Memorial Day Weekend

Intensity
Originally uploaded by Joits.

What was my plans for this long weekend? Take pictures. Went to the Zoo and MoCA on Saturday with Hannah and Rhoda. Even though we got their a bit later than I preferred... I still had fun. And I gotta say... Hannah is intensely fun. Where I'm usually impatient with most children... it's different with Hannah. She's a cool kid. MoCA as predicted was a confusing but interesting experience. I don't get art, never have and still don't. But... it was still an interesting experience. Bonus was that I also got to take pictures around downtown LA.

Sunday... the highlight of the weekend. A visit to the birthplace of LA... Olvera Street. How I missed this place for so long, I don't know. I had a lot of fun. Music, people, food, drink, trinkets, little markets... so many things to see, do and experience. Met a cool couple, Raul and Laura. Got to talking... mostly because they saw my camera. Got some great tips from them... and the waiter, both of whom thought I was a photographer. Haha... its funny, to see people's reactions to my D70. I loved the dance by the Aztec Indian performers... that was THE highlight of the weekend. My favorite photo of the day was this fellow here, he was so intense and so into the dance. Their costumes were awesome... but it was their passion for the dance that made it special.

Memorial Day... almost didn't go out. Before, I would have just stayed in... but with photography in my blood... I just had to get out. And get out I did, a brief stop at English Springs Park in Chino Hills was first. I was a bit disappointed, it looked kind of run down compared to the last time i was there. Still, got a couple of decent shots I guess. Headed over to Santa Monica pier, partly because I was gonna pick up Dave. I thought I didn't get anything, but a few shots actually turned out to be pretty good judging by the Flickr response. Day ended on a bit of a sour note when Dave said he had a ride... WTF? Why send me a text that you might need a ride and then not tell me you have one already? That was a bit messed up. Whatever.

My pics on Explore

My pics on Explore
Originally uploaded by Joits.

I was pretty shocked to see this. 8 pics on Explore! I know it's not really as special as it's cut out to be... but still... 8 pics on Explore. And the Abstract randomness pic is the #3 pic on the list which is even more amazing. So... thank you weird Flickr algorithm.

Explore Pages

Colorful bird thingy
Originally uploaded by Joits.

I've had pics on the explore pages... but I've never stumbled across one of my own pics before. I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this one when I was browsing through the most "interesting" pics in the last 7 days. I know it's not based on any technical or artist merit really... but it's still nice to know that it's there and that it gives me a wider audience to come and view my pics.

LA/OC Flickr Meetup

Jelly Fish... thingy
Originally uploaded by Joits.

Went to my first Flickr Meetup at the Long Beach Aquarium and I gotta say it was quite fun. It was cool meeting people really into photography and it was fascinating to hear them talk "shop". I did learn a few things which was something I wanted to do when attending a meetup. And of course it was fun meeting new people.

As far as picture taking, it was quite limited because of the lighting conditions at the aquarium. I took close to 200 pics... but I only uploaded 20 or so... but I guess that's how things work. I didn't really coome away with that "one" pic... the one you can really be proud of. I've usually had at least one of those everytime I've gone somewhere to shoot... but I guess that happens sometimes and its something I have to get used to.

I think I might need to start shooting in RAW format. I've just heard too many good things about it to keep shooting in jpeg. I'd need a new memory card though. Finally saw a lensbaby... weird little sucker.

I'm looking forward to the next meetup, hopefully the lighting will be better or I'll at least have my SB-600 flash and a 50 mm f1.8 lens by then.

Bracelet Buddies!

Bracelet Buddies!
Originally uploaded by Joits.

Rhoda's got a very cool daughter. I say this because me and kids do not get along well with each other. At first I thought that's what was going to happen here... especially since when we first saw Hannah... she refused to look at me. Then when we ate lunch at New Town Buffet... she started playing around with us and laughing and talking to us. Next thing you know... we're bracelet buddies! She's so cute and so full of energy. I had so much fun during Rhoda's graduation dinner, not because of the all you can eat food, but because of the company... especially Hannah. We ended up buying some cheap trinkets from some vending machine... but they turned out to have more sentimental value... me and Hannah got a ring and a bracelet. haha... I even let her take a couple of shots with my camera and a few turned out to be quite good, espeially the one of her mom. Rhoda is a very cool person... and her daughter takes after her as well.

Abstract...

Top of My Heart
Originally uploaded by amyallcock.

Before flickr... I wouldn't have seen the simplicity, the minimalism... the beauty of abstract shots. Flickr has opened my eyes to so many things... and abstract pics was a beautiful discovery for me. I've taken a few pics... some of which have actually made me proud. I know I still have a lot to learn... but again... the journey makes me feel so enriched.

For Love of the Music

For Love of the Music
Originally uploaded by Joits.

I'm surprised the kind of pics that can transpire when you shoot randomly. Just a relaxing day at the park with Gait, Rhoda and my sis. Rhoda picked up her guitar and started playing and singing. I took a few shots... made this one black and white and all of a sudden... it turned out to be this amazing portrait shot. I love how Rhoda's face conveys the emotions she feels when playing the guitar. As mentioned on the caption for the picture... Rhoda is a great subject for portrait photography. Understandably she's not so comfortable posing for portrait shots... not many people are. But when I do get a chance to take her pic... beautiful things can and have happened.