My friend John arrived yesterday and first on his addenda was a visit to a surgeon to have a couple of large cysts removed on the side of his nose.  The Pattaya City Expats recommended Dr. Anna Jaruwarn at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.  We went there and in one hour the procedure was completed, John says she is terrific – educated in the US and speaks excellent English, very professional staff, perfect job and at a very reasonable price.   Complete operation was 10,400 Baht (US $325 ).  Try that in the States.  And that includes the follow up next week.

Thailand is great as a medical vacation – have your surgery done and enjoy a great vacation on the beach for less than a visit to your local hospital in the States.   Planning or need some surgery, plan on a medial vacation in Thailand – I recommend Pattaya.  Your insurance policy may also pay for it – they love the savings too. Ask them !

Ciao

This is a close-up of one of the girls (LadyBoys) at Adams Apple in Chiang Mai – several years ago.  I was fascinated with her makeup.  It’s so penetrating I just had to post this image.  

Ciao

I think I need to do a series on sexy briefs – of course the models help too.

Ciao

Need I say more ::::

Ciao

Thanks to Paul’s Sunday Funnies for this non-essential data:

When you rearrange the letters:

PRESBYTERIAN:        =   BEST IN PRAYER
ASTRONOMER:          =   MOON STARER
DESPERATION:          =   A ROPE ENDS IT
THE EYES:                =   THEY SEE
GEORGE BUSH:         =   HE BUGS GORE
THE MORSE CODE:    =   HERE COME DOTS
DORMITORY:             =   DIRTY ROOM
SLOT MACHINES:       =   CASH LOST IN ME
ANIMOSITY:               =   IS NO AMITY
ELECTION RESULTS:   =   LIES – LET’S RECOUNT
SNOOZE ALARMS:      =   ALAS! NO MORE Z ‘S
A DECIMAL POINT:      =   I’M A DOT IN PLACE
THE EARTHQUAKES:   =   THAT QUEER SHAKE
ELEVEN PLUS TWO:    =   TWELVE PLUS ONE

AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:

MOTHER-IN-LAW:   =   WOMAN HITLER

Eerie, spooky

Ciao

Well we are in the rainy season now – what a beautiful day today – cool, clear and bright.  Here is a panorama from my balcony looking towards Pattaya.  The 3 month rainy season, till Oct, will bring in cooler days and especially nights, frequent rains to clear the air and green’ify  (is that a word) the landscape.  About to receive my new camera, a Canon G15, which will make it easier to capture spontaneous images of the area.  Not as intrusive as my big 7D ( that will be used of special occasions and studio work).  I’m really looking forward to shooting on the beach and in town – easy to carry and not as obvious so I can capture more natural images.  Just had the car tuned up so I am ready to go exploring again.

As for the above image – it you look closely in the middle right of the image you can see the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” balloon ride cabled above the show room on Pattaya 2nd Rd.  I haven’t been up there yet, don’t really have a desire to float above the city.

So for the next 6 months, beautiful weather.  If your planning a visit to Thailand – now is the time – less tourists, cooler nights , low season pricing, great cloud formations (and lightning shows if your into that) – excellent for photography  —  and then the 3 month busy tourist season starts.  

The boys are all here, just check out “GayRomeo” for a date – most are now using the web from their iPad or smartphone, although the bars and clubs are still in full swing too.  Come and enjoy.

Ciao

In the last two images, “Lets Play” and “Red Fantasy”, I am trying out different concepts to control the viewers eye.  Focusing the viewer on a specific point in the image using contrast and brightness.  From there the viewers eye can wander through the image slowly and reveal the full story behind.  I want the viewers imagination to take hold and make the image personal.

I hope it’s working  – I am working on using different techniques to accomplish the same goal and will post them soon.

Comments are appreciated and suggestions of images or methods would be nice too.   Enjoy

Ciao

Old Photos from Chiang Mai – transformed  —

Ciao

Ciao

Here are a couple of new PS works – just for fun, Kong wanted something to show his horoscope symbol and I thought a modified Roman Gladiator would be fun too (this was a exercise in getting the skin to match between images used in the composition – .   But this also lets me note a couple of great Photoshop Experts and their training classes or DVD’s

First   Mr. Ben Willmore – His explanation of how to use the “Curves” adjustment layer for matching colors is a God send.  Check out his tutorials on Kelby Training

Second is another great instructor on Photoshop  Mr. Aaron Nace at PHLearn.com  —  His use of adjustment layers to blend, color match, and make composites is I think the best out there.  Check out his PHLearn Pro video tutorial series for compositing. 

With these two video collections – your ready to tackle any composite task — Check them out if you’re  interested in Photoshop.

Ciao

Thanks Kevin for the tip on Humorous Adult greeting cards by Paperlink.

Especially the Bangkok Bar card by Ian Baker.  Loved it

Not sure where they are sold locally.

Ciao

Just been watching some new Photoshop tutorials and they have shed some light on better use of clipping layers – This image is a composite from a studio shot and a urban city background.  Using clipping masks and layers does give much better compositing control. I don’t have the lighting right yet but thought you like to see what it looks like now.

Ciao

It’s been a while since I posted any young men images – I need to do some more, but today I was  trying  my hand at a fully constructed composite.  The label image was made from 3 photos to make the museum site and a shot of a mummy to make it complete – then I added the model as a houseboy doing the dusting – With the label complete I used a displacement map to add wrinkles and pasted it on the box then distressed it for further ageing.  Just fucking around, but it doesn’t look that bad – now I can refine the techniques and will have more to show later.  Sorry the model is so small.

Ciao

Here’s a good one from Paul’s Sunday Funnies:

A couple of guys went for a walk in the Sydney Zoo.  They came across a gorilla and were fascinated that the gorilla had a massive erection.  One of the guys just couldn’t bear it any longer, and reach in the cage to touch it. 
The gorilla grab him, dragged him into the cage and mated with him for two hours non-stop, while the zoo attendants helplessly stood by.   When he was done, the gorilla threw the guy out of the cage.  Still alive but badly beaten and in a coma, they called an ambulance and the guy was taken away to the hospital.  A week later, after he came out of the coma, his friend visited him in the hospital and asked, ‘Are you hurt?’       ‘AM I HURT?’ he shouted;
‘Wouldn’t you be? ..he hasn’t called,..he hasn’t written..!!!!’

modified a little  –

Ciao

This has been a day of discovery – first a new dentist in town and then from Kevin this notice about testicular cancer.  Again click on the picture.   Thanks Kevin.   Stay healthy

Caio