"Project 365" Day 38 - Tower of Power

Day 38 - Tower of Power


Like most towns, I’m sure, there are giant power lines that run through our city. They go from somewhere in the Valley following what is called “Whitnall Highway”.   Originally this was supposed to be a highway 64 that would help traffic flow through Southern California.   It was commissioned in the first half of the 19h century, but never was.   As seen here “The Whitnall Freeway” the planned highway would have a 2.5 mile tunnel running from the Burbank side of the hollywood hills to Hollywood.  It would have been the longest highway tunnel in California.

Nowadays there is no highway, freeway, tunnel or anything, but there is these Huge Powerlines….  By huge I mean, they are some of the largest of the largest.  They cut across the Valley right over the hill into Hollywood.  Unlike a car, they don’t need a tunnel and can easily climb over the mountain though.  Visible from the air is what used to be… it’s impressive really to think about it.  There are so many hidden treasures in Los Angeles which relate to the infrastructure of the first half of the century.  In a way, they make Los Angeles fun to explore and discover.

I had to take a trip to the Magnolia Park Post Office today.  It is a really cool, small neighborhood post office with kind staff and awesome service.  Unfortunately, the Post Master General has been deciding to close it down for over a year.  Somehow they are able to keep it open (most likely from the support and complaints of the citizens of Burbank).  The post office is right next to the Whitnall Highway route.  My Elementary School is right next to the Whitnall Highway route (Maybe that’s why I turned out so weird lol).  NBC Studios & Johnny Carson Park is right on the Whitnall Highway route.  Wow there’s a lot that is right on this route.  It’s amazing to think about what it would have been if they had gone through with it.

Enjoy
-Steven

"Project 365" Day 37 - Doing Business

Day 37 - Doing Business

It’s important to get your name out there.  Whether it’s custom made business cards from a pro-printer, promotional flyers, or home made from your desktop printer cards.  It’s a great thing to have.   I made these guys at home using my inkjet printer.  They aren’t fancy, but they have the necessary information on them and are “Something”.

This photo I took after speaking with one of my neighbors who I was helping out with his computer.  He was asking me how the Photography was going?  I told him all that was up and new with me.  I’ve been asked a lot lately what it is I’m doing and if I’m getting busy.  It can be a little nervous at this point, because everybody is starting to take note that I am a “Professional Photographer” and doing this as a full time career.  They want to know exactly what I’m shooting etc. etc.   It’s really good practice though!  I am developing better speaking to people from each of these encounters and walk away feeling as though I accomplished something.

Enjoy
-Steven

"Project 365" Day 36 - Social Media

Day 36 - Social Media

I really didn’t get a chance to take a 365 photo today.  Instead I’m sharing this photo I took of the screen of my computer.  Today was spent getting my Photography Facebook page updated and launched.   I’ve been trying to consolidate my photos that are all over my computers in different Lightroom Galleries… etc

Enjoy
-Steven

Project 365 / Day 34 - Used Couple

Day 34 - Used Couple

This photo pretty much sums up my day…  It’s a metaphor about how two things can get so burnt up and old of each other all they can do is turn away from one another and cause tension.  Interesting? (no this is not about myself but an observation I made)

In other news (lol)  Today was my sister in-law Leeann’s birthday party at the In-laws.   I hope she didn’t have too terrible of a birthday, but all of our children (her and her husband have two boys) love to get together and play.  So they had a ton of fun.  I took a lot of photos on the G11 and am still experimenting with it more and more.  To finish they day off, we like to drive over to Disneyland and park in the McDonnald’s parking lot and watch the Fireworks Show.  It’s kind of a tradition for us that we haven’t done much this year.

Going to keep it short tonight.

Enjoy
-Steven

"Project 365" Day 31 - Links That Bind

Day 31 - Links That Bind

I brought the new G11 out today when I went to pick up my daughter from her school.  I’ve been eying this chain for the past week now for a photo.  I’ve just not been close enough to it to take it’s photo yet.  Somebody took what used to be a swing or something and hooked the two ends of the chain together.  It’s kind of interesting and makes this cool little framing.

As I start to get to know the G11 better I’m able to do more with it, but I’m still on learning curve.  It’s a bit disappointing in the essence of being used to 22 Megapixel images from a Full 35mm Framed Sensor haha, but it’s so small and fun to take photos with.  I’m not complaining yet, but I’m still learning the shortcomings and the good stuff still.  It will take a bit longer than one day.

Enjoy
-Steven

"Project 365" Day 30 - Old Meets New

Day 30 - Old Meets New

The G2 said to the G11 “You may have two 1’s son, but I’ll always have a 2″

Today the Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather met it’s Grandson.  I received my new Canon G11.  I am officially retiring my G2, although It has not seen much use in the past 3 years.  It’s been a great companion along the way.  Being an Introduction in Advanced and Creative Photography for me as a High School Senior heading out into the world.  I took that camera with me all over.  It has seen the Antrim Coast of Ireland, the Streets of Dublin, the many 4th of July’s, and the birth of my daughter Madison.

Ever since I received the G2 as a graduation gift from my Father, I’ve had a somewhat love affair with the G Series.  I didn’t understand the tool back then as well as I do now though and that lead me to wanting more… Back in 2007 I purchased the Canon S3 IS with it’s Super Zoom.  I didn’t realize Sensor sizes at the time or quality of cameras though and I was a bit disappointed as time went by with it.  Yes I could take great up-close shots of animals at the zoo, but they were fuzzy and not the SLR that I was looking for.   That’s when I purchased my 40D  which was an excellent camera…  Well as most of you know I finally went out and purchased a 5d Mark2 this year which is my beautiful workhorse with it’s Full 35mm size sensor.

So that brings me to now.  Though the G11 will not be replacing my 5d by all means.  It is another photographic tool for me.  I will be able to take it to places I wouldn’t really feel the need to bring my 5d.  For example the Park (sometimes)  out to dinner, a coffee shop with the wife, or running to the store.  Don’t worry though my big camera is never far behind.    Also as my daughter get more into Photography (I hope she does)  I would like to be able to let her use the G11 while I use my 5d etc.   Either way though time will tell how valuable this will be to me.

Now for a plug for Canon.  I’ve been shooting Canon for years now, I probably will always shoot Canon.  They’ve been a great company to me with great products usually.  Here’s another secret about Canon though.   The G11 is a $499 camera.  I only paid $249.  How is this so?  The catch is, Canon respects Loyalty.  If you own a Canon camera that is out of warranty and broken to some degree you can ask about the Loyalty Trade In Program.  Depending on what you have they will offer you an upgrade to one of the latest models for a significant discount.  The catch is you have to mail back in your damaged camera.  For me the options were the SX10is for $199, G11 for $249, or Rebel XS with 18-55mm Lens for $359 (a great deal, but I was looking for the small size of the G11).  So the G2 is leaving me for good, but it will never be forgotten.

Enjoy
-Steven

"Project 365" Day 29 - Little Flame Big Light

Day 29 - Little Flame Big Light

Today was another one of those “I almost forgot to take a photo today” days.  Well I didn’t forget in the end, but ran outside right as the sun was falling.  My wife and daughter were already sitting outside along with a horde of Misquitos biting as the light went away.  I was practicing taking some photos of the girls in the yard using my 50 1.8.  Tiffany lit up her cigarette right as I was taking this one.  I think it’s pretty cool because it shows just how bright 1 Flame can get.  It’s raised the exposure by a certain amount and really made her face stand out.  Pretty cool if you ask me.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s 365 as it should be pretty cool.

Enjoy
-Steven

"Project 365" Day 28 - Flying Lady

Day 28 - Flying Lady

The one and only Goddess of the Air, as introduced by Puck the half man half goat.  Today we took a trip out to the Renaissance Fair.  It was not my first time going, but was my first time going as an adult.  I had visited it before when I was in Middle School for the “Education” version, where you still get big chested hanging out ladies teaching you how they made pottery and butter and weird stuff like that instead of trying to get you to do some “Naughty” things.   I went to take photos of the fair.  I figured there would be a lot of things to see.   All in all it was alright, but definitely if I go back again I will be take photos a little differently.  I wasn’t the most pleased with my results, although they may grow on me as I post them up and stuff.   This photo is one of the ones I really liked.  It was a terrible condition to shoot in.  4pm Sun directly behind subject looking up into the sky.  Her face is in dark shadow and the sky is blaring bright.  I had to find a good mix and do some magic in post.  She made this great smile right at me when I took this too

Enjoy

-Steven

Project 365 / Photo-A-Day 30 Day Re-Cap

I was going to write up a separate thing for the last 30 days for each post of my Project 365, or do a weekly re-cap, but I've decided to show you each picture with a link.  


I am also posting everything on Flickr along with my Project 365 page.