shutter to think

Mustard and Vines

When in Napa. Its mustard season and the valley is covered with them bright yellow speckles. Workers prune vines in an organic vineyard off Hwy 29.

Heart and Soul

Hidden in the deepest, darkest corner of prep sports, lies a warm and thoughtful photo column by Chicago Tribune photographer Scott Strazzante:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/cs-050826heartandsoulgallery,1,2625346.photogallery?coll=cs-ctsports

Interview: http://www.aphotoaday.org/apadnews/

Lucky Pic of the Day

I was sooo lucky i got this shot. So stoked! The guy on the left is a cyclist from Napa, one of the main sports story and I was assigned to shoot him in the race. I had no idea, I mean nooo idea, what I was getting myself into. Perched on the edge of the road, in the dirt on a slope, I waited for the cyclepsychos with a getty photog and two fans. and waited and waited and then in flurry of wheels, spandex and legs they came around a steep, sharp turn all at once. And not one slipped, skidded, or wiped out on this turn because that would mean taking out me, the other photgrapher and two randoms down a ravine of poison oak. Thank you erin lawley our sporty reporter for getting us to shoot some fun national news event.

Iwo Jima

I photographed a wwii vet today who was at the battle of Iwo Jima and saw both flags go up on the hilltop. He also saw Joe Rosenthal (rip) photographed the guys raising the second flag now immortalized by his famous picture and statue. The vet, James Rogers, 80, said Joe Rosenthal gave all the guys there a copy of his famous picture. On the table, you can see that picture.

HUMVEE TV

A wicked cool photo series from a pj buddy, Andrew Craft, photographer for The Fayetteville Observer, who is Iraq for few weeks. They are shots taken from inside a humvee. He and a reporter are following the 82nd Airborne Division. Hope to see more TV, Andrew.

The closest action I got to the war so far was taking pictures of a 22-yr-old marine and his family last week who is finally coming home after two tours. One of a few. the few who came back. But definitely the first marine i met who, when asked what he liked best about bring a marine, replied that he liked to kill, with his 7-yr-old sister sitting on his lap. His matter-of-fact answer left my mind boggling to ask more questions. Puts a damper reality check about who are these recruits, the marines, the kids with guns....Is the mentality really any different than a 22-yr-old civilian with a gun here in the States? He said he liked to kill.

Swimming Hole

Just updated a new photo album titled Pools of Paradise that I shot last summer with a holga camera. Check it out! I might revisit the camera and the secret swimming spots again this year.

On Stage

This picture was an outtake that I liked but didn't choose for an assignment on Napa's version of "American Idol" at the Opera House. The contestant walks onto the stage for her performance as the announcer and judges await her. Its kind of a tough read but i like the light that surrounds her.

Indian Spices

Indian Spice and everything nice: a food assignment I shot on Friday, on how to start cooking simple Indian dishes.