From the ashes, she rises once more

Everyone meets someone unique every once in a while... Meeting someone who perservere through life's trials of fire and rise again from the ashes, that's definitely inner strength unseen. Stacy and Harold are two such persons. Wife of two months to Army Sgt Adam W. Estep, Stacy went through the worst type of pain that I can only claim to fathom. But time heals and despite not seeing Stacy going through the pain she went through for the past years (and will probably continue to face), it is my greatest honor and privilege to see her rise from the ashes. Her new mate, almost a common man, but one that possesses healing energy of a water dragon of sorts. Definitely one of the biggest heart a creature could claim to own, a kind soul and a being of true love; he managed to coax and soothe her from her burning cinders. Wings torn, golden feathers in soot, she rise again, slowly but surely. I watched in tears, my heart trembled. I am sadden by their circumstance but I envy their bond. These two mythical beings join into a harmonious cry. Such roaring silence of rebirth. For this is truly, life's greatest trials. Stacy and Harold, you both have opened my heart. My warmest wishes to you both. May life open doors in every direction as you move into your new life together. Wedding Album shot at Hakone Garden in Saratoga and Maggiano's in Santana Row - Michael Soo

Wedding Cake Photography, the natural way

Making food photography look better than before using natural AND artificial lighting! I hope you didn't blink. This is the last shot of the day where the baker made an amazingly beautiful wedding cake in less than 2 hours!!! We were using the stone background when the setting sun started shining it's warm golden light onto the wall (top right), casting the shadow of the structure 50 feet above. It lasted mere minutes. I whipped out my 35mm lens to include more background in the shot, change the 5 lights setup in 2 minutes (if you've done wedding or engagement photography, that'll improve your reflexes and thinking speed. Anything "wedding" has to be done in lightning speed, both physically and mentally. The lighting on the cake itself was controlled to show the depth of a white cake that still has texture within itself. The light behind the cake was carefully metered to be subtle and to accent the background, lighting what was supposed to be dark. Its dual purpose is to light up the "La" in "La Baguette" as well. Now, it glows a halo around the cake. Nice! Just what I needed. Within 2 minutes, all the lights were setup to show the white cake on white tablecloth nicely while the composition is surrounded by darker shadows (except the La Baguette paint). Perfect. I took 4-5 shots and the light that hit the wall was there no more. Could I recreate it? Of course! How much would it cost me to recreate a cookied shot like that using the best equipment? $10,000. (A high end Fresnel light + powerpack + a nice tall lightstand + a cookie board) Uh, any cheaper way? $3000. (A fresnel light modifier, the light of course, a tall light stand and a cardboard) Still expensive? $300. (Two really tall light stand, a cardboard and a light source but you need to do it at night. How much would it cost to do it with nature's help? Priceless! - MS