Independence Day

Four days ago we celebrated our nation’s birthday.  I took a picture.  Actually, I took a lot of pictures as I was experimenting with the light.  No tripod, no image stabilization, just free hand with a telephoto lens out to 300mm.  I knew I would have movement but that was the point – I approached this similar to my Kinetic Ambiguity Project.  And, of course, there is some post production going on to get the appearance that I want.  I liked this photo quite a bit.  Enjoy.

National Orange Show’s Wine and Food Under the Stars, 2011

“Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.”

-- Aristophanes

Another project from that documentary class was doing some coverage for the 24^th Annual Wine and Food Under the Stars fundraiser event at the National Orange Show grounds in San Bernardino.  Of course, this was back in Oct 2011 when I was in that class so these photographs are a bit dated but I’m catching up.  And I liked these.  I liked a lot more of the 200 or so photos I took but this is a good sample of the better ones.  And if you ever go to this event, it is a lot of fun and the food is great.  Not to mention the wine (and beer).  Enjoy.

Chriskwanzakkah 2010, Part 6, The Conclusion

I’m sick – I have some kind of crud.  I have been sick all week but I couldn’t let that stop me – it was finals week.  It’s my spring break now so I need to pack my bag and head to Cabo.  Or should I stay closer and just run to Vegas?  Or maybe…  Maybe nothing, I have 2 little pirates to take care of and their spring break is a week away.  So I’ll blog.

This is the last installment on Chriskwanzakkah 2010. Here are five ladies (only three photographs) that I took some liberties with in Photoshop.  Primarily working with the shadows and highlights tool.  I like the effect.  On this, my photographic journey, I’m working towards being an artist.  That’s the end goal, having my photographic prints as art pieces.  Like an Alec Soth, Cindy Sherman, or Gordon Parks  (all of who’s work I admire tremendously).  I’m not there yet.  I’m getting closer, especially with what I’m doing now on my projects but I’m not there yet.  And I will bring this blog current.  But this is where we are right now. 

It’s funny how those plastic blue (or red) cups are always invited to the party.

Three photos shot in program mode like all of the Chriskwanzakkah photos.  I used my Speedlite 430EX flash on all of the shots too.  All photos were photographed with my kit lens, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, on my Canon EOS Rebel XS.  And this concludes my Chriskwanzakkah 2010 coverage.

Oh, before I forget, I just want to say thank you to Mr. Humberto Dib for following my blog and his kind words.  His blog is pretty cool too.

Chriskwanzakkah 2010, Part 5, Hanukkah Harry and Jesus

Ok, this is wrong in so many ways but it is funny too – if you have an off center sense of humor.  I guess you should keep in mind this is done by people who are a part of the alternative Los Angeles art scene.  If you are unfamiliar with what that implies, you should know that Los Angeles artist have been considered “alternative” to the majority of the art world for a long time anyway.  So these guys are a bit further away from “middle” than that.  And of course, this is all done in fun.  Well nevertheless, it’s up to you to decide for you.  I present to you Hanukkah Harry and Jesus of the December 2010 Chriskwanzakkah party.  You make the call.

35 photos (I know, that’s a lot) – shot in program mode like all of the Chriskwanzakkah photos.  I used my Speedlite 430EX flash on all of the shots.  All photos were photographed with my kit lens, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, on my Canon EOS RebelXS.  I will wrap up Chriskwanzakkah 2010 with the next post.  And it will have only three photos.