San Diego Cactus Garden

It's one of my favorite places in San Diego. 

But cacti and succulents are also my favorite plants so I may be a little biased (maybe it is the hipster in me). My very first "shoot" in San Diego was actually at the cactus garden and I've taken photos with my iPhone there countless times before. It was comforting to go there and capture the beauty I feel these plants have. 

 

Happy Blogging!

Guess Who Got A New Camera

I remember since the young age of eight, I was always taking pictures. 

And not pictures of people posing, smiling and saying cheese for the camera. I took pictures of what I thought people wouldn't notice. A hidden conversation in the snow. My little brother's distorted figure in the bathtub. My stepdads exhausted face at a day in the park. I played around with filters, colors, lighting and shadow. I had a big interest in photography and for a long time thought it was going to become my major in college. 

Then I took a film photography class in college. 

And my interest in majoring in photography went down the drain. I found the class tedious and frustrating. It wasn't the mechanics behind developing film and experimenting with contrast. I enjoyed that part throughly and took pride in beating my time it took me to unroll and develop my film in pure darkness. But it was the fact that I was told what to take pictures of. It was also that I felt my creativity was being suppressed by being given deadlines for my artwork and I realized, if I try to become a professional photographer, that is exactly what my art would become, work. It wouldn't be fun for me anymore. This is actually a key reason why I'm hesitant to take music classes in college as well. 

But a las, that doesn't mean my creativity has disappeared. Quite the opposite. I still see the world in frames and have constant ideas with how I can play with color and light and capturing beauty in things people may not notice. So I got a new camera. 

I got a used Canon 5D mark ii with an 85mm lens (to start). I have been eying this camera for years and I finally went on a hunt for a good bargain. The camera came in the mail yesterday and so I've decided to spend the weekend playing around with it, getting use to its settings and such. 

All I can say is it might be the best purchase Ive made since my bike and my mac. I love it. Even if I may be an awful photographer (you have to work your way up), I love the potential this camera can give me. I am once again reminded how much I am an artist and not in just the musical sense. 

So here is to the Canon 5D mark ii and to a new era of BFAB. 

Happy Blogging! 

San Francisco With Birdie

Last week before heading back to San Diego, I decided it would be nice to stop in San Francisco. It would give a good break for birdie (since it is a ten hour drive) and I always visit the Bi-Rite Creamery when I'm there because they have my favorite ice cream, honey lavender! 

There has been quite a bit of traveling going on lately. And its still not over! Hope everyone is having a good summer. 

1) Honey Lavender and Caramel Sea Salt Ice cream. SO GOOD! 2) Lillee trying to adventurous and trying Basil ice cream. It didn't work out. 3) Feeling satisfied with Balsamic Strawberry and dark chocolate. 4) I need a cup of caffeinated jasmine green tea for the ride home. 5) Lillee dancing her heart out in Delores Park. 6-7) Playing at the playground in Delores Park.