Author: Alik Griffin

  • My Lovely Wife In Her Kimono

    My Lovely Wife In Her Kimono

    Well, it’s not her Kimono. These things can run into the tens of thousands of dollars (for the good ones). The occasion was her brother’s wedding, so all the girls decided to get Kimonos and do something more traditional. The wedding was fun, even though I usually had no idea what anyone was saying. My…

  • I Heart Shanghai

    I Heart Shanghai

    I took this photo a little over a month ago in Shanghai when it was raining. It’s a pretty cool city, but I was sketched out when they wanted my passport number so they could use the hotel’s Internet. Besides that, the food is great, and people seem friendly despite the cultural differences in public…

  • Looking Down the Grand Canyon

    Looking Down the Grand Canyon

    This photo was taken from Mather Point, looking down at the Colorado River as it continues cutting its way through the Grand Canyon. To process this HDR photo, I used a different method than usual. I did something called exposure fusion. It’s a setting in Photomatix that blends the colors differently. It seems to work…

  • Path to Sari Organik

    In Bali, Indonesia, there’s a famous cafe called Sari Organik that serves all organic food grown on-site. To reach it, you need to hike 20-30 minutes through picturesque rice fields. Along the way, I stopped several times to take photos. While many people rent scooters to get there, I prefer walking to fully enjoy the…

  • Temple in the Trees

    Temple in the Trees

    This photo was taken at Miyajima, Japan, showcasing one of the island’s many temples. Miyajima features a mix of Buddhist and Shinto shrines and temples. I processed this photo using a technique that blends photography with various textures, giving it a more painterly feel.

  • The Last Sunset of 2012

    The Last Sunset of 2012

    My wife and I decided to spend New Year’s in Tucson, Arizona, visiting some friends. I love southern Arizona, except in the summer—the weather is nice, the sunsets are beautiful, and the landscapes are stunning. Unfortunately, our plans didn’t go as expected. We were going to hike at Sabino Canyon but ended up in a…

  • Downtown San Diego From Coronado Island

    Downtown San Diego From Coronado Island

    The other night, I think it was Christmas Eve, my brother and our wives drove down to Corona Island to scope out the views. Around this time of year, it is great to drive around San Diego or Los Angeles since there is hardly any traffic. Going down to Coronado from Del Mar during rush…

  • Walt Disney Concert Hall

    Walt Disney Concert Hall

    Designed by Frank Gehry, the Walt Disney Concert Hall was built in 1999 in downtown Los Angeles. I always thought it was near Disneyland, so I was surprised to find it downtown. Last night, during Christmas, my wife and I drove there and took some photos. It’s best to avoid downtown on regular workdays, especially…

  • Bali Rice Farmer

    Bali Rice Farmer

    On the way to Tanah Lot Bali, you’ll drive through miles of rice fields. We pulled over to the side of the road to get a few photos. This old guy was working away on the rice terraces. In Bali they can harvest rice three times a year so there are almost always active fields…

  • Tanah Lot Temple of Bali

    Tanah Lot Temple of Bali

    Indonesia is often called the land of 1000 temples, and it’s easy to see why once you visit. Temples are everywhere! This photo captures the famous Tanah Lot Temple in Bali. It’s a stunning spot, and there’s a little restaurant just out of frame to the left where we enjoyed some drinks and food while…