Alice in Wonderland

This shot was kind of an experiment/accident. This wonderful cube sits in downtown SF, doing I'm-not-quite-sure-what, housing some kind of art maybe? I was out shooting with a friend, and trying to use my tilt-shift lens and get the whole thing in the shot (tough, because it is one big sucker), and I accidentally tilted it the wrong way (see all those vertical lines converging towards the sky?) and then I kind of liked the zaniness of it, so I shifted the lens as well, making the two sides of the image go out of focus.

And then, the magic ingredient, the right woman walked by. I had actually been waiting for a skateboarder to complete the image, since there were lots of them around, but she walked into the frame first. And she was perfect.

Anyway, this is a little different from my normal style, let me know what you think.

Here's to a Great Man

I was with a group of internationals recently who innocently wondered: why a day for Martin Luther King, Jr? Wasn't he just an author? Not even a president or elected politician, so what's the big deal?

Well. I resisted the urge to give them a huge lecture, and instead only gave a small one (I think). I think we all know what the big deal is. He is a symbol for what is both right and wrong with America: our racism, and also our incredible capacity for change. He changed our country for the better (though not alone), showing us all both the power of the individual and also the masses, and the real change that can be made through nonviolent protest. I think we could all stand to take a page out of his book (myself definitely included!), and steadily work for the change we want to see. And the rights of the people around us.

Something to aspire to. So, Happy Birthday, Rev. King. We'll be thinking of you.

Moon Over San Francisco

Tonight

I took this photo tonight after work on my way home. I took about 5 photos of bicyclists coming towards me and then my camera battery died (let this be a lesson! always charge your batteries!) which was a real shame since the light was absolutely gorgeous. Also I think with a few more frames I could have got a better shot. ;)

Still there's enough I like about this one to post. I've been shooting less recently, trying to focus more on starting the business and getting all that handled, and then less on processing new 'fine art' (translation: no one asked me to take them) photos. But I miss it, and I've kind of run out of stuff to post on the blog. So I think I'm going to try to start shooting a little more.

Anyway, let me know what you think about this one. I wanted the bicyclist blurry, and in the bottom right corner of the shot. But I still think there are a few things that could be improved.

Foodieness

I've never professed to be a foodie. Foodies, by definition, have to be REALLY SERIOUS about their food, and I honestly try to be REALLY SERIOUS about as few things as possible. Only the life or death scenarios. Or . . .  what outfit to pick for an important meeting. Musicians being in tune. And, you know, photography stuff.

So if I'm not a foodie (which I'm not. Foie gras? No thanks. Think of the poor geese) then maybe I'm a food-er. Or -ist. Or something. Evidence? I'm a bit snobby about my cheese. It must be fresh or aged, but nowhere in the middle. Preferably European, although some aged cheddar will do. Dark chocolate, only. Heirloom tomatoes in the summer and asparagus spears in the spring. Farmers markets are my kryptonite. Specialty seasonings leave me all aflutter. And I've discovered that I get a little difficult if I'm not allowed to go shopping for cool ingredients and cook regularly. (And have someone to help me with the cooking. It's way more fun as a team sport.)

Evan can attest to this. We've had a lot of conversations where I say, "I want to be cooking more." And he just doesn't understand the bone-deep nature of that one simple sentence. He thinks it means the same as when I say "I want to be exercising more." Which is actually the opposite, because I wish I didn't have to exercise at all. But I do.

Anyway, this blog post has turned into some weird sort of tangential ditheriness. Those plants up top look edible to me, is all. And I like food. And cooking. We'll leave it at that.

OH, also, as I mentioned a few days ago, Jim Goldstein is doing his yearly collection of links to all the Best of 2010 photoblog posts. It's really quite incredible, there are more than 160. Here's the link, if you want to check it out.

My Favorite Photography Blogs

On the fence about this one. I love the moment, I'm just not sure it works as a photo well as I think it does. 

This is not the same as my favorite photo blogs. That's another blog post. This is for blogs that generally talk more about photography than show it, and some that show a selection of artists, not just one person's work. My blog would not qualify. In fact, it would be disqualified immediately. Mine is definitely a photo blog.

So, photography blogs. In no particular order:

The Online Photographer This is such a great blog. I absolutely check it first every day. It has everything: some camera news (but not too much, because I'm generally not interested in the latest point and shoot, but might have some passing curiosity about a Leica or Micro 4/3 camera), some bodies of work, usually a bit esoteric but high quality, some print offers that I haven't taken advantage of but someday might, some well written random ramblings (usually on Sundays), and various articles about technology or physics or maybe philosophy as they pertain to photography. And that's a piss-poor synopsis, but it gives you a taste. HIGHLY recommended. Really.

The Visual Science Lab I didn't really understand this blog when I started reading it. It's a bit all over the place. When I started reading the author, photographer Kirk Tuck, was obsessed with Olympus cameras and I really couldn't relate, not owning nor even wanting particularly to own an Olympus. But what gear he's shooting with is really beside the point. He is an incredibly prolific writer, spinning out endless essays about the worth of various parts of the photography business and process as a whole. What I love about him most is that he changes his mind almost every week. Yet I wouldn't characterize him as wishy-washy or indecisive. He's just a bit quicksilver, unpredictable. Always a good read. Even when you don't particularly care to purchase or even try the equipment he's talking about.

Joe McNally's Blog Always human, always a great story, most often about the light, it's a good read. Even if, like me, you couldn't even begin to attempt the shots he does in five minutes regularly.

PixelatedImage Blog If you don't know about David Duchemin, you've been under a rock. Ever about the process and the photographer's psyche, and then also the next great image, it's a must read. He hasn't been posting much lately, but you can always check out Craft & Vision to get your fix.

Zack Arias A rare blogger, when he does it's golden. Subscribe via RSS because you'll get tired of checking back. Love his GOYA contests, as well as the video portfolio critiques. We need more, Zack!

Ok, stay tuned for my favorite photoblogs, coming up in a few days! And feel free to post your favorite photography-related blogs in the comments.