Quotidian Photography

Sunset Through the Thicket

2012-01-27T15:06:00.000-08:00

Souvenir Foto School Starting Soon!

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

{Photo and Design courtesy of Miss B}

So, I don't know if you all remember, but I am an alum of Souvenir Foto thrice over. Once when our project was to photograph the same thing for six weeks (I chose spring blossoms, because I'm a girl), once when we had to photograph food for a while (and I created one of my favorite photos during that session) and then most recently when we photographed the alphabet in 30 days. Man, I won't lie, it was a bit grueling. But I did it, I was proud of that.

And it's all happening again. The alphabet, that is. Starting on February 1st, right around the corner. This time there's a fee to be involved, but it's modest, only $30. And I'm sure it will all be a lot of fun. I enjoy it because it always gets my creative juices flowing. Last time I broke out the Lensbaby and the macro attachments. I experimented with LED lighting as well. Who knows what I'll learn this time?

So basically the DL is this: 26 letters of the alphabet in 29 days of February. That means (if I'm getting my math right) that you have three free days, but every other day you must be taking a photo and uploading it to the Flickr group. Photos must be taken on the same day they are posted, no exceptions!

More info, and a place to pay may be found here. Hope to see you there! And even if I don't, I'm sure you'll be seeing my photos here in February as I work my way through the alphabet.

*Disclaimer: my fee to participate has been waived in exchange for mentioning Souvenir Foto on my blog. But I've mentioned it before when no such arrangement was in place, and I'd likely be doing it anyway because you'll be seeing all of my photos from it soon! Plus I do think it's a fun thing that you should know about.*

Squeaky and Wigi

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Some more cuties from the SF ACC. Adopt them while they're hot!

This is Squeaky. Super cute, and what a lover. Came up to me and tried to cuddle immediately.

And this is Wigi. A little more on the timid side, but super sweet. And very focused on getting back to her particular area during the shoot!

Light Painting

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

f/2.5, ISO 640, 8 seconds. 85mm lens.

Here it is, Tuesday again. Amazing how time does fly. And I said that I would do something vaguely photography related on Tuesdays, didn't I? Oh, Jessica. You always speak too soon . . .

Well, ok, I actually had this topic lined up. But Tuesday still came faster than expected.

So, light painting? What is it exactly? Truth is, I'm not exactly an expert, This was the first photo I've tried it out on, but I dare say it won't be the last. Basically, you find a subject (that's pretty much always the first step in photography - what do you want to take a picture of? without a subject, you won't get very far) and set up your tripod. Yes, tripods again. And it has to be night time, because otherwise you won't get your lights to show up. Then you set a base exposure, focus manually (at least I have to, because the 5d won't focus after 6:00 - it keeps union hours), and make sure in general that you're good to go. Set up a self-timer, or use a remote trigger, or what not.

Then we come to the gear you need. To successfully do some light painting, you need a camera, a tripod, and a light source. I recommend a flashlight, the more powerful the better. The newer LED flashlights are also pretty great. You can also pop your flash at low settings multiple times within the frame, but that's a bit harder to control and takes more practice and tweaking.

Invariably, it all needs some tweaking. You'll take quite a few exposures. Ok, so once you're all set up, try a test run. Decide what you want to illuminate, set your camera up, take the shot and run your flashlight or other light source over the part of the photo you want to make brighter than the rest. You can get some really cool results, especially if you have a few different colored lights. Keep in mind, though, that the more complicated what you're trying to do is, the longer of an exposure you need, and the larger the number of shots you'll probably have to make before it turns out well. Make sure you check your histogram after the first shot; you may have to change your exposure slightly.

Ok, hope that made sense! Please feel free to ask questions in the comments if something still isn't clear.

Wall of Inspiration

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

I know there are some photographers who don't look at other people's work (only one comes to mind, but I think I've heard a few say this), but that's definitely not me.

I look at photos all the time. On the web, in books (if I'm lucky), in person (if I'm really lucky), any way I can. I believe that having a varied visual diet is good for me as a photographer. Also as a person, but that's a bit less quantifiable.

One of the ways I make sure I'm seeing photos that are fresh and current and appeal to the public as a whole is by subscribing to magazines. I subscribe to quite a few of them. And when I see an image I love, or where there's something I think I can use - a pose, a lighting angle, a feeling, a concept, whatever, I tear out the page. My favorites I stick up on the wall in my office as inspiration, in the hope that after seeing them over and over I can absorb a bit of their awesomeness.

Now, you might think this looks a bit messy, and maybe it does, but it works for me. I use washi tape, so I can take them down and put them back up as often as I want without worrying about putting holes in the wall or taking the paint off.

So what about you? How do you stay inspired? Do you believe in looking at other people's work?

January Self Portrait

2012-01-20T17:31:00.000-08:00

I always knew there were a few reasons I dragged my feet when it came to making self portraits. One, I hate tripods (most of the time). Bulky, awkward, slow . . . no thanks. Getting the focus right is also really really difficult - I don't know how people do it. I really don't. I think it probably took me about 20 minutes of trial and error to get shots that even started to be in focus.

In addition, since it's just you and the tripod, it's very hard to create a photo that feels like it has a connection. Most of the time I just looked blank, or bored. Not to mention the fact that like most people I am squeamish about looking at pictures of myself - do I really look like that???? was often my reaction.

I considered scrapping the resolution, but I decided that was the easy way out, and nobody likes a quitter. So I picked the one I liked the best, and then I edited it a bit (which is kind of odd when it's your own face, but it's also oddly satisfying. I like to imagine that the changes I make are all echoed in real life).

Okay, January self portrait done! Only 11 more months to go.

Using Shadows in Your Composition

2012-01-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

When you're out and about, the unobvious photo may not pop out at you. It might not scream, "Take me! Take me!" The sunset screams. The travel spot screams. The beautiful flower screams (but only to women and amateurs - just kidding!).

That interesting patch of light and shadow on the side of the building stays silent in comparison.

That's why you have to look for it. And sometimes that makes it sweeter to know you had to search a bit to find it. Use your eye to frame it just right. And press the shutter button just at the right moment.

I don't know exactly why I love this shot, just that I do. The frame created by the shadow on the left and the bottom and the brick on the right makes me smile. And that's why I do this, to smile.

Barrie, Ed, Maggie, Megan, Killer and Lupe - A Christmas Card Shoot, Blogged a Bit Late

2012-01-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

Here's another shoot from last year that I never shared with you folks. (Well, ok, I did blog a couple images here and there, but I wanted to share a few more with you all, particularly because it was just so fun.)

Now Barrie and Ed have an annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party at their house, and I usually go because it's the most fun you can have without doing something illegal. So it will come as no surprise to you that their house is well stocked with Christmas decor and attire.

I'd like to also point out that Lupe (the dog) and Killer (the cat) previous to this photo were absolutely 100% against being in the same room, but they put aside their differences for the 1/150 of a second that it took to take this photo. No, photography is not always the best mirror for reality.

Notice Killer is no longer in the photo.

Then of course we needed some shots of Ed and Barrie and Lupe.

And some of Maggie and Megan. One of the bells from Megan's sweater came off.

Then a couple of the siblings.

My complicated lighting setup: windows on the left, umbrella and flash on the right.

Ok, finally done with Christmas. On to 2012!

Night Photography

2012-01-17T16:09:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, your attempts at night photography consist of shooting an hour or two after dusk, sticking to fast lenses, and hand-holding until it just isn't possible to take a sharp photo any more.

Now, I'll admit that this technique does have its benefits. For one thing, I've gotten really good at keeping the camera steady. For another, I have developed my after-dark eye. It has often been one of my favorite times of the day to take pictures.

But I never brought out the big guns, the one item you really need to take a great night photograph: a tripod. That's right, folks. Surprisingly, it does make it a heck of a lot easier to take a good night photograph. No real surprise there. The surprise for me was how much better the photos are - it's amazing! No real noise! No blur, not even a bit! And such great detail. So let me break it all down for you - it's pretty simple, but it bears saying.

1. First, you've got to choose a location. And you've got to have some light - a full moon, streetlights, building lights, or your own lights/flashlights, but you must have some light.

2. Wear warm clothing. This is not strictly speaking a photography tip, but trust me, you'll be glad you did. For example, I will definitely bring some fingerless gloves next time, because my hands were so cold I couldn't really feel the buttons on the camera.

3. Find your subject, choose your lens, set up your tripod and frame the shot the way you want it. Make sure your tripod is shake-proof. Use your photo bag as a little extra weight on the hook at the bottom, if you've got one.

4. Think about whether you'll have anything moving in your frame, like grasses, or water, or such. It'll most likely be blurred quite a bit. Are you ok with that? If not, you might want to come back and shoot it another time.

5. Set your settings. This shot was at f/4, ISO 160 (the cleanest ISO on my camera, yours may be different), and 30 seconds. Shoot raw so you'll be able to massage the files a bit afterwards. In particular, your white balance will probably need a little work.

6. Maximize your sharpness. Use mirror lockup, and either use your self timer to take the shot, or some sort of remote or cable release. Remember that the vibration from your finger pushing the shutter button can make a big difference in the overall sharpness of the image.

7. Take a few! Look at your histogram. Make sure you're not blowing out your highlights. Check the overall exposure - too dark? Too bright?

8. Celebrate! Then compose the next shot and do it all again.

EDIT: I forgot one key step! Now if you're shooting Nikon, you auto focus whizzes, this may not apply to you. But if you're Canon like me, you must must MUST focus manually. This is the only thing I use my live view for. Use live view, zoom in, and get your manual focus just perfect. It's worth it to bring a flashlight to shine on your subject at this time to make it easier to see if the focus is good.

*Finally! A post on photography. I'm going to try to continue posting informational posts like this on Tuesdays. Any topics you'd like to see? Hit me up in the comments below.*

Why I Love Moo

2012-01-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

I've blogged about how I love the paper products from Moo before - but this time it's really love. Or addiction. I'll let you be the judge. Please disregard the fact that I have bought almost everything they make. It's not a problem - I can stop any time I want!

First there were the mini business cards. And yep, they were pretty darn cute.

Then I graduated to their rounded corner business cards. One thing I love about Moo is their Printfinity technology - I can have a different image on each card if I want to. This makes for great conversations with people as they try to choose their favorite image.

And that goes for their stickers, also.

And I got some logo stickers, too. (That faded effect was on purpose - I wanted four different levels of strength in my logo, just for fun and to see what it would look like.)

Plus some address labels - why not?

And some of their gorgeous postcards - easily my favorite product of theirs. I love that the front and back are completely customizable.

Those postcards sure do look good in a gold envelope with one of my stickers on them!

Or, maybe a silver envelope too - why not?

So, in short, if you have some printing in your future, I highly recommend Moo.

*Oh, and until February 10 you can get 10% off all printed products, just use the code MOOPRINTJAN.*

Christmas/Hanukkah Session

2012-01-10T16:18:00.000-08:00

So I never shared these with you in 2011 (too much going on at the time), but my mother and her boyfriend Bruce asked me for some pictures for their annual holiday card.

Of course, I was all too happy to oblige. Evan came along as my assistant, and I honestly don't know if I'd ever use him again. That boy has a lot of sass! And he always wanted to hold the reflector in the wrong place. (Just kidding. I'd use him again. He comes at a good price. :) )

We started things off inside the house, and then we moved them outdoors.

Don't they look so sweet together?

Then we brought out the holiday decorations, and all bets were off! I'm pretty sure that's a Christmas tree skirt on Bruce's head and then later around my mom's neck. But what can I say? It looked good.

Then we brought a menorah into the mix just so no one would feel left out.

After that, we got a shot of Bruce looking a little more serious, potentially as an author shot for the next version of his book when it gets published.

Thanks guys! It was a fun shoot. I'll put you on my calendar for next year!

January Desktop Photo

2012-01-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

New Year's Resolutions, take that! I've at least begun scratching one off the list - my monthly desktop photo. It's all yours to paste onto any computer desktop you like. Please restrict your use to personal stuff, though - I'd appreciate it. (I.e., don't sell the image as your own, fairly straightforward, but sometimes it needs to be said.)

To get the larger image, click on the photo, then right click to save the image, then follow whatever steps you normally would to make the image your desktop background.

Hope you enjoy! I personally never get tired of looking at the Bay Bridge.

(If you have any questions about how to accomplish this, put them in the comments and I'll do my best to answer helpfully. Or I'll enlist Evan to help, since he's a technology guru.)

Looking Back - 2011 Top Ten

2012-01-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

Finally, the top ten of 2011 are here!

Drumroll, please . . . .

Man! It was so hard narrowing it down to ten. I started at 25, and then it was like killing my children to get the number any lower. But I had promised myself 10, and so I did it!

Happy Saturday, everyone.

*Don't forget, you can get a print of any of these at a very reasonable price by clicking Buy Print under the image you want. You can choose your size, and I'll optimize the file for print with Fotomoto, no watermark included.*

Looking Back - 2011 Pets and Other Animals

2012-01-04T17:45:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I love shooting animals.

Wait, that came out a bit wrong.

As a card-carrying vegetarian (yes, I have a card. Ask me to see it some time . . .) I feel like I'm almost obligated to tell the story of our furred and feathered friends. Well, yeah, maybe. Mostly I just find animals fascinating and just so darn photogenic I can't help myself.

Yes, about 50% of these are just shots of my own cats. What can I say? They're just so stinking cute and I'm only human. The other 50% are shelter cats, some random animals I found on my travels (I'm talking about you, Squiggles!), some wild animals from zoos, safari parks and such . . . .

Whatever their provenance, thanks to the animals for always reminding me what's important: food, a warm bed, a good nap, and looking good. :)

Mouseover the image to see it in color.

Come back tomorrow to see my top ten images of 2011 (non-person and non-animal). Before you see them if you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. As always, thanks for your feedback and support!

Looking Back - 2011 People

2012-01-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

One of my unnofficial resolutions at the beginning of 2011 was to make more portraits. Here, with no further ado, are some of the people of 2011. I think I got everyone, if I missed you please blame Blogger because I have been fighting with it for the past two days to make this post.

Hope you enjoy! I'm looking forward to even more portraits in 2012.

Mouse over to see this in black and white.

Resolving Right

2012-01-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

So.

It's January again. In some ways it seems like forever ago when it was January last year, and I was putting together my resolutions. And in some ways it seems like only yesterday. I've spoken before about the Happiness Project, but I'll talk about it again, because that book like no other I've read really speaks about the power of resolutions. There's one quote that Gretchen Rubin often calls upon, and it mentions the need to 'resolve aright.'

Doesn't sound that hard, right? You want something, you tell yourself you'll do it, and then you do it. Simple.

But actually, I'd argue that what makes it so hard to keep resolutions is that we so often resolve wrong. We resolve to big, or too vague, or we make resolutions that sound good, but that don't actually mean much to us. I made this mistake last year - too many resolutions. And some that meant nothing too me. And some that were too difficult.

So here's a look back at how I did in 2011:

*Post one self-portrait on the blog a month - nope! Fail. I'm trying this one again this year. Will I ever learn?
*~~Write one personal story about myself on the blog each week~~ Yes, maybe. Close enough.
*Make my photography business profitable (in the black! this is a big one) - Not really, but much closer than before.
*Create 2 more photo books, mostly just as an exercise for myself - Actually this was not a very useful resolution, so I didn't pursue it. I decided my time would be better spent elsewhere, and I think this was a good choice.
*Write an ebook - Same as above. I'm not a writer, aside from this here blog, and I don't think I really want to be. I'd rather be a photographer. Maybe when I have something to say I'll write a book, but until then you can find me here, attempting to write a couple paragraphs a day.
*~~Get my photos and Lightroom catalogs organized~~ - Yes, and although the system isn't perfect it works really well for me. That might be a blog post in the future.
*Have another swap on the blog (soon! look for it in the next couple of weeks) - Nope! Also kind of a silly resolution. I don't feel bad I didn't keep up with it. I'm just not great at mailing things.
*Give away one downloadable desktop wallpaper a month - No, but I'm trying again this year.
*~~Get my website up and running (this one will happen this week, come hell or high water)~~ - Yes! And I still want to edit it a bit, but it's looking not too shabby.
*~~Learn how to light, well~~ - I'm not entirely sure about the well part, but I'm totally comfortable with using natural light, and I'm fairly comfortable with flash, even a multi-light setup. I've used flash a lot more this past year than ever before, and though I prefer sunlight, I can make do in pretty much every situation.
*Create my own Photoshop actions, so I don't spend all my time doing the same few things, over and over - Nope! This is still a goal, but it's not a resolution. More like something that it would just be nice to do.
*Continue Anatomy of an Image, make it better and more informative, and then actually do it every week! - No, I got bored with it. But I am hoping to post more on photography topics in general, and I might resurrect good ol' Anatomy from time to time.

*~~Have fun with it all. Because in the end, that's the most important thing.~~ - Yes. I am doing this one better and better. Thank goodness! Because it is fun. I'm doing it all because I love it. And it is by far the most important thing.

Resolving to have a swap on the blog? Not worthy of my resolving time. And writing ebooks, or putting together photo books? Worthy goals, but not my primary ones. I like books, a lot, but there are enough people out there creating them. I don't need to add to the publishing madness quite yet. I'd love to do a book on San Francisco, but I don't have the images yet. Maybe this year, maybe not. We'll see. Other things should come first.

So without further ado, here's what I hope 2012 will bring. If it all happens, great. If only some of it happens, also great. If none of it happens, I'm probably going to have to revisit exactly how I make these resolutions and why.

For 2012
1. Travel to a new continent. Africa, baby! I'm really hoping. If not Africa, it's going to have to be South America. It's happening. I can feel it.
2. Create and keep to a marketing schedule for Quotidian Photography. That's a big one, but it's important.
3. Walk to work (my teaching job) every day it's not raining. I've already been doing this so I know it's doable, but I'd like to make it a solid habit. It's about a 45 minute walk, and I feel so much better every day I do it.
4. Give y'all a new photographic computer wallpaper every month. I've tried to make myself do this before and failed, but it's a new year, and a new me. It's happening!
5. Really do a self-portrait and post it on the blog every month. I'm so inspired by Gail Werner's. She does an amazing job, but most importantly, she does it. I aspire to be like her.
6. I'd like to spend more time with friends. That's one of those things I've been trying to prioritize more, but I can always use an extra reminder.

For January, I'd like to try to:
-train Chee every day. He's got so much energy, I figure he can try to learn some new tricks. I bought the book Cat Training in 10 Minutes, and I'm pumped. So far we've tried it twice and I don't think he's learned anything except that I have food in my pocket and sometimes I give it to him. But we're working on it.
-buy a bookshelf. We need one. Desperately. My books are lying around the house with no home to go to. Now we have the space, this will change. Any ideas for good, not too expensive, capacious but small footprint bookshelves?
-be more patient in general. Especially with Evan, and sometimes with Chee.
-get to bed by 11 every night. I'm a night owl, so this is hard.

Whew! I think that's enough. Or rather, I think that's too much. But we'll see how I get on with all of this. Fingers crossed!

*PS - If you're interested, there's a good post about making resolutions on the Happiness Project blog. Worth a read, I'd say.*

Looking Back at 2011

2012-01-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

A new arrival in 2011, Chee makes it hard for anyone to ignore him.

It was the year that kind of snuck up on me, I think. I had many hopes, mostly for my new photography business. Honestly, in terms of business the year was good, but maybe not quite as good as I had hoped. But in so many other areas of my life it was just much, much better than anticipated. A few highlights:

-I got engaged. On February 4th. And I never even saw it coming. That alone is a wonderful life change. Evan, I'm still so honored and excited to share it all with you!

-Chee. Chee was a big change - he's got such a strong personality, he knows what he wants and he's going to get it, be it your food, your wine glasses, or a toy. (I literally just put two sping toys in front of the cats - one for each - and he repeatedly stole both from Mouse and wouldn't rest until he was carrying both around in his mouth.) That being said, he's also a real sweetheart. He loves a good nap on my lap when I'm in front of the computer or watching a show with Evan. And his purr is so loud it often wakes me up in the morning.

-We finally got our own place. The construction is drawing to a close after two years! This is big news, people! It wasn't that bad before, but knowing it's all mine to put back together again is a great feeling. I can't wait to share it all with you - the plates, the glasses, the color schemes! (Honestly, I don't know if anyone will really be interested. But I know I am.) The last step happened just days ago, so we are still putting it all together, but it feels really good.

-I started volunteering as a photographer at San Francisco Animal Care and Control (you know, all those posts with cats on white). I honestly can't say how much I enjoy meeting all the kitties, and I really hope my photos can make a difference. I'd love to continue to find volunteer opportunities with my camera, as long as the causes are good.

-I learned a lot more about photography. I practiced a lot of new techniques. I solidified my vision. I figured out more of who I am as a photographer. This is a process that doesn't really have a definite endpoint. But I definitely am happy with the progress I made this past year.

-I solidified some friendships and made some great new friends. You guys know who you are, and you are all awesome. Thank you so much for putting up with me and being in my life!

It's been a great year. Thanks a million for sharing it with me. 2012 is looking good so far, let's see what happens!

*Come back tomorrow to see my resolutions - and which resolutions I'm not making - for 2012.*

Back with some Cats!

2011-12-31T00:34:00.000-08:00

Oh, guys, I've missed you! I never meant to be away for so long, it was just one thing and another, and I stayed away from the computer, then the internet was down, and then I worked on some blog posts and was interrupted and never finished them.

All this to say, life has interfered with blogging. A sad state of affairs, I agree.

But I'm back, with some more adoptable cats. I know that's what you've been wanting, I do. Only the best for you!

I hope you're all looking forward to whatever your New Year's Eve plans are. Evan and I are trying to decide between maybe going to a couple of parties, or maybe staying home and being lame alone together. Popping some bubbly, sitting back on the couch with Mouse and Chee (no bubbly for them, sorry guys!) and just hanging out the two of us.

But we might decide that's just too lame, even for us. We'll see.

So anyway, have a look at some cats, and then tell me what you're doing tonight. I'd love to hear your plans!

This is Peony. She is super sweet; I almost took her home. She crawled on my lap after about two minutes of introductions. And she's so pretty. I have a weakness for gray kitties.

And this doll is Shae. She's a little shy, but also really sweet. She likes being held and she appreciates a good head scratch.

This one's appropriately named - Sheba. She's energetic and definitely meant to rule her roost. And she's so beautiful.

Last but not least is little Karl. He's a spunky kid; he's got so much energy and such a small spot to hang out in at the shelter - I hope he gets picked up soon. He'd make a great pet for someone willing to work through the kitten phase with him.

How can you resist those eyes?

As always, you can find the ACC cats on Petfinder here. They're having a special - 50% off all adoptions through today. Happy browsing!

Chee's Newest Pastime

2011-12-21T18:01:00.001-08:00

I came home today to discover that Chee had pushed two wine glasses into the sink. One glass survived, the other? Not so much. These were glasses that I absolutely fell in LOVE with while I was a poor college student in Montreal. I bought 4 of them, the most that I could afford at the time, and then a friend broke one.

I was a little heartbroken. To console me, another friend bought me a replacement glass, and so did my mother. That left me with five, which until recently had been sitting in storage in my mother's garage, waiting patiently for me to have a kitchen of my own, which recently has been in progress. Yay!

Evan, however, wondered what anyone would do with an odd number of wine glasses and so he vehemently suggested that we either get rid of them and replace them completely or that we put one away so it might not offend our delicate sensibilities. I, on the other hand, saw no problem with five and argued that we should just enjoy however many glasses we had and not worry about the symmetry of it all.

Yes. This is what we argue about. Thrilling, isn't it?

Anyway, Chee has made his artistic pronouncement on the side of even numbers of glasses. Only four survive.

A Helpful Tip

2011-12-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

Coffee the way I used to make it: coffee first, milk second.

Something new I learned: if you want the beautiful, I-just-ordered-this-in-Italy-and-it-tastes-like-heaven gradient from dark to light in your coffee with milk, it's actually fairly simple: just add the milk to the cup first, and then pour the coffee in slowly and carefully. Done!

The way my coffee looks now.

Also, this makes sure you won't have the dreaded brown foam problem; your foam will stay white exactly the way you wanted it to.

Oh no! Brown foam! Better drink this one quickly.

As I'm fairly certain this was a problem that was keeping you up at night, I'll accept your thanks pre-emptively. You're welcome. No more boring monochromatic coffee with brown foam for you!Also, I must take a moment to put in a good word for my new favorite 'coffee mugs' the Bodum Pavina double wall 12 ounce glasses - they're just unreal. Super thin glass, beautifully clear, gorgeous and great insulation to boot. Also fairly fragile, as the reviews state, but I'm just going to enjoy the heck out of them until they break.

In addition, on weekends when I'm feeling all decadent and crazy (ok, just last weekend, but both days, ok?) I've been tipping a few drops of vanilla extract (the real thing) into my latte. And I finally understood why people would drink a vanilla latte! Not that Starbucks powdered mess, but lovely real vanilla. Mmmm. You're welcome again. Now go try it.

What makes you happy?

2011-12-16T18:19:00.000-08:00

Can I ask you a question? It's a bit personal.

What is it that honest to god, one hundred percent, makes you happy?

It's not easy, is it? But I bet a few things come to mind. And they might even surprise you.

I had the loveliest day recently. A day where I shirked all obligations (ok, not all but most) and I just hung out with Evan all day. We didn't do anything special. We went grocery shopping, cleaned the house, made dinner together, and . . . that's it. And it was so amazing. I've realized that I have a tendency to fill up my calendar, and that's great. I love all the things I'm going out and doing, especially if they're photography related. But sometimes it's just perfect to be with the person you love, and no one else. And do nothing special.

Ice cream makes me happy too sometimes. If it's really, really good ice cream.

Tomorrow a whole heap of people are coming to my house to bake cookies and be merry and drink some wine. I'm really looking forward to it, because it will make me happy too. I need both - the time to be a hermit, and then the time to be a social butterfly. And really, don't we all?

Second Shooting - With Kali Kraum

2011-12-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

This post is LONG overdue. I was lucky enough to get a chance to second shoot a wedding with Kali Kraum, who is an amazing San Francisco wedding photographer. The only thing is, it was in September. And it's December now. Oops!

But it was a great experience, and it was so wonderful to work alongside Kali. She's an amazing woman, and a fabulous photographer.

I was lucky enough to start the day with the groomsmen. They were a bunch of really wonderful guys.

That's Chris, the groom, in the center. He was great, and seemed just thrilled to marry the love of his life, Teresa.

They chose the Sir Francis Drake in the middle of downtown San Francisco. It was a great location, and of course, the doorman didn't disappoint!

Got to get some cable car action in SF!

Meanwhile, the girls were getting ready . . .

The flower girls were just precious.

Isn't Teresa gorgeous?

The reception lighting was so fun! A different color every minute.

And then the dancing got kind of crazy at the end of the night!

Thanks again Kali for letting me come second shoot with you! It was a really great experience.

*To see Kali's blog post about Chris and Teresa's wedding, click here.*

Gift Idea Resources

2011-12-11T21:52:00.001-08:00

I wonder what he's getting HER for Christmas

If you're together, you'll have your Christmas/Hanukah/Winter Solstice shopping well in hand by now. But if you're like me, well, you might find yourself staring blankly at your shopping list hoping some divine inspiration strikes.

If that's the case, you might want to visit a few of these links.

Less stuff-related gifts, consumables are always a nice idea. I enjoyed the take on SHU box blog. Yes, get someone a llama! Or you could always go the Zen Habits route and buy no gifts at all . . .

If you're like me, and not quite ready to give up gifting, and you just want to find something small and beautiful for someone in your life, you could do worse than looking through this online gift magazine, courtesy of Creature Comforts.

If you know someone who loves the Princess Bride, this iPhone case is a no-brainer. Almost makes me want to buy an iPhone 4 just so I could use the case. "Anybody want a peanut?"

If, like so many of us, you know a few nerds, Behance has a nerd gift list that seemed kind of fun.

Of course, education always seems like a justifiable gift. I'm sure the photographer in your life would appreciate a trip to CreativeLIVE, especially if you took advantage of their year-end sale. I'm just saying.

And there's a new photography bag on the market that looks like it might, in fact hold everything. Finally!

And I have to admit, these camera cookie cutters, while admittedly not very practical, look too cute to resist!

Happy shopping, everyone!

Kelly, I'm Sorry

2011-12-08T21:14:00.001-08:00

I was running late on my way over to Oakland last Saturday morning when I realized I had a decision to make: arrive on time or even early but bleary-eyed as well, or take a chance and pop into the Starbucks near the BART station and run the risk of being a few moments behind schedule.

If you've ever met me in the morning before I've had my coffee, you know what I did. It's self preservation, is what it is.

Starbucks was jam packed. Seven-day-a-week business people crowded in front of me, rattling off orders half a mile long. A mother with her children in a stroller promised hot chocolate to quiet her brood. An aging hippie asked me the time, and the baristas were foaming, frothing, and steaming as if their lives depended on it.

I got my order in: a tall lowfat latte, whole wheat bagel and some cream cheese. I gave them my name, and waited to be called. A bit impatiently at this point, I was really flirting with completely upsetting my entire timetable. Finally they called my order. I grabbed it, ran down into the station, and hopped on the next train. Just in time!

I think it was in the transbay tunnel that I finally relaxed enough to look down at my coffee and think to myself, "Why would anyone ever order a grande? A tall is super big." I perused my cup. And that's when I saw it: Kelly, written there plain as day. Kelly, who ordered a grande, nonfat latte. And whose coffee I had stolen.

I sincerely hope they made her another one.

Kelly, I don't know if it means much, but I'm sorry.

New Promotional Materials!

2011-12-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

For Cyber Monday moo.com had a site wide discount of 30% off. If you don't know moo, you should. They are the ones responsible for the addictive tiny business cards and the super cool concept of 'printfinity' (meaning you can order a pack of 20 cards, and each one can have a different image - catnip for photographers, in other words).

And man, did I ever take advantage of the discount. I think I made like a bazillion promotional postcards to send out to people. Here are some of the fronts of the cards. I think they turned out pretty well, and I can't wait to see them in person, especially since I know how gorgeously their postcards have printed out in the past!

I also bought some of their pretty gold envelopes to send the postcards out in. I know, is an envelope for a postcard really necessary? I say yes! Why not?

If you're interested in trying moo, why not use this link? They'll give me a couple cents toward a future purchase if you buy something, and you won't pay any more than you would have already.

State of the Blog, Part 2

2011-12-06T21:43:00.001-08:00

Click to view larger.

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone profusely who took the time to do the survey on the blog last week. I'd like especially to thank those who commented in depth or emailed me because they didn't simply want to check a box and call it done.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: this blog would be nothing without its readers. I appreciate all of you so much. Thanks for putting up with me!

So, what did the survey tell me? Well, it told me that quite a few people don't really care whether I post religiously every day. And it also told me that most would prefer that I talk about photography on the blog, which is hardly surprising. I really have been meaning to do more posts about gear, technique, post processing, and all of that, but I just haven't made the time to really sit down and do that well. So I'll be sure to put that on the list for the future.

Interestingly enough, the second largest group of responders didn't care what I post about. I'm going to take a wild guess and venture to say that those seven people were probably family and friends. Still, thanks for the unconditional support, guys!

So, what's going to change? Well, not too much. I'll probably cut down to five posts a week, give or take one depending on the week. That just seems eminently more manageable. I'm not saying I will NEVER post on weekends, just that I'll now view it as optional. I'm also going to make a concerted effort to increase the quality of the posts, even though that's rather hard to measure. And I'll try harder to talk about photography in all its forms.

Anyway, once again, thank you so much for all of your feedback. It's so nice to feel like I'm not shouting just to hear the echoes of my own voice!

Wordless Weekend

2011-12-04T23:39:00.001-08:00

Jannine - San Francisco Portrait Photographer

2011-12-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

Jannine's a good friend. So one day we got together and decided to make some portraits!

Frankly, she's any photographer's dream subject, but it's important to note that even someone as inherently photogenic as Jannine started out feeling a little leery in front of the camera. I totally sympathize; I am the worst photographic subject ever because the whole time I feel like micromanaging whoever is taking the picture. Evan can totally attest to this.

But we started out by talking about the kind of portraits she liked, what styles she thought seemed more like her, and then we got into it. And after the first few minutes the awkwardness melts away. It's part of any portrait session. Getting comfortable. Trusting the photographer. Sometimes it happens faster, sometimes you have to ease into it. But once you get there, it's golden.

Many, many thanks to Jannine for making it so easy on me.

I LOVE this one. I feel like it just shows what a great person she is.

And then we raided her closet for a skirt and played with some motion.

Thanks so much J! You are super cool. You know it.

The Bridge, Again

2011-11-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

I love bridges. Any kind. Name a bridge and I'll like it. All the cities I've lived in had bridges. San Francisco? Yep, we've got a few. Budapest? Oh, bridges galore. Montreal? Yeah, some. Not the most beautiful. New York? Some of the best bridges in the world. Bangkok? Oh yes, that city wouldn't function without its bridges.

We need bridges. They connect things. Over water. They're strong where we're weak, elegant where we're squat sweating and stuck in traffic. Bridges make for amazing views. They also make for great legends and stories.

Like that one time? In '89? When this bridge? Well, kind of collapsed? (Only kind of, though, thank goodness.)

They say that they've been trying to rebuild it since then (They being the powers that be. YOU know. Them.). Progress has been sighted, and next year, after 23 years, we'll have a new Bay Bridge.

I'm sure it will be gorgeous, and safe, and safety is definitely number one for bridges, just before looks and charisma. But I'm glad that in its last year, I'm getting some pictures that show just what a great gal the Bay Bridge is now. She might be showing just a hint of those 75 years on her, but I'd say she still looks fantastic.

State of the Blog

2011-11-29T15:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Lovely Blog Readers,

We're coming up on the end of 2011, and I've been trying to analyze how I'm spending my time. Somehow (as for most of you, I'd imagine) my to-do list always seems to get longer and not shorter. And I'll admit, I tend to prioritize the urgent at the expense of the important.

I've asked this question before, but I only received a handful of responses. It's now been well over three years that I've been posting daily (or attempting to), and as you can imagine, that takes a lot of time. A lot of shooting, a lot of downloading, editing, writing, and then posting for pretty much every day of the last three years. I'm not quitting. I still enjoy the heck out of most of it.

But I am trying to recalibrate. That's why I'd love your honest opinion: how often would you like me to post? What do you enjoy reading about? Over the past few months, while readership numbers haven't really changed, there's been a dramatic decrease in commenting. At first, it bothered me, but I know you guys are busy. Really, I read a lot of blogs where I don't comment. It's ok. But it makes it harder to figure out what people like and don't like.

Hence the poll. If you're looking at this via email or some kind of reader, I think you'll have to visit the blog to see the poll. It's only two questions. I'd certainly appreciate you taking some time out of your busy day to answer them to the best of your ability.

And thanks, again, for reading. Without all of you I might have given this up a long time ago.

Cheers, Jessica

20 Things I Believe

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

What I Believe . . .

- I believe that there is beauty everywhere, and we just need to look a little harder to find it.
- I believe that sitting down and having a rational conversation helps in most situations.
- I believe that doing something nice for someone else usually is the same as doing something nice for yourself.
- I believe in early morning walks.
- I believe in warm beverages.
- I believe in farmer's markets.
- I believe in spending time with good people.
- I believe in deep conversations.
- I believe in the moment, and making it wonderful. Tomorrow is tomorrow, today is today.
- I believe in gorgeous smells, new tastes and also familiar ones.
- I believe in the power of experiences to bring people together.
- I believe that you can connect with someone you think you have nothing in common with.
- I believe in sharing.
- I believe in stars, in chocolate, and in drinks with bubbles.
- I believe in you. I also try very hard to believe in myself. Some days are easier than others.
- I believe in experiencing the extremes: heat in Thailand, winters in Montreal. And enjoying both. Equally.
- I also believe in equilibrium, and finding a balance. Not killing yourself or anyone else in the pursuit of a goal.
- I believe in play, and that anything can be fun or enjoyable.
- I believe that the most annoying experiences make the best stories afterward.
- I believe that when you have less, you appreciate it more. (Still working on this one. It's so easy to end up with more instead of less!)
- I believe that anyone can look great in a photograph. Especially you.
- And I believe that your attitude shapes your life. Perspective is key. Here's to looking on the bright side!

So that's my list. What would you add?

*If you'd like to buy a print directly from the blog, now you can! I'm trying out Fotomoto's service. Just click the 'Buy Print' button beneath any photo and choose the size you prefer. All files will be optimized for print by me after you order. (And watermarks will be removed.) Fun!*

Simple Pleasures

2011-11-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

I think I've talked before about my love of coffee on this blog. Forgive me if I'm a broken record. There's something about the ritual of it I love: the smell, the heat, the foam of the milk, and the chance to sit down for a few minutes and just focus on a wonderful sensory experience.

I think maybe I talk about it so much that people think I'm a coffee-holic, when in reality it's a rare day when I have two cups. Some days (although not many) I don't have any. Mostly I just start the day by savoring one cup. Slowly. I'm not a gulper; I like to enjoy the experience.

One of the things I love the most about photography is the ability to capture these small moments of pleasure so they can be revisited later. Yes, maybe I take too many photographs of my cups of coffee, but they bring me joy. As Gretchen Rubin says, "What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while." And I totally agree. The small rituals are what give the shape to our days.

So what do you do every day that brings you pleasure? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

*If you'd like to buy a print directly from the blog, now you can! I'm trying out Fotomoto's service. Just click the 'Buy Print' button beneath any photo and choose the size you prefer. All files will be optimized for print by me after you order. (And watermarks will be removed.) Fun!*

Changes (Caturday)

2011-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Two cats is exponentially more cat than one cat. I hadn't quite considered this before we got Chee. We used to have one cat, who was at most in one place, wandering around the apartment, ensconced in a lap, indulging in an afternoon snooze, or perhaps chasing a toy.

Now there are cats everywhere. Where you least expect them. On the sofa, hiding among the pillows. Racing down the hallway after each other. Sleeping on my chair when I get up to get a glass of water.

Intellectually, I know. We had one, now we have two. Simple math. But it actually doesn't seem that simple. Because yes, sometimes it seems like we have a hundred cats. But it also seems like we have less real cat than we did before. Mouse is too busy to sleep on my lap all the time like she used to. She's also too distracted to really enjoy a good petting session. And Chee . . . well Chee just hasn't learned to slow down yet. If he ever will.

Chee, in a rare still moment just after a nap.

So most of the cat I see goes by in a blur. And that's fine with me. But yeah, it's different.

Pier 24

2011-11-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

There's something about museums that really gets me. It's zen. I go in, usually feeling like I'm in about five million places - late, disorganized, hair blown about by the wind, five bags hanging gracelessly about me that I sheepishly hand to the coat check. Jittery from too much caffeine and usually flushed or sweaty from rushing to get in the door on time.

But all of that melts away in the first room and I get a glimpse of the deep peace that art gives me. Given the reaction of many others when I suggest a trip to a museum, I would venture to say that this feeling doesn't happen to us all. Evan, for instance, doesn't share my love of museums. I might be fairer to say that he runs the other way screaming unless they are aviation or war related.

Anyway, if you like museums at all, and if you have a hankering to see some good photography, I highly recommend Pier 24. It's a bit of an oddity: it's free, but you need a reservation and they kick you out after two hours. Then again, it's in a glorious location, on the bay right next to the bay bridge, and it's perfect for a contemplative photo walk before or afterwards. There are some stunning photographs there, too. Irving Penn, Lee Friedlander, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Jim Goldberg, Richard Misrach (whose work I was unfamiliar with but I LOVED), Todd Hido (who was also an unexpected treat).

Anyway, highly recommended. If you like museums. I do.

Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T15:59:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving. We'll be in Tahoe, slaving over hot ovens in the morning, and sitting down with family and friends in the afternoon. I hope that wherever you are, whoever you're with, that you're enjoying the day and spending it with those you care for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Learning as You Go

2011-11-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

This is a great video I yoinked (yes, it's a word!) from Dave Delnea's blog. It's worth watching because it highlights the fact that sometimes in creativity the passion comes first, and then the skills and the methodology tag along behind. Honestly, without the fire and the drive to do it, what do the other things matter anyway? The ability to speak cogently about the entire process is not to be sneezed at, either. And he does a bang-up job.

Andrew Zuckerman: On Curiosity, Rigor, and Learning As You Go from 99% on Vimeo.

In a similar vein, Jasmine Star has just written a magazine about her own journey from broke bride to brilliant wedding photographer. I haven't read it yet, but I did order a copy. Partly because I'm an easy sell, I just like her writing, and also because I'm sure I'll learn something new from it. And I'm addicted to reading, so I'm sure I'll make my way through it like a house afire. (Is that the right way to use that expression?)

The Waves Below

2011-11-21T20:47:00.001-08:00

Taking the plunge is supposed to be the hardest part. You shut your eyes tight, breathe deep, and just let go.

Jump.

After that the momentum takes you down. You're not driving. The water meets you whether you're ready or not, and there's a certain peace to that. There's the first cold shock, yes, and the wait for the first gasp of air that lets you know you haven't drowned, but after that it's done.

It's a nice metaphor but it doesn't work that way in real life. Even after you jump you can't let go. You have to steer. There are rocks where you least expect them, and there's no one moment where you can realize you've made it, you've survived another jump. Other people will let you know when they think you've resurfaced. But to you? You're still treading water.

I'm not sure I'd have it any other way. But some days I long for the cleansing jolt of the water, and the satisfaction in the strength of my arms bringing me to the surface. And the clear, clear blue.

Wordless Weekend - Portrait

2011-11-20T14:44:00.001-08:00

Happy Caturday!

2011-11-19T12:57:00.001-08:00

Chee plots havoc while sunbathing.

I hope you all are enjoying the weekend. This one seems particularly sweet - I've got a pan of tomatoes roasting in the oven, a kitten attacking a toy to my right, a pile of photoshoots I'm excited to edit, and no real obligations tonight - just a quiet dinner in, me and my boy and two cats.

It's the first weekend in a while that feels so relaxed, and I'm grateful for it. Especially with the excitement of Thanksgiving looming in the future, tinging everything with a touch of anticipation, I'm content. Happy. We've got big plans to go see the snow and pretend we know what winter is really like, hang out with family, and take a lot of long walks. Just like I like it.

Five Things That Are Underrated

2011-11-16T16:47:00.001-08:00

1. Winter light and shorter days. I don't know why, but I'm getting a real kick out of our slightly changing seasons here. It's nice to see the longer shadows on the pavement, and being outside at five in the evening means magical light.

2. Unexpected warm breezes. I was in a Bart station a few days ago, and it might sound weird, but the approaching train made me feel like I was back on an island somewhere. So I closed my eyes and just enjoyed it.

3. People who are quirky. Give me someone who's passionate on a subject I've never even heard of, and I'm fascinated. I love it when you feel like you've pegged someone as a normal nine to fiver and then you find out that they cultivate bonsai religiously. Or they've written three books on vampires that haven't been published yet. (Watch out, Twilight!)

4. Good smells. Our local supermarket smells like cinnamon in the entryway right now (probably to manipulate us into a holiday spirit so we buy more groceries, but, whatever).

5. Abandoned evidence of a good time. The scene on this table made me take a picture. What a lovely setting for a good cup of coffee with a friend. I imagine they only talked of poetry and friends they had in common.

So, what about you? Something you love that no one else appreciates?

More Kittens!

2011-11-15T16:48:00.001-08:00

More kittens (and a few cats) from the ACC. I have to really hand it to Kimberly Saunders; she's taken it upon herself to raise the level of photography at the shelter, and she's doing a fantastic job - all as a volunteer. And the kittens are darling, especially this group. If I didn't already have two rambunctious cats (one of whom is trying desperately to drink my smoothie as we speak), I'd be hard pressed not to take a kitten or two home.

Evan would be really mad at me if I did.

So I won't. At least not this week. But it's pretty hard to resist.

Anyway, here's this week's crop!

If you'd like to adopt one, go on right ahead!

*If you'd like to buy a print directly from the blog, now you can! I'm trying out Fotomoto's service. Just click the 'Buy Print' button beneath any photo and choose the size you prefer. All files will be optimized for print by me after you order. Fun!*

Yes, YOU Are Beautiful

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

So here's the deal. You're beautiful.

You're beautiful and I want to take your picture. All of you. Any of you. Without exception.

I don't care if you think you're not photogenic. You're wrong.

And I'd love to have the chance to prove it to you.

*Images are from a recent session with the lovely Lara. More photos coming soon.*

Wordless Weekend - Cyclist

2011-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Wordless Weekend - Coastal Fog

2011-11-12T19:56:00.001-08:00

Toothsome Thursday

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

The new s'mores cupcake from our friends at OvenLovin. Um, it's seriously heaven. Way better than a real s'mores. And I don't even know why I'm posting about it, because it just makes me want one.

Now, I doubt it's going to be as good, but here's a recent recipe from SpoonForkBacon for s'mores cupcakes. Looks like it's missing out on all the delicious layered magic of this one, though. Graham cracker, chocolate, some magic, mmmmmm . . .

Camp Royaneh - Our Wedding Location

2011-11-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

So THIS is where we're getting married.

Aren't you excited?I'm really excited. It's kind of perfect. Not too formal, with plenty of gorgeous trees and nature around, places for guests to bunk should they choose to spend the night, and it's not too far away. I can't wait, personally.

I just wish the wedding would plan itself. Little chance of that, though.

Yes, it's a Boy Scout camp. Isn't that cute? Evan even went here as a boy scout a couple of times.

Here's the visitor center. At least I think that's what it's called.

The dining hall.

Some of the local foliage.

I love all the wooden signs scattered about. They add such a great touch to the place.

So, you could sleep here! You might want to bring a sleeping bag, though.

And this is the "chapel."

Other possible sleeping arrangements. Not the Hilton, that's for sure.

We will NOT be using the shotgun range. I think that's a wise decision.

Isn't it great? Where did you get married? Or where do you want to get married if you haven't tied the knot yet?

Animal Love!

2011-11-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

More adoptable cuties from the ACC!This is Tayto. He's a love bundle. Really.

And this is Tony. Isn't he gorgeous?

The ACC is the only shelter in San Francisco that also accepts small animals, like rats. These two were super sweet and pretty brave, considering they were meeting me for the first time.

Flower Macro

2011-11-07T22:04:00.001-08:00

If you have time, go read the interview with Mary Jo Bang over on the 99%. I found it an interesting read. I especially enjoyed the questions she did not choose to answer, despite the interviewer repeatedly asking them, and this quote:

"What I'm saying is that everything, before it becomes easy, is a triumph. And some things never become easy—and in that case, simply continuing to do them is a triumph." - I so agree. Often I feel like just getting up before 8 am every morning is a triumph for me personally. Also, this exchange:

"Is there any advice or knowledge that you would have liked to tell Mary Jo of that earlier time?"
"I think Mary Jo has always had to learn every lesson the hard way, through experience, so I don't know that any advice might have helped her."

Wordless Weekend - Bay Bridge

2011-11-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Wordless Weekend - Ripples

2011-11-05T14:27:00.001-07:00

Toothsome Thursday

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I took this in August, when tomatoes were having their heyday. I loved this angle of light coming from the window behind the tomatoes. Ah, the fruits of summer!

San Francisco View

2011-11-02T23:18:00.001-07:00

Parsley Plant

2011-11-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

Kittens at the ACC

2011-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Would it be strange or wrong to say that I've always wanted to volunteer as a photographer for an animal shelter? Because that's kind of how this story begins.

So once I got the chance to work with Animal Care and Control in San Francisco, I'd say I jumped at the chance. Taking good care of all animals has always been a priority for me. I can't exactly say why, and I know that there are those who might not understand, but if I have the opportunity to help an animal, I'll take it.

Especially if I get to use my camera at the same time.

For my first hour long session, we started with something pretty easy: kittens. I mean, it's pretty hard to take a picture of a kitten that doesn't just make your heart melt, am I right?

So, enjoy! And if you like what you see, they're all adoptable!

Sunday in the Park

2011-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Wordless Weekend - House with a Face

2011-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Fall, For Real

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Remember when I announced that fall had arrived? I think I was a little premature. Yes, it's October, which is traditionally summer in San Francisco. Confused? Me too. In October you can go outside without a sweater on. This is huge, people. I sleep in a sweater. No, seriously, sometimes I do. To Evan's everlasting chagrin. My closet is full of sweaters. One big giant sweater pile. I wear one every day. Every . single . day. I don't wear just a shirt, and I never wear a jacket.

San Francisco is a city full of people wearing sweaters. Except for these past few weeks when we were temporarily liberated.

But now fall's arrived, and my hands are cold again, as usual. And it's time for the sweaters to come back in full force. I swear, two days ago there were no leaves on the ground and then today, there they were. Crunching under my feet all along the blocks.

Well, fall, welcome. Again. Don't worry. I've got my sweaters ready.

Toothsome Thursday

2011-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

I was at the Farmer's Market last Wednesday when I happened upon some organic raspberries going for a very decent price. Twelve boxes for only $20! In October! I'll admit I took advantage of the opportunity.

This is not 12 boxes. This is only 6. I had already rinsed six when I realized it might be nice to take a picture.

The only thing about raspberries is that they go bad if you look at them sideways. I knew there was no hope of eating them all before they went downhill. Fortunately with my tiny amount of canning experience I was pretty sure it would be easy to make some delicious jam out of them with little to no trouble.

So I set some aside for snacking, rinsed the rest and threw them into a pan on low heat.

Then I crushed them with my trusty wooden spoon, raised the heat to medium and waited for it to come to a boil.

And after a while the raspberries looked something more like this.

Then I cooked them over medium-low heat for about an hour, maybe more, stirring frequently. This is a great time to fold laundry or watch mindless television. I think I read a book on my iPhone in between stirrings. Yes, you need to be near the kitchen, but you don't need to be over the stove every minute.

I waited until the raspberries thickened up and there was almost no liquid left, then I added some sugar to taste. I'm not sure how much, maybe 2 cups? Maybe a little more. They were pretty tart to begin with. And what I ended up with wasn't extremely sweet, but just sweet enough.

Then I canned the jam in a hot water canner. (Boil the jars for at least ten minutes fully submerged in a large pot, then allow them to rest on a towel for about 24 hours. Don't forget to check the seals.)

And I ended up with five cups of gorgeous, delicious raspberry jam that's so flavorful you only need the tiniest bit on a piece of toast to enter nirvana. Yum! I decided not to attempt to remove the seeds because I think they might add some healthy fiber to the jam, and yes, I was feeling a bit lazy. Also, I really don't mind seeds. But if you want to remove the seeds, my guess is that a food mill could probably help you out with that.

I like making things. What can I say? The joy of creation and seeing tangible proof of my efforts is addictive. Jam making, cooking, photography. They're not so different. What do you like to create?

My Thoughts Are with Thailand

2011-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

As the flooding continues in Thailand I can't help but think about one of my adopted countries and grieve for what it's going through. Evan and I spent a year there, but it felt like so much more. I still remember the sounds of waking up in the morning, the chattering of geckos and the trills of the birds outside our window. In Thailand you don't forget the power of nature. Armies of ants swarmed our house, spiders bigger than my hands inhabited our kitchen (gently, I might add). Wild dogs were everywhere, not so gently. There was a softness about people that I loved, and also a great sense of fun. No matter where I am, some of Thailand comes with me.

So I'd like to share a few photos from our time there again. My apologies if you've been a reader long enough to have seen these before.

This was the tree outside our bedroom window. I saw it every morning when I woke up. When it monsooned, everything was drenched. Immediately.

These were our street dogs. They lived on our street, and unlike most of the dogs they were pretty nice and they never tried to attack us.

Whenever we had a long weekend we usually took a bus to the islands. This is Koh Chang. Elephant Island.

And these are the types of places we stayed. From here, sitting in chilly San Francisco it looks pretty good.

Beer Chang. Yup, Elephant beer. You can speak about as much Thai as I can, now! (Ok, I speak maybe a little more.)

These were our sunsets.

And these were our pet cats.

Ok, not really. That's a baby tiger. But I did get to pet this one and feed it some milk from a bottle, so that wasn't too shabby. And we did bring home a cat that was a little (well, a lot) smaller than this one.

Thailand, I miss you and I hope you get through this troubled time without too many bruises. My thoughts are with you.

Katie and Trevor - Second Shooting for Amanda Lock

2011-10-25T05:00:00.001-07:00

It was through a series of slightly confused emails that Amanda Lock (to see her site, click here) and I sent to each other that we finally decided I would help her shoot the wedding of Katie and Trevor. (Before anyone thinks anything about Amanda, the confusion was all on my side. Sometimes my emails are not the clearest.)

But on the day of the wedding, there was no confusion. Only a beautiful ceremony for Trevor and Katie, who were surrounded by the best and most loving group of friends and family. I've very rarely seen a couple who were quite so fully in love, a love that all around them were eager to proclaim special and rare.

The men were especially dapper. I loved Trevor's white suit and blue vest. Quite an eye-catching combo!

And what a handsome groom! Lucky Katie.

I loved the simplicity of the color scheme: pale blues and pinks, with a few accent colors here and there.

The flowers were just gorgeous, and I have always loved gardenias. They lent their gorgeous scent to the wedding day.

Isn't Katie's mom gorgeous? The light in her room was just off the hook beautiful.

Even relaxing, she was elegant.

The flower girls were so cute you could eat them with a spoon!

At the end of the ceremony, they released some monarch butterflies.

Trevor and Katie, the two of you are just stunning together. And I know you always will be.

Aren't those rings just perfect together?

Katie, you're beautiful.

HUGE thanks to Amanda for letting me come and shoot such a beautiful wedding with her. It was just magical.

http://www.amandalockphotography.com/

Why Sue Bryce Rocked My World

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

It was kind of an impulse buy. An expensive one. But I've been reading Sue's blog for months now, pretty much since she started it, and she was finally coming to San Francisco. How could I resist?

Turns out, I'm really glad I didn't.

From the first moment of her two-day master class, I sat spellbound. Sue has this talent of just sucking you in and making you pay attention. I found myself taking notes even on the inane, "Connecticut? And where is that?" (Sue's from New Zealand, and currently lives in Australia.) "I'm a black belt in shopping." (Yes, me too.) And some wisdom from her mother: "Nobody would hate you unless they wanted to be you." Good way of looking at it.

We laughed a lot. We went to the Cheesecake Factory two days in a row, which by the way has pretty good huevos rancheros if you're in the mood, which I was. We practiced posing, and we soaked in her wisdom on everything from service and sales to posing and how to run a business, plus her attitude to beauty. "I spend an hour making the outside look pretty so that I can photograph the inside."

I'd say that you should grab any opportunity you get to go to her masterclass, but I think she's phasing it out. Still, she'll be around. If you have the chance to see her work, or even just meet her for a moment, I highly recommend it. There are those people that you just never forget, and Sue's one of them. If in ten years I could be half the person she is, both in business and in my personal life, I'd be thrilled.

Stuff of hers to check out: this great video interview with Catherine Hall, who was also at the workshop. Also, Sue's blog for photographers, chock full of wisdom on marketing and life. And her work on her website. Don't miss the before and afters, as well as the videos.

Sue, I'm sorry. I stole this image from your website. You see, I enjoyed the masterclass so much that I didn't take ANY pictures. Crazy, I know.

Wordless Weekend

2011-10-23T12:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Caturday

2011-10-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Why yes, I AM king of all I survey.

Whoops! Momentarily lost my balance there. It's not easy being king, you know.

This king thing is a lot of hard work. I think it's time for a nap!

Iron Cupcake

2011-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I got a strange message from Evan.

"Want to go to Iron Cupcake tonight?" it read.

"What???" I believe was my witty and intelligent response.

Well, it turns out that Iron Cupcake is a lot of fun. And kind of wholesome fun, if you discount the part where enormous amounts of sugar, cream, and other delicious ingredients are consumed. Basically, it works like this. Bakers make a boatload of tiny cupcakes based around a theme. They bring them to the Leland Tea Company on a Monday night where a hungry crowd has gathered, and then everyone tastes the cupcakes and votes for the best ones. And the prettiest ones. And the most creative. And drinks a lot of free, delicious tea.

But the best part is the huge quantities of cupcakes. Did I mention that?

If you're interested, the next one is October 24th, and the theme is (appropriately) Candy. Sounds intriguing!

Before Your Next Meal . . .

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Often I find I like the in between better. In no-man's-land there are fewer rules and less expectations. More room for experimentation.So, breakfast, lunch, dinner? Yes, please. Of course. BUT ALSO: snacks!

A recent favorite: Greek yogurt with my homemade (yay!) fruit butters. Peach, of course, I told you all about, but I also made strawberry, which I love, and which is just totally unlike any other strawberry jam I've ever tried. Most strawberry jams are so sweet they make your teeth hurt and the strawberry flavor is completely overshadowed. Not to brag, because the strawberries did the heavy lifting themselves, but this is totally different. Tart, simple, clean, delicious. With just a hint of vanilla to add some elegance.

I shot through a chair back to get that lovely brown glow on the right side and top of the image.

The Milk/Milch/Mjolk/Latte/Leche glasses come from Anthropologie.

A view from the top.

Postcards!

2011-10-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

I just sent out some postcards from Moo showcasing my real estate work, and I have to say, if you need good looking postcards here they are! I kind of gasped when I opened the package, they're so beautiful. Thick paper stock, gorgeous sharp printing, high gloss on one side, great writing surface on the other side (and you can customize both sides!)

On the other hand, I think it might be time to clean off my desk . . .

Dear Evan

2011-10-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Evan,

I want to walk down the beach with you. Down so far that we become miniatures, and lost in the gentle spray. I want to walk with you even when we are the only ones on the beach, and I want to enjoy the feel of your hand in mine with each step.

You'll pull me closer when you notice my hand get cold (as it always does, no matter what), and I won't mind. We'll talk of nothing and everything, and then, when we're so small you almost can't see us any more, we'll gently disappear. Into the sand, the mist, the delicate shapes and colors of the water. The sounds of the birds muffled in the fog.

That's where I'd like to be with you. Let's go take a walk.

Jessica

Wordless Weekend

2011-10-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Chee

2011-10-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

We called him Chee, and I think it suits him.

What a distinguished profile!

I'll admit, I was a little worried at first. A lot of why we chose to get Chee is because Mouse seemed a little lonely and bored. We wanted her to have a partner in crime, someone to play fight with, sleep with, and pounce on from time to time. But cats are totally unpredictable, and there was no way to know for sure that Mouse and Chee would get along. We had high hopes, of course, but no guarantees.

Since we're responsible and we like to be prepared, and we're relatively new to cat-owning, we did a lot of internet research. The consensus on introducing cats to each other seemed to be that the best way to do it = slowly. So we prepared a room for Chee (my tiny office space), with a litter box, food and water bowls, a scratching area, and a little bed for him. And we kept him in there for almost three days (with frequent visits, yeah, of course, we're not heartless in the face of cuteness) while he proceeded to tell us that he was increasingly unhappy and missed his family.

I don't know if you've ever heard a kitten cry as loud as he can, but let's just say it's pretty loud. Kind of like the shriek of a bald eagle, actually.

Mouse, on the other hand, was quite suspicious. She hissed and growled outside the door of the office, and yet seemed unable to stop herself from coming back to sniff again and again.

Finally, and accidentally (oops! didn't close the door fast enough), they met. And they've pretty much been inseparable since. Chee is delighted to have another cat to be with (people are a little further down the totem pole for him so far), and Mouse has willingly taken on the mantle of mama cat, cleaning him, attacking him gently, and running to him any time he cries.

Getting a bath from Mouse.

Faster than a speeding bullet!

He's a tiny little lump right now, weighs hardly more than a box of pasta, and yet I keep forgetting that because his personality is so darn big!

Finally time for a nap.

His eyes are bluish now but they'll go green soon enough.

I love that little spot on his nose.

So I think you could say that it's all turned out pretty well.

Troublemaker

2011-10-11T23:13:00.001-07:00

Both of them are, actually.

Some news!

2011-10-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

Bet you can't guess what it is!

Safari West, the Third and Final Installment

2011-10-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

After four days of wild animal posts you might be over it. I get it. But I have to admit I'm still totally enamoured with these shots, and more, with the memories that go with them. I might not have mentioned it before, but we spent the evening after dinner on our porch, a stone's throw away from the giraffe enclosure, playing poker until the wee hours of the morning.

Now if you don't remember me as a huge poker player that would most likely be because I'm not. When I was in college we played a few times for nickels and dimes. Sometimes we would graduate to the outrageousness of quarters. I'm afraid that this training created a less-than-stellar poker player, one who accepted losses without much gnashing of teeth. Either that or I've just never been very competitive.

So it will come as no surprise to hear that I lost the game early. (There were 14 of us playing, and I think I was first to go out. Not perhaps my finest moment.)

But Evan managed to get second place. So at least I can pick my men, even if I can't play my cards.

All right, down to business. Here are the last of the safari photos.

Safari West, Part II

2011-10-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

There are a few things I can't resist when it comes to taking photos. One is water, in all its forms. Fog, mist, oceans, rivers, waterfalls, fountains . . . I could go on.

Another, apparently, is my cat. Occasionally I foist images of her on my unsuspecting blog audience. (Suspecting, probably, at this point, I'd say. But I'm just so glad she's around.)

Flowers, too, cliche as they are, will still get me to pull out the camera with some haste. Great color pairs, gorgeous light. Oh yes, gorgeous light, my personal favorite.

Sometimes also food. When I feel inspired.

But high on the list as well, are animals who are not my cat. Surprising, I know. And honestly, the wilder the better, but I'll take 'em as I can get 'em. Zoos are fine, safari parks are even better. City streets too. I'm not picky. So you better believe that I gave my shutter button a good workout last weekend.

And here are some of the results. I hope you enjoy them. Part III just might be coming tomorrow. We'll see.

This, Safari West's website tells me, is a Greater Kudu. I agree.

This is a species that no longer exists in the wild, the Scimitar Horned Oryx. The last wild Scimitar-Horned Oryx was seen in the 1980s.

Another Scimitar-Horned Oryx and a herd of Wildebeest.

Landscape. No animals here, sorry.

A Cape Buffalo. Friendly to other buffalo, really unfriendly to humans. Apparently if it gets angry with you it will track you for days until it gets you. Interaction NOT ADVISED. (Oh, and one of the Big 5: lions, elephants, leopard, rhinos, and cape buffalo.)

Gemsbok. Pretty, aren't they?

A white rhino. I would NOT want to get in his way. Apparently male white rhinos can weigh up to 6,000 pounds. And you thought your truck was heavy!

And another shot of that sweet baby impala. I just couldn't resist.

*I'd like to dedicate this post to Mr Steve Jobs, who changed my life when I wasn't looking, and made a hell of a phone, as well as a lasting impression on all of us. I can only aspire to one day be as committed to quality and perfection as he was. *

Something New

2011-10-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you all remember (sometimes I can't even remember my name, let alone anything else!), but last month or so, I mentioned this cool animal photographer I had found on 500px. His name is Wolf Ademeit (or at least that's his internet name), and he creates these stunning images of animals against a black background.

I found his work so arresting and unusual, but I figured he somehow managed to get his animals into a studio, or at least in some kind of controlled setting. No way! He shoots at zoos and other public animal parks. The black background is all achieved in post processing.

So I thought I'd try it for myself with one of my shots from Safari West. The giraffe's head was shot against the sky, so it was easy to isolate the head in photoshop and make everything else black. What do you all think? Is it cool? Weird? Too different? I think I like it, but I don't think I'd do it too often. Then again, it might make an interesting series.

Change of Season

2011-10-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

It started raining today, and I don't know why, but it soothed me. I stepped out onto the speckled street, felt the hint of a bite in the air, and I breathed long.

It's time. I can feel it. Time for tea, and for spices, and also for orange and amber and warm browns. Candles. Pumpkins, apples, squash, apple pie. Indian summer was good to us, and it's probably not quite over, but I'm ready for fall. And winter, as much as we ever get it here.

I know this is a little scruffy looking, but I just LOVE the colors in the background. Fall, here we come!

Safari West

2011-10-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing weekend, spent with Evan's company at Safari West. If you're anywhere near Northern California and you like animals at all, you have to go. It was the two most magical days I've spent in a long time. We arrived for lunch, went on a two-hour jeep safari among herbivore-grazed fields, and then spent another 40 minutes on a walking tour of aminals in zoo-like enclosures. Then we spent the night in 'tents,' which were much swankier than the word implies. And to top it all off, in the morning we got to see some other animals up close and personal, and even touch some of them!

I can't even imagine being this tall.

I felt like a kid. I think you're supposed to outgrow this fascination with zebras and giraffes and such, but I never did. I honestly can't think of a more pleasant way to spend a couple days than seeing all our distant relatives in their natural glory. And they're fascinating! Did you know the tongue of a giraffe is ten inches long?? I didn't, but now I feel so informed.

Can we call this my Sistine Chapel homage?

Great Big Eyes

2011-10-02T21:56:00.001-07:00

It's all about the eyes. Person, dog, deer, the eyes are what count. And this little baby impala has amazing eyes. Wouldn't you agree?

Whale Bones

2011-10-01T00:31:00.000-07:00

In the Rain

2011-09-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

I took this image at the same time as this one. Although I certainly like the first better, this one also has its charms.

Street Portrait - Hero

2011-09-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

We were sitting around for a pint of beer at Marlena's when he walked over to turn on the light behind us. Not thinking much of it, we admired his uniform. Costume, really, we thought.

"What is it? Marine?" we asked.

"No," he said. "Air traffic controller." I thought that was the end of the conversation. No surprise here that I can't recognize an air traffic controller when I see one. All uniforms look mostly alike to me.

Then Robin asked about the medals. "And what about those? Are they real? Did you get them?"

He shyly explained that they were. And what they were all for. I'd tell you, but the only thing I can remember is that I was impressed. Quite impressed. He explained that he was at the bar with 'his fellow' to celebrate the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' And that's when I knew that there were medals he deserved that weren't there on his chest. And we thanked him for serving his country even when it wasn't ready to accept him.

I didn't catch his name, but I hope he had an excellent night out. And I hope that when I get to be his age that any of my old clothes continue to fit so well!

Another From the Beach

2011-09-26T22:52:00.001-07:00

Night Heron

2011-09-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to see this guy just hanging out by Lake Merritt the other day.

Cat Macro

2011-09-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

Glad to have you safe at home, little one.

October Mini Sessions Q&A

2011-09-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

So, since I know you all have burning questions about the mini sessions in October, I thought I'd answer a few here.

Note: October Mini-Sessions are now scheduled for Sunday October 30th, not October 29th. I decided that Sunday would work out a bit better. For more information see the previous post here.

Q: Is 30 minutes really enough time?
A: Good question! My normal session length is 1-2 hours. With 30 minutes things are a bit shorter (obviously), and there isn't the possibility of different locations or outfits (unless you're a quick-change artist, in which case, go right ahead!). That makes the sessions have a different feel. Often they're more relaxed and fun, which I love! Also, it's a great chance to try out a themed shoot, without investing too much time and money into it.
However, since the shoot is shorter, that means fewer pictures. Included in the price is 5 full resolution images. If there are more than 5 great shots (which is quite likely, you handsome devil you), you'll get to pick your favorite five.

Q: Since it's the day before Halloween, can we wear our Halloween costumes?
A: Absolutely! I thought you'd never ask. I'm dying to have some Halloween themed images. Black cats, Elvis Presleys, and Lady Gagas of the world unite!

Q: I was hoping we could get a good photo of the family for our holiday cards.
A: Sneaky. That's not a question, but it does sound like a good idea. A mini session is perfect for a relaxed family photo.

Family fun!

Q: I'm a little camera shy and I'm not sure if this is a good idea for me. Still, I'm intrigued. What do you recommend?
A: It's only 30 minutes, so why not? Wear the clothes you feel like a god or goddess in, do your hair, get your nails done, or get a massage - whatever makes you feel incredible - and then come work it! I'm pretty sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

A rockin' dress is always a safe bet for excellent photos.

Q: I'd like to bring my dog and get a shot with him. Would that be ok?
A: Yes! Pets are welcome and totally invited. Bring Fluffy, Mr P, and Speckles. The more the merrier. Just please keep an eye on escape artists. It'd be a shame to have to fish Speckles out of the fountain.

Yes! Bring him.

Q: Where exactly is this going to be? I've never heard of this place TBD.
A: Funny, that's where I initially schedule all my shoots. Most likely we'll be at a park somewhere in San Francisco. Hope that helps you narrow it down a bit.

Chances are, the location will look something like this.

Then again, pictures on the beach might be great as well . . .

All right, please let me know if you have any more questions! Contact me at jessica (at) quotidianphotography (dot) com to book a session.

Minisessions in October! (for a good cause)

2011-09-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of Vanity Fair. I'll admit, I don't always make it to the end of their articles (I swear, they are novella-sized!) but when I do, it's so satisfying. The photography is always stunning (witness this month's Angelina Jolie on the cover - I'll admit I've spent at least a few minutes trying to deconstruct the lighting setup they used on her face), and the investigative reporting is some of the best on the newsstand. Plus, in this era of information in bite-sized chunks, it's nice to sit down for a good read. One where you need more than two minutes to finish the article.

So, last month (or July - time passes faster than I thought, I guess) they featured a story on the ivory trade and the declining population of African elephants. You can read the full text of the article here, but I'll warn you it's a rather depressing read. In the struggle between elephants and poachers, the elephants are not doing well. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it. You can also see a slideshow of the related images here.

One line from the article really stood out for me. "But elephants are not human, of course. They are something much more ancient and primordial, living on a different plane of existence." It's exactly how I feel about them, although the author has expressed it better than I ever could. And I'd like to do something to help, no matter how small.

All images on this page were taken by Vanity Fair photographers. Not me. Although, someday, I really hope to see and photograph a wild elephant.

That's why I've decided to donate part of the proceeds from my ~~October 29~~ October 30 mini-sessions to Save The Elephants.

Date: Sunday, October 30
Cost: $75 (that's half of my most basic portrait session price)
Included: A 30 minute portrait/family/pet session in San Francisco (exact location TBD), and 5 high resolution files with the rights to print them, put them on holiday cards, or just share with friends and family.
Feel-good factor: For every minisession booked, I will donate $25 to Save The Elephants. And together, we can make a difference.

To book a session, email me at jessica (at) quotidianphotography (dot) com.

I'll update this blog post as the sessions are booked.

Mini-sessions, October 30

12:30-1:00 pm - BOOKED
1:30-2:00 pm
2:15-2:45 pm
3:00-3:30 pm
3:45-4:15 pm
4:30-5:00 pm

Gorgeous light minisessions also available! Might be a bit chilly, but sunset/dusk light is some of the most beautiful and flattering around.
5:30-6:00 pm
6:15-6:45 pm - BOOKED

I hope to see you in October. And together we can do something to help, no matter how small.

If I printed this . . . .

2011-09-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

. . . it would use a lot of ink.

Thank you digital!

Dahlia

2011-09-18T23:08:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite flowers. I just love those tightly packed petals.

Life's A Beach

2011-09-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

I've lived close to an ocean almost all my life, but I think I've always taken it for granted. The ocean here is a bit different, too. It's not the warm, sultry, sunkissed ocean you might find further south or even further west. No, ours is a bit forbidding, rather windswept, and it's not the kind of water you ordinarily want to stick more than your toes in, and even those, not for long.

Yesterday I made it to the beach for about half an hour after some coffee with a new friend. I went expecting to spend only five minutes, kind a 'hi beach! bye beach!' interaction, but I ended up staying longer. To tell the truth, I was just completely captivated with the soft, gorgeous slightly foggy light. Everything seemed slightly blurry, and usually that's not a term you associate with good photography, but it was working for me.

I hadn't planned on taking out my camera, but as usual it was in the bag, and so out it came. And there was something wonderful about the clean, cold, rushing air, and the solitude. I remembered, as I seldom do, that I was standing at the edge of a huge continent facing an almost boundless ocean.

Next stop, Hawaii. Till then, just waves, wind, and wilderness.

These images bring back that feeling for me, the calm, the peace, the cold purity of the beach.

A flock of pelicans flew by, and I regretted not having a longer lens.

And the whimsy of a sand dollar sitting there waiting for me. I left it for someone else to find later.

What about you? Is there a place you feel at peace? Somewhere that just overwhelms you in a good way? I'd love to hear about it.

Food Week Reprise - Peach Butter

2011-09-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

I know I promised to blog this recipe last week, but I lost my cat, and I decided blogging wasn't at the top of my list of priorities that day.

Fortunately, we found the cat, so I can share this deliciousness with you. Honestly, it's pretty phenomenal stuff. And the recipe is so simple, it's a bit unbelievable. I was inspired by this post on Smitten Kitchen, you can check out the original for more in-depth analysis of the peach butter phenomenon, and probably also better directions as well. If you're interested, here's a peach and lemongrass butter that also sounds intriguing.

Ingredients: peaches, the best you can find (optional: sugar and lemon juice, but I used neither). Pretty simple, right? Just fruit, nothing else.

Mmmm, delicious window light.

Cut your peaches into eighths, and put them in a big pot.

These are not eighths, these are halves. I trust you to know the difference.

Add a little water (about a cup, maybe a little less). Cover the peaches and cook over medium low heat for about ten minutes, until the peaches soften up and start to release some of their own juices.

Then uncover your pot, and cook the peaches down for a while. Depending on your stove, and how ripe the peaches were when you started, this could be anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour.

After a few minutes.

After about half an hour.

I probably cooked my peaches down a bit too far this time, but I don't think it made a huge difference in the finished product.

Then either puree the peaches in a blender, use an immersion blender, or put them through a food mill. (I used a food mill. This one, if you're interested.) Once the peaches are blended, return them to the pot and continue to simmer them on medium low heat, stirring frequently. Your goal is to get rid of as much water as possible from the peaches so you're left with only pure peach essence.

Your peach butter is done once it gets thick and sticky, and a spoonful of it on a cold plate doesn't form a ring of water around it. If you're making a small batch over higher heat, this might happen fairly quickly (30 minutes or so). If you're making a larger batch or cooking over lower heat, it could take a while. A couple of hours, maybe. Be prepared to wait it out, because trust me, it's worth it.

Once it's done, you can can it by boiling it in a hot water bath for ten minutes and then setting the cans on the counter for 24 hours. Or you can just put it into a container and make sure you eat it quickly. Or you could freeze it. It's up to you. Make sure to test the seals if you can it. Also know that since there's no added sugar it's probably only shelf stable for a few months instead of the year that most other jam products can last.

Then put some cute stickers on the jars. This is an essential step.

Then enjoy! It's great stirred into yogurt or spread on top of a biscuit. And it's divine on waffles. I think it would also make a very gourmet pb&j.

Peach season is almost over, but this is perfect for very ripe fruit. Let me know if you try it!

Lost and Found

2011-09-12T23:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we lost Mouse for about ten hours, and I would be lying if I didn't say it was some of the worst hours of my life. I couldn't even begin to imagine life without my little mischievous ragamuffin. Fortunately she found her way home around 11:30 last night, as I was sitting on the stairs outside our apartment, pondering whether I should sit up all night and wait for her.

Fortunately we have an abundance of pictures of her. Here are some of the shots we considered in making lost cat posters.

This is how she attempts to recreate the heat of Thailand.

Those eyes!

Not only is Mouse cute, but she's also very well read.

Welcome back home, Mouse. And don't you ever do that again!

-Jessica, resident cat caregiver and failed door monitor

Delicious (Food Week Day 6)

2011-09-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

Oh, oops, skipped day five. It's been a busy week. And today's a short post - just a delicious sandwich. Can't get better than fresh mozzarella, some basil, a little hummus, and a toasted pita. Oh, and a little balsamic sprinkled on top.

I really will tell you all about the peaches tomorrow, I swear!

August Flame (Food Week, Day 4)

2011-09-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

Today I went from this . . . .

. . . . to this . . .

. . . . to this.

August Flame is the name of these peaches. I think it's appropriate. Aren't they gorgeous? As you know, I have a love affair with peaches, as I have proved a couple times before. Come back tomorrow to hear the full story of the latest installment. (Hmm, that seems like an oxymoron. The latest installment of the full story?)

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I'm trying something new. This is food week on the blog. Every day I'll post a photo of food and then either a story or a recipe. Want to join in? Join the flickr group and post your food photos!

Simple Heirloom Tomato Basil Sauce (Food Week, Day 3)

2011-09-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen yellow tomato sauce before?

Well, I spent all evening taking the tomatoes in the top picture and turning them into tomato sauce, and then jarring it up. That part was extremely satisfying, but because it was evening, the light was not superb, and I'm not really satisfied with either of these shots. Yes, I could have used some lighting equipment, but I was a bit lazy. Let's just leave it at that.

What I am satisfied with, however, is the sauce. WOW. I love heirloom tomato sauce. It has a flavor that you just wouldn't believe. Mmmmmm. I'm going to be having dreams all night.

Ingredients:
Heirloom tomatoes (I used striped Germans, mostly)
Fresh basil

Optional:
Olive oil, butter, salt

The recipe is simple. Take some heirloom tomatoes, cut them in half or into quarters, put them in a pot on low to medium heat. Cook them like this for a while at a simmer to reduce the amount of liquid involved. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. When the consistency is something like a thin sauce, put the liquid through a food mill to remove the skins and some of the seeds. (Or you could just leave them in. I've tried it with and without skins, and I don't really mind them. But I got a food mill, so I used it.)

Then continue to reduce the amount of liquid in the sauce by keeping it at a low simmer. The sauce is going to spatter; that's expected. At this point I add some fresh basil to taste. (I personally like a lot of basil, but you may not.) Also, you might add some salt. But you're not going to need a lot, because if there's one thing this sauce isn't lacking, it's flavor.

Continue cooking down the sauce until it keeps its shape on a spoon, or there's very little liquid rising to the top. At this point you can add some olive oil or a little butter, but you really might not need to. It's so delicious. The only drawback is that the cooking time can be rather long, and you don't end up with a lot of sauce. I started with probably 12-15 pounds of tomatoes and I ended up with 4 12 ounce jars of sauce. But you also don't need a lot of sauce for a bowl of pasta - like I said, it has a lot of flavor. You really don't need any parmesan cheese to go with it, and trust me, usually I'm a parmesan fiend.

If you try this, I'd love to hear about it. Or if you have any other great tomato sauce recipes you'd like to share, please do.

***

I'm trying something new. This is food week on the blog. Every day I'll post a photo of food and then either a story or a recipe. Want to join in? Join the flickr group and post your food photos! (Yay! I am now not the only one in the Flickr group. Please don't be shy and come post some photos of delicious food.)

Espresso Banana Bread - A Photo Essay (Food Week, Day 2)

2011-09-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

(For the curious, I used this recipe, and added a shot of espresso, some cinnamon, and a cup of chopped walnuts. It was pretty good, but just a little too soft for me. I'd recommend 3 bananas instead of the 4 I used.)

***

I'm trying something new. This is food week on the blog. Every day I'll post a photo of food and then either a story or a recipe. Want to join in? Join the flickr group and post your food photos! (Yay! I am now not the only one in the Flickr group. Please don't be shy and come post some photos of delicious food.)

New Challenge - Food Week on the Blog

2011-09-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I had planned it all out perfectly. Isn't that the way these stories always start? I had bought some tomatoes, I was going to go pick them up in North Beach, then walk to meet Heather for coffee downtown at Blue Bottle. The timing was going to work out just right: it was about a 20 minute walk and I had just shy of half an hour. What I didn't factor in was that 24 pounds of tomatoes might slow me down just a hair.

Ummm, yeah. 24 pounds, you read that right. Which, in my delusion, I thought was no biggie. I lift weights sometimes, I'm ok with a heavy box or two. 24 pounds might be a little heavy after a while, but I'd just do it. I could handle it.

(So this is the point in the story where everyone asks why. Why 24 pounds? Why not one, or two pounds like normal people? And I have to admit, the question confuses me a bit, and I have to think about the answer. Why? Because tomatoes are awesome. Duh. You mean you wouldn't jump at the chance to have 24 pounds of them? Really? Because I would. Clearly.)

Anyway, I counted the blocks as I walked them. I knew there were about 9 shortish blocks to get back to Market St, and then 3 1/2 longer blocks on Market. The first five blocks weren't that bad. I found a comfortable position with the tomatoes, and we were fine. It got a little worse when I stupidly decided to put the bottom box on top because it might be easier to carry. Oops! It wasn't, it was harder. So I carried it like that for a few more blocks, and then switched back. By then I was a little warm and my arms were feeling it. So I took a break for a minute or two, and then I picked up the tomatoes and kept walking.

After that it just got harder and harder. My arms were burning, I started to sweat a bit. (Or is it glow? Ladies glow, right? Well, I was glowing all over.) I started looking all over for ledges to set the boxes down on, just for a moment. Just to catch my breath. But there were no ledges, and it was downtown San Francisco on a Saturday morning. Men pushing strollers blithely walked in front of me, seemingly in no hurry to reach their destination. Possibly homeless or perhaps just hygiene deficient folks walked an unpredictable line. Tourists chattered in groups, looking at each other and nothing else, pausing unpredictably to the joy of those behind them. And I just wanted to put these tomatoes down.

I think the crowning moment was when the two boxes of tomatoes snagged a button on my vest between them. There wasn't really anything I could do at the moment, I just held them carefully, trying not to rip the button off until I could set the boxes down on something. I walked, and my arms threatened mutiny. But I run a tight ship, and so I kept on going.

Finally, about 30 feet from my final destination there was a ledge. So I stopped momentarily, laid down my burden carefully, trying not to dislodge the trapped button. I thought I had succeeded, but I looked down, and there was no button. Just some thread where it had been. And try as I might, I couldn't find the button anywhere. I retraced my steps, sans tomatoes, not caring if anyone cared to pilfer them. But no button was found.

Finally I gave up. I tried to wipe a bit of sweat off my face and smooth my hair a bit. I attempted to rearrange my vest so the missing button didn't call so much attention to itself, and so I made my way to meet Heather, 15 minutes late, all red, with 24 pounds of tomatoes and a button gone. I'm sure she was thrilled to see me. To her credit, we had a great time anyway, and she acted like buying so many tomatoes was totally normal. And I gave her some, to try to make up for it.

So, that's what I did on Saturday morning. What about you?

***

I'm trying something new. This is food week on the blog. Every day I'll post a photo of food and then either a story or a recipe. Want to join in? Join the flickr group and post your food photos!

5 Ways to Improve Your Food Photography

2011-09-02T22:56:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but whenever I'm about to bite into something succulent and to die for, I always have the urge to whip out my camera and take a shot of it first. To preserve the memory of its beauty, its succulence, its perfection. And then I can chow down happily, with no regrets for destroying something so beautiful.

Done hastily, food photos can be disappointing. And I'm not a food photographer, so please don't assume I'm the last authority on the subject. But I do love photos of my food, and these are a few things that have worked for me.

1. SIMPLIFY. This goes in every kind of photography. I don't care what's in front of your lens. If it's in the frame, is it necessary? Absolutely necessary? No? Then get rid of it. And don't think Photoshop will help you. What you might be able to do in 30 minutes in Photoshop, you can do now in 30 seconds. So clean up.

2. LOOK AT THE LIGHT. Where is your light source? The best and easiest light to use for food is window light, the bigger the window the better, and you want the window off to one side of your food so you get some highlight and shadow patterns to give the food some shape and texture. You can also play with a bit of backlight, but make sure it's not distracting from the food.

3. LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND. Is it harmonizing with your food or is it distracting or clashing? If it's not helping, try a different background. Placemats, tablecloths, cutting boards, all of these can help improve or change up your background. Remember number one - the most important thing about your background is that it must be simple.

4. KEEP IT LIGHT. Dark food is less appealing than bright, fresh-looking food. If you have manual control over your camera, you might want to overexpose a touch.

5. CHECK YOUR COLOR BALANCE. There's nothing worse than a beautiful photo of beautiful food that is all blue. Or all yellow. Play with your white balance to get the best setting. Unlike in portraiture where having a color cast can be moody or cool, with food it's usually unappetizing.

Ok, so there you go. 5 basic tips for making the most of your food shots. What about you? Any tips you've found helpful? Anything you've eaten that you wish you'd photographed before it was gone?

Mouseover Friday - Mom

2011-09-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there are images where I'm just torn between the color and the black and white. Take this one, for example, which I'm enjoying. I love taking portraits with the 35mm because it gives the subject some space in the frame, even when I'm close enough to interact with them normally. I've realized that I don't like taking pictures of people when I'm more than a few feet away from them - I feel like we're not connected. Having a conversation is more strained. And I'm all about the conversation, because it calms me down as much as it calms the lucky people in front of my lens.

Anyway, the 35mm is hitting my sweet spot today. And regardless of lens I'm glad I asked to take this photo of my dear mother when we were at a German (Austrian?) cafe with huge windows and the light was just perfect.

You can never have too many photos of the people who are important to you.

Mouse over to see this in black and white.

Thanks for the coffee, Mom. Hope you like the picture.

A Perfect Caprese Salad

2011-08-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

I've always been enamored of tomatoes. Their roundness, their softness. Their surprises. Sometimes sweet, sometimes acid, sometimes a perfect balance of the two. Growing up, I drove my mother crazy by eating all the cherry tomatoes she had reserved for salad. In my defense, they do make a great snack. Just mouthful size, there's a satisfying pop when you break the skin, and then the juices fill your mouth. Mmmmm . . .

And this time of year . . . it's tomato heaven. The markets are full of gorgeous San Marzanos, Early Girls, and my favorites, heirlooms. In all their strange multi-colored, slightly misshapen glory. Whatever variety you choose, a caprese salad is a great way to use them. The smooth creaminess of the fresh mozzarella contrasts with the acid bite of the tomatoes, and basil makes it heavenly. If you're a traditionalist, you'll finish your salad with some good olive oil, but if you're a renegade like me you'll spoon a touch of balsamic vinegar over each one. The older and thicker the vinegar, the better.

Enjoy! And tell me all about it .

Building in a Building

2011-08-28T23:26:00.001-07:00

Sorry I've been MIA. It's a quick post tonight, I'll have more for you tomorrow.

Moving!

2011-08-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being away from the blog - I've been as busy as the proverbial bee. Evan and I are finally moving out of our two-room, raccoon-friendly abode into something more livable. And can I just say I am walking on air? It's soooooo lovely. I feel like I'm staying in a hotel, except that Evan always looks at me funny when I try to order room service.

So, I'll be back to more full time blogging soon. Until then, enjoy the flowers.