2011, Day 151 - Wizened

I have a strong affection for older Asian women, I think it is because they remind me of my grandmother and all the aunties during the holidays.  They would sit around the table playing majong, sucking the air through their teeth as someone played a good hand and gently poking fun at each other.  Even when you hear them grumbling about their husbands or their arthritis there is a certain good-natured spirit that is palpable.  With the passing of my grandparents we don't see the extended family nearly as much.  They've grown older and traveling takes its toll but mostly my grandparents were the anchor of the family.  It was because of then that we stayed together, through their sheer strength of will.  They're greatly missed.

This photo was taken at Tenganan Village in Bali and the woman pictured was making baskets into which they would place the elements of their offerings to the Hindu gods.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
46mm, f2.8, 1/400 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 150 - Sleepy

It has been a long weekend and I am exhausted.  Johan has the right idea, I am going to bed!

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
31mm, f2.8, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 149 - Sky dandelions

Another photo from Friday's fireworks.  These two really do look like dandelions, don't they?  There is is fluffy tails at the end and little stems that lead to the center where the seed (or explosives) resides.  Good thing that these don't actually grow new fireworks, the random explosions at maturity might be bad.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f5.6, 3.2 sec @ 250 ISO

2011, Day 148 - Concussions of color

Memorial Day weekend is also when we celebrate the Rose Festival here in Portland.  Normally I don't like to leave the house if I know there are going to be fireworks because Stubbs melts into an eighty pound puddle of greyhound mess but tonight I decided that I would go because my presence provides no real comfort.  Unfortunately they started the fireworks earlier than posted in their schedule of events but I managed a few good pictures despite my rush to get set up and little time to check the results.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f4, 2.5 sec @ 250 ISO

2011, Day 147 - Memories of sun

The glimpse of sun last week is like a long lost memory, today we had rain and hail and every time I took the dogs out for a walk we got a block from the house before the sky opened up and soaked me completely.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/3200 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 146 - Weathered

I love porches, all porches.  The well kept ones that are essentially outdoor living rooms are beautiful but I really enjoy old worn spaces.  All I can think of is how many conversations they have witnessed, how many guests have walked up their approach, how many lazy summer afternoons they've endured; the implied history is fun to speculate about.  This porch has great decking, I like seeing the paint between the boards while the front and tops have been worn free of the enamel.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 250 ISO

2011, Day 145 - Eggy

Yellow in the middle and white surrounding, it is like an egg sunny side up.  Another clematis and I really like this flower, what you can't see is that it is huge, over six inches across.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/160 sec @ 250

2011, Day 144 - Dirty

I thought today I would sear your eyes with a filthy image of a flower's nether-region.  Don't you feel sullied just looking at it?  Okay, that's enough, you are taking it too far...

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/200 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 143 - Floral sunshine

I know, I am obsessed with flowers at the moment but after the long winter and chilly spring we've had their appearance is a blessed relief.  Daisies have a warmth about them that engenders happiness, they may not be the most exotic flower but they evoke the essence of summer.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/400 sec @ 320 ISO

2011, Day 142 - Cougar

I was out shooting this morning in the soft light provided by overcast skies and I came across this beast.  I was able to get this shot before she slunk away...

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f2.8, 1/640 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 141 - Goldblum

Insects are like bionic creatures from the future with their armored bodies, insane vision, their ability to fly and reproduce in massive numbers.  Like little alien invaders that are slowly taking over the planet.  In this case though I believe this is Jeff Goldblum, doesn't it look like him?

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/250 sec @ 320 ISO

2011, Day 140 - Pillows of purity

It truly felt as though we had finally shaken off the cold grip of winter this morning as I took a walk through Laurelhurst.  The sun's warmth was seeping in and warming everyone through with its' touch.  I could see this shrub more than a block away as the light reflected brightly off the pillows of white flowers.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/1250 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 139 - Homecomings

Earlier this week I made a run to the airport to pick up some friends returning from a trip.  Air travel is always rather unpleasant, it is kind of like walking across broken glass to get to play with a puppy, in the end it is rewarding but the process always seems excruciating.  Nevertheless, I do like the Portland International Airport.  The drop off and pick up areas are completely covered so that new arrivals are not immediately blessed with our Pacific Northwest precipitation and the sinuous walkway to the parking garage that bisects the roadway provides an interesting contrast to the otherwise straight lines.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 16-35/f2.8L Mark II
16mm, f2.8, 1/80 sec @ 800 ISO

2011, Day 138 - Snowy blossoms

I noticed this flower yesterday nestled in the rocks.  While I don't know what they are I do know that the close at night.  Their clean crisp white looks so clean and pure.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/250 sec @ 320 ISO

2011, Day 137 - Shoes off

While walking the dogs (seems to be a common thread in my photography) I noticed shoes left on the front porch and thought it looked kind of sweet, especially in contrast to the battered door and its' peeling paint.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/3200 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 136 - Chlamydia

This flower is a grand specimen of what my dear friend Jeremy Clarkson refers to as chlamydia.  In reality it is not an STD but it is a climbing vine with vibrant bloom.  Jeremy, take note.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 135 - Bells all in a row

I love these flowers, they really made my day.  They were discovered on a walk with my friend Rachel and when I knelt to take this picture I immediately noticed that all the flowers seemed almost perfectly space, there is very little overlap of the blossoms and it adds to the delicacy of the image.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/80 sec @ 500 ISO

2011, Day 134 - Rooftop bandit

When I let the dogs out yesterday evening I noticed this sneaky little thief on the roof of the neighbor's house.  He watched us avidly for about five minutes then casually got up and walked away.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/80 sec @ 800 ISO

2011, Day 133 - Pilgrims

This is my final image from Pura Tirta Empul, the Balinese water temple.  During our visit it was explained to us that many of the Hindu people in Bali travel to the various temples throughout their lives to seek out the benefits of their various blessings.  In this picture three such pilgrims are receiving the benediction from the priest.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS
70mm, f2.8, 1/500 sec @ 100 ISO

2011, Day 132 - A Popo!

On our walk home from dinner I had my camera in hand when Laura stopped to point out a ladybug resting on a flower.  We've had a special affinity for ladybugs ever since a backpacking trip where our Grandmother (who we called "Popo" in the Chinese fashion) said she wished she was a ladybug so that she could sit on our shoulders and share our adventure.  Ever since we have associated Popo with ladybugs and since her passing finding one is almost like sharing the moment with her.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/200 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 131 - Trumpets of white

I took a short detour after lunch today to Rosemont Bluff Natural Area in the hope of finding trillium.  Last year they had a proliferation of flowers but this year it looks like there are a lot fewer plants and I missed them in their prime but I did find these lovely little white flowers hidden in the blackberries.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 130 - Perched

If you are a frequent reader of my blog you know how much I love macro photography.  A few days ago I brought you an image of a dandelion and today I revisit that subject but with a small addition.  He was so willing to model for me I too a number of pictures from different angles and this is my favorite.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/400 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 129 - Cascade of white

You would be surprised how often the following happens...

I was driving home from an appointment and was stuck at a light so I was looking around and saw this shrub with a profusion of white flowers.  Truthfully, I am sick of flowering fruit trees but these looked different so when the light turned green instead of proceeding straight like I had intended I turned right to find a parking space and return to the object of my attention.

I may take a picture of this plant into one of the local nurseries because I really liked it.  Despite being in a place where it probably gets no direct light there were tons of flowers cascading down from the top all the way to the ground.  There was no scent but the flowers are so nicely formed and bright white, they have a really pleasing structure.  If you recognize this plant please leave a comment.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/80 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 128 - Auntie

I have a bad habit of taking a camera along with me when I go to the grocery store.  I say bad because when I walk home if I see something I want a picture of I will drop my groceries and grab my camera.  It makes for bruised apples.

On my way home from the store today I noticed a couple stray ants so I decided a little photographic hunt was called for.  Although we had periods of sunshine and it was warm when I set out it was overcast on the way back so it took a few attempts to get the right composition and focus.  Good think I didn't have any frozen food :)

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/400 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 127 - Jungle bridge

I remember this moment vividly, we had to hike downhill to get to a nearby temple and as we descended the humidity increased.  It was sweltering and we were on our way back uphill out of the valley where the temple is located and I saw the bridge and the jungle and the rice patties so I stopped to delay the inevitable and to take this picture.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS
70mm, f2.8, 1/400 sec @ 100 ISO

2011, Day 126 - Injured hearts

There are wild-type bleeding hearts coming up all over the city but most are rather unremarkable, they are small and faded and slightly misshapen.  Fortunately there are some wonderful examples in the yard of a home a few blocks away.  I walk past multiple times every day as I take the dogs out but I haven't taken the time to go back until today...

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/100 sec @ 200 ISO

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 125 - Micro-model

The sun retreated today and it was milder and overcast but quite pleasant so I went out with camera in hand to explore.  As I was admiring the garden of one of my neighbors I saw these tiny clusters of white flowers nestled in the ground cover.  They are probably a little more than one eighth of an inch across and when a fly alighted on one of the blossoms I knew I had a willing model...

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/400 sec @ 400 ISO

And because he was being so sweet, another picture of Johan relaxing and waiting expectantly for a belly rub.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f2.8, 1/80 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 124 - Spears

It was sunny today and hot, really hot, seventy-one degrees and even more sweltering in sun.  While walking the dogs I espied a cluster of dandelions and couldn't resist the feathery globes.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/320 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 123 - Blessed

This is another photo from Pura Tirta Empul and what you can't see is the crowd of people receiving the blessing. I like that if you look carefully you can see drops of water being flung from the bottom of the flowers he is holding to the pilgrims in front of him.


Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS
173mm, f2.8, 1/250 sec @ 100 ISO

2011, Day 122 - Siblings

Another photo from yesterday's shoot but instead of lighting I used only a reflector. I love the pattern and texture of the bricks but the obvious affection of a big sister for her little brother is really what makes it special.


Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
34mm, f4.5, 1/500 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 121 - Sunny Sunday

I met up this afternoon with one of my sister's childhood friends to take some family portraits. They are like family to me so it was a lot of fun and this is one of my favorite from the day, Katie with her son Hayden.


Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
24mm, f16, 1/250 sec @ 200 ISO