Oak Glen Road

I orginally went up to Oak Glen to do a photo shoot with some fellow photographers. But as I couldn't find them, and didn't have cell service up there. I ended up just shooting on my own. I had just gotten Nikon's 10.5mm DX fisheye lens which I am renting for the week. It was a lot of fun experimenting with that lens. Being able to see so much is something that I just love. Whenever I have the money, I am definitely going to have to buy an ultra wide angle lens.

While I do not have the pictures I intended to bring back. No people. No apples. I had fun, and saw life through a new perspective. Cheers to fall colors and sunsets.

Tim (graphic artist by day, cartoonist by night)

I am starting to develop my photography beyond just taking pictures. Part of that included creating a watermark that would start developing my branding. My good friend Tim is a graphic artist so I asked for his help in drawing up my logo.

I gave him a couple of ideas, lots of creative space, and he took and ran with it. He gave me three rough outlines from which I picked one. Then I specified exactly what I wanted. I like the end result, but feel that it has room to grow. There are just too many options and ways to do things.

A big thank you to Tim for drawing up my logo. I love it!


As always, (l)ive (Y)our (l)ife!

Apple Dumplings!

Fall is here! Well it was here last week anyways. Today feels like it belongs to summer but got lost somehow and ended up being today. That being said, it was the perfect time to make some apple dumplings. Many years ago after watching Disney's Apple Dumpling Gang I was inspired to make some as they looked so good. Now that I have had time to tweak and taste. I can tell you they taste best with a little vanilla ice cream on top. Here you can see the process of making them.




Peel those apples!




Kneading the dough.




Make sure you put plenty of sugar and spice in those apples!

Lesly

Lesly is getting married in less than a month. She had originally wanted to do a bridal party shoot, but as that didn't work. We just went ahead and did a shoot with her and her sister. She has a heart for God and for His creation. It was a treat to get to photograph her.
Of all the ones I took, this is definitely my favorite. It just captures who she is. I had originally not wanted to shoot in this location as it was in the direct sunlight and I didn't think the colors went well. But I am so glad, I went ahead and took a couple of shots. A diffuser worked wonders on the lighting, and you just can't beat a 50mm lens.

Ask and you shall recieve

I am on my way to a photography workshop in Colorado Springs. It has been an amazing drive. I have seen the sunset over Bryce cannon, watched the sunrise in Capitol Reef, and driven Hwy 12 by starlight. And yet I have not seen a single cloud till now, when I have less than an hour more to drive. Yesterday I asked God if he could send some clouds my way. He did, the sky in greater Denver area looks amazing. There are these thin wispy clouds that just make you want to grab a camera. I did of course, and had a fun break from driving. Below is my favorite, the one I didn't even mean to take. It embodies my journey to greater learning. Keep shooting and lyl!

Stages to a photographer

I thought this was a really fun and decently accurate chart showing the stages a photographer goes through. I think I would put myself at the "first tripod" mark, as I have recently realized the benefits to using a tripod. And started to use it as much as I can. It can be a bit of pain to lug a tripod around at times but the ends do justify the means in this case.


I found the graph here: http://kottke.org/10/04/stages-of-a-photographer

Tioga Hwy: entrance to Middle Earth

As you head down Tioga Hwy towards Yosemite Valley you pass by some beautiful country. In fact it's the only pass through the Sierras, so its a one of a kind drive. You basically has drive-thru access to the Sierra high country. The road is a bit trippy at times as it is a two lane asphalt road without guardrails except for the one you see below.



I understand the need for conversation and taking care of the earth, but I would think that they ought to improve on this road. Its an accident just waiting to happen. As you drive you the first thing that really grabs you attention is Lambert Dome.



A hunk of granite rising from the floor of Tuolumne meadows,its hard to miss. Especially as it is contrasted with the lush green meadows that for over half the year are covered with snow.



Somewhere between there and the valley floor is a turnoff for May Lake. Don't miss it. Its a mile hike to the lake which serves a base for all sorts of destinations. The path goes uphill, but don't give up hope around the corner is some of the prettiest country California has to offer.








If you visit Yosemite make sure to visit, its well worth the time!