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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wings for wind

To ride along the coast and set yourself free...

Before the harvest

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

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.

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.

Open

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

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.

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....

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.

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....

Classics

They just don't make them like this anymore...

Celebrate

Enjoy life...

Magic in the sky

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

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.

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....

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.

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.

Enchanted

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

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...

Where the road takes me

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

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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spring and Shutter

Given all the rain we've been getting, Spring should colorful.

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.