When we left it was raining and she was driving, so I busted out the D300 and started playing around. Here are a few of my shots from the truck. I love the graffiti and "Most Reliable Network" billboard. It cracks me up when I think about it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Not So Random Images
Last Saturday, my better half and I went to Pasadena for the Pro Photo Show. We looked around, asked some questions and bought some CF Cards (great deal on them at Samys.com and a huge rebate, too).
When we left it was raining and she was driving, so I busted out the D300 and started playing around. Here are a few of my shots from the truck. I love the graffiti and "Most Reliable Network" billboard. It cracks me up when I think about it.
When we left it was raining and she was driving, so I busted out the D300 and started playing around. Here are a few of my shots from the truck. I love the graffiti and "Most Reliable Network" billboard. It cracks me up when I think about it.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Some People Can Be So Ridiculous
Today was one of those days where we didn't have to do much of anything. The one thing we needed to do was to photograph two people on our board at the shelter. For anyone who does not know, Kymberli and I volunteer at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. It is our way of helping out our community and the animals who need lots of love and TLC.
I went on down there today to photograph these two wonderful ladies this afternoon and got to also spend some time with the dogs. I love seeing these dogs and some of them jump around, bark and want to play each time they see me. It could be that they get that way around anyone, but for the sake of argument we will say it's because I spend time with them. :)
I also got to encounter some people that just drove me nuts and made me shake my head. Some people act so idiotic and just irritate the crap out of me. I hope when my friends at the shelter read this they nod their heads and say "Yepper, exactly."
While I was setting up my equipment, two people came in and wanted to look at the cats. They wanted to adopt a cat. Ok, so everyone knows - they were a military couple and I support our military 100%. As I type this I am shaking my head in disgust because this couple wanted to adopt a cat, but they came out and said they had already given up cats on other occasions. Why? Well, because of this guy being in the military and being stationed in different places they had to travel around a lot. Strike 1 - if you are that selfish that you need an animal around when it's convenient then you don't need that animal. Period. They had a couple of other things going on with her being pregnant and the other cats not getting along. What? So what makes you think that getting another animal now is going to be any better? You have a CHILD on the way. Take care of him/her FIRST! People like this scare me for the animals sake and in their case the child as well.
On to the other guys who came in looking for a dog. Nice guys and they wanted to look at dogs. They took out one of our dogs who is a sweetheart, but needs attention, loves to play and has an adventurous side. I see them with him and they walk towards me as I stand by the front door. They start bringing him inside the office. I ask them what they are thinking and one of the guys tells me with a straight face, "I am kinda worried about his adventurousness. We like to keep our gate open and I am afraid he would get out. We kept it open for our other dog and she stayed inside and that's what we want." Are you a complete moron? You want the dog to stay? I realize we live near Hollywood, but this is no movie. You have to WORK with the animals, it's not a storybook fairy tale. STRIKE ONE.
Here's where I get absolutely ticked off. There is a large sign in plain sight that says "Please Do Not Bring Dogs Inside The Office" and I make sure to point this out to them. The guy looks me in the eye and nods. I repeat myself and get direct and tell him he can't bring the dog in. Now, I see that the dog does NOT want to go in there because we have three dogs that are the office dogs and it is THEIR territory. The guy looks at me and says he'll be fine as he needs to go in there. Are you that dense and self-centered that you have to do everything your own way? There are a few choice words going through my mind, but I refuse to put them here. STRIKE 2. Shame on me for not being more aggressive and telling him he needed to wait outside with him.
One of our board member tells him inside about the sign and the idiot brings the dog back out. Oh wait - it gets much better. These two take the cake for Sunday Afternoon Buffoons/Idiots.
They walk around and another volunteer is walking one of our other dogs. The dog they are walking starts to bark and jumps up and when he come down his paws are spread out and he is kneeling on his elbows. This is a sign of a playful dog, but what does this guy says? "I am worried about how aggressive he is." WHAAAAAAATTTTT!? I feel like my head is going to spin off at how stupid this guy sounds. He is extememly uneducated when it comes to dog behavior. THEN he starts yanking the leash and saying "No, no!" Ok, first rule - the dog doesn't speak human and yanking isn't going to accomplish anything except irritate you when the dog doesn't respond. STRIKE 3 <-- You're Out! BUT, it gets BETTER!
THEN the guy says they are unsure of adopting today because they are both going out of town that night and they would have to have him boarded. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You want to adopt a dog, bring him home, bring him back to another kennel and go away? Ok, I've had it - you selfish pricks! Grow up and realize that the world does NOT revolve around you!! You guys need serious help and I sure hope no shelter allows you to adopt an animal. We love our animals and I would rather see him stay with us and be loved and cared for than neglected and used to fulfill some inadequacy in your life.
Sorry this is so long, but there is one more Award Winner from today. I am taking down my lighting equipment and I watch this cute family walk inside. I go in to pack up my gear and the guy is explaining that he and his family are thinking of adopting. No, not right now. He wants to look at the kittens now and pick one out and come back when their youngest is 2 years old. The boy is just about 18 months old. The volunteer helping with the cats is the nicest person and she explains that the kittens will likely be gone in before the 6 months to a year. The guy comes out and says, and I do not exaggerate, "Really? They won't be here then? Then what can we look at?" Ridiculous people!! Another winner of the stupidity award. How about coming back when you are READY to adopt and pick one out. Moron.
Now that you know how I really feel - :) - I have to say that my hat is off to the board at the shelter. Not just the board, but all of those people who make it work. They have to deal with this day in and day out and I only got a taste of it. I am not sure if I would ever make a good board member because I tell people like it is. I don't pull punches and I think people are better off because of it. If you sugarcoat something I feel it's a disservice to the animals, that person and yourself. Great job to the SBACC Board and everyone who has to sort through the applications, talk to the potential adopters and for dealing with everything like you do. I know it isn't easy.
This was just one of those days I needed to share this with you all in hopes that you will take the time to consider how precious life is and that you need to consider all things before making a rash decision. I love life, animals and the friends I have at the shelter and I sincerely stand by my thoughts and beliefs.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. I am happy that I got to spend some time with the dogs today. As little as it was, it was worth it to me to see the dogs playful and just wanting to be loved. I love them all. Even the ones that may not love me.
I went on down there today to photograph these two wonderful ladies this afternoon and got to also spend some time with the dogs. I love seeing these dogs and some of them jump around, bark and want to play each time they see me. It could be that they get that way around anyone, but for the sake of argument we will say it's because I spend time with them. :)
I also got to encounter some people that just drove me nuts and made me shake my head. Some people act so idiotic and just irritate the crap out of me. I hope when my friends at the shelter read this they nod their heads and say "Yepper, exactly."
While I was setting up my equipment, two people came in and wanted to look at the cats. They wanted to adopt a cat. Ok, so everyone knows - they were a military couple and I support our military 100%. As I type this I am shaking my head in disgust because this couple wanted to adopt a cat, but they came out and said they had already given up cats on other occasions. Why? Well, because of this guy being in the military and being stationed in different places they had to travel around a lot. Strike 1 - if you are that selfish that you need an animal around when it's convenient then you don't need that animal. Period. They had a couple of other things going on with her being pregnant and the other cats not getting along. What? So what makes you think that getting another animal now is going to be any better? You have a CHILD on the way. Take care of him/her FIRST! People like this scare me for the animals sake and in their case the child as well.
On to the other guys who came in looking for a dog. Nice guys and they wanted to look at dogs. They took out one of our dogs who is a sweetheart, but needs attention, loves to play and has an adventurous side. I see them with him and they walk towards me as I stand by the front door. They start bringing him inside the office. I ask them what they are thinking and one of the guys tells me with a straight face, "I am kinda worried about his adventurousness. We like to keep our gate open and I am afraid he would get out. We kept it open for our other dog and she stayed inside and that's what we want." Are you a complete moron? You want the dog to stay? I realize we live near Hollywood, but this is no movie. You have to WORK with the animals, it's not a storybook fairy tale. STRIKE ONE.
Here's where I get absolutely ticked off. There is a large sign in plain sight that says "Please Do Not Bring Dogs Inside The Office" and I make sure to point this out to them. The guy looks me in the eye and nods. I repeat myself and get direct and tell him he can't bring the dog in. Now, I see that the dog does NOT want to go in there because we have three dogs that are the office dogs and it is THEIR territory. The guy looks at me and says he'll be fine as he needs to go in there. Are you that dense and self-centered that you have to do everything your own way? There are a few choice words going through my mind, but I refuse to put them here. STRIKE 2. Shame on me for not being more aggressive and telling him he needed to wait outside with him.
One of our board member tells him inside about the sign and the idiot brings the dog back out. Oh wait - it gets much better. These two take the cake for Sunday Afternoon Buffoons/Idiots.
They walk around and another volunteer is walking one of our other dogs. The dog they are walking starts to bark and jumps up and when he come down his paws are spread out and he is kneeling on his elbows. This is a sign of a playful dog, but what does this guy says? "I am worried about how aggressive he is." WHAAAAAAATTTTT!? I feel like my head is going to spin off at how stupid this guy sounds. He is extememly uneducated when it comes to dog behavior. THEN he starts yanking the leash and saying "No, no!" Ok, first rule - the dog doesn't speak human and yanking isn't going to accomplish anything except irritate you when the dog doesn't respond. STRIKE 3 <-- You're Out! BUT, it gets BETTER!
THEN the guy says they are unsure of adopting today because they are both going out of town that night and they would have to have him boarded. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You want to adopt a dog, bring him home, bring him back to another kennel and go away? Ok, I've had it - you selfish pricks! Grow up and realize that the world does NOT revolve around you!! You guys need serious help and I sure hope no shelter allows you to adopt an animal. We love our animals and I would rather see him stay with us and be loved and cared for than neglected and used to fulfill some inadequacy in your life.
Sorry this is so long, but there is one more Award Winner from today. I am taking down my lighting equipment and I watch this cute family walk inside. I go in to pack up my gear and the guy is explaining that he and his family are thinking of adopting. No, not right now. He wants to look at the kittens now and pick one out and come back when their youngest is 2 years old. The boy is just about 18 months old. The volunteer helping with the cats is the nicest person and she explains that the kittens will likely be gone in before the 6 months to a year. The guy comes out and says, and I do not exaggerate, "Really? They won't be here then? Then what can we look at?" Ridiculous people!! Another winner of the stupidity award. How about coming back when you are READY to adopt and pick one out. Moron.
Now that you know how I really feel - :) - I have to say that my hat is off to the board at the shelter. Not just the board, but all of those people who make it work. They have to deal with this day in and day out and I only got a taste of it. I am not sure if I would ever make a good board member because I tell people like it is. I don't pull punches and I think people are better off because of it. If you sugarcoat something I feel it's a disservice to the animals, that person and yourself. Great job to the SBACC Board and everyone who has to sort through the applications, talk to the potential adopters and for dealing with everything like you do. I know it isn't easy.
This was just one of those days I needed to share this with you all in hopes that you will take the time to consider how precious life is and that you need to consider all things before making a rash decision. I love life, animals and the friends I have at the shelter and I sincerely stand by my thoughts and beliefs.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. I am happy that I got to spend some time with the dogs today. As little as it was, it was worth it to me to see the dogs playful and just wanting to be loved. I love them all. Even the ones that may not love me.
The Last Lecture
Ever complain because of traffic or having to be patient with someone? Ever wonder if you are living your life the way you should?
One way or another, you should take the time to watch this short video clip from the Oprah Winfrey show and listen to what Dr. Randy Pausch has to say. You may or may not agree, but it is only 11 and a half minutes short.
Last Lecture given by Dr. Randy Pausch
I look at life much differently now that I have seen this and heard his words.
The full 76 minute version is here. Full Length Video.
It is a worth while view. Trust me.
One way or another, you should take the time to watch this short video clip from the Oprah Winfrey show and listen to what Dr. Randy Pausch has to say. You may or may not agree, but it is only 11 and a half minutes short.
Last Lecture given by Dr. Randy Pausch
I look at life much differently now that I have seen this and heard his words.
The full 76 minute version is here. Full Length Video.
It is a worth while view. Trust me.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Texturize Me
I decided to play around with some textures tonight on Michelle and Gabriel's photos. Kymberli raves about her textures, so I wanted to try them out. For anyone who doesn't know my style of photography - I like sharp, colorful images that show in-camera technique. I usually don't like to mess with them too much because I want our clients to see the real deal. BUT... many of our clients are leaning toward the new, funkier, edgier types of style and I need to cater to that, too. So here are two of mine from tonight.
Photoshop has come a long way since the late 80s and it is a wonderful tool. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on these, good or bad. I am a sponge for learning how to do things better!
Photoshop has come a long way since the late 80s and it is a wonderful tool. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on these, good or bad. I am a sponge for learning how to do things better!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Terry & Cynthia Engagement Session
Today was such a nice day. Thank goodness that we live in SoCal and have nice weather most of the time. As my wife said tonight, 'We are truly blessed.'
We had the pleasure of photographing Terry & Cynthia today for their engagement photos. What a fun couple! Not only we they fun, but they also were great sports. They are truly in love and have a great outlook on life. Terry kept cracking me up and Cynthia was working the trail like a catwalk. Thanks to the both of you for allowing us to photograph you. You two made our day and it was truly a pleasure!
We shot their session over at the El Dorado Nature Center and it was a busy day. Lots of families and kids, but we were still able to make the session fun and create some beautiful shots. Here are my favorites from today.
We had the pleasure of photographing Terry & Cynthia today for their engagement photos. What a fun couple! Not only we they fun, but they also were great sports. They are truly in love and have a great outlook on life. Terry kept cracking me up and Cynthia was working the trail like a catwalk. Thanks to the both of you for allowing us to photograph you. You two made our day and it was truly a pleasure!
We shot their session over at the El Dorado Nature Center and it was a busy day. Lots of families and kids, but we were still able to make the session fun and create some beautiful shots. Here are my favorites from today.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Michelle & Gabriel Maternity Session - Part 2
I am so happy with how yesterday turned out. Some of these images just make me smile at how in love these two are. Here are a few more from yesterdays session.
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