Lighting up the dark

A while back we drove out to Enchanted Rock State Park to go camping and just get a way for a moment. It's a relatively short drive out to the park from Austin. Everything about our quick little trip was absolutely relaxing, including the drive. I remember listening to Daniel Makins while we drove. It was just right.

Enchanted Rock is the same park where I tried my first star trails photograph. It's just outside Fredericksberg, Texas, and it's stunning. So once the sun went down, naturally I pulled out the camera to see what tricks I could pull off. I put the shutter on about a minute and half and let it run while Andrea painted the nearby trees with the flashlight. I think she might have actually turned it on by accident at first, hence the very bright spot in the foreground.

It's amazing how a camera can transform a place. To us, it was extremely dark with a bit of moonlight. To the camera it was blue skies and green trees.

Rome in a rush

Back in 2005 while on study abroad I went to visit my pals in Italy. Most of my class chose to go to the study abroad center in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy, which is situated between Florence and Rome. A couple of us from Barcelona flew into Rome. Our Italy buddies met us there. Unfortunately we had about 4 hours to visit Rome before we had to catch the last train back to Castiglion Fiorentino. So, Andrew mapped out a plan for us to see the best of Rome in our measley 4 hours. We were practically running through Rome. We hit the Forum then went to make a lap around the outside of the Colosseum then headed over to the Pantheon.

Andrew had been keeping a close eye on his watch the whole time, scooting us along whenever we were falling behind. So, we get to the Pantheon and Andrew says you have two minutes here if you want to make it to the Vatican. I basically look up, find the one portion of the Pantheon dome that isn't covered in scaffolding and snap this photo.

Literally two minutes later, Andrew and I take off running for St. Peter's Square (the others decided to hang back for coffee.) This was about two weeks after the Pope died, so it was a bit crowded. We made it there and went into the middle of the square. I shot a 360 video and then we started running for the subway. We had to catch the subway at that moment to get to the train station in time for our train. Rome only has two subway lines, so naturally they are always full. So we are running for the doors of one of the cabs, which were about to close. There was no room in the cab, and here I am leading our sprint. I just put my head down, and as we got closer suddenly the people moved out of the way and we managed to all file in. Just then the doors closed right behind Ara's shoulders.

It was probably the most adventurous day of my study abroad experience, and I loved every minute of it (all 240 of them).

The mash tuns

One Saturday in Seattle we decided to go thift shopping in Fremont. We found our way to this huge store. As we wandered around we realized there was a downstairs basement. Once we got down there we found this couch and wood wall. I instantly saw a "album cover" photo op. So I set my camera up on timer and we took a quick pic. The lighting was a litte too low, but we managed.

So, this is our band. The mash tuns. Why the mash tuns? Well, we went to brewery just before this shopping extravaganza. At the brewery they had these large tanks that said mash tun on them. A mash tun is where the actual brewing takes place. But, more importantly it's a great band name, right? If I had to guess I'd say I look like the lead singer (which would never ever happen). Andrea on the left looks like she'd be the drummer. Kate with her feet up would be the peppy bass player. And Laura, next to me, would handle the guitar business.

Unfortunately, our bass player is getting married in February, so it seems our tour will have to be cancelled. It was fun while it lasted.

Low fares, no hidden fees

Outside my window is this Southwest billboard. Last night I thought I'd play around with it in my lens. This shutter length was 1.5 seconds and I just zoomed out from the billboard in that time. Usually the Southwest billboard phrases are pretty witty. Unfortunately this one is not, but they will probably change it soon enough. Ironically though it's about travel, and just yesterday I was telling a friend I was running out of photographic inspiration here in Dallas and needed to travel. She had just been to Niagara and said it was beautiful and cycler friendly.

I wonder what the low fare, no hidden fee is to Niagara?

Marfa minimalism

Marfa, Texas is the most twilighty place I have ever visited. In way west Texas, it is near Big Bend. It's hippie to say the least. Marfans have a strong appreciation for culture and art. The whole town (that is about 2 blocks long) revolves around this appreciation. Galleries and museums are abound. Now how did this happen in a town the size of a dime in the middle of tumbleweed Texas? Donald Judd, a minimalist artist from New York City, decided to take his ideas to Marfa back in the early 1970's. Once he decided to stay he bought two airplane hangars which he intended to use for his installations.

That's what you're looking at, his two hangars, at what is now called the Chinati Foundation. Inside and outside of these hangars are installations. They are all very very minimal, which is often difficult for me to appreciate. Inside were steel boxes that were created by perfectly connected flush planes of steel. And outside were rectangular concrete forms also very well crafted and connected. When we went I didn't get it and was unimpressed. But, now, now that I've crafted my own art (the veneered tao panel) I understand how difficult it is to get perfectly flush connections. So sometimes I guess minimalism is about more than what you see, it's about how what you see came to be.

Keep on keepin' on, Marfa.

Mr. Squirrel

I love this photo. It's certainly not the best photograph I have ever taken, but the squirrel is so cute. I took this one of the Texas A&M campus while I was walking from Langford to the MSC. As I winding imbetween buildings, Mr. Squirrel popped out with his acorn.

Luckily I had my camera ready to go. He scattered away and then after a bit he slowly sneaked back out. Right as he sneaked back out, thinking I had gone, I got him in my viewfinder and put him in focus. He stood dead still. Little did he know, all I wanted was a good portrait not to steal him away. You can see how scared he is in the photograph, frozen with his precious acorn. Once I took this photo I left him alone and let him go about his day.

Thanks for the photo, Mr. Squirrel.

Blue brick building

This is from the building I was telling you about Monday. The one I went out looking for on Sunday afternoon. It's a beautiful blue brick building. On the back side of the building, which is rarely seen from the street, there is this row of planted cactus in front of an orange plaster wall. It's a nice combination of material and color. I had no clue that this existed until I drove around the building. A nice surprise. I have more photos of the blue building itself, but I really enjoyed the composition of this one. It looks a bit New Mexico to me.