Troy Wong

You’re pretty no matter what. It’s frustrating to...

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:01:00 -1000

You’re pretty no matter what. It’s frustrating to hear people put themselves down just because their not pleased with how the photo turned out. A person’s beauty has nothing to do with the outcome of a photo. I love looking at a photo with girls that have no make-up on, and realizing that it’s natural beauty that makes a photo truly beautiful. I’ve always lived by remembering that it’s not what someone has that makes them so great, it’s about what they truly believe in. People should always remember to bring themselves back to reality and re-evalute the core values that YOU truly believe in. My photos are true to themselves, it doesn’t need to be fake.

Going back to Kaka’ako waterfront park is a very calm...

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:23:00 -1000

Going back to Kaka’ako waterfront park is a very calm place to relax.

When I look through a camera, I don’t think about how the final image will turn out. I don’t ever remember photography being a competition. When you take a photo and you think it turned out magnificent, then IT DID. Anytime you publish a photo, may it be on the web or print, you’ll always get different feedback. You can’t please everyone when you take a photo, but if you truly believe that you did a great job, then that’s all it matters. If people like the photo, then they’ll LIKE IT, and if they don’t, THEY WONT, it’s not complicated. I started photography for a reason, and it was to show everyone MY STYLE; I’m not trying to mimic a world class photographer. What makes someone unique is their own style and when you are to think that you need to change yourself to please others, then there is something really wrong. People shouldn’t judge the work they didn’t created.

Putting photography aside, I look at this past 2010 trip as a...

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:52:00 -1000

Putting photography aside, I look at this past 2010 trip as a new connection. My sister and I will always have are differences but when everyone matures you finally understand why you had a sibling from the start. Going to Oregon, I saw a sister that I missed for 2 years. I was so proud of her, completing her Bachelors and Masters with the University of Oregon and continuing on to get her Medical Degree. Our bond is special because we were both saved by two wonderful parents. She’s adopted from Korea, while I was later picked up in China. I’ll certainly miss her in the future years ahead; but I’ll always remember that she’s my sister, not a person or colleague, a sister because having a friend is different that having a sibling. May it be a brother or sister, you’ll always remember that you’re apart a family that cannot be separated.

Photographing a group of friends has got to be the best aspect...

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 21:20:00 -1000

Photographing a group of friends has got to be the best aspect of being a photographer. Seeing the interaction between best friends brings a sort of pleasure that strengthens yourself as a photographer. Watching Christine, Katherine, and Jamie laughing and having fun just proves that being photographed shouldn’t be a tense moment for your self-esteem. The best photographs are the ones taken unexpectedly; I learned that on a recent trip to the Boeing Factory. You could get the best model to pose for you but does that show “true” emotions in a picture? Those are want you call “Fakys.” My definition for the perfect picture is…”You being yourself, you shouldn’t be “trying” to smile or pose. Everything should fluid and natural.”

I’ve decided to upgrade my 15 inch Macbook Pro to the...

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:04:00 -1000

I’ve decided to upgrade my 15 inch Macbook Pro to the newest 17 inch Macbook Pro. The reason for upgrading was mainly for processing my photos at a faster rate. Of course, I purchased the Top-Of-The-Line Macbook Pro…..which costs way too much! This new laptop is perfect for on-location shoots, I can process the photos right then and there; it’s even better than my iMac!

I don’t purchase these “pricey” items for my pleasure, it’s important to remember that it strengthens me professionally while producing better work. I spend money for my clients, so they can get the best quality out of me.

“Materialistic items should never define a person or professionalism.” - Troy Wong

A traditional Friday Night Fireworks show. Anytime I take a...

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:55:00 -1000

A traditional Friday Night Fireworks show.

Anytime I take a picture at the park, I get such a calm feeling flowing through my body. Standing in the cool air with the mists from the salt water puts you in such a calm mood. You shouldn’t stress over wondering what your settings should be on your camera; it’s best to just enjoy the scenery than the turn out of your picture. I’ve always thought that if you know how you want your final image to turn out on your camera, then it WILL happen. Photography isn’t meant to stress your nerves, it’s a way to express yourself through your feelings. If you get tense and worry about how the image will turn out, then it’ll turn out like crap; you just need to relax.

Behind the scenes… With any great photo, there are...

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:51:00 -1000

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6

Behind the scenes…

With any great photo, there are multiple stages that are taken to produce that final image for the world to see. Photographers call this, “post-production”. In this blog, I’ll show you the original photo and “stages” that it took to make that final image. (Look through the photos from left to right, left being the original image.)

Stage 1 (Original image) - This first shot was taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens.

Stage 2 - Once imported into Aperture 3, I tried to correct the white balance and best as I could and did some small enhancements.

Stage 3 - After a breif edit in Aperture, I export the picture to Photoshop CS5. There, I selected out the iPhone and made the background pure white.

Stage 4 - The photo is then imported into Aperture once again, to enhance the photo even further with some dodging and burning. I also decide to add a vingette so your eyes focus on the iPhone.

Stage 5 (optional) - You think the image looks fine, ya? Not to me…I export the image back into photoshop to add a drop shadow on the iPhone to add a little depth and contrast.

Stage 6 (The final stage) - After I finished tweaking the amount of shadow in Photoshop, I imported the photos back into Aperture for the last time. Editing the finishing touches to make the photo look awesome.

Well that was your behind the scenes on how a photo is edited. Not all of my photos go through this elongated process. Only the best makes the cut.

Who: Jaime Ann Mukai Where: Ala Moana Beach Park When: July 10,...

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:47:00 -1000

Who: Jaime Ann Mukai

Where: Ala Moana Beach Park

When: July 10, 2010

The Vision: Jaime’s photoshoot was special in many ways. It was my first time using my new Canon 85mm f.1.2 II lens; the lens surly made a difference in quality and sharpness, I was flabbergasted. The colors of the photos are very calm and soothing; I wanted to portray a calm and serenity like feeling when viewing the photos. You look at Jaime, and you look at the scenery, it just works. Each person I photograph has this certain vibe thats clicks in me. Once you talk and sit with them, you know what style of photography you should be shooting. You being the photographer must know what the situation should be and how it’s being produced.