Distilled

Three Graces- Botticelli’s painting of Three Graces came...

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:30:00 -0700

Three Graces- Botticelli’s painting of Three Graces came to mind when I saw this group of tree trunks in the morning light. Love the way how sunlight reflected back and illuminated the shadow side.

11am at the feeder The unexpected rain storm soaked our plan for...

Wed, 18 May 2011 13:06:00 -0700

11am at the feeder

The unexpected rain storm soaked our plan for a chill-out week at home.

Feeling restless, I setup my camera and took some hummingbird photos for my ever-growing collection.

Sky just cleared! Time to head out!

Arrivederci, Starbucks. I created this image today as a tribute...

Tue, 10 May 2011 15:23:00 -0700

Arrivederci, Starbucks.

I created this image today as a tribute to my once beloved Starbucks coffee.

There was a time when Starbucks coffee was a revelation.

Somehow, bean-counters roasted bean-lovers and I watched in agony as Starbucks slowly morphed into McBucks.

First, bulk coffee beans replaced by pre-packaged beans.

Then ceramic mugs replaced by ubiquitous paper cups.

Then Skilled barista replaced by button pushers.

Then interesting blends replaced by mediocre Pike Place.

Then Via….

Grilled Ayu- I have been busy shooting so didn’t have much...

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:11:06 -0700

Grilled Ayu-

I have been busy shooting so didn’t have much time adding new work to my blog.

Finally got some free time to work on this new shot.

Ayu or Sweet Fish occupied a rather special place in my childhood memory. I will elaborate more on it in the next day or two.

Editorial image to illustrate the problem of substance abuse in...

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:25:00 -0700

Editorial image to illustrate the problem of substance abuse in our Armed Forces.

This is the 3rd and final image inspired by a recent podcast I heard regarding issues in the US military.

Found Object #7 Spring finally arrived last week. We had record...

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:21:00 -0700

Found Object #7

Spring finally arrived last week. We had record warm temperatures for several days.

Still, when I look around, there are plenty of signs that Winter had left only recently.

We worked on a food shoot today. Tofu with heirloom cherry...

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:15:00 -0700

We worked on a food shoot today.

Tofu with heirloom cherry tomatoes and soy sesame vinaigrette.

Up or Down? This caterpillar hanging in mid-air reminded me of...

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:33:00 -0700

Up or Down?

This caterpillar hanging in mid-air reminded me of the iconic scene in Mission Impossible where Tom Cruise was lowered into a room with a rope tied to his back.

I caught myself humming the theme music from MIA while taking these photos.

What we can’t figure out is whether it is heading up or going down.

Do we really need to see another cheesy sunset photo? Probably...

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:09:00 -0700

Do we really need to see another cheesy sunset photo? Probably not.

Did knowing that stop me from rushing up to the roof to snap this picture?

Absolutely not!

Found Object #6 We can be so oblivious to our surroundings. Two...

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:27:00 -0700

Found Object #6

We can be so oblivious to our surroundings.

Two years and many walks later, we somehow never noticed this tree until one of its dead branches almost hit me in the face.

Found Object #5 Dandelions become Tyler We often single out one...

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:08:00 -0700

Found Object #5

Dandelions become Tyler

We often single out one anchoring experience around which other memories revolve.

Our time spent with Tyler last year now has distilled down to this one thing: Dandelions.

Found Object #4 “Go left” I said to Kel as we...

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:17:00 -0700

Found Object #4

“Go left” I said to Kel as we approached the main thoroughfare in front of the Farm.

It is not an unfamiliar way but, for whatever the reason, we seldom make that left turn. This tree lined road led us to Arroyo Seco Stables and a little further down, the start of Arroyo Seco Bike Path.

Guess we are bringing our bikes next time.

P.S. Kel had a field day this morning; she brought three found objects back to the studio. I shot two: leaf and dandelions. Saving the third for tomorrow.

Arroyo Seco After Rain Storm How is Progress...

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:30:00 -0700

Arroyo Seco After Rain Storm

How is Progress measured?

Generations ago, Steelheads once swam freely in this stretch of Arroyo Seco. Now, a solitary plaque celebrates the memory of them.

What is Progress to some is Regress to others.

Found Object #3 Shadows are beautiful; they breathe life into...

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:21:00 -0700

Found Object #3

Shadows are beautiful; they breathe life into form.

I am often asked to light my scene flat because a customer sometimes does not understand the subtle play between Light and Dark.

We found this Magnolia seed pod this morning not far from the Farm.

“Found Object” is an ongoing series.

This is my original concept for Women in Combat Roles.

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:18:00 -0700

This is my original concept for Women in Combat Roles.

Found Object #1 Circle of Life- this past January and February,...

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:28:00 -0700

Found Object #1

Circle of Life- this past January and February, we had a rare opportunity to observe the birth cycle of an Anna’s hummingbird up close.

By chance, we spotted a hummingbird nest in the bamboo grove 15 feet from our courtyard balcony. For several weeks, we had front row seats to the incredible process of eggs transforming into fledglings.

We were ecstatic and sad the day the two fledglings left the nest. But our hummingbird story didn’t end there.

The very next day, during my daily jog around the Arroyo Seco trail, I found this dead hummer on the ground near the Farm. It must have flown into a window and broken it’s neck. Wanting to give it a proper burial, I placed it on this leaf and carried it home before resuming my jog. When I returned half an hour later, the setting sun was casting a sharp light streak across the studio floor. I hastily set up my camera to memorialize this hummer. Natural light is beautiful.

I created this image after listening to an interview with...

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:03:00 -0700

I created this image after listening to an interview with four-star general Ann Dunwoody on NPR. As the highest ranking female service member in our military, Dunwoody believed our current policy of barring women in combat severely limits women’s chances to reach top positions in both the military and Pentagon.

I found out that a military commission is set to recommend a reversal to that policy this spring.

Found Object #2 The vernal equinox is just around the corner. ...

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:05:00 -0700

Found Object #2

The vernal equinox is just around the corner. It marks the official end of winter and start of spring. The winter of 2010 was perhaps the coldest on record in Los Angeles. It certainly was one of the coldest in my memory.

Kelley spotted these colorful leaves littering the sidewalk along Arroyo Seco, our route to Trader Joe’s. We were intrigued by the pattern and intense autumn colors etched in each of the leaves. I made a mental note to pick up some on our way back to the studio so I could make a little composition as an Ode to the End of Winter.