Back and Front

These images are in part inspired by the talented Siebe Warmoeskerken in his image California (taken here in SF, even though he's from a faraway land). It certainly made me appreciate lovely old cars by the side of the road in good afternoon light. (For those who haven't been following long, I do often photograph old cars by the side of the road, but usually a bit later in the day. Here are some examples.)

Anyway, something about the light on this one spoke to me, so I paused on my way to meet a friend for a glass of wine and shot the front and the back of it. Which angle do you like better?

During my browsing on the interwebs I found an interesting interview with Francis Ford Coppola on his process and the nature of life as an artist here. He has some controversial views, that's for sure. Such as: artists don't need to be paid for their work, and that art should be free.

Also, I just finished watching the CreativeLive class that I purchased in August by Jasmine Star on Wedding Photography. It's a great class. I'm kind of cheap (another way to say that is broke!), and I think $129 is a lot to pay for a collection of videos you view on the web (I only paid $99 because I bought it while the course was live). But I really do feel like I learned a lot about branding, and also about the little things that Jasmine just knows from shooting soooo many weddings. And watching her interact with the bride was really helpful as well.

An interesting exercise she has her students do is to come up with 3 adjectives that define their brand. Hers, no surprise, are 'fun, fresh, and fabulous.'

I've been trying to come up with the three that are most appropriate for my photography.  Some thoughts are simple, timeless . . . Any ideas?

Winner!

Congratulations to Fernando of Fernando Matias Photography! You won the print giveaway, as decided by a random number generator. (You can find any device you need on the web. So handy.)

I'll be contacting you to get you your prize.

CIty Night

I actually shot and processed this image about a month ago, and I've been on the fence about posting it since then. There are some things I really love about it: the atmosphere of a city at night, something I've always found really magical. Also, I love that girl with her shopping back in the foreground. And I like that she's blurry, but I wonder how y'all feel about that. I like the different layers as well: she family in the background, the lady having a conversation with her coffee in the bottom left corner, the city lights in the distance. The only thing I worry about is: is it too busy? For me the focal point is the girl.

But what about you?

(PS Happy Birthday Hannah!)

Yoga Number 3

Snow!

We just spent a weekend in the snow, but I spent it mostly being sick and burrowing under the bedcovers rather than frolicking in new powder. So here's a photo from our last snow trip, when I was lucky enough to get a day with brilliant blue skies.

Have to keep the roads clear, you know!

The Vine

I am always in awe of the way life finds its way into unfamiliar and harsh places. Seems like no matter where you look, no matter how forbidding or remote, how devoid of nutrients or untouched by the sun, life makes it through.

True, ivy on a brick wall is a fairly common sight. But it's still pretty amazing.