I haven't been posting much, cause I've been working a lot. However, I've decided I can always post a photo or 2 from jobs and commissions I'm working on. So I'll be posting favorites more often.
To start off, here is Analaise just after we met...
July 29, 2007
Just a pretty face...
Music Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
I haven't been posting much, cause I've been working a lot. However, I've decided I can always post a photo or 2 from jobs and commissions I'm working on. So I'll be posting favorites more often.
To start off, here is Analaise just after we met...
I haven't been posting much, cause I've been working a lot. However, I've decided I can always post a photo or 2 from jobs and commissions I'm working on. So I'll be posting favorites more often.
To start off, here is Analaise just after we met...
July 26, 2007
Connection
Music | Blues Connotation by Ornette Coleman
Sometimes I really love the internet. As cold and distant it can be, on rare occasions it brings together the world in ways no one would have ever imagined. I was thinking this as I was signing off on correspondence with my Japanese name to a black woman who lives in Atlanta. She had spent a few years in Yokohama working as a musician and fell in love with the Japanese culture. I was reminiscing about a Jazz bar in Yokohama called the Minton House. I found those photos and it brought me back to when I was there. Late evening with my 2 cousins, a girl who had a huge crush on me, music to the likes of John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Miles Davis, beer and edemame...
One really has to think how all things are really connected...
Sometimes I really love the internet. As cold and distant it can be, on rare occasions it brings together the world in ways no one would have ever imagined. I was thinking this as I was signing off on correspondence with my Japanese name to a black woman who lives in Atlanta. She had spent a few years in Yokohama working as a musician and fell in love with the Japanese culture. I was reminiscing about a Jazz bar in Yokohama called the Minton House. I found those photos and it brought me back to when I was there. Late evening with my 2 cousins, a girl who had a huge crush on me, music to the likes of John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Miles Davis, beer and edemame...
One really has to think how all things are really connected...
July 11, 2007
Fly...
Music | Without Anything to Numb You by Sia Furler
I've often leaned upon those closest to me for support. In times of vulnerability, we seek those with like minds to fend off our demons. Having support to know (or think) we are going in the right direction is important.
I'm going thru one of the busiest times for my business right now, ever. You'd think I'd have my master plan in place where everything is running on automatic. HA! Far from that charming thought, I'm moving along at a decent pace, but with trepidations I need to work out.
The number of files I'll be processing in the next 4 to 5 months is staggering, to me at least. And in trying to put my signature on each and every image I am finding is going to be the biggest challenge. I want to keep fresh and grow, yet keep my vision my own. I've refused to visit forums I used to frequent, mostly because I felt I had to keep up with the Jones' and jump on the bandwagon of the latest coolest software. I'm certainly much more open to my own thoughts, but with that comes my doubts.
I've confided with a few of my closest associates in the business on various topics where I feel I'm not stable and frankly, I'm not hearing what I thought I wanted to hear. I'm feeling more in a quandary than I ever have. This isn't the time to be feeling this way. I think however that I have to hop out of the nest and just do what I do. If it feels good, do it. I've accumulated enough knowledge to step off.
more later... my head hurts.
I've often leaned upon those closest to me for support. In times of vulnerability, we seek those with like minds to fend off our demons. Having support to know (or think) we are going in the right direction is important.
I'm going thru one of the busiest times for my business right now, ever. You'd think I'd have my master plan in place where everything is running on automatic. HA! Far from that charming thought, I'm moving along at a decent pace, but with trepidations I need to work out.
The number of files I'll be processing in the next 4 to 5 months is staggering, to me at least. And in trying to put my signature on each and every image I am finding is going to be the biggest challenge. I want to keep fresh and grow, yet keep my vision my own. I've refused to visit forums I used to frequent, mostly because I felt I had to keep up with the Jones' and jump on the bandwagon of the latest coolest software. I'm certainly much more open to my own thoughts, but with that comes my doubts.
I've confided with a few of my closest associates in the business on various topics where I feel I'm not stable and frankly, I'm not hearing what I thought I wanted to hear. I'm feeling more in a quandary than I ever have. This isn't the time to be feeling this way. I think however that I have to hop out of the nest and just do what I do. If it feels good, do it. I've accumulated enough knowledge to step off.
more later... my head hurts.
July 02, 2007
More Homage...
Music | Urban Angel by Natalie Walker
I remember as a kid my Dad would always keep the car nice and clean. We'd go out for a drive around town for some ice cream or to visit some relatives on Sundays. It was the day he had off to do whatever he wanted to do and usually, it meant going somewhere in the car.
I can remember every car he had since I was born...
1957 Chevy 4 door Bel Air
1962 Chevy Impala
1966 Chevy Caprice (the nicest car - my Dad let me drive when I was a kid. It ended up getting stolen...)
1969 Chevy Camero
1972 Chevy Nova
1975 Chevy Malibu
1980 Chevy Citation (which eventually became my car... ewwwww)
1985 Honda Accord
1986 Oldsmobile
1992 Pontiac Bonneville
1999 Toyota Camry (which he still drives today)
I remember as a kid my Dad would always keep the car nice and clean. We'd go out for a drive around town for some ice cream or to visit some relatives on Sundays. It was the day he had off to do whatever he wanted to do and usually, it meant going somewhere in the car.
I can remember every car he had since I was born...
1957 Chevy 4 door Bel Air
1962 Chevy Impala
1966 Chevy Caprice (the nicest car - my Dad let me drive when I was a kid. It ended up getting stolen...)
1969 Chevy Camero
1972 Chevy Nova
1975 Chevy Malibu
1980 Chevy Citation (which eventually became my car... ewwwww)
1985 Honda Accord
1986 Oldsmobile
1992 Pontiac Bonneville
1999 Toyota Camry (which he still drives today)
The Bird...
Music | The Chill of October by Client
As I was cropping this image, this song came on and I thought how appropriate... It's a sad photograph, but like the character in American Beauty, I found beauty in it.
As I was cropping this image, this song came on and I thought how appropriate... It's a sad photograph, but like the character in American Beauty, I found beauty in it.
Numbers Game...
Music | Durian by The Cinematic Orchestra
My busy season officially began as of last Friday. First, a rehearsal dinner, a wedding and an engagement session the following days jump started me into the frenzy that won't end until October.
With the exception of the rehearsal dinner, my file count seems to have gone up from previous events. Actually, I was wearing my final shot count for an event as a badge of honor. I know of photographers that would shoot in excess of 2000 to 3000 photos for a wedding. My numbers were always anywhere between 400 to 700. My view was that I'd wait for the moment and get what I needed as opposed to grabbing at a sequence and hope "the shot" was in there.
Of the weddings that I have shot this year, my average numbers have been noticeably, up. My count has been consistent at around the 900 area. I don't know what it means, I may never know. It's a phenomenon, just like the question I posed to myself about colour photos vs Black and White I talked about earlier. Is it growth, maturity, or just the changing nature of taking LOTS of photographs...?
My busy season officially began as of last Friday. First, a rehearsal dinner, a wedding and an engagement session the following days jump started me into the frenzy that won't end until October.
With the exception of the rehearsal dinner, my file count seems to have gone up from previous events. Actually, I was wearing my final shot count for an event as a badge of honor. I know of photographers that would shoot in excess of 2000 to 3000 photos for a wedding. My numbers were always anywhere between 400 to 700. My view was that I'd wait for the moment and get what I needed as opposed to grabbing at a sequence and hope "the shot" was in there.
Of the weddings that I have shot this year, my average numbers have been noticeably, up. My count has been consistent at around the 900 area. I don't know what it means, I may never know. It's a phenomenon, just like the question I posed to myself about colour photos vs Black and White I talked about earlier. Is it growth, maturity, or just the changing nature of taking LOTS of photographs...?
June 22, 2007
This is the way I like to roll...
Music | All the Things You Are by Charles Mingus
Back in the late 90's, I had a 1985 Volkswagen Jetta GLi. I did little things to it to make the driving experience more personal. It was an amazingly fun car to drive. I kept that car thru to 2002 and went thru an Acura, Audi and most recently a Volvo. Today, I purchased another Jetta. A GLX with a VR6 engine, all ready lowered with nice BBS wheels, black leather interior and clean as a whistle. The car is 12 years old, but you'd never know it. Photos usually make cars look better than they really are, but I have to say, this photos is very representative to how the car looks...
This evening, my daughter and I went on a "fun" excursion. We did zero to 60, back to zero as fast as we could. We took on and off ramps about 30 to 40 mph faster than we were supposed to. We screached the wheels upon take offs as the g forces thru left and right hand turns slammed us on either side of our seats.
Driving is fun again. I noticed I was driving with a big smile on my face. I'm suprised i didn't wave to everyone, just because I was so happy.
Back in the late 90's, I had a 1985 Volkswagen Jetta GLi. I did little things to it to make the driving experience more personal. It was an amazingly fun car to drive. I kept that car thru to 2002 and went thru an Acura, Audi and most recently a Volvo. Today, I purchased another Jetta. A GLX with a VR6 engine, all ready lowered with nice BBS wheels, black leather interior and clean as a whistle. The car is 12 years old, but you'd never know it. Photos usually make cars look better than they really are, but I have to say, this photos is very representative to how the car looks...
This evening, my daughter and I went on a "fun" excursion. We did zero to 60, back to zero as fast as we could. We took on and off ramps about 30 to 40 mph faster than we were supposed to. We screached the wheels upon take offs as the g forces thru left and right hand turns slammed us on either side of our seats.
Driving is fun again. I noticed I was driving with a big smile on my face. I'm suprised i didn't wave to everyone, just because I was so happy.
June 21, 2007
Time is Money...
Music | Cherryco by John Coltrane and Don Cherry
Watches I won't be getting in the near future...
Watches I won't be getting in the near future...
June 15, 2007
Falling into Place...
Music | Time by Nina Simone
I had this sitting back in March. After some busy weeks with other commissions, I'm finally getting around to getting some personal images printed. I'm really looking forward to having this one large and framed.
I had this sitting back in March. After some busy weeks with other commissions, I'm finally getting around to getting some personal images printed. I'm really looking forward to having this one large and framed.
June 14, 2007
growing up...
Music | Flicks by Frou Frou
There are moments when I get hit upside the head about things that are obvious. I don't need any reminders that I am a father to a fantastic kid. More fantastic in fact than I will probably ever know.
Today, at 9 a.m. began Dara's class event, a celebratory graduation of sorts. She was the last person to be honored. I'm standing at the back, looking on with my point and shoot. I snap off a few frames but got really emotional. As she stood there in front of the class, next to her teacher with her graduation cap on, I'm hearing all the great things she has accomplished and generally what a great person she is. What came over me was was a sensation that this is my daughter up there, learning, achieving and growing into her own person. I'm sad and happy at the same time. Happy and proud for her as she grows up, and sad for the same reason.
There are moments when I get hit upside the head about things that are obvious. I don't need any reminders that I am a father to a fantastic kid. More fantastic in fact than I will probably ever know.
Today, at 9 a.m. began Dara's class event, a celebratory graduation of sorts. She was the last person to be honored. I'm standing at the back, looking on with my point and shoot. I snap off a few frames but got really emotional. As she stood there in front of the class, next to her teacher with her graduation cap on, I'm hearing all the great things she has accomplished and generally what a great person she is. What came over me was was a sensation that this is my daughter up there, learning, achieving and growing into her own person. I'm sad and happy at the same time. Happy and proud for her as she grows up, and sad for the same reason.
June 13, 2007
?? Columbus, IN ??
Music | Breathe Me by Sia Furler
I have to admit, my thoughts of the East Coast and the Midwest have been rampant in my head lately. I know You can never go back home. Though my yearly visit to Chicago are always enjoyable, I agree with that saying. However, there are parts of being closer to the other coast that I really miss. History, architecture and maybe the soul of being a midwesterner keeps the thought strong in my head.
I came across an article in the NY Times, Columbus Indiana. I think I have yet another reason to go back to the Midwest. Who would have figured a little town of 39,000 holding buildings created by I.M. Pei and Kevin Roche?
I've been trying to define what it is about the midwest that holds strong in my head. Of course, when I was there, I kept thinking what a po-dunk place to be, but now I think differently. And then there is my love affair with the East Coast, Maine down to NYC, places where I've visited and felt very at home.
People travel to warm places in the winter and cool places in the summer. I travel to the east whenever I can...
I have to admit, my thoughts of the East Coast and the Midwest have been rampant in my head lately. I know You can never go back home. Though my yearly visit to Chicago are always enjoyable, I agree with that saying. However, there are parts of being closer to the other coast that I really miss. History, architecture and maybe the soul of being a midwesterner keeps the thought strong in my head.
I came across an article in the NY Times, Columbus Indiana. I think I have yet another reason to go back to the Midwest. Who would have figured a little town of 39,000 holding buildings created by I.M. Pei and Kevin Roche?
I've been trying to define what it is about the midwest that holds strong in my head. Of course, when I was there, I kept thinking what a po-dunk place to be, but now I think differently. And then there is my love affair with the East Coast, Maine down to NYC, places where I've visited and felt very at home.
People travel to warm places in the winter and cool places in the summer. I travel to the east whenever I can...
June 01, 2007
Friday Morning at the Café...
I come here now and then, often seeing attractive women, sitting, chatting, reading. What struck me initially about this one woman was her demure nature.
Then... then... then, she crosses her right leg over her left, exposing her inner thigh under her pink and yellow skirt. She is pointing her left knee just to my right, so I have this lovely view. She wears sensible sandals standing on the balls of her feet, strutting her amazing calf muscle.
She types away at her computer, pausing now and then to think. She now sits flat footed, straddling the chair, pushing down her skirt between, very lady like in such an un-lady like stance. But I can still appreciate the view.
She sits in the corner of the cafe, along the front where the large paned glass sits, beyond and to my left. The sun reaches thru the trees outside and finds its way to dance on her head, exposing highlights in her dark brown hair. Still every now and then as she sits, she raises to the balls of her feet, again exposing those great calves. Her knees move in and out, raising and lowering the height of her skirt.
I wonder what she is typing on her computer. Judging from my view, I have an idea...
Then... then... then, she crosses her right leg over her left, exposing her inner thigh under her pink and yellow skirt. She is pointing her left knee just to my right, so I have this lovely view. She wears sensible sandals standing on the balls of her feet, strutting her amazing calf muscle.
She types away at her computer, pausing now and then to think. She now sits flat footed, straddling the chair, pushing down her skirt between, very lady like in such an un-lady like stance. But I can still appreciate the view.
She sits in the corner of the cafe, along the front where the large paned glass sits, beyond and to my left. The sun reaches thru the trees outside and finds its way to dance on her head, exposing highlights in her dark brown hair. Still every now and then as she sits, she raises to the balls of her feet, again exposing those great calves. Her knees move in and out, raising and lowering the height of her skirt.
I wonder what she is typing on her computer. Judging from my view, I have an idea...
May 25, 2007
Stepping out of the comfort zone...
Music | Rock Me Baby... by Gretchen
Note the time... I just returned from a night of poetry and music and a visual delight of people who came to attend Poetic Nights at the OHM Nightclub in Old Town. I've got Gretchen in my head singing "Rock me baby... Rock me all night long..." She is a little petite women dressed in a very conservative beige skirt and jacket that one would never think had this amazing sensual voice. She literally transformed into a sex kitten as she let out her song and fighting to unbutton her jacket.
Quite a few poets came out, 3 that had words that hit me up side the head. I had talked about stepping out of my comfort zone earlier, and tonite was a prime opportunity for me to do so. As one of the first poets that left a heavy impression on me read, I thought about my new series of photographs. "Portland Poets" was born. There was still the issue of introducing myself and talking with my possible future subjects. But with my cards in hand, I was surprised how easy I was able to talk with them. All 3 seemed genuinely interested, so in the next few weeks, we'll see if this starts to happen.
The evening went on with a great local band finishing up the night for me. I got to meet finally a woman that I had spoken with and communicated via the internet for a photo shoot. She is an amazing singer that joined the band for a song.
I'm riding home, thinking what a great night I had. Now I'm cruising along empty streets, traffic lights turning green as I approach the last turn before I can park my bike. Suddenly, a mere 4 blocks from my home, a car is blasting thru the intersection, apparently not seeing me as I am going thru the same intersection. Fortunately, I'm in a gear where I flipped the throttle, accelerated hard, slide over to my left as the car misses me by 5 feet.
I'm not as shocked as I thought I should be. I could have been T-boned by a fast moving car. For a moment, I heard in my head the collision. My night ended to reinforce me that stepping out of my comfort zone isn't as bad as being dead. I imagine things will come easier now.
Note the time... I just returned from a night of poetry and music and a visual delight of people who came to attend Poetic Nights at the OHM Nightclub in Old Town. I've got Gretchen in my head singing "Rock me baby... Rock me all night long..." She is a little petite women dressed in a very conservative beige skirt and jacket that one would never think had this amazing sensual voice. She literally transformed into a sex kitten as she let out her song and fighting to unbutton her jacket.
Quite a few poets came out, 3 that had words that hit me up side the head. I had talked about stepping out of my comfort zone earlier, and tonite was a prime opportunity for me to do so. As one of the first poets that left a heavy impression on me read, I thought about my new series of photographs. "Portland Poets" was born. There was still the issue of introducing myself and talking with my possible future subjects. But with my cards in hand, I was surprised how easy I was able to talk with them. All 3 seemed genuinely interested, so in the next few weeks, we'll see if this starts to happen.
The evening went on with a great local band finishing up the night for me. I got to meet finally a woman that I had spoken with and communicated via the internet for a photo shoot. She is an amazing singer that joined the band for a song.
I'm riding home, thinking what a great night I had. Now I'm cruising along empty streets, traffic lights turning green as I approach the last turn before I can park my bike. Suddenly, a mere 4 blocks from my home, a car is blasting thru the intersection, apparently not seeing me as I am going thru the same intersection. Fortunately, I'm in a gear where I flipped the throttle, accelerated hard, slide over to my left as the car misses me by 5 feet.
I'm not as shocked as I thought I should be. I could have been T-boned by a fast moving car. For a moment, I heard in my head the collision. My night ended to reinforce me that stepping out of my comfort zone isn't as bad as being dead. I imagine things will come easier now.
May 23, 2007
May 22, 2007
Ch ch ch ch Changes...
Music | Castles Made of Sand by Jimi Hendrix
Lately, I've been processing my photos as colour and liking it. The last 2 big events I have shot, I didn't process out any black and white images, like I do the majority of the time. I'm not sure why this shift has taken place. I'm confused by the turn.
More stranger than fiction, at least for me is a process called cross processing. Back in the film days, for effect, photographers would develope their colour film in slide film chemistry and vice-versa. I've never pursued this technique because I always thought of it as an ineffective cover for bad photography.
Now here I am, shooting more colour than normal and showing you an image which I really like that has the cross process technique, in digital form. Where am I going from here?
Lately, I've been processing my photos as colour and liking it. The last 2 big events I have shot, I didn't process out any black and white images, like I do the majority of the time. I'm not sure why this shift has taken place. I'm confused by the turn.
More stranger than fiction, at least for me is a process called cross processing. Back in the film days, for effect, photographers would develope their colour film in slide film chemistry and vice-versa. I've never pursued this technique because I always thought of it as an ineffective cover for bad photography.
Now here I am, shooting more colour than normal and showing you an image which I really like that has the cross process technique, in digital form. Where am I going from here?
May 19, 2007
Rohner Letterpress
Music | If You Want Me to Stay by Sly & the Family Stone
And now I have to meet the timeless elegance of my new business cards in everything I do...
It isn't just the way it looks, it is the way it feels. The weight, the subtle oh so very subtle texture, the indent of where the fonts and logo have been pressed... There is nothing like letter press printing.
And now I have to meet the timeless elegance of my new business cards in everything I do...
It isn't just the way it looks, it is the way it feels. The weight, the subtle oh so very subtle texture, the indent of where the fonts and logo have been pressed... There is nothing like letter press printing.
The March of Time...
Music | Reasons by Earth Wind and Fire
My nephew is 29 years old and got married! Daaaa-yummmmm!!!
My nephew is 29 years old and got married! Daaaa-yummmmm!!!
May 17, 2007
It's Time...
Music | The Walk by Imogen Heap
Late last night, I headed out to a bar, lots of drinks, lots of smoke and interesting conversations. I went intending to write down streams of thought, for inspiration, ideas, and plans. Over the last few months, I've come to realize I've been stagnant - as a photographer, artist and even as a person. I haven't challenged myself into creating or doing something new. Not to say the jobs I have had have not been challenging, but I've been solving problems that may have arisen in the same way I have been. I'm not into falling and getting comfortable into formulaic solutions. But in the back of my head, I know I haven't done anything to stir up some mojo.
During my stream of thought writing, on my over sized index cards, I wrote...
"Step up and move into the next level. It is time. Venture out and embrace the unknown."
Shortly there after, I had a brief conversation with a gentleman sitting next to me. He asked how my writing was going. I told him I was trying to stir up inspirations, come up with ideas for execution. "Execution!!!" he said. "Isn't that a wonderful word? Often difficult to achieve, but once put into action, almost always there is a result of change, mostly towards the positive."
I thought for a moment I was having a conversation with a wise man who spoke his words to me out of the blue, then said goodbye and left.
So I've got ideas in my head, inspirations conjuring. My plan is to do something that will put me in a higher plane, a level I haven't reached ever, or at least in a very long time. It is time...
Late last night, I headed out to a bar, lots of drinks, lots of smoke and interesting conversations. I went intending to write down streams of thought, for inspiration, ideas, and plans. Over the last few months, I've come to realize I've been stagnant - as a photographer, artist and even as a person. I haven't challenged myself into creating or doing something new. Not to say the jobs I have had have not been challenging, but I've been solving problems that may have arisen in the same way I have been. I'm not into falling and getting comfortable into formulaic solutions. But in the back of my head, I know I haven't done anything to stir up some mojo.
During my stream of thought writing, on my over sized index cards, I wrote...
"Step up and move into the next level. It is time. Venture out and embrace the unknown."
Shortly there after, I had a brief conversation with a gentleman sitting next to me. He asked how my writing was going. I told him I was trying to stir up inspirations, come up with ideas for execution. "Execution!!!" he said. "Isn't that a wonderful word? Often difficult to achieve, but once put into action, almost always there is a result of change, mostly towards the positive."
I thought for a moment I was having a conversation with a wise man who spoke his words to me out of the blue, then said goodbye and left.
So I've got ideas in my head, inspirations conjuring. My plan is to do something that will put me in a higher plane, a level I haven't reached ever, or at least in a very long time. It is time...
May 13, 2007
Quiet Before the Storm
Music | Ballad for Old Souls by Muhal Richard Abrams
It is nice to have social obligations now and then. Lately, I've been attending gatherings, events, meetings and such. Much more the usual for me, especially at this time of the year.
My work load is light, but seems heavy with the happenings going on. I have managed to work up jobs that have come thru, only because I've been more diligent and particularly focused. I've got a work load coming up in few months that I have not seen the likes of. I'm confident I can manage thru it, but at that time, I'll be going thru some new software explorations that will also be necessary for me to get thru my work flow. Why not push the learning curve up front to now, you ask. That would be the easy way out... besides, I need to have the pressure of job situations for me to get motivated.
I am quite excited to have one of the busiest summers as far as I can remember. Lots of challenges and the new experiences of growth. It is gonna be a great year!
It is nice to have social obligations now and then. Lately, I've been attending gatherings, events, meetings and such. Much more the usual for me, especially at this time of the year.
My work load is light, but seems heavy with the happenings going on. I have managed to work up jobs that have come thru, only because I've been more diligent and particularly focused. I've got a work load coming up in few months that I have not seen the likes of. I'm confident I can manage thru it, but at that time, I'll be going thru some new software explorations that will also be necessary for me to get thru my work flow. Why not push the learning curve up front to now, you ask. That would be the easy way out... besides, I need to have the pressure of job situations for me to get motivated.
I am quite excited to have one of the busiest summers as far as I can remember. Lots of challenges and the new experiences of growth. It is gonna be a great year!
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