Botanical Garden
I took these so long ago that I don't remember exactly when I took them. They were taken mostly at the Berkeley Botanical Garden and at another well known garden in Moraga. I wouldn't even know how to tell you how I shot them.
I know this much, shot with Fuji Velvia 50 slide film in my Canon A1 with macro extender -- flash hand held on top (left or right) of the lens.
Some of you have asked, these are unedited... you're missing out if you've not yet tried Velvia slide film.
Last Frame:
I spent Thanksgiving Day (2006) morning sharing... giving my time to a bunch of guys that needed it more than I. I spent time preparing food and cleaning tables for a bunch of guys that wanted a better life, now. I think I've been lucky compared to these guys and I just wanted to share some of what I have with them. I'm not going to say what they'd done in their past because that is the past. But I do know that what I saw in their eyes were guys just needing a second chance in life. They are looking ahead to a better more beautiful life than what they've had. These are their pictures. I took these with my point and shoot 4megapixel Nikon Coolpix. I hope that they'll now be able to share it with their family and friends. If I've made their lives a little bit easier or happier even just for a moment, then I know that I did something right. If I had to spend another 6 hours of my life cleaning dirty tables and floors, and preparing food for a bunch of guys that needs a second chance in life, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Volunteer your time to make someone else's life a little better, and if you can do it with your photography/art it is even more rewarding. I promise, it will make you feel good.
In 2006, I only did 3 shoots for the year; 1) Concours d'Elegance Car Show in Peeble Beach, 2) When I helped out a friend of mine to shoot aspiring models, which I've never done before... and 3) the Thanksgiving Day shoot in Oakland. This year already I've done 2 photo shoots - yeah!... 1) Abstract Photography and 2) Sports Photography - taking pics of my nephews playing basketball, and also some portraits.