Hollywoodland Walk

28 December 2014:

We went for a walk in what was once known as Hollywoodland, a neighborhood started in the 1920's by movie moguls and newspaper publishers as an enclave for the rich and famous. It is located directly below the famous Hollywood sign. We followed a hike described in the book "Secret Stairs: A walking guide to the historic staircases of Los Angeles", by Charles Fleming. Top photo shows a descent of the third of six staircases traversed in the walk. The second picture (by Rika) shows an up and coming Hollywood starlet (aka Lisa) drinking her iced tea in the local cafe, and the bottom picture shows the starlet as she gazes at the Los Angeles skyline from the Hollywoodland heights.

Canon 5D

Energy

27 December 2014:

From a walk through the Christmas lights display in south Torrance this evening.

Canon 5D

Playing tourist

26 December 2014:

Top - a visit to the LA Maritime Museum in San Pedro, and Lisa checks out an anti-aircraft gun.

Bottom - a short hike along the cliff tops, western side of Palos Verdes

Canon 5D

Eyes

25 December 2014:

We all got salt and pepper shakers from Lily for Christmas.

Canon 5D, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/40 sec, ISO 1000

Surfing Lesson

23 December 2014:

And what a beautiful day it was.

Canon 5D

You get a bath when you turn 10 years old.

14 December 2014

Rock 'n Roll car wash

Canon 5D

Night Views from the Pier

28 November 2014:

The humidity went back up this evening, and the beginnings of a fog were hanging about. Top image looks north towards El Segundo, bottom image looks south towards Redondo Beach. Both taken about one hour after sunset. I like the bottom one the best - the light beacon adds a lot of interest.

Canon 5D, 50 mm lens at f/1.2, 1/25 sec at ISO 3200 (top), 1/40 sec at ISO 1250 (bottom)

Pier Avenue

23 November 2014:

Bonus shot for today, on our way to the Number 9 Vietnamese noodle restaurant on Hermosa Avenue.

Canon 5D

Sidewalk Art

23 November 2014:

A shop in downtown Hermosa has set up a laser art display that is projected onto the sidewalk just outside of their entrance. It attracts a lot of attention, but is tricky to photograph.

Canon 5D

Table Tennis Tournament

22 November 2014:

Lily took me to watch a table tennis tournament this afternoon. She takes her lessons at this facility. I am told this was a fairly relaxed tournament. It was fun to watch!

Canon 5D

Dessert

19 November 2014:

Still learning to work with the new lens. Here is a shot at f/8 to test the sharpness at night. I like the contrast and sharpness. And, we had dessert too.

Canon 5D, 50 mm lens, f/8

Tattoo

15 November 2014

On my walk down to the grocery store tonight.

Canon 5D

Blue

9 November 2014:

Last night's fading sunset, and one shore bird. Taken about 34 minutes after sunset.

Canon 5D, 50mm lens at f/1.2, 1/50 sec, ISO 250

It finally rained.

1 November 2014:

These were taken on a morning walk down to the beach. We got 1/4 inch of rain last night, first rain since that odd rain blast we got back in mid-summer.

Canon 5D

Pre-Halloween Sunset

iPhone

Roses at Dinner

28 October 2014:

More fun with the new lens. Lily had an 'oops' experience with the baked chicken tonight, so we went to Phuket Thai instead. These (not so real?) roses were on the table.

Canon 5D, 50 mm lens at f/1.2

Caltech Visit

18 October 2014:

It was a presentations day for the 2014 Caltech summer undergraduate research projects. I brought along the camera with the new lens, still experimenting with it. Top image is Tyler, one of the students we have come to know through the program. The bottom image is of a very bright flowering tree on campus. Who knew that some trees blossom in the fall?

Canon 5D, 50 mm f/1.2 lens

Visitors at the Beach

10 October 2014:

I took the afternoon off, and we entertained a visiting family from New Zealand. The weather was fantastic, and the two kids did what all kids are supposed to do at the beach. And did I say how much I like this new lens?

Canon 5D

Ray thru the new lens

4 October 2014:

We went over to have dinner with him and see if we could get his email unstuck. Dinner was successful, email adventure not so much.

But boy do I like this lens. Look at that nice out-of-focus background.

Canon 5D, 50mm lens a f/2.

Evening Walk

23 September 2014:

Lily and I went out for a walk tonight.

Canon 5D

Engineering Library, University of Illinois

8 September 2014:

We went wandering around the University of Illinois campus in Campaign-Urbana this morning. I, of course, had to walk around the engineering part of campus. The Engineering Library is quite a nice building.

Canon 5D

Lincoln Residence

7 September 2014:

Visited Springfield and went to the Lincoln Museum and nearby residence. 

iPhone/Hipstamatic 

Geneva, Illinois

5 September 2014:

We toured the neighboring towns of Geneva and St. Charles, Illinois. Top image is a Frank Loyd Wright house in Geneva, the Fabyan Villa (now a state park), and the bottom image is a detail of the fabulously rich looking Kane County Courthouse with its deep red brick exterior.

Canon 5D

Cloud Gate

3 September 2014:
My photographic version of Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Chicago. What fun this was to photograph! It is truly a dynamic sculpture, changing with the weather and the sun angle and visitors.

Canon 5D

Walk in Downtown Chicago

2 September 2014:
We walked from our hotel out to the Water Tower, Museum of Contemporary Art, the lakefront, and back. It was a very nice day, and downtown was busy. We found a Farmers' Market right in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art, and had a great lunch. Farmers and art together!

Canon 5D

Train Ride

1 September 2014:
We rode the Empire Builder from Minneapolis to Chicago. The train station shots are of Union Station in St. Paul (Why are most train stations named Union Station?). The train exterior was taken at a brief rest stop in Milwaukee.

And, what else but use the Hipstamatic in black and white mode?

Lock and Dam #1

31 August 2014:

Walked down to Lock and Dam #1 on the Mississippi with Lily and Jean, and got in some practice with the LensBaby pinhole.

Canon 5D, LensBaby Pinhole, f/177, 1.6 seconds, ISO 100

Pronto Pup

30 August 2014:

Pronto Pup stand, Minnesota State Fair.

Canon 5D / LensBaby

What I did today.

Centennial Park at Sunset

27 August 2014:

Our view from a park bench. 

iPhone

Rock 'N Roll Car Wash

21 August 2014:

The Mini has been in here a few times, especially now with the drought - they recycle the water, I think.

Canon 5D

Waterman's

17 August 2014:

A complement to the image taken yesterday. This building is roughly across from Palmilla, and is a Pier landmark. This one was taken about an hour or so before sunset.

And, as a bonus:

Both Canon 5D.

Palmilla

16 August 2014

I like the light just after sunset. This was taken about 15 minutes after sunset on the Hermosa Beach Plaza. The plaza, the pier, the strand, and the beach were still packed with people.

Canon 5D, 1/8 sec at f/8, ISO 800

Getty Abstract

9 August 2014

iPhone