‘nuf said.

Hey, it’s California and there’s nothing like a BBQ before your kid heads back to college… so out I went. And who knew a silver/black umbrella for the flash could be so handy?

A portrait of one of my buddies. We’ve been through a lot together, so I thought I’d honor him with a glossy 8×10 head shot. The strawberry was a bonus.

This started as an exercise playing with lighting and devolved from there.

Michael and Eric jamming away.

New photo toys! The camera has a new Canon 100mm Macro Lens on it. Amazing how much sharper it is than my regular zoom lens. Lit by my new off camera flash, recommended starter kit by strobist. I’m excited about learning how to use all these new tools.

I’m still playing around with my new wide angle lens. One of the mandatory shots you have to do with a super wide is your dog’s nose. Cliched? Yes.

Eric is home for Thanksgiving, so this weekend is our only chance for the annual Xmas photo. Not to spoil the surprise for those of you who we mail this to, but here it is.

Shot in Sharon Hill Park, natural light with the sun low in the sky. A minor crop and a small bit of retouching to remove some pesky branches, otherwise as shot.

34° 6’9.39″N 118°20’23.16″W
Taken on the escalator in the Hollywood & Highland Center (the shopping mall next to the Kodak Theater). The center art piece is this series of mirrors hanging under a grand piano suspended from the ceiling.

I rode the escalators a few times to get a good shot. This one was taken right before a security guard came and told me I couldn’t take pictures there. Clearly BS, as probably a thousand pictures are taken there every day. I asked her why not, and she said because I might take a picture of a security camera. Huh? I think they were really just getting creeped out by a lone guy going up and down the escalator over and over again late at night.

This is an experimental photo I took at Dave and Bev’s wedding. I piggybacked on the wedding photographer’s flash – knowing when she was going to take a photo (mmm, cake!), I took a 1.5 second exposure with no flash. Her flash froze the action for me, but allowed me to get the blur of action.
I framed the shot to include the official photographer to help tell the story of the moment.

Shane got a major bath today and is now a giant furball. He’s relaxing on his stuffed puppy, which is in need of its own bath.