Here are some random trinkets from last year’s Charles Village Festival in Baltimore (same location as where I spotted the Vespa in the previous post).

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@159mm, f/4, 1/1600, ISO 200]

PS. Just 4 more days until Espresso BLISS!

I’ve always wanted an old Vespa… Not necessarily for fun, as I have my fully track-prepped and supercharged MX-5 for that. I still kind of want one for some reason.

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@122mm, f/4, 1/500, ISO 100]

Here are a few shots of various street performers in and around Pier 39 captured during my trip last summer for Google I/O. And yes, that’s a 12-string.

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@200mm, f/4, 1/320, ISO 100]

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@200mm, f/4, 1/400, ISO 100]

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@131mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO 100]

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@135mm, f/4, 1/800, ISO 100]

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@163mm, f/11, 1/200, ISO 200]

PS. Anyone here interested in the art of Espresso? After my old setup (modified DeLonghi EC155 + Capresso Infinity) decided to call it quits (leak between the pump and boiler), I figured it was time for a massive upgrade. In short, I have the Rancilio Silvia V3 (with a pre-installed Auber Pre-Infusion PID courtesy of Seattle Coffee Gear), a Baratza Preciso grinder, and a few other accessories arriving here next Thursday. $1400 has never tasted this good, or so I hope to find out. I did get a little carried away… But the way I see it, this will provide me with much more enjoyment than a new lens or another car mod. Until then, though, I’ve been rediscovering my passion for the other side of caffeinated beverages: tea.

PS2. Here’s a fantastic interpretation of an exceptional piece… arguably the most important solo, unaccompanied piece of the instrument. I can’t believe one of my friends used to be her stand partner growing up in orchestra, before she got famous.

I recently decided to eBay some old gear I was no longer using, so it gave me an excuse to dust off my trusty 5D Mark II and take a few product shots. I think some of them came out rather well, given that I was too lazy to set up a light box like I normally do when doing a product / hardware review.

The Galaxy Nexus (IMO prettiest pictures of the bunch) sold within minutes via buy-it-now, but those interested in a Rebel XSi DSLR or Xoom tablet should check out my eBay Listings.

Intentionally capturing its one blemish:

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@65mm, f/4.5, 1/80, ISO 2500]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@65mm, f/4.5, 1/80, ISO 2500]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@65mm, f/4.5, 1/50, ISO 3200]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@75mm, f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 3200]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@75mm, f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 3200]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@56mm, f/2.8, 1/50, ISO 3200]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@75mm, f/4.5, 1/80, ISO 1600]

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@75mm, f/4.5, 1/80, ISO 1600]

This time, he pretends to be in his native environment… And I’m not talking about my kitchen, begging for food.

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@135mm, f/4, 1/400, ISO 640]

A: A yellow one.

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@75mm, f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 200]

Here’s another pic I took while studying in Central Park a few weeks ago. Where else other than New York can you find a public park with a family of cute, little turtles roaming around!?

[5D2 - Canon 70-200/4L@200mm, f/4, 1/500, ISO 100]

Here’s a different take (using different gear and shot parameters) on my Central Park Painting shot from a few days ago. I actually took about 30 or so variants.  I’m not sure which I prefer, but I sort of wish I had gotten just a little bit more bokeh here, as I feel that the previous version better matched the etherealness of the painting.

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@66mm, f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100]

In the name of Coit Tower.

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@54mm, f/18, 1/60, ISO 2000]

This is from the going away party my old research lab held when I left for Medical School.

Been spendin’ most of my life, livin’ in MSG paradise…
(Oh gosh, I feel old. Alternate, but still awesome reference.)

[5D2 - Tamron 28-75/2.8@75mm, f/2.8, 1/80, ISO 250]