A Beautiful Place to Live

Stone Lagoon at Sunset

I went photographing with my buddy Marc Chaton today. We photographed at Prairie Creek and at Stone Lagoon. I think Marc got some really nice shots of some mushrooms. I spent more time on Elephant Tree, and will review the photographs to see if I have any keepers. I do kind of like this landscape. I wish I would have made a panorama of it though (that gives me an opportunity to go there again).

Printing Photographs

Third Eye, Arcata 2010

I did some printing yesterday and today. I am inspired to print images with the goal in mind of producing an exhibit. I think that the images that I have been taking of buildings in Arcata have a certain essence of spirit. I think that this and other images reveal some of the magic that is hidden in plain sight.

At the Alibi, Arcata 2010

Reserved

Reserved Number One, Eureka, November 14, 2010

I went out to Eureka this morning to catch the rising sun's light on the city. Well it did shine on Arcata, but not Eureka. Rather than chase the light, I just started working. I took many of my "normal" building portraits, and slowly got into the flow. I was photographing the Commercial Building when I saw these images. These are my favorite three of this series I will call Reserved.

Reserved Number Two, Eureka, November 14, 2010

 I was talking with my buddy Marc awhile back about the value of receiving some feedback about our images. I think that I don't always pick the best of the litter when I review my images. I would love it if someone would pick their favorite from these and others that I post.

I have not figured out how to enable the blogging software to allow me to post higher resolution images on my blog. These images, as posted are not much more than thumbnails.

Reserved Number Three, Eureka, November 14, 2010

Gas Pumps

Pioneer Village, Bakersfield 2010

I cannot really explain why I like to take pictures of what I do, and I realize that my images are not always ones that everyone will appreciate. I don't try to exhibit a style - I just do what I do. I have the freedom to do just that. I always appreciate it when someone lets me know that they like my photographs, but I am not compelled to make images that will generate praise.

Pioneer Village, Bakersfield, 2010. I first photographed this scene about 1972.

Here it is in B & W. I originally shot it in Plus X.

Post Processing

Eucalyptus Trees Between Arcata and Eureka Veteran's Day 2010

I find that I need to spend some time "living" with images after I load them into the computer before I can even realize which ones I will print. My process of image selection is similar to what it was when I used film. Only there needn't be much of a time lag for me to see the "negatives".

When I first looked at this image the other day, I immediately posted it to this blog as it came from the camera. The next day I looked at it some more, and realized that the image did not fully convey what I saw when I took it. It still does not.  What it now conveys is what I interpreted the image to be. Not what the camera saw, and not exactly what I wanted to see, but an interpretation of all the above. Anyhow, this image makes me happy. Compare it to how it looked the other day.

Midway

The Midway Drive In Theater

The last time I photographed the Midway's screen was about thirty years ago. It is amazing to me that this screen is still standing. The "Y" is pretty well gone from "Midway", but otherwise it seems the same to me. My previous work was done in black and white. I painted one of my prints with photo oils. I think I have a slide of it somewhere.

I just watched a documentary on Ansel Adams. It was well done, and I learned a lot about him and myself. It seems that by the time he was my age he had slowed down, and did not have the drive of his youth. One of the people interviewed thought that his earlier work was his best.

I hope this is not true for me. I know that I am slower then I used to be, but I like to think that I still have the vision, and that my maturity will permeate my images like a nice marinade.

Midway Sunset

Mega-Mega Pixel Photographs

75 Mega Pixel Photo

The original photograph of the Eureka First Presbyterian Church is a huge file. I am able to get such large and detailed photos by using the tilt-shift lens and stitching together several 20+ mega pixel images. This opens lots of potential for me, and there is much more to come. I wish I could share the true quality of this image here, but I am unable to figure out how to make that happen.

Early Morning Trolling

Lloyd Building

I went out again today, and spent some time with the Lloyd Building. There were cars in the lot, and so some of my possible shots were blocked by autos. Therefore, I had to work around them, and I think I got close to getting something that I may call a keeper. At least I am not tossing these back into the water - yet.

Eureka Theater

I am slowly getting an idea of what I am looking for at the Eureka Theater. The image above is heading the right direction. A subsequent image came closer, but still not quite "it".

The Eureka Theater

This image shows the range that the 17 mm lens has. I am using lots of rise in this shot, and have not really worked the edges.

I should state here that many of the images that I place in the blog are works in progress, and not necessarily final prints. I think by sharing these in this manner, I offer an insight to my process.

I am still pondering the idea that these photographic outings are for me walking meditations. I am not looking for a photograph - at least I am not thinking about finding a specific photograph. My process is more intuitive.  I think my process is more like our dog Sadie's when she goes for a walk. She does not think about where she is going, but she pays close attention to her nose. She follows scents, and sometimes stops and really takes in particular smells. That is how it is for me as I photograph. I don't think about what I am looking for. Yes, I do have an idea of what or where I am going to shoot, but sometimes as I am walking toward a predetermined spot I "smell" a completely different photographic opportunity.

Lloyd Building and Parking Meters

Wash Dry Here

Catch of the Day

Catch of the Day

Yesterday I went to the marina to buy some tuna from the skipper of one of the boats. While I waited for the crew to prep my order I grabbed a couple of shots. This one is my "catch of the day".

It is almost seven in the morning, and it looks like it is clear weather, so I am going back to Eureka for the sunrise lighting.

Church

Temple Pillar

I went to Prairie Creek this afternoon in hopes of catching some sunlight on the fall foliage, but instead of sunshine it was overcast. I drove to one of my favorite spots, and as soon as I started down the trail I felt the presence and sanctity of the place. It took no time at all for the images to reveal themselves, and soon I was photographing a prayer. All the while as I walked, looked and composed the photographs I was in a state of oneness with everything around me. I experienced a fullness of being, and belonging. It was as if I were part of the environment, and not an intruder with an agenda. 

One Of The Many Forms

In the Cathedral

Photographing Downtown Eureka

The Lloyd Building, Eureka, September 30 2010

I got a bit of a late start this morning, and when I got to town the sun  was all ready up, and traffic was quite busy. I still am excited about the prospects that I found, and I intend to return until I can get some of these without any autos in the scene. I wonder what others think about how the images are affected by the inclusion of cars and trucks? Maybe the vehicles add a time-stamp to the images. I am quite hung-up on the notion of photographing without the inclusion of vehicles and people. Perhaps I am attempting to create a timeless portfolio. Regardless, these scenes are quite inspiring to me, and photographing buildings such as these makes me a happy man. 

Empire Furniture, Eureka, September 30, 2010

No Free Parking, Lloyd Building, Eureka, September 30 2010

Backside of RAA Gallery, Eureka, September 30, 2010

One City Block in One Frame

The Eureka First Presbyterian Church, September 29, 2010. I cropped this a bit on the top and bottom, but it is one frame with the 17mm tilt-shift.