 |
Archive for April, 2009
Surf Diva Shoot
My denim jeans were soaked through on a recent photo shoot, but luckily I had planned for this ahead of time and mentally prepared for the shock of cold seawater. The client was Surf Diva, a surf school and boutique in La Jolla oriented toward female clientele. When I learned that they needed a photographer who could shoot a stand-up paddleboarding session, my 200mm lens suddenly felt very diminutive. I knew my options were to either find a bigger lens or get wet.
Lakeside Rodeo
Last weekend I was on assignment covering cowboys and Indians at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, but this weekend found me soaking in western culture at the Lakeside Rodeo just for the pure entertainment. I brought my camera of course. Photography just happens to be how I enjoy myself as well as pay the rent.
Wild West Extravaganza
So of course I enjoy a good rodeo. The Wild West Extravaganza in Del Mar didn’t offer any bullriding, barrel racing or other competition, but what it lacked in western athleticism it made up in corny yet heartfully sincere nostalgia. The historical past of the 19th century western United States may not have been so noble, but it has spawned a modern yearning for a time of chivalry, brotherhood andromance that can make even the most jaded urbanite get lost in tales of cowboys and Indians.
Back in the Lab
Under the guise of taking some stock photos of university-themed subjects, I recently hung out with a friend of mine in a lab at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The time I spent crouched in his cramped corner of the lab reminded me of my own short laboratory career when I was a biology student.
La Jolla
Ah, La Jolla, “the Jewel” as they call it, one of my favorite places in San Diego to people-watch when I really don’t want to expend too much energy. I can always fall into place behind some slow-moving grandma or married couple and let the pace of the crowds on the sidewalk slow down my usual frantic wandering.
Watching, Waiting, Hoping for Grunion
I wrote a story recently for the La Jolla Light (read it here) heralding the beginning of peak spawning season for grunion, the small, silvery fish that writhe up onto the beach at two week intervals to mate. Alas, there was no grunion run the night I followed a group from Birch Aquarium down to Scripps Beach. Maybe two fish, tops. On the scientific scale by they record the size and strength of grunion runs, the night was a W-0. Luckily, I was prepared with stock photos from one of last year’s runs to supplement my story.
SEO and a Horse’s Ass
Photoshelter has been sounding their big round SEO horn the last couple days, and I can’t believe I was letting myself go through life with a score of just 42 out of 100 points according to their SEO Grader. I downloaded their cookbook, followed their instructions, and I’m happy to say that my SEO score is now a manly and commanding 92 points. If my understanding of Search Engine Optimization is correct, you can now search for “Waxed Mustache” and my site is the first one listed.
Social Freegans
An interesting thing about the Freegan movement is the appeal of getting together with like-minded individuals. An hour of dumpster-diving is many times more socially valuable than an hour of grocery shopping in solitude, and can be just as productive food-wise.
