Website: The latest

Almost ready to launch the site! It should be live early next week. I am beside myself with excitement. As promised, here is one of my favorite images EVER. My cousin at 16. A scan of the original (hand printed) portrait. I think I used TMAX400. That's what I always shot with back then because I use to buy it in bulk and roll it up myself. Boy we've come a long way with photography. I used to like that film because it gave photos a nice grain.

New blog look

Just what I needed to spend my time on, huh? But it was fun making the blog banner, the mechanics of which eluded me until now. But I didn't love the default background so here is a whole new makeover for the blog. Hope you guys like it! Here is a photo of one of my favorite subjects: My cousin John. I have been shooting photos of him since he was 16. That's almost 15 years! In fact, one of the photos I took of him at 16 is my favorite photo ever. Guess I'll have to bring it down off my wall, take it out of the frame, scan it and post it, huh? Ok, look for it later this week. Anyway, this one was taken at the Rhododendron Gardens. Look at those eyes!

Revisiting Film

I got an email from a friend this week whom I admire as an incredibly talented photographer/artist. He said something that really resonated with me. I quote "I wouldn't appreciate it [digital] nearly as much if I hadn't stuggled with the trial & error of film. I'm glad I have that foundation though because it applies to everything. I know you can relate. Also, Photoshop wouldn't have made as much sense to me had I not toiled over those stinky fluids under red light in a darkroom." This is so true! Photoshop is just a virtual darkroom. Those of you who use it regularly know this. But it really does make sense to me only in the context of the thousands of hours I spent in a "real" darkroom. Here is a photo that I scanned from my early photography days. I took this of my best friend when she was a senior in high school (1993). (I shot this with TMAX 400 and hand printed it using Ilford Pearl finish paper and a number 4 contrast filter-info only my photography buddies will relate to). I used photoshop only to remove some scratches and add my watermark. Other than that, it is exactly as shot. I miss--and don't miss-those old darkroom days.

Weekend update

It was over too quickly. My mom and dad were here and although we didn't go anywhere, it felt like a (much needed) vacation. I took a bunch of photos of my parents and Kian and of my handsome cousin John at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. What a place! It was the perfect time as the rhodies are all blooming right now. Kian threw rocks into the lake and was fascinated with the ducks. I will post a few from the day when I get them downloaded. For now, here is a very recent one of Kian. Growing fast!

A post for Miss "M"

Ok gorgeous Miss "M": You get your own post. This little cutie (big sis) was great in front of the camera. She had this wonderful intense look and was not at all shy of the lens. Her little sister, on the other hand, made me chase her. So Miss "M", here are some of my favorites of you.
Isn't she gorgeous? So graceful for her age.

Quickies

A quickie, quickie post. Hopefully I'll be able to upload some photos now. These are a couple of those cute little girls I had the chance to photograph this week. There are too many good ones to choose from but these ones just happen to be ready to post. More later when I get a little spare time. It has been crazy with the website and so many photos to proof. But it's all part of the learning experience. Can't wait till my site is finished. Have a great weekend. I turn 33 tomorrow. Unbelievable!

I've been trying to post photos since yesterday but blogger's photo upload isn't working. Very lame. I'll try again later. Sorry.