Monday, June 27, 2011

Growin' Up

Reese and Mom

June 23, 2011, the day my sisters became high schoolers. Talk about feeling old. Part of me is filled with envy that they just get to start the good years; here I am, finished with school, wondering what the fuck am I going to do? But then the other part of me reminds myself that I am 21 years old, the world is my oyster, Viva Las Vegas and All That Jazz. 

Back to the graduation, it was a definitely an Event: 4 solos and 4 speeches? At least it was entertaining, if only accidentally.

I-5 Southbound [01]

Construction on the 5 southbound

Coming from Los Angeles and going to school in Berkeley, highway 5 has been a familiar road these past four years. Each time I've done it (countless instances), I have wanted to photograph it. I decided this summer I would make it my project. Last Wednesday I made the trip down for my sisters' 8th grade graduation. It was my first time driving down since spring break, a perfect opportunity for the first of many shoots I'm sure I'll make this summer. 

This first shoot taught me a few things. One, I may switch my medium to using my Holga for a more interesting effect. Two, I need to set better parameters, I have now defined them as: the 5 from it's origination off of the 580 to the Grapevine (it would be just plain stupid to try and photograph the Grapevine). Three, shooting on the side of a highways is dangerous, I must proceed with caution.

Cooking with Redbull (yes, Redbull)


The chefs arm-wrestle during their 15 minute cook-off

I shot Bravo's "Top Chef: The Tour" in San Francisco last week. The event featured chefs Fabio Viviani and Ryan Scott in a quick fire challenge involving salmon. Despite the absolutely sweltering temperatures, the event was fun and entertaining. Although, how could it not be with tequila and Redbull as ingredients. 

For the full story, check it out here.

A Little Mud on the Tires

 Cars on the race track


I assisted Karl Nielsen for a portfolio shoot at the Merced Speedway. It was a hot, long day, but had some very interesting sights! I didn't know there was a racing culture in California, but then again I didn't know there were real cowboys here either (Karl has photographed some and said I could come along next time wooo).

Monday, June 13, 2011

Country Man

Tim McGraw surprises fans by opening his set on a platform in the middle of the upper seating area of the Shoreline.

Saturday I shot Tim McGraw's Emotional Traffic Tour at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. If you don't know me, then you don't know that I like country music. Yes, this Jewish, middle-class white girl likes country music. I've been to one country music concert before, Kenny Chesney at AT&T Park the summer of 2009 - what a night. Shooting this concert without friends made me realize something: country concerts are more fun with friends, and beer. 

However, that isn't to say that getting up close and personal with The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, and Tim McGraw wasn't amazing either. All three put on a great show, which made me realize something else: I want to go on tour with a country act. Luke Bryan's band looked like they just had so much fun together, I would love to be a part of something like that. I also think I need to live in the South for a part of my young adult life. Sorry Dad, I'm looking into it.

For the full gallery on SFGate.com, click here. I put my favorites below: I warn you, dramatic Tim McGraw photos ahead.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Good Eats

Door number of Vessel in San Francisco

Last Wednesday I shot the SF Chefs 2011 Launch Party. It was a lot of the same as the ACT Gala, but with food! There were four chefs featured, one was sampling beef tartare (I've been craving some since Paris)! I put a few venue shots below, find the full gallery here.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Old Dogs, New Tricks?

Men's 60+ Division

Sunday I assisted Kelley shooting the USA Waterpolo Masters tournament in Moraga. It was a whole day of nonstop shooting (I really need to invest in those portable chairs all the guys have on the sidelines of basketball games). But it was interesting because it was a tournament for men and women who were still competitive in waterpolo outside of college. I got to watch 60+ men and 55+ women really go at it in the water. And just because they were elderly didn't mean that the playing was any less brutal, they were all pretty feisty. 

I put some of my favorites below the fold, check out the full gallery here.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Speak softly but carry a big flash

Backdrop for ACT Gala red carpet

Last night I discovered why red carpet photographers all carry such big flashes: it's to assert their power. I'm not a huge fan of how flash looks - aesthetically - but when you put an external on a camera, it makes you look like you know what you're doing. 

I was paid to shoot the red carpet for the opening night gala of ACT "Tales of the City." The event took place in a tented venue in Union Square as well as in front of the theater a few blocks away. At first I didn't put my flash on, I didn't like the effect it produced with the backdrop and tent overhead. However, because of this, the rest of the photographers (all men by the way), probably thought I was inadequate comparatively and got in front of my shots. To be a female in the event coverage photography line takes some thick skin and big balls. Since I'm covering another event for the Chron next week, I'll have another chance to practice. 

Full gallery at SFGate.com

My 15 minutes

Lis Jeppesen and Mads Blangstrup of the Royal Danish Ballet perform "La Sylphide" at Zellerbach.

I shot the Royal Danish Ballet Tuesday evening. I always enjoy shooting at Zellerbach, even if I have to shoot behind a curtain during actual performances. The PR people at Zellerbach are always excited to have the publicity, whether it was from The Daily Cal or now the Chron/SFGate. 

This shoot was very exciting for me because my photo appeared on E2 of the Chronicle today! I hope it's the first of many more. Coincidentally I also got to hang out in the photo room for a brief second today - how I wish to be a part of that day-to-day. Keeping my fingers crossed!

For more, click for the piece on the Gate.