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The city I love and miss, Seattle. Just went to the Cascadia Derby game in Portland where Seattle came away with a 3-2 win. It was an amazing game with a great outcome and I wanted to put up a photo I took of the home I miss.

Walking to Summer

A photo I recently took of a few young ones walking on the beach hoping for warmer temperatures.

Where was that made again?

With an upcoming election, there's a lot of hoopla in vying for position as most patriotic : "USA! USA!", "Go America" and whatnot. But with a considerable fraction of our consumer goods not being made in America, I wanted to create a
"Made in       " flag that had an artistic touch and a bit of controversy.

I hope this inspires thought about where the items you buy come from. The first one uses the hammer and sickle from the USSR's flag with the American red and white strips. The second one has the same layout but with the stars from China's flag. Which one do you like better? Click on the flags to make them bigger.

About Me - Star Wars style

Just having a little fun. You can make you own here.

Trading / Business Card

I made myself a trading card/business card a while back and it wasn't the most crisp photoshop edit ever. I went back and edited the whole thing and I have to say: I am pretty stoked on the outcome.

Here are two different versions that I made. I am going to print them out and the finished product will be my business card.

Still Not Sponsored

Stillnotsponsored.com is an online community that usually showcases and interviews Snowboarders and Skateboarders and their video/photographers. I was fortunate enough to be featured this week on their blog for my art and photography. This is a great site. They've got an ethic that I really appreciate. Check it out!

Color 3D Image #3

Last but not least here is the third and final 3D image I created and recently transferred to color. I will shoot some more 3D photos and from now on they will all be in color. 

Color 3D Image #2

Here is the second 3D image I created and recently transferred to color. I did a total of four 3D images but was only able to transfer three of them into color. I will have the last photo up around the end of the week.

Color 3D Image #1

Previously, I could only make 3D photos in black & white. I just recently figured out how to make them in color. It took me a while, but in the end it was actually very easy. So I've redone my older 3D photos in color. Here's the first of them and I will post the others later. To see the 3D effect you need a pair of those old blue and red lens glasses.

Riding Trains

One of my favorite ways to travel is by train. I love being able to relax on the train, sleeping if I need to, and enjoying the occasional beer or two. This shot was taken near Stevens Pass heading back to Seattle from Whitefish, MT.

Home Away From Home

Home will always be Seattle for me. I do however live in Portland currently. Portland is treating me fairly well so far and I hope that continues.

My apartment has a balcony that I am pretty stoked on. I can't wait for the summer: relaxing in comfort out there... Here is a quick photo I took of the moon on one of the clearest evenings in a while.

Leave me a comment and let me know if there might be a type of photo you would like to see.

The Fremont Troll

This photo was used in the "We Are Watching You" poster. It is in Seattle, in the Fremont area. I used to live right up the block from it and is one of my favorite public art pieces in Seattle.

I wanted to share the original and offer a clearer view of the Fremont Troll. It is inspired by the old folk tale "Three Billy Goats Gruff" with an iconic troll living under the bridge. If you are in Seattle, I would recommend that you visit this art piece. And if you have already seen it: see it again.

"Signs of Power" Series

The previous four posts have all been part of a series that I call "Signs of Power". This is the fifth and final piece from that series that ties all of them together. Throughout the world the simplest signs can relay power and we can be empowered by them as well.

Snow in the Northwest

On one of those rare days were snow shuts down Seattle, a friend of mine and I wanted to adventure around the city. When snow does come to the Northwest cities it usually cripples them and thats when you hope you live near a pub.

On this particular day I had my camera and wanted to see what kind of shots I could get. This was taken along side I-5 on Capitol Hill in Seattle. That day I had taken a lot of photos and this is one of the better ones taken.

This is hands down the fan favorite of my "Signs of Power" series. It is for sale on my Etsy store and you can click this LINK for more info. There is one more piece from the "Signs of Power" series and I will upload that soon.

The Power of a Smile

In Downtown Seattle I came across a regular pan handler taking a break after the busy morning commute. This is a gentleman had a great sign to cheer people up and also ask for change.

This touching sign had "Smile" on one side and "Spare Some Change" on the other. Whether or not you give him change the sign creates joy.

This photo has a strength about it. No matter what struggles you maybe going through, it never hurts to smile. I have this image for sale, printed on canvas in my Etsy store. Follow this LINK for purchase info.

To Power

Protests and rallies provide endless opportunities for exciting, meaningful photographs. The strength and struggle of those protesting is reflected on their faces and signs.

This was taken during a large rally for immigration reform in Seattle, back in 2006. A few photos posted earlier are from the same rally. I was moved by the power of the sign and I am proud to be able to share it.

I shared this same image a year ago, but I wanted to repost it after more editing. I have it for sale, printed on canvas in my Etsy store. Follow this LINK for purchase info.

WTO Riots - Signs of Power

This is another favorite from the WTO protests in Seattle. A gathering of protesters caught the ire of the police. This photo was taken as they started spraying tear gas. It engulfed us, forcing us to running in the other direction.

That was my first experience with tear gas and it is effective. This was before I had a DSLR camera, so I didn't know if I got the shot I wanted. 

I have already shared this one on my blog, but I wanted to edit it and make it a bit more crisp. This is also for sale on canvas on my Etsy store if you are interested. Click this LINK if you are interested.

WTO Riot Circle

On November 30, 1999 I journeyed into downtown Seattle to document the WTO riots in Seattle; what has become known as N30. The WTO (World Trade Organization) held meetings in Seattle and people from all over the world descended on the city. Everyone from political representatives to corporate CEO's. But the news-makers that day were the protesters.

I was excited, but unsure of what I was going to see once I got downtown. It was more intense than I had expected which made it more meaningful for me to photograph. I got some great shots and I have really enjoyed sharing them. Here is one of those photos.

Newspaper and Cigarettes

Here’s a photo I took of a homeless man in Seattle. I saw him often and he had a great pitch. He stuffed his shirt with wadded up newspaper and claimed he needed cigarettes to loose weight. Pretty funny and a bit crazy, I guess. He was a pretty nice guy, though I never caught his name.

I wanted to capture his face and I’m happy that I got an action shot as well. I like the contrast of the black and white action shot and the color portrait.  It strengthens the viewer’s connection with the subject. It’s like he’s looking right at you. I like these two shots so much I have them hanging in my entree way just like there posted.

State of the Union

These are two photos that I took during protests in Seattle in 2006.  A rally for immigration reform was organized by immigrant sympathizers and a counter protest by anti-immigration activists responded.

The photos are of an anti-immigration protester being arrested and her belongings searched. What was found in her possession was disheartening and telling. 

The recent events in Arizona and the political discussion surrounding it has reminded me of what I saw that day. Change is a long time coming.

First Photo Shoot (Junk To Funk)

The last few post I have been putting up have been from my first studio photo shoot that I did. All the garments that were in the photos were designed by Mischelle Rae Johnston and this is the last photo I snapped from the shoot and it was just a fun finale shot of the designer. All of the outfits were designed for a fashion show about junk called "Junk To Funk". I included a couple of links in this post that link to the designers Facebook page and to the website for Junk to Funk. Enjoy all the photos and I have more that I will be sharing really soon.

Back to the Photo Shoot

So I have two more photos I want to share with you from the first photo shoot I did. This one is the last model from that shoot. It is my favorite shot of this model. I will have one more photo and I think I will upload that on friday or next monday. It will give you a little more insight into what this photo shoot was all about. I hope you enjoyed all these photos. 

Trading Cards

When I was young I loved collecting trading cards. It was really exciting to get a new pack and see if you got one of those rare cards. I eventually got to a point were I didn't really enjoy them anymore and got rid of most of my cards. But quite a few years back I was walking through a mall during one of those trading card conventions and found an unopened box of "Yo MTV Raps" cards and had to have them. I ended up getting 3 full sets made of the series one set. I gave two away and kept the one for myself. I have always liked the design of the card and wanted to put myself on one and make it my own. Through the magic of Photoshop and a few self portrait shots of myself I was able to come up with two cards that I am really stocked on. Take a look and let me know what you think of them. The vertical one I have also printed out and used as my business card with all my important info on the back. I might switch it up and use both cards.