...in the Details

Week 38

...in the Details

September 22, 2010

Last week I found myself on Carmel Beach in Carmel-By-The-Sea, and looking down. There are lots of interesting subjects to photograph here - birds pecking for morsels in the sand, the beautiful Pacific crashing against the beach, famous Pebble Beach Golf Links and a wide variety of people there as tourists or enjoying where they live. What drew my attention though, was the sand. It wasn't especially different from sand on most American beaches as far as I can tell, but it wasn't that intriguing me. I was thinking about how incredibly intricate the individual grains are.

Now if you're like me, you don't often think about sand in terms of the individual grains. The image above was composed with the idea of allowing for context and identification, but also to show a level of detail not usually observed. You can see the extensive variety of colors and shapes and relative sizes the individual grains represent. Many are similar, but none are identical.

I think we frequently consider people this way. We assume because an individual is part of a people group, they are like all others classified in that people group. The truth (if we pay attention and look closely) is far from this idea. Sure, there are commonalities in culture, activities or physical features at times; but each person, each grain (if we pay attention) was created and molded uniquely and cannot be replicated. My hope is that we would keep this in mind when we make judgments on others that we think are justified. After all, what people-group are you in? What are the things you think are mis-understood about your people-group, and about you?

image above taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/1600 @f4, ISO 100

Sedona

Week 37

Sedona

September 15, 2010

There are some places in the world that are just more beautiful than others. Sedona, I'd argue, is one of those places. Last week I had the joy of camping and shooting in and around Sedona, AZ for the better part of 2 days, and it wasn't nearly long enough. Some would argue you can "see" all that Sedona has to offer in a couple of days. I suppose you could hit the highlights, and feel satisfied that you've been there, but to really experience Sedona, I think 3 to 4 days would be a minimum. 

 

I found myself at a loss as to what to do with my limited time there, because so many of the hikes and features in and around Sedona are breathtaking and desirable to take in. Luckily, after a morning of shooting around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, I stopped in to a local shop/cafe called  The Hike House owned and operated by Greg and Gracie Stevenson to pick up some supplies and catch up on work during the harshly lit mid-day sun hours. I say lucky because Gracie and her very friendly staff not only helped me find what I needed, but as I was noticed considering a book on Sedona's best hikes, offered to introduce me to it's author who happened to be sitting on the front patio of the cafe. After a quick but very pleasant and informative conversation with Dennis Andres, author of Sedona's Top 10 Hikes,  I sat down to make use of the Energy Cafe's complimentary WiFi to get caught up. My overall experience was fantastic, and if you are traveling through Sedona, make time for The Hike House & it's Energy Cafe, you won't be sorry!

It was the same afternoon that I made the short drive and modest hike out to Cathedral-Red Rock Crossing where I captured the image above. The setting sun afforded a beautiful light cast on Cathedral Rock, and a shallow wade across the creek allowed for the stunning reflection you see. One of many arresting vistas, this is certainly not the first image of its kind, but it is one of my favorites.

I hope you enjoy the image, and by all means - get to Sedona!

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/60 sec @f8, ISO 100

Elvis Sighting...

Week 36

Elvis Sighting...

September 12, 2010

At the end of last week I started a business trip to Phoenix by flying into Vegas, renting a car and making a road trip out of the deal. Now having been to Vegas a dozen or so times, I don't know that I've ever seen the king. I know, I know... how can that be? I don't know, but this trip I had two Elvis sightings - one at the $7 steak place (I had to try it... was actually pretty good!), and the other was here at the welcome sign. He looks pretty good for being dead. 

I always found it interesting how people could persist in a belief (such as Elvis being alive) that although possible, is incredibly improbable. Maybe it's a fascination with mystery. Maybe it's exciting to think of the surprise and revelation that he is alive after all these years. I realize that for many, this is just an extended fantasy of sorts, one born out of a sincere appreciation for Mr. Presley's music and cultural contribution. For most, though, I think it's something different.

I can't help but think that all of us have a little of this need to believe in us. As if we're born with it, this longing, this seeking, this fascination with mystery. Almost like we're pointed toward believing in that which is unexplainable, and the manifestation of this is what we sometimes see in the tabloids - UFO's, superstitions, the paranormal... Elvis alive.

I have my own ideas on what this is all about, maybe you do too, but one thing I think we can all agree on. Elvis is alive and has been in Vegas this whole time! I have the pictures to prove it! 

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/400 @ f11, ISO 400

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Only in Santa Cruz...

Week 35

Only in Santa Cruz...
September 3, 2010

Ok, so you might see this somewhere else. Maybe. But here in the Bay Area, your best shot is to head down to the Santa Cruz Boarkwalk. On a shooting trip last week, I intended to get some interesting shots of the rides, colors, and fair-like feel of this California landmark, and was able to capture what I set out to.  After spending time taking in the sights and sounds of the Boardwalk, my shooting companion and I headed up north of the boardwalk proper. It was here we met a new friend (we'll call him "George" for the purposes of this blog. Rightfully, I have no idea what his name is... though I promised him 10% if I made a million dollars from this photo, so someone out there hold me to it should that come about.)

George clearly liked to have fun. His kind of fun was hiding in a garbage receptacle and reaching out to startle passerbys by exclaiming "give me all your money!". His buddies were just around the corner, and got just as much a kick out of this as George did. Keep in mind, this is in broad daylight along the main walkway, and it would be tough to see how anyone would take him seriously. While I didn't give him all my money, I did offer up a little bit as a thanks for letting me take a few shots... and truthfully, for his originality :).

image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-105 4L lens, 1/100 @ f6.3, ISO 400