Sonya Paz

Week 8

Sonya Paz, Artist
February 23, 2010

I cheated this week. The image I took above was actually made last week on February 17th. I justify posting this week because I didn't finish the edits until the 23rd, so I think it's fair game for my image of the week this week. :).

This shoot was a blast. Nationally recognized artist, Sonya Paz is very active in the community of Campbell, CA where I sometimes show my work, and often spend my leisure time (such that it is). I was introduced to her work years back when I ran the inaugural San Jose Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon back in 2006, and purchased a signed poster to commemorate the event which she happened to design that year. I actually met Sonya when she was coordinating a community art-walk event that I took part in, and was impressed by her warmth, down to earth personality and passion for the local art community.

Sonya was kind enough to allow me to shoot her portrait last week, and we had a blast! We staged the shoot in the shop of a local merchant, Radio Daze, which has countless toys and vintage items, a virtual playground of creativity for our shoot! Upon seeing the three wise monkeys in the store, I immediately thought how fun it would be to use them. Sonya's wardrobe choice made it a perfect fit, and so we went with it! More shots from the session can be found on my website, but I found this image to be among my favorites. Maybe you will too!

Do Not Try This At Home

Week 7

Malaka

February 21, 2010

Today I watched up close as guys took 400lb motorcycles and threw them around like they were the old BMX style bicycle I had growing up. A buddy of mine stunt rides, and we connected, hoping to get some good pics of he and his fellow riders doing their thing. We did....

They scoped out an empty lot where they'd be able to ride and me shoot them without any trouble. One of the first images I got, the above photo let me know I was in for a show. It was both powerful and graceful, and a testament to the amount of skill it takes to stunt. I shot with my 24-70 2.8 pretty much the whole time. I was close enough to the action I didn't really need a longer lens, though I may try to have a longer one with me next time to give me a little more range.

I can't wait to go shoot them again. Today's weather was off and on rainy, leaving the guys doing "safe" stunts. Totally looking forward to seeing what happens when they have dry pavement and the confidence that comes along with it.

Until next time....

Mavericks

Week 6

Mavericks
February 13, 2010

Chased by a monster. Surfing insanity. Cheating death. These were some of the captions I thought of when I was looking through the images I took at the Mavericks Surf Competition this weekend at Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay. I'll start by saying that I was somewhat disappointed in the quality of images I got from the shoot. They are not the best quality technically, but I liked the way they give perspective to how massive and formidable the ocean is for these surfers. There are plenty of shots, the above included that give a pretty stark and humbling picture of what these 24 big wave surfers were up against that day. Dropping in on wave at Mavericks is like jumping off of a 3, even 4 story building. A moving building. One that's trying to eat you.

Now, I'm no surfer, but that seems pretty insane to do willingly. I'm glad they do, though, as we get quite the spectacle and inspiration as onlookers from the courage and skill that's required to even paddle out into such conditions, much less to attempt riding waves of this magnitude.

Big wave surfer Chris Bertish from South Africa won the contest admitting he was terrified, that he even considered not going back out at one point. The waves were HUGE. Even from a half mile away, you could get a sense of their scale by watching the water fall as the waves crested, and witnessing the explosion of energy as they crashed back into the sea.

From a photography stand-point, I learned a few things. Use some filters to cut through the haze of the morning fog and sea-spray perpetually in the air surrounding the waves. Get a bigger lens. Even with the 400mm rented Canon lens and 1.4x teleconverter to increase my reach, being 1/2 mile away didn't allow anything resembling a close up. Get on a boat. There are numerous operations that take boats out for spectators and photographers to be much closer to the action... although they cost you $350+ just to get on the vessel.

Even with all the challenges, I am glad I went to the event. Looking forward to the next 48-hour text message notice that Mavericks is on... hopefully again next year.

Saratoga Yellow

Week 5

Saratoga Yellow
February 6, 2010

Driving back from a client meeting, I was passing this field beside the Saratoga public library. It was almost sunset, and the color radiating off of these flowers was too tempting to pass up. I stopped my truck, parked and started shooting, wondering how long before I would be chased off of what appeared to be an orchard of some sort.... Luckily, I was able to shoot freely and without interruption as I walked along the perimeter of the orchard where these yellow flowers, (mustard flowers I believe) were in bloom and catching the most amazing light.

The potential clients I was meeting with are a friendly couple that are holding their wedding in a county park nestled in the mountains that overlook the small town of Saratoga. The redwood forest is beautiful here, and I was reminded again today that it has been way too long since I've strapped on a pack and walked into the woods for couple days of rest and solitude. I love being out in nature, and find the beauty I'm surrounded by soothing and cleansing. I find myself wanting to capture everything I see, and so frequently take a ridiculous number of pictures when I'm out hiking or camping.

What was nice about today was the reminder that I don't have to be a couple miles away from the nearest road and out of cel-phone coverage in order to witness and capture simple, but striking beauty that we can enjoy and is abundantly available to us, but that we frequently take for granted.