More boats on parade

Christmas boat parade

Dana Point, California has an annual boat parade each Christmas season on the first 2 weekends in December.  Boaters compete by decorating their boats with lights.  Crowds gather all along the harbor as the boats parade up and down.  Here are just a few of them.

Another look at the Mission

I love to take photos at the San Juan Capistrano Mission - known as the "Jewel of the Missions".  There are ruins, gardens, stonework galore.  I have revisited the mission and used a technique called HDR (High Dynamic Range).  This techniques allows me to capture the brightest brights, the darkest shadows and everything in between.  I hope you enjoy these photos.

New, new, new

Wowwee, wowwee!  There are so many new things going on with my photography in the last few weeks I don't know where to begin.  New techniques, new places to shoot, new types of photos and new people to photograph.  I have been neglectful of my blog due to the number of photo projects on my plate.  I have made some exciting plans that will be in the works this next month and into the new year.  I will have a place to view my photos the way I have envisioned it for so long.  All of that is to come.  But today I want to share some photos from last months trip to Valley of Fire outside of Las Vegas.  It is a photographers dream and I am sure I will post more photos from there shortly.  Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving!

What the Duck!

If you haven't already discovered it, please check out my favorite on-line comic strip. http://www.whattheduck.net/

Jewel of the Missions

Mission San Juan Capistrano is known as the the Jewel of the California Missions. This was because of the beautiful locale as well as the beauty of the mission itself. The mission is in ruins now but to my eye that makes it even more appealing. It is one of my favorite places to shoot. Here are just a few samples.

Paradise (part 2 - the harbor)

Dana Point Harbor is one of my favorite places for taking photos. Just before sunset and very early morning are of course the best time for that. This first photo is the Dana Point Yacht Club just before sunset. I love the way the water and the almost night sky are the same color.

This is a training ship used by the Ocean Institute at the Harbor. One day I will get aboard and take some up close photos of the gear.

There is always something passing by in the protected area before getting out the the open ocean. Kayaking is very popular right now. Notice the "audience" on the rocks.

Hooray for Hollyweird

Right outside the famous Mann Chinese Theatre (star's footprints in cement) are these impersonators. They pose with tourists for tips. The impersonations range from big plastic/rubber masks of cartoon characters to true look-alikes who use costume and makeup for an impressive image.

"Another fine mess"

"The Force is with us"

"A pirates life for me"

"This is NOT Peter Parker"

Coming around a corner into an alley we came across this guy putting on his Spiderman costume. He didn't really seem the super hero type but you know the old saying, "the clothes make the man".

Playing with Motion

In the following photos I used techniques to create or amplify motion. In this first photo the train is just leaving the station and barely crawling. By holding the aperture open for close to a full second it gives the illusion of tremendous speed.

Again, by keeping the aperture open this carousel appears to be going so fast that the carousel horses are blurred to invisibility.

In this photo the prayer candles are stationary. The motion is caused by zooming in and out while the aperture is held open. This gives an interesting set of squiggles in the flame. Notice the Mary figure and the cross in the background.

I live in Paradise

The Dana Point/San Clemente area of south Orange County in California is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas around. The climate is mild all year long. Around every corner there seems to be a terrific view. Here are a few of my favorite in and around the water.

Starting off with a BANG!!!

I thought I would start this blog off with a little "explosiveness". These are photos taken of the San Clemente fireworks this year. I had planned on taking many photos but the overcast sky caused me to put away my camera and give up the idea of firework photos. Then, as soon as the sun went down, the clouds disappeared and the conditions were perfect for fireworks. Luckily I had my little point and shoot handy. These photos are taken with a Cannon G9 point and shoot - hand held. Here are my favorites:

Coming Soon!

Thank you friends for visiting. I hope to have some photos up for you to view in the very near future. Please visit again.

B