Chaos After the Storm: High Contrast Clouds Effect

After one of the biggest storms hit the city, the rain stops and the sky slowly begins to clear...but not fast enough. I look up and notice these striking clouds, the remains from the storm. 

I ended up playing up the effects of this by upping the contrast and saturation to create this high contrast clouds imagery of the city.

Featured on Flickr's Explore. 

Teamlab Borderless's Heavenly Blue-Green Forest of Lamps

One of my favorite rooms at Teamlab Borderless, a fantasy-like reality world where there are truly no borders--everything you've ever dreamed of comes to life and extends beyond infinity.

This Forest of Lamps room was filled with a ton of lamps (of course) and mirrors in every direction to create this surreal imagery. The changing colored-lights give it a new, exquisite look and feel as you walk across the room, feeling like you are truly in a whole different realm.

[Chosen as the cover photo for a Flickr Group] 

Tranquil Mindset: Water Reflections at Shinjuku Garden

Peaceful, carefree garden with clear reflections of the trees and blue skies.

Came across this pond and thought it would make a perfect capture with the super transparent reflections and perfectly aligned trees!

The Snow Effect: Tokyo Tower and Skyscrapers Imagery

Breathtakingly charming Tokyo at night. The Tokyo Tower shines brightly surrounded by dozens and dozens of skyscrapers nearby.

I was looking through different advertisements and layouts in a magazine and came across some snowfall designs and was inspired to create an image showcasing snow falling in Tokyo.

The Golden Thai Pavilion in Tokyo, Japan

Such a surprise seeing the exquisite Thai Golden Pavilion in the middle of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo! Intricate details, colors, and shapes are intertwined together to create this brilliant masterpiece.

One of my favorite finds at the park for sure!

Into the Unknown: Magical Lights in the Forest

This is inspired by all of the animated movies with dynamic imagery and dark, mystical landscapes with hints of optimism and light.

I wanted this to be dramatic with an explosive amount of lights coming from all directions, with a mysterious vibe in the air. I took a normal photo of a park and began experimenting with the color effects (saturation, hues, contrast, darkening filters) to create a moody vibe. I then added various colored circles + triangles and made tweaks around it to create different shapes across the entire image with a mix of blur effects and distortion.

The Contrast of the Sunset Glow and Skyscraper Lights

It's always amazing witnessing the sun slowly set--watching the natural light disappear and seeing darkness gradually appear...with the skyscrapers lighting up with artificial lights, getting brighter and bolder as the sky continues to darken. Seeing the contrast between daylight and nightfall is always spectacular.

Featured on Flickr's Explore.

The Colorful Wheel: Vibrant Lights at the Waterfront

Cosmoworld Waterfront Part I: Probably one of the most vibrant and lively waterfronts I've seen. There are dancing, colorful lights changing every second on the ferris wheel (which was once the largest one in the world!) and unique architecture all around, decorating this mini amusement park.

The reflections were also so clear and bright that you could see all of the different colors from afar and watch it change into different hues throughout the night.

The Autumn Scene: Shinjuku Park's Lush Nature Imagery

These trees are all aligned so symmetrically in a row at Shinjuku Park. The leaves on the ground gave that extra flair, making it the perfect scene in the fall. 

I didn't quite get the autumn trees photo I was looking for...so I made a couple adjustments and added in more of a yellow-orange hue to this image so it is more fall-worthy. 

Mirrored Ceiling Illusion and Art Reflections in Harajuku

A tunnel of people...upside down and everywhere all around.

This is one of the coolest entranceways into a mall in Harajuku with mirrored walls, mirrored ceilings and everything in between. Right in the middle, you can see everyone walking and watch all of that be reflected above. I especially loved the grey and white color cast and seeing that be reflected everywhere was spectacular. This reminds me of the Cloud Gate in Chicago where you can walk under the bean and see similar types of reflections.

Featured on Flickr's Explore.

Classic Beauty of Nijo Castle by the Waters

A historical castle right by the water.

The beautiful light with the sun starting to set really added that extra warm glow and spectacular reflections. Had to capture this moment!

Featured on Flickr's Explore.

Tower of Lights: Majestic Tokyo Tower at Night

I've always wanted to see this tower up close for so long and finally had the chance to see it at night. The lights were so brightly orange that the tower was radiating from miles away.

A close up shot really showed the intricate designs of it--just look at the very top and see how much thought was put into the designs to reflect the traditions and cultures of the country!

Stunning Architecture and Design at the Chase Center

The new Chase Center at Mission Bay is finally here and it has one of the most modern and unique designs ever. I especially loved this building--everything about it is so exquisite and artsy. This arena is definitely changing the look and feel of the neighborhood...and the entire aerial view of the city!

Calming Blue Sunset Sky and Water Waves

A super blue sky with hints of yellow-pink hues as the sun starts to set. The water gets even bluer and deeper as it prepares to enter into twilight and nightfall.

Salesforce Park's Stunning Green Space and Skyscrapers

An unexpected but much needed park perched on the 4th floor of the Salesforce Transbay Terminal. Over the years, more fun parks and green spaces have opened up in the largest cities across the US and this is another great addition. Surrounded by towering skyscrapers and some of the biggest companies all around, a little fresh air and nature provides everyone a much needed break during those rare lunch hours and afternoon walks.

Patricia Green Park's Magical Tree Art Collage

Future's Past art sculpture image Part III: Another look at the inside of the designs of this beautiful creation...combined together into a collage! Since this was at Patricia Green Park, I kept the collage green and earthy, capturing the essence of nature.

Vista Point's Perspective on the Golden Gate Bridge

One of those famous views captured at Vista Point. Great contrast of blue skies, clouds and the fog hovering over San Francisco city. So glad that at least the sky was clear enough on the Sausalito side so I could capture this bridge clearly!

Red Sunset and Turquoise Blue Hues at La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove Part IV: The shore with crashing waves, rocks, gorgeous beaches, and mountain views from afar. Sunset is always the best time to examine the altering hues of the sky.

I wanted to cast a nice red undertone onto this picture, making the sunset warmer with a brighter glow. The red hues also add a bluer effect on the ocean, creating a stronger and more striking effect.

Navy Pier's Refreshing Night Lights and Skyscrapers

Another chilly night in the city. A walk around Navy Pier offered some of the best views of the city with glimmering lights of the skyline, a bright, full moon, shining trees and clear skies.

Zenness and Greenery at the Portland Japanese Garden

The sun shined so brightly on these plants and trees at the Portland Japanese Garden, making the gorgeous yellow-green hues of nature come to life. I loved how there were so many different shades of green in this scene, all so clear and concise with their own uniqueness in full display, creating a calmness that can only be found here.

Manhattan Bridge Views from DUMBO, Brooklyn

Stumbled upon this block with a view of the Manhattan bridge, not realizing this is one of the most famous views from Brooklyn of the bridge...until we see a swarm of other tourists capturing this glorious scenery.

Serenity and Sunlight at San Francisco's Ocean Beach

A simple view of the ocean that puts you at ease in an instant.

There was something with the fog, the clouds, the blue sky and the streaming sunlight (at a couple hours before sunset) mixed in together that really made this photo stand out to me. This is a simple capture but yet so special because of how these components blended in together, creating that classic beach scene.

Manhattan's Evolving Skyline at Sunset

100 floors above overlooking New York's stunning views across lower Manhattan and midtown.

Came at the perfect time to capture the day views and sunset views as the sun started to set, offering beautiful hints of yellow and pink hues across the entire skyline, with dusty, fading colors.

Desert Botanical Garden's Large Cacti Plants

Desert Botanical Garden Part III: One of the tallest and oldest cacti plants still thriving at the garden with tons of history written all around it. It was difficult to capture the full magnificence, beauty, and height of this plant!

Tropical Paradise: Shining, Dancing Colors on Leaves

Conservatory of Flowers Night Bloom Part IV: One of the coolest light exhibits ever...on plants!

Had to take a close up photo of these super cool green leaves. The sparkly colors shine so brightly on these, and it looks like a million magnificent lights from afar.

Featured on Flickr's Explore

The Fade into Darkness: Neutralized Pink and Blue Skies

Camelback Lake Part V: The brightest, most colorful skies are always seen the moment right during sunset. Wait 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and so forth after and the colors continue to fade and neutralize into lighter, airier tones as the light continues to disappear. I waited it out for a long time and loved the grey cast that slowly appears as the saturation of the colors continue to lighten.

The water reflections and palm trees are always so perfect here, making it one of my favorite photo spots ever.

Hilton Hotel's Lights and Interior Decor Collage

So many different types of light fixtures with unique designs across every room at the Hilton Hotel. I loved the moody lighting of these rooms; they're not too bright yet not too dim. I combined a mix of my favorites and added some of my favorite views from the highest floor, the Cityscape Lounge.

The Reflecting Pool: Pastel Colors at Washington Monument

After walking a long, long way to the other side of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, we took time to sit...and reflect on our lives.

As the sun slowly started to descend and the colors of the sky darkened, with hints of orange-pink hues, the reflections of the clouds became even more prominent and was even sharper and bolder on the reflecting pool. Such a magnificent place, worth every minute of the walk.

The Abstract Life: Ethereal, Pastel Stairway Imagery

It was a normal staircase when we walked by, but the way the sun was shining inside the museum gave it a unique look and feel. The shadows were all in the right place. Right then and there, I was inspired to brighten up the image with a couple effects.

First, I added a couple sun flare effects to give it that magical, exquisite look. I lightened the image, blurred then sharpened the staircases and windows, changed up a couple of the hues and then lowered the saturation so it offered a smooth, pastel vibe. Then, I cloned the staircase image, flipped it, and made it symmetrical on the right side. To make it even more of an abstract piece, I cloned various parts of the staircase and windows and smoothed it all over the picture.

Winter Trees and Colorful Sunsets in the Sky

That time of day when the sun magically sets behind these wintry trees. The colors of the sunset and the textures of the clouds complement each other so well, creating a classic imagery that perfectly captures the magnificence of the season.

Golden Interior Designs of Ronald Reagan Airport

One of those airports with the most royal-like interiors. I love the golden designs and the intricate details for this and was pleasantly surprised while strolling through.

Light Rainbow Hues and Palm Tree Sunset Reflections

Camelback Lake Part IV: Probably the sharpest reflections I've ever seen on the clearest waters. These exact reflections of the sky, clouds, and palm trees are completely real - no adjustments added.

The soft, light rainbow hues across the sky can be seen as the sun begins to descend and the clock starts ticking, counting down to the sunset hour.

The Magic Hour at San Francisco's Bay Bridge

A shocking yet tranquil yellow-orange sunset by the Bay Bridge. I loved the soft glow of this and the effects the color of the sky has on the bridge and the water. I decided to add a couple blur circle designs to elevate the magical feel of the photo.

Aerial View of Boston Beaches and Skyscrapers

A little bit hazy with an overcast sky, but the layers of beaches, the ocean, and the skyscrapers can still be seen from all the way above.

United States Capitol Building's Remarkable Dome

One of those historical buildings you have to visit when you're at the United States capital. The inside was so captivating and a picture cannot do this dome justice. Beautiful, intricate designs and details are etched into the interiors of this dome with fascinating histories and stories written all over the capitol.

Dark Vintage Watercolor Reflections and Art Imagery

This is such a surreal lake that I had to take multiple pictures of it. I wanted to play around with the hues and saturation of it and give it a nice, soft, pastel dream-like quality but also add a darker effect to it with lowered saturation for a moody vintage-y vibe.

Ray of Light: Oculus Mall's Modern Architecture and Design

A stunning design for the largest mall in the city. The interior of this is spectacular letting natural light enter into the shopping area with modern designs, shadows, and inspiration around every corner.

Pink Sunset Skies and Palm Trees by the Lake

Camelback Lake Part III: Such delicate colors and beauty by the lake during the most beautiful hour of the day, intertwined between the glorious golden and blue hours of sunset. This was so peaceful and one of the most breathtaking views ever.

Land of the Free: Intricate Library Designs & Architecture

One of the most intriguing historical libraries I've ever seen. Exquisite art and mosaic, colorful patterns are etched into all aspects of the Library of Congress, from column designs to chandeliers to ceilings and more. I particularly loved this view of the library interiors as it captures the splendid artistry and the magnificent statue all in one piece. The statue also illustrates the meaning of freedom for us all.

The Mountain in the Desert: Thriving Green Cacti Plants

Desert Botanical Garden Part II: With all the rain that Phoenix has been getting during the winter, this desert is actually very green for once, which is such a rare sight. I loved this mountain filled with cacti plants...everywhere. This is definitely my favorite part of this garden; I can stare at this view for hours and hours and walk along this path for a while.

Stairway to Heaven: Blue-Green Gradient Imagery

Believe it or not, this is actually an art piece from a museum.

I saw this and immediately had to capture it before closing time. I loved that these stacked pieces of glass resemble a stair case and have blue-green gradient hues.

After looking at it for a while, I knew I had to do something with this photo and change up the background. Since it resembles stairs...why not make it a stairway...to heaven? That's where the picture perfect saturated blue sky and clouds photo come into play, adding that finishing touch.

Spring's Delightful Season: Blooming Sakura Flowers

A close up look at these beautiful white cherry blossom flowers at the heart of San Francisco downtown. Blooming flowers and a partly cloudy sky make an exceptional backdrop and give a nice spring time feel.

Vivid Cherry Blossom Flowers in Washington DC

The pinkest and biggest cherry blossom flowers I've seen so far. Came at the right time where flowers are blooming everywhere as spring fully appears in front of us.

Icy Blue Water Colors and Reflections Imagery

Such striking cloud reflections over a lake near sunset. I love the original colors of this a lot but also thought, what if I changed the hue and saturation of this and gave it a nice, icy blue vibe? The inspiration for this includes a mix of Alaska and Iceland's cool water tones during the cold, winter months.

Inspiration: Go Places Where Time Doesn't Matter

Fully immerse yourself into your favorite activity and allow yourself to enjoy the moment, reflect on what you really want, and soak it all in.

Brilliant Lights & Reflections at Tilikum Crossing Bridge

A city with one bridge after another seen from north to south of Portland at Waterfront Park. Quite an amazing stroll seeing this from sunlight to sunset to nightfall. Dancing, colorful lights and clear, striking reflections take over the city water views at night.

Bright Lights and Palm Trees Paradise

The day slowly fades into sunset and then descends into darkness.

I walk outside the Hyatt Regency and see a huge array of palm trees in front of me. They're aligned so perfectly and beautifully around the fountain that I had to capture this!

Standing Alone: One-of-a-Kind Cactus in the Desert

Desert Botanical Garden Part I: Probably one of the most unique cacti in the desert garden. It was a slightly hazy, mostly cloudy day and on the chilly side in the morning. Definitely the best (and most comfortable) time to capture cacti in the desert!

Wispy, Cirrus Clouds and Bright Blue Sky Reflections

Camelback Lake Part II: Seriously the cleanest, clearest waters...ever. Such clear blue skies with wispy, dreamy clouds that offer the best reflections (and inspiring shapes) here!

Golden Dreams: Pastel Skies and Water Reflections

Camelback Lake Part I: A soft, angelic peach sky appears as the sun slowly descends over the water. Sunsets always evoke a ton of emotions, from excitement to gratefulness and I'm just in awe of the beauty that surrounds us every day.