Watermark

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

January 22nd 2015 Just finished fine tuning my new smugmug site. Took a few long hours but I love the way it looks! For me this marks my first step toward going professional. I'll try to keep it and the blog up to date with new pictures and details as my career advances *hopefully*. Fingers crossed...

Lonely Cold Night in the Wild West

January 25th 2015 Took a day trip to the famous Goldfield Ghost Town just outside Phoenix, AZ. Its a reconstructed 1890s town that showcases the flavor of the Old West. Only had an hour or so to explore the town before the sunset began. I found myself scurrying around frantically trying to get my shots during the "magic hour' when the setting sun lights everything with a perfect glow. Its a short window of time but it often produces truly amazing pictures. This is especially true here in AZ where we have some of the best sunsets around. Then came the main course. The real reason I drove an hour into the desert to visit the town. The stars. We were just far enough from the city and its light pollution to get some nice astral photographs. I felt this would be a good opportunity to take a star trail picture... which I had never tried before. I put my camera on a sturdy tripod and set it to take continuous 30 second exposure shots over and over nonstop. For how long, I wasn't sure. I just let it run for about 2 hours. It was cold, windy, very dark, and kinda creepy. The nearby saloon was still booming with its patrons having fun but I was off on the outskirts of town, alone. Didn't help that I was just a mere stones throw away from the old west grave yard. It wasn't until the following day that I was able to sit down at my computer and see the results of my work. Gotta say, I think I did a pretty good job. I'm sure I'll be stopping by Goldfield again in the near future.

Relics of a Time Gone By: Part 1

January 26th 2015, I decided a while back that I wanted to photograph various abandoned places throughout the southwest. Arizona alone has an abundance of deserted buildings, dragways, ghost towns, and so forth littering its landscape. Personally I find it interesting to see what happens to a place long after people discard it. When they're left to fend for themselves against time and the elements alone. A photographer could spend a lifetime studying that one topic. So to kick off my exploration into this theme, I meant to go and visit an abandoned site close to my home. The West Wind Drive in Movie Theater has been closed now for years and I still regret never getting the chance to visit her while she was open. Drive in's are an iconic symbol of a American culture and remnants of a bygone era that few still recall or appreciate. One of my earliest movie-goer memories involves visiting a Drive-in with my family to see a double feature of The Flintstones followed by Jurassic Park. Today you'd be hard pressed to find an active Drive in within any major city. Their numbers have dwindled into near extinction. Now, I said I MEANT to go visit The West Wind Drive in, but I didn't actually get the chance to see it. That is because the Drive in has now been completely demolished and replaced by an empty lot. It was a sad sight. To think that just as The West Wind has vanished from the Arizona landscape, so too will Drive in's someday disappear as an entertainment venue. Gone as if they never existed. Fortunately the trip wasn't a total waste of time. Just beside where the West Wind once stood is another abandoned structure far older and more mysterious. An old adobe house just sitting on the side of the road untouched and pretty much ignored. Its inhabitants and history are long forgotten, but what little remains still stands strong as if defiant against time itself.

Gear review #1: Holdfast Money Maker Camera Harness

January 29th 2015 Today, I just got this awesome new piece of gear for my photography arsenal. Its a Holdfast Money Maker Leather Camera Harness. For a while now, I've been meaning to switch up the way I carry my DSLR. Using my old canon neck strap always looked amateur, even childish, to me. However I've always been nervous about keeping my DSLR on a shoulder strap because I've seen other photographer friends drop their cameras this way. So I needed a third option that was secure, comfortable, and visually appealing. After lengthy internet research, I finally discovered the Holdfast Money Maker which looked to be the perfect fit for me. Originally the price tag had me a bit worried because I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy wearing a harness all day. However after seeing it in person and trying it on, I feel this harness was money well spent. I find the M.M is an extremely comfortable way to carry a camera. The DSLR hangs to your side and can be swung up quickly thanks to the nifty D ring slider system. The build quality is solid and beautiful. Its made from some really thick and durable leather which I'm sure will last a lifetime. Not sure how it will stand up on a rainy day, but I don't intend to wear this through any heavy downpours. The one issue I have with this system is a very small gripe. Its the screw that connects to the DSLR tripod mount. While my camera is connected to the harness, I can't simply throw it on a tripod without completely disconnecting it from the M.M. But like I said, this is a small issue. Anytime I plan to use my tripod, most likely its gonna take time to set up everything anyways. Taking a few extra seconds to unscrew the camera from the harness won't kill me. So in conclusion, I love the Money Maker and Holdfast in general. This harness system is a work of art, a prime example of A+ American craftsmanship, and the perfect DSLR carrying alternative I've been looking for. Tomorrow I'll be heading to the Phoenix Zoo to practice my wildlife photography. I can't wait to take my Money Maker out for a spin. Until then, I'm gonna browse through the Hold Fast catalog and pick out my next purchase from them. Maybe the Waxed Canvas/Leather Travelers Wallet... Check out Holdfast and more of their sweet sexy gear at... http://holdfastgear.com/

Foggy Rainy Weekend

January 31st 2015 It was a very wet weekend here in Arizona which isn't really conducive to photography. Never the less, I went out anyways with my trusty DSLR in hand hoping to take just a few portfolio worthy shots. First I stopped by the Phoenix zoo but was disappointed to find empty cages and a few visible animal hiding away from the cold. I spent about an hour or so walking through the abandoned zoo without a single lion, tiger, or bear in sight. I then walked around Papago park and was able to get a few good shots of the fog just before it dissipated. Fog in Arizona is pretty rare so I knew I wouldn't get pictures like this again anytime soon. As a photographer, sometimes you have to battle the elements and sometimes you have to work them to your advantage. *Side Note: My new Holdfast Money Maker Camera Harness and recently purchased Tamron 70-300mm Telephoto Zoom Lens both preformed like pros today. Two very successful test runs. *

If at first you don't Succeed...

February 1st 2015 While the rest of the country was getting ready for Super Bowl 2015, I was back at the Phoenix Zoo practicing my wildlife photography. The visit the day before had been a disaster thanks to the rainy weather. However today was a different story. The animals seemed more lively than usual. Perhaps they were stretching their legs after being cooped up all weekend. In the end, I think my stubborn persistence payed off.

Hiking the Lost Dutchman

February 6th 2015, Today my roommate and I took a morning hike around the Lost Dutchman State Park. Its a 320-acre area located near the Superstition Mountains outside Phoenix. It gets its name from a gold mine which, according to legend, is hidden away somewhere in that corner of the desert. While the allure of finding lost treasure was tempting, I was more interested in getting some outdoor exercise and snagging a few quick pics here and there. The weather was clear and sunny which, in my opinion, doesn't make for the best pictures. I prefer cloudy overcast days but you do the best with what you have. While the trip only produced a few portfolio worthy photos, the real benefit was that it gave me the chance to scout out the area and get ideas for future photography outings. I did some post-hike internet research and found that often in spring the park is covered with yellow desert flowers while sometimes in winter the mountain gets blanketed in snow. Plus on moonless nights the stars and milky way would look amazing over the park's rock cliffs. So now that I'm familiar with the Lost Dutchman, I'll be sure to return when the weather and seasonal conditions are ideal.

The shop is now OPEN

February 8th 2015 Today I finally set up my new photography store with Etsy.com. In the past few years, I've had a fair amount of success selling pop-art prints through the peer-to-peer e-commerce website. This time around, I'm keeping my over-optimistic nature in check. I'm not expecting to suddenly strike it rich or get to the point where sales can supplement my income entirely. However this is yet another step towards going professional.

Nerding Out with my Camera Out

February 14th 2015, Been really busy *and stressful* the past week with my day job and trying to figure out the direction I should take with my career. Deep down, I wanna drop everything and commit myself 100% to photography. However common sense tells me that's a BAD idea. Took some time to relax and nerd out this weekend by attending the Amazing Arizona Comic Convention. As usual, had my trusty DSLR with me the whole time. Didn't see too many crazy amazing cosplay costumes unfortunately, but I snagged enough pictures to make the trip downtown worth it. Looking into attending several local photography workshops next month. Might get pricy, but I want to invest in my skills and see firsthand how the professionals do it.

Relics of a Time Gone By: Part 2

February 19th 2015 For my second photo essay focusing on Arizona's abandoned sights, I wanted to cover something that reflected the classic roadside attractions synonymous with 1950's Americana. The kind of quirky yet charmingly outdated tourist traps you find littered across our country highway system. Enter Mesa's Buckhorn Mineral Baths and Wildlife Museum. The Buckhorn Mineral Baths opened way back in 1939, drawing those with arthritis and other ailments to their hot springs. Over time, these famous 'miracle waters' attracted big name celebrity clientele and sports teams to the area. Some argue that the Buckhorn was instrumental in bringing major league baseball spring training to Phoenix. Without it, the Cactus League may never have existed. The Buckhorn was owned and operated by Ted and Alice Sliger. Ted was a sportsman and taxidermist whose trophies gradually filled the motel's wildlife museum. After his death in 1984, the Buckhorn's luster slowly began to decline. His surviving wife Alice Sliger did her best to keep his memory and the Buckhorn alive. However the doors of the attraction closed in 2006. Alice's death in 2010 at the age of 103 years old left the future of the site is serious doubt. As she passed, so passed the memory of what the Buckhorn once was. I first discovered the Buckhorn back in January when I drove past it on the way to Goldfield. It instantly caught my eye with its vintage motel sign hovering over the aging southwestern building. I knew it would make a great destination for a future photo trip. It wasn't until I returned home and did some internet research that I discovered the Buckhorn's lengthy history and its significance to the area. In 2011 the Society for Commercial Archeology listed The Buckhorn as the #1 most endangered historic roadside architecture in the country. Until recently, many believed the 15-acre site on the corner of Main Street and Recker Road was destined to be sold off and bulldozed. However, in 2014 the city of Mesa purchased the Buckhorn and named it a city landmark. As plans to restore the site are currently underway, it seems that there are some who still value the forgotten relics of American culture.

Tempe Bike Action Group's Winter Games

February 21st 2015, I spent my Saturday morning photographing a bike themed event my roommate and his friends were organizing. He's part of the Bike Saviours community which is a volunteer-run non-profit bicycle education center devoted to teaching people bicycle maintenance, repair and safety. I'm not much of a bike person myself, but I can appreciate the kind of passion these guys share. Photographing the games gave me the chance to practice working an event, which can be tricky. You have to be ready, aware, and quick to action if you plan to capture key memorable moments. You can learn more about Bike Saviours at (http://www.bikesaviours.org/) and Tempe Bike Action Group at (http://www.biketempe.org/).

Dog Days

February 22nd 2015, Went with some friends on a hike around Phoenix's North Mountain Park. The hike was rougher than I had expected and didn't result in too many stellar images. Its not easy to focus on photography when you're fighting to catch your breath. In the end, the day was a success in that I had the chance to photograph my friend's beautiful dogs. I've always been an animal lover and I feel that affection comes through my pictures whether I'm working with zoo wildlife or four legged companions. Perhaps pet photography is a career path I should pursue in the future.

Stormy Weather in the Superstitions

February 24th 2015, I got out of work today and noticed the sky was filled with large white fluffy clouds. The kinda that make for amazing photos. Instantly I knew I must take advantage of this ideal weather. After rushing home and having a quick snack, I loaded up my car with the essential camera gear and headed east towards the Superstition Mountains. Last time I was in that neck of the woods, I passed by an interesting looking church off the 88. The area looked like it would be a fun place to explore and do landscape photography. With a little research I found out the church was actually called the 'Elvis Chapel' at the Superstition Mountain Museum. About 20 minutes of driving in, the weather conditions began to shift. Instead of large fluffy clouds, the sky was blanketed in an huge ominous mass of darkness. When I had left home the wind was blowing east, so I estimated that these storm clouds were moving away from my destination. At the very most, the rain would simply graze by the area I was heading to. Boy was I wrong. When I finally arrived at the museum, I became deeply concerned. The sky above me was black and a strong wind was now blowing the clouds in my direction. Suddenly I found myself in the middle of nowhere at the edge of a rain front quickly heading my way. What made the situation worse was that the museum I was in the middle of a flash flood area. Quickly I got to work. I only had about 15 minutes before the raindrops began to fall. I snagged a few shots, jumped in my car, and booked it home. The wind pounded my car from the side as the rain followed close on my tail. It was a little scary but great fun. Gonna have to re-do this trip then the weather is more agreeable. I headed to the Superstition Mountains chasing clouds and ended up getting chased home by the rain.

Relics of a Time Gone By: Part 3

February 23rd 2015, (This is the third part of an ongoing series highlighting Arizona's abandoned sights.) All Phoenix locals know about Arizona State University and every student there knows Tempe's Mill Avenue intimately. Its the downtown district located a mere stones throw away from the campus. It houses some of the town's most popular restaurants and bars which cater to the young college crowed. However not many students or locals know the rich history of Mill Ave or even how the infamous street gets its title. Hayden Flour Mill, located on the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, is one of Tempe’s most iconic buildings. It is among the primary reasons the city exists today. Constructed in 1918, it replaced an earlier adobe mill lost to fire in 1917. This earlier mill, built in 1895, had itself replaced the original 1874 Hayden Flour Mill, also lost to fire. Fires were apparently all the rage back in the day. On April 1, 1998, Bay State Milling ceased operations at Hayden Flour Mill. Since then the building has sat quietly as the town around it has grown and evolved tremendously. The area around Mill Ave and the ASU campus has seen a massive amounts of construction and redevelopment in the last decade. Now it seems the Hayden Mill will soon be getting a facelift as well. Plans are underway to adapt and reuse the mill by converting it into... something. Possibly a hotel, restaurant, retail, or a music venue. While no design plans have yet been approved, the rebirth of the Hayden Mill seems inevitable.

Phoenix Zoo Party Safari

March 2nd 2015, Yesterday I worked as a volunteer photographing the Phoenix Zoo Party Safari Fundraiser. For years now I've been a regular visitor to the zoo taking pretty much all my wildlife images there. I figured since I'm so familiar with the place, I should offer my services to them. To me the fundraiser was a great learning experience. Up until now I had no experience in event photography or working for a client. Usually I just do my own thing shooting whatever I like with zero pressure to preform. But in this case I wasn't taking pictures for myself. I had a responsibility to get the shots the Zoo needed. Images that highlight the event and what its all about. In the end I think I did a good job and had some fun along the way. It felt good to use my talents to give back to the community. Plus everyone I met was super kind and helpful. The only real difficult part was being around all that amazing looking free food. I was offered some snacks a few times but I respectfully refused. They were meant for the guests after all, not volunteers. Plus I was too busy working the event to stop and chow down.