Showstopper ///M
This car is mean. This car is performance. This car is beautiful.
I came across this piece of art earlier today and had to show it to you. Not only did BMW fine tune this ultimate driving machine, but the owner took it a step further and made some very tasteful and jaw dropping enhancements. As you can see, this car is a showstopper on and off the track. Enjoy.
Happy weekend!
Big Bird!
I recently took a trip to Cambria, CA for the weekend, just to get away. While there, amidst relaxing and just taking in the relaxing surroundings, there were these large birds playing in the coastal winds (sorry, I don’t know what kind they were – maybe you can tell me!). They are incredible animals and it was awesome to watch them play in their natural habitat!
Mostly a black and white set, but I liked this color version below and wanted to share that one too.
Cars, Cars and more Cars….& Coffee
For being such a performance auto enthusiast, I feel ashamed that today is my first time ever making it over to the weekly local car gathering, Cars and Coffee. Local car lovers and owners gather to gawk, stare, drool, chat, tout and photograph all kinds of different autos of various makes and model years. From old school beauties to the cutting edge rockets with tires, this is a fantastic place to spend a Saturday morning. Southern California has no shortage of people with nice cars and this is a way to see them, and hear them, all in one place.
You can check out the official site for this gathering here: http://irvine.carsandcoffee.info/. As always, click on an image for a larger version.
Desert Winter Wonderland
I recently took a trip out to the desert and had a few brief moments to capture a few photos (click for full/bigger photos). The desert is deceptively beautiful especially during the winter and the pictures below speaks that to me.
I want to go explore every inch of the landscape here, it just looks so different and interesting! However, among the beauty is water-less surroundings for miles, dangerous wildlife, landscape dangers (127 Hours anyone?), etc.
I was just passing through, though, and the 4×4 truck I was in wasn’t forcing me to rough it too bad…unless you count losing cell phone reception for 10 minutes a particularly dangerous thing. The area we were in (Glamis, CA) is very popular for off-road vehicles of all types – especially during Thanksgiving weekend.
You can see a couple of ‘dune buggies’ at the top of that peak taking in the scenery. You can also see all the tracks of the thousands of different vehicles that have passed through the same area recently.
I saw a couple of off-road vehicles chillin’ out and caught a few of them.
The desert can be just as beautiful during the winter as a snows-cape mountain – it is just…different. You get the chance to really take in the beauty, sights, smells & sounds, that you might miss during the blazing summer.
Now Offering Portrait Sessions!
I am happy to offer the following portrait services in time for this holiday season!
- 90 minute session at a location of your choice*.
- You, family, friends, or pets are welcome!
- Package includes 3 edited photos. All other photos from session will be provided and these are yours to keep, too!
- You may request additional photos to be touched up for an additional charge.
- All photos will be provided digitally and in full resolution (on a disc). This keeps the fees lower and allows for more edited photos to be provided! You can print at the vendor of your choice and have as quickly as you like!
Package cost: $150
Visit the “Contact” page for contact details.
*Orange County, CA areas. Further distances will be considered, but may add to cost.
Portraits of a Zombie Killer
I recently had the pleasure of shooting some portraits for a good friend. It was a blast getting out and taking the photos below! We found an area with a barn and some farmland (rare) and took advantage setting, which was fun by itself.
Being the scary film buff that she is (read: Zombies), she was ecstatic when she found a pitch fork lying on the ground – she had to take some pictures with this weapon, er, tool! I was thinking ‘classic American farmer’ style picture – she was thinking ‘classic American girl zombie killer’ picture! 
Go towards the light!
Just a casual shot of the tourist crowds catching a sunset. They all look like they are being drawn in to the bright light – of course I don’t blame them, I was too!
“Don’t” bring your camera on your wife’s birthday!
Took a trip down to La Jolla, CA last Saturday for my wife’s B-Day and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day! Since I wanted to give all my attention to her, I didn’t dare bring my camera…. because once I whip that thing out, it’s “bye-bye Andy” and we can’t have that on her B-Day, right? Right. Well, what I wasn’t counting on, nor was she, was that my new phone has a pretty awesome camera on it… This was my first time really digging into it and I was really surprised at how good some of the shots were!
Well, after this discovery and wading knee-deep into the oncoming rising tide taking photos, I caught myself and waded back out of the water before I got cold from the water and the cold shoulder from the wife 
. I only kid about that part though, she has no problem with these little mini excursions – she was taking pictures of me out in the water trying to get the shot below.
Happy 4th of July!
Taken with HTC One X phone
Me as my sanctuary rock is quickly getting swallowed up…
Nature…. and Thor
I forced my brother to take some pics down at the beach yesterday because he has become quite the Thor as of late. He did it reluctantly and didn’t know I would be posting a pic either I just wanted him to have some cool shots of ”Back when I was in the best shape of my life” when he gets older. I am only posting the one for now so he doesn’t kill me! Besides that, it was a beautiful day at the beach and so I snapped a few other shots of the surroundings on our walk to the water. Good times!
Just another California morning
A typical morning here in Southern California where it is beach weather year-round. Beautiful.
Click for a larger image
A Good Friend
Meet Mark. Mark is one of my best friends and I was excited to get the chance to make some portraits with him. Mark is really into body surfing; I think he goes to the water practically everyday – and he is really good too! He has even won a couple competitions! For this reason, I really wanted to shoot the photos by the ocean to capture him in his ‘natural habitat’.
These train tracks ran right next to the water and I had to incorporate them somehow. This shot came to mind because to me, in a way, it was a great representation of Mark. The rough train tracks are the pathway of so much force and fury, yet Mark is calmly and peacefully right in the middle. If you know him like I do, you would know this represents the daily journey to be at peace in the midst of adversity and chaos.
Here, Mark is surveying the ocean surf…contemplating if picture time is over and surfing time should begin!
It was a blast shooting my buddy. Even though I was focused on getting the good shots, we were having fun!
I love this shot. To me, it is such a real moment – just Mark, relaxed being himself.
This time, it’s for real…
This last week I was honored when a good friend asked if I would photograph his family portrait. Of course I said YES, that was a no brainer. But, with that answer, this was no longer a fun hobby to take “meaningless” pictures…I had to deliver for a family’s memories! So, needless to say, nervousness set in. I was pretty calm until the day of the shoot – the importance of not screwing up really set in!
However, this family is one of the nicest you could ever meet and made me feel like one of them. The atmosphere was very casual, calm, and playful as you can see in the photos. The time of day in these shots was a little later than preferred, making the light a bit harsh, but I think they turned out good considering that fact. After the “official” family shots, we all kinda just hung out on the beach during that beautiful CA morning. This gave way to the kids playing and the other family members getting involved. I was able to capture a few candid shots of a family just enjoying each other. It was awesome.
I think the family thought I was doing them a favor, but in reality they were doing me a favor by helping me to really focus on delivering something worthwhile. And for that, I say “Thank You!” Below is a sample of some of the shots. Click for bigger versions.
Perfect Conclusion
After wrapping up the photo sessions from my previous two posts, me and my dad swang over to the local lake. It was just in time to capture a beautiful, peaceful sunset. It was a Wonderful way to wrap up the day.
Enjoy.
Fading Details
My previous post focused on the contrasting color and decay of the graffiti at the old feed mill. This post looks at a couple of the details surrounding the mill. The old buildings and machinery are testament to a once lively operation. However, all that is left are small, rusty and deteriorating details.
A murder of Crows
No, crows were not murdered in the creation of this post… in case you don’t know, that is what a group of 2 or more crows is called – A “murder of crows.” Such a strange expression, but I relish the opportunity to use it for the same reason!
It’s a rare stormy day here in Southern CA and I happened to notice these three crows keeping watch on a empty construction site across the street. It seemed somehow perfect on such a gloomy day, like something from an Edgar Allan Poe poem. After I took the picture, I thought I would try my hand at using textures in Photoshop. I have never used textures before, but for some reason thought that the right texture would bring out the mood I was feeling when looking at this scene. For my first attempt, I was pleased.!
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday
It was worth it…
This last Friday it rained most of the day. As the rain stopped and the clouds began to clear, my wife and I decided to take the dogs out for a brief walk. Now I live on the 3rd floor of my building so when I went outside I was able to see that the ensuing sunset would probably be awesome (I could only see enough sky to be teased at what might be)! So, at that moment I decided that I had to see what the full sunset turned out looking like – I went back for my camera and car keys and decided to bolt up to a high ground I know to see if there was a view. I invited my wife and dogs, but they wanted to stay and pee on things (primarily the dogs, that is).
After I was at the spot for about 15 minutes, shooting pics, it hit me that on my dash out of the apartment I locked the door because I fully expected my wife to join me! Mind you it was pretty chilly this time of day and my wife, who needs a blanket when it is 75 outside, was in a T-Shirt and pajama pants with the dogs… and now locked outside. So after it finally hit me that my wife was locked out, probably freezing and without a phone, I [took a few more photos] bolted back home. When I arrived it had been about 30 minutes since I left and she was out on the sidewalk giving me a look that seemed to say “well, what do you have to say for yourself?” I just rolled the window down and said “SORRY”… Turns out she was very understanding and didn’t care. Whew!
I reached my spot and had a pretty nice view for such short notice. The sunset/sky/clouds were amazing. The natural grandeur of a “simple” sunset after a rain is breathtaking. I wish I could have spent a bit longer out there, but I was happy with what I was able to see and the few photos I shot.
Sign out where I was shooting
Learning to Appreciate
For Labor Day I visited my family. They live down in the desert of CA where a typical summer day is 115 - almost just as typical are 120 degree days. So after visiting I drove back up to Orange County and after the three hour drive, I arrived. The beautiful weather got me thinking how I do not appreciate the beauty of where I live enough. It was this thought that made me take a spontaneous left to Laguna Beach instead of the right turn that lead home. I drove down to the beach with my wife and two dogs and we walked along the beach. It was perfect timing – I drove straight to the closest parking and found a parking spot open – that alone is a miracle during the summer time! We arrived just in time to catch a beautiful sunset; I was able to snap a few photos – What a confirmation of thoughts!
This was a great lesson in appreciating the beauty that surrounds me.
Hanging out in Julian, CA
I took a trip to Julian, CA this last weekend for my 1 year anniversary of marriage. We had a great time hanging out in the small mountain town eating apple pie, treats, and home made juice. While there, I snapped off a few photos of the surrounding area. I do not have a proper zoom lens yet and missed quite a few animal opportunities…We saw deer, turkeys, hawks, lizards. Oh well, maybe next time!
Julian Sunset over Lake Cuyamaca (added to post 9/5/11)
The Virgin Mary
Beautiful Countryside
Where the wild sleeps at night
One Year Anniversary
Disco Chickens
Old Paint
??
White picket fence surrounding an abandoned yard
Old Door
A Wonderful World. Post #1
Post numero uno, number one, primo post-a-lino, get-n-r-dun.
When I am seeing through my photography eyes, not my everyday have to get tasks done etc. eyes, I wake up. What I mean is I see beauty, light, colors, shapes, emotion. I realize that at all times we live in A Wonderful World. This blog is a dedication to that perspective – a celebration of all things beautiful.
Here are a few photos from a recent photo walk I went on. It was at Oneil Park in Orange County, CA. It was early in the morning and a heavy fog had rolled in and filled the canyon.
