A Detailed Description

 

    In my last few posts, I spoke about, and exhibited pictures from, Bahia Guayabitos. 



Dana Fragomeni
Rincon de Guayabitos

    I am sure many of you are quite familiar with, or have at least heard of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  However, for some, I am quite sure that Guayabitos is a name, quite possibly, never heard before. For the most part, that is quite appropriate, because, the tiny town of Rincon de Guayabitos, is relatively small; a local jewel; a gem of land, with a small population and known only by a few local Mexicans.

 

    For a more poetic description of Rincon de Guayabitos, and all of its splendor, please take a look at the quote below, lifted from my upcoming novel, slated for publication in 2016:  “Renaciamento” – The Life and Times of Jauanityo Jesus Ordaz

 

    “And it was this town they called Guayabitos.

    "And, it truly was a sight - a marvel to behold:- a town; a place; a thing, of (belonging to,) beauty; of wonder: a place, wherein courted gardens, grew luscious flowers, with all of the pinks, blues, magentas, and cadmiums of this world, which interlaced a beautiful, transposed, distilled (but not dis-infected) essence, and atmosphere of ‘tranquility armed with all of its greatest graces and glories.’”

 

 

                                                                                                   - Dana Fragomeni

 

 

"I reminisce some times. . . . "

 

     Last night, whence I was sourcing the photographics for yesterday evenings, image series - Jalisco Province – I came across of wonderful archive of photographs taken with two different cameras – a Vivitar 14MP Camera that I purchased at Canadian Tire for $49.99, and my trusted Sanyo Xati 10.1 MP Dual Camera – all during my wonderful trip to Northern Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – up the coast of Jaltemba Bay in October of 2012.  Also note, a few shots were taken with my brothers camera:  A Panasonic Lumix Point-and-Shoot 14MP.

 

    Please feel free to enjoy, below, some more from the same “fond” of archived photographics.  For videos please see me on Twitter at: @AofPGImage.      

    I have chosen to display some excellent images and family footage that includes my great and gracious brother – Adrian Paulo!

 

    And remember, do not let your old pictures die on your computers or cell phones!!  Enjoy becoming and living the life of a artist and photographic connoisseur-like, genius by constantly working with your images and having fun; creating new ways of presentation, display, interpretation and overall, everlasting, enjoyment.

    Get creative.  It does not matter who good your camera is, or how bad your photos are!  It is all about what you do with our photos, and how you can derive fun, increase knowledge and appreciation and foster enjoyment by working with them!

 

    Try:

 

1.    Making a Photo Collage or Scrap-book

2.    Write a journal and include images

3.    Pen a short story that connects characters to the places in your images

4.    Paint and draw with your photos as sketch guides.

 

HAVE A HAPPY AND A HEALTHY AND KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

 

 

I Almost Forgot - Ah-HA!! - Memory Cards!!

SD CARDS

    In my last post – for those of you who have been following – I made a few remarks about necessary equipment. 

Dana Fragomeni
Dacmeron Los Cocos

       Unfortunately, there was one piece of equipment that I neglected to reference; and that is, the Memory Card – or as is often called – the SD Card.  Although – these days – you can find camcorders and still cameras that have SS drivers or on-board storage spaces; most good cameras do require a SD Card to be used for photography purposes.

    If you plan to shot a lot of HD Home Movies and Videos and High Resolution camera shots, it is important to get a Memory card that is at least 8 GB so you have plenty of space to work with.  Also a Card with a higher rate of playback speed is always desired.

    These days, many computers and lap-tops have SD readers where you can place the card directly into the PC.  Some memory cards come with USB 2.0 adapters for older Windows 7 Computers.  You can also get SD Cards that can hold Mirco-SD Cards, they types used on tablets and smart phones. 

     Thus, if you are doing a lot of live Tweeting, FaceBooking and Video Stream-Sharing, this may be a good option.  Also look for WiFi ready cameras if you plan to be doing a lot of posting!

     Mobile devices like tablets, ipads and smart phones generally work better when you are doing live Social Networking; the video-quality formats are pretty clear and sharp, but the size has been pared down so videos and images can easily be transferred and copied.   

     Try loading a 20 DSLR photo-series or a 4K HD Video onto Twitter and you will see that those file formats and image renderings are of a much large digital capacity!

 

     I hope you are all out there – pointing, clicking, framing, moudling, thinking and shooting and having fun!

 

 

 

Happy Trails and Happy Picturing!

 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO VIEW AND COMMENT UPON THE PHOTOGRAPHICS BELOW

 

 

The Series is Called:

 

Jalisco Province

 

 

Brought to you by Vivitar 14 MP and Sanyo 10.1 MP

 

 

 

Bahia Guayabitos
 

 

 

Decameron Los Cocos

 

 

Sunset
Bahia Guayabitos

 

Puerto Vallarta Central

Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport 

 

 

A Few Tid-Bits about Equipment

 

 

 

Getting Started

  

    

 

   
When starting a new "artistic hobby," it is always good practice to consult a few resources, before commencing. 

 

     Good resources include, but are not limited to:

 

    1. How-To-Guides

    2. DYI Videos and Blogs

    3. Instruction Booklets




You will be amazed how many good quality resources are right at your finger-tips: such as things, and places like Youtube, Facebook, your local library, online book stores and "arts-enthusiasts," websites. 

 

    Don't be dismayed.  There is often quite a lot of information to swift through, out there, these days: but not all of it is relevant or necessary.  Driven by the true desire of an artist; all that should ever be required are: THE BASICS.

 

    Nevertheless, one of the very first things you will find, in all of the resources referenced above, is a section, chapter, or even a few paragraphs dedicated to equipment.

  
  When it comes to photography, yes there are a few things that are required, like a camera; but, it is important to note that many other things are superfluous, to taking an enjoying photographs.

 

 

    For example, many watercolor professionals believe that pure Sable hair brushes are the best; because they are luscious and can be “loaded” with a great deal of paint.  Accordingly, pure sable brushes are the most expensive on the market: premium artist quality.  Yet, from true practice, and a practical standpoint, I myself – as have a few other Northern Irish water-colorists – have come to the realization that Goat Hair brushes, quite possibly the least expensive brush you can buy, (or be lucky to even find),  work better, because of their course texture, and how that plays upon the water-color canvas, which is, in reality, paper, itself!

    This tells us, the price does not always equate, "per person quality and effectiveness," for end users. 



     What is important, is finding what works for you!

 

 

   
     In photography, firstly, you need, quite obviously, a camera. 

 

 

    Now that does not mean you must "break the bank" to get the latest and best technology that is offered in the stores, or online.   

 

 

     For example, now days although many cameras boast 20+ MP ratings:

 

            "most photographers – that are armatures – are using Mid-level DSLR cameras that are in  the 14-16 MP range."

 

 

     Get a camera that you like, and one that fits your budget!

 

 

     Try and develop a compromise between a decent-lenses, and zoom capabilities. 


     For instance, a Nikon Cool Pics Camera with a Nikor 7x Digital Zoom Lens at 20.1 MP is a great buy of a camera, which would only run the consumer in the one-hundred and fifty dollar, ($150) price range. 

 
    When it comes to bags, it is important to be savvy as well.

    If your camera is small and doesn’t require a case so be it.  Even if you did desire to buy one; due to size, it would be inexpensive. 

    If your camera comes in a bundle that has the case, all the better.

     DSLR camera and accesries, such as cases, straps, lens and caps, can get quite expensive.  Only buy if you have the budget, and it is ultimately necessary.

    Neck straps or a few tee-shirts in a plush-bag is a good way to carry a camera, alternatively. 

   Most, importantly, when you are out there taking pictures; you want to be relaxed and comfortable; not weighed down by perturbing bags, cases, tri-pods and un-necessary, un-required, equipment.   

    Good luck - and, stay strong.

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT THE SKY SERIES BELOW

All taken with 

Nikon Cool Pics Camera Nikor 7x Digital Zoom Lens at 20.1 MP

 

Good lighting in the rear, dynamic sky and sun combination.
Yet, the picture lacks colors that pop, vibrant imagery and clarity. 

 

   




Photographic is dark.
Sky nice in background, but forground lacks calrity.




Great cloud formation, but poor lighting.
Vantage point is low, poor angle.




Very nice light blue, azure sky. 
Well captured clouds and sun, but tree mantle below would look better if more illuminated and vibrant!
What colour are those trees under there?




Beautiful sky effect: Rose-Color
Gorgeous Photograph!




Low level coloruing on real, life vibrant foliage!
Poor shot!




Sky is not bad - fair at best!
Foreground needs more differentiation!

THANKS FOR VIEWING MY SKY SERIES

AND PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO POST COMMENTS AND EXAMPLES OF YOUR OWN!

Your feedback is not only wlecome...but it is what will make our journey together so special!

Quote of the Day:

 
"The day was magnificent.  From horizon to horizon was one vast span of blue, whitening as it dipped earthward. . . in the distance [the desert] assumed all manner of faint colors, pink, purple, and pale orange.  To the west rose the Panamint Range. . . here the earths and sands were yellow, ochre, and rich, deep red, the hollows and canyons picked out with intense blue shadows.  It seemed strange that such bareness could exhibit this radiance of colour, but nothing could have been more beautiful than the deep red of the higher bluffs and ridges; seamed with purple shadows, standing sharply out against the pale blue-whiteness of the horizon.”

 


                                    ----Frank Norris, McTeague [1899]

 

 

Here are some very early watercolor works of mine evoking sunsets and skies.

 

Also below is a wonderful photographic taken while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Early Watercolour

Watercolor Postcard
D.F. Industries

Sporting Silver and a Mexico Futbol Jersey
The Man Himself - #ElDonato-Artist


 



Beautiful Sunset
Bahia Guayabitos (Nayarit, Mexico)
Nikon Point-and-Shoot (20.1 MP)

Hello, once again, it is I – Dana Fragomeni, Artist – returned in the flesh!

Broadcasting a very belated, but nevertheless, Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday – and to our friends in the United States of America – Donald Trump, or no Donald Trump. – Happy Columbus Day, as well!!

I hope that everyone has had – and still have – their cameras ready!  Let us be truly thankful for some of the wonderfully-delightful, weather we have been having! 

Those trees are out there are pooping, with colour; the colours are brilliant; the cascading valleys of various, luminous almost, shades of divergent, yellows, oranges, pinks, light greens, dark, greens – and even, that dark allure of the subtle Earth Tones, like burnt Siena, and raw Umber!

Happy Picturing and Happy Travels,

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Your Host – Dana Fragomeni, Artisto Extra-Ordinario!

A Few Early Images with a Sanyo Xacti Dual Cam (10.1 MP)

BBQ Grill
Courtesy - The DanFrag

These images were taken at my cottage.  I decided to begin with the oldest technology that I had: a Sanyo Xacti Dual Camera (10.1 MP).

 

 

Overall, the images are quite clear and crisp, the colours pop, and there is a fair deal of balanced, colour-saturation.

 

 

But, in what ways can these images be improved?

 

 

Tips, pointers, advice, insight???

 

 

I am all ears!

Canal Lake
Bolsover, Ontario