EV l 4.3mm l saturation High

DSLR F5.3 l 1/25s l ISO200 l 2.3EV l 46.0mm l contrast High

(Left)WB500(HZ10W) F7.5 l 1/175s l ISO100 l 0.00EV l 4.3mm l saturation +1

(Right)WB500(HZ10W) F7.5 l 1/175s l ISO100 l 0.00EV l 4.3mm l contrast -1

WB500(HZ10W) F7.5 l 1/180s l ISO200 l 1.0EV l 4.3mm l saturation High

WB500(HZ10W) F9.3 l 1/1500s l ISO400 l -1.0EV l 7.6mm l saturation High

WB500(HZ10W) F7.5 l 1/1500s l ISO400 l -1.0EV l 4.3mm l saturation High

“ Road to the SKY “

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.

All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung WB500(HZ10W)

Read more: http://www.samsungimaging.net/how-to-get-cool-pictures-in-hot-summmer/#ixzz0MRBbGzZs

Visiting a friend near by

Once upon a time when I was bored as well as Brandy,

We stormed into the house of a friend living near by.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/45 ㅣf/4.5 ㅣISO 200ㅣ50mm]

Unfamiliar with the words ‘shy’ or ‘scared’,

Brandy roams around everywhere.

Leaving me exhausted trying to follow her to take pictures.. kkkkkkk

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This is SaAk, quietly observing Brandy’s moves. SaAk is the cat that lives in my friend’s house.

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Difficult to spot the cat sitting on the very colorful bedding – a bad hobby of my friend. Kkkkk

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/15 ㅣf/4.5 ㅣISO 400ㅣ50mm]

And Lance, who travelled far to meet Brandy.

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Everything is bothersome to her. ;-(

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This is ShuYa, whose black fur makes it difficult to distinguish her eyes and nose.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/3 ㅣf/4.8 ㅣISO 400ㅣ58mm]

Taking photos of ShuYa is very challenging because she is very shy.

This is the very best I could pull off… heeheehee

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Meanwhile Brandy.. has made herself very at home.

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What are you doing Brandy?

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I am looking at you!!!!!!!!!!!

The cutest toes and a self-confident body.

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SaAk, the charismatic cat! Is that the best you can do?? kkkkkkk

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/30 ㅣf/3.9 ㅣISO 800ㅣ36mm]

Maybe because of the stare, Brandy climbs up to the second floor.

Brandy.. are you sure you didn’t live here before? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

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Lance, looking as if everything is annoying and unfamiliar.

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Of what use is a handsome face if you are so timid!! :-<

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“Seriously… Are you sure you are a male cat? Meow!”

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/8 ㅣf/3.9 ㅣISO 400ㅣ36mm]

“Look at me~ow! The elegant appearance that never loses posture no matter what.”

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/6 ㅣf/4.2 ㅣISO 400ㅣ42mm]

“Unbelievable… How can I be this perfect?”

…… :-<

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/10 ㅣf/3.7 ㅣISO 400ㅣ31mm]

“Prrrrrrrrr!”

The ever-hard-to-please ShuYa picking a fight with Lance.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/15 ㅣf/3.5 ㅣISO 400ㅣ27mm]

And the upset Lance fights back!!!!!!!!!!!!

ShuYa, you look as if you are ready to fly!! Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/4 ㅣf/3.9 ㅣISO 400ㅣ36mm]

Brandy, totally into the fight staring intently at the altercation.

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Looking very generous..

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Brandy makes herself towards Lance, probably to give a word of condolence.

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“I’ll kill you all!!!!!!!!!!!!”

ShuYa cries fiercely. kkkk

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 0.700s ㅣf/4.8 ㅣISO 400ㅣ58mm]

Brandy, frightened, cocks up her ears and raises her tail. Kkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/4 ㅣf/5.1 ㅣISO 400ㅣ68mm]

“Leave me alone….”

Lance - the one who is not bothered by anything or anyone.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/10 ㅣf/3.7 ㅣISO 400ㅣ31mm]

SaAk. Would you like to say a world?

“Stop taking pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Uh….

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/4 ㅣf/5.1 ㅣISO 400ㅣ68mm]

And the crazy day was over… heehee

A few more shots of Lance as a bonus. Kkkkkkkkkkkk

 

All of images had taken with WB500

This is Xintiandi, Where Every Corner Feels Different.

It’s already the monsoon season in Shanghai. Endless rain even during the weekend. But thankfully, the rain stopped around the evening. So I hurried my way to Xintiandi with my camera.

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Inside the taxi on my way to Xintiandi. In Shanghai’s taxi, as seen in the picture, behind the passenger seat there is a mini advertisement board. Not only does it provide information of Shanghai’s tourist spot and famous restaurants and bars, but has built-in ads such as cosmetics, clothes and cell phones as well. The touch function makes it not only convenient but also fun. I was bored on my way to the destination one day and started touching it and saw this dress that made we want to buy it so badly. So there was the unplanned spending. Suddenly I couldn’t help but think that this is strategic marketing. So many ideas in such a populous country.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/1.000sㅣf/3.9ㅣISO 80ㅣ6.3mm]

This is the street where Xintiandi begins. Originally the fountain is much more fascinating with brilliant lightning, but maybe due to the rain or the late hour, the calmer lighting made Xintiandi look composed. Perhaps it’s because I took the picture with the camera set on calm mode? Haha.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/45sㅣf/4.2ㅣISO 640ㅣ7.9mm]

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/6sㅣf/3.9ㅣISO 800ㅣ6.3mm]

Despite the rain during the whole afternoon, the outdoor cafes, restaurants and bar were full of people. Its exotic buildings and foreigners make you wonder whether this is really China. Bars lining down the street blasting out different music. Take one step and you will hear Jazz. Take another step to hear exciting Latin American beat. This is Xintiandi, where every corner feels different.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/10sㅣf/4.2ㅣISO 800ㅣ7.9mm]

A fountain located at the center of Xintiandi. Because of the bright lighting, neither auto-mode nor manual-mode nor night-mode would correct the shaking. But dual-mode solved the problem at once. I once again felt that for an amateur who lack skills like myself, a smart digital camera is a must.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/6sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 800ㅣ4.2mm]

A clothing store that sells Chinese traditional costume Chipao, bags and shoes.

If you go inside, there are so many sophisticated and beautiful Chipaos that I get the urge to buy them. An interesting place where the vintage feel given off by the brick coexists with the chic and modern feel of the window display.

It’s too bad that I couldn’t’ take the picture of the interior because I got stopped by the employee.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/10sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 800ㅣ4.2mm]

A foreigner bargaining with the seller to buy a souvenir. One of the interesting things about China is that if you can bargain, you can buy the merchandise for half the original price. But unfortunately, this doesn’t work at this shop located at Xintiandi.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/8sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 800ㅣ4.2mm]

This is also a souvenir shop.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/6sㅣf/3.3ㅣISO 800ㅣ4.2mm]

In Xintiandi, there are a lot of alleys looking like this. It feels like if you keep on walking, a very small yet a bit old secret room will appear. The charm of this alley is that it makes you imagine that when you get there, it’ll make you tell all the secret stories that you’ve kept to yourself.

[Samsung WB500(HZ10W) 1/10sㅣf/3.5ㅣISO 800ㅣ4.7mm]

In no time, the rain started to fall again, so I decided to head back home. While I was trying to hail a cab, I saw these two very brave people in their pajamas that once again made me laugh. Oh, by the way, I’m missing, no, I’m desperate for the serene weather in Shanghai these days… but thanks to the short break from the rain, I was able to enjoy the time out. Sorry, but that’s it for today!

 

All of images had taken with WB500