Rhendy Amador

It's been too long!

2010-07-21T11:52:00.006-08:00

Hello blog-land! If there is anyone reading this blog entry right now I want to apologize for my absence. I've been an unfaithful blogger... Moving from Alaska to Puerto Rico got this girl derailed. I know, I know. For a whole year? No. It wasn't just the move. I think I had become bored and stagnant and stale with my photography. I actually took some college courses TOWARDS my photography career/education. But I did not find them helpful in the least. Well, there were a few hints I learned.

But I'm back on track and ready to GO FOR IT! I've been talking a lot to some of my photography friends and they've encouraged me to just go for it. So that's what I'm doing. I've set a date for the official start of Rhendy Amador Photography! Drum roll please........ January 22, 2011!! "What?" you say? Such a random date? Why not in the least! It's my 30th birthday! Woohoo! So that gives me six months to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE my little heart out! I've already been doing just that! I employed the services of my cousin-in-law, Maria Isabel. She's been awesome as my model this summer. We've done three photo shoots so far and I think I can see a little improvement in each one.

Below are some images from the first shoot. It was early morning to get the best light. The sun is INSANE here in PR! But it's gorgeous nonetheless. Enjoy, and if you have ANY constructive criticism, PLEASE share! I appreciate it!

The Garden of Eden in Alaska

2009-03-15T01:02:00.007-08:00

That's right. There is a tiny green house down the street from where my parents live and my dad took me there a few days ago so I could see it for myself. You would never know this place was even there; 1) Because we live in Alaska. All the plants are covered in snow and ice this time of year 2) It's pretty far off the main road. Now, it may not actually be a garden of Eden, but it's pretty darn close.

When I walked in I was instantly hit with a wave of warmth and humidity. I had to remove my down filled coat after about 30 seconds inside. There were birds chirping, a tiny stream trickling, and green plants everywhere. It was a beautiful sight for my Winter sore eyes. Good thing I brought my camera!

Below are some of the photos I got around to editing in Light Room. I downloaded the 30 day trial. It's actually quite user friendly! I watched a few videos on how to you it on You Tube, per the advice of my PR photographer Noel Del Pilar. Thanks Noel! I'm loving it!

I love terra cotta pots. Visions of Italy dance in my head when I see some.

You would not believe how many different kinds of cactus they had there.

We think these might be grape fruit. We'll have to check back later to make sure.

Lady Bugs!!!

I was about to snap the picture when my dad started giving me advice on framing. This was a happy accident. I love my dad's hands. I will cherish this photo forever.

It was a great experience. I can't wait to go back and just sit and enjoy the place. I hope you enjoyed these photos!

Carl's Jr. Low Carb Burger

2009-02-19T11:56:00.002-09:00

Miguel and I, as well as my Mom and Dad, are all trying to stay faithful to the low carb lifestyle. Over the Valentine's Day weekend we all went a little crazy and fell off the wagon. But we are back on with full force.

Just now, my Baby surprised me with bringing me the low carb burger from Carl's Jr. How sweet! It was really good just to see his face in the middle of the day. We both think it's really unfair that our jobs keep us away from each other during the day. We wonder why we can't just get paid to love each other. The most favorite part of our day is getting home and spending half an hour just kissing and cuddling and drinking each other's presence in as much as possible. Anyways, it was so nice and thoughtful of him to come by and bring me lunch since he knew I didn't take a lunch today. What a sweet husband I have! I'm so thankful.

I love you Baby. You are my life.

Adventures in Deviled Egg Land

2009-02-17T23:27:00.004-09:00

Ok, I just made that up. But I've been meaning to post these for awhile. It seems every project, holiday, gift, pet, or person is now subject to a random photo op. So without further ado I give you......my first attempt at making deviled eggs. Miguel said they were way salty, but I thought they were fabulous. At least they look fabulous.

Heart Shaped Yumminess

2009-02-17T22:42:00.005-09:00

Here are a few pictures of the cookies I made for Miguel for Valentine's Day. I have yet to take a few moments to set up a shoot for all the cool and nifty gifts he got me. But they are all so colorful that I absolutely have to! I promise I'll do it soon for all my faithful readers....Mama...

Photography is so great! Now everything turns into a photo op!!!

Feliz Dia De San Valentin...

2009-02-14T17:45:00.009-09:00

I am one of those many women who love Valentine's Day. It is Valentine's Day in our house every single day though, so what makes this day any more special than the rest? Nothing. Nothing makes it more special than every day we come home from work and drop what we're holding and fly to the bed and "do the cuddlies"; Oliver following shortly behind us. This day is just a great excuse to buy heart shaped chalk candy with funny and romantic phrases written on them...well, most of them anyways.

I feel sorry for those people I've heard say "Oh this day is just a commercial trap to empty people's pockets and steal our sanity. If you really love someone you'll love them 365 days a year and not need ONE day to prove it." I feel sorry for these people because I can't help but think that they WISH they could love this day and spend it with someone who cherishes them beyond belief. Miguel and I jump on any chance to show each other how much we care, so Valentine's Day is such a great way to do that.

Miguel and I were so excited to share with each other what we had come up with for each other that we opened everything last night. It was like Christmas morning in our house! And let me tell you, the tears were flowing....on my part. Miguel calls me Mary Magdalene because I cry at the drop of a hat. But I will have to post pictures of his gifts tomorrow since it is already dark outside and I have no nice lighting inside our house.

Today I am posting pictures I took on my lunch break the other day. I had set up the scene the day before and got out my camera and realized I had forgotten to charge my battery. Doh! So Friday afternoon I snapped these in the afternoon light. I am quite pleased that some of the things I'm learning have actually sunk in. Of course I'm no professional yet, but I feel I'm getting more of a grasp on photography basics.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Practice Shots

2009-01-09T13:39:00.004-09:00

Since it is so cold out this time of year, and I'm afraid if I go out again for an hour shooting, I might get my cold back, I tend to shoot inside my condo. Practice makes perfect (or so I've heard) so I have to practice somewhere.

The photos below are some that I actually took about a month ago. It is amazing how looking back at these photos even from just a month ago I feel like I have learned a lot. But I am still proud of the photos. Gaining even an ounce of success with focus/exposure/lighting...etc is very exciting to a beginner. Enjoy!

On a side note: I think I am going to make a homemade soft box and see what happens. I really don't want to get a sore throat again so I think until it gets to at least 20 above zero outside I'm going to stay indoors. So with a soft box I can practice studio type shooting! Stay tuned on what I capture!

Christmas decorating and some pictures!

2008-12-03T21:34:00.008-09:00

"Dear friend,

I like to start my notes to you as if we're already in the middle of a conversation. I pretend that we are the oldest and dearest friends as opposed to what we actually are; People who don't know each others names and met in a chat room where we both claimed we'd never been before. 'What will NY152 say today, I wonder.' I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: 'You've got mail.' I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beating of my own heart. I have mail... from you."'

This is a quote from, probably, my favorite movie of all time. My husband and I watch this movie about 3-4 times a year. It is one of the things that we found we had in common right away. We would quote from the movie back and forth....I know, too cute huh? But I especially like to watch the movie around this time of year. While, in the movie, they show at least 3 seasons, it is the Christmas season that stands out most to me. Maybe it is the scene where they are singing a Christmas song I have never heard, though it sounds like it could be a completely legitimate Christmas carol! "The clarinet, the clarinet goes diddly diddly diddly det. The horn, the horn, it sounds so forlorn..." and so on...you really must see this movie.

This year, since we had our Thanksgiving a week early, my mom and I found ourselves out shopping the day after Thanksgiving....along with about a million other people, and we bought our Christmas tree! And yes, I got all my Christmas shopping done. Shew! I had already purchased most of my ornaments a few months back. Hey, it's not my fault the stores put out the Christmas decorations so early! So the minute I got it home and we set it up I was ready to decorate! This is the first tree my husband and I have had together since we've been together! We finally have room for it and we're not going out of town this year, so it was perfect timing. Below are some pictures taken through the process of getting the tree decorated. This will be the first time I've posted pictures to this blog from my new camera. All photos were taken with the manual setting. I've read and heard that this is the best way to learn how to take good photos. If anyone out there in blog land reads this blog, please feel free to leave a constructive criticism for me. I'm an aspiring photographer. I don't claim to be anything special....though my husband and parents would beg to differ. The adorable miniature schnauzer is our son, Oliver Amador. He is my practice model and has the patience of an angel.

Enjoy!

"Mama, can we stop taking pictures for today?"

The final product! It's kinda like the circus!
My husband calls it the Easter tree.