Beneath the Santa Cruz Pier

FEB 26th 12:02PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 3 seconds

"Paul: Im looking at you right now and I hear you talking and all the words that are coming out of your mouth are like they're coming out of a stranger. Why dont you put your fucking hair back on and come back, just come on back..."

Cracks in the Sand

FEB 25th 2:14PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 4 seconds

"Summer: You weren't wrong, Tom. You were just wrong about me..."

Crossing Bridge

FEB 23 1:22PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 1.5 seconds

***NO IMAGE***

"Well I've never been the kind to ever let my feelings show. And I thought that bein' strong meant never losin' your self-control. But I'm just drunk enough to let go of my pain. To hell with my pride; let it fall like rain from my eyes..."

Lonely Patio Chairs

FEB 22nd 2:00PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 1.5 seconds

"Is it what you want

Is it what you need
We go back and forth
Making war out of peace
And you won't let go
And I won't give up
We go round and round
But is it ever enough..."

Mossy Shadows

FEB 21st 1:02PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 3 seconds

"I’m tired of this empty house
I need a drink to get me out
A couple more till I forget your name
I saw a boy that looked like you
I didn’t know quite what to do
It took a power of will to break my stare
I realized what I wanted wasn’t there

And now you’re gone, ain’t nothing else I want
And now that it’s over, there’s nothing else I want
What have I done, looks like I was wrong
Is everything really meant to change?
I guess we’re like water and a flame..."

Shuttered Window on Bricks

FEB 20th 12:03PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 2.5 seconds

"Here comes goodbye, here comes the last time. Here comes the start of every sleepless night; the first of every tear I'm gonna cry. Here comes the pain, here comes me wishing things had never changed..."

Merde! Je deteste le printemps cette annee...

Saw Player Sculpture

FEB 19th 11:06AM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 2 seconds

"Thousands of answers to one simple question. Come take the weight of me now.

Oh I'm like a kid who just won't let it go. Twisting and turning the colours in rows.

I'm so intent to find out what it is. This is my rubik's cube. I know I can figure it out..."

White Fence

FEB 18th 2:40PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 2 seconds

This hurts down to my Soul...

It’s been a rough few days. The pictures will keep coming, but for now the writing is going to have to take a little hiatus. These song lyrics will have to do for now...

"I'm gonna build a raft
And set on the water there
Hoping she will come, see the thing I made
What a thing I made

Today I'm gonna sail
Even if she doesn't show
The ocean can decide
Love is like a wave, love will never fail

Hope she gets here soon,
I hope she isn't far away
But if she is I'll sail anyway

Every day that I love her
I kill myself
It happens over and over
There's no one else
And I try to forget her
But look at me
Giving everything away for free..."

Tools of the Trade

***NO IMAGE***

FEB 17th 2:07PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed

School is COOL…

Being back in the classroom is satisfying the core of my Inner Nerd! This enlivening sensation must be what a wild animal experiences when it is let out of captivity and suddenly finds itself in its natural habitat. Using a satchel, thumbing through a textbook, jotting down deadlines in a Moleskin - those things are so ridiculously simple, but having lived without them for some odd years has created such a craving in me. Now that I can partake in them again, I’m filled with a sense of purpose and drive that I’m hoping will help propel me where I need to go.

Chill Out Café Neon Sign

FEB 16th 12:39PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 6.5 second

You don’t always need grand gestures of happiness…

It seems the Spring Preview has ended, at least for today. It’s back to the brisk chill and the gray blankets of Winter rain clouds. I saw this sign as I was walking out of a parking lot and it made me smile because it was exactly what I needed to warm my spirits. My mood immediately shifted at the suggestion. It’s funny how it’s consistently the little things that make the most impact in our day-to-day.

“Happiness is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur everyday.” ~ Ben Franklin

Zen: Rock & Moss

FEB 15th 12:59PM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 5 seconds

Art actually IS all around…

Little finds like these are so grounding to me. This is another one of those scenes that stopped me in my tracks. There’s something about the way in which the dried bamboo leaves scattered around the rock and moss that brought me an immediate sense of peace. The potential of coming across mundane stuff like this is what motivates me to take pictures everyday.

Japanese Magnolia

FEB 14th 11:11AM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 1.5 seconds

Redeeming qualities can come in all shapes & sizes…

Today’s weather was remarkable! Nature gave us a preview of Spring and even though I know Santa Cruz still has a few speckled days of rain left, I was grateful for the blue sky, the warm breeze, and the brilliant sun. It seems that the Japanese Magnolias are also starting to anticipate the end of Winter.

As many problems as the Pinhole Camera may present, I really love how I can take it just about anywhere! It allows me access to shots I wouldn’t normally be able to achieve with a typical camera. For this picture, I propped it on a flimsy branch extremely close to the blossom. It may be a pain, but its portability definitely makes up for it…sometimes.

Lamp & The Winter Sky

FEB 13th 10:32AM - Generic Brand Film, ISO 400, Shutter Speed: 1.5 seconds

Beauty isn’t always in the immediate…

It’s astounding how much you miss by not looking up. Most of the time, our directional focus is the same from day to day: forward, backward, side-to-side, and sometimes even down. But when was the last time you looked up for no apparent reason? This used to be a common exercise that I practiced while walking down familiar paths. I realized that today was the first time I’d done it in a long while. It was a nice reminder yet again of how important a change in perspective really is.

Overlook

****NO IMAGE****

FEB 12th 1:24PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 2.5 seconds

We all need to believe in something bigger than ourselves…

This place is perfect for thinking. It offers solitude and a good vantage point to gain perspective. You can unload all your thoughts out into the vastness of the sea and somehow feel lighter when you walk away from it. I wonder how many others have cast off from this very spot or the spot on the complete opposite coast? I bet that if you could sift the ocean you would find just as many memories, philosophies, notions as you would salt.

Hwy1 Beach

FEB 11th 12:23PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 3 seconds

For love of the ocean…

I once saw two whales breach for air on this coastline. It was the most exhilarating thing I’d witnessed in a long time. It was so completely unexpected that I almost didn’t realize what I was looking at. I’ve seen dolphin pods swim by this spot as well. It’s mind boggling to think about people who have never seen the ocean before, and here I am with the cast of Blue Planet in my backyard!

Davenport Cliff

FEB 10th 2:18PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 2.5 seconds

“STAY BACK! FALL CAN BE FATAL…”

Has that warning ever stopped me? No, not really. And it goes beyond the literal cliff, rooftop, suspension bridge, etc. I’ve taken the figurative plunge so many times my heart should seriously be terrified of heights. Instead, it’s become somewhat of an adrenaline junky. The expectation of the first date, first touch, first kiss, “first time,” is just too intoxicating to pass up! I hope to always be this adventurous.

Nicole & Jaz

FEB 9th 1:45PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 5 seconds

It’s an iPhone thing…

These ladies are such a treat to spend time with. Usually I’m more into the one-on-one interactions, but the combination of these two is…like salt on dark chocolate. It’s not something you expect or crave necessarily, but when you’re faced with it - your mouth can’t help but water. Or something…?!

Another Plus: Being able to bury an obscene amount of attention in my iPhone without feeling guilty, because I know that when I look up chances are they are both checking entries on Texts From Last Night or clicking away a message on their iPhones.

Local Painting

FEB 8th 2:05PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 7 seconds

Art imitating art…

I really enjoy how colorful and textured this piece is. It’s the first thing that greets me when I walk into the Verve Café. I’ve always envied people that could paint or draw. To me, there’s something quite supernatural about being able to accurately recreate with your hand what your eyes can see. I would love to be able to sit in front of someone and sketch their likeness. I think it has such an air of intimacy - romantic beyond words!

Grassy Sidewalk

FEB 7th 11:20AM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 2.5 seconds

Life always seems to find a way…

I like how the grass managed to peak through the concrete of the sidewalk. As cliché as it is, it’s encouraging to know that the concept of progress exists everywhere. No matter how impossible or downtrodden a situation may seem, there is the possibility of rising above. I’m going to need to remind myself of this…

FOUND: Lemon

FEB 6th 12:32PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 4 seconds

When life gives you a lemon…?

I was stepping out of my truck when I came across this comical scene: a lone lemon that someone (or something) has taken a bite out of and discarded in a pile of woodchips. Sometimes, I can’t help but think that the universe is directly trying to tell/show me something.

I’ve decided to just keep taking pictures regardless of the potential for error. That is what I set out to do in the first place. I guess I needed a reminder that it’s all about the creative process, not solely the outcome.

41st Avenue & Portola Drive Intersection

FEB 5th 1:36PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 4.5 seconds

Roadblock = Gridlock = Writer’s block…

I’m still pretty upset about this hurdle I’m currently facing with the film. Since I’m not sure if it’s advancing properly, I’m not feeling very motivated to take interesting pictures, let along write about them. I suppose I could just open the camera and see what the hell is going on, but that would flood everything & I’d lose the pictures that I have on the roll thus far. It’s a damn gamble!

Sitting at a Coffee Bar

FEB 4th 2:46PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 5 seconds

Time for a new game plan…maybe

I’m feeling very discouraged. I can’t seem to properly advance the film on the Pinhole Camera. I got my previous roll developed recently and a good number of the frames bled into each other. Some pictures didn’t even turn out at all! I just loaded a new roll, and I can already tell by the way the winder is turning that something is wrong…UGH! I’m ready to drop the homemade device and start using my Nikon FM. I guess the way this roll ends up will determine that. I can’t keep wasting money…

Rusty Railroad

FEB 3rd 12:15PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 2 seconds

It’s fun to let your imagination run away from you…

Whenever I walk over railroad tracks, I can’t help but think about all the untold stories that have taken place on them. How many have stowed away in a train compartment to get from one place to another? What secret things have been transported in the dead of night? Who was actually brave enough to jump off or run after a train as it sped off? Clearly, I’ve seen way too many movies!

Succulent Plant

FEB 2nd 1:24PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 7 seconds

Usually, the things you take for granted are what you miss the most…

I’ve had this plant longer than I’ve owned most of my things. Just when I think it’s on its last leg, it surprises me by sprouting. I noticed it in my patio this morning and it made me smile; like I had just seen an old friend. It seems like such a silly reaction to have regarding a plant, but in a lot of ways it’s a subtle part of my personal history. As unnoticed as it has been over the years, it’s been with me through a lot of changes, crashes, milestones, celebrations, etc. I have a feeling that if it ever does die out, I would be pretty mournful.

*** NOTE: I'm regretful to announce that after the next roll, I will be retiring the Pinhole Camera. It's been a couple of months now and I still can't maximize the output of a roll of film. I feel like I've tried everything and I simply can't waste the money. This does NOT however mean that I am giving up on my project entirely! I'm going to be moving on to the Nikon FM (my baby), which will hopefully yield more quality images...

Paula’s Breakfast

FEB 1st 10:41AM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 2.5 seconds

If only Thrillist.com was hiring…

This local breakfast place on the Eastside is quirky and addicting! The menu is familiar & simple, and the space has all the qualities of home. There’s always a genuinely friendly face to take your order behind the counter, which makes waiting in line totally bearable. What keeps me coming back is the van that they’ve converted into a mini dining area parked in front of the restaurant-which looks more like a cozy house than a business. It has all the charm that ONLY Santa Cruz could offer!

Sneak Attack

JAN 31st 3:00PM - Kodak Color Film, ISO 200, Shutter Speed: 3 seconds

You never know who’s watching…

There was nothing particularly interesting about this girl. I mostly wanted to see if I could take her picture without being noticed. Success!!