Sometimes, you’re so focused on finding the correct exposure for the main subject that you forget about other possibilities—like silhouettes.

Nikon D7000, AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II, ISO 400, 170mm, f/16, 1/800s

The Hatemi Masjid, Palo Alto’s first free-standing mosque, recently completed construction. Located at 998 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto, CA, it is accessible through a one-way street just off of San Antonio Road. The mosque is visible from San Antonio Road, but it took me a few tries to figure out how to get there.

Lately, the weather has been overcast in the morning, clear after 10 a.m., and cloudy again over night. However, when I saw clouds in the sky at sunset, I stopped by the mosque to take a few photos.

Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 28mm, f/3.5, 1/60s
ISO: 320
Focal Length: 28mm
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter: 1/60s

The top of the Arc de Triomphe offers a breath-taking view of the surrounding city. From the grand boulevards to the Eiffel Tower to Les Invalides, I could soak in every bit of urban Paris from this one location.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 36mm, f/10, 1/200s

Whenever I’m in Paris, I’ve stopped by the Palace of Versailles. Last time was no different. However, instead of seeing the same places every single time (i.e., Louvre, Notre Dame, etc.), I decided to head to Fontainebleau for a change of pace.

We reached Fontainebleau from Paris via train and bus. Of course, in an unfamiliar place, it is easy to be hyper vigilant about not missing the stop. Basically, when all the other tourists head off the bus, follow suit.

Unlike Versailles, there was no line to go inside. We walked straight through the gates and showed the Paris Museum Pass at the entrance.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 500, 31mm, f/8.0, 1/100s

The day started off quite dry. However, by late afternoon, we saw storm clouds overhead and experienced a little fall of rain.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 32mm, f/16, 3.0s

Inside the Chateau, you can visit the Empress’ Chinese Museum. The collection is not extensive, but you can walk through three rooms of packed full of treasures, some of which came from the sacking of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

In other rooms, you bear witness to the pure opulence of imperial France from the richly upholstered furnishings to the walls and ceilings encrusted in art.

Napoleon’s throne, of course. Dark room, no tripod, grin and bear it. ISO 6,400 it is—noise and all.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 6400, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/100s

Today’s challenge was taking an unpalatable photo from four years ago and seeing if something passable can be massaged from those digital bits. The original photo was quite flat. Not sure if it was the camera, smog-filled skies or me, but the low-contrast image was just bland.

I think I need to return to Beijing. I just wish there was a calendar to predicted the likelihood of blue skies.

Nikon D50, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 N, ISO 200, 50mm, 0 EV, f/9, 1/320s

Since few of us travel enough, it’s always a fun exercise to go back and re-work some earlier photos. So, today’s adventure took place four years ago with a Nikon D50 in hand. Just for fun, I took one lens on a trip to China. A 50mm is probably a poor choice to pair with a DX camera.

The skies were gray and overcast. No character at all. By stitching two photos together, I had just enough resolution to generate a retina resolution photo. Fortunately, I solved my ISO problem just in time. For an earlier set of photos, I had ISO set at 1,600. Because I was not paying enough attention, I ended up with photos with quite noticeable noise, especially in the shadows.

Nikon D50, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8N, ISO 200, 50mm, 0 EV, f/8, 1/250s

Near the Google offices on Shorebird Way in Mountain View, CA lives a colony of egrets. To protect young egrets that may drop from the trees above, the city has closed down the street.

This Snowy Egret is perched in one of the trees above Shorebird Way.

A few streets down, I spotted this egret hanging out in the Microsoft building.

Walking through the Normandy American Cemetery was a treasured experience. We often think of World War II on a macro level with the United States, Britain, Russia and China fighting against Germany, Italy and Japan.

A visit to the cemetery brings the conflict to a micro level. As I walked through the cemetery, I came face-to-face with the names of American men and women who had lost their lives in the cause for freedom.

Thank you Aaron Tonkin. Thank you Dolores M. Browne. Thank you Joseph J. Garcarz.

Thank you.

Nikon D800, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 250, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/250s

At Angoville Au Plain, the church features a stained glass window dedicated to the paratroopers.

The church also singles out Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore for recognition. During the battle of Normandy, these two medics treated over 70 allied and German soldiers at the church.