A Beautiful Morning
My daughter has been begging me for a dog…specifically a Chihuahua, for the last 6 years and change. Me…I don’t like Chihuahuas. Yippy, snappy, barky, bitey, toe-biting rat dogs…I always said we would get a dog “someday”, but stressed that we would not get a Chihuahua. I’m such a sucker…
Yup…my daughter walking her 4-month old Chihuahua, Fleur…
This is them. 2 peas in a pod in only 3 days…
I went and hung out with this puppy for about an hour before I ever told Zayne anything about her. She is actually a very well-behaved puppy, and very easy to train.
Anyhow…on our little walk around the desert this morning, I took a few pics of the local Autumn wildlife…
Great Basin Fence Lizard
Common Sideblotch
All in all, it’s a beautiful morning. And yes…I know my kid is wearing 2 different shoes…
Thanks for stopping by!
Been A While…
Wow. It’s been quite some time. A lot has happened. Initially, I was unemployed for a little bit, and anyone that has ever been there knows that priorities change. The internet had to go. Time was spent looking for a job, pounding the pavement, rather than walking the streets looking for photographs waiting to be taken. Money got tight, gas prices rose, and activity in my life ran down to a minimum.
But I’m back. I’m working, making money, and putting my camera back in hand, and priorities back in line. So by way of a re-introduction, here’s just a few random shots that have helped pass the time…
Zayne and Great Basin Gophersnake
My son and his girlfriend hunting for petroglyphs in the Volcanic Tablelands.
Goldfinch
Zayne enjoying Hot Ditch. Natural reflection from the water cured backlight shadows nicely.
Random front yard flower
1982 Shovelhead Custom Rigid. She will be mine. VERY soon…
So…yea…just a few shots to say, I’m back. And things are getting better. Thanks for stopping by!!
My Son, the Dragon…
Had my son outside breathing fire for a few photos this evening…
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- Kiss of Fire
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- Iron Cross
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- Breath of Fire
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- Breath of Fire
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- Sustained breath
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- Kiss of Fire
Spike and Marla
I went for a drive to the Reno airport today with my son and his girlfriend. I managed a couple of sneaky shots before Marla had to catch her flight…
"Which gate do I need?"
Spike and Marla
And I just happened to catch sight of this one. I found it amusing…
Wrong Way
Anyhow…just a quickie. Thanks for looking!
Slowing Down…
The summer is finally winding down. I hope to be getting out and shooting a little more, now that baby bird season is fairly well behind us, and work is winding down. For now, I took a couple of shots while walking around the park with my daughter today…
She really is growing up far too quickly…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Summertime Rolls…
Summertime is in full swing here in the Owen’s Valley of the Eastern Sierra…
Gazebo at the Town Park in Bishop
Skatepark at the Town Park in Bishop
The weather is settled and finally on our side, so get out there and enjoy it while you can!
Thanks for looking!
Photo Manipulations
Yea…I haven’t had a lot of time to get out and shoot photos. So, as usual, I’ve been playing around in Photoshop, manipulating photos, and coming up with brand new looks for some of my older shots. Hope you enjoy them!
Vietnam War Memorial
I saw the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. when I was, like…10 or 11 years old. At the time, I wanted to see it at night, but my parents weren’t interested, so I never did. Now there is a mobile version, and it made a stop in Bishop this weekend as part of our Mule Days Celebration. So I, of course, had to go see it at night…
Haunting Vision
Late Night Visitors
Vietnam War Memorial
I’m really glad I went out tonight. It’s here all weekend, so I might get a chance to see it tomorrow night, too. That would be cool…
Thanks for looking!
Landscapes, Lizards, and More Fire
Kevin flies back to Colorado tomorrow. It’s been an incredible week, but I’ll be sad to see him go. We’re making plans for him to come visit again in August, and that will be really nice, but…I’m gonna miss him when he leaves…
Yea, it’s really been an incredible week. I met my son. Zayne met her brother. And we really enjoyed each others’ company. It will definitely be sad to watch him go, but I know he’ll be coming back…
Thanks for looking!
Playing with Fire…
So…my son is a Fire Dancer. Fire scares the shit outta me, but he’s got WAY more balls than I do, because he purposely sets shit on fire and spins it around his head and body. It’s pretty intense to watch, because you can hear the flames and feel the heat. Makes me wonder what it feels like inside of all those flames…
Am I THAT Old?!?
Man…my baby girl is growing up WAY too quickly. It seems like just a couple of months ago I was changing her diapers and she was falling asleep on my chest in a rocking chair…
About 2 weeks ago, she asked me if she could pierce her ears and cut her hair short. The earrings we had discussed before, and I told her I didn’t care if her mother didn’t care. The hair was hard. All of her life I have adored her long, golden locks, and now she wanted to cut them off. “It’s your hair”, I told her. “If you’re old enough to ask me for permission to cut your hair short and pierce your ears, I suppose your old enough to decide for yourself.” And so she did…
My Heart, My Soul, My Everything
Her mom was picking her up for the weekend, and so they decided to make a “Girl’s Day” out of it, and go to the salon for haircuts and earrings. I’m telling you…I almost cried when I saw her. I have to admit she looks absolutely adorable. But she looks so…grown up! She ain’t no tiny baby girl no more, and that means I’m getting old…
Wanna know something else? I have a 21-year-old son whom I haven’t seen since he was 2. He has no memory of me whatsoever. He is coming out to meet us for the first time this April. You have no idea how flippin’ excited I am!!!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Orchids and a Rose
50mph winds and heavy rains all day kept me inside, nice and warm. So what better way to kill time than with the 105mm macro lens?
These are my girlfriend’s orchids. I got them for her for Valentine’s Day. They’re cool, and she is WAY better at keeping stuff alive than I am.
Next up is the Rose…
Rosie Posie is my girlfriend’s daughter, and she is always down for getting her picture taken…
Thanks for looking!
More from yesterday morning…
Just a couple more shots from yesterday morning I felt like sharing…
Bishop Range-Eastern Sierra
Jessica, James, and Little Man
Thanks for stopping by!
Street Photography
Street photography…shooting whatever is happening right at that moment, and making it tell a story. The Decisive Moment, captured forever in the blink of a shutter…
Old Dan--Bishop, CA
Waiting...-San Francisco, CA
Beautiful Oblivion--San Francisco, CA
Decisions...--San Francisco, CA
Changing Times--Bishop, CA
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Playing around with Portraits
I took some semi-candid shots of my daughter messing around over the summer that I never really worked up and published. I went in and played around with them in my new Silver Efex Pro software last night, and came out with some very pleasing results. All in all, I first thought this software was a bit pricey for a simple plug-in filter. Truth be told it is quite an impressive tool. I’m certain I will be using it for a majority of my B&W conversions from now on. Everything I always wished I had in converting tools, and none of the artifacts that usually come with it. Well Done Nik Software!
Some Family Shots
Had my daughter’s mother and sister in town the other day for a decent, albeit cold, photo shoot in the town park…
Couple more silouhettes…
A couple more shots I took while walking around the other day with Annette and Rose…
In Memory
I lost my best friend this morning. It’s very difficult for me, as John was my best friend, my mentor, and a very strong influence on my life, my photography, and my state of mind. Anyone that has read this blog has seen photos of him, and photos of me taken by him. We spent as much time together as possible over the last few years. He was instrumental in helping me form the Eastern Sierra Herpetology Club. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that without his support and confidence…it wouldn’t exist.
He was also a HUGE influence on my photography and my love of the Eastern Sierra. He was a fantastic photographer in his own right, and with his help and guidance, he showed me the way to become a halfway decent photographer for myself. I always had a love of photography, and I can remember trying to develop that love ever since I was a youngster. John was my reason for investing in a digital SLR camera, and his confidence in my abilities gave me the freedom to explore my own creativity, and to try and develop my own style…which I’m still working on…
The last two months have been really difficult as he was battling stage 4 terminal cancer. We knew he was going to die, we just didn’t know when. None of us could have imagined how fast it would happen. But the pain is gone, and John is happy again. He can now look down on his mountains, and see the Eastern Sierra which he loved so much. I know he is watching me, and while every click of my shutter will seem hollow in comparison to our times together, I rest assured that he will be with me as I walk these hills, deserts, and mountains over the coming years. He will guide my compositions, and correct my exposures. He will always be there.
Here’s to you, John Ivan Atwood. Your strength, support, confidence, and encouragement have gotten me this far. I will take you with me for the rest of my days.
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- John I. Atwood
Rest in Peace, my Friend.
Portraits
I don’t do very many portraits. I just don’t have the knack for it. But I am trying to develop those skills. Luckily, I live in a house with 3 beautiful ladies…
My baby girl, Zayne
Rosie Posie
My Beautiful Nut
As always, any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to look!
My First Wedding
Man, Wedding Photography is tough! Don’t let anyone ever tell you that shooting weddings is an easy gig…it isn’t. But it’s fun, and when you know the bride and groom personally, and consider them friends, it makes it all worthwhile…
The Bride
Contemplating
The Couple's First Dance
Forever
With This Ring
True to You
Obviously, this isn’t all the photos. But most of them were posed shots of friends, family, and the wedding party. These ones were my favorite candid shots. Hope you enjoy!
Up, Up, and Away!!!
Sometimes, you just gotta put the chores aside and get out there to play with the kids. It’s not about doing anything constructive, or trying to accomplish something. You let the kids be kids, and somehwere, somehow, deep inside your soul, you feel something of your own kid waking up to laugh with them…
What do you do when you don't have a mulberry bush? You go 'round the fence post
Rosie Posie getting airborne
She always told me she wanted to fly...
I hope you enjoyed them. I know we did!!
Thanks for taking the time to look.
My Baby Graduated…
…From Kindergarten. Ok, so it isn’t High School. But still, it is a HUGE stepping stone…
She's a Dancing Queen
Just before class started
She finally spotted me...
"Are these real flowers?"
Yes...it's real, baby...
Me and my Baby Girl. I couldn't be prouder.
It was really fun and really emotional. She is growing up so quickly. Sometimes I just wish I could slow her down for a bit, but…time cannot be saved…
Thanks for taking the time to look!
Trip to San Francisco
So…anyone that’s been reading knows that I have been in the process of moving. I have been living in a small, 2 bedroom apartment with my daughter and a room-mate for the last 4 years. It wasn’t the best, but we made it work. Not long ago, my girlfriend asked if I was interested in getting a place together with her, and we jumped at the chance. So, me, my daughter, my girlfriend, and her daughter al share a really nice 4 bedroom, 2 bath house. Moving sucks ASS, and I despise the process. But the results are well worth it.
So…as a little bit of a break, my good friend John and his wife took me to San Francisco for a night. It still amazes me how easily my stress melts away with a camera in my hand…
Wild Rose growing in my new front yard
Bueatiful Swallowtail Butterfly
This guy threatened to break my camera if I took his picture. I wished him luck with that...
Awaiting the Bite
Alcatraz
The Rock
Alcatraz Guard Tower
Forbes Island
Seagull you fly across the horizon...
Telegraph Hill from The Embarcadero
The Golden Gate in B&W
Crosstown Traffic
It was a really fun, albeit short-lived trip to the Bay. I had never been there before, so it was a very worthwhile endeavor.
Thanks for coming along!
Lots of Wildflowers
I went for a walk with Annette and Rose this morning, in search of some wildflowers. Nothing like a beautiful Sunday morning in fields of Wild Iris. Some of these are cultivated, but most are wild…
Pink Columbine
Pair of Wild Iris
Wild Iris Portrait
Forever Young
Summertime Rolls
