As promised, a few shots from the Phat Fly Girls‘ performance in the Jazz Hams show earlier this month. The dancers put on a fantastic show, while also challenging the inaccurate stereotype that fat people are lazy, out of shape, and in poor health. These women are athletes and artists, performing lifts and complicated choreography with grace.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph a great show put on by some amazing women in a HAES dance troupe, Phat Fly Girls, performing with a number of guest performers. They very graciously allowed me to shoot them backstage as well, and I hope to soon have some more photos from this show that I can share with you, but for now, this is one of my favorites:
HAES dance troupe – opening pose
I’m excited to announce that my “Lace Bud” photo was selected for the “Secret Gardens” juried show at Pacific Art League, in Palo Alto, CA. The opening reception is tomorrow night, April 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 at 668 Ramona St. Come join us and see this print in person!
I just finished hanging a show of a selection of my California photos, which will be on display until March 31, 2012, at the Lakeview Branch of the Oakland Public Library. If you would like to view them, stop by during the library’s open hours during the next couple months.
I’ve learned a lot in the process of getting ready for this show, and may have more to talk about as I absorb it. In the meantime, I’ll share one of my favorite new images featured in the show. This is Stovepipe Wells dunes in Death Valley.
I hope you all had a fantastic season. Mine was wonderful – spending time with loved ones I don’t see often enough, and plenty of precious quiet time with my husband.
Now I’m plunging headlong into the new year, with all sorts of goals for FocusLight. My big project right now involves preparing for my very first show, starting February 1 at the Oakland Public Library (Lakeview branch). It’s exciting, but I’ve got an enormous task list to tackle in preparation.
In the meantime, this is a photo I took at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in November. If you ever have a chance to get to the Getty, GO! It’s an amazing space, where the architecture is just as memorable as the artwork it houses. In this case, I couldn’t resist this abstract of wall tiles on the building as we were leaving. The wall curves, presenting some gorgeous perspective play.
Back to the Mono Lake collection, this image really evokes the somewhat zen state of mind I get in sometimes when seeking out just the right shot. This was another from the same sunset, in August 2010, as my earlier post. The colors reflecting in the water were stunning, and no one else was anywhere in sight.
I think this might be my favorite of the photos I’ve just had printed for the Urban Bazaar Vagabond fair. Stop by and see it in person; I’ll be there (1371 9th Ave, San Francisco) tomorrow, Oct 16, from 11-5.
Reflections of a sunset on Mono Lake, August 2010
One of my favorite things about traveling is exploring the side streets and back alleys of a town I’ve never seen, discovering new sights and experiences. It was on just such a meander in Lucca, a beautiful little medieval town in northern Tuscany, that I passed a doorway and caught this view out of the corner of my eye. The arches were visually striking, but the feel of the space is what really drew me. The quiet, serene courtyard was empty, with no one around, but the open door beckoned, as if waiting for someone. It was deserted, but felt like someone had just stepped out for a second.
Archway in Lucca convent
I went into Sunday’s photowalk not really knowing what to expect, but planning on making the most of it. I was pleasantly surprised to not only make some new friends and have a great time talking with other like-minded photographers, but also to receive some fantastic tips on using light to its best advantage when photographing people, and on bringing depth and interest into your photos when dealing with flat, overcast light. It was a great experience, and I plan to do my best to attend next year’s walk, as well.
This photo was taken in the Japanese Tea Garden, pictured earlier in my blog. Nearly every photographer on the walk stopped to capture this little meditation garden, and each of us caught it in different ways – one of the most interesting things about group photo expeditions like this.
Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco
I went to yesterday’s photowalk not really knowing what to expect, but it turned out to be a lot of fun! I’ll be posting more about it when I’ve had time to process the photos.
In the meantime, for a change of pace, how about a picture from Venice? As overrun with tourists as it is, Venice is a fascinating place, and one I could spend weeks photographing. We were only there for about a day and a half, so clearly we’ll have to go back.
Waiting for Gondoliers, Venice
Another Golden Gate Park image from a couple of years ago, this time stunning Victorian-era greenhouse, the Conservatory of Flowers. Built in 1878, it’s the oldest building in the park, and is said to have been modeled after the renowned Kew Gardens palm house. It’s well worth a stop if you’re in the park. The building itself is stunning, and the collection of rare and exotic plants & flowers inside is beautifully curated and maintained.
Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park
