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Category: Bay Area
More Smart Fun
The shots taken by the professional photographer were finally posted today. I hate to say it, but I’m not sure that he made the most of the terrific photo-op. In addition to some tighter shots, I would certainly have made at least a couple panoramic shots of the event and stitched them together. This would…
25 Years Ago…
thedude and Steve out on a shoot on a clear day in October, 1983. I don’t remember where we got the 4 x 5 camera, but I know Steve got some great results with it. Got more scans, Steve?
Meet My New Business Partner
When I shot this, I accidentally had the lens open to f1.4. The resulting haziness and shallow depth of focus looks pretty cool. I’m going to have to use this effect again!
AT & T Park
I was lucky enough to have an amazing seat at today’s Giant’s game. I was in row one directly behind the batter at AT & T park. I think I was closer to the batter than the pitcher was! If you look closely in the very center of the shot, you’ll see a Plexiglas window….
S.F. Smart Car Rally
I got up extra early today to take part in a record-breaking photo. I had the chance to appear with a large group of Smart Cars two-abreast winding all the way down the “crookedest street in America“. I was not going to miss this! The event turned out to be better than I had hoped…
Sailin’ Shoes
It turns out that all of my shoes have black soles, so I borrowed these from my neighbor Steve for today’s cruise and brunch at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon with John and Laurel. What a gorgeous day!!
Smoke on the Water
Most of you are probably aware of the fact that there are currently 1,400 wildfires burning in the Golden State. It’s hard to believe there could be so many. Although the closest fire is many miles from here, we have been blanketed in thick smoke for weeks. This shot was taken in daylight – 7:06…
San Pablo Ave
Some scenes form my morning commute. The sunny side of San Pablo Avenue is loaded with photo opportunities. Grand Openings are everywhere. I like the sign that reads, “24 pieces CHICKEN just only $9.50”. This proves once again that a series of photos of ANYTHING can be at least mildly interesting when displayed as a…
Blackhawk Museum
The Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California is home to what is allegedly the world’s best car collection. After visiting it today, it’s hard to imagine a more spectacular collection of rare vehicles anywhere else! We’ve known of its existence for many years, but put off visiting he museum since we’re not really car-enthusiasts. It turns…
Dogs Defeat Spartans in Double Header
The Fresno State Bulldogs beat the San Jose Spartans twice today, 1-0 and 5-3. This was thedude’s first girl’s softball game and first attempt at shooting one. It will come as no surprise to anyone who has attempted to photograph a fast-moving athlete pushing herself hard that there is only a tiny fraction of a…
D3 Saves the Night
I was asked at the very last moment to shoot a few pictures of the new restaurant for an upcoming issue of Bon Appétit. With the deadline literally hours away, I went downstairs to see what I could do. The funny thing is that I was apologizing for the photos all the while I was…
Spring Has Sprung
I thought my friends in Wisconsin – who I’m told are digging out of more than a foot of fresh-fallen snow – might like to share our day at the Briones Regional Park. Yes, we even got a bit of a sunburn! While Kelly went for a ride with Mary, Magic, Chance and Classy, I…
Steve Almost Killed Me on This Hike
I’ve known Steve longer than anyone else in California. He’s in somewhat better shape than I am, so when he proposed I go on a hike with him ten years ago, I was worried about keeping up. He promised to “take it easy”, but we still walked for hours – uphill all the way. I…
Jack and Tres Revisited
As you know, I took my friends Jim and Wendy to Oakland’s Middle Harbor Park a few days ago. Whenever I’m there, I always tell the story of the first time I ever saw the park – at Jack and Tres’ wedding. This reminded me that I was one of the photographers at the auspicious…
Another Food and Booze-Filled Day
The fact that there is not a drop left of the 3600 cases of Absinthe bottled late last year at St. James Distillery was was more of a disappointment to us than the blustery weather, but the fruity vodkas and liqueurs helped ease our sorrow. Good thing we laid down a substantial grease and carbo…
We’re Going to NASA!
Andrew, Jeri and Jim plan to leave Oakland very early on Sunday morning to attend a super-nerdy event at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field – home to Hangar One – a truly ginormous dirigible hangar. I’ve been told that it’s OK to bring my camera, so I promise to make a blog entry…
San Francisco in Ruins
Awesome, scary panoramic image shot from a balloon in 1906.
Holiday Season in Full-Swing
It’s that time of year. Seems like there are parties every night. Trust me – I’m not complaining. Although it does seem like I’m spending a lot of time taking pictures and creating photo albums like this one from our friend Lelah’s party last night. I was supposed to be photographing her and her baby…
Yeah, We Definitely Felt That One
The biggest quake to hit the Bay Area since the 1989 Loma Prieta. A moderate P-Wave followed by a long slow S-Wave. All is well.
Unbridled Joy
My wife has been volunteering her time for the past few years to a really wonderful organization. Xenophon Therapeutic Riding offers special needs children a chance to ride on the back of one of their gentle horses under the watchful eye of skilled instructors. Many of these children must be lifted gingerly out of their…
Fleet Week in San Francisco
We braved enormous crowds to see the Blue Angels perform their magic in the skies over San Francisco. Low-flying F-18’s make for challenging subject matter, but I managed a few shots. My favorite is probably the shot taken through the exhaust from a navy ship parked in the bay. It’s not a PhotoShop effect –…
Klingons, Cupcakes and Art Cars
Where else, but at the Berkeley Art Car Parade, part of the “How Berkely Can You Be?” festival today.
Oakland Weather
This is odd weather for September 19th. We might get rained on tonight. Unfortunately, what I had hoped for – a huge thunderhead lit by the setting sun – didn’t quite materialize. At least not from this vantage point. Oh well, the pano quite accurately captures what it looked like. Look closely. How many vehicles…
A Very Beautiful Day
I’ll share my thoughts about the Summer of Love Reunion Concert in Monterey this weekend as soon as I recover from the effects of the Jesus Weed. In the mean time, have a look at some of the sights.
Far Out Flame Out
We made a promise to ourselves that we’d never miss another Fire Festival at the Crucible. The sights and sounds are just so cool, er, hot. So flaming-hot-stainless-pneumatic-alien-stilt-walker strange. So smack-you-in-the-face with a white-hot-stove-pipe cool. A billion BTU’s of climate-changing fun. You jus’ hafta see it to believe it. More pictures coming soon.
Pinot Days, D40x Mini-review
In a perfect stroke of luck/magic, I have a new coworker, who is also the Director of a very cool wine and food event called Pinot Days. Nice – another wine and food lover in our midst. One who routinely throws parties for 4,000 friends. I’m impressed! This is the first event I ever shot…
A Lot Nicer than a Cemetery
Chris and I agreed on our first visit to a columbarium that the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland was worth visiting. Not at all gloomy. My ashes could live happily here. Unfortunately, there were hundreds of other people at tonight’s open house/music event. And the music? Let’s say it was – experimental. That sounds…
More From the Mystic Beat Lounge/Harmony Festival
As difficult as it is shooting under these conditions, you can occasionally get some wildly colorful shots. Motion blur is unavoidable as using an on-camera flash is not an option in an environment this dark. Luckily, a little motion blur can work in your favor by helping to convey the mood.
Colorful Carnaval 2007
Despite chilly temperatures and overcast skies, this year’s parade was as beautiful as ever. A celebration of music and cultures, Carnaval is one of the most joyful annual events in the bay area. It’s also one of the most colorful. Scantily costumed women are among my favorite subjects, but with smiles as infectious as the…