Posts Tagged ‘Personal’

My Philosophy on Photography — Humble Beginnings

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Wind Swept (1986)

Wind Swept (1986)

I first discovered a fascination with taking pictures when I was a young child. A family member had given me a box camera and I shot two or three rolls of 120 film. The resulting images were a disappointment. The expense of film and developing prevented me from going much further with it at that time; but the seed was planted.

I was a teenager when I truly discovered my passion for taking pictures. Unfortunately, photography was not offered as an elective at my high school, but I’m sure that had it been, I would have enrolled in the program.

I got my hands on a 35mm Pentax and started taking it everywhere I would go. At that time, even though it as difficult to get developed, I preferred shooting with black and white film. In fact, the only time I resorted to using color film was when I couldn’t locate something monochromatic.

Sel Portrait (1985)

Sel Portrait (1985)

A few years later I would put photography aside when I decided to pursue another of my interests, music. I couldn’t afford to invest in equipment for both. As the years passed, I kept many examples of my photographs around, even adorning my walls with a few pictures I had taken back in my youth. Often times people would ask me why I didn’t continue taking pictures, as they looked over one of the framed images.

When I finally put my pursuit of music aside it was nearly as much the echoes of those voices as my former passion that encouraged my return to photography.

For several years I shot only with film, but in 2002, I started shooting digital and in 2003, I purchased my first Digital SLR. Since that time, my 35mm SLR has been seeing less and less use. Within a year of that eventful purchase one of my images saw publication.

Another image I took in 2004 was picked POW (Photo of the Week) on Photo.net. It’s quite a prestigious honor and the image has been viewed well over 1.7 million times. Later that image would see publication in two separate magazines.

Bridge into Silence

I began shooting occasional professional work in 2005. Since then I have taken on more and more work as a photographer and earlier this year I decided I would open a studio and pursue it full time. In April, I found a space at 985 Lincoln Way, Suite 204 in Auburn, California. The studio is now open and you are welcome to drop in anytime Monday through Friday. I take appointments on the weekend as well. The phone number is (530)885-5375.

In my next blog I will discuss elements of life’s experiences and the manners in which people communicate and the impact I feel that both have on my Philosophy of Photography.

Life and Time and Things

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Directions . . .

Directions . . .

It’s been an interesting two weeks. I just leased the space for my studio and am currently trying to make the place presentable and functional. It’s been a lot of the kind of work I don’t always feel like doing, but with help from a select few I have been working at it slowly but surely. Most notably Erin Towery, Matt Lambert and Peter Huckins.

In the meantime I’ve been neglecting the things I usually have plenty of time to work on. My gallery, my blog, taking random pictures, posting them, going places . . . all of those things have been tossed by the wayside.

For the time being I have no Internet access in my space either so that has made things a little difficult. Hopefully, I can remedy that situation soon. In fact, I need to do that posthaste, as lacking the hookup it making things difficult. The thing is I was thinking that without it I would be faced with one fewer distraction.

In more tragic news, last week a close friend was killed in tree trimming accident. Joe Huckins was only 30 years old. I will post more on Joey in the future; right now I believe we are all just trying to come to terms with his death.

Come by and visit me at the studio at 985 Lincoln Way, #204 upstairs. You might call first though just to be sure I’m there. I’ve been in and out quite a bit. (530) 885-5375

Furr Ball Gallery

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

Furr Ball 2009

Furr Ball 2009


The Furr Ball was everything it was chalked up to be. Kind of like a small slice of the playa transported into the unlikely location of Gold River, which is a small borough in Rancho Cordova. There were fire performers, mutant vehicles, lots of art and a couple of hundred people dressed up in their playa finest.

The theme was fun fur and Roger Rabbit, so there were plenty of outrageous costumes moving to the music of a half dozen DJs.

I set up a pair of strobes off in the corner and planned to take a bunch of portraits. Unfortunately, there was so much going on outside many of the patrons never made it inside or failed to notice I was set up if they had.

Due to this detriment I was able to get outside and run around and I actually took some of the first fire performance shots I have taken in probably two years. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe. I was supposed to go to Fire Drums VII this weekend, but due to my current situation with opening the studio I decided to bow out.

As I said last year, there’s always next year. Maybe not!

Check out the Furr Ball gallery here.

Furr Ball — April 18th, 2009

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

2009 Furr Ball

2009 Furr Ball


I know it’s hard to believe, but for the second time in as many years someone has taken it upon themselves to throw me a massive birthday party. I know, I couldn’t believe it myself, but it appears that the good folks at Camp Inspiritum have stepped it up and really went beyond the call of duty to throw me the biggest bash ever.

Me, being the gracious guy that I am, suggested, HEY, why don’t you guys make it a combination benefit party for your camp while you’re at it? And they were like, Why didn’t we think of that? All I could do is shrug.

So yeah, you can support one of the most awesome camps on the playa while you are also celebrating my birthday. And as an added bonus I will take some kind of amazing photo of you in your furry finest.

That’s right, in lieu of a gift there is an advanced $20 donation required. Hey, $20 bucks for 8 hours of solid rollicking partying, the likes you haven’t seen, well, since Erin threw me that bash last year. And this time there is going to be performances and fire and all kinds of insanity. It’s really going to be something.

Need more information? There’s plenty of it here.

But why bother with information. Just go buy tickets right now and save yourself some trouble. Buy tickets here.

Okay, so to be honest this doesn’t have anything to do with my birthday. It just happens to correspond with the actual day. And I will be shooting special portraits there, which will be posted in a gallery on my site and announced, probably a week or two after.

The Quest

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Sky's the Limit, Right?

Sky's the Limit, Right?


My apologies for having neglected my blog for so long. My intention, when I started this thing, was to post something on a daily basis. Or to at least have several posts each week. I have failed miserably.

As they say—in politically correct language, “Things happen”.

With the current state of our economy, I have decided that the time has come to either get into the tank or, well… to be honest there aren’t any other options.

So I have been looking for a location to open a studio. I have found one or two interesting possibilities, but I am trying to be realistic as far as expenses go. This week I found a place I was thinking might be the perfect fit.

I was psyched.

the Guff

the Guff

The following day I was called and informed that the original rate was incorrect and that the actual rent was going to be $180 more. So I spent the day going back and forth with the management trying to figure something out.

At the moment I am still waiting to see what, if any, incentive they might offer.

Hopefully, when this all works out, which I am sure it eventually will, I can get back to a regular routine.

In the meantime I am working on galleries for all of the Firedrums events I have been to in the past. Not a lot of technically sound images, but for the sake of those performing I am going to post them soon anyway. Watch for an update.

AMGEN 2009 Sacramento Gallery

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

amgen-sac
I finally got around to posting a gallery of images taken at the 2009 AMGEN Tour of California Opening Prologue that took place in Sacramento, California on February 14th, 2009.

This was the first time I had an opportunity to shoot a time trial event like this. Accordingly, I decided to use my time to practice my ability panning. Another photographer was sitting beside me and I’m pretty sure he thought I was crazy, as he felt it more important to go for the clean, clear shot on each rider.

I’m not a great bike fan so for me that wasn’t as important as getting something more interesting and creative, as well as developing my ability using this technique.

I am content with some of the results and less so with others. You can make up your own mind. Visit the gallery here.

Coat Check Gallery

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Mary Mary Quite Contrary


The Coat Check Party had a very cool concept. Choose a coat to wear and cram the pockets full with whatever items you felt like bringing along. When you got to the party you checked your coat and they give you a number. After everyone has arrived they start re-distributing the coats. The result was a bunch of people walking around with funny looking coats that didn’t always fit. Then as you watched you see the wearers pulling out whatever happened to be in the pockets. Chewing gum, knick knacks, flasks with liquor in them, condoms, you name it. While I would have expected the majority of the coats to have had silly things lining the pockets, most of them had truly interesting and creative items.

I only snapped a few images, most of them either around the neon light in the bar or using an off camera flash. But I did get a few images I thought were worth sharing. It was a cold night and we ended up staying close to the fire in order to stay warm. Great idea for a party though.

Check out the gallery here.

Friday the 13th

Friday, March 13th, 2009
Creepy Creepy!

Creepy Creepy!

My favorite fact about Friday the 13th is that if you get one in February—unless it’s a leap year—you’re going to get another in March. I first realized this when I was in high school. And now, today, I have discovered that if those two facts are the case then we will also have a third Friday the 13th during the year as well. Look for it in November.

 

I never took the superstition too seriously myself even though the movie franchise started at about the same time I realized the aforementioned details. That is until I was going to college in Ohio in 1983. It was on Friday the 13th in May that year. I had a friend who lived next door. His name was Frank.

Many Hospitals have no Room 13

Many Hospitals have no Room 13

Frank was a very cool cat, who introduced me to the New York City music scene. While I was at school there were few days that the two of us didn’t hang out. That Friday I dropped in for a visit. As I came in, he and one of his roommates were laughing about their third roommate.

Even though it was late in the afternoon the roommate was still in bed. And he refused to get up. Even though everyone harassed him the guy refused to get out of bed and did not get out of bed all day long. He was that freaked out by the day. And as I have discovered his was not a fear all his own.

The great Franklin Roosevelt refused to travel on and Friday the 13th. He also refused to host thirteen guests at his table. No word on whether he counted himself as a guest or not. And his predecessor, the debatably not so great, President Hubert Hoover also feared the day.

Back to New York City for a moment. While I was there five years later in 1988, I remember seeing many buildings, especially buildings that were built prior to or during the early twentieth century, that did not have a 13th floor. No kidding. Elevators with no 13. How lame is that.

There is nothing to fear except fear itself!

There is nothing to fear except fear itself!

What is it with all of this negative 13th business? Realistically speaking, thirteen should be a respected numeral. For one, there really should be thirteen months in the year since there are thirteen cycles of the moon. Forget this twelve business being the most complete number. I have even heard that many years ago there were actually thirteen months in the year, as there should be now. If there were, I believe we could avoid this leap year every four years as well. Don’t quote me on that. I may be wrong!

Anyway, if you ask me this fear of thirteen is completely ridiculous and uncalled for. Oh, and if you’re not sure it’s referred to as Triskaidekaphobia. A word that confusing shouldn’t even exist.

From Merriam-Webster::

Main Entry: triskaidekaphobia
Pronunciation: tris-kī-de-kə-‘fō-bē-ə
Function: noun
Etymology:New Latin, from Greek treiskaideka thirteen (from treis three + kai and + deka ten) + New Latin phobia more at THREE, TEN
Date:circa 1911

: fear of the number 13

The difference 48 days Makes

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
January 20th, 2009

January 20th, 2009


What can you do with 48 days? That’s almost 7 weeks. Back to back that would be well over 22 work weeks. That’s quite a bit of time. Almost half the time someone who works 11 months out of the year, spends behind their desk.

It’s also the time that our new president has been in office. But that isn’t why I wrote this blog. I was out riding my bike on January 20th and I happened to see this crow lying dead on the side of the road. I don’t much like crows. They’re annoying and sometimes I can hear them pestering my cat outside. So seeing one dead didn’t bother me too much. I stopped and took a few pictures.

He was relatively intact. Probably hit by a car only a few days before. Yesterday, I went out for a ride again. And I rode down the same road. I have ridden quite a few times since January 20th, but this was the first time I have ridden on this road again.

March 9th

March 9th

On the off chance that the crow might still be there I looked in the place I had seen him before. I figured that a coyote or a vulture, or even another crow would have cleaned him up by now, so I was surprised he was still there. He was moved a few feet, but must not have been worth dragging off.

I still didn’t feel much for him. I was impressed with his resilience though. Just like when a crow is alive they don’t really give in. They’re persistent and even if you chase one off there’s a very good chance they’ll come back the moment you turn away. I looked at his carcass and thought even dead the bastard doesn’t give in!

Then I thought of my cat. I have often watched him just sit there not caring one bit that a big crow was up in the tree squawking like a jerk. He just ignores them without a concern in the world. I love that about my cat. I don’t see you, I don’t hear you and I don’t care.

Well, except for maybe when he does that to me!

See more images of the crow here.

Reflected Light Gallery

Friday, March 6th, 2009

I'm Alive in Here

I'm Alive in Here


This is one of my favorite sets of images. I have literally hundreds of shots of simple flashes of reflected light. Usually, it’s reflected from windows, but sometimes you’ll see a strange pattern of geometric shapes coming off a chrome wheel or a shiny tank. The best results usually involve a well defined object shadowing the beam, such as a leafless tree or an unaware pedestrian coming between.

I’ll be adding lots of pictures to this gallery.

See the first offering here.