Palm Springs Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show 2012

Once again, the vintage trailer show at the Palm Springs modernism week did not disappoint!  This is my second year attending and touring these mint vintage trailers including the one of a kind "Decoliner" built from scratch in twenty months.

When you enter the show, you don't quite know where to head first.  All of the trailers lined up had their own distinctive look and feel to them inside and out.  It's hard to choose a favorite, but the crowd seemed to be drawn to the decoliner.

The show was held last weekend in Palm Springs at the end of their annual, "Modernism Week" which includes festivities throughout the week that is sure to please the mid century modern design fan.  This past Saturday, I wandered around the trailer show and photographed some of the trailers, but mostly I enjoyed picking people out of the crowd to photograph.

A big thank you to all who agreed to pose for me as well as "Airstream Life" for coordinating another successful event.  If you're an Airstream owner, be sure to put Alumapalooza on your list of things to do in June.

Here are some photos from the day.  To see more, click HERE.

Rich And Brett, the two behind the magic...

PDN Emerging Photographer and F Stop Magazine

This morning I found out that one of my images in my "Bingo Culture" series was chosen by the editors of PDN to be the photograph of the week and month on their website!  The photograph they featured is one I took while I was in Fort Collins, Colorado last December.

Also, this morning I learned that five of my images were selected to be in the Portraits Exhibit Group Show featured on F Stop Magazine. I have screen shots from both.  My five images selected for F Stop Magazine are the bottom five on the left.

You can see PDN's site by clicking HERE and F Stop magazine by clicking HERE.

People Of Venice Beach

Yesterday I took a stroll on the Venice Beach boardwalk with several other people doing the same.  I wanted to take some photographs of the locals in the area and practice approaching strangers with a smile and asking permission to take their photograph as well as having them sign a release to use the photograph.

I find it easy to hide behind the lens and be a watcher of sorts to the surroundings around me.
I find it more interesting to capture people in a relaxed state doing what comes nature to them.  Approaching strangers to pose can be a little daunting.  However, I approach it as challenging and fun.  You never know what will happen when you start a conversation, since the moment might disappear once they are fully aware that I am taking their photograph.  I am really low key in general and I hope that lends to a relaxed model.

I strolled the strip and when I saw someone I thought looked interesting, I approached them and started a conversation.  Some wanted money, some didn't care, I was rejected once and overall it was a great learning experience.  I look forward to doing this more on the road and I have a few personal projects that I look forward to sharing with you.  Here are some of my favorite models of the day living their life and crossing my path in Venice beach.  To see more portraits, click HERE.

Taking Photographs Of People At Alumapalooza

Since I am the one behind the camera, it's rare that I have a picture of myself unless I use my camera phone to snap a self portrait.  At Alumapalooza, I had my camera pretty much glued to my hands for five days and I hate to admit it but, um, I woke up with a calus on my finger from gripping it all day.  Yes, I know...so sad.

My friend Kristiana took a picture of me taking a picture so I thought it would be fun to post the picture I saw through the lens and snapped while she snapped this pic of me.  So, this would be a before and after, of sorts.  I don't use photoshop but use Lightroom to enhance the overall photograph as you can see from the pic.  When I take pictures of people I usually give little direction.  Sometimes I talk and try to make them feel at ease and wait for a moment where they seem relaxed or the "in between" when they think I am done.  Usually I tell them to look here or there but I try to make people feel as if I am not taking a photograph so their essence will shine through.  That's my ultimate goal, anyway.

"Hello, Can I Take Your Picture?"

It's been a while since I went out and spent the day taking pictures.  I thought it was about time to go out and see what I could find.  Today, I went to Huntington Beach and to do my usual snapping away at things that looked interesting, but this time I was going to get out of my comfort zone of hiding behind the camera and actually walk up and talk to people. I know, scary...right?

It's not that I don't mind talking to people, it's just that you never know what you are going to get when you approach someone who is enjoying the day and who really didn't count on some woman coming up and asking to take their picture while they relax on the beach.  I was completely surprised that every person I asked said yes.  When you think about it, being at the beach in a swimsuit is one of the most vulnerable places to be for many people.  I prepared myself for the, "get out of here lady!" or, "can't you see that I don't want to be bothered!" response.  Perhaps because it was such a beautiful day that people didn't mind the attention.  Whatever the case, it I was appreciative of it.

It really was a beautiful day.  I enjoy taking pictures of everyday people living their life and I certainly came across a mix of personalities.
The way it should be.

Many asked why I wanted to take their photo and I explained to them that I like to take pictures and that I was doing it for practice, which is true.  On my upcoming travels, I look forward to engaging with people more than I have in the past.  I want to learn about their life, hear stories and document the "American life."  The lives that many of us don't read about in the news or watch on television.  I wanted to do that with my American Life Today blog, but this time I will run into people that might not have computers to share their story.

I look forward to sharing more images of, "hello, can I take your picture." Who knows, I might run into you!  In that case, please say yes.

You can see more pictures from my day by clicking HERE.