Manone visited our campus. There was a lecture and a demonstration. It was interesting.

I only documented the demonstration part, the small lecture hall was way overcrowded and I didn't stay for much of that.

Explaining different caps.

Demonstrating.

Everyone was allowed to try it. Suppose the only difference was that this was done on butcher paper, rather than the actual wall.

After the demo, I was walking back to the darkroom, which is just to the left of this scene. I saw all these people standing in front of the wall, thought it was the weirdest thing ever so I had to take a shot.

Turns out it was a drawing class (found out when I passed the doors to the darkroom, noticed more clearly that they were all drawing the vines).

I "reorganized" the lost negatives.

Not quite right? Printing color can be frustrating.

When I took this, he didn't think I caught him in frame.

At Coffee Bean (not Starbucks).

Light was oddly good here.

Commissioned. Such a small car.

Echoing each other.

They repaved a part of the street I take to get to school. It was only like this for one night. I stopped that night and took a few frames. The dust kicked up mixed with the headlights of cars made it look interesting. I'm not sure why but my panning shot looks odd. I would have expected it to be more smooth.

Movie night, later.

That's all for now. I cross processed a roll of Ektachrome 100G and pushed it a stop. The results were ok, I'll post them in the next entry!

Thanks for reading, those that do.

But I'm still here, spending way too many hours on campus.

San Fernando.

Teddy.

Had his balls taken away that day.

Second time going to the annnenberg space for photography.

This time I was further back.

Dan Winters was the lecturer. It surprised me when he started off by showing his early work, which consisted of his version of street photography. The work was very interesting even though it could be argued that it's not street in the traditional sense. Interesting that he started off doing that.

Him and his photo of Obama.

Excuse the scratch.

Book signing.

Outside. Besides one kid (he was probably 6? 7?) I think my friend and I were the youngest people there.

Century City has this almost hospital like sanitary feel.

Went to Venice again. Found some ducks.

Not exactly chronological, since I rewound one roll, switched Trix+3 for Plus-x.

Annenberg again. Memory is disjointed anyway, right?

Venice.

More bikers.

Coca-cola can offering.

That'll be enough for now. I hope you enjoyed looking at them, thanks for viewing. :)

I find it hard to comment on these..

I've been intrigued by window light like this.

Switched to Portra 160 NC.

At Dana Point Harbor.

Shop had a very cozy feel to it, compared to the rest I saw, at least.

Sort of disappointed in the water spots on it, too lazy to get rid of them.

My brother. I don't think it's possible for me to hold my camera perfectly straight.

Skimming.

This is what happens when you're not watching the waves. :p

I had to hop backwards after that or I would have gotten wet too.

I don't have many words for these. I do know I'd like to shoot more beaches, though. Bruce Gilden's Coney Island work is inspiring enough. I think I'd rather shoot in color though.

Yea, I missed the focus, so what.

Probably the shot I'm most happy with from this roll.

My sister used my Holga that day. The roll came out quite well. Really need a scanner capable of scanning medium format.

Later that day I finished the roll at my Uncle's house. Newly moved in. They've got a nice view of the sunset from their backyard. There's also a family of young hawks. They didn't come out until after I finished the roll, though.

Finishing the roll I started (from the beginning of the post)

Think I nailed the exposure here.

Wide eyes.

Waiting.

He just sat there.

At the optometrist.

My eyes are terrible and when I go I have to take my contacts out. Last time and this one I ventured to take a couple shots practically blind and they came out just fine.

She wanted to try on green colored contacts.

I went and saw a lecture by Steve McCurry here.

There was a guy in the front row I saw shooting with an M8 (whose shutter sounded significantly different than I expected) but other than that everyone else was shooting huge dslr's.

At the book signing afterwards. I would have bought a book of his, but I'm broke so I didn't. Also, they were charging far more than what you can get them for on amazon. One guy came prepared with 3 books.

The lady that took this had never used a Leica before and didn't realize I was using film until after she shot it. She was really concerned, "so I can't check to see if it turned out well?" I prefocused for her and set the exposure so all she had to do was hit the shutter. I reassured her that I was positive it would come out.

I also had Steve McCurry sign my Leica, since I had nothing else of significance for him to sign. He did ask me after, "is this film or digital?"

My brother saw me take that one and he said "are you sure that's going to come out?" Exposure time was 1/4s at f/1.4. I told him, "I'm positive."

My cat is weird.

Over in Panorama City..

and then in Burbank

Elevator.

then Hollywood & Highland

Spent a Friday night at a friend's apartment.

Didn't shoot much..

My sister's birthday was little over a week ago.

The sky was cool. Clouds move fast.

This subway station looked like a giant bathroom.

Taco Bell establishment turned Thai BBQ.

Thailand, in LA!

Not sure what these were, but I think they were worthy of a shot. Didn't come out how I would have liked though..

This was quite a confusing encounter.

Could have (should have?) gotten closer.

Rubik's cube.

That's all.

Graduation time at my college. I didn't attend any of the actual ceremonies, but was on campus when everything was being set up.

Random self portrait using my boa's cage. Came out interesting, was simply curious what it'd look like.

My mural on my wall.

My cousin was in her school's dance team, which had a performance at my college. They had a mini red carpet thing outside the doors to the theater, with members of the dance team parodying crazed fan girls. I think I was the only one that made a photo of them. Love the expressions (and the eye contact).

At Union Station. We were going to try and see this exhibit thing for a film my Mom's friend worked on. The wait was way too long...

...so we had lunch at Olvera St. instead (after spending close to an hour trying to find parking).

In a backyard.

Her backyard:

Frontyard

Found myself at a lovely house with lovely people.

Made my summicron flair.

Spilt candle.

Doorway.

And, now, Day of Decision coverage. (Day CA supreme court ruled to uphold prop 8, stating marriage is only between a man and a woman... for anyone that doesn't/didn't know). People met up in west hollywood earlier in the day. They then marched from weho to hollywood and highland. I made the decision to go too late and I didn't want to try and find parking over in weho so I just took the subway to hollywood and highland, which is where I was assuming a lot of "action" would be.

I took a stroll down highland because I was early, still.

Every corner had at least 3 cop cars at it. This is the first I encountered. Were at least 10 cops in a lil meeting.

Smiling protesters.

Zombie protesters?

I guess I'll just post everything. To show that I'm not perfect and I make mistakes and yea..

Damn tv cameras and their little headlights messin' up my exposure.

This is Sister Unity. Makeup looks infinitely better in color and in person.

Some more sisters.

Her name is Sister Mary Fucking Poppins.

Horsies! (and a dinosaur, and mcdonalds..)

Hey, it reads correctly this time around.

I'm not sure I understand the pose. Is it supposed to be more intimidating when you hold your belt?

Sister's passed out "weapons of free speech" (chalk).

I want this frame mural sized.

I quite enjoy this frame.

The marchers arrive! (again, stupid tv cameras overexposing the person's face. :|)

Attached to a shopping cart were speakers. She was leading a chant: "I said what do we want? Equal rights! When do we want it? Now!"

Never heard her stop. I applaud her stamina.

Lt. Dan Choi. I was too busy trying to frame the lady holding up her hands in the shape of a heart to pay attention to what part of Dan Choi I captured. Would have preferred to see more of his face, but oh well. Live and learn..

That's quite a bit of people.

Ran down to the street again once I saw that people were beginning to move.

I marched with them for a little, just so I can say I was part of the actual march. But I turned around after a little bit so I could catch the subway home.

Buying my ticket I discovered that the terminals are powered by Windows 2000.

Here you can see my ridiculous hair (grows way too fast).

At the grove. Inspired by a HCB shot. I'll just flat out say my rendition sucks and I'll have to try again.

With a lovely lady.

Talking animatedly about... (I'll give you a quarter if you guess correctly).

Empty street.

Farmer's market. I keep surprising myself when people don't notice I've taken their photo.

This lady did look at me, but she looked away a moment later. (the fiber print of this frame looks infinitely better, i underexposed the shot by like 3 stops, but was able to print it well, scan just sucks).

Hip shot that's terrible. She transfixed me but I was a coward and didn't do her justice.

In step.

My cousin was here from Sacramento for like <1 hour.

Replacing the switch in the bathroom. It sparked a couple times because my mom didn't turn off the power.

Photos of black cats don't work! At least, somewhat candid, non-posed or lit shots don't. I still take them. =/

When there's a ladder out, he loves to sit atop it.

He somehow managed to get up inside the closet.

Candlelight.

Oh, hey, it's Brian Aubert (of the Silversun Pickups).

Ran into him at a listening party for the release of Sonic Youth's new album (which is amazing, btw). Coincidentally, I was listening to them when I drove there. There being Origami Vinyl in Echo Park.

I took this at f/1.4. It's horribly overexposed, but I was able to recover it in PS as well as make a very nice print of it.

I took one at a smaller aperture once I realized my mistake, but I like the first one I took much more.

Then I had a picture taken with him.

Found my first dead bird on the street. I've seen them in many other people's photo blogs but never encountered one myself, until now.

Overgrown squash plants.

Teddy and Scamper.

We (well, my mom per my suggestion) made tofu lasagna. The tofu was pressed (to get rid of water) then marinated in spaghetti sauce. It was delicious.

The tofu's under all that, I swear. :p

This wasn't when I showed her Dustin Lance Black's naughty pictures, but let's just say it is.

I honestly have no clue why I took this frame.

I thought this was hilarious. The text on the back of the van says, "Esteban! Thanks God 4 Ur Graduation!"

Thought the light was cool.

Sunset. Really underexposed it (with regards to what I wanted it to look like) but I like the look of this.

Her eye was red, so she was inspecting it. I'll leave it at that.

Scamper!

And I got a haircut. This time really short.

Attempted to split my reflection up. Didn't quite work.

I should stop taking self portraits.

Sheku (art store guy in love with my leica) took this.

And, Sheku himself:

This cafe had a nice feel to it.

(and the caramel macchiato I bought was perfect)

Oh. MJ died.

Cops are assholes.

On the way to the lovely house to spend time with lovely people again I encountered a Delorean.

Even had its own flux capacitor.

Party was for her 18th birthday. She's, uh, actually not in this shot.

Sister took this one. I think she said she wanted to focus on the two in the back.

Chillaxin

Parasol

Wine and nice conversation.

Asparagus doused in olive oil and sprinkled with lemon.

It was amazing.

Birdy.

Table.

Preparing a platter full of treats (including chocolate éclairs to die for).

The award for best dressed goes to...

Outside.

I may or may not have an obsession with taking pictures of people while they're eating.

Beer pong without the beer and with raspberries and blackberries instead.

Inspecting our present.

It's a bunny.

(the bunny was not harmed)

Mother and daughter.

Last self I promise!

We ended up in the kitchen and began digging into this grapefruit ice thing. It was so good.

Ok, I lied.

Shit on my car's windshield.

Probably would have looked infinitely better in color. I did take almost 2 rolls of color film at the place where I was heading (college of the canyons).

Olvera street again.

An old fire station.

My shoes.

Really wish I hadn't underexposed this one :(

Food was delicious.

Her eyes were striking.

Unused space.

I really don't like how HP5 scans. I know I can print all of the above (olvera st. shots) just fine, but the scans look horrible. =/

Had to do it...

Unintended, but I like it.

And, I'll end this (think this is my longest post to date [149 photos]) with the first portrait I've taken of someone in a subway that I'm ok with.

Good night.

She has blue hair, doesn't quite come through on b&w. :p

In their backyard.

They also have goats. One waddles when it walks.

Previously, her Mom's studio, but it's empty now.

Printed this one on RC paper, thinking of doing it again on fiber.

Later, at school.

Full moon. Looks a little eery when there's clouds around.

Note: my amazing composition (street light coming out of her head).

I guess I had a small thing for shooting the moon. This was also at school.

Back at school: happy birthday slut face.

More from Thanksgiving.

Very affectionate dog.

And... another self.

Trying to blow a conch shell. It's harder than you might think.

Back at home.

Cheap sushi place (note what's at the top of the menu).

Wasted the last shot.

I had a roll of film I started at EI 2500, which I decided to finish. Streets of LA,

He moved quite a bit for being a living statue.

I saw Amanda Palmer at the Henry Fonda Music Box. The Builders and the Butchers opened. They were pretty good. Not sure I liked the singer, though.

They passed out maracas and this single drum for one of the songs.

That's Neil Gaiman, over on the left, reading about Amanda Palmer's "death."

She wasn't really dead, however.

This is the amazingly beautiful Zoe Keating.

Ms. Palmer wailing her heart out.

Lookin' serious.

Was a little surprised she played Coin Operated Boy.

And even more surprised she played Half Jack. The buildup before the song was awesome. I think I enjoyed it more with the violin and cello than I do with drums.

Not sure many other cellists play hard enough to strip the hair from their bows. I tried to get a shot of some of the hair dangling as they were playing but I was too slow. Zoe yanked it off before I got a chance.

Umbrella. Ella. Ella. Ella... (song is definitely annoying)

But made for wonderful photos.

Can't decide between the two above, both have their little charm.

This is not Katy Perry.

And Amanda Palmer did not, or has not to my knowledge, kissed her.

Off came the clothes.

And on went the dresses. Out came the couple?

And up came the sign! Fuck Prop 8, indeed, fuck it right in the ass.

Ms. Amanda Palmer herself, at the merch table.

Snow on our mountains, a rare occasion.

Ate at a Japanese place that serves Shabu Shabu. There are pans of boiling water on every table/seat. They serve raw meat, vegetables, noodles and you cook it all yourself. The slices are thin so it only takes a few moments to cook fully (if that's how you like it, or just a quick dip if you want it still red).

Needless to say, it was delicious.

Handed the camera over.

Thought this would have come out better, but oh well.

Louis Vuitton bags! Er, I mean, another self.

Beach. (Hermosa)

Lovely flare.

Delicious coffee (this is my uncle).

I didn't realize the roll I had in my camera was 24 exp so it was quite a surprise when I couldn't advance any further. I rewound it a little, thinking it got stuck, advanced with my hand over the lens to around 32. and took a last one. They just ended up overlapped. And I couldn't advance again.

I very much like this last one regardless of the mess up.

Thanks for viewing.

Sister

Cousin. There was a mattress in the hallway from my sister's room because it was being repainted. Thought it might look interesting focusing far away @ f/2.0.

Aforementioned weird cat. His name is Stinky. I think these are the only two film pictures I have taken of him that are somewhat decent. He never sits still.

Mom and brother, same mattress.

Subway. I failed to focus on what I wanted, however I think it looks ok with the focus on her hands.

My mom was able to get half off tickets to go see Wicked. We left a little early and had dinner at the Kabuki on Vine. My sister's friend joined us.

The musical was pretty amazing. I was impressed by the singer's. The story could have been better structurally but it was entertaining. Sets and costumes were really impressive. If you haven't seen it already, I would definitely suggest trying to. After the show, the actors came out to sign playbill's or the small book they sold before the show (for $20).

This is Marcie Dodd.

Michael Drolet

DJ Gregory

Caissie Levy, she played Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west. I'm kind of disappointed I wasn't able to get a better picture of her because she had the best voice out of all the people that sang that night.

Megan Hilty. She played Glinda.

A not-so-flattering picture of her

Signing my name is serious business. (Though, she was actually extremely nice, was very perky and all smiles otherwise).

Zee theater (note huge water spot).

Subway again. It's cool the way the reflection on the right side looks as if it was just another train traveling alongside this one.

More reflections

Easter

That's all for now. Thanks for viewing, and possibly reading.