Photography by David & Valerie

Can you wait for Summer?

2011-03-09T19:25:00.001-08:00

I sure can't. Just tired of all this rain and overwhelming clouds. How about you? Do you know where I took this picture. If not I left the Exif info in the photo.

Did you know that the santa monica pier has its own website? www.santamonicapier.com

That's an amusement park on the pier. I know its weird but the first time I saw the pier and amusement park I thought how many drunks have walked off the edge of the pier? I know that's just nutty.

2010-10-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Had an enjoyable time at the Renaissance faire. I call it a target rich environment. There are lots of characters to take photographs of and many of them enjoy the attention. Did you know that many of the people that wander around are paid to do so? That's right. There are people who are so into the faire that they dress the part to get paid for a weekend of fun. So when someone comes up to you and engages with you they are most likely paid or looking to sell you something. But hey! its still lots of fun. I enjoy my time there every year. I think next time I'm going to take a more conspicuous camera next year.

This year I decided to post a un-Renaissance faire photo. Its actually the decomposing carcasus of vehicles of old. They where parked in front of the faire and sit there posing still as can be ready for you to photograph.

Haleakala Observatories

2010-07-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

At just over 10,000 ft on the island of Maui this observatory can track objects as small as a basketball from 20,000 miles away. This is considered the fourth best place on the planet for such an observatory. Don't ask me what the first three are.

If was windy, it was cold and it was desert like. Since its above the clouds pictures of the sky are dark, after all we are 10,000 ft closer to space than where most people stay by the beach.

Since there is minimal lighting, at night there is no light pollution as they call it. Also the air is thin so there are less particulates. This means the viewing is great. At least I'm told. The park closes and therefore I could not be there at night time to view the stars. It was some 35 degrees cooler here than at beach level. Wow!

Jelly Belly, no not me.....

2009-10-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well if you live in Northern California, then you probably know about the Jelly Belly factory. This place was made famous by President Reagan and was found all over the white house in those days.

We took a trip the the factory and learned all about how they make jelly belly's. They make much more but you cannot see those parts of the facility. If you get a chance to go, its a fun time and lots of candy to choose from.

Can you guess what they do with the jelly belly's that are to small, to large or other mistakes? Well they sell them in the store as Belly Flops. Belly Flops sell for a huge reduction in price. Yeepy!

2009-05-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Have you been able to go over to my youtube channel and learn about photography. There will be more soon, so subscribe and lets have some fun. Do you want to learn photoshop? Check it out.

Wishing I could return

2009-03-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

You know it gets that time of year when you wish you could return to some winter holiday location you went to before. For my its either Hawaii or Florida. With Florida its great in May and October. With Hawaii its good almost all the time, maybe not September.

While visiting the sites at the north west side of Kauai, we found a nice restaurant to have lunch. Much to our surprise we found a plantation style resort out back. It is beautiful with small cottages and lots of green grass to enjoy your time at. The shot was taken looking back at the resort from the beach. I'll have to thing about posting that beach shot. Are you interested? Let me know.

above 7000 feet

2009-01-31T20:00:00.000-08:00

When you are at high altitudes, the sky becomes more blue. This is simply because there is less atmosphere (and therefore less partials) in the way. This shot was taken at Vikings home at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. No not a shot of the island which everyone gets, but a shot of the rock formation just at the top of the road. By pointing your camera up, you are shooting into space. Ok, well not that dramatic. But you can get those dark blue skies without a polarized filter.

I took this shot in the second week of 2009 and usually this section of Lake Tahoe is not accessible because of snow. Since there has not been much snow (the jet stream is still high over the pacific north west), we were able to drive there. But just a few weeks later, it has snowed in again. What luck.

Escape to the past!

2008-11-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

Renaissance Faire are everywhere. It's what we as photographers call an target rich environment. Some are there to enjoy the sites, while others are there to be the sites. It's a fun time. Look for one in your area.

This year at the Nor. Calif. Renaissance Faire was different than last. That's good because people get tired of the same old show. There are performers of all kinds, from singing to dancing to amazing knife juggling to glass blowing to jousting. Food is also an adventure as people try to create the meal of the past, well at least the one that movies have portraid.

I left the pro cameras at home and took the small SLR. There was definitely time when I wished that I lugged the big camera for the creamy smooth colors and contrast of the pro lenses. Here's hoping you get a chance soon to go to a Renaissance Faire this coming year.

Orbs over Head

2008-10-09T23:10:00.001-07:00

After an event this past weekend. I was able to stroll through a small outdoor mall area that had its mix of modern and turn of the century accessories. While walking under the side walk lamps I found myself seeing UFO's. Not a real one mind you, but a lamp post want to be.

I took this picture pointing to the evening sky. As I gazed at the structure I realized the best way to capture this abstract was to under expose the shot by a stop. This helped to emphasize the lamp light instead of the sky. By doing this it has that space ship propellant system look.

Fire Angel

2008-09-25T23:44:00.001-07:00

While on a long walk through town. I took my camera and imagination with me. It was good to get in a long walk (5 miles) and to take some pictures along the way.

This picture is of a fairy in a garden. But fire fairy just doesn't sound as good as Fire Angel. So it's my picture and I can name it what I like.

When I looked at this figurine, I decided that shooting it about 1 stop underexposed would give the look I wanted to capture, and it did.

Picasa 3

2008-09-25T19:15:00.001-07:00

Picasa 3 beta is out. For those of you who do not have the cash to purchase Photoshop or other professional photo tool. Then start with Picasa if you are on a PC, on the Mac of course you start with iphoto. Picasa even views .PSD files.

Picasa has a feature to create collages. This is new to Picasa and I'm not sure what I will use it for. But maybe take a series of photos that you like, and make a single photo collage. Print it large so that the pictures are recognizable.

I quickly through together the layout from a recent wedding shoot for an example. Enjoy.

2008-06-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Another traveling wedding. With Top Gun themes, and Red all over, it was a wonderful time. Its always fun when there is an interesting venue near by. This place had old buildings used to illustrate life during the time of Christ, 30AD. Weeds and all, ha.

The rustic setting and color matched well with the bridal parties color choice. So it was a foregone conclusion that it would be the place to shoot the bride, groom and attendants.

Click on the photograph. If you look really close, you will see that one of the best men and one of the maid of honors are kissing also, yes they are married, too.

CLOW PLUG

2008-04-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Just enjoying myself on a walk around. When you have a passion for photography, like me. You just go out and make photographs of whatever you see.

You wouldn't think much about a hydrant. But I somehow love this picture. There is so much character and age shown.

I was walking down the street and saw this hydrant. I thought that it could make a good wall paper for my computer if I could get the left side dark and the subject on the right side. I think I accomplished what I imagined. Hope you like it too.

Why everything you do today matters forever.

2008-02-26T22:36:00.000-08:00

Its a secret, no one knows. A gift delivered by a secret sister. She loves the color. She loves the wrap treatment. But most of all She loves the thought.

Each day we have a chance to do what matters as if it does, and it does. Take the time to think about it. What you do does matter. It matters to people around you and to your own life itself. So go out there an do the right thing, because it matters.

Hawaii is beautiful

2008-01-24T21:26:00.000-08:00

Its not always that you get to go to Hawaii. I had a fun time for sure. With all those sunsets, flowers, etc to enjoy it was great.

I have many pictures. But instead of the wedding stuff. I thought I would give you a look at some of the flowers. The is a different angle on a bird of paradise. I love the color of the flower with additional flowers in the background to spice it up.

Enjoy!!

An important event

2007-12-26T20:59:00.000-08:00

Although many people know this is a most important event in their lives. Many do not think to have their pictures taken professionally. Although there are many pictures I could put here, I thought something new would be good.

I got all the usual photographs. But something seems unique about this one. Silhouettes are done, but not using the white as the shape. I like this mom because she was not afraid to try things even if she thought they might not turn out so great.

Sometime B&W is best

2007-11-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

When shooting a wedding. I seek to draw the color out of the scene. But this is not always best. I have to see what it will look like in Black & White as well. Some of the most romantic images are Black & White.

For some it is the glamour photo's of the 1930's and 40's that trigger these feelings. For others, its just that creamy clean look that comes with Black & White.

What ever it is, I always have some Black & White's in the bride and grooms portfolio. It just wouldn't be right without them.

Seniors are getting their portraits done

2007-11-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

Well its that time of year again. Seniors are starting to get their portraits. We certainly like to do environmental portraits as they show the seniors in a more captivating surroundings.

Yes, the studio shots are taken also if needed. But we usually manage to get the yearbook shot in the field.

This example, not being a yearbook shot of course. Silly!

purple, purple everywhere

2007-08-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

purple, purple everywhere. Well almost everywhere. Maybe more pictures later, but for now the event card and favor's are positioned by the table center piece.

We enjoy capturing the details and this is one small example. One of the bridesmaids really doesn't like purple. But this is the great thing with weddings. People set aside their wishes for another. In this case the bride and groom.

Just another reminder how wonderful things go when we put others first.

Free Downloader for your use

2007-08-13T18:27:00.001-07:00

Downloader for your personal use. Sometime we just need a simple down loader. Nothing special, just something to run to grab the photos and then exit to make use of the photos. This software if free to use, not to sell, and fun for all. Click the picture to go to download and get directions.

Hot and Bright - Still cute

2007-08-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we enjoyed our time at Joe and Jodie's wedding. It was a bright sunny day and even though it was warm, we did enjoy the cool breeze. With two flower girls, I'm glad I got this shot of one isolated.

Isn't she cute?

I sure want to thank the family for making me part of this celebration. It was a fun time for all.

Tender moments

2007-07-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

Men in Black. Yeap! this fantastic wedding had three best men, and they were. It's always smoother when the groomsmen and bridesmaids take their positions seriously. They can keep things rolling and under control. These guys are top notch.

At a break, I caught a best man with his wife. Gorgeous couple, aren't they?

What a great culmination for a young career

2007-07-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Yes it was a privilege. This past weekend I was able to attend an Eagle Scout court of honor. It's been many years that I have known this young man and he has reached the pinnacle of success in scouting. I was also privileged to photograph him, as you can see.

To attain this honor a scout must fulfill over 300 requirements. Not just first aid, but in over 21 areas of competency. Eagle scouts are a rare breed, since only about 3 percent that start, will finish. That's even lower than the navy seals success rate.

Cabrillo Monument (Cabrilmo?)

2007-06-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip we were able to visit the Cabrillo monument. Its located at the tip of Point Loma. It was an awful overcast day which made it hard to get a good picture of the monument. But with patients it can work out.

When Cabrillo ventured from what is now Mexico city to discover gold in this new country. He named this area San Miguel. But I guess that wasn't good enough. Another explorer renamed it San Diego. Unfortunately for Cabrillo, he did not return from this voyage. His crew did make it back with nothing to show for their efforts.

But hey! When was the last time you went on a two year voyage to undiscovered lands?

Capturing the emotion

2007-06-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

Besides the regular first dance composition. I love to get other perspectives. Here the expanse of the room height is shown and the bride and groom's enjoyment is present.

We love to be part of your wedding activities and our reward is the smiles from all involved when viewing our work. We would just love to be apart of your wedding also.

All dressed for the party

2007-06-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Yes! There's always that cute little girl or boy that makes us smile as we go about our work of photographing your event. This example comes from a journalist style wedding.

Yes! She's peering at the bride and all the activity. She's enjoying the view. What do you suppose she's thinking about?

Another gorgeous wedding

2007-06-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm loving all the fun involved with capturing the wedding details. This season still seems to be attracting the clean lines of a fondant cake. But be sure to eat just the cake part, as the fondant part seems to be pure sugar. Sounds good, don't it?

Under Construction

2007-06-13T20:03:00.001-07:00

We are just under construction. Please stand by.......