People Of Venice Beach

Yesterday I took a stroll on the Venice Beach boardwalk with several other people doing the same.  I wanted to take some photographs of the locals in the area and practice approaching strangers with a smile and asking permission to take their photograph as well as having them sign a release to use the photograph.

I find it easy to hide behind the lens and be a watcher of sorts to the surroundings around me.
I find it more interesting to capture people in a relaxed state doing what comes nature to them.  Approaching strangers to pose can be a little daunting.  However, I approach it as challenging and fun.  You never know what will happen when you start a conversation, since the moment might disappear once they are fully aware that I am taking their photograph.  I am really low key in general and I hope that lends to a relaxed model.

I strolled the strip and when I saw someone I thought looked interesting, I approached them and started a conversation.  Some wanted money, some didn't care, I was rejected once and overall it was a great learning experience.  I look forward to doing this more on the road and I have a few personal projects that I look forward to sharing with you.  Here are some of my favorite models of the day living their life and crossing my path in Venice beach.  To see more portraits, click HERE.

The Magic Camera Phone

I love gadgets.  Recently, I purchased the iphone (I know, a little late in the game) and love all of the apps that you can download right from your phone.  I had a scratched up Palm Treo for about 5 years and have been using it even when I need duct tape to keep it together and need to use the period key to put spaces between words since I had a broken space bar.  I have been putting off buying a phone where you are forced to use a data plan since I think that being away from the computer should be just that...being away from the computer.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted an iphone is for the "Roadside America" app.  I know it's silly to buy a phone just for the app, but how am I going to know when I will stumble upon the largest ball of twine if it's not listed on a map!  I look forward to exploring the odd, largest, smallest and one of a kind roadside attractions on this trip.  Once I plugged it in on my phone, I found out that the world's skinniest house was located within driving distance from me!  How amazing is that?!  Just what I was looking for!

Mostly, I didn't want to experience the time I got lost in South Dakota and drove around for hours only to camp in a place in that was going to be the center of a severe thunderstorm.  That was an adventure.

Also, you can download a fun app that takes photographs from your phone in old hipstamatic style, such as the two on this blog that I took.  It might be old news to you, but it's a pretty amazing little computer...this iphone.  I am not sold on the coverage and service so I will also have a pay as you go phone from Verizon just in case I need to call for help while a bear is knocking on my tent door.

I wonder if there's an app for that?

"Hello, Can I Take Your Picture?"

It's been a while since I went out and spent the day taking pictures.  I thought it was about time to go out and see what I could find.  Today, I went to Huntington Beach and to do my usual snapping away at things that looked interesting, but this time I was going to get out of my comfort zone of hiding behind the camera and actually walk up and talk to people. I know, scary...right?

It's not that I don't mind talking to people, it's just that you never know what you are going to get when you approach someone who is enjoying the day and who really didn't count on some woman coming up and asking to take their picture while they relax on the beach.  I was completely surprised that every person I asked said yes.  When you think about it, being at the beach in a swimsuit is one of the most vulnerable places to be for many people.  I prepared myself for the, "get out of here lady!" or, "can't you see that I don't want to be bothered!" response.  Perhaps because it was such a beautiful day that people didn't mind the attention.  Whatever the case, it I was appreciative of it.

It really was a beautiful day.  I enjoy taking pictures of everyday people living their life and I certainly came across a mix of personalities.
The way it should be.

Many asked why I wanted to take their photo and I explained to them that I like to take pictures and that I was doing it for practice, which is true.  On my upcoming travels, I look forward to engaging with people more than I have in the past.  I want to learn about their life, hear stories and document the "American life."  The lives that many of us don't read about in the news or watch on television.  I wanted to do that with my American Life Today blog, but this time I will run into people that might not have computers to share their story.

I look forward to sharing more images of, "hello, can I take your picture." Who knows, I might run into you!  In that case, please say yes.

You can see more pictures from my day by clicking HERE.

Does Size Matter? (Canon PowerShot 1200 IS vs. Canon PowerShot s90)

I spent all day yesterday printing a few pictures from my travels. I am not the best at organizing my photos so it took a while to go through and sort out a few that I liked. I still have more to go through, but I chose a few to put up for sale on my Etsy site. You can see the pictures I put up on the right of the blog.

As you might know, I dropped and killed 2 Canon Powershot cameras during my travels. Recently, I purchased a new camera after I received a gift certificate from Amazon.

Buying a new camera is not an easy task since there are so many makes and models to choose from. Then you have to read the reviews and think about what is best for you. I decided to buy a Canon Powershot s90 camera. It's still a point and click and since I prefer the Canon brand, I chose this one. I am pleased so far with the results.

Most of my pictures I've taken on the road are with my Canon Powershot SD 1200 IS. After printing some of the images, it really is a good camera. I didn't have any complaints with it, besides it slipping from my hands a few times(of course that's the Camera's fault). I still have it and will continue to use it. However, I do love shooting with my s90 now.

Last week I went to a free photography group meeting to listen to a professional speak about their business. I thought, "why not? It's free and I will be able to meet like minded people who also share the same passion for photography." The group organizer asked everyone to introduce themselves and say what their first camera was and what their "dream" camera is. I listened as everyone rattled off numbers and names with the crowd smiling and nodding their heads knowing full well the cost, model, and performance of the camera that they were describing. To me, it was just a number. I mean...I know they are beautiful quality cameras but since I don't have a SLR, I couldn't relate.

It came to my turn to talk. I introduced myself...said that I quit my job to travel across the country with my dog in a tent. A lot of people in the group smiled at me with some applause in the room. Then I said I used a point and click and that I didn't really have a "dream" camera since I was pretty happy with what I had. The smiles I had at the beginning turned to confusion and for second, I could hear crickets chirping in the room. It's as if I lost all credibility at that moment. I then stopped talking and looked at the person next to me to continue the introductions (as I sunk lower in my chair). Once again, the camera model numbers came flowing with a collective sigh of relief amongst the group that there were more of "them" in the room.

Don't get me wrong, I would love the opportunity to push a button with a very large and expensive camera, but I don't have one and I think that anyone can take an amazing photo with what they have. After all, it's just a tool to capture what you are looking at in that point in time. However, I am not opposed to owning one in the future if the opportunity presents itself.

I feel that I almost have to apologize for the size of the camera I have. When people see large cameras, I think the automatic assumption is, "wow, they must be an excellent photographer!" When I see those cameras I automatically think that the photos must have amazing clarity but then my mind thinks: "wow, they have to lug that around with them the entire day...I wonder if their shoulder hurts. I wonder if they bang it on walls walking into a room or what would happen if they dropped it." Most likely, that would be my experience.

I was going to do a side by side comparison of my two cameras but I thought I would show you some of the pictures I have taken with each. If you are thinking of purchasing a Canon s90, I found this review helpful...including pictures. CLICK HERE for review.

Here are some pictures I took with both "point and clicks." Which one do you think I took with my less expensive 1200 and which one with my new s90?

Can you tell a difference? The first 5 images (excluding the camera photos) are from my lesser expensive Canon Powershot 1200IS and the last 4 pictures are from the new Canon s90. In my opinion, it's the picture you take that's the best photo. Don't let the equipment intimidate you or discourage you from taking a picture you love. The one you take that you cherish forever is the most important shot, no matter what camera you have.



UPDATE: As of May, I traded my wine collection for a Canon 5D Mark ii.  I am still getting used to it and learning (I consider myself a work in progress), but I have to say that this is a good camera too. :)

You Can Do It Too - Photographs

As I travel, I want to encourage you to take a road trip of your own and I pointed out some ways you can do it too in a previous blog.

As with traveling, you can take some beautiful pictures without spending a fortune. There are several cameras out there that are affordable and you can snap away hundreds of shots without spending any money.

All of my pictures on my blog are taken with a Cannon Powershot SD1200 digital camera. I get a lot of questions on what equipment I use and this is it. Sometimes the information is taken with disbelief that all shots come from this point and shoot, but it's true. I take it as a compliment. I don't use the auto function and it took a while to play around with all of the settings but sometimes I get lucky. I do take a lot of pictures to end up with a few "winners."

Even though all pictures are taken in a compressed jpeg format, they still pop when printed on a quality printer.

As the ad says, "go ahead, have all of the fun you want"...I certainly have. I haven't made the leap to a SLR camera and there are a few reasons for that, beyond the obvious reason of cost. First of all, I think this little camera takes some nice pictures and secondly, I can take it anywhere. I put it in my pocket every time I go out just in case I see something that I need to capture. Lastly, I tend to drop it a lot. It's my third replacement camera. The first one (a lower model) fell to the ground when Max pulled on the leash when I was walking him in Yellowstone. The second one was dropped in the ocean in Cape Cod when I was taking it off of a tripod. Third time's a charm! I've dropped it a few times but it's still holding up...so far.

I'm not an expert, but I do have fun with it. I tend to take a lot of pictures. I can shoot over 200 a day and like only 3 or 4 of them. Of course, I have a problem with the delete button that I need to get over. For some reason, even if I don't like the shot I will keep it. I will work on that. Someday.

Thank you for enjoying my photographs. I enjoy taking them and I love looking at what you take as well. Feel free to share your pictures with me on my facebook page. It's been fun seeing winter where you live. I am suffering in the California sunshine for now. Max and I are leaving soon for another journey. We look forward to sharing it with you.

Long Beach

It was a rainy day in Southern California and that means it's storm watch time!

I decided to head out in the rain and take some pictures along the shore in Long Beach. Max wasn't too happy to get out of the house in the cold, but I took him along anyway. After the morning walk we had, he looked like a wet rat.

A cute wet rat.

I know that the majority of the country is living in freezing temperatures and snow so I can't complain. But...it was cold! My hands were so cold that after a while I couldn't move them to push the button on my point and click camera. I would run back and forth to the car and back out to warm up.

I know...big wimp.

It was nice to get back out to snap a few pictures and breathe in the fresh air. I miss the road sometimes. I know I will be back on it again soon and it's always there for me when I decide to go.

For now I will enjoy the beauty in my backyard. Here are some pictures from today. For more, please click HERE