Blossoms: Black and White vs. Color

Usually I prefer color. I've heard it said that film photography did black and white better, but digital photography does color better. Your mileage may vary, of course, and I'm no expert at film photography, but the fact is, I see in color.

And so usually I like color better, and I don't even think about black and white.

But I was playing in Lightroom and I happened to turn these flower shots into black and white and something about them grabbed me.

Of course, I like the color too.

For me, the black and white feels completely different. Colder, lonelier maybe, but no less beautiful for all of that. And the color is just kind of flaunting.

Technically this last shot isn't one to write home about, but I'm also enjoying it right now.

So which do you prefer? Black and white, or color?

A Shelter Menagerie

Something to start your week off with: a mixture of cats, kittens, bunnies, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

More than you could ask for, I know. Enjoy the fluffiness!

Something Pretty on a Saturday

Toni and Joe

Joe and I first became friends in a chilly first period chemistry class our sophomore year of high school. There was something about shivering and learning about trivalent bonds that just somehow . . . bonded us.

And even though she lives in New York now, and has for donkey's years, I was lucky enough to capture her and her mom Toni during a brief break here. See, Toni's not just your average mom - she co-founded a groundbreaking and kickass business, just to mention one of her amazing exploits. She's also amazingly crafty and creative - when we graduated high school she gifted all of us with pillows that had pictures of all of us on them. And that's just scratching the surface.

Joe, Miya, Toni, thank you so much for being you. Amazing, strong, beautiful women.

Joe, I can't wait until you're back here for good. I'm so glad it's coming soon!

Aren't they just fantastic together?

You're both beautiful. And that's just that.

So girls, what are we doing for Valentine's day next year??

Self Portrait - March

I know, I know. I missed February. And technically, this isn't really a self portrait, because Evan pushed the shutter button. But I did choose the spot to stand. I think that counts for a lot, right? Right?

When this was taken, I had slept for three hours, and then gone skiing all day. After two years of not skiing at all. So I was a bit sore. And tired. But happy. It was a really good day.

Evan - A Bokeh Panorama

This is a new technique I've been fiddling with. It's called either a bokeh panorama, or the Brenizer technique. Either way it's pretty fun, although it does require a bit of massaging in photoshop. Basically it's a panorama with very shallow depth of field, although that's not the best way to describe it. But it is fun. And that's what matters.

Read a bit more about the technique here, here and here. (The first two are links to where I found the method in the first place, and the last one is another tutorial I found helpful.)

A Rather Snowy Weekend

We left Friday night at 8:30, hoping to make the drive to Tahoe by midnight. Knowing, of course, that it wouldn't be easy, and we might hit some traffic and some snow. Both seemed like they might be in the cards.

Well. They certainly were. We flew through the first 3 hours, with only 20 miles to go as it neared midnight. Seemed like we might get lucky.

That's when traffic crawled to a halt and we sat for 4 hours on the freeway. At a dead stop, not even inching forward.

And we sat for 4 hours, in the same spot, on the highway.

Only to make it to our exit, wend our way to the cabin, and realize that the last 50 feet weren't plowed and we'd have to trudge to the house instead of drive to it. Were it not for a very altruistic late night snowplow driver, we would have completely abandoned the car.

As it was, we made it to bed by 5. Zonked out, and went skiing the next morning at 8.

Which, I have to say, was totally worth it. What an amazing view. And great weather, all day long, with fresh snow to ski in.

Meadow

The First Blossoms of Spring

It's blossom season. And if you know me, you'll know I can't resist them. Any color, any size, all blossoms are worthy of being photographed.

Don't you agree?

Patrick and Kimberly

This shoot was definitely a first for me.

Two humans, four cats, and two dogs. I'll admit, I was a little skeptical that we'd get them all into one shot. But with perseverance, patience, and me running after fed up cats a couple of times (I'm talking about you, Opal :) ) we made it through. And got everyone into one frame.

Basically, Patrick and Kimberly are some of the best people you'll ever meet. They're genuine, and funny, down to earth . . . And they're animal lovers. Hence the 2 dogs and 4 cats. I worked with Kimberly at the shelter while she was haranguing cats into photogenic poses in front of my flash, and all I had to do was press the shutter button. Talk about an unfair division of labor.

So when I got the chance to shoot her family, of course I jumped at it.

Now they've gone back to Kansas City, but while Patrick and Kimberly were here in San Francisco, they had this apartment with amazing, huge, gorgeous windows. The light was just to die for.

Case in point.

And Patrick's an artist - he paints portraits of animals, so it was great to get photos of the dogs in front of his paintings of them.

I couldn't resist this shot of Ken next to the beer bottle, relaxing. Don't worry, we didn't really give him any beer.

Thanks again Kimberly and Patrick! It was really great. You guys are incredible. All the best while you settle back in in Kansas City!

Shelter Cuties

You might get tired of seeing the cute ones from the shelter, but I'll be honest. I don't. My favorite part is watching them all get adopted - the faster the better.

New faces every week? Yes, please.

This is Hayward. Within about 5 seconds of meeting him, he was in my lap. And I wasn't even sitting down - that's how much of a lap cat this dude is.

And this is Winnie. Aren't her markings gorgeous?

This is Creamer, who wanted nothing but to hide under his bed. We left the bed on top of him and then snatched it up momentarily to grab a picture. Hey, you do what you gotta do, right?

And this handsome guy is Jasper, who is such a winning fellow that he got adopted before his photos could be published online!

This dude is Batman. I think the name is appropriate. What style!

And this was my first rabbit shoot. Her name is Belle, and that's exactly what she is. A belle.

So, want to adopt a cat? :)