Fisheye madness

This was my first go with a fisheye lens in a waterhousing, ever.  I think it was well worth the investment in the lens and Kodak Ektachrome film!

 split level...

Barreling action @ home sweet home

--FIN--

Off-Season Fireworks

No it's not summer...but it sure looks a lot like the 4th!

click photo to enlarge

--FIN--

Surf Photo Set: Dedicated to Susan Fowler McNally

This set of photos taken at Sapphire Street is dedicated to the memory of fellow Manhattan Beach-loving sponger Susan Fowler McNally.  A friend of her's, kneeboard local Bruce Rorty, notified me of her untimely passing.  She left us December 1st, 2010.  Rest In Peace, Susan.

 This shot was taken at extremely close proximity.

I love watching dropknee riders--they always have unique approaches to the discipline.  It's self-taught for the most part (when is the last time you saw an ad in the summer that said, "Learn to Dropknee!" instead of "Learn to Surf!"?), or influenced by your surf buddies and videos.  Here "dropknee guy" swoops in backside.

 Fishermen, etheral clouds, surfers lounging while sets approach out the back--just another day in California.

 Sapphire Street looking a bit too emerald for it's namesake.

 In order to get these birds in the frame properly, I had to let this wave crash down on top of me.

 Here's "dropknee guy," in stylish trim: just cruising.

 When you come this hard off the bottom at a beachbreak...

...you can smack the top equally forcefully!

 Sapphire Street peeler and a sky with the case of the blotchy blues.

 Lip lines always fascinate me.

 This pulled-back panorama cutback caught my attention in the editing bay.

 Afros and surfing are not commonly seen in tandem.  However, I think it's a groovy--and photogenic--look.  Just think of all of those shots of 70's performance shortboarder Larry Bertleman--would his aquatic Bertslides be the same without the 'fro?

--FIN--

FISHEYE MADNESS COMING SOON!

Fisheye images--both night shots and daytime watershots--coming soon!

4"x5" Fujifilm beginnings

 ---CLICK IT >> TO >> ENLARGE IT--

I feel this may be the beginning of a whole new chapter in my transfer art work: using 4x5" packfilm as opposed to 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (often referred to simply as 3x4" packfilm) Fuji packs.  The area is greater and thus there is much more resolution in the resulting transfer.  Not that maximum resolution is always needed with Fuji transfers (sometimes the petite size and limited enlargement capability fits the mystique of an image), but I really like how the image turned out.

Fisheye images coming soon.

Stay stoked!

--FIN--

CSN Stores review

CSN Stores was kind enough to provide me with a $40 gift card to buy anything in their store to review.  Seeing as my last semester of school was about to start at CSULB, I decided that a new bookbag was in order.  As follows is a review of the Jansport Superbreak backpack, an instant classic rucksack, as tested over the first few weeks of school.  Note I provide a connection to surfing at the end of the review!

  Featuring a rather uninspired silhouette--but available in many eye-popping colors and patterns--the magic of the Jansport Superbreak backpack lies in it's lightweight, durable nylon fabric that houses a huge amount of internal space for the low price of around $30 retail (cheaper if you buy a phased-out colorway, of which there are many).
  Looking at the backpack in the store on a rack, you would likely be unimpressed.  It has the traditional, rectangular silhouette of the average rucksack that is wider at the bottom and tapers slightly to a semi-rounded top.  Yes, it can be bought in some interesting colors, but there are no design intricacies to make it look much more than a standard bookbag.
  However, it carries a lot of stuff--and I have high standards for load capacity!  I am able to throw 2 thick textbooks books, a WPC 120 medium format pinhole Holga camera (a very large, plastic camera--note I would NOT recommend carrying normal cameras in this non-padded backpack without cushioning the camera gear) with an SLR-Zoom Gorillapod attached at the base, and a sweater/sweatshirt/jacket in the main compartment, with room to spare.  Then, I can toss pencils, pens, and up to around 4-5 rolls of 120 medium format film in the exterior compartment.
  While I complain of the lack of an aggressive aesthetic, that's another key to the magic of the Superbreak by Jansport--it's not the type of bag that's going to be the first on thieves' lists to rip off.  It looks nice enough to pass as a good buy but not fancy enough (there is no complicated back strap system, wild embellishments or embroidery) that it would catch the eye of a predator.  Additionally, the back strap system looks to underwhelm with its basic layout and lack of special gel padding.  Despite this, carrying it around for my 5 hour stay on campus every day, I have not once found it uncomfortable.
  If it isn't broken, don't fix it!
  The Jansport Superbreak can be summed up in two key words: "utility value."  It is very basic stylistically, but in terms of space, comfort and subtle style, it is more than enough to satisfy the Average Joe, and I would wager even some fashionistas would be compelled to consider it in some of the more chic shades it's available in.
  WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SURFING? As an added bonus, if you are going to use this backpack to carry gear to localized surf spots, buy this backpack in a basic, bland color, and rip the stitches over the label adorning the front of the pack out one by one with an Xacto knife.  Pull off the label and loose threads, and now you have a very boring looking bag that locals aren't likely to screw with!  Locals who want to ruin your day--and minimize your drive to revisit "their" spots--will look for surf-branded merchandise first.  Don't fall into their trap.  Remember if you are throwing gear into the backpack without a dry-bag (which you would have to purchase separately), you will want to thoroughly rinse out the pack's zippers with freshwater after every session.  Otherwise, zippers will likely rust shut.  A dry sack is highly recommended if you are going to carry wet gear (wetsuits/rashguards/swimfins) with this pack.  I recommend Seal Line wet bags.

Hidden South Bay--CSN stores review coming soon!

Today I visited the "hidden" South Bay.  A skip, hop and jump around the bend led to some interesting imagery, as follows.  All shots taken with the Lensbaby 2.0 lens, Nikon F-mount, mounted on a Nikon D80 body.

Note: The product CSN Stores donated to me will be reviewed soon--it's a basic day bag backpack, with the review hitting the web in a short amount of time.  I'll give you the low down, hopefully before your before school starts, so you know about an economical, stylish and roomy option for hauling your books around.

Upcoming Review courtesy of CSN Stores: 101st post celebration

What do you celebrate your 101st blog post with?  With a review of a great, basic backpack that has served me well in the past as a surf pack.  Thanks to CSN Stores (featuring the le creuset product line in one of their online storefronts), I will be reviewing a product that one of CSN Stores' sites sells: The SuperBreak backpack by Jansport.  I'll run it through the paces of my daily life as a surfer, skater and photographer for a little while, and get back to you all with the nitty-gritty details.  Full review of this durable, inexpensive rucksack (featured in many different stylish colors and patterns) coming soon!  Stay tuned!

THE HILL: PV Landscapes/Seascapes

Whenever Palos Verdes crosses my mind, I think of the aggressive surfing locals (found in abundance at certain wave-rich spots) and the equally raw landscape--I can see why someone might be so protective of these spots.  I don't condone it (I consider it absurd for the most part) but I can see what--and where--the attitude would stem from.

None of the below photos show any wave potential (don't worry, PV guys), but they do show the relatively untouched beauty of the Palos Verdes coast.

Venturing up to Palos Verdes can only make me wonder what the South Bay looked like before the invasion of cookie-cutter homes, pavement, and cement.  I've seen very few photos of the South Bay pre-industrialization--maybe it's better that way.

Location, location, location: ever wonder why it's so expensive to live in Palos Verdes?

--FIN--

Viva Transfer Art

Transferring instant film emulsion (emblazoned with slide film imagery) onto a variety of papers has piqued my interest as of late.  [CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

Fuji 100C 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

Polaroid 690 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

Fuji 100C 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

Polaroid 690 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" packfilm

--FIN--

More transfer art coming soon!

The technique has been refined--and I'm ready to show some more wares!  Check back in the next couple of days because I will be posting some Fuji instant film/Polaroid instant film transfer art.  Next on my list of films to try out for transfers/lifts is the Impossible Project Silvershade.

Scans coming SOON!  Viva instant film & the mighty Daylab!

LIGHTS: carnival by El Co

A night with the carnies:

Driving near El Camino a ferris wheel popped into view from out of nowhere...

so Huy Truong of Frenetic+Joy photography and I figured a visit to the carnies was in order.

 

I didn't quite understand why anyone would pay to go fishing or rubber ducks, but go figure...

...though witnessing the simple joy of riding a merry-go-round took me on a trip down memory lane.

This duo seemed to be enjoying a game of toss-and-hope...

...while this carnie extraordinaire was scaring plenty of up business with his balls, visible in hands...

...even though none of the customers I saw play were successful at winning a prize.

[CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE]

I hope you all have a great workweek, and enjoyed this past weekend.  Trust me--I'm dying to get my housing out into the ocean!  Or in very the least, to see the ocean.

FREELANCE: Patch.com Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach online news

Check them out!

http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/hermosa-fireman-receives-medal-of-valorhttp://manhattanbeach.patch.com/articles/brown-receives-medal-of-valor-for-daring-rescue#c

Thanks all!

'tweener day

Here are some more shots taken with Fujifilm and my N90s housed in an SPL rig:

 Once again, Eric Ordorica's nonchalance and remarkably casual style--on the twin fin keel fish stick--shine bright.

These are from awhile back, I just recently found time to share them.  Again, sorry for the lack of consistent updates--I'm working towards becoming a full-time photojournalist, and my love for surf photography has to take a back seat from time to time.

Enjoy.

--FIN--

joint PATCH.COM photojournalism essay up!

Check out:
http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/photos-our-lady-of-guadalupe-fiesta

Let me know what you think!  Photos are taken by Marcus Bockman and Bradley Zint (check photo credit to see who took each shot).

freelance: PATCH.com HERMOSA BEACH

I recently garnered a freelance photojournalsim assignment with the great folks over at Patch.com's Hermosa Beach division.  Look for photos of mine to be published on the Hermosa Beach Patch, which is more or less a giant network of hyper-local news websites, or "Patch"es.  You can navigate there by going to:
www.Patch.com
and clicking on California on the right, and then on Hermosa Beach.

I will put up another post to notify you loyal visitors as to when the content is officially up (nominally, sometime on Monday--but stay tuned for actual posting time.).

This opportunity has me quite stoked.  Hopefully I will be doing more work with them in the future--you all will be the first to know here at: South Bay Central!

THE COVE

Scanned from beautifully detailed medium format negatives, here are two cropped shots of Palos Verdes' beloved Cove, taken the same day as these:

Three different craft fly-by.

Swell lines were breaking all the way out to Ski Jump.  If I recall the position of the Ski Jump lineup, your body does more or less what the whitewater is doing if you blow the Ski Jump take off.

Rides in the Wild Surf

On Sunday, February 28th, 2010 the following rides were executed at an undisclosed location in the South Bay...

 

Body Glove team manager Matt Chernega, wishing he hadn't in 3...

  

2...

  

...and 1.

  

Casual and upright off the bottom, an unidentified surfer turns off the bottom.

  

Another casual, upright--but strong--bottom turn executed by an unidentified surfer, likely hoping for a section to bounce off of. 

An aggressive, hopeful backdoor duck into the pocket ends in the "road to nowhere" for this unfortunate surfer--it's always worth a try, though.

  

  

 Matt Chernega, glad he did.

---

South of these brave attempts, lonely "Tanker Reef" capped, with no one courageous (or stupid) enough to attempt paddling in:

while the rough inside of "El Puerto" pumped.

FIN.