Enlighten Me
Lights are always one of my favorite subjects to capture. Today, I realized why I truly have a fascination with colorful lights, almost like I understood the true meaning of Christmas (except I'm not even Christian.) So, what do they remind me of? My daydreams.
Lights are always one of my favorite subjects to capture. Today, I realized why I truly have a fascination with colorful lights, almost like I understood the true meaning of Christmas (except I'm not even Christian.) So, what do they remind me of? My daydreams.
Lights always remind me of that sudden moment when I snap out of a daydream and back to reality. My blurry vision refocuses on what is before me. And as it adjusts, everything on the side, foreground and background becomes the blur because all I am looking at is just one thing. What I see here in these photos are exactly what are in my visions during that instantaneous and transitional moment.
Here are some of my favorite shots from tonight's wander-ful walk through the neighborhood. Enjoy my version of holiday lights and see what are In My Visions.
I spy Rudolph lit up in LED, but look at all the lights!
Jamaica Ave, Queens
Happy Holidays!
Laura
Kolonihavehus by Tom Fruin
Kolonihavehus
The Danish word for garden shed.
I love color. I love flowers, plants and anything organically green. So, naturally something like a garden shed art installation would attract my attention! When I read that Tom Fruin's latest NYC art installment would be available for more than just a few days, I had to see it for myself-- but minus the crowds of people. Thankfully, this one is sticking around until June 2015, so there is no rush to see it this week or even this month.
There are two things I avoid doing unless it is a must:
1) being in crowded places and 2) including people in the photos I take of places. I like to feel alone when I am in my visions-zone. I like to feel as if I am the only one there taking in all of its glory. Honestly, I just wanted to take my time with this one.
So, what better way to do all of this at my own pace than to wake up at the crack of dawn, and beat the crowd! Yes, I was up by 5:30AM this morning and was out the door by 6AM. It took me about an hour to actually get from my location in Queens to the Brooklyn Bridge. I was there for over an hour and the only other people around me were joggers, park sanitation workers and one other photographer who wasn't even there to photograph the Kolonihavehus. It was heaven for me.
The other best part that worked in my favor was that since this installment came out in September, this isn't really brand new. It's not the latest blockbuster that everyone is rushing to the theaters to screen.
I can't remember the last time I willingly woke up so early in the morning, but I have to say that it was all worth it. Perhaps I'll have to do that again.
Check out the Kolonihavehus at 3 different hours this Sunday morning.
The Kolonihavehus at 7AM.
The Kolonihavehus at 7:30AM.
The Kolonihavehus at 8:30AM.
The Kolonihavehus at 9:30AM.
And for more photos, view the gallery in the "Visions" tab under "NYC Art" or (click here).
<3,
Laura
Travel Diaries: The Fault in My Fears
It felt like a dream. The islands of Coron in Palawan, Philippines-- I was in love with all of it-- and I wish I could go back right now.
Everything they say about wanderlust is true...the excitement, the fulfillment, the adrenaline rush, and finally the feeling you are left at the pit of your stomach when it all ends. I still can't describe the exact feeling I got when I knew my days were counting down to zero. All I remember is that moment I was on my 15-hour flight flying backward into the Eastern time zone and I was hit by the realization that this was it. There was no turning back. I'm stuck in this window seat with two snoring individuals and not a single tissue to wipe the snot flowing out of my nose. Yes, that's a lot of information that I'll get to in a second.
Upon arrival of Club Paradise in Coron, Palawan
It felt like a dream. The islands of Coron in Palawan, Philippines-- I was in love with all of it-- and I wish I could go back right now.
Everything they say about wanderlust is true...the excitement, the fulfillment, the adrenaline rush, and finally the feeling you are left at the pit of your stomach when it all ends. I still can't describe the exact feeling I got when I knew my days were counting down to zero. All I remember is that moment I was on my 15-hour flight flying backward into the Eastern time zone and I was hit by the realization that this was it. There was no turning back. I'm stuck in this window seat with two snoring individuals and not a single tissue to wipe the snot flowing out of my nose. Yes, that's a lot of information that I'll get to in a second.
I didn't feel like sleeping, and I saw nothing outside the plane except the faint grey clouds below me and the fading sunset sky. So I turned to the movie collection readily available a tap away. It was the latest batch of movies currently playing in theaters. I had already seen half of the list on my flight going to Asia, so I decided to watch the one movie I avoided tapping during that initial flight. I avoided watching The Fault in Our Stars because I knew what a sob fest I would become-- and I let that sob fest become me that very flight home. I let the waterworks devour my eyes and although I deeply wished to blow my nose, I couldn't bring myself to tap the man peacefully asleep next to me, and awaken him just so I could grab toilet paper to control my mucus. I think I was more embarrassed to have him see the emotional mess I was. Imagine waking up to a tap on the shoulder by a sobbing woman in her mid-twenties?? Scary. I knew that I wasn't just crying about the inevitable death in a beautifully flawed love story that was playing before me on a little screen. I was crying because this trip was over and I didn't know when I would be able to go back again!
Coron, Palwan
I realized this wasn't just any vacation. This was a journey that I wanted my soul to experience. This was an adventure of a lifetime. It began with a visit to see my Grandma in Taiwan, a trip to my roots. But, then my journey led me to the Philippines where my heart opened up to another side of the world that I've only read about in textbooks and seen photos of on travel blogs. For two decades I yearned to see another world through my own eyes...through my own vision. This was just the beginning because the flame inside me has been lit and I won't let it burn out here.
Coron, Palwan
It took me 23 years to finally see blue water for the first time. My first time was earlier this year when I visited Cartagena, Colombia, and boy does it thunderstorm when it finally starts to rain. Not only did I cross that blue water dream off my bucket list earlier this year, but I got to cross it off with an extra bold, red sharpie after this trip to the Philippines. These are the bluest most beautiful waters in the world...dare I say prettier than Cartagena. My eyes tear a little just reimagining that vision I had only a month and a half ago.
That's right. It has been over a month since I came back from the Philippines and all I can think about during these chillier New York days are warm, sunny skies, toes in the sand and the sight of infinite blue in the horizon. My appetite was satiated with high cholesterol dishes and the most sour drinks I can ever sip. My Vitamin-D deficient skin turned sun-kissed. My spirits were uplifted. And, of the 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines, I went to 7 islands during my 8-day trip.
All was uplifting and rewarding. Money was spent in all the right places and not a penny lost was regretted. This post took awhile to write because I couldn't bring myself to look at my photographs right away. I needed some time away from the memory because every sift through my album sprinkled a little salt in the wound. I think aside from my jetlag and inability to spring back to my New York routine immediately, I was also afraid that looking through my photos meant my love had ended and the dream was over. I was scared because I didn't know when I would be able to visit the Philippines again. There are so many places in this world that I want to eventually visit, but I am one person who can only explore one country at a time. I had let my fears get the best of me.
Just like that fear of watching The Fault in Our Stars because I did not want to cry a river, I was afraid that my wonderful memories of the Philippines would only ruin my less blue and warm reality. But, of course I knew deep down that it wasn't and isn't really over. I will travel again and I will fall in love as I do when I fall asleep...slowly, and then all at once.
If the sky was truly a reflection of the sea, then this explains it.
Here's the first entry of my trip to Asia. I'll be dreaming of this trip tonight. Back to the days I would eat, sleep, swim, and repeat.
Love,
Laura
For my full Philippines album, visit the page under the "Places" tab (click here), which I recommend, or scroll through the preview down below:
Travel More
Travel more was and is my 2014 New Year's Resolution.
The definition of Travel is as follows:
trav·el
verb
make a journey, typically of some length or abroad
I know that everyone says they want to travel more, but this year, I meant it. For many of you who know me, knew me, hardly know a single thing about me...here is the truth. I hardly traveled before the year 2014. And to prove this, here's the breakdown with NUMBERS! Numbers always help, right? Oh, and I'll throw in a map a little later on.
Prior to 2014, I had only been to two of seven continents: North America and Asia -- and I really shouldn't even count my birth country as a country I've been to in the world because I've lived here all my life. Within those continents, I've only been to three countries: The United States (where I was born), Taiwan (where my family is from), and Canada (the closest country I could easily cross a border and visit).
How many countries are in the world, you ask? 196. (Well-- sort of.)
When I typed into the search engine, "how many countries are in the world?" Google gave me an extended explanation, and said:
There are 196 countries in the world today. Taiwan is not considered an official country by many, which would bring the count down to 195 countries. Although Taiwan operates as an independent country, many countries (including the U.S.) do not officially recognize it as one.
Yes, I googled that number. (hover over the "googled that number")
Here. Let me show you a map of the world! Click to enlarge and see if you can spot Taiwan!
Free map from vectortemplates.com
HINT: THE MAP DOES NOT LIST TAIWAN NEXT TO THE ISLAND.
Well, clearly I am a little biased. So, 196 countries in this world it is-- Taiwan included. And that means THREE countries is how many I've been to...that is until this year.
Since January, I've been to 6 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Two of those cities were in states that I have never been to: Georgia and Illinois.
In May, I visited one country outside the United States: Colombia
Which, by the way, is a brand new country that I added on to my traveled list, but also happens to be a country in South America, making this year the first time I visited a new continent, too!
To take this a little further, and since the year is not over yet, I'll be in the continent of Asia in ONE day! I will be in Taiwan, which IS A COUNTRY, for a little under a week and then flying to the Philippines for the first time, which I am absolutely excited to visit.
So, you see, I was not a well traveled person before the year 2014. I felt the need to explore a little more of what my country had to offer before I jumped overseas. I took a quick trip to Atlanta, Georgia in Januaray, starting the new year right with my resolution. Then, the rest was history and just flowed easily! I was booking weekend trips to major cities like Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. I basically squeezed a trip in to whatever long weekend I could take with company holidays. Work also allowed me to travel to Orlando, FL and Berkeley, CA. In May, I got to visit Cartagena, Colombia in South America for just a quick 5-day trip. And if we're looking into the future, tomorrow, I'll be in Asia visiting Taiwan and then off to the Philippines, a new country I am visiting for the first time.
Taken from my flight from NYC to Orlando, FL
NYC all lit up. Taken on my flight from NYC to Atlanta, GA
In all my life-- before I decided to make traveling happen-- I followed the rules of my parents, the rules of my teachers, and the rules of my work environment. But, when I stepped away from all of that on my personal time, I realized that there was (and is) a heck lot more room for me to humanize myself. We live our lives day to day, following a routine and a work flow. But, having a hobby, surrounding yourself with people and things your love, and loving yourself, is just as important-- for sanity sake. For me, ever since I expanded my vision and used my camera as a third set of eyes, I also expanded my vision of the world. Photography has led me to more places than I have ever been to in the past decade of my life. Photography has inspired me to travel more.
Yes, the world out there can seem big and scary, but beyond the bad, there is also good. There are good people and there is goodness in this world. Outside of the bustling city that is New York City, there is more that can be found. I'm not saying that I want to leave my life and live a completely new one. I just want to temporarily get away from my sheltered surroundings and make a journey, for some length, abroad.
I'm simply just saying that I want to travel more.
Love,
Laura Chang
La Vida Glamour
My favorite subject to photograph is color, especially when they stand out brightly. I've also always been fascinated by people and their various styles, especially how individuals can wear the same outfit in multiple ways and differently. Every person has their unique accent and what better way to capture the details in a person's style than with a different camera angle-- a different vision-- of the same subject. Exploring my visions with Fashion blogger, Vanessa Santos, has been new and very exciting for me.
My favorite subject to photograph is color, especially when they stand out brightly. I've also always been fascinated by people and their various styles, especially how individuals can wear the same outfit in multiple ways and differently. Every person has their unique accent and what better way to capture the details in a person's style than with a different camera angle-- a different vision-- of the same subject. Exploring my visions with Fashion blogger, Vanessa Santos, has been new and very exciting for me.
Vanessa from the Bronx has her own style blend of city-chic and edgy street-wear. And, there's no doubt that she adores the original "Jenny from the block." Vanessa can trade in sneakers for stilettos, and still pull off the wardrobe from day to night, blurring the line between traditional work-casual and the classic "girly" looks. We have been shooting in the Bronx for the past 8 looks, and what I love most is finding an apartment alleyway, corner garden, exposed brick wall, or public space, and creating what Vanessa likes to call, "a luxe environment where you least expect it." The best part? Her website is also bilingual: English and Spanish.
You can check out my photographs of Vanessa in her V-styled outfits featured on her newly launched website, La Vida Glamour.
Here are some of my favorite looks so far, but stay tuned for plenty more looks to come!
You can check out her looks at her website: http://lavidaglamour.com/
Follow her instagram: @Lavidaglamour
Want to know more? Here's some Vanessa Santos trivia.
Style Icons: Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Olivia Palermo
Superpower: I wish I had the power to heal diseases
Favorite Color: Green
Worst Nickname: Venis the penis :/
One Beauty Product I Can't Live Without: Maybelline BB Cream
Last thing you searched on Google: NY Giants Pre Season Schedule
Last song you listened to: Best Mistake by Ariana Grande
Guilty pleasure: Shoes and Savory Food (Mac & Cheese!)
Biggest Pet Peeve: People who are unorganized, late and have lack of consideration
Word you use too often: Fu$k
My "Dirty" Secret: it won't be a secret if I tell you :p
View Vanessa's full gallery below and under "People."
