Pool

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Pool

Meadow Valley Night Photography

I saw some of the most stunning shooting stars of my entire life while shooting with my Dad. This is my favorite image from the night. The old gas station in meadow valley is lit by the moon just barely over the mountains. I got really excited that water from the fields had made the street wet enough to reflect light from the sky. Quincy, California and the surrounding areas are really lucky to have such amazing views.

Scary Bridge at Night

While shooting this photo, I got a very strong feeling that I was not alone. It was late and probably not the safest place to be. Right as I was leaving I realized that there was actually someone hiding out of view behind one of the mainly pillars my back was facing. I made a quick exit to say the least. Pepper spray is now always in my bag when shooting at night in the City!

"Suicide Bridge"

I don't get too many chances to shoot night photography in the city. I generally gravitate toward nature. But the very first time driving past "Suicide Bridge" I knew I wanted to shoot it late one night. I love design of the historic bridge near Pasadena. The flares in the bottom photo are a bit disconcerting, but I feel like the photo successfully conveys the scale of the bridge.

Street Vender

This woman was selling candy on a side street in Cusco, Peru. Thought it looked very lonely and felt sort of compelled to capture the emotion that it made me feel. Hopefully I conveyed it well.

Pasadena City Hall

I really enjoy downtown Pasadena. Great food, shops, culture and art. This was a shot from a really great night I had exploring the area around the City Hall at night. 

Fireworks!

I can't remember how many times as a child I tried to take photographs of a fireworks display. They almost never turned out. I feel better about these! Doesn't the top one look like a creature you might find in the sea at night?

Longtime wish

Since I moved to southern california I have wanted to photograph the Blimp Hangers in Tustin. I used to pass them on the freeway and would say one day I'll shoot those! I was lucky enough to have the chance the other night.

They are massive! Here is some info I googled on them: “This field was originally built as a blimp base in 1942 as Santa Ana Naval Air Station. At first 6, then 12 blimps operated out of the station. The large, all-wood hangers were built to house the blimps and at the time of their construction were and still are the world's largest clear span wooden buildings. The hangars are each more than 1,000 feet long & 300 feet wide.”

Gamble House

Its no huge secret that I am an architecture geek. A little while ago I got to visit the Gamble House in Pasadena - designed by the famous Charles and Henry Greene. I went at night of course to photograph the exterior. Now I have to go back for a tour of the inside during the day. Not only is this beautiful home a part of the American Arts and Crafts movement, but its also the home in a very famous film... can anyone take the time to guess? No cheating! Post your guesses.

Singapore Night - B sides

Got a request to post some night city photography this week. I immediately thought of putting up a few shots I took this past January in Singapore as a few days ago I ran into some good friends I made there who are in LA for internships. More night city stuff to come!

Utah Winter Mountains at Night

Was there any doubt that my second favorite (in the nostalgia sense) place to shoot in Utah is a little snow covered field overlooking the mountains north of Provo. I can't recall ever having explored there during the day. But I have been there countless times at night. Normally by myself, but on occasion with a close friend or two. So many peaceful nights up there. A few years ago my brother bought me a Mountain Hardware down coat. Its bomber to say the least and it has kept me so warm on the often 5 hour long excursions to take photos. So partial thanks for any snow winter images goes to Mr. Mohawk Myke. Thanks for visiting. Check back for tomorrow's post. I promise some awesomeness.

a few more from Singapore

Some more random night shots... the first is a slightly abstract one of the water in the harbor, the second a backstreet in Chinatown and the last was near the business district.

Vertical is the new horizontal

I suspect that what few people we did run into during our night photography adventures in Singapore already thought we were crazy before I started taking pictures of the underside of a freeway. Sacrifice sanity for art is my motto! I always find it very fascinating that every location I shoot begs to either be almost completely composed horizontally or vertically. I have wondered if it depends on my mood that day or the subject matter. Singapore however is without a doubt, a vertical city. The looming architecture, beautiful trees and always changing sky make vertical shooting seem almost mandatory in every set up. See what I mean!?

Singapore Chinatown at Night

During the last night in Singapore my friend Chris and I explored the back streets of Chinatown. It was interesting to see the side of the city that so few tourists see, yet walk by every day. We expected to find it completely deserted. The more we wandered we realized there were actually tons of things going on. Restaurants open all night, people stumbling to or from a bar, and workers restocking hundreds of shops. We stayed out shooting till 5am. The best way to discover a city is by seeing it at night! I will be posting lots more all month from the trip!

Meteor Shower in the Fog

Hit up Laguna (top of the world) for this view. Its quite difficult trying to nail the right moment to capture a shooting star. Lots of luck. This would be one of my favorites from the night. The fog was rolling in and we saw quite the etherial show.

Long Beach - Los Alamitos Night Photography

The night started off with a random drive, not quite sure where we were headed. We found ourselves at the docks in Long Beach. Peaceful and calm... except for feeling paranoid of having the tripod fall into the water off the narrow dock... or my backpack smelling like barnacles... It was a unique challenge trying to avoid rocking the dock and making waves.    

Little Carona Night Photography

There are many advantages to shooting the beach at night...no people in your shots...experimenting with the moving water...and no coyotes! This was shot a bit after 2am, the tide was coming back in from its lowest point. Once again my friend Mike came along as an awesome guide to the area and help with any "light painting" that was needed.  I will post more of the images from the night soon!

Joshua Tree Night Photography

This last weekend my friend Mike and I took a random trip in the middle of the night to Joshua Tree National Park. It was my first time there and his first time doing night photography. After the 2 and a half hour drive, seeing the landscape and amazing stars, I knew it was worth the drive. It is possibly my new fav place to do night shots. We also were surrounded by coyotes... 4 or 5... really close...Mike asked in a panic if he could run to the car...I appreciated that he didn't just up and leave me without asking...such a gentleman. But we were brave enough to keep shooting through the night...just in a place down the road a bit.

Chasing Light...

Over the last 24 hours I have spent the majority of time outside in nature. I suspect I am subconsciously soaking it up, anticipating the concrete heat from the city to shock my system. Perhaps thats why urbanites flee to the beach, crowding the sand for a chance to be close to the earth. Photography is light, and photographers have been famously referred to as chasers of light. What else could keep me out until 3am this morn and have me back on the road for the sunrise at 5am? There is a sense of anticipation that comes with the hunt. And I feel like I have been chasing light all my life. But today was odd, I remembered that sometimes you can't control everything. There were clouds, rain, hail, wind, harsh sun and many obstacles bringing frustration. But sometimes when you have gone as far as you can go on your own, the clouds part and the rising moon gently illuminates the scene before you. Last night, the photo above brought back thoughts of all the happy accidents, tender mercies, and moments when the light just comes to you. Thank you if you have ever brought light into my life with your presence.

Catharsis and Introspection Through Photoshop

I took these two photos at very different times in my life this summer. It occurred to me that I approached the same subject differently in very subtle ways... What does it mean? Perhaps it reflects my state of mind? Represents the start and end of a journey? A new outlook on life?And if so, have the trees been placed on the wrong sides? What could it be? perhaps...just maybe...the light was different...you decide.