Day 92 Auntie and Niece

The Stanislaus County Fair started tonight so for the next ten days I will be photographing there. Will still have to figure out how to get a picture for myself. Tonight I was sitting outside the Arch Gates waiting for the first shuttle to arrive so I could take exciting pictures of it's maiden voyage when I spotted two girls waiting to enter the fair. They seemed excited as they kept asking questions of their adult companion. I asked them if I could take their picture and the mom, sister said yes. She told me their names were Auntie and Niece. Yes the older girl is the aunt and the younger girl is the niece.

Admission of truth. I cloned something out. Yes I did. I couldn't help it, it was bothering me and I didn't notice it when taking the picture. But the street lamp was at the very top of the picture almost directly above the girls heads. This picture surly isn't winning any awards so I could have left it, but like I said, it was bugging me. This is the first picture I have cloned something out.

Day 91 Betty and Boot

One nice thing about my walks through the neighborhood is that I get to meet the people who live around me. Today Tyler got to meet two new dogs. Betty a young nine month old pup and Boot her home companion and champion. Betty kept running and jumping towards Tyler in her young submissive way, and Tyler surprised me by acting as if he weren't neutered. Boot on occasion felt like protecting the fair Betty's reputation. All in all, the three of them had fun and were able to play for a short while.

Day 90 Golden Flower Showers #2

I'm still trying for that golden flower with golden water showers. Tonight is my second post with my golden attempt at a picture. It didn't turn out the way I imagined, but I do enjoy the results and that leaves me open for another try at a later time.

Day 89 Spoons

I've been thinking that I need to photograph more the things I hope to do a series on. And as it happened while washing the dishes this morning I was admiring the light on the silverware. So of course I broke out the macro lens and began experimenting with the light, water and spoons. One thing this blog has been teaching me as I look at some of the pictures I've chosen to post, is that I enjoy dark shadows and often times pass over a better picture to pick one with shadows. Maybe it isn't the shadows so much as the little bits of light that shine through seem to have a stronger influence. In any case, I love the darkness in this picture. It gives the shapes of the spoons some mystery. Or is it the small amount of light that was allowed to trickle in over a short period of time?

Day 88 Arnold

As anyone with horses knows Farriers are notoriously fickle. I think it's the nature of the job. You have to be independent, mobile and you also have to deal with misbehaving horses. Not an easy job. Arnold does a lot of the horses where I board and he is reliably there Tuesday mornings. However, he trimmed the feet of three of my horses tonight as he will be having surgery tomorrow morning. Good Luck tomorrow Arnold.

Day 87 Skateboarder

While on a walk with one of my old dogs Seven, I spotted a few boys playing around on their skateboards. I asked them If I could get a picture of them skating so they obliged by skating and jumping right in one little spot of light. I'm not sure how much I like this picture but I have to say it does remind me of suburbia.

Which is a nice sight considering how many houses around here are vacant. Last night a house burned down because homeless squatters started a fire. Two nights previous we were awakened by police lights searching the alley way for someone who I thought they'd never catch, until I heard them shouting "GET DOWN, HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK". They got their man in the backyard three houses down from us. Scary times all these empty houses. I started a black and white picture essay on the subject in March. I'm thinking I need to go back and continue working on it.

Day 86 Pam

It's been awhile since I've gone out looking for a picture so no matter what I was determined to do that tonight. I left knowing my batteries were getting low, but was going to do what I could with what I had. I drove to Ninth Street and Pam crossed the street to ask me for a cigarette. I don't smoke but I asked her if she was working and she said "yes". I asked her if she would model for me if I payed her, she was very happy to do so. We walked a bit looking for a place to take pictures, she wanted to walk to another street but I didn't like the street lamp, I thought it would make the picture to hard to take with an open shutter and multiple flashes. We settled on a place in between which had multiple shopping carts so she could sit down. I struggled with the flash, and only took a few frames. I'm not sure how I feel about this picture.

Day 85 Ticks

Yesterday while playing with the dogs we noticed what we thought was a tick on Tyler, so today I gave him a flea and tick bath. I expected to find one maybe two ticks, but was shocked to find many more. He is the one dog we have with pretty short hair and it's light as well. He always has that clean look about him. We dutifully picked off the ticks and put them in a water bottle filled with alcohol. While my husband went to the pet store to buy some Advantage, I picked up the bottle and was struck by the beauty of the light going through it. So of course I ran inside to get my macro lens. I don't understand why there were so many, but hopefully Advantage will take care of them. And after a nice game of fetch with his favorite toy, I think he forgot all about that terrible bath.

Day 84 Steven Swimming in July

July 23 and in keeping with my goal to photograph Steven swimming at least once a month it was about time to take my new picture. Last month's picture of Steven swimming turned out to be a picture I really love. So it was a little intimidating going back and trying again for another one. Never the less I had to go back, it's not like David Hockney said "hey I have one picture of a man swimming with water ripples I really like, so I can't do another" no, he did many. Whatever the results it had to be done. I ended up with twelve I liked and managed to narrow the group down to four. You get to a certain point and editing becomes personal preference. I chose this one because there are parts of it that look like a painter took his brush and threw paint at the canvas.

Day 83 Oh No another self portrait

I actually have a photography job this evening, so I went out back to play with my new toy and hopefully come up with a quick and easy picture. I am so happy with the results. A more complicated and interesting self portrait is my result. I LOVE Water. It's so fluid.

Day 82 Freddy

In October of 1998 I started work at the Turlock Journal. Being an animal lover it wasn't an easy job going to photograph the pet of the week, looking into all those hopeful eyes begging for attention and a chance at life. Yes they do know where they are. In May of 1999 Animal Control had about twenty puppies from at least five different litters. You name it they had it. There were two thick furred but not long hair gorgeous type puppies there. A black one and a red one. The black one was a female and much furrier. The red one was somewhere between scruffy and scruffy. Unlike the other puppies he didn't come running, except the day he was getting out. He seemed to know he was being set free, still he stayed at the farthest end of the leash. We named the little puppy Freddie because he was red, Red Fred.

Since moving into this house I've wanted to take a picture of our dogs in front of this beaten down garage door. I love the deep turquoise color and the general rustic feel of the peeling paint. This is my second attempt since starting this blog and it won't be the last. I plan on taking all kinds of dog pictures with the studio light.

Day 81 Cigarette Pack Art

For weeks now I have been trying to photograph cigarette packs on top of the fence in this picture. It's a difficult thing to capture all those cigarette packages stretched out along the fence top. The cigarette packages go on for quite some time and to capture the length of them all makes the beauty of them disappear. I've known because of the miniscule size of the packs compared to the length that I would need a human in my picture. Some days I would sit by the fence waiting for the right person to come along and help me with my picture. It never materialized. But tonight I asked this woman who had seen me out there before, if she'd let me get a picture of her near the packs. She consented but seemed to have a lot of frowns on her countenance. This made me feel uncomfortable so I told her thats o.k. I'll get someone else. She said briskly "I'm not tripping take your picture" So I took a few pictures of her. She then asked me if I got it and I told her yes. This isn't the glamour picture of cigarette packages on a fence I was going for, but it's the truth.

Day 80 Self Portrait 2

Since starting this blog I've wanted to do a self portrait. I did one on Day 55, a mediocre portrait because I didn't have a better picture to post. Since then I have tried at times to do a better job. I think I accomplished that today. I found a large item in my garage and am going to be playing with it a LOT! Oh no this time I'm not telling how I took the picture. This could be the start of something fun. I will say this is an actual picture. No photoshop involved. All I ever do in photoshop is sharpen a tiny bit, fix levels or curves IF need be, and that's it.

Day 79 Covey Under a Blue Sky

My old blind horse under a blue sky. He's also featured on Day 72 in black and white. I'm hoping to eventually have many pictures of my old appaloosa. As mentioned in Day 72, he was thrown away by someone else, so tonight he is my work of art. A sweet old man.

Day 78 Running Boy in the Shadows

With no picture so far in the day I took my dog for a walk. I passed by a fence I enjoy passing by, because it always glows when the sun is hitting it. This creates beautiful shadows which are always fun to photograph. A few kids were playing and seemed to like my dog Tyler, so I let them pet him. As I passed the fence I turned around to untangle Tyler's leash and instinctively took a picture of a boy running. I didn't think anything of it and continued on my walk. A block away I looked to see my shadow pictures and was surprised to find this picture. I thought it might be a good one for today, so I walked back to where the kids were as a few adults were there also. I asked them if they knew the parent of the boy in my picture. His mom happened to be there and said I could use the picture for my blog. It's not as strong a picture as it seemed to me on the camera back, but I do like it. I caught the boy when both his feet were in the air. I would have liked the shadow to be further back in the picture but at the same time I like the shadows across his face. I also wish he were in better focus, but it is passable.

In taking a second look at the picture I really don't mind the softness of the focus on the boy. I also noticed the little dog who lives behind the fence running along with the boy. It's hard to see, you might have to click on the photo to enlarge it but the little dogie is there.

Day 77 Forks Under Water

I photographed silverware under running water earlier on this blog. Then deleted it for a better picture. But I kept that image in my mind, thinking it would be fun to do a series of silverware under water. So today I start my series with a couple of forks. I had one with a knife that was kind of funny. But I like the dark shadows of the forks in this picture. There is an artist, whose name I can't remember, she photographed forks in all kinds of places. Great work.

Day 76 Those crazy nails

I accompanied my sister and a few nieces to an estate sale in the beautiful San Fernando Valley while in the LA area last week. The woman hosting the sale came out of one of the back rooms and picked up her Pekeniese dog. She held him close and told me to listen to him snort. Smiling she said "He always snorts and when he sleeps he snores". She looked a little eccentric in her flowing flowered print dress. I thought "where's my camera" oh well, I was in a private home anyway. The items on sale were very old and very worn. Not antiques, just old worn out stuff. She had a story for every item, even her jar of nails. I had the feeling she was loosing her home, She moved there many years ago to care for her father. She also mentioned losing an envelope in her purse containing $2,200. A friend of my sister, who also went to the sale, asked about a painting. The woman replied, "it was painted by a very famous painter in Santa Barbara". My sister's friend asked "where's the signature?" The woman answered "I cut it off to put it in the round frame". And so went our time at the estate sale.

On the drive home my sister mentioned how we are so close to becoming just like her. Our family so artistic, so different, so on the edge at times, whether financially or emotionally. My sister immediately said "Oh my gosh! I have a jar of nails at home. I'm throwing them out." I started thinking about what she said, and I've lived so close to the edge most my life, I don't think I could function in what others constitute a normal state of being. I guess I have to embrace my jar of nails. Without my craziness how could I have survived? I knew then I would photograph a jar of nails. And just like my life, my jar of nails had all kinds of cat hair, dust, and screws mixed in.

Day 75 Brandon and Sabrina

While walking along Ninth Street two people passed me by. I snuck a few pictures from the side and after looking at the results I thought they'd make a nice picture. The girl had a lot of freckles, and the guy seemed to look a little like her. They had moved on down the road and even though she was on a bike they were traveling slowly so he could keep up. It took me a while to catch up as I didn't feel like running. They stopped and I asked if I could take a picture of them. They said sure but they were on their way home. I thought they might be brother and sister but they said they were only friends. After taking a few pictures he called his dad. He told his dad he would be late so he could walk a friend home, because some girls had threatened to jump her. After the phone call I asked them if they wanted to see the picture, she said no and he said yes. He seemed to like it.

Day 74 Davonna

With nothing to show for a day of several photography attempts, I went for a late walk. Just down to the corner when I began flashing a stop sign with an open shutter. A girl got out of a car that pulled up to the curb. I immediately asked her if she would pose for a picture. She seemed surprised like it was a funny request but said o.k. She stood underneath the stop sign for two frames when another girl showed up. The two of them began talking when another girl showed up. As the three of them were talking a guy crossed the street towards us. Seeing me taking pictures of them, he stood pretending to be on his phone so I could take his picture. They all walked away one by one. I'm most happy with Davonna's first picture.

Day 73 Ninth Street mail boxes

With a few more black and white images scanned I could post one of them. But I am back in town so time to get back into the rhythm of shooting something every day. I'm starting to enjoy the challenge of photographing Ninth Street. No one wants me there. But I go, hoping that on a few occasions I might get lucky. Tonight the sky was wonderfully blue and the air was fresh. Few people could be seen as I think it might have been a little early. I was content to walk the street photographing the buildings, the mail boxes, and the cracks in the pavement.

Day 72 Covey

Covey is an old appaloosa we rescued from a Washington feed lot. A feedlot is a place where horses are stored until they are shipped off to slaughter. There are a lot of different ideas about slaughter and whether it is right or wrong. I believe if you domesticate an animal you have an obligation to care for it. Horses serve us and in doing so are given to trust us. I believe slaughter is a betrayal of that trust. The solution would be simple, stop being selfish and greedy, and stop breeding horses. It does sound simple doesn't it? Only problem is people are selfish, greedy and irresponsible. After a lifetime of service someone threw Covey in the trash. They sent him to a brutal and scary death. With the help of others I rescued him, and he is my work of art. Isn't that how life is? One persons trash is another's work of art.

Day 71 Charlie

I was walking my new dog sometime in April when I happened uopn a house that seemed to have plenty of activity going on. I stopped to talk to Charlie, who really liked my new dog. I loved the light on the house as the sun was slowly setting so I asked if I couild take a picture of him. At that point all the other people scattered saying don't get me in the picture. He said "yes go ahead, I'm not wanted by the FBI". I replied "even if you were they'd have to find out I took your picture". He stood in front of his house as I took about four frames. I've gone by that house many times since then while out on my walks, but havn't seen Charlie or anyone else hanging around.

Day 70 Ninth Street car

Here's the thing about photography.... as a photographer, you have to follow your heart and photograph the things that move you, The subject matter that moves you might leave others cold. It's just the way it is in all art and in life actually. Here's a picture I absolutely LOVE, but feel it might not have any appeal to others. Because I love it, it goes up on my blog during this black and white while I'm out of town period. This is Ninth Street sometime in March. I love the look and feel of the area and this image particularly makes me feel as if I've gone back in time. I love the trees in the reflection, the light on the side of the building and the sky. This is a picture I'm proud of. There were only two black and white images I was looking forward to seeing, but am being pleasantly surprised with a few extra.

Day 69 Bronson, after Charles Bronson

About four years ago a bedraggled horse for sale showed up where I was taking pictures. He had that woe is me and I just don't care anymore, look to him. So I bought him. He's changed a lot in four years and is as handsome as his name sake. Bronson feeling good on a cold day in March, sweetest horse ever.

Day 68 Ninth Street Recycling Guy on Bike

I was hanging around Ninth Street on a misty morning after a good night's rain in April, when I saw this guy on a bike whizzing past me. I knew his reflection would make for a great picture, so I ran as fast as I could to photograph him. He turned left in front of me and into the recycling place as I managed to shoot two frames. Out of breath I thought I possibly was to late, but that the image might work with him to the left of the frame. Not only do I not mind it, I kinda like it. Although I wonder if I was a faster runner, how the picture would look.

Day 67 Old House on the Corner

Out of town this week processing black and white film. I have about 40 rolls and am actively looking forward to only two images. I managed to process 12 rolls today and am posting a picture of a house near mine. I always love the look of houses over run with vegetation, especially when the house is photographed with black and white film. All the black and White images I'll be posting this week were shot in March and April. It's an exception to the daily photo rule I knew I was going to make. After all the idea behind this blog is to keep me working with photography and that's what this week is about, working with photography, but with black and white film.

Day 66 Tina

Last summer I visited the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and they had this awesome display of photographs taken by Philip-Lorca diCorcia. He is known for several different series of photographic work. My favorite are scenes of prostitutes where he states in the title how much they were paid to model and other details for instance, Brent Booth, 21 years old, Des Moines, Iowa $30 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip-Lorca_diCorcia

I've wanted to do something similar with the professional girls on Ninth street but in my own way. I wasn't exactly sure what that was until I photographed Tyler for Day 57.

So I drove to Ninth street. I walked about a block when I approached Tina. I asked her if she would model for me and before she could say no I said I'd pay her $20. She walked with me a short distance so I could take her picture. I was pretty nervous as my camera wasn't cooperating. I also thought she might be in a hurry. She told me don't be nervous, so I relaxed a bit. She asked if I picked her because of her ears hat, I kinda laughed. I took about eight frames using the flash twice for each with an open shutter. I showed her the pictures as we progressed and gave her my blog address. If she sees this picture I hope she likes it. I love it!

Day 65 Wet finger

I was perusing some of the photography blogs I follow, when I came across this image, "Tactile" http://catchycolors.blogspot.com/ I thought I can do that. Out back I went to turn on the hose. A little kids finger next to water is quite striking, but I only had myself to play with. I shot my fingers through the water in many different ways. What is it about water I love so much? Maybe it's the constant change, the fluidity, the sensuality of it all. I always like to pick images that remind me of other things. This image does that, it reminds me of something else. Oh but you can figure that out on your own.

Day 64 Wet Autumn Flowers

Since Day 17 Wet Rose I have wanted to again hose something down. But a tiny pink rose against a blue sky was pretty pretty. Last night I had a dream. I dreamt that if the sun was setting and I photographed water as the sun was touching it the water would be golden. So in my dream I also thought wouldn't it be nice to photograph golden water on golden flowers? So I went into Michaels today to buy some plastic flowers. Only they didn't have any golden ones. I chose these Autumn looking ones with the different shades of red and auburn. I hosed water into them and the results were really fun. So many images I love. Usually I pick the simple picture, so today I picked one with water everywhere. The left looks a little like a water color painting and there is enough red balanced through out the picture to keep the entire frame interesting. Not what I dreamt about at all, but bright and fun.

Day 63 Golden Mask

I thought it was about time I photograph something else on black. My son who always comments requested something that wasn't food. Feeling a bit like gold I photographed the mask I bought in San Francisco. I tried to put it at an angle so that all the gold sequins would shine, not as easy as it would seem. Never-the-less I did get an image with lots of sparkles. However, I picked a different frame for display. I love this mask, can't wait to do more with it.

Day 62 Ninth Street Kitten

Three feral kittens were hiding in between this building and the chain link fence on Ninth Street. One boldly came out before I got to close and ran away down the other side. I crept slowly while softly saying "kitty kitty" and reached my camera out in front of me. A somewhat scary situation for a feral kitten I'm sure. A stripped kitten scampered off. This little grey stood it's ground as the camera crept closer and closer. I kept hoping I could get a shot before fear over took this little one as well. With a wide angle lens I am actually pretty close. This is the last frame I was able to get before the grey sprinted away.