Ikebana: The Art of Flower Arrangement

Floral art is a type of art that specialize in creating flower in a particular presentation or arrangement. Floral Design molds the flower arrangement in a more lively and appealing way.  There are many countries which show their uniqueness in the field of flower arrangement. One very prominent kind of this style is the Ikebana. Ikebana is a floral design style that started off from Japan which is known for its outward appearance and plainness. It came from the word kado which means “way of flowers” and this style aims to give personal enjoyment to ikebana artists. Discipline and balance of nature and humanity are being joined together in this piece of art.

During the early times, Ikebana is believed to be practiced as a form of Buddhist ritual where flowers are being offered to the spirits of the dead people. This is traced during the 6^th century when Buddhism is being launch in Japan. They give flowers in honor of Buddha and offer such pieces on the altar. Since then, Ikebana became a part of the Japanese culture and influenced the society itself. The first school who teaches Ikebana was discovered in the beginning of 7^th century. Even nowadays, there are about 3,000 Ikebana schools in Japan and a lot more in the United States and other countries as well.  Hawaii photo

Ikebana usually highlights the other part of a plant, like leaves and stem which features the line, form and shape of a certain plant. This art mainly outline three major points primarily the twigs which signifies earth, man and heaven. Some says that those points stand for moon, earth and sun. Due to this the Japanese uplift their appreciation with the nature. They believe that they should always have a certain link to their natural environment. You may even see people who lives at the metropolis, always manage to have a little garden at their place. This thought promotes relaxation on a person’s body, mind and inner soul.

For the Japanese people each type of flower represents an individual aspect. For example, let’s try the plum blossoms. Plum blossoms are a mirror of age and youth which means happiness of youth can be renewed. The lotus flower on the other hand is an image of perfection, truth and immortality. The peony is believed to be a symbol of wealth and prosperity while the morning glory is a mark of being a mortal but such beauty is very memorable. There is the chrysanthemum which represents longevity of life. All these things put distinct image on the Japanese mind and quite influence their daily lives.

Since these beliefs have left marks on the Japanese culture, no wonder many Japanese engage in learning the art of Ikebana. There may not be evidences that support the link of flower in a person’s life, career and health; we can always consider that nature is the best gift God has given us.  It is our pride and honor to mold them in a more pleasant presentation in the world that we live in. by  Hawaii florist and oahu florist

The legend of Totem Poles

Totem poles are significant carvings or sculptures made from cedar trees which are widely grown in the forest of Pacific Northwest.  Giant cedar trees in the Pacific Northwest makes great art pieces. “Totem” originated from the word odoodem which means “his totem or his kinship”. Totem is a creature usually an animal or other ordinary character that looks after and supports a particular group of people or clan. Totemism is a religious conviction which participates in the 19th and early part of 20th century. This belief shows that having one or two totems promotes qualities or elements which a certain clan is longing to learn or follow. Some says that totem poles are not really a structure to be worshipped. Christian missionaries locally just assumed that a certain clan is an association of idol worshippers because they have seen such similarity in line with Shamanism which have an occult practice. Actually totemism are not only bound to Native American Indians only but parallel belief have been discovered in Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, Africa and even in the Arctic Polar section.

Until now, it is still complicated to map out the history of totem poles with their carvers. Usually historians use the design of a certain totem pole in concluding what period it was created. They believe that certain totem poles are carved until the end of 19th century while some have stood for 50-60 years only. But in Royal BC Museum you may find some examples of totem pole which exist even before 1800 echoed by European explorers that proves it exist before 1800, quite small and minority in number. Apparently, totem pole carvings weaken due to the importation or iron and steel tools which greatly produce wooden goods carvings.

There are a wide variety of totem pole designs; it includes links about clan ancestry, recognizable legends and remarkable events. There are poles which are created to commemorate a certain cultural belief while others are for artistic fulfillment. Some totem poles are designed for mortuary aspect. Some character on the poles remind symbols concerning murders, debts and other horrible events that Indians preferred to left unspoken. But there are house front pole which brings success and luck at some families.

There are also different types of totem poles; one is the indoor house pole, this hold the roof and bears the symbol of the clan. Another type is the house front pole which is located at the main entrance of a house. Third is the heraldic pole, which also stands at the front portion of the house which signifies the history of the family. Forth one is the burial poles that hold the story of the deceased person, then there are ridicule poles that brings shame to debtors and finally the pot latch poles which are specially carved by the Haida to honor festivities.

Whether or not it brings luck or anything on a person’s life, it is no doubt that it can be considered to be as an awesome work of art. By  Hawaii vacation and Hawaii art

Food For A Pose

How many billion people around the globe are snapping photos 365 days a year? 7 days a week? 24 hours a day? Their subject? No, it is not landscapes, still life or people but food. Yes. You read it right. Food. Food photography that is.

Mouth watering food, sultry dishes, and appetizing delicacies. Who could imagine that people will go venture to new horizon such as food photography. Who could resist looking at tempting foods enough to feed your mind? We see their work on covers of the magazines and cookbooks

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or invent in the restaurants’ web page. It is said to be a form of still life photography, which means the photographer treats the food as if it is still life. Now I am wondering, they hire professional photographers to take pictures of food? How cool can it be? And do they get to taste the food they took picture of?

Chefs collaborate with the photographer, food stylist, and other staff so that the food will have a dramatic effect. With fancy lightings, a little drizzle of sauce over here and a sprinkle of spices over there and BOOM! Works of art that will make even the gods of Olympus drool. Magnifico!

Props? Normal household tools like table linens, silverware, vases, glasses and even the plate itself can help your shots become glamorous. The food itself should be symmetrical with your background. It must jive with the theme of the picture itself.

Talking about food, they use food photography as a means of advertising. And most of the foods they advertise are the ones that are sold more that we could chew. The bill does not only consist of the main course itself, but the photographer’s fee as well. They sometimes use dummy food (such as mashed potatoes for ice creams,). This kind of photography takes time, money, effort and a lot of patience.

The photographer does not consider anything as the major or minor shot in food photography. If in conventional photography, elements are essential, it is no different in food photography. All is fair in shots and lights.

One can always be a food photographer in their own way. Just grab a dish, design it to perfection, take a camera and click your heart away. If you are still not happy with your work and you want to brag about post in your blog account or in your online community. Who knows? Your food photo might start a new trend. Your friends might ask for your “professional tips”. And maybe in the near future, you will see yourself in the food photography business as well.

They say we eat with our eyes and presentation is the key in attaining a good food photo. Sometimes, the food photo is the center of the article itself. Readers tend to look at the picture rather than reading the article itself. But the photographers, especially the chef should remember that great food does not come only in packaging, the taste is what completes the whole advertisement.  Article feature by Kauai weddings

  

 

 

Bringing Color to Black and White Photography

During the early times, colored photos were not yet invented. However, there was black and white photography.  The first colored magazines were not really all colorful.  There were some photos that were in full color but the rest were all in black and white.

Even in the early years, people did not opt to use colorful picture.  They were satisfied with just using a black and white film. Why?  This is because printing and processing in color was really expensive.  More expensive than using black and white film.  The worst part of it is the quality of the colored images was often poor because majority of it was done in low cost laboratories by amateurs.

Our world today is full of colorful images.  Even photos in the newspaper are already considered in pretty good quality.  Full color images are present everywhere! Magazines, newspapers, ads and even in the Internet!  And proud to say, they look crisp and very well balanced!

For photo enthusiasts, thanks to the birth of digital cameras that produce high quality photos with color images far better than before.  For photo experts and for those whose livelihood depends on photography, the age of digital cameras is considered a dream come true to them.  When the age of full color images came into the scene, the black and white photo plummeted.  This is because manufacturers were producing more and more high quality of colored films and very affordable prices.  This came to a point where it is hard to buy black and white films.

The result was devastating.  Black and white photography vanished for a while.

For the past few years, black and white photography became something that is hard to do and tough to process.  This is the reason why people nowadays are bringing color again to black and white photography.  When it comes to print advertising, black and white photography is a must.  Black and white photography feels real and fresh.  Black and white photography enthusiasts also made ways to make this type of photography easy to manipulate.

Black and white photography is definitely back!  These days, modern wedding request photographers to use black and white films for their weddings.  This is because black and white photography creates a dramatic image. This type of photography is still a great way to learn about photography because you will learn how a film plays with light.  This is why photography experts and teachers never stopped in teaching beginners on how to capture winning photos using black and white photography.

The main reason is that black and white photography is still beautiful and this is the main reason why it was brought back.

Black and white photography was mostly used for people photography.  It is a fact that black and white photography is timeless.  If you are someone who is aspiring to become a black and white photographer, then you should try to read the life about Ansel Adams.  He is considered as the father of black and white photography.  You can definitely learn a lot from him.

Sports Photography

It is a fact that there is nothing more heart pumping activity than sports.  Every time you see the field, golf course, or rink you could just feel that anticipation and excitement.  What more if this is combines with the fastest growing technology which is digital photography.  By learning the basics and how to’s of digital photography, you can definitely create amazing sport photos.  One thing you should remember is that is doesn’t matter what brand of camera you use.  The most important thing is to get to know your camera and learn how to work it.

Sports Digital Photography can be quite challenging.  It is not an easy task to take photos of people who are moving fast.  However, you can definitely learn how to achieve a winning sport photo.  All you have to do is be patient to learn the ins and outs of Sport digital photography.

Here are some tips to help you out capture great Sport photos:

You have to know your digital camera.  You can achieve this by practicing and by checking all the settings.  You can experiment with faster shutter speed, burst mode and increased ISO.  Get to know your camera so that you can apply it and create winning pictures.

You will need a faster shutter speed for you to capture a “frozen look”.  Remember that you are dealing with people with fast movement in Sports photography.  A faster movement requires you to use a faster shutter speed.  The main objective that you should learn is that the shutter speed should be faster than the moving object.

Make sure that your scene well lit.  However, if you are to take shots indoors and the room is not lit well, this won’t be a problem since all stadiums will be well lit.  The only thing you should worry about is that this does not guarantee you a good quality picture.  When it comes to Sport photography, you should have control on the artistic value and control of your camera.  There is no way for us to be able to control the lighting effect since you are in a public place.  Before you jump into Sport photography, you have to understand that it is a challenging hobby.

When you become a sports photographer, it can be as fun and exciting like the games we play.  When it come to sports photography, it is taking the right shot at the right time.  Remember that when it comes to sports photography, you will be faced with a lot of challenges and this does not include technical difficulties yet!

Thanks to the birth of digital cameras, you can already get a good shot without worrying about the cost of the film.  Digital cameras has definitely made photography more convenient and efficient.

These are just some of the basic tips that you have to learn first when it comes to capturing winning photos.  Remember to take as many shots as you want.  Photography is one art that you will enjoy by using the trial and error method.  Just remember to have a theme everytime you want to take photos.  This will keep you focused on the things you want to take photos.

Secrets of Flower Photography

When it comes to capturing great flower photos, you don’t have to be an expert on photography just to create winning images.  Whatever reason you may have for taking flower photos or what kind of flower you prefer, it would be best to learn some basics first before you go out and snap pictures all day.

1. Lighting effect for Flowers – People think that the best time of the day to capture flower photos is during midday, where the sun’s light is the brightest.  What people doesn’t know is that this is the worst time of the day to take photos because of the sun’s exposure and will just wash out the photo and create harsh shadows.  The best time to take flower photos is when there is an overcast.  This is best achieved during sunrise or sunset when the sun’s light is not overpowering.  It would create a saturated color in colors.
2. Experiment with the angles – For you to have a unique and winning flower pictures, try to experiment with the angles by moving around.  Never be satisfied with just one camera view.  You can use a ladder to shoot your subject downwards. Try to get close to the flower and focus on it’s petal or you can try a bird’s eye view.  Experiment with distances.
3. Focus – Make sure that when you capture photos, you have a focal point.  It can be a cluster of flower of just the flower’s vibrant colored petal.  Always pay attention to your view finder .  Watch out  for distractions  or unnecessary things or lines in the background.  Remove all distractions that will cause your attention to move away from the subject.
4. Keep it Still – A shaky hand can ruin a potentially extravagant flower photo.  You might think that your hand is steady but then you will be surprised that you don’t get good quality pictures because of your shaky hand.  If you really cannot avoid your shaky hand then it might be best if you use a tripod.
5. Spice up your Flower – You can always find unique ways to create a winning flower photo.  Try to use dangling vines to create a frame to your flower or try to use insects to make your flower photo unique and interesting.

Flower Photography is considered as one of the most common forms of photography.  This is because flowers are considered as nature’s most beautiful gift here on earth. You can take photos of flowers that are growing in the wild, in gardens or in greenhouses.  You can even take photos of  flower arrangements or in a studio setting.

You can photograph flowers in unusual angles, indoors or outdoors.  Remember that the best time to take flower photos is during early morning or late in the afternoon.  You can also try to use warm filters to create a soft and inviting mood.  Try to add water droplets to give it a dewy effect.  Try to experiment when it comes to taking photos.  The most important thing of all is to practice all the time!You  Hawaii photographer

Learning the Art of Photography

What is the real meaning of photography?  Is it merely capturing cherished moments which you print out and keep in scrapbooks?  There must be a deeper meaning when we talk about photography.  Professional photographers consider photography as an art wherein light is used to produce images.

There are numerous articles written about photography and how to capture images the right way.  Unfortunately most people who read these articles end up confused.  Anyone can capture the best quality of pictures if one knows how to do it the right way.  Of course before you go out and take photos of everything that crosses your path, you should know the basics and how photography came to be.

The camera obscura was the first and the original camera during the earlier days.  It did not contain any film and it was cosidered merely as a drawing device for early day photographers.  It was a small box with a lens and a translucent wide screen on the other side.  The capture image travels through the lens and is shown on the screen.

If you are interested in learning how to take great photos, here are some few tips that would help you learn about the art of photography and its basics.

Choosing the Right Camera

If you are looking for a camera, always remember that the result of the image will not depend on what type of camera you use.  However, you must know that there are factors that affect the quality of the final image regardless what type or brand the camera has.  These factors are:

1. The time you spent to take the picture.

2. Were you able to focus on the subject the whole time or were there any distractions when you took the picture?

3. Were you able to magnify the subject properly?

Keep in mind that not all cameras work at a same speed.  The shutter speed of a camera will play a major role when it comes to shooting your subject.  If you are to take photos of children playing, it would be best to use an automatic camera.  This is to avoid making adjustments such as focus, aperture, and lighting.  However, if you are trying to capture landscapes or other still subjects, then you could use the manual camera.

Lighting Techniques

Each day, there are so many opportunities to take pictures.  Always check the lighting conditions!  If you are taking photos directly below the exposure of the sun, it may cause some serious problems there may be some possibility that dark shadows be visible in the shot.  For you to avoid this effect, try placing your subject below a shaded object.  This could give you a skylight effect which is better than direct exposure of sunlight. You can also try to capture photos during sunrise or sunset, this is another great solution that you could use when it comes to taking photos. The sun’s light is gentler during these hours.  Diffusers and reflectors are other tools which can help you create a great image because they make the photo clearer and more vibrant.

These are just some of the basic tips that you have to learn first when it comes to capturing winning photos.  Remember to take as many shots as you want.  Photography is one art that you will enjoy by using the trial and error method.  Just remember to have a theme everytime you want to take photos.  This will keep you focused on the things you want to take photos.

Dancing the Hawaiian Style

We all know how popular the Hula dance is and we all know that is came from Hawaii.  The question is, do we really know what a Hula dance is?  Fact is, even the people from Hawaii are not really familiar how the Hula came to be.  According to the Hawaiian history there is really no specific documentation that points on who were the people who invented and performed the first Hula dance.  The only fact is, Hawaiians believed that the original Hula dance was performed by Gods, this is why the Hula dance is considered to be a sacred tradition to Hawaiians.  There were also a number of documents that proved that the Hula dance was only performed by men but today, both men and women are already performing the hula dance.

Indeed there are so many kinds of Polynesian dances but the Hula is different and is very unique among all dances.  Traditionally, the hula dance was performed for tribal rituals and ceremonies.  However, these days the hula has changed drastically and is now performed in almost any occasion.

The Hula dance is a form of art that is quite challenging to perform.  Each movement in a hula dance represents something and it is sentimental form of dance.  The choreography of a hula involves the beautiful movement of both body and hands.  A person who is performing the hula dance could portray anything such as animals, a palm tree, plants and even a war.  The performer should feel connected to what he/she is portraying.  The performer serves as a narrator and tells the story by the use of his/her hands and body.  This is also the reason why guests have to pay attention for them to understand the story.

Some hula dances are accompanies by tribal chants.  In the ancient times, the chants are considered as the most vital part of the dance, as the years passed, people paid more attention to the movements rather than the chants.  If you were able to watch the old traditional hula and the modern hula dance, you will obviously see the difference.  The ancient hula dance focuses more on the rituals. Nevertheless, both are fun to watch.

Costumes are also an important part of the traditional hula dance.  Performers wear a string of flowers usually around the shoulders or the neck, this is called the leis.  The grass skirt made from “tapa” or “pau” is also used as a costume.  Performers also wear anklets made from whale bones or dog teeth.  A traditional hula dance is never complete without these traditional cuostumes.

Hawaii is abundant with hula schools and organizations that offers courses on the traditional hula dancing.  Tourists and even local people can definitely take these courses.  Hawaiian people consider the hula dance as a sacred part of their culture.

Hawaii is a great place to have a vacation.  You will definitely be entertained by watching hula dancers performing the old style hula.  There are also dancers who perform the newer version of the dance.  Nevertheless which type of hula dance you prefer to watch, you should also try to attend classes or watch Hawaiian festivities that performs both traditional and modern hula dance for you to experience the real culture of Hawaii.  This is definitely one way to learn about Hawaii’s culture and their way of living.

Strike a Pose for Portrait Photography

There is no doubt that a great amount of pictures that people have are pictures of themselves or their loved ones. Nothing is more precious than reminiscing the good old times with your family and friends. It sort of freezes that moment in time for you to cherish it forever. So it is quite imperative that you know some tips to take those memorable snaps. We will discuss some topics that could help you preserve that precious moment.

First off choose a good background. If you are taking a portrait of a person, that person should be the center of attention of that photo. In this instance its best to use a passive background so as not to overwhelm your subject. A loud background might spill over your subject making it the center of attention. A background composed of soft solid colors is a good example to use. People moving around or a busy intersection is an example of a bad background.

Play around with the eye contact. It simply is amazing how eye contact could make such a big impact in your photo. Have your subject focus into something that is outside of your camera field. This will create a candid environment and may intrigue the viewer as to what the subject is looking at. You could also let your subject look at something or someone inside the frame. By doing so it could create a story within your picture. This will catch your viewers attention as they will try to sort out what your picture wishes to tell. Also you could try focusing on your subject’s eyes. Depending on the mood of your subject it could convey a lot of emotions. Remember that the eyes are the windows of the soul.

Use blurring techniques to make your subject “float” in the picture. The technique to blur out the background is simple you just need to have your camera set with a shallow depth of view. It could be done shooting closer to the subject using a zoom lens. Also you could manually adjust your camera to have a wide aperture setting.

Lighting is another factor in getting a good portrait shot. The basic rule is to use natural light as much as possible. This is very important if you would like to capture the full color range and warmth of the skin. Outdoor settings are the best if you are shooting in daylight. The subject should be positioned in a way that the sun light hits it on the side. Avoid taking photos with the sun behind the subject as this will create shadows that are unsightly. Also do not take a photo when the sun is shining upfront your subject, this will result in distortion and over exposure. A flash could be use to compensate for some shadows that might occur in the face; in the nose area for example.

Lastly try to experiment as many times as possible. This way you could easily know what shots work for you and what cant. As one commercial says “Cherishing that precious moment is priceless for anything else there’s Visa.” by Lotustar.com of fashion photography

The Mark of Excellence

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The Polynesian islands (which include Cook Island, Samoa, Tahiti, and Hawaii) are a favorite tourist destination among Americans and people from around the world. With its pristine beaches and rich tropical culture it is really a place worth visiting. Polynesians have a rich background in the arts. They are known for intricate carvings, embroidery, and other crafts. Among these artform is the Polynesian way of tattooing.

The widely popular style of “Tribal” tattooing could trace its roots in the Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia. The Polynesians refer to tattoo as “tatao” which has a literal meaning “to tap”. Tahitians use the word “tatu” which means “to mark something”. The word “tattoo” was said to be coined by Captain Cook when he explored the pacific islands in the 1700’s.

Polynesian culture did not have a robust system of writing so they used this art of tattooing to make their identity and personality known. Tattoos also indicate a person’s rank, marital status, and ones status in the society. As this is the case almost everyone in ancient Polynesia had a tattoo. Even girls have tattoo on them, usually given when they reach the age of twelve. Traditional tattooing tools came from tortoise shell. They are fashioned like comb with needles carved from it and attached to a wooden handle. The pigment was made from soot of burnt candlenut mixed with oil or water. The needle point is then dipped in the pigment and placed on the skin. A wooden stick will be used to tap the needles wooden handle thus causing the comb to pierce the skin inserting the pigment.

But when the missionaries arrived in 1797 the practice of tattooing was totally banned in the islands as they contradict the teachings of the Bible. In the 80’s renewed interest in Polynesian tattoo grew. Many Polynesians have slowly learned and revived the lost art of tattooing. Though tattooing using traditional methods have been banned in French Polynesia in 1986 because of the difficulty in sterilizing the wooden and bone equipment.

Polynesian tattoo has two different types. The first type is the Enata. Enata designs are usually of natural origins. It might symbolize a person’s life, origin, occupation, social level type, etc. If for example a person is a fisherman he could have a tattoo that will protect him from the dangers of the sea or the elements.

The other type is the Etua. This type of tattoo usually has strong magical, spiritual, and religious meanings. These symbols usually shows honor to a particular person or group of people with a tribe. It is also believed that these tattoos could give its bearer protection from the gods.

Today Polynesian tattoo holds little meaning as it is just based on the design a person wants. Usually popular designs are the tiki (god like figure), the turtle, the ray, the dolphin, the shark, and many other abstract designs. You don’t need to pass such rituals nor go to a shaman to get these tattoos. Just go to any decent tattoo artist and show him the design you want and presto you have a mark that is truly extraordinary.

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