Adventures of Yoo

October 20 2016

Spectacular Entries in 2016 Nat Geo Nature Photographer of the Year Contest

One of my favorite photo contests, the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year is soon coming to an end. A new selection of photos is now available, featuring entries from Weeks 7 and 8. The contest ends in about two weeks or on November 4.

The contest is accepting entries in one or all of four categories: Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action and Animal Portraits. The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions and two 15-minute image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors.

Enter before it’s too late! Here are some of my favorite shots.

Above: Killer Swimmer of the Sea
We tracked along the side of this orca swimming out of the Norwegian sea as it dove into and out of the water like a dolphin. The curvature of the water spray around its body truly gives testament to the aerodynamic build of these magnificent creatures.
Photo and Caption by Raj Gupta/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Laguna Tuyajto
Color show in the sky of Tuyajto Lagoon. Located in the Atacama Desert, Chile, this place is a spectacle of nature. The pond floor is formed by salt. The small formations are due to action of microorganisms that for thousands of years feed on the nutrients present there.
Photo and Caption by Victor Lima/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Size Matters
Size matters, Meerkats, Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari Botswana
Photo and Caption by M. Engelmann/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

The Greatest Scenery
Elephants in female leaders led slowly migrate, this is a scene of quiet and peaceful picture. This elephant is faced with the threat of poachers, if not to protect them, this may be the last of the greatest spectacular.
Photo and Caption by Yang Ming/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Stare Into My Eyes
This picture was taken in Bandung while this animal showed its beautiful, symmetrical feather. I’m taking a picture of it using my Leica. It seems that he wants to mate, but hmm, than he danced, shook its feathers. I love its natural, hypnotizing color. The green peacock is one endangered bird from Indonesia. Usually, their feathers are taken for house decorations. With photography, everyone can enjoy its beauty without endangering it. Just print it or save it on your desktop computer.
Photo and Caption by Octoyura Bamahry/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Walking in Silence
A typical african evening. Nothing special in Nxai Pan, Kalahari, Botswana
Photo and Caption by M. Engelmann/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Gently Fall
There is beautiful waterfalls in Akita Japan. I think it’s like Japanese culture as slender and strong.
Photo and Caption by Akinori Koseki/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Sandstorm
As I was photographing this young grey seal, we both got caught up in a sandstorm.
Photo and Caption by Eugene Kitsios/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Dancing in the Rain
Fox caught in action under the rain
Photo and Caption by Vladislav Kamenski/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Winterland
An other world on the top of this hill in Lapland. Snow ghosts are everywhere, we are only visitors. March 2016, Finland
Photo and Caption by Pierre Destribats/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Adelie Penguin Jumping Between Ice Floes
I saw these Adelie penguins jumping into the water at Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Peninsula. By the time I sat down on the beach to take a picture, they’d starting jumping to the next ice floe. Paul Goldstein says the Holy Trinity of wildlife photography is ‘dust, air and spume’, and this shot captures the ‘air’ bit!
Photo and Caption by Nick Dale/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Huangshan Falls
Captured this image in early morning in the Yellow Mountain China . Behind this image is a story , climbing at 3 am to reach the point of shooting , when I arrived I could see in the complete dark the effect of the white and slow motion of this cloud waterfall . My hope was when the sunrise come out this effect of the nature will still stand front of me . Lucky at 6.30 am the effect was still there the time I took the shot before it disappeared completely few minutes later.
Photo and Caption by Thierry Bornier/2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Art & Design

October 20 2016

Colorful Shadows Reveal Child’s Superhero Within

Do you remember the series Super Shadows? It’s the fun posters where artist Jason Ratliff showed us the superheroes within every child. He’s back with the second installment in the series and this time he shows us that children of all races, genders and abilities can be a superhero. Jason wanted to bring children hope, empowerment, and the idea that the impossible is possible through this very special series. (I just love that!)

As he states, “First, the release of my second installment of Super Shadows. The response from my first set was overwhelming. The letters I received not only showed me how much people connected with my work, but also showed me how the series could improve. People identify with these characters on a very personal level and I wanted to expand the series in a way that would make it more inclusive. Hopefully, with this new set, I was able to do a little of that.”

For the first 48 hours of the series release, 50% of all sale proceeds will benefit Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. “I was extremely touched when they wanted to decorate their urgent care office with my first Super Shadow series,” he said, “so I’m very happy to partner with Curioos.com to offer a little support in return.”

Which one is your favorite? I like Iron Man. You can pick up your print at Curioos.

Books

October 19 2016

Book to Read: Love Warrior

Have you heard of the book Love Warrior? It starts off a little slow but picks up towards the end. It’s Oprah’s latest book club selection. (The book came out on September 6.) Based on real life events by author Glennon Doyle Melton, it’s the raw story of how a woman who is faced with an unfaithful husband comes to deal with it. Melton is a gifted writer who lays it all out for the reader, you really feel her pain.

Here’s what Oprah had to say about it, “Let me tell you how Love Warrior made me feel. I read it as a testament to the power of vulnerability. Through it, Glennon shows us the clearest meaning of ‘To thine own self be true.’ It’s as if she reached into her heart, captured the raw emotions there, and translated them into words that anyone who’s ever known pain or shame—in other words, every human on the planet—can relate to. She’s bravely put everything on the table for the whole world to see. That’s why I had to share her book with you.”

So what is the book about? As it states on Melton’s blog, Momastery: “Love Warrior is the offering I’ve been working on in the dark every day for the past three and a half years. Love Warrior is about infidelity — to ourselves and to each other. It’s about betrayal and redemption. It’s about how everything the world teaches us about femininity and masculinity can make it impossible for a woman and a man to actually know and love each other. It’s about how to survive rock bottom—how to use crisis as a springboard to a truer identity and a better life. It’s about parenting our kids through pain. It’s about friendship that hurts and friendship that heals. It’s about faith that shackles women and faith that liberates women. It’s about shameless sex and God and food and drugs and porn and tenderness—and how the dirt and the divine are so often inseparable. Love Warrior is about how to finally find peace in your own damn skin and your own damn life.”

Melton believes that “sharing the truth of our lives is a key to unlocking a true spiritual connection with those around us.” I could never be so bold, sharing details of my personal life with others, but I applaud those who can. The fact that it’s a memoir, makes it all the more interesting and profound.

You can buy Love Warrior on Amazon.

Photography

October 19 2016

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016

This year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 is Tim Laman, who won for his incredible GoPro photo of a climbing orangutan. Called “Entwined Lives,” the photo shows a young male orangutan returning to feast on a crop of figs. After three days of climbing up and down himself, the photographer hid several GoPro cameras in the canopy, triggering them remotely from the forest floor when he saw the orangutan climbing.

The photo was taken in Gunung Palung National Park in Indonesia. You can see more winners over on the Natural History Museum website.

Art & Design

October 19 2016

New Refreshingly Honest Notebooks by Emily McDowell

You can always count on Emily McDowelll to deliver honest messages on everything she touches, whether that’d be on her greeting cards, her journals, her mugs, her tote bags or her enamel pins. There are six new journals (five are featured here). On the covers you’ll find meaningful messages that will remind you to live an authentic life. My favorite is the first one: Notes for My Future Therapist. The journals contain 125 lined pages, with screen printed chipboard covers, gold foil on the front, and painted page edges.

Recently, Emily came out with enamel pins, too. They’re little badges of things that you’ve conquered in everyday life. (Hence the name Everyday Bravery Pins.) You’ll find pins like Put Myself First, Didn’t Please Everyone, and Survived Indescribable Grief. Why not celebrate the big and small things you’ve accomplished throughout your life?

Life

October 18 2016

Are You Watching “This is Us”?

Are you watching the new NBC show “This is Us”? My sister, Carol, got me into this series, which features singer Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia (“Heroes”). The very first episode is so good, you have to sit through till the last 5-10 minutes before you understand what you’re actually watching. The premise of the American TV drama series is fairly simple, it’s about family lives and the connections of three people who all share the same birthday and the ways in which they’re similar yet different.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a fresh rating of 91% based on 45 reviews. The site’s critical consensus reads, “Featuring full-tilt heartstring-tugging family drama, This Is Us will provide a suitable surrogate for those who have felt a void in their lives since Parenthood went off the air.”

I’m up-to-date right now, I’ve watched through Episode 3. Every since episode had me bawling, at points. Episode 4 airs tonight. You can easily get caught up on the series by downloading the NBC app on your smartphone or tablet.

In researching the show, I learned from Mandy Moore that Episode 5 will be a real tearjerker. “I feel like the fifth episode is going to destroy people,” Moore stated. “Milo and I watched it the other day and I was—I was beside myself. I got to my car 20 minutes later and just started bawling by myself after I had cried right after. It’s a lot to take in.”

Mandy Moore’s storyline is particularly heart-wrenching. Week after week, she delivers a killer performance. Won’t you watch?

Photography

October 18 2016

Adorable Photos of Rescue Kittens Pouncing

You may remember the name Seth Casteel. He’s the photographer behind those hilarious photos of dogs and puppies underwater. (See here, here and here.) In his brand new book, which is out today, he showcases rescue cats in a fun and unusual way. The book is called Pounce, and it features 80 previously unpublished photos of adorable cats and kittens as they pounce or jump mid-air. It’s Casteel’s signature close-up, mid-action style. What’s best about this series is that every single cat featured in the book is a rescue cat, as in he or she was up for adoption or has been rescued at the time the picture was taken. Casteel worked with numerous animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the United States and Canada to create this series.

For all you cat lovers out there, you can now buy Pounce on Amazon.

Art & Design

October 14 2016

Fun Links of the Week

If you’re in LA and you’re a businesswoman looking for some inspiration, make sure to check out this event. (It’s on Monday.)

This aurora light kit is so pretty. (Buy it here.)

Interesting interview with the guy who helped design the headquarters for Google and Amazon.

Are you at a career crossroad?

April Gornik’s paintings of stormy skies are breathtaking. See them up close in New York.

New companies are looking to revamp sleepwear. (That’s my jam!) I need some pretty/comfy pajamas.

This graffiti chocolate bar is almost too cool to eat.

If you’re into styling your home, pre-order this book now.

Moms, have you heard about the new Toca TV app?

Though I’m more of a dog person, I want to adopt every one of these blind kitties.

23 design blogs leading the pack in 2016.

These photos of a rescue dog and a baby boy make my heart melt.

A simple idea but well-executed. I like Pockitudes. (Good name, too.)

If you love alternative music, you should check out this print.

This enamel pin can read my thoughts.

Watch this for one minute. It’ll make you appreciate this Earth.

Here’s step-by-step instructions on how to draw a rose.

These float frames by Artifact Uprising are pretty cool.

Art by Maud Vantours.

Art & Design

October 13 2016

Hyperrealistic Paper Sculptures of Everyday Objects by Makiko Akizami

These hyperrealistic paper sculptures of everyday objects are tripping me out! Artist Makiko Akizami is exhibiting these works at hpgrp Gallery New York from now till October 26, 2016. The objects are all made from precisely cut and folded paper.

Makiko Azakami has shown her work in more than 40 exhibitions throughout England, Finland, the United States, and Japan, including exhibitions at the Bristol City Museum, the Fukushima Museum of Art, and the Ise Museum of Modern Art. In addition, her work has been employed in book jackets, magazine covers, fashion spreads and billboards across Japan. She lives and works in Tokyo.

Life

October 13 2016

Some Lessons I’ve Learned From Running

One of my good friends, Kat, recently ran a 10K. She inspired me to take up running as a form of exercise. Instead of driving myself to the gym, attending a class and then driving back, I love that running is an immediate form of workout. You just put on your shoes, stretch and go. It’s been about a month since I’ve started and I’ve learned a few lessons that I’d thought I’d share with you today.

Oh, one more thing. After I told my sisters that I started running, they decided to give it a try, too. Carol signed us all up for a 5K at the end of November so now we’re all training for that event. A race is a good motivator.

I’ve been using some basic Asics that I bought last year but everyone is suggesting that I try going to a store like Fleet Feet to get the perfect shoe for running. Initially, I dismissed the idea but now that I’m getting shin splints I’ve come to accept that the right shoe is important.

Speaking of shin splints, it’s very real and very common. It’s basically pain caused by overuse along the shinbone, the large front bone in the lower leg. I don’t want to completely stop running but I’ve learned that I have to take it easy on myself, especially in the beginning. As this article states, “Beginning runners who are starting up a running program will often run too far or too fast before their legs are ready to sustain the distance or the speed they’re running.” Before you start running like crazy, read about shin splints and what you can do to prevent them.

Wearing the right workout clothes is important. I invested in some Lululemon leggings. They’ll run you about $100 but they’re worth it because of the high quality material and because they have pockets where you can put your keys or phone. If you can, it’s best to go to an actual store to try them on to get the right fit.

I use two apps to run. One is called Strava. It handles all your needs for tracking, recording your distance, time, speed, and so forth. The other is Couch to 5K. It’s a “coaching” type of app that eases you into running a 5K. The idea is to transform you from couch potato to runner, getting you to begin running a 5K or 3.1 miles and on a regular basis in just two months. It breaks your run up into intervals of walking and running. The soothing voice tells you when to warm up, walk, run, and cool down.

That’s it for now. I’ll let you know, next month, how the 5K goes. Now go out there and run!

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