Marc . . .

 . . . asked for a head shot for a job application, so I obliged.

Intertwined

Thanks

This is a random picture, because I can't blog without one. 

After the amazing year I had in 2010, I think some thanks are long overdue. So in no particular order, great thanks go to:

-My boyfriend, for helping me and supporting me in my photography, and always taking the time when I say, "What do you think of this shot?" and then actually giving me his honest opinion. Sometimes repeated a hundred times in one day. I kid you not. I owe him more than I can ever repay.
-My friends and family, for always saying nice things about my pictures. It's really helpful to hear, guys.
-Miguel, Jose, Phoebe, all the fellow photographers who are willing to talk photography with me. Thanks for not telling me what a dork I am!
-YOU, my wonderful wonderful readers and commenters. Special thanks go to Danudin (Ron) Tammy, and Scott for their wonderful comments on many many many of my posts. I read and appreciate every comment, even if I don't reply. You have no idea how much I appreciate the concept that I am not talking to myself here on the blog, day after day. And you guys are the ones that make that possible.

To express my thanks, I'll be giving 3 8x10 prints of mine to one person who comments on this post. The winner will be able to choose from all photos I published on the blog in 2010.

The Rules: If you're going to comment, please answer this question: if you could go anywhere and photograph anything with any equipment, even allowing for time travel, what would you shoot and why? To fend off any claims of favoritism the winning answer will be chosen randomly. But I still say you should be extra creative. It's good for the soul.

I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

One Way

I was walking along a San Francisco street the other day with a friend when a guy stopped us to ask directions. I pulled out my phone while my compatriot gave general directions. "Just go to Market Street, walk down, you'll see it. You know, it's sort of over there-ish . . . "

The man semi-thanked us and seemed about to go on his way. Then he paused. "Are you for the redistribution of wealth?" he broached, off-handedly, as if he were commenting on the weather.

I was a bit taken aback. "That's a pretty general question, isn't it?" I asked.

He seemed confused that I might think so. "No . . . " he hedged.

I continued, "I mean, what wealth, and to who?"

"Oh, all of it."

"Like Robin Hood?" I queried. He looked blank. "Robin Hood?" I repeated.

"Oh, yeah! Exactly." And then he handed us each a flyer, and said, "It's going to happen soon. You're the 59th person I've given this flyer to. Everyone's excited about it."

I wasn't sure what to say, so I paused a moment. He added, "Anyway, I'm on my way to the Apple store. You said turn right on Market, right?"

He walked away.

I shouted after him, "Enjoy the Apple Store!"

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.