An iPhone photo: American Flag ...

The colors of America.

An iPhone photo: The Apple Store (Upper West Side)

Today, the 4th Apple Store opened in Manhattan.

My blog has moved ... back in!

Surprise! Yes, you are reading it right--my blog has moved right back (again) into this Blogger blog. After directing you to a new set of blogs sometime ago, I am back right here where it all started. The "new" set of blogs are still there, as noted in the links below, with contents organized in a more fitting structure, but I just can't leave this old blog alone. What made this happen? Technology. New technology is what made this whole "comeback" thing possible. What's with this new "old" blog? Pictures, fabulous pictures, and lots of it. So, ok, what else is there to say, other than enjoy the new ride!

My blog has moved!

I started this blog on the 18th of February 2004.

The very first entry I wrote was: Worlds are out there, I see. This online journal is my wide-eyed exploration of those worlds.

And what an incredible wide-eyed exploration it had been! I am grateful for the amazing journey, and I am grateful to everyone who have shared that journey with me. Thank you, thank you for being there.

Today, March 22, 2008, four years since I started this blog, I am posting my final entry here.

Why?

It's time to move on. "Tectonic" changes have happened since. I've grown, and I am more than ready to embark on a new and different (if not "excellent") adventure.

And I want you to come and join me in my new adventure!

My new adventure begins with not one, but six, new different blogs! The new blogs are organized and segmented to cater to your specific interests. Instead of dumping everything in a single blog, and in the process making you suffer, I've created the new blogs to focus only on what is valuable and meaningful to you.

But don't worry about missing a thing. Despite the "separation," I provided prominent links to all of the six blogs to organically joins them. If you wish, you can easily and quickly move from one blog to another. This means that while you can focus only on your areas of interest, you can still foray in, around, and out of it.

So, okey, come and join me over there. Check out and bookmark the new blogs:

Dominique James, The Photographer - This is the official website of professional photographer Dominique James featuring diverse, creative and cutting-edge commissioned works that span portraiture, fashion, product, food, interior, architectural, landscape, travel and adventure digital imaging for a variety of advertising, commercial, corporate, entertainment, editorial and multimedia projects.

Perfect Photo Pixels - This is a website that focuses on all things photography such as practical hints and tips, techniques and styles, equipment and gears, software and hardware, trade and industry news, and, groundbreaking developments and events for the benefit of photographers from hobbyists and enthusiasts to the semi-professionals and the professionals. This website serves information, knowledge and opinion about photography.

Dominique James Stock Photography - As a showcase of Dominique James' stock photography, the images here serve as a rich and potent visual device that not only expressly communicates ideas and emotions but also well-considered commentaries about the world we live in today. From wide angle shots to macro images, this is an exclusive look at our modern civilization as singularly seen through the eyes of professional photographer Dominique James.

Dominique James Fine Art Photography - Constructing a new and exciting visual vocabulary that connects to the viewers in a different plane and at a different level, professional photographer Dominique James presents a series of intriguing fine art photographic images in this website. The non-literal fine art photographic images are personal and private explorations and visual expressions of feelings and thoughts.

Dominique James: The Inside Stories - This is Dominique James' intimate look into the fantastically singular but multi-dimensional world of photography. He digs deep and wide, and he explores photography in profusely unexpected ways. For the first time, Dominique James openly and candidly shares with you his innermost thoughts, views and feelings about the craft and art of photography.

Dominique James: One Red Man - Personal rants, raves and musings on anything and everything that is “categorically” not about photography. Is there a better way for him to exorcise himself of bothersome demons than by candidly and publicly blogging (meaning, confessing) about it? He has favorite topics of course, but he casts a very wide net. Expect a surprising motley of subjects to be tackled here. Although Dominique James is aware that this blog can easily and quickly turn into something that is awfully self-indulgent, hang around because from out of the whole thing, some topics might just be of interest to you. In such cases, enjoy these precious common threads of interests.

The painted ladies of San Francisco

Elegant. Regal. Stoic. And it looks like they are wearing make-up. Actually, they are somewhat overly made up, if you ask me. They are a bit formal. Well, that's because this row of houses, which is quite famous, has been historically preserved by the city. And it was even given a fitting nickname: the painted ladies. No wonder they look like they are wearing make-up! Or their nails, polished. Imagine real old ladies, going to town, and they are all dolled up. That's how these houses seem to look like.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Rane), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

In the playground of the imagination

A photograph is a truly, truly magical thing. It is nothing less than that. Whatever the subject, circumstance or impression of the photo image may be, it is the act of capture that indelibly stamps it with an ink of the divine. A photograph exist in the imagination, and it exist in reality. It is both fact and fiction. This enigmatic quality of a photo image is what makes me keep taking pictures. And I cannot stop. I just shoot and shoot and shoot. For a photographer, what else is there to do? Really. In each shot that I take, I want to find out if both the reality and the fantasy exist at the same time, embedded in its photographic embrace. This is the test that I submit all of my photographs to. It is my own acid test. I want to know if an image truly is divine, or, simply, banal. There is beauty out there that is true. And it can be in the photographs. We just have to experience it.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Rane), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website at http://www.theplaygroundstudios.com. We are proud that The Playground Professional Photography Studios is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly and exclusively shoots in the studio with the Broncolor professional lighting system, and, via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera fitted with nothing but all-original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

Holding San Francisco in my hands

I went up to a really interesting vantage point (Twin Peaks, if you must know), framed the city, and clicked my camera. Really, that's all there is to it. The whole thing seems to be dreadfully uninteresting. Unless, of course, you carefully look at each and every portion of the captured image (particularly the unprocessed, original RAW image file). It is fascinating when you try to figure out specific details from out of the motley of too much details. You are bound to see something there. Anyway, I love this image because it presents an indeterminate mosaic of a cityscape. It's like holding the entire city of San Francisco in my two hands, and never really letting it go. This photograph was exclusively post-processed using Apple's Aperture 2.0. I love the new Aperture 2.0! I know, you will too.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Rane), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

A Biker's Pacific Sunset

I count myself lucky that I accidentally stumbled upon this magnificent silhouette of a biker. I found him resting and seated on his bike atop a ledge, and peacefully looking out into the amazing Pacific Sunset. He was oblivious with everything around him. I was drawn, and I was both shooting and walking towards him. I worked on this image using Apple's Aperture 2.0 to bring out the most amazing colors of the dramatic sunset. The new digital editing and enhancement tools in Aperture 2.0 such as Vibrancy, Definition, Luminance, Saturation, among others, easily and quickly brought out the outrageous beauty in this image. I love the new Aperture 2.0.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Rane), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts

Apple's brand new Aperture 2.0 is a totally awesome post-production tool that offers professional photographers new and much-improved editing and enhancements tools that are not available in previous versions. In this dramatic back-lit image of San Francisco's historic Palace Of Fine Arts, I was able to draw out the right amount of foreground details I wanted such as the shimmer in the pond, some detailed features in the Rotunda and Colonnades, among others. For this purpose, I used and combined Aperture 2.0's new editing tools such as Recovery, Black Point, Definition, Vibrancy, among others. Long-time Aperture users will be very happy to note a lot of great and exciting improvements in Aperture 2.0. For someone like me who has been using Aperture for the longest time, it's like falling in love with Aperture all over again.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Rane), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

International Safety Orange

The color is nothing more than rust most cynics will insist, but engineers will have to disagree. One of the world's most famous bridges, the Golden Gate, is meticulously covered in a specially formulated paint color. It is called the International Safety Orange. It gained the monicker Golden Gate because it typically glows golden in sunset. This is one of the after-sunset images I snapped of San Francisco's Golden Gate using my favorite camera, the Nikon D2Xs fitted with a Lensbaby 3G. I love the play of light in this bravely hand-held shot.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Rane), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

Aperture @ Macworld 2008

Next to Steve Job's much-anticipated keynote introducing the new MacBook Air, Aperture was one of the very popular topics at the conference of Macworld 2008 held at Moscone Center in San Francisco. A lot of professional photographers, digital imaging experts, hobbyists and enthusiasts from all over the world who attended Macworld for its amazing photography and digital imaging components. Several sessions were lined up on many popular subjects covering various areas of photography and digital imaging. One of the sold-out sessions was the 2-day Power Tools tract on Aperture conducted by Derrick Story and Ben Long. Derrick Story is the Technology Evangelist of O’Reilly Media. Ben Long is the author of the official certification training book on Apple’s Aperture. I had the opportunity to attend the first day of the Aperture session and informally meet with both Derrick and Ben. When Aperture was first released, I studied and learned it from Derrick’s Lynda.com tutorial, and then I took my official Aperture trainer certification in Singapore last year using Ben’s book. Currently, Derrick is the editor of O’Reilly Media’s Inside Aperture where both Ben and I write a weekly blog with the aim of exploring the many multi-faceted hidden wonders of Aperture, and how photographers can make the most out of it in their actual day-to-day work. Incidentally, during Macworld, I also had a chance to meet again Jefferey Morse, the instructor who conducted the official 3-day Aperture certification course that I attended in Singapore. At Macworld, he was delivering several talks on iPhoto and Aperture, among others. I also had the chance to meet up with Martin Gisborne, Apple’s Product Marketing Manager for Aperture, when I visited and toured the Apple headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino. (Photographed by Bert Dimson of Dimson Photography)

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Agnes), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

Glass

Let's toast the new year, featuring one of my favorite still life photos created with the fabulous Lensbaby 3G lens fitted over my Nikon D2xs camera. May all our dreams and wishes come true. May the year 2008 be the year when all of the good will happen to us.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Agnes), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

The magic of Lensbaby 3G

I've fallen head-over-heels in love with the Lensbaby 3G. It's a specialty lens that I fit into my Nikon D2Xs, and shoot away. It's an amazingly easy-to-use selective focus lens that creates really magical photo images. It is making me see things in entirely new ways! Shown here one of my favorite images that I took with the Lensbaby 3G. Look out for the article I wrote that features a list of tips and hints on how to make the most out of any of the three Lensbaby lenses (Original Lensbaby, Lensbaby 2.0, and Lensbaby 3G). This will come out soon in iMag Photography Magazine. For more on the Lensbaby 3G, click here.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Agnes), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

Skyline Chicago

To many people, the Chicago skyline is interesting because three of America's tallest skyscrapers are there: Sears Tower, Aon Center, and the John Hancock Center. The first time I saw Chicago's skyline was at night. My friend Victor brought me out into Lake Michigan's edge, in a perfect spot to view the breathtaking cityscape. Enveloped in a cold, dark winter, the city defiantly gleamed, it's lighted reflection giddy in the icy waters. I took a few clicks, but I was so enamored that I just had to see it again from the same exact spot in a day's light. A couple of days later, my friends Dave and June brought me out, again into the same lake's edge. And there, in winter's gray, I saw the skyline in broad daylight. I came face to face with the pasty broad strokes of brooding shades. For all intents and purposes, it was magnificent. It was a grand, sweeping winter vista. I took out my Nikon D2Xs fitted with my favorite Nikkor ultrawide lens, and reverently captured the moment. But while everyone was looking at the same thing, I was seeing something else. I know, in Apple's Aperture and Adobe's Photoshop CS3, hidden beneath the graduated shades of gray, are deep brilliant colors. I was looking at Chicago's skyline with a photographer's eye.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Agnes), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

Exquisite taste.

There are two people that I personally know who possess exquisite taste. In fact, they embody exquisite taste. One is Kuh Ledesma. And the other is fashion designer Barge Ramos. I marvel at them because they really are faultless when it comes to matters of taste.

If you've been to the house of Kuh, any of her houses, either the old or the new, you will know that this lady has absolutely exquisite taste. Expensive yes, but exquisite nonetheless. Each and every furnishing in her house, each and every article that's in there, and even the way the big and the small things are combined with other things, or where they are placed, speaks of a very cultured and a very refined taste. Maybe, not all things she own is expensive. But the way she puts them together looks absolutely and exquisitely tasteful.

I know a lot of people (well, maybe not a lot who have a whole lot of money, probably more than what Kuh Ledesma has, but they have no taste whatsoever. Having money, therefore, should not be equated with having exquisite taste.

If you've been to the atelier of Barge Ramos, either the old or the new, exquisite taste is also apparent everywhere you look. The furniture and furnishings are so straightforward. The lines are simple. And yet, the whole thing is quite engaging. A huge glass vase serves as the centerpiece of his receiving room. And you know what, that vase, half full with clean water, holds a giant green leaf. Everything is in ecru white and antique brown. And the verdant green of the big leaf serves as the equipoise to the whole room. I say it's awesome.

I'm not sure if bad or poor taste can be unlearned, and in its place, for good or exquisite taste to be learned. But one thing is for sure. People who have exquisite taste won't be caught dead with a fake. I've seen a lot of interiors ruined because the owners, or their interior designers and decorators, have poor judgement and bad taste. Particularly when it comes to such things as frameable fine art.

Most people, particularly the rich, needs to re-educate themselves about investing in fine art. They may know a lot of things in many different areas, that's why they are rich in the first place, but money will only bring them so far if they do not do something to develop their taste. One easy way to start is by acquiring original fine art photographic prints. Throw away all the fakes. And to switch to originals. It's time to develop and cultivate authentic good taste. Click here to begin.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Agnes), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]

In poor taste.

I enjoy visiting friends in their homes and offices.

It's really a good thing to see people in places where they are most comfortable and where they feel right at home. Whenever they are at home, or at their place of work, or, in just about any familiarly comforting place, you see their best selves emerging. They are often more friendly and relaxed. When in this kind of mood, they are more easy-going, receptive, open, warm and naturally accommodating. And it's really nice to be around people who are in that kind of mood, as opposed to someone who may be tense, uncomfortable or uneasy, just because they are in unfamiliar surroundings.

Which brings us to one point: they tend to unwittingly reveal too much of who they are. Not that I mind, but, being in one's comfort zone, can literally reveal who the person really us. If they are people you like, you will like them no matter what. But if you are in the process of just getting to know them, and deciding whether you like them or not, that can be a bit tricky. One too many, I've been in a situation like that. I love it when people start to open up, to be themselves. It's an honor for me to be given the privilege of allowing me to enter and be a part of their lives. And in the interest of genuine friendship, I just turn a blind to certain harmless and minor things.

Like, at times I begin to discover that someone I'm trying to get to know and to befriend, has poor taste. I've been inside a beautifully, and yes, tastefully and elegantly appointed receiving room. It had a high ceiling and it was bright and airy. Lots of wonderful wood furniture, furnishings, accessories and little touches. But I couldn't help notice one thing that ruined the effect for me: plastic flowers on a Waterford vase. In fairness to this person, I have great respect and admiration for him. He is very successful, and he is admired and respected, and he is even loved, by people in the industry and the public. But, every time I see him, I remember the plastic flowers. It was poor taste.

And then, there was this one time, I was photographing an interior of the house of one of the most prominent political families. The entire house was just amazing. I was so impressed. And I had a great shoot because it was really, truly photogenic. At the end of the shoot, the wife of the politician, perhaps grateful for the long hours we spent working, and the consideration with which we treated their house, each gave us a nice gift. Unwrapped. I got a Louis Vuitton bag. And guess what? It was a fake Louis Vuitton bag. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but, I felt insulted. And you know what came to my mind? This lady has not only unwise political sense for dealing with counterfeits right inside their household and for the bad judgement of giving out fake gifts to people who can afford and who always buy the real thing, but also for the poor taste of a gift.

You know what they say about first impressions: it is lasting. These things happened a long time ago. And yet, I still remember them. And that's telling you something because everyone who knows me will tell you I am quite forgetful. You might think I'm hard on people. I'm not. For a photographer, I typically turn a blind eye when it comes to people I personally know. I'm very forgiving, because for all you know, I also have my own misgivings in need of forgiving. And believe me, I have a lot of them, actually.

Poor taste. Bad taste. I just seem unable to kick them into the trash can of forgetful oblivion. I really want to forget all about it. But I just couldn't.

And that brings me to my number one subject matter: Reproductions. I love Mona Lisa. I am a great fan of Leonardo da Vinci. I'm also a fan of Rembrant, Matisse, Picasso, Warhol. But every time I see a framed reproduction of their works in homes and offices hanging in fake gold-painted frames, I want to puke. Yes, their works are truly magnificent and deserves to be looked upon with admiration. But for reproductions of their works to be hanged in places of honor in our homes and offices, I find it utterly distasteful. For all intents and purposes, reproductions of artworks are fakes. If they are treated as poster prints and hanged as such, I'd be happy to see them. But to entomb them in pseudo-gilded frames, that's just too much.

Nowadays, it's easy to own an original work of art instead of fakes and reproductions. And it's even affordable. And you know what, it supports real artists and great modern art movement. What I don't understand is why do most people seem to prefer fakes and reproductions over originals? Poor taste. Bad taste. That's what it is. The owners of the huge and big houses who don't know any better have poor and bad taste. The interior decorators and designers they hire have poor and bad taste. Tell me, what other reason or justification there is to something like this.

It's so sad that most people fancy that they know what art is. And yet, the reality is, all they have is: poor taste, bad taste.

But all hope is not lost.

I'm pleasantly surprised and very delighted every time I visit homes and offices that displays good taste. Like a law office that had original framed black-and-white photographs of flowers in silver gelatin prints lining up the corridor. With a simple black unassuming frame with white mat, the photographs are a delight to behold. They are beautiful. And they are originals. And yes, the choice of the subject, the framing, the display -- it was oozing with good taste. In a bachelor's pad I visited one time, I excused myself to the bathroom. Guess what I saw hanging on the wall: a series of original black-and-white framed prints of a male nude. I stood there, inside the bathroom, for a long time. I couldn't believe my eyes! These were original fine art photo prints hanging on the wall. And did I mention that because they are original photo prints, in limited edition, and signed by the photographers, they appreciate in value? The price of these works increase over time. Isn't that a great investment? Do you think framed reproductions will appreciate in value over time? No. You know what people do with reproductions? They throw them in trash. Because that's what they are: trash. The fakes and reproductions you reverently hang and proudly show off to guests and visitors have zero value. It's time to re-educate ourselves about investing in fine art. Right now, you can easily start by acquiring original fine art photographic prints. Throw away all the fakes. And to switch to originals. It's time you develop and cultivate authentic good taste. Click here to begin.

[Note: If you’d like to inquire about the wide range of professional photography services and products offered by The Playground Professional Photography Studios, please call landlines + 63 2 812 21 79 and + 63 2 828 28 11 ext. 873 (Agnes), mobile + 63 917 373 80 37 (DJ) or + 63 917 934 55 82 (Renzo). You can also send email to fun@theplaygroundstudios.com for your questions. For more information, visit The Playground Professional Photography Studios official website. We are proud that The Playground is sponsored and supported by Nikon, Epson, Apple, Eneloop, Xacti, Sanyo, Globis, Airborne Access, Global Destiny and MyDestiny. The Playground Professional Photography Studio is a photographic imaging partner of ESC Creative and MediaCircus. It is also associated with The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), John Robert Powers (JRP), CalCarrie International Models, Ford Models International Philippines, and Runway Productions. Likewise, it is the premiere digital imaging consultant to and affiliate of the Solid Group, Inc. Professional photographer Dominique James of The Playground Professional Photography Studios proudly shoots via WIFI with the Nikon D2Xs digital camera and all original Nikkor lenses. All fine art images created by Dominique James are exclusively printed on Epson’s Stylus Pro printers using genuine Epson papers and inks. Copyright 2007 © Dominique James, The Dominique James Professional Photography Studios and The Playground Professional Photography Studios. All rights reserved.]