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Macro lens. No filtering affect, just a background of rain drenched flowers.

And the flowers and the trees.... 

-Early heat has tricked the orchard into blooming. The bees are out in full forces. 

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Foreman

The Foreman

Moon Beams

Night shot of full moon. Long exposure. 

Visiting the Kids

Baby season has started. Temps have been pretty cool, but the kids have their coats and sweaters.

Catnap

Lion pups grow up so fast. 

FrozenTemperatures reached freezing. I walked the property and had a blast with all the rare ice and frost.

Temperatures dropped to freezing. Had a blast finding all the frost and ice.

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My photography assistant, Hank. Up and awake enjoying the winding roads of Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona.

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Calm before the storm. It's desert season. The buggies are coming.

In Between CropsOnce 120,000+ acres of cotton were grown in the Imperial Valley. Farmers turning to grow alfalfa hay, corn and wheat. A once booming industry is fading into history.

Once 120,000+ acres of cotton were grown in the Imperial Valley. Farmers turning to grow alfalfa hay, corn and wheat. A once booming industry is fading into history.

Straddling the LineA rare quiet moment on The Prado. Balboa Park.

A rare almost unheard of moment of quiet on The Prado. Balboa Park.

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Don't bother me. Get off my lawn!

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Coming down the mountain, the view changes every morning. 

Antlion in WaitAntlion in Wait

I was stumped at this creature. It wasn't a dragonfly or damselfly. My good friend and entemologist helped identify it. 

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Macro of African Daisy

Fowl PlayFowl Play

The future's so bright, they gotta wear shades

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Play time anyone?Play time anyone?

Hank, the shop dog, waiting for someone to throw his ball. It won't move on it's own buddy. 

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Cows Come Home

6 am through the back country in San Diego. The fog was rolling out of the valley and the cows were coming home.

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Shapes, shapes and shapes! Color is a bonus. Looking at the details and finding unusual angles adds to the challenge.

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Playing with filters. 

Standout

Birds have always been an interesting subject matter for me. They're unpredictable, have a mind of their own and do the most unexpected things.

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Night Sky

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The cafe was empty, a few hours away from the dinner hour. I was picking up my "to go" order and waiting in one of the booths. The later afternoon light was streaming through the window. Asking permission, the owner let me take photos while I waited. I think he was amused that I was enamored with the salt shaker. 

Two San Diego photography exhibitions not to miss

There’ll be no bathroom selfies at ‘The Art of Photography Show’ and ‘Acerca de la Cerca’

By Alex Zaragoza

 

“Pigeonholed” by Jo Palasi, part of The Art of Photography Show 

Every once in a while, a week filled with cool art shows will come and, despite my best attempts to clone myself, I can’t get to them all because my brother decides to have a birthday. This week, there are two photography exhibitions that I’m very excited to see. Since I’m an utter failure in the science of cloning, I’ll have to figure out a way to get to both.

The U.S. / Mexico border fence is the main subject in Acerca de la Cerca, or About the Fence, a photography and installation-art exhibition opening with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at Mesa College Art Gallery (7250 Mesa College Drive in Kearny Mesa). San Diego and Tijuana artists Carmela Castrejon, Maria Teresa Fernandez, Paul Turounet and Ana Teresa Fernandez will address the social impact of the fence in interesting ways. For instance, Turounet is using pieces from the fence taken from Border State Park to build a 10-by- 40-foot steel wall, which will bear portraits he took of migrants attempting to cross the border. Powerful stuff. 

God bless The Art of Photography Show for its ongoing capacity to give talented photographers the exposure they need to advance in their career and, for a lucky 15, some sweet prize money. Fifteen winners will walk away with up $2,000. Whoa! Do they accept submissions of sandwich photos? ’Cause I’ve got a few. The free opening reception, happening at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park (1439 El Prado), is a chance to see the best in international emerging photographic art, including pieces by San Diegans Vince Baworouski, Jo Kami, Dana Neibert, Jo Palasi and Olivia Sibley.

 

 

 

Write to [email protected]. You can also bug her on Twitter.

The Art of Photography Show Opening Reception
Acclaimed International Exhibition Opens October 12, 2013 at the
San Diego Art Institute "Museum of the Living Artist" in Balboa Park

The ninth annual Art of Photography Show, an international competition and exhibition of photographic art, will debut the top 201 photographs on October 12, 2013 with the Opening Reception Gala and Awards Ceremony at the San Diego Art Institute "Museum of the Living Artist," located in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park. This public reception will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. and is expected to attract over 1,000 people, including artists and collectors from around the world.

Finalists were selected from almost 13,000 entries from 85 countries judged by Julia Dolan, Ph.D., Curator of Photography at the Portland Art Museum. For photographers and collectors alike, the distinguishing feature of this competition is its notable judges­each year the Art of Photography Show invites a curator from a major museum to jury the show.  Photographers rarely have the opportunity to reach these respected and influential people, which is why the show receives so many entries from world-renowned photographers.

This year's judge, Julia Dolan, brings a refined and qualified eye to the jury process. Art connoisseurs recognize this is an unequaled opportunity to view such compelling photographs chosen by a world-class curator.

What: Art of Photography Show
Where: San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park – 1439 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
When: Saturday, October 12th, 6 pm - 10 pm
Cost: Free

The Art of Photography Show is an established and critical force in the world of contemporary photography. The show provides tangible benefits to artists seeking exposure for their work. The competition's producers continue to outdo themselves. This well conceived international exhibition provides value to artists at every turn, from first-rate viewing in the judging process to exhibition and publication opportunities, photo industry connections, and even monetary awards.

Exposure is critical to all artists. Selected works will be on exhibit for a full five weeks in the San Diego Art Institute "Museum of the Living Artist" in Balboa Park. On October 12th the exhibition’s elite attendees will include art collectors, curators, designers, architects, executives, civic and government leaders, not to mention the stars of the show­the artists. The selected artists journey from around the world to attend the reception, take in the show, engage the viewing public, and share creative inspiration with fellow photographers. Another benefit to the artists is the chance to connect with prominent San Diegans and perhaps catch the eye of another curator in attendance.

To learn more, visit: www.artofphotographyshow.com
For an informational PDF about the Art of Photography Show, click here.

Contact:
Steven Churchill, Producer
[email protected]
Phone: 619-825-5575

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Silhouette of weeds against the late afternoon heat.

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Inside cargo hold of a Piasecki H-21, a huge American helicopter used during the Vietnam war. The Ramona Airstrip was built in 1943 by U.S. Navy as an emergency landing field for aircraft. Now also base for San Diego's CAL FIRE aircraft and units.

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Strolled through Balboa Park after work. Someone somewhere flicked the switch to turn on all the string lights as I walked the Presidio.

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Went down to the bay to see what the Coots were up to. This one was a little more curious than the others. I can't usually get too close to them unless I have some bird feed. It might have been the granola bar in my hand. 

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Sometimes the best companions are four-legged.

From left to right, Mickey, Nala and Rowdy with their backpacking owners passing throuh Ocean Beach, CA.

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I followed a flock of about 100 red-winged-black birds down a dirt road in Japatul Valley, Alpine, CA. The males have red on tops of their wings, females are brown. They repeatedly landed in a dirt field, took to flight and landed when I tried to get close.