Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The mighty oak


Going on a road trip was just wait I needed. Wildflowers are in full bloom, covering this hills and fields, leaving no doubt that it's Spring.

On this image the Orton Process was applied. The effect really seems to stand out on nature images, not that a scene like this can be improved upon.

Falling Apart


Welcome to California....

Bureaucracy


When it comes to bureaucracy, it can't see the problems it causes, and is completely incapable of fixing things. Most crumble under their own weight.... given enough time.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Caught up in the fable


I've got a bunch of images that might not have every seen the light of day, that is until I stumbled on Orton Image processing. This method produces some interesting and fun results.

There were some issues getting this posted. Blogger was down for a bit, but seems to be fixed now.

Monday, March 29, 2010

A Spring Drive


I got to go on a little road trip with friends, and it was well worth it. Everywhere we went it was obvious that it's Spring in California.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

When you're not welcome


Needing to get out of the house, I took a drive and soaked in some of the color of Spring.

It was a much needed break. Spending some time in and with Nature for some grounding.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Where the world is mine


What I really like in a photograph is simplicity. Something uncluttered, and straightforward in approach.

It's not always possible to get and/or achieve this, but it's something I strive for nonetheless.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Before the harvest


Spring is here people... grab your cameras and capture the season...

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dreams vanished by the dawn


I was able to get out the door for some sunrise shots the other morning. The effort was worth it.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Alone at the gate


Sometimes I forget what's still sitting on my hard drive, so it really doesn't hurt to go back from time to time to see if there's anything worth processing.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Open


It was the only sign of life I had seen for miles...

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Looking ahead


In moving, I was hoping to gain some space in order to have room to expand on some photography work. I was thinking along the lines of a small studio area with controlled lighting.

That didn't happen. The new place is small, and in fact there's less space than before.

That doesn't mean giving up on expanding on photography. In fact, it could be just what I needed.

The U.S. Marine Corps have an unofficial motto: "Adapt, Improvise, Overcome". I think a creed of flexibility would serve many very well in their journeys.

So, knowing that I don't have controlled lighting... what to do? Learn to control the light you do have... any light.

And just to drive this home, after unpacking things yesterday, I decided to take a break and headed to the beach. I'm a fool for sunsets.

Under the pier on a nearly empty beach with the sun setting quickly, what do I notice? A photographer working with two young models, using a small flash for balanced fill light, and that beautiful setting sun as his rim light.

What a great setting. I could tell everyone involved was exciting with the results they were getting as they looked at the screen on the back on the camera, quickly taking more images before they lost the light.

Viola! Given a choice between sterile, controlled lighting, or a more natural setting.... There's no choice really to be made.

Adapt, Improvise, Overcome.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

We've missed you


A week ago today, I was loading a U-Haul and starting to move. For all intents and purposes, I'm all moved and more than 70% unpacked. I'm tempted to grab a couple of cameras and run out and have some fun. I don't think the remaining boxes are going to go anywhere. We'll see....

Friday, March 19, 2010

On Duty


I got volunteered to take a group photo of the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol. It wasn't planned. They guy who was supposed to do it was sick. Good thing I've always got gear with me, but in this case I didn't have a reflector to throw some light on the shady side of the faces of the group.

I had to work quickly as they were already staring directly into the sun and make the best of it.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

No Trespassing


Noontime, and I’m still pushin’ myself along the road,
the darkest part, Into the narrow lanes,
I can’t stumble or stay put. - Bob Dylan

Heading under the bridge


Crossed any bridges lately? Neither have I....

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Monday, March 15, 2010

Magic in the sky

There are moments that just speak for themselves. And this was one of them....

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Rolling with the tide

There's something soothing about waves crashing on the shore, like food for the soul. It washes our troubles away, even if for just a little while.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Before we had to leave

Never take anything for granted. We all know that all good things come to an end... I knew it when I was in France, and spent as much time as I could enjoying Notre Dame de Paris both inside and out....

I also knew it each time I attended mass at the Santa Barbara Mission... Soak in life, it's meant for living....

Friday, March 12, 2010

Lost my shape


Being in a "state of transition" has been very disruptive. My focus has been on securing a place to live, and getting moved. Projects have had to be pushed back, and/or set aside.

The good news is that things are coming together, and I expect that in the next week or two, I'll be able to pick up where I left off. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to pick up some steam and really be able to focus in on things.

I really want to take my photography in a new direction and was hoping to gain some room to be able to do this. The opposite happened. I have less space than before. This is going to force me to get more creative, and could actually work to my advantage. No telling at this point, will just have to wait and see how things work out.

One thing I do want to try and do soon, is to try and get a small informal Strobist group started in my area.

I know that I've got another pay cut coming up in April, so a good project will keep my mind off the sinking California economy.

This Old House


Once again, it's time to move on.... leaving rooms full of good memories in my mind.

Tomorrow is the big push to get moved, and semi-settled into a new place.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Distorted View


The twists and turns of life can sure change the way you view the world.

Something's in the air


All the pieces are starting to fall into place to make some major changes. The challenge has been to grasp and then accept the task at hand.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Enchanted


It's always nice to take some time away from concerns of the world and spend some time enjoying Nature.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Rolling Down the Road


I'm at a loss for words. Overwhelmed by all that still needs to be done, making it hard to tell if I'm moving ahead at all...

Monday, March 8, 2010

Where the road takes me


My journey is filled with twists and turns, never taking me anywhere I expected to go....

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Bay Bridge


Reflective moonlight glows upon the darkness of the sea, in giant jagged bits, and broken lines, that chase the water to the horizon....

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Huddled in Colour


God only knows how old the eggs in the refrigerator are, but sometimes it's comforting to know something's in there...

I like to think of it as a small sign of success, but then I vaguely remember them as being left from some lost Easter when friends left them behind because they ran out of coloring...

Hotel Room


Dear Ken:

I went to aerobics @ 9:15.... I'll be back probably around 10:30. I'm expecting a call from Tova about a job - could you just take a message and I'll call her back.

Thanx,

bye

me

Still Life


It would be nice if the world would sit still, just for a moment, so I could catch my breath and catch up on things.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Floating on Blue


You can't always see how things are going to work out, you have to adapt along the way. Therein lies the challenge.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

The short story

We've all got our own stories to live and tell, which though tough at times, are all part of life's rich pageant.

Let your story unfold with all the dignity and honesty you can muster. All will be richer for it... give your talents to the world and watch them multiply....

Dreamy Afternoon


It was as if the clock had stopped. All urgency had faded away.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Green Oaks


Processing images with a different technique can give them a look and feel completely different from what you were thinking at the time they were captured.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Monday, March 1, 2010

Getting things under control


The moving process has begun. Now it's a question going from here to there with as little disruption as possible and maintaining some order.