Become One With Nature

The last time I went out on a mission to specifically to take photographs was a time so long ago I can't even remember when it was.  I've since forgotten how therapeutic photography is to my mind, body, and soul.

I may lack the understanding of all the technicalities of the camera and will probably never be able to use my camera to it's full potential.  However, I think my 'eye' and PHOTOSHOP make up for my shortcomings.  Surprisingly though, I didn't have to do much to these photos!  I wish I didn't have to rely on Photoshop.  Perhaps the day will come when I'll be able to let go of my security blanket ;)

ABOUT THE SHOOT:  Michael and I set out for our shoot on Sunday afternoon, just ahead of 'golden hour.'  This gave us time to shoot in and around the grounds.  I've never been to this place, although I've seen it in photos before.  Simply put, it's a hidden treasure in Maui's sugar cane fields... all but abandoned left to succumb to Mother Earth.

We took a trip through the cane fields, along a bumpy dirt road.  You won't see the building, but you know you're almost there when you spot the gathering of Banyan trees.  The building was built in 1879 (I'm assuming this because the year is engraved into the building!) and since it's abandonment, Banyan trees have made their home ON and THROUGH the decaying structure.  Here we see the power of Mother Nature's hands overcoming the power of man's hands. It's a beautiful thing.  A lesson of humility.

The roots fused themselves to the building kind of in a "you're mine!" sort of attitude.  Graffiti litters the structure's walls everywhere you turn.  The aluminum roof is almost completely gone.  Remnants of crazy nights and a time long forgotten can undoubtedly be seen and felt.  This place definitely brings the term "Becoming one with nature" into a literal sense.

I loved it here.  I love abandoned/decaying buildings.  This place is no exception!  I hope to explore and discover more places here on Maui with what little time I have here on this island.  I've lived here most my life and yet I feel I still have so much to see, so much to experience, and SO much to yet discover.

I took 300 or so photos that day.  These are just a taste of what is to come.  It might take me a while to get everything up online.  We know how that goes!  Haha.  We'll be going back to this place next week to shoot portraits :))  I can't wait!  For now, I've uploaded a few more photos on my flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariacaridad/

project: graphic design

The above image was today's project and basically sums up my whole day or at least MOST of the day.  I obviously changed his name and address ;)  I must say, I definitely experienced a lot of creative block along the way.  It's been a long good while since I've designed anything.  Doing this invitation for aunty Arlyn definitely made me miss it.  I guess it's nice to be given side projects like this once in a while.

Doing this definitely made me want to brush up on my graphic design again.  I also need to work on layout/placement.  Overall, I think think the invitation was a success!  Aunty Arlyn liked it and now I just hae to put it on a CD for her.  At least I did something productive today despite finally going to sleep at 6am.  The early morning was a debacle of sorts... it deserves a whole entry in and of itself.  However, I'll save it for a later time.  I have to be up in 3 hours!

Haha, Soon!

It's been too long since I've last updated this.  Sad face :[  I'm currently caught up in the lazy, kick-back, island life!  BUT I shall update soon.  Maybe some pics too, if I ever take more.  My days are mostly routine.  Early mornings & late nights.  It's a vicious cycle.

I shall be back again, soon enough.