life

Brentwood Luminarias

in , ,

For forty years our neighborhood, Brentwood, has displayed luminarias on Christmas Eve. For the entire time we've lived here, the Brentwood Exchange Club has taken on the task of raising the money, securing donations and the logistics of that morning. Brentwood is not a small neighborhood so this is no trivial matter. This year though they announced that atrophying membership meant they'd be unable to pull it off this year. With word of that, the neighborhood association (led by Sean Kosofsky) pulled together to keep the tradition going. In what has to be a record amount of time (less then two months) everything came together this morning and all the bags, sand and candles are in place.

These are photos from this morning's assembly and distribution.

Wyoming: Part 3

in , ,

15 Hours

That's about how long it takes, including photo stops and lunch, to work your way through Grand Teton and then loop around Yellowstone, clockwise. We were up at 4:30. No coffee until we hit Signal Mountain around 7:00. Actually, make that exactly 7:00. We arrived as the store clerk did. But the morning hours are worth it, being out before the day's gotten too old, you get better light (unless you're lucky and storm rolls in) and a better shot at seeing critters.

And the early legwork did pay off for those shots at Jenny Lake. They're included in the gallery below which is what the 15 hours on the road netted. It was a good trip. Saw a lot, but it still felt a bit like a rushed greatest hits tour.

Maybe go back one day and spend a bit more time in Yellowstone.

09 March 2013 Edit: With the site move, all of the shots from this trip are right here.

Wyoming: Part 1

in , ,

Weddings and Recon

Earlier this month we found ourselves heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In a word it was a fantastic trip. That's more than one word, but you get the point. Laura had never seen Yellowstone. I'd been once, but I was a kid. Maybe eight years old. I think I was younger to be honest so, I don't know if that counts. Actually, it probably does. But more on that later.

they do

they do

The occasion for us to go was for Mona and Will's wedding. Mona and Laura have been pals since seventh grade in Kuwait. Lots of history there. So the decision to go was easy. Destination wedding here we come.

With the Grand Tetons in the background, the wedding was going to be amazing and it was. A simple, elegant service. Before a stream with a small group of friends and family.

After the wedding, we get to the reception back at Teton Village and after a little R&R Laura and I set out to check out the area. Grand Teton National Park was all around us. On the recommendation of a friend we set out to find Jenny Lake.

Before I get too far into this, I should say that it is firmly my belief that the last thing the world needs is another landscape photographer. More specifically, the last thing the world needs is for me to be another landscape photographer. Landscape photography takes saint-esque patience. Being willing to go back to the same spot over and over, day after day. Waiting to see the hand the weather deals you.

I'm not that guy.

I don't have that patience. To be up and out before you can get a good cup of coffee. Not me. Not it.

For the storytelling I want to work toward, the landscape can be a vital part. It's the frame the story takes place within. For me, on it's own, the landscape isn't enough. Having said all that, with the time we had—with so much to see—this is the story I can tell. A whirlwind of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Don't get me wrong. It's easy to get caught up in the idea of adventure associated with landscape photography. The brilliant mornings. The idea of dragging your gear out to your Jeep. Or your Land Rover Defender. But it doesn't work that way.

not a jeep

not a jeep

We were driving a Yaris.

That makes it sound like we didn't like it. Or that we had issues with the car, but to be honest, had it been a stick instead of an automatic, it'd actually have been a pretty entertaining little ride. Enough with the car talk before I have to add a motorsports warning on this post.

So there we were, looking for Jenny Lake. It's about eight o'clock, an hour to go before sunset. The sky is cloudless, the light is to bright. To harsh to get much of anything worth while. So we decide to call it a reconnaissance trip. To find out where stuff is. That way, when the light is good, there's no fumbling around looking for some place to go take pictures.

You know, so we have a plan.

After about a half hour we head back to Jenny Lake via the scenic route. Grab the camera and hike down from the overlook to the waters edge. And wait. The sun is setting right behind the Cathedral Group. It should be spectacular in any minute.

stones

stones

Ten go by. Still. Nothing really going on yet. I get bored. Climb out and stand on some rocks and find a perspective I like better. Still nothing. . . truly spectacular. I fall back on my old friend textures and grab a shot of the stones around me. Just under the water.

We're getting hungry. So we throw in the towel, leaving with few photos, but with a plan.

Grab a late dinner at the Mangy Moose and call it a night since we have a big day of rafting ahead of us.

Laura's Most Excellent Nia Adventure

in , , ,

Earlier this month a couple of important things happened. One, Laura had a birthday. That's a lot of fun with the usual birthday stuff. With dinner at what's apparently becoming one of our favorite restaurants: 18 Seaboard. The other big event that same weekend: Laura arranged to teach her first, full Nia class. Since getting her white belt earlier this year, Laura had taught a few songs in some classes, but her birthday weekend would mark her first full class instruction. I stuck around for the first three songs and took pictures. The class was held at Triangle Dance Studio and while it's a great space for any sort of dance or movement activity, it's pretty tough to shoot in. Without flash. Actually, the full length mirror would make it tough to shoot with speedlights as well.

Enough with the photogeeking. Here's the pictures.

Sunday Brunch Road Trip

in ,

Rocky Knob on the ParkwaySo a few months ago I managed to catch up with my old friend Sean. And we'd talked about catching up while he and his family were visiting his parents in Virginia. Seems like as good an excuse as any for a road trip. Destination, Chateau Morissette for the world's latest brunch.* The ride up was fun, with a scenic detour to check out Floyd, Virginia. Yes. There is a Floyd, Virginia. And they look to have quick the homegrown music scene starting to pick up there. In the course of the few minutes sitting in front of the Floyd Country Store to have a cup of coffee and borrow a WiFi connection to reroute us to the restaurant, I think we saw at least four people walking around toting guitar cases.

So, Yes. Either a burgeoning music scene or the little reported on fourth installment of the El Mariachi films. Since absolutely no one we saw looked at all like Antonio Banderas or Salma Hayek I think the safe bet is music scene.

Curiously enough, the Google took us on a beautiful, scenic gravel road to get from Floyd to Chateau Morissette. Washboard roads and SA Konis make for an entertaining drive. After brunch we did the wine tasting—which was nice if a bit rushed since we were one of the last groups to get into it.

We said our good-byes and then hit the road with a small detour to Rocky Knob and decided that we need to consider more trips to the Parkway this summer, if for no other reason than to enjoy the scenary and escape the heat.

*I have to confess, the world's latest brunch was pretty much our fault, I needed to figure out if I could ditch on a local autocross so Laura and I committed pretty late to actually making the trip.