In this preview you’ll see 40 sample pages from my first photo book. Some pages are out of place in the preview, but that’s okay. There are over 150 pages in the actual book, so get your copy today to see the rest!
***I want to light the world on fire and take a picture of it for my records.
I’m normally not into taking these shots, but tonight’s sunset was too wicked. Unfortunately, the version of ACR I have doesn’t support RAW files from the 5D2, so I had to process the JPEG. Also processed this on an uncalibrated monitor. In hindsight, it looks overprocessed. Oh well, I’ll redo it when I get back on my computer.
Click here for high resolution.
It literally looked like the city was on fire. It immediately reminded me of Paris in Flames, one of my favorite Thursday songs.
Not that it has anything to do with this picture, but my favorite verse from the song:
There is no sunlight
The sunlight is manufactured in a windowless room
Distant and incoherent
Businessmen hang themselves
Starting the new year off right!
Flying out to New York on Sunday for an interview with New York Institute of Technology on the 11th. And then it’s off to Chicago for an interview with Rosalind Franklin University on the 15th. Kinda nervous for both, so wish me luck!!
I also have two shoots booked in each city, so I’ll have my hands full the entire week. Can’t wait!
2011 is going to be a great year! 
Maybe. I found an EF 35mm f/2 on Craigslist at too good of a price to pass up. Mounted it on my 5D2 and instantly fell in love with the focal length. So much so that I’m considering replacing it with its big brother – the 35L. But that won’t be for awhile.
I think this lens is a great value at $300 BNIB shipped. Cons? Plastic body, definitely won’t take abuse well. No USM, meaning loud/noisy/obnoxious AF motor. Pros? Price, great bang for the buck. And despite the lack of USM, AF is quick and accurate.
Gotta say. This has to be one of the best Christmases. Ever. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t about the gifts at least a little bit, heh. But it was more about who the gifts were from. The same gifts from arbitrary people would not have been the same.
*Thanks to Nij for the belt and Holga 15b flash. I’ve been looking for a brown belt for a couple months now. The brown belts I’ve come across were either too dark or light. This one is perfect. And the Holga 15b flash is something I’ve been thinking about ordering ever since I got the Holga 135bc.
*Thanks Na-umb-skees for my RVCA t-shirt. Everyone at CGP knows I love my RVCA.
*Thanks Greggie for the official beer pong balls. They’re official.
Despite a few setbacks, the San Francisco trip was a success. Much of that success is credited to our host and my roommate’s sister, Anny. If it weren’t for her, we’d have had to stay in Fairfield and rent a car. But she welcomed us into her home and let us borrow her car all weekend. Thanks, Anny!
We were scheduled to depart at 10:15am Friday morning, but just as we arrived at the airport I received a text message from Southwest notifying me that the flight was delayed to 12:00pm. Not long after it was delayed to 12:15pm. Ugh. A 2 hour delay? Really? But that’s not the end of it. Of course not. As 12:15pm approached and we haven’t been called to board the plane yet, I received yet another notification of a delay. This time to 1:30pm…and then 1:50pm. We took off around 2:05pm.
Took BART to Anny’s pad. Man I wish San Diego and LA had mass transportation like this. San Diego has the trolly, but it’s nothing like BART.
Anny was stuck at work when we arrived, but her landlady generously let us in.
I didn’t have plans, but Anny was hosting a little Christmas get together for her friends and I joined. It was a grand time.
And can I just say that Anny is an awesome cook? Everything she made was cooked in a toaster oven! From the brie, brown sugar smokies, a stuffed mushroom dish, and to the chicken casserole. It was all amazing.
Adot had a shoot scheduled with Jenny from Model Mayhem (whom he met through my casting call, by the way ). Jenny directed us to the Golden Gate Park for the shoot.
Grabbed some shabu shabu and sukiyaki after picking Anny up from work.
The weather was somewhat clearing up, so Anny took us to the Golden Gate Bridge after dinner…where I nearly froze to death.
Found some awesomely soft window light at Anny’s pad, so naturally, I had to see if it looked as good on camera as it did through my eyes and in my head.
And yep. It did. Anny before dropping her off at work on Sunday.
Did some driving and exploring around SF after dropping Anny off at work. Found this cool garage pattern and had Adot jump out of the car for a couple shots.
And what would exploring a new city be without getting a little lost? Heh. Nah, it was fairly easy to get around (thanks to my iPhone). I will so, though, that drivers in SF are crazy.
Found an awesome ramen house (Genki Ramen). Highly recommend it if you’re in the SF area. I had the curry chicken katsu ramen with a size of gyoza.
And of course we had to make a trip to the famous Fatlace in J-town. It turns out Anny knows one of the guys, Tim, that works there. Dropped Anny’s name and a few bucks later I left with an “ill” zip-up hoodie. Above is my first attempt using the video function on my 5D2. I know. I need practice. But I’m going to give a shot at editing it with Adobe Premier later today. I’ll update this post with the new video…if I’m successful. In the mean time, check out Bomb Squad.
I knew I had to do at least one shoot, especially after finding that sweet window light. I had the pleasure of shooting with Liana from Model Mayhem on Sunday. We were actually scheduled to shoot on Friday, but as mentioned earlier, that was canceled on account of rain. I texted her Sunday morning asking if she had time to shoot. Fortunately, she finished a morning shoot earlier than expected. The shoot was last minute and cut short, but we made the best of a poor situation.
And of course I had to break out the Instax 50s (among other film cameras, I’ll have them developed ASAP).
The debut of my first sample shirt. The final release should be available January, 2011.
Swooped Anny up from work.
And what would a Southwest flight be without another flight delay? Luckily this time I received the notification prior to being dropped off at the airport. Our flight was delayed from 9:00pm to 10:55pm, giving Anny a couple hours to give Adot and me a LAST minute tour of SF.
And finally, it was time to say goodbye.
Thanks to Anny and SF (despite the rain) for a good time!
