all smiles

Big smile from Devyn upon seeing Nathan with a pixelated mustache.

Big smile from Devyn upon seeing Nathan with a pixelated mustache.

nathan-with-fake-moustache-2013-04

Nathan posing and making Devyn laugh.

Shopping

The kids waiting patiently.

The kids waiting patiently.

Just going through some pictures from Spring Break and found this one.

 

Friends

Early Spring Break

A couple of weeks ago, some very good friends came down to Southern California for their Spring Break a little early. They were visiting some of their family in the Santa Monica area and invited us to join them for the day. So we hopped in the car and made our way to Santa Monica.

Exploring New Routes

Being new to the area, we typically punch in an address into Google Maps or the navigation system in one of our cars. As you might expect, it keeps you on the major highways – along with EVERYONE else down here in SoCal. So we decided to take an alternate path to Santa Monica. Rather than going on the 101 to the 405 to the 10, we cut down from the 101 in Ventura/Oxnard to the good old Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH. Or, as the locals call it – the One.

It was an absolutely beautiful drive that took us past some amazing looking beaches (Zuma, Topanga to name a couple) and through Malibu. We plan to head back down this way soon to explore the area some more and try out some boogie boarding and watch all of the surfers out there.

Lunch at Reel Inn

So after hooking up with our friends and catching up, we headed back down towards Malibu at had a great lunch at Reel Inn where I grabbed this picture of the kids.

The kids after lunch in Santa Monica. © Mike Wong

The kids after lunch in Santa Monica.  © Mike Wong

 Beach Bound

Of course, after lunch, we had to hit the beach because, well, it was right across the street. So off to Topanga Beach for some sand castles, frisbee, football toss and some lounging.

Kylie, Nathan, Devyn & Sophia on the beach at Malibu. © Mike Wong

Kylie, Nathan, Devyn & Sophia on the beach at Malibu. © Mike Wong

 

Nathan

Nathan. © Mike Wong

Nathan. © Mike Wong

Scouting for Food

Since Nathan was in the first grade, we have been involved with Scouting. One of the activities that they do each year that we enjoy getting behind and helping with is Scouting for Food. For the past 6 years, we’ve gone out and placed bags on doorsteps and then followed up a week later to collect the donations. We then drop them off at a local food bank.

The Scouts of Troop 26 getting ready to collect food donations. © Mike Wong

The Scouts of Troop 26 getting ready to collect food donations. © Mike Wong

This year, Scouting for Food had a little twist for us. The troop that we recently joined, Troop 26, is very big on hiking. Each month, they do a day hike and an overnight hike. When Scouting for Food comes around, they do the food collection instead of a their day hike, but they still get their hike in.

Nathan and his fellow scouts loading up their packs. © Mike Wong

Nathan and his fellow scouts loading up their packs. © Mike Wong

Once the boys collect the donations, with the help of cars, trucks and SUVs, they gather back up and load up their backpacks with food. Whatever doesn’t fit, and most of it doesn’t, gets driven to the Food Bank. But the boys, in their full Class A uniforms, will hike the 2 miles from the church where they meet, to the Food Bank.

Nathan setting out on the 2 mile hike to the food bank. © Mike Wong

Nathan setting out on the 2 mile hike to the food bank. © Mike Wong

It’s great on several levels. First, the boys get exercise. Second, the boys get to experience what many others around the world do – not everybody gets to just drive down to get their food. Third, everybody who passes them, sees the boys serving the community.

Nathan arriving at the food bank. © Mike Wong

Nathan arriving at the food bank. © Mike Wong

This year, Troop 26 rounded up 2,281 pounds of food for the Santa Barbara Food Bank! After their hike with their loaded packs, they all received a complimentary hot dog, chips and water.

Refueling! © Mike Wong

Refueling! © Mike Wong

Of course, we had to grab a group photo of the Scouts and the Adult Leaders. Great job everybody!

Santa Barbara Troop 26. © Mike Wong

Santa Barbara Troop 26. © Mike Wong

 

nathan [black and white]

Black and white conversion using Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2 © Mike Wong

Black and white conversion using Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2 © Mike Wong

I’ve always loved black and white images. I’ve always been a big fan of the black and white portrait photography of Greg Gorman and I’ve been successful here and there trying to reproduce his style and technique. However, this year, I’m going to work on developing my own black and white style and technique. I’m going to share some of the images I make along the way. That means, some of the conversions will be better than others, but that’s part of the journey.

My first one of the year is one I just completed of a photo I shot last month while spending a day at Disneyland. I did the main color correction and initial edits Aperture and then took it into Photoshop for a little retouching and then finished the black and white conversion using Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro 2.