MSoriano Photography

03/01/2023

02/27/2023

Diablo Froze Over
Almost every year, Mt. Diablo gets a dusting of snow. But every now and then we get enough that for safety reasons, the park closes its gates to the public.

11/01/2021

Felize Mckenzie and mommy Elisse Joson

03/24/2017

It's My Turn Now

Spring is trying to take over the bay area, but the storms just wouldn't leave.

03/11/2017

Two days before the full moon, I thought I found an easy enough spot to get to, where I can line up the lighthouse with the rising moon. Of course not. There were trees blocking the view. Good thing I came early, and was able to go to my second option, which is a much steeper hill, across water-logged tracks, and through hovering fruit-flies. Why are they always hovering over where people need to walk through anyway? Two feet on either side and you could ignore them, but noooo, they have to be exactly where you have to run through them with your eyes and mouth closed! But I digress.

This is the highest point in the Bay Area, showing the lighthouse that lights up every December 7 to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor. It took me years to find a very specific spot using GPS coordinates where I can get this shot. And of course, it changes everytime, so from this location, I can only see this view again probably next year.

Well, off to find another angle.

01/20/2017

This photo was taken the day before the previous storm system that went through the Bay Area. We have another stormy weekend, so be safe out there. So until the next clearing of the skies, enjoy this sunrise scene over Ridgetop trail.

01/07/2017

THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING

Thankful for 2016, with all the blessings, lessons, and challenges that came with it. Looking forward to this new year, with the encouragement that God's compassions never fail.

Every sunrise is a reminder of all things new. May we discover that each new day is an opportunity to start over, to do better, to be better. For oneself, and for one another.

#2017

10/07/2016

Summer Is Over

Everything's a little colder.

09/03/2016

Summer Sunset

It's tough to find interesting foreground around this time of year, because the grass is either dry, or if cut, it's just dirt. I found this small patch just in time as the sky was blowing up with colors.

07/05/2016

Not exactly 4th of July fireworks, but fireworks all the same.
Happy Independence Day, America!

06/10/2016

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I've been taking her photos since she was ten. My most recent snapshot of her was this one taken during our recent trip to Disneyland Hongkong. And now, after a few supporting roles, commercials, and TV shows, she's the new McDonald's girl (Philippines).
Keep dreaming, Elisse. Keep believing, until the dream that you wish has come true.

So proud being a part of your journey.

Mylene Barbara

05/20/2016

There and Back Again

Photography is easy. Set it to "auto". Then you point, and shoot.

It is in fact so easy, that more and more people buy digital cameras, watch a few YouTube videos, and call themselves "professional photographers". With mobile devices featuring high resolution cameras, everyone has become a photographer. Nothing against that, I myself am self-taught. My point is, the technical aspects can be learned, the camera settings memorized, the most expensive gear, bought. Then you point, and shoot. Easy.

Now, inspiration--that is another story.

I believe the artist's inspiration is what makes a photograph memorable, powerful, even transcendent. Inspiration doesn’t have to be deep, or complicated, or even obvious to the viewer. This, is elusive; at times difficult to come by. It cannot be taught, it cannot be forced. It is either there, or it is not. But if it is present, it can inspire the audience to act, react, depending on their personal interpretation of, and connection with, the artwork. It can be a child playing in the sand, raindrops on a window sill, a snapshot from the aisle seat, or a mountain on fire—if inspiration hits you to take that photo, do it. And you will soon discover that what you have frozen in time is more than just a picture. You captured inspiration. And that, is more than just a simple, easy, point and shoot.

Thanks for dropping by!