Photography Songwriting Drumming Skateboarding
Ken Hada John Stamos 1982. I made this photograph just before John Stamos became famous. In fact, at this time we would go to Los Angles for his auditions. Eventually, we would do something in Los Angles. Further, one of our favorite things was the stunt show at Universal Studios. Additionally, this picture was shot with my Nikon F2a. Finally, yes I still know John Stamos.
Daily Photo Walk. Walk around the place you live. And with your eyes and camera find beauty. Make a Thing Everyday.
I found this flower on my daily walk. And I photographed it with a Fujifilm digital camera. And this activity “Daily Photo Walk” came about from a class I took at Cypress College. In fact, the prompt was something like Beauty All Around you.
We were told to make a photograph, but instead of going to a photo-worthy spot find it right there in the class or on campus. As you can imagine photographers think they need to go to some exotic place to make a good photograph. When in truth they just need to have a good eye for light and composition. And on crit day you could really see who could make a great photograph and who relied on where or what they were taking a picture of.
I was one of those people who was handed a great photo job and happened to know people who others liked to look at. And this made me wonder about my actual photography skills. And this is why I spent and still spend so much time taking photography classes.
Given these points, why not put your photo skills to the test? And make something meaningful from the world at your fingertips? And don’t get me started on which camera one must own to be a serious photographer.
Abstract photography exploration is a series of images I am creating. First, I don’t exactly know what abstract photography means. And sometimes I confuse abstract and surreal photography. But abstraction has always fascinated me.
On February 20th 2012 I took some pictures of Lizzie Armanto skateboarding Montclair skatepark. Before on this day we had some breakfast at a place called Flake in Venice California. Afterward we probably drove to Montclair Skatepark. And after the skate/ photo session in Montclair I probably dropped her off at the Combi in Orange California.
Back in 2012 Lizzie Armanto and I would sometimes hit up to 3 skate spots in a day. And probably stopped at at least one tea place along the way. More importantly this was a great time for me to work on my skateboard photography technique. Above all it was just a fun time to hang out with Lizzie.
Here is another photograph I published many years ago from the same session.
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away I met magician Michael Weber. I was an elementary school kid looking for the latest in magic (the magician type). The time period was the 1970’s and the locations southern California. Michael worked at the The Magic shop. Michael Weber had a strong impact on my young self. You just don’t meet a guy like this everyday. Weber always made me laugh, amazed me, and was always kind to me. So how do you reconnect from a galaxy far far away (Twitter I guess)? And as you may have guessed Michael Weber is that same force of imagination, creativity and kindness, that he always was!
Lastly, if Michael Weber were to hear this podcast he would gently remind me ” every dance is too long” or “if it can be cut it must be cut”, and of course he’d be correct. But alas my style of conversation (podcast) goes against many of the wise concepts Michael genrously offered up in our chat. Even so, hopefully Michael’s wisdom and good sense will still prevail over my uncut unedited style of conversation.
Finally lets cut through this SEO-bullshit-intro. Michael Weber is someone I looked up to as a kid and still look up to. And I was surprised also very happy to have a conversation with him. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Michael Weber as much as I did having it.
Every Dance is Too Long Michael Weber complete
I few months ago I decided to give podcasts a try. You might think why podcasts? They are so stark, no pictures, no video, and no text. Instead of all the stimulating visual things that make the internet so fun podcasts rely on sound alone. Thats right, but sound can be very interesting. And why not sound? If I were you I would not underestimate sound. Sound is glorious and the sound of words are not to bad either.
As a matter of fact words have propelled this world forward for a long time. People have used words to do really great things and really bad things. Words can change a student into a doctor, and a single person into a spouse. Words push around so many things in our world. And if you use your words at someone else they might use some towards you. Sort of like a conversation.
Conversations can be very interesting to listen to or participate in. Im not talking about conversations on Reddit, a newsgroup or your favorite web forum. Im not even talking about conversations on text or dm. Im talking about real conversations (the in person type). Conversations that have no reason, nothing to sell, and nothing to prove. Conversations that talk about art of all things. That thing we do or admire that somehow makes sense. That art thing that makes us feel a feeling or elevates us. Art conversations on things like photography, skateboarding, music, poetry, or acting.
If you made it this far you might like to listen to my conversations with my friends. Friends I like and respect. Friends that I believe in. I think they have interesting things to say and you might think so too. I hope you will enjoy a series of podcast I create called “i Had a conversation”
http://www.ihadaconversation.com/i-hada-a-conversation-with-john-stamos/
My good friend was performing at the Hollywood Bowl on the same evening. So I was only able to attend Exposure for a few hours. I managed to catch some of the Amateur bowl and all of the vert competition.
This is a great video. Even if you do now own a soft box it would be worth trying all of these lighting techniques.
Although the basic physical aspects of a skateboard remain pretty close to your old roller skates nailed to a piece of wood, the evolution of “skateboarding” always amazes me.