Traveling until 3/20/11

Hi! I'm traveling until late March 2011, so this blog will be on pause. Follow my travel adventures here:

www.JonTheRoad.com

Sincerely,

Jon Tan

random photos from 2010 that i never got around to post...

homemade curry puff pastries by mama tan. the first shot is actually of a "failed" pastery, aka one that my mom wouldn't give to friends, but keep instead for home. because it wasn't sealed thoroughly, the curry ground beef & onions peeked out just a tad (and instead left at home for us sons). we're not complaining.





on may way to bed, i saw a pot soaking in our sink. the soap suds were just dancing on the top layer of the water, every so slightly. i spotted the water droplets leaking from our faucet, and i quickly grabbed my camera. had to get in a few snapshots before i tucked myself into bed.

towards the end of 2010, my brother had carved a watermelon for youth group. pretty neat, all hand carved.

35mm film || Black & White Photography

all images taken with Nikon 50mm 1.8 and 400speed Black & White film (shoprite? cheapy brand)

It's Officially Uploaded!

Great news! I've shared with some of you earlier (See a few blogposts back) that National Geographic's Stock Photography department asked to include one of my photos in their stock collection.

It's finally uploaded! Go ahead and place your order! If it is any incentive, I get a small commission from your orders.

Here are the steps:

1) http://www.nationalgeographicstock.com

2) Enter "Jonathan Tan" or " 1272403" in the search bar to the right.

3) Order & Enjoy!

jibaros

marinated beef, onions, lettuce, mayo, cheese in a fried-pressed plantain sandwich with seasoned rice and chorizo.

thank you chicago.

I've been invited!!!!!

National Geographic's "Your Shot" had a contest back in September 2008, and I was encouraged by a friend to submit some images.

They got back to me about a week ago, and asked to include one of my images in their stock gallery. SWEET!

Here's a screenshot of their invite page, as well as a mini version of the image they want included in their stock library.



here's a bigger version of the image:

(sorry for looking snobby, but I have to copyright it since I sent it to someone at the Central Park Zoo for identification help, as they were passing the image around to find someone who can ID the birds correctly for final submission)

If you'd like to support me, please stay tuned while I await the link for the image in their stock library.

my 5 current random thoughts

(PLEASE NOTE: images in this post are not mine. found them via google searches.)

1) i think i've teared at every wedding i've photographed thus far-- and usually its during the vow exchanges

2) never been on a blind date. a tad curious to do so.

3) i've always wanted to go to some random person's funeral, even considered scheduling 1 random funeral attendance a month. why? because it's things like death and loss and scares (tumors revealed to be benign) that give us that little wake up call in life, opening our eyes/ hearts, and put the things in life into perspective

4) not really tempted by netflix, and pretty sure I will never order it. movies are great, temporarily entertaining, and unless they come with other benefits (hanging out with others, provoking good conversations and inspiring inner creativity), i think movies are a waste of time in life., like video and computer games. why?

no one sits on their death bed and wishes they could watch that movie again, or play those games or get those high scores. most everyone wishes to spend more time with their friends, family, loved ones, experience those little moments that get your insides excited and joyful. C'mon people, isn't life suppose to be an adventure?

5) i love photography. not because the pay or the "coolness" factor that comes with carrying a neat job title, but because it's how i see the world. i see the world in moments, in silent and still frames. images that weave and connect together to bring about a story full of words, emotions, thoughts, all while tapping into the empathy of the viewer. thats why i like the title on my business card, "visual storyteller". thats how i identify and strive to be as an artist.