Abeje

Abeje shot a couple weeks ago.

New Work Up!

New work up on my site! Go check it out!

its been a while...

... since my last post, but I will soon have a set of new images. Stay tuned!

Revisting

I was revisiting old shoots this morning. I am not sure how I missed this one the first time around, but here it is, proving that re-editing is worth it!

B&W

Here's another shot of Cliff, converted into b&w.

Happy Photo!

Yesterday I had my second shoot with Cliff. He looks a little sad in the photo on my site, but he's not a sad person. We had some fun exploring the Potrero Hill Rec Center.

Yesterday with Tracy

I had a great shoot with Tracy yesterday. I am still sorting through the files, but will soon have a few up on my site!

Stroll Through the Neighborhood

One man's garbage is another man's treasure

Can you believe that this beauty was dug out of the San Francisco dump? My friend David found it while getting rid of some items. He very generously gave it to me to use! I can't believe my luck! And I can't believe that someone would throw this away! I am going to run a roll of film through it and see how it turns out; I'll post some of the photos when they are ready.

Backyard Light

My backyard at sunset.

Portrait

A recent portrait.

Reiko

A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph SF artist Reiko Muranaga in her studio. These are two of my favorite images from that session. I think these two could fit nicely on my site.

Julia Continued

I finally finished retouching the images that I shot of Julia two weeks ago. It is my first attempt at creating a fashion spread. I had the help of Jessica Northern, an amazing SF stylist. She and her assistant did a fantastic job of pulling clothes and providing tons of options and ideas! I am looking forward to doing another fashion spread and producing even better work!

FeatureShoot

Check out one of my images up on FeatureShoot today! The top image (woman holding the gun) is Abby Wilcox. I am happy she's featured as well as we went to art school together.

Julia

I am almost done finalizing my shoot with Julia from two weeks ago! This image is a new approach for me. I usually stay away from compositing and HDR-ing, but this particular scene called for it. Shooting into the late afternoon sun, I couldn't get a decent exposure for both Julia and the sky. I am happy to achieve the look in post.

Weekend shoot

This past weekend I did a collaborative shoot in SF. It was such a fantastic shoot and I worked with an amazing team! Jessica Northern did the styling. She was so fantastic to work with and really helped me pull the concept together! Her assistant, Heather Herrick, took this photo of me shooting. Nhu Phan did the hair and makeup and our model Julia was from Ford. I have a mountain of photos to edit and will post them up here and on my site when they are finalized. I can't wait to share them with you!

CS5- Content-Aware Fill

Adobe is launching the latest version of Photoshop and the buzz is all about the new content-aware fill. Amazingly, it can completely remove objects from photos in a very seamless manner. Stella Kramer wrote a blog post over on stocklandandmartelblog that offers a very interesting counter argument to all the buzz. I have to say I am in agreement with her.

Rainer Maria Rilke

"Be patient toward all the is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions."

I love this quote by Rainer Maria Rilke.

Chloe Mallet

A while ago, I was flipping through a magazine (I believe it was Nylon) and came across a fashion spread by Chloe Mallet (the top image-girl with bunny years-was part of that spread). I was immediately intrigued by the hazy, dreamy quality of the photo. I continually revisit her work and am always drawn to the quality of light and delicate approach she has to fashion. I can only dream to work with the clients that she has collaborated with! Go check out her work and get lost in its beauty!

500 Photographers

Pieter Wisse has started an online database called 500 Photographers. Every day (m-f) for 100 weeks he will post about an influential photographer. What I especially love about his postings is the accompanying video clip about the noted photographer. It should be fun to check in with his site as the 100 weeks progress.

Words of Wisdom from a Childhood Friend

The other night I got together with two friends from grammar school, Tracy and April. The three of us knew each other since kindergarten. We were talking about our current job situations and realized that all three of us were working in creative industries. When it came time for Tracy to talk (she works as a zookeeper, how cool is that!!), she said, "I am working my dream job right now, I just need more hours doing it." It was such a gem of wisdom and I realized that I am in the exact situation! I am working my dream job, I just need more (billable) hours doing it! Nothing like old childhood friends to put things back in perspective for you!

Location Scouting

I have a shoot coming up in a few weeks and I have been doing some heavy location scouting. It has been an interesting process so far. Typically for my shoots, I don't do a ton of scouting. Sometimes it works out, but I also find myself not as organized and weeding through a lot of bad photos during the editing process that probably could have been avoided had I scouted. I am really invested in the upcoming shoot and find myself turning a corner with pre-production. I have been taking a lot of photos and most of them have not been so hot and that's okay because this is the time for me to get my bearings before the shoot happens. Its a new process and one that makes me a more grown-up photog. The above photo is one that I took the other day during scouting. I was really able to analyze this one (and other from the same set) and came to the conclusion that I need to consider other locations. I am so happy to have come to this conclusion now and not during the shoot!

The Photography Post

Rachel Hulin recently started a new blog, The Photography Post. I like to consider it a megablog of sorts; she offers live feeds of some of the most relevant blogs in the photo world. It is a good place to start if you are feeling like reading up on the most current news/thoughts/musings coming from the photosphere.

Henry David Thoreau

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."

Wonderful quote from Henry David Thoreau.

Wishlist

This Tim Walker photo book has been on my wishlist for quite some time. I would like to spend an afternoon getting lost in it.

Westin St. Francis

Today I snuck around the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, taking photos of the lush decor.

Sunday Sky

Lately I find myself so drawn to the color blue.

Paul Octavious

Paul Octavious has been lighting up the blog scene and when you take a look at his work, its no surprise why his name has suddenly exploded. His work is clever and beautiful. I especially like his series Same Hill Different Day and The Book Collection. Anything more I write will only waste the time you should be spending checking out Paul's site.

(all images copyright of Paul Octavious)

Eat, Memory

Joanna over at A Cup of Jo recommended Eat, Memory by Amanda Hesser. So far I am really enjoying the essays; it is a collection of writings about food.

Jim Marshall Passes

Sad news in the photo world, Jim Marshall passed away. His photos are legendary and in a league of their own. I have a friend who works in the SF police department and she told me her encounter with Marshall. She said she was working at the station one day when one of her officers came and told her that someone was there to see her. She walked out and there was Jim Marshall. He had a copy of one of his books that he had signed and he gave it to her. He told her it was a token for the help she had given him. Funny thing is, she didn't remember him or helping him! Of course she told me this and showed me the signed book and asked me, "Have you ever heard of this photographer?"

(photo credit: Jim Marshall)

Dream Location

This house is a few blocks away from mine and it is so creepy! But I bet it would be a great place to shoot! I have never seen anyone come in or out of the place and I was shooting through the slats of a six foot high, metal fence. It looks like a haunted house!

Stairs

Zen

I took a weekend trip and didn't want to come back home! I was feeling so zen.

Long Overdue Scanning

I finally got to Rayko this afternoon for some long overdue scanning. Here are a few images from my scanning session. The top image might look familiar because it is from this shoot.

Alistair at the Gas Station

I am always asking my brother if I can take his photo... and he hates it. But this is one that I caught of him unawares at a gas station.

Road Trip

I took this photo on the drive down to Bakersfield. I love the colors! I am a sucker for that muted color palette.

Gallery Show-Opening Reception Tomorrow!

Just a quick reminder that the opening reception for my gallery show A Lighter Day is tomorrow evening.

625 Sutter

San Francisco

5:30-7:30

I hope to see you there!

Storm passing

The drive down to Bakersfield was crazy stormy. I love a good storm, and love the quality of light after the rains have passed. I am lovin the spot of flare in the middle of this photo. And the puddles too. Perhaps some cropping would make this photo even more interesting.... stay tuned to my website to see what I come up with.

Another Spring Sighting

Despite San Francisco's cold and dreary weather, I have Spring on my mind. This is a shot I took on my drive home from Bakersfield.

Goodbye Bakersfield

As promised, here are a few more shots from Bakersfield. It was very sad to say goodbye to my grandmother's home. It holds so many childhood memories. The bottom image looks unrelated, but it is actually the tree in her front yard.