Photography Tip Tuesday | Fortune Cookie says:

It's funny that these nowadays fortune cookies aren't what they used to be.

I guess they've run out of ways to say "Luck will come your way." Instead, fortune writers are turning to nonsensical words of wisdom like "It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end." ........ WHAT???? O.o

 But tonight, I got a very appropriate note from my little yummy treat. 

Profound isn't it?

So since I'm in some weird "Confucius say:" mood, I will write my post in good ole' fortune cookie fashion...

Some of these are plain and simple, but most have a hidden, epiphanic, mind-blowing, WHOA.... type moment, so take the time to think and if you figure me out... AwEsomEnEss! :) Hope you get something out of it!

What does this have to do with photography? well... your mindset and philosophies manifest in your performance and art.

1. Count your blessings.
2. If you think you have the most horrible life, just remember that you're not living in (insert 3rd world country here)  fighting for your own life let alone basic human rights.
3. There's always someone out there who will be ahead of you... except if you turn the other direction and pull out a mirror they will always be behind.
4. Success isn't tangible. It's a journey with no final destination.
5. If you think you're doing fine, you're not. If you think you're doing bad, you're not.
6. Everything can be answered by this one equation, E = MC squared.... a child who can say "mom" or dad" knows this.
7. Failure is when you've accepted something is impossible. 
8. Be  _______________.
9. A 'To do' list... is transactional, but a 'STOP doing' list, is transformational.
10. You can have it all, you just can't have it all at once.

Rob

Solana Beach | Photography | Kite Surfing !

Happy Wednesday to all of our faithful blog readers :)  Rob tells me that I have apparently been "slacking" on the blog writing lately.  I guess that's because I have so many fun photos to share that it's hard to decide where to start.

Well, here goes...  Funny story about Robert:

When we first started dating he was basically a computer geek with his fingers glued to the keyboard.  Although I think the Iphone has now replaced the computer as his newest appendage, he has gotten out more since we first met.  Most people that know Robert now, know that he loves outdoor activities, especially surfing and snowboarding. And he always complains that I don't let him engage in these activities enough.

Well,  just for the record he had never done either of those activities until I introduced it too him. LOL!  

Last week we witnessed kitesurfing for the first time, so I know it's only a matter of time until Rob takes up his newest outdoor sporting venture.  At least it produces some pretty cool photos.  

Here are a few photos we took near Solana Beach on a Super windy day.  Enjoy!

 

I love that from this perspective the the kites don't look much bigger than the seagulls.

But in reality, the kites range anywhere from 27-81 feet!

There were about 15 kitesurfers in the water at a time.  Wish we had the 14-24mm to capture it all :(

This wave totally consumed him!

Rob loves the leading lines in this photo.
For a minute there, it looked like his was about to be carried away by the kite.  I probably would have floated out to sea- LOL.

Active Bluff Failures? Nice and safe!
The lone windsurfer.

Happy Birthday "Issa-Mom"!

I dedicate this blog post to our cat, Midnight because he has enlightened my life as my first pet and as Jessica's first "son". 

So whats with "Issa-Mom"?

"Issa-Mom" is Jessica's nick name for Midnight. She always greets Midnight by saying, "Hiiii! Issa-mamma Midnight pikapeee!" No, this is not some Jar-Jar Binks reference, but some type of italian-pokemonish-baby talk.... for our cat. 

Is it cute? I think so. Deranged? I think that too. Despite the fact that Midnight is male, Jess also insists on referring him as "mama". 

Midnight will be turning 4 years old in a few days. He's a giant, cuddly, ball of fur that loves being massaged, ripping our couches to shreds, hunting insects, and knows how to talk to us. "reeeeeeeooooowww" means "clean up my potty you lazy scum bags" and "Re-reeow" is I'm hungry. Midnight is very laid back these days and likes to observe us from afar, like an owl. But as much as he likes being alone, he can be very clingy too. 

Hold your thoughts and judgements, we're not crazy cat people. Just avid pet lovers. I've yet to cross that fine line between pet lover and crazy-cat person (or so I think), but Jessica is starting to show telltale signs... *sigh*. 

So since the lighting equipment I rented for an upcoming shoot arrived at the doorstep today I decided to test it out on Midnight so we could have something to keep in our digital scrapbooks. 

What a great model he was! For the most part, it was pretty easy. We put the softbox right next to Midnight's favorite spot, put on our 50 1.4 and away we went. 

Here, Midnight was a second or so from jumping right on top of our softbox. Thank goodness he didn't, I would've had to return a thousand dollars worth of equipment in a lot of broken pieces. 

My favorite shot

We love ya Mama-Midnight! 

Finally, here's a great photography tip. If you want to improve the way you catch instant moments... try taking pictures of black cats! BELIEVE US.... IT HAS HELPED A LOT. 

Rob