Weekend Plans

I'll be participating in a Photography field study class this weekend offered by the University of California at Santa Cruz Extension program. They offer a very cool assortment of field studies, from local destinations (at least for me), to great California photography spots like Yosemite and Death Valley, to more far a field locations such as the Grand Canyon.

The class I am doing is in and around Big Basin state park. Should provide us with some interesting subjects to share here at the blog and at the other site.

Bridges and Falls

Bridges and Falls, originally uploaded by futurballa.

Uvas Canyon, Morgan Hill

The Internets in 3 minutes

real life vs the internet

N.B. Not 100% work friendly, but very funny.

Villa Montalvo


Taken on the grounds of Villa Montalvo

Odds and Ends

Last images from Salt Lake City. Two views of the temple.

Another View


A different look at the Conference Center from last year's visit to Utah.

We actually began that trip from Reno, where I have family and drove through eastern Nevada to Salt Lake City, where we spent a night before beginning the major portion of our journey southward.

From Salt Lake we drove south to the town of Torrey, near Capitol Reef. Next it was Bryce Canyon, and we ended our Utah vacation in Springdale, just outside of Zion National Park. Springdale feels like Santa Cruz in terms of atmosphere. Coffee houses, galleries, and excellent dining.

There is so much to see in southern Utah that another trip is practically a must. Hopefully next time we can take in Arches and Moab.

Salt Lake City


Conference Center

Image taken spring 2004

Update: A visitor more knowledgeable than I, points out that this is in fact not the Tabernacle, but the Conference Center.

Don't Panic

Sorry I've been a bit quiet this week in terms of posting. Real work has been all consuming. I hope to either have some new pictures soon or at the very least recycle some "best ofs".

For now, let's play the Preemptive KThe Book Meme that is going around the cultural blogosphere...

You’re stuck in ‘Fahrenheit 451’. Which book would you be?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I think someone better save something funny from the fireman.

Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
All the time.

What is the last book you bought?
Sin City: The Hard Goodbye and Perdido Street Station

What are you currently reading?
The Fortress of Solitude and a Hellblazer graphic novel.

Artist & Poppies II

Meadow at Cowell

Sequoia Sempervirens


Redwoods

Photoshop News

In conjunction with the launch of Photoshop CS2, photographer and Photoshop Guru, Jeff Schewe has started a blog dedicated to all things Photoshop. The site is photoshopnews.com.

Henry Cowell



Up Highway 17 from San Jose in Felton, about a half hour's drive, is this oasis of old growth redwood with miles of trails.

Henry Cowell was a limestone magnate, rancher, landowner and not to be confused with the composer (though they were contemporaries). His family donated much of the land that comprises the State Park, and the location of the University of California at Santa Cruz was formerly the Cowell Ranch.

Being so close to San Jose, Henry Cowell is a wonderful place to have a walk in the woods when you don't have a lot of time. And when out of town visitors come by, it is a great way to introduce them to the redwood forests.

Vertigo Revisited


Long time readers know that I have shot a lot at Mission San Juan Bautista, which is the location of the climax of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. Another moment you may remember from the film is of Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak at a slice of a redwood with dates in history corresponding with the tree's rings.

I'm not certain if that was filmed at
Henry Cowell State Park, but a very similar, if not the same, slice of a redwood exists at this local treasure.



A collection of Hitchcock scripts can be found here.

Return of the dreaded poppies

The Last Detail