Macau 澳門小游

[wongyan]

that story really reminded me that I've once made some little money (around US$150) from the internet casinos.  yes, it is also blackjack with counting technique.  And they even offer free chips but you have to wager 2 times the initial endowment.  Right now, they are asking more than 5 times so no one can beat them anymore.

Sounds we have to study texas-hold'em

You learned the counting techniques?

What stop you from using a computer probability program alongside with the online BJ?

BTW bjmath.com has lots of math related to BJ and gambling/investment in general.

That was many many years ago that I can't hardly find any computer program.  (plus I enjoyed learn counting that time)

[chin]

Another trip to Macau during the 中秋 holidays.

One of the main purposes of this trip is to take pictures of the annual firework show.
http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/events/majoreventsdetail.php?rid=63

This would be my first time trying to photo fireworks seriously - meaning actually schedule the time, bring the proper equipment, etc... However I still ended up ill prepared. Like forgot to bring my tripod and lens hood. The tripod problem was solve by buying one in Macau. The lack of lens hood turned out to be a much bigger problem, and as a result many photos have some unwanted halo like lights.

Another item I did not have was a black card to cover the lenses.

Before going to Macau, I read messages and look at pictures posted on a Macau based photo forum (ecpz.net), trying to guess where is the better location to take photo, the technical details, etc... The research was fruitful. I was able to identify the popular location in Taipa, near 海洋花園. After the photo session, I found a better location, but more dangerous, may be on the bridge highway much closer to the firework barges, and with better background using the Macau Tower. See below map.

Looking at other people's picture, I was able to decide before hand to use ISO100, F8 to F13, set shutter speed to B to control the exposure time there and then. The only thing did not planned well was the selection of lens. The 85mm probably would be a better lens with tighter image, then the 24-70 used for virtual all the photos.

[chin]

We had a nice dinner at Tim's Kitchen in Lisboa. I was sort of rushed out to reach the first shooting location maybe 10 min before the firework started at 21:00. The first team was from Japan.

[chin]

As I was late to the location, and afraid of not getting enough time to prepare, I just pick a location where the taxi dropped me off. It was at the head of the bridge (see First Location in the map above.)

It turned out to be a difficult location. First the strong street lights on the bridge created quite a bit of problem -  many of my pictures taken at this location have bright hazy color on the side. I think if I have taken with me the lens hood, the problem would be minimized somewhat. Or if I had a black card with me, I could have cover the right side a bit to reduce the light coming into the lens.

I realized the use of black card after seeing almost everyone around me had one. 

[chin]

Another problem with this shooting location was that it lined up the firework barge right in front of the Macau Tower. A bit off-set would created more balance and interest in the framing.

[chin]

The Japanese team had some very interesting fireworks - like Hello Kitty faces, Micky Mouse faces, spell out the word Macau, etc... However due to my inexperience, I was trying to change lens in the middle of the firework display, I missed the chance to take pictures of the faces. 

[chin]

More pics

[chin]

Last two of my pictures of the Japanese team.

[chin]

After the Japanese team was done, I had about 30 min until the French team start at 22:00. I moved a bit further down to the second location.

In this picture, the lotus shaped Grand Lisboa hotel is clearly visible to the right. While I went to Taipa to take these pictures, my family was in the Grand Lisboa wathc the fireworks from their rooms.

Also in this picture you can see the many street lights on the bridge. These lights created the light pollution mentioned in #63.

This was the French team's first firework.

[chin]

The French team actually had some creative works, but not the cute ones like the Japanese team's faces. There were many people around me were comparing the two teams, and most thought the Japanese team had better show.