App review : Creative Photography Bundle by Loopr

Let me start by saying that is so good to be back blogging again, and even though, I am doing some vlogging and videos on the YouTube channel, I will also start working on the blog, by reviewing different apps related to photography and videography and also book reviews as well.

This week, I will start giving my thoughts on a creative photography bundle with I recently bought by the company known as Loopr, which owner is Trsitan Zand, a well experimental photographer that has worked with these theme por quite some time, and has done other apps which will be discussed later on.

Camare is an app in which you can take from singles, dual or multiexposure pictures with unique filters.

Darkcam is an inconspicuous camera which lets you take pictures in low light environments, in which, you can damper the screen to your liking.

Digital Paula can be used as a standalone point and shoot camera simulator with the combination of different filters and simulations.

Vica Ponsh is a point and shoot vintage camera simulator that brings the past of the analog and digital cameras , with different 12 total simulators with variator, multi exposures and borders functions.

In my opinion, all apps are really great , but I enjoy doing more experimental with Vica and Digital Paula, there is something so cool about those filters and borders , that even brings a little kinda dark and spooky, but at the same time, an experimental way of making a normal corner or even a furniture, item or pet or human being and making it , an experimental way of picturing life.

Hope to see more apps by Tristan Zand , and more of his work as well ; check him out on zand.photography , his official website. And here, there is more to come.

Christmas season has arrived!

For better or worse, the season that some of us love or even hate has arrived , and of course, all decorations from different areas are here to show the holiday spirit in different ways, from Christmas trees to home or town decorations, it is the season for the reason, and even for some people to be naughty or nice; as Santa Claus, Frosty , and even the Grinch are the protagonists of such decorations, and oh, this cool dude name Jesus was born on the 25th of December , and its baby pictures are shown as a time for share and grace.

Me, I`m just taking videos and pictures of all things that i randomly see on this season , which extends until mid January, and actually enjoy the dropping of the temperatures, in which we have a break from the heatwave that was around the island on this year.

Mushrooms around

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a Happy Halloween and I decided to leave a small video regarding the spooky season and here on the blog, some interesting mushrooms I found in front of my apartment.

These mushrooms appeared due to the weather conditions which lately were rain and humid, so it was a small tropical storm in the area but no more development as is a big relief.

These are the pictures hoping you enjoy them.

Roosters, Pigeons and Grackels

I am back and I know it’s been awhile , but hopefully, I hope to be on constant posting , even if it’s weekly or bi-weekly, but the most important thing is showing more content on this blog, and on the YouTube channel as well, which I invite you to subscribe and like all of the videos and shorts that have been made.

Why pictures of roosters, pigeons and grackels or as we call them in Puerto Rico, changos; I enjoy all kinds of photography and specially bird photography is something that I have done quite some time in some of my posts and recently, these birds have appeared on my lens for some reason or other, that I thought that maybe a small expedition of them is quite a good idea, and these are very common birds here on the island.

Cloudzilla – A Pareidolian Dream

Pareidolia is the tendency for perception to impose a meaningful interpretation on a nebulous stimulus by seeing an object pattern or meaning where is none; So in other words, it’s when you see an object that looks like an animal or even a kaiju or monster, is what your mind wants you to see although is not real; this happens a lot on objects , specially on clouds.

This past weekend, with the conditions of scattered showers and extreme heat of the remains of summer, the sky took an interesting way of mixing different kinds of clouds to form what I called, Cloudzilla, an enormous cloud with the shape of a big dinosaur, or the shape of the famous kaiju known as Godzilla or Gojira, looking with an enormous menacing figure ready to roar.

Enjoy these pictures and also check the YouTube video below , and give it a like and subscribe to the channel.

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The Truth about Cats and Dogs in a photography way.

Today I decided to show some random pictures that I had on different cats and dogs on different places, including the street and even my home , because, to be honest, You gotta love those canine and feline portrait masters when they decide to strike a pose and show all different feelings and they are great expressionists.

But also, in a weird wonderful way, these animals can bring a state of tranquility every time I take a picture , even if sometimes they could represent mixed emotions based on most of their different experiences. As responsible humans, we need to sponsor and support the groups and entities that can educate and bring different alternatives that are turning into good solutions like Trap Neuter Release, rescue stray animals, not abandon them, and adopt not buy.

The Narrow Way to the Island Lungs : Julio E Monagas National Forest.

Located in Bayamon , a town in the west part of the metro area , the national forest of Julio E Monagas is an area that you find passing different areas including a police training camp area, but when you arrive , you find that this area is a real contact with nature which is most needed on this area. This urban park before its establishment in 1993 was a military installation during World War 2, so you can see some of the bunkers or storage areas like the one on this picture.

The scenery is wonderful and a great area for hiking, while you do a little exercise but remember to follow the trails according to their difficulty experience, because there’s some trails which are easy to follow, but they’re others that you better remember your scout training.

To be honest, I only wish that some of the signs would be in better maintenance, because it was a little hard for me to go to the Santa Ana observatory (next time I will find it) , and some of the signs were a little damaged due to weather conditions, but in all, the experience is wonderful and I recommend it.

Strolling in Cataño

Cataño is located on the Northern coast within the Metro Area of Puerto Rico, on the north of Bayamón and Guaynabo, is a town which has a nice waterfront area , which I took all these pictures, and is the home of Bacardi Rum Distillery, which I will visit in the near future; You can access to the town by the Ferry located at Old San Juan, or also by vehicle, both ways are easy to arrive.

A great place for sightseeing, taking pictures and being close to the Atlantic Ocean, the water front is an incredible area and a relaxing environment as well; some of the areas that I frequented were Villa Pesquera, a nice place to grab a snack or lunch, The Taína monument, dedicated to the native taínas that lived on the island before the Spanish Colonization process, and the docks at the front have different designs from non profit organizations.

Old San Juan : Paseo la Princesa, Pigeon Park and El Morro surroundings.

Old San Juan is a perfect spot to explore, walk and of course, taking good pictures, in day or night, and to be honest, I always enjoy the old city and believe there’s a lot to do in taking pictures. For this post, I focused on the Paseo La Princesa (La Princesa Boardwalk) , which is a nice area filled with different booths and kiosks dedicated to art craft, foods, drinks and more.

The Pigeon Park or Parque de las Palomas is a small park dedicated to an offering refugee to pigeons and it has an excellent view of the San Juan bay, and you can feed the pigeons, when you buy seeds in one of the booths, and see some of the reactions of persons who feed them by the hand, but I’m talking about 3 or 4on one shoulder; and also the Morro surroundings, which is a long walk but a nice one, and you can enjoy the views and even buy a kite and enjoy the experience with your family.

The Narrow Way to the Island Lungs : Bosque de San Patricio – Guaynabo

Connecting with nature is a great way to heal and breathe, even if those lungs are in an urban area, or being part of the concrete jungle, it was a good experience to be in the San Patricio Forest, located in Guaynabo, is a moist forest with 68 acres and it’s one of the 20 public forests of the island; Originally, this land was acquired by the U.S. Army with the intention of developing residences for nearby Fort Buchanan, but the army decided to drop the ball on this concept.

As the 1990s came with the environmental conscience, local residents and scientists pushed to have the land to be proclaimed as a forest preserve, and with the most important concept of reopening the forest in 2021, after being closed due to the path of Hurricane Maria on the island on 2017, to help harvest medicinal plants and also to help with the flora and fauna which includes different kinds of birds and coquies as well.

Go to their Facebook page and be a member to know the different kinds of events for the whole family Here

The Narrow Way to the Island Lungs : Jardín Botánico – Rio Piedras

A long title for a series of posts dedicated to the sounds and places of Nature here in Puerto Rico, trying to prove that the island not only consists of beautiful beaches, but rainforests, gardens and special ecosystem areas that are filled with mountains, valleys, and much more. Some of these are sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, others are just hidden treasures and wonders that are required to investigate, explore and have the experience to see for yourself.

Today I will post about the Jardín Botánico or Botanical Garden in Rio Piedras, is an educational center for scientific research and a socio cultural meeting place, is an area designated to the study of tropical plants and many species of birds that inhabit it, and an area of recreation and relaxation as well. With 289 acres of land, the garden provides awareness and issues of the native flora , guided tours, workshops, seminars and much more.

Personally, I really enjoyed this experience with nature, as it separates from the adrenaline of the concrete jungle, and takes you to a quieter area where you can breathe inner tranquility, which is more needed, specially for me, that I am beginning to appreciate much more of these particular places, nowadays.