more from Slacker's Ridge

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photo by Donald Kinney

This huge 30' boulder that looms above Slacker Ridge Trail. I decided not to shoot the Golden Gate Bridge view, as the afternoon sun wasn't cooperating.



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photo by Donald Kinney

A distant view of people enjoying sunny December afternoon on Hawk Hill.



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photo by Donald Kinney

And a view of those people bit closer...



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photo by Donald Kinney

The Sunset District and all the way down the coast to Pacifica.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

a jaunt to Slacker's Ridge

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photo by Donald Kinney

This photo bothered me most of the day yesterday, so this morning I converted it to black-and-white, making it a bit "easier on the eyes"...
Click on the photo to see a comparison between b&w and color.

That is Mount Tamalpais (above) in the background. I was at Slacker' Ridge, right above the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marin Headlands.



photos by Donald Kinney

The trailhead is just beyond the crest of Conzelman Road. This is the beginning to .4mi of some serious uphill struggle. I hadn't been up here for 40 years. This was a much easier climb when I was young.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Yes, indeed, and we are right above the Golden Gate Bridge. That is a very heavily congested Vista Point on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
I'll have more from Slacker's Ridge tomorrow.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

the world of smoke and mirrors

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photo by Donald Kinney

When I first showed this photo (taken December 5) on Facebook, I didn't explain until a few hours into the deception that the bottom half of the photo was indeed a bit of Photoshop trickery. Oh, I just couldn't resist. The idea came from our local community access TV station that has been showing a mirrored image of the Marin Civic Center which looks, for all intents and purposes, just like a perfect reflection coming off of the nearby lagoon.

Of course, in my photo here of the City, I gave the lower half a bit of a ripple effect, as well as stretching it a bit to make it look a bit more realistic. In reality I doubt if the bay ever has that smooth of a surface.



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photo by Donald Kinney

So anyway, all of this tom-foolery reminded me of a website I did from March 2005 to May 2011, where each and every day I would pair a square image with a rectangular image. The "Daily Duo", and while I had great fun producing it each and every morning I doubt if more than a few people actually followed the site on a regular basis.



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photo by Donald Kinney

It wasn't long before I discovered that sometimes with just one image, I could take a square section of a the left side of a rectangular image, reverse that, then join the square with the rectangle.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Depending on the subject, sometimes the technique worked and sometimes it didn't. In any case, I had g-r-e-a-t  f-u-n with the "Daily Duo", which I believe is the whole point of not only photography, but life in general.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

sun crushes fog

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photo by Donald Kinney

If you like your TV shows trashy and funny, then "Big Bang Theory" is probably for you, as it is for me. I love that show, and yes, I admit it--
I DO lust after Penny. She is a pip. (see below)



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photo by Donald Kinney

But then Saturday morning, out at Nicasio Reservoir in a foggy 27 degrees I saw it happening--the sun was crushing the fog... As plain as the new day...

And soon you have Sheldon Cooper with his improvement on "rock crushes scissors", thusly; Scissors cuts paper, paper covers rock, rock crushes lizard, lizard poisons Spock, Spock smashes scissors, scissors decapitates lizard, lizard eats paper, paper disproves Spock, Spock vaporizes rock, and as it always has, rock crushes scissors.




Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

copy and paste "journalism"

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photo by Donald Kinney

This image taken August 2013.
Okay, okay, I'll spare you ALL the details--unless you twist-my-arm and REALLY want to hear once again that it took 60,000 gallons of International Orange to paint the Golden Gate Bridge. Or, when built in 1937, at a cost of 35M, it became the world's longest single-span suspension bridge. Currently, the Golden Gate, with its 4200' single span is only the world's 12th longest.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image taken January 2012.
But you know, you might find this a bit more interesting:  I was looking through my book on San Francisco written in 1957 by Barnaby Conrad, where he discusses the uncertain etymology of the name "California".

Some scholars believe that "California" is derived from the two Latin words; calida fornax, meaning hot furnace; or the same in the Spanish language, caliente fornalla. Others think the name owes it origin to words spoken by the Indians and heard by Spanish explorers, which sounded like "California".


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

early morning down at the Gee-Gee Bridge

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photo by Donald Kinney

I wonder if it would be terribly disrespectful to the memory of my parents if I said that I probably grew up in the most unimaginative and unadventurous family on this planet.

But I did, and that is all past history, but I often marvel at how many times, as a kid, us four Kinneys made the arduous 130 mile journey from Pacific Grove to Kentfield here in Marin County w-i-t-h-o-u-t having much fun. The mission was to "see" Grandma, and for dad that meant a dedicated effort to make it from point A to point B, and no fooling around on the way. Certainly there would be no time to stop and admire or walk on the Gee-Gee Bridge. Certainly no time to take a little excursion to the top of the pointed Mount Tamalpais, which was teasingly close to Grandma's house.

This image (above) was made December 6, and when first posted on my Facebook page I explained that, yes, the moon w-a-s in the sky and setting quickly, but just not in this specific location. Keep in mind that when I use a bit of Photoshop trickery I always tell you about it. I have very few secrets.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Image made on July 25 of this year. Again, oh so very early in the morning.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

25/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

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photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 77 of book...   City from Mt. Tam, December 2012.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

The "City"...is there any other? This, from Mt. Tam; and at a safe distance.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 76 of book...   Point Bonita, January 2012.

And so, this concludes our 25 day trip through my new book. A few people have asked why I showed all of the book here--that people wouldn't buy the book if they could see it for free. I can only answer that I wanted as many people as possible to see my images. And I thank you from the bottom of my deep and dark heart for putting-up with my ego and this endless self-promotion. The way I see it, a fellow has to do what he has to do...

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 1 day I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

24/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 74 of book...   China Camp, December 2012.

Because of all the silt that has filtered into San Pablo Bay from old and environmentally destructive mining techniques in the Sierra Foothills 150 years ago, Jake's Island at China Camp is only an island during king-tides.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 75 of book...   West Marin, April 2013.

And of course, birds and the other animals were here first. I think we've done a pretty good job messing up "their" world since our arrival.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 1 day I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

23/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 72 of book...   Rodeo Beach, November 2010.

Wave snapping--hands up for this as a new and challenging Olympic sport.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 73 of book...   Nicasio, September 2013.

This is Rodeo Beach in Marin Headlands, not far from Golden Gate Bridge.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 2 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

22/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 47 of book...   near Nicasio, January 2013.

In "the book" I rendered these images without color. I think they probably work either way--as black and whites, or these warm colors of morning.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 46 of book...   Nicasio, September 2013.

In the book each of these photos have a blank facing page. Though they are similar subjects, I didn't think they would work as a paired "diptych".

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 3 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

21/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 71 of book...   near Nicasio, June 2013.

Just to show some of you what you could be missing...
   ...the early morning--a very still and quiet time of the day
       ...that hour before the large and blazing-ball-of-fire appears.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 65 of book...   Rodeo Beach, November 2013.

But I suppose sleepyheads are more akin to afternoon romps at the beach.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 5 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

20/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 55 of book...   Lagunitas Creek, August 2013.

Falling-in and/or getting soaked to the ankles is pretty darned simple, but making a photo of the Lagunitas Creek is about as difficult as the photog wants to make it. I usually try to keep it simple. Most days I stay dry.

But un-simple--and with tripod half in water and photog mostly out, I managed to get some deep depth-of-field, it being a windless day, and all.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 69 of book...   Nicasio, October 2013.

Speaking of books, I've been reading an historical account the Olema and other nearby parts of west Marin County. Logging in this area helped satiate San Francisco's demand for lumber, while the ranches and farms in the Olema Valley produced milk products, pork and beef and chicken and eggs.

That is the Wilkins Ranch home, a bit different than it looked in the late 1800's. Located half way between Bolinas and Olema this ranch was operated by the Randall family, and later by Sarah Randall herself after her husband William died. The house is now well boarded shut, but has reportedly been heavily vandalized on the inside. At one point the National Park Service wanted to tear the old ranch home down but the discovery in the 1980's of a rare big-eared bat colony in the attic has given the place a temporary reprieve.

In the mid-1970's the Federal Government arrived in the Point Reyes area and announced it was buying up everything in sight for the new National Seashore, but would let certain dairy ranches and cattle operations continue under a lease. It has been a cohesive match between public and the Feds until recently when the Feds decided that the "Johnson" Oyster farming operation (now operated by the Lunny family) were not part of the natural landscape and their equipment might actually be doing damage to the bay. The case has been in the courts for a while.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 5 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

19/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 67 of book...   Chileno Valley, June 2010.

Remains of an apparently once busy and/or prosperous milk farm on Chileno Valley Road. Frozen in time--the place apparently hasn't changed much over the years. I've been passing by this same spot for the past 47 years.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 68 of book...   West Marin, September 2013.

There is a surprising amount of agriculture being eeked-out in some of the most remote valleys and hillsides of Marin. Most of the crops are legal...

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 6 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

18/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 57 of book...   Point Reyes, January 2010.

Boundless energy in the wild ocean waves off the shores of Point Reyes.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 61 of book...   Wilson Hill Road, March 2008.

And a view down on the placid Tomales Bay at the top-end of Point Reyes.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 7 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

17/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 51 of book...   Ridgecrest Boulevard, January 2010.

Later, shadows will stretch in the secretive town of Bolinas, hiding below.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 59 of book...   Mount Tamalpais, February 2013.

On another day I spied mossy trees in fog at a low spot along the way.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 8 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

16/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 51 of book...   Lagunitas Creek, December 2011.

Just about on any given day, a typical scene at my beloved Lagunitas Creek.



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photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 50 of book...   Lagunitas Creek, February 2013.

Gravity sets the entire show into operation. Determined and unstoppable.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

15/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 53 of book...   Lagunitas Creek, August 2012.

I've forgotten the exact circumstances, but it must have been a fine morning that first day--10 or so years ago--when I discovered gold in the Lagunitas (La - guh - knee' - tas) Creek.

Gold and the multitude of colors reflected on the surface of a shaded stretch of Lagunitas Creek are freely available. It is easy pickins'.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 49 of book...   Lagunitas Creek, December 2011.

Our mighty Lagunitas Creek not only offers gold, but also curious and often elegant ripples. Gold, ripples, and reflections...  They go nicely together.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

14/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image (above) on page 63 of book...   Pier at China Camp, August 2013.

Frank Quan's mother, Grace, reportedly smoked cigars, spoke salty words, and was said to have gotten along f-a-m-o-u-s-l-y with John Wayne when "Blood Alley" was filmed here at China Camp in 1954.   (source: ibid)

(Images below) Pictures hanging inside the cafe at China Camp Village.
The big guy on the right is John Wayne, who with Lauren Baccal made the 1955 Hollywood blockbuster; "Blood Alley", using the rustic features of China Camp Village.   CLICK for YouTube "Blood Alley" movie trailer.


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photo by Donald Kinney

So, yes, Namastenancy, I've been keeping my eyes open for glamorous female spies and/or Lauren Baccal near the end of that pier for a while now, but without much luck. Plots abound but lurking at piers is dangerous work.

Yesterday, Namastenancy, said...
Your header today is like something out of film noir. I expect Bogart to land and immediately go undercover, aided by some glamorous female spy. Or shades of "The Maltese Falcon."

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 45 of the new book...   near Nicasio, November 2012.

--out near Nicasio, on a rounded hill...  A dark morning cloud passes...

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

13/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Image on page 41 of the book...   above Rodeo Beach, December 2011.

Air dovetailing with land. Heavy air low--light air higher. Sunset glow in the distance. A pleasing view above Rodeo Beach, not far from the Golden Gate.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 43 of the new book...   near Fairfax, November 2012.

"Ta - mal' - pa", the Spirit of our beloved Mount "Tam - al - pie' - us", likes to cloak herself in veils of fog on chilly mornings.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

12/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 38 of the book...   Point Reyes, taken February 2011.

At the end of this row of old Cypress trees is the "receiving" half of radio station KPH, which from 1920 to the 1960's was staffed by a crew keeping track of ship-to-shore communications, dots & dahes--they called it; traffic.

The receiving station is a classic white 1920s Art Deco building, whereas the transmitter site is 20 miles south on the Mesa, near the town of Bolinas.
The reason for the transmitters being so far apart is that powerful outgoing signals would interfere with weaker incoming signals. Operators at the receiving site remotely controlled (keyed) the transmitter by means of a landline connecting the two sites--incoming and outgoing messages could be handled in this one location.

KPH was originally located in San Francisco inside the Palace Hotel (the P&H in KPH), but after being ruined in the 1906 earthquake, operations were moved to Point Reyes, where antennas have clear coverage of the Pacific. Originally operated by RCA, both MCI and Global Wireless owned the facilities in the 1960's until the National Park Service in the 1970's turned all of Point Reyes, including her radio station, into a National Seashore.

KPH was originally not a ship-to-shore telephone company, but broadcast regular bulletins of news, weather and other general information to the shipping community, then relayed business and personal messages to and from individual ships. Station operators also monitored the international distress frequencies for calls from ships in trouble.

With the decline of Morse code the station was retired, but volunteers have preserved it in operating condition so that it can still be heard on the air on weekends and special occasions, sometimes using the alternative callsign KSM and the amateur radio club callsign K6KPH.   Source: Wikipedia.

Click to read more about KPH on AphotoAday post October 17, 2009.

This "tree tunnel" (above) might look familiar. You may have seen it filmed as a backdrop for a fleeting second or two on the "tube". The last television commercial I spotted shot here was an ad for some brand of tranquilizer.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 39 of the new book...   Pt. Reyes, taken August 2012.

Ghostlike and haunting, or perhaps you see a tranquil form...

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

11/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 36 of the book...   China Camp, taken July 2012.

China Camp served as a county park for years, but there were also a half-dozen or so private homes in the the area that were demolished when the State took over operation. Foundations and old rotting pilings is about all that remain. Boats came and went, but now San Pablo Bay is quiet--returned to the birds, ducks, geese; and on occasion--the guy with the camera.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 37...   Nicasio Reservoir, taken November 2011.

Basket making material in a time gone by. Miwok Indians lived in this area. I found a section of an Obsidian arrowhead several years ago at the top of the ridge.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book

10/25 - Photographing Marin County - my new book

click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 34 of the book...   Mt. Tamalpais, taken February 2013.

Still plenty of time to sit down, write a check or visit Pay-Pal, and get YOUR copy of "Photographing Marin County". Think of it as an investment. I'm not saying I am Ansel Adams, but the prnt I could have bought from him in 1963 for $30 is now worth $3000 or more. Think of it as helping me buy just one more tank of gas so I can fetch these photos. Think of it as offering me a reward for my diligence in getting these images to you, each and every day, come rain or shine.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This image is on page 35...   Mt. Tamalpais, taken December 2011.

And your purchase will come with a little reward to you-- Until January 1, I will absorb the postage and pay California sales tax, if applicable. That cuts into my profits, but it is my gift to YOU. Now, go get your checkbook and find an envelope and stamp. You are going to LOVE the colors and quality of this book. The paper is heavy, with the most beautiful surface. 80 pages. I chose the selection, sequenced, and designed it myself with Adobe InDesign--and I guess it took a couple tries to get it perfect, but what I have for YOU, ladies and germs, is a beautiful book chock full of my finest images--chosen for their emotional value as well as their possible artiness.

[boiler-plate]
Okay, okay, I realize that not everybody has $30 to shell out for a book, no matter how much they might want to support me and my work, so for the next 16 days I will be showing images from the book 2 at a time. You can also see exactly what the book looks like in a preview from MagCloud, the publisher, and you can also visit my website, DonaldKinney.com to see the images displayed as an exhibit without the book formatting and more info on how to place your order.


Photographing Marin County - the exhibit and book