April 30, 2010

drama in the sky


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photo by Donald Kinney

We don't get to say this very often, but this has been a banner year for rainfall in California. The clouds have been dramatic. I shot this a couple days ago out at Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And that's our beloved Mount Tamalpais. This view is from Ring Mountain.



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photo by Donald Kinney

It was windy yesterday. The clouds were passing by and changing quickly.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Yes, there is drama in the sky. I think I hear the sound of music...


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April 29, 2010

Point Reyes, pretty as a picture-postcard


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photo by Donald Kinney

I took a long break from photography between the ages of 20 and 50, but when I was a little boy (((oh, maybe not so little))) I wanted to have the job of Lee Blaisdell, who did most all the picture-postcards of the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur areas.

Well, I never did give Mr. Blaisdell any competition in the picture-postcard business, but when I was about 16 I started making and selling what I called the "Photo-Plaque" -- a black-and-white print mounted on a 6"x8" piece of particle-board with routed and blackened edges. A little tourist-oriented art gallery on the wharf in Monterey agreed to take my little display box of Photo-Plaques on commission and I managed to sell over 300 units. In 1963 I was only charging $1.95 -- what a bargain...

Anyway, I had to tell you all of that because I think this photo (above) would make a suitable picture-postcard. I understand there are people in this country who have never seen or smelled the ocean, or marveled at the bright magenta Iceplant. Poor souls. They have my sympathy. Maybe a picture-postcard would cheer them up.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Ah yes, Point Reyes National Seashore -- a grand place to get away from it all. Perfect place to watch birds dance in the wind. This is Drake's beach, with it's high and scenic cliffs.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And this is the little creek that flows, creating the most interesting patterns, into the sea at Drake's Beach. As you can tell, for this photo I combined two vertical images (with one reversed). Not exactly picture-postcard material, but I was trying my best to be "arty" here -- a mirrored image might look better.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh gosh, looks like it's about time for milking. I used this photo the other day on my Daily-Duo, so if you missed it there, here it is again.

Point Reyes, although now a National Seashore, still has a number of working dairy farms. If you ever visit Point Reyes be sure to spook-around the old historic Pierce Point Dairy, dating back to the 1860's when it supplied milk, cheese, and butter (via ship) to early San Francisco residents.

Hey folks -- check out my Point Reyes set of photos on my "Big" site at http://www.photoarrow.com/861pointreyes.html


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April 28, 2010

more from Mission District, S.F.


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photo by Donald Kinney

Well, I just got back on my diet yesterday, so in a few more months I may be trim enough to look good in this suit -- I've just GOT to have it! It's for sale in a little clothing store on Mission Street -- hope it's still there when I go back. I figure that with the aid of this fine suit, all I will need is a life...



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photo by Donald Kinney

Now, I don't know for sure, but I think Mork and Mindy must live here. Colorful, isn't it? This is located in Clarion Alley, in the heart of the Mission District.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And another from Clarion Alley -- someone has some important words to share. I thought just a small section of the text would be sufficient.



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photo by Donald Kinney

The other famous alley loaded with art in the Mission District is Balmy Alley -- where I snapped this expressive mural. I'll leave the interpretation to you.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And another from Balmy Alley. A tree, two lovers -- all very romantic, I suppose... (((Just wait, ladies, until I get into that fancy white suit)))


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April 27, 2010

San Francisco's Mission District


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photo by Donald Kinney

The Sunday before last the Caliber Group held it's third "photo-walk", and this time we -- all 40 - 50 of us -- made a pretty thorough search for photo-opportunities in the Mission District. A fine time was had by all!

This (above) is detail on one of San Francisco's Victorians, or as many like to call them; Painted Ladies. Ornate and colorful, isn't it?



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photo by Donald Kinney

This is a T-shirt printing company, and apparently they are more proud of their work than they are of their grammar. (((I should talk; l.o.l.)))



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photo by Donald Kinney

And this is San Francisco's beloved Frank Chu with his ever-present and very mysterious sign. Frank has been our mascot and leader on the last two Caliber photo-walks -- and it has been nice to have his sign as a marker for where the group is headed.

Oh, you want me to explain Frank's sign? Sorry, you'll have to ask him yourself. Good luck understanding Frank's theories, but he will patiently explain the convoluted concepts behind those words if you have time.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I'm pretty sure that when the artist who painted this mural gets to the Pearly Gates, they will get extra bonus-points for having done such a nice job.


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April 26, 2010

more from Weston Beach, Point Lobos


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photo by Donald Kinney

Yesterday (as the banner) I showed a horizontal version of this Point Lobos rock scene, but I think this vertical is much more dramatic, and of course, larger. At top-left is a bit of the ocean and a distant point.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I was looking for love-letters in the frozen sand, but didn't find any.

Okay, okay, here it is -- Pat Boone with Love Letters in the Sand.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I did find, however, all sorts of life in the little tide-pools.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But mostly what I found was these highly artistic rocks -- and the selection goes on and on. It's a museum of art at Point Lobos -- and who would have known that they would name this fine rocky beach in honor of my favorite photographer, Edward Weston.


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April 25, 2010

Rocks at Point Lobos


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photo by Donald Kinney

This is Granite and it is extremely durable, but it has obviously seen a lot of weathering over the eons. Crashing waves laden with abrasive sand does the job of gradually wearing down the rock.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And this is Sandstone, a much softer rock which seems to erode into the most interesting patterns.



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photo by Donald Kinney

With the exception of the first photo, these photos were taken at Weston Beach, named after the world-famous photographer, Edward Weston, from the '30's and '40's who made great images here.



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photo by Donald Kinney

A person could spend days searching out all the little wild designs going on in this Sandstone at Weston Beach. I wish I lived closer to Point Lobos so I could do just that.

Stop back tomorrow for more rock shots from Weston Beach.


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April 24, 2010

Twisted Cypress at Point Lobos


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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh gosh, I knew I should have done my homework -- I know they call this Red Lichen, but I'm sure it has some other official name. Anyway, whatever it's called, I think it's orangy-red color on the twisted trees is dramatic.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Point Lobos has these fjord style inlets from the sea -- a perfect dwelling place for the druids and trolls.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And it's mandatory -- nobody can go to Point Lobos without snapping a shot of "The Pinnacle" plus a bit of twisted cypress.

Point Lobos is often at it's best when the sun isn't shining full-blast. I like these soft and muted colors, but look closely and you will find all sorts of little bright bits of color.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And would you believe that I shot this tree in 1963 and it looks EXACTLY the same now in 2010! I think the twisted Cypress looks like a ghost with outstretched arms.


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April 23, 2010

Old Cypress at Point Lobos


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photo by Donald Kinney

I fell in love with Point Lobos when I was just a little camera-snapper, and today my love affair with, as Robert Lewis Stevenson expressed it; "the greatest meeting of land and water on earth", is just as strong as ever.



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photo by Donald Kinney

But I certainly don't get down here to Point Lobos as often as I used to. I grew up in Pacific Grove, only a few miles away, so when I was a kid I had the opportunity to visit Point Lobos often. These days I live about 140 miles away and my visits to Point Lobos are rather special because they are so infrequent.

I made an early morning trip down to Point Lobos in order to meet up with my photographer buddy, Jan Bell, a resident of Ohio but out here shooting in the West for a month. He loves Point Lobos too and of course we had fun chatting about our cameras and Photoshop and all that good stuff. I normally prefer to go out shooting alone, but I've known Jan for years now and he is a fount of information about photography -- he's taught me a lot about the craft.

CLICK for a photo of Jan standing in front of the old Cypress trunk -- it will give you a sense of scale.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Early on I found out about one of the world's most famous photographers -- Edward Weston -- and I found a strong gravitational pull towards his work since he also did a lot of photography at Point Lobos in the '30's and '40's.

A subject like this weathered Cypress (above) would be one Weston would have photographed with his huge 8x10 view camera. The result I have here is only a pale approximation.



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photo by Donald Kinney

It's a great year for wildflowers at Point Lobos. They are at their peak right now. And while these wildflowers resemble Indian Paintbrush, they aren't. That's about all I can tell you. Maybe someone knows and can help me out.

UPDATE:   Adam Paul came to the rescue with the name -- it's Monterey Coast Paintbrush (C. latifolia).


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April 22, 2010

more from Monterey Bay Aquarium


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photo by Donald Kinney

So who knew that one of the ugliest and scariest creatures in the giant three-story tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium would turn out to be one of the friendliest? Yes, that's right folks -- next time you are considering getting a dog as a companion I suggest you consider adopting a Wolf Eel instead.

When this Wolf Eel spotted his friend the diver in the tank he came over for some pets -- it was just like the diver and the the Wolf Eel were the best of friends, which of course, they are.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I thought it wouldn't hurt anything if I showed you another shot of the incredibly beautiful Sea Nettle.

While standing in front of these creatures I couldn't resist wondering what they might be thinking about. Probably not a lot. (Wouldn't that be nice?)



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photo by Donald Kinney

And daw-gon it, but I forgot to take note of the name of this white Jelly, but it looks like the Jellies we sometimes find washed up on our beaches around here -- they're completely transparent, except for the slightly translucent bits. A word of caution -- you wouldn't want to handle this species of Jellyfish either.



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photo by Donald Kinney

If you've read John Stienbeck's Cannery Row, then you might remember Doc (Ed) Ricketts, whose character in the book was based largely on reality.

This was Doc Rickett's home and laboratory -- he was a marine biologist by trade and a poet at heart, but in his spare time Doc and Stienbeck (((after a few beers, I'm sure))) were fabled to have enjoyed collecting frogs on moonlit nights. The frogs they collected were worth good money -- schools were always looking for frogs to dissect.

Doc's old home and laboratory here is just a stone-throw from the Aquarium, but I'm afraid this is about the only remaining authentic bit of Cannery Row. I grew up just up the hill from Cannery Row and I'm an old fart so I can tell you that Cannery Row is nothing like it used to be -- it's pretty much oriented towards tourists these days. Great place to buy an over-priced t-shirt.


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April 21, 2010

Jellies at Monterey Bay Aquarium


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photo by Donald Kinney

Yep, that's right folks, on Monday, after an adventurous day of shooting at Point Lobos (between Carmel and Big Sur) I stopped by the Monterey Bay Aquarium to say hello to the Jellies.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I've been to the aquarium twice before but the Jellies just blow me away. They propel themselves slowly from the bottom of the tank to the top, and then drift down again swaying their stringy tentacles as they go.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And sometimes, for whatever reason, if they decide they need to go sideways; by contracting those "bells" they can push themselves through the water.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And though I call them Jellyfish or just Jellies, the species here (there are over 200) are known as Sea Nettles. And with a name like "Nettles" it's best not to come in direct contact with these creatures -- people have died from their stings.


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April 20, 2010

black and white water


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photo by Donald Kinney

So, on Sunday I showed you some colorful water, so today I thought I should slip in some less colorful water.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Water that, I think, seems even stronger and more powerful in black and white (although these are color images).



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photo by Donald Kinney

Water, on a fast pace towards the ocean, but still with a bit of time to do a bit of fun spitting and splashing-around on the way.


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April 18, 2010

colorful water, Lagunitas Creek


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photo by Donald Kinney

Not to come off sounding like the twit of the year, but I sort of think water reflection shots, like these, are sort of my specialty.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Ask me, and I'd usually tell you that taking photos is about as difficult as falling off a log -- but these colorful water shots can be elusive. Shooting wide-open at f-4 gives a very narrow focus, and at ISO-100 the shutter speeds dip to a point where hand-holding the camera can be problematic.



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photo by Donald Kinney

All sorts of interesting and bubbly things going on at Lagunitas Creek, where for just a brief time and under the right conditions, water turns to gold...

CLICK for the Lagunitas Creek set on my NEWLY REDESIGNED "big" site.


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April 17, 2010

Heather Wilcoxon's art car, Sausalito


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photo by Donald Kinney

People who end up in Sausalito live there for one of two reasons;
1) They have more money than they know what to do with and prefer to live isolated lives on the hills above the town,
or 2) They are dirt poor and came to the houseboat communities to find a peaceful place to explore their creativity.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Heather Wilcoxon is an artist who came -- and stayed -- over thirty years ago. And so did her Gremlin -- which I suppose didn't start one morning and has been sitting there ever since, gathering a wide assortment of little plastic toys and a rather strange assortment of old worn-out dolls.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Well, hell, why not pose a princess inside a bicycle rim embellished with shiny compact discs?   Goes perfect with the blue dinosaur plate, I think.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Quite an assortment of Legos, but I think the main attraction here is the scene going on in the upper left corner of the photo.

CLICK for an interesting article on Heather Wilcoxon.


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