2011, Day 059 - Vintage

Yesterday I went with the local photography group to Hippo Hardware, a architectural salvage warehouse in Portland's east side. They have tons of stuff cataloged in a system of organized chaos. Much of the contents of their store has been there for years and will never be sold but if you are looking for something near impossible to find while remodeling your home a stop at Hippo is mandatory.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f4.5, 1/250 sec @ 400 ISO

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f3.2, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 058 - Space squid

Playing with more old images in Photoshop, this was one dug up from almost three years ago when I went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. I really like the painted effect...

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8

100mm, f2.8, 1/40 sec @ 1600 ISO

2011, Day 057 - Reaching

Another day of braving the cold and wandering around, it makes me a little stir crazy to leave the house only with dogs attached, especially when it isn't raining. I happened upon these seed pod things, I don't know what they are but I think the may be related to the lily family.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 056 - Aliens and hunters

Winter wandering, the temperature didn't get higher than 33 degrees today so I tried to keep my hands in my pockets as much as possible.

Isn't it odd when you are walking down the street and a cat bounds out of nowhere to see you? Maybe it is just because I tend to walk with dogs and have become totally unaccustomed to the phenomena but I'm always struck by it. Below is one of the intrepid hunters that greeted me and some kind of mutant flower is bloom.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/160 @ 400 ISO

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/200 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 055 - Winter blossoms

I love hellebore, its' prolific blooms at the end of winter heralds the blossoming of the winter daphne. That sweet smell on crisp winter air is one of the great pleasures of the season.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/320 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 054 - Pierced

More from my happy wanderings with Julie...

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/500 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 053 - Flannel

I love Hawthorne not only because it is so close to home for me but because the people you see are individuals with their own sense of style and totally comfortable in their own skin. This was a complete candid, he didn't know I was shooting him while he was writing and email. Part of what I like is that this is Portland and flannel is always in style.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/640 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 052 - Downsideup

My dear friend Julie came by today so that we could fine tune to autofocus on her lenses. When we completed that task she and I took a walk around the neighborhood to take some photos and chat. It was a lovely afternoon and there were a number of good photographic subject like this little winged guy.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f5.6, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 051 - Shaggy

I was out in the country today through the light flurries of snowfall I saw this shaggy pony standing out in a field. He looked like the epitome of winter in the country and I couldn't help myself from stopping for a moment to take his picture.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II

140mm, f4, 1/250 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 050 - Laziness

More of my lovable sofa slug. Johan is my cuddly boy and what he lacks in brains (substantial as it may be) is more than made up for with affection. Constantly rolling onto his back to beg to belly rubs and laying down immediately underfoot, I admit to being completely charmed by this big dumb boy.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

68mm, f2.8, 1/50 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 049 - Consumed

I've returned to an old friend; I've held on to my Canon 1D Mark III for quite a while because of problems I experienced with the autofocus of its replacement. Yup, my 1D Mark IV was a dud but Canon's Pro Rep took care of me and replaced it with a new copy that has been flawless. Still, I was nervous but after over 12,000 pictures I'm satisfied with its reliability so I sold the 1D Mark III and replaced it with a 1Ds Mark II. Yes, it is a step back technologically and I will miss the larger screen, easier navigation and the lithium-ion batteries of the newer generation but it is a return to a full frame sensor. There is something about the feeling of the files from this camera, the way they process and the details they capture that I really enjoy. Somehow the technology feels less digital.

With a freshly charged battery and poor weather I didn't have many opportunities to reacquaint myself but I did take a few shots while running around.

This poor tree was fenced in but refused to be contained and is slowly devouring the chain-link.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

70mm, f5.6, 1/200 sec @ 200 ISO

And it has been a while since I've graced the blog with one of my boys and Johan looked so sweet cuddled up on the sofa.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

50mm, f2.8, 1/50 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 048 - Gung Hay Fat Choy

Today is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrations and joined in the festivities at Portland's Classical Chinese Gardens. All I really wanted was to take pictures of the place at twilight and the red lanterns were a nice bonus.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24/f1.4L Mark II

24mm, f1.4, 1/25 sec @ 800 ISO

2011, Day 047 - Socket

This is the socket part of a lamp arm on some kind of vintage medical equipment. I love that shade of green, maybe I should paint a room in my house that lovely vintage color.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

66mm, f2.8, 1/800 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 046 - Peeling

Years ago I worked at Rejuvenation. Although I wasn't there for long I was attracted by their commitment to old houses so when I was passing their salvage yard today I couldn't restrain myself from stopping to take a look.

This is a photograph of paint peeling off of an old cast iron sink.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

70mm, f5.6, 1/160 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 045 - Backup

This is probably going to be the last of my photos from the shoot on Saturday night at Tonic. It was a lot of fun and I hope to try my hand at concert photography again soon. In the meantime this is the lead guitarist and backup vocalist for Gear Driven.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II

150mm, f2.8, 1/100 sec @ 2000 ISO

2011, Day 044 - Belting it out

More from yesterday's shoot at Tonic Lounge. This is the singer (hard to tell I know) for the opening act, a band called Gear Driven.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II

170mm, f2.8, 1/160 sec @ 3200 ISO

2011, Day 043 - Rockin'

My friends Sean and Garner recently bought Tonic Lounge which is not only a bar but a live music venue. They've only been running the place for a couple of weeks now but already the improvements are evident. They generously invited me to come and take some photos of the place and this evening's performance. This is the lead guitarist of Thunderstruck, an AC/DC cover band that is evidently really popular because the place was absolutely packed.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II

70mm, f2.8, 1/1000 sec @ 3200 ISO

2011, Day 043 - Rocin'

2011, Day 042 - Brawl

Hong Kong cats! These guys were living along the esplanade looking towards Kowloon from Hong Kong Island.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 135/f2L

135mm, f2, 1/8000 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 041 - Islands

This place looks pretty unappealing from the outside but I really want to check out what they have, it is intriguing. Plus I love food, you can tell by looking at me that I probably love food too much but the thought of new flavors hidden behind this shabby exterior is really exciting. Perhaps a special trip is in order.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

38mm, f4m 1/500 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 040 - Stop

Portland was just acclaimed to have the best public transportation system in the United States. While I take that as an indictment of public transportation in this country I do appreciate that you see people from all walks of life at the bus stop.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II

200mm, f4, 1/640 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 039 - Safety

Just a photo of a work crew doing something or other on a utility pole...

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

70mm, f4, 1/640 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 038 - Shriveled

I am always surprised by the number of shops selling dried ingredients in Asian markets. This still is in Hong Kong's Reclamation Street Market and appears to be selling primarily dried mushrooms, seafood (squid clearly evident) and sausages. I wonder if there is much of a difference in quality within a market of dried foodstuffs. If you know how to tell a good mushroom from a bad one or what makes a good piece of dried fish please let me know.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

30mm, f2.8, 1/500 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 037 - Kitty

I don't understand the allure of the Super Bowl. Granted for more years than I care to remember it has fallen on my birthday which may increase my mystification but still... Why would you want to watch someone else play a game? Wouldn't you rather play yourself? Or is it vicarious living? Plus, it's so slow and there is all that down time to reorganize. It's like the British during the War of Independence where they expected everyone to take their time and line up in neat rows on the battlefield. Now rugby, there is a game like warfare, fast paced and relentless. If you're going to watch a sport and waste an entire day at it make it an interesting one; alternatively if you're looking to waste your time I suggest cricket test matches...

Sharing in my boredom is Marley, the neighbor's overly friendly cat. He will happily perch on your shoulder and keep you company for blocks before abandoning you to run back home. A slut for attention, he readily falls over at your feet to try to capture your attention.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

62mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 036 - Octopod

Today's photo is a special treat for a certain someone who I know to be a big fan of these friendly little beasties...

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f11, 1/80 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 035 - Swaddled

Being a relatively new uncle and being lost in a field of fecundity I find myself noticing babies more often. To me they seem like larval humans but I suppose you can't fight nature. What struck me first is that mother and baby have coordinated hats and the symbiosis is so clearly expressed. Despite the demands of motherhood Mom looks adoringly at her baby while maintaining her Portlandian sense of style and individuality.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

45mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 034 - Ban snow tires

I was taking a leisurely stroll down Hawthorne today when I was asked "Would you sign a petition to ban snow tires in Oregon?" Hell yes I will! The short version of what if often a long-winded diatribe is that there is no need for snow tires in, it doesn't often get cold enough to warrant them and the only people who own snow tires have 4-wheel drive or all wheel drive.

I made a deal, I would sign the petition if he would allow me to take his picture. Although I would have signed it anyway he agreed. My part of the bargain fulfilled he asked how I would like him to pose and I gave him a little direction. After a couple shots I told him to do whatever came naturally and this is the shot I got which I think is the most original.

I am adding this to my Portrait of Portland project. Activism and community awareness is an essential part of this city's character. The fact that my new friend was having fun at the same time just proves that politics aren't necessarily boring!

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

51mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 033 - Anxious anticipation

Look at that face waiting eagerly for the return of their person...

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24/f1.4L Mark II

24mm, f1.4, 1/100 sec @ 800 ISO

2011, Day 032 - Nun

My sister and I ran into this nun outside of Man Mo Temple near a lion dance performance. I gave her a donation and took her picture; I like her expression, there is just a hint of a smile without the mocking look of a smirk.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

70mm, f4, 1/250 sec @ 200 ISO