Story Time

For peace and comfort, follow your heart back home. May your christmas be filled with more love than you imagined

- Madina Elliott

Drive By Shooting Eve Eve

Drive By Shooting by Orange County Photographer Greg Garcia

Drive by shooting taken with the Canon G9. Program mode. 400ASA.

For clarification, this had nothing to do with a drive by shooting. It’s kind of a joke I have with fellow photographers about taking pictures from your car while driving. I know, it’s probably not wise but it’s not illegal... yet!

So what the hell is going on? What makes people completely nuts around the holidays? Today on the 55 freeway, I’m cruising along at your normal 65-70mph clip, when I see traffic beginning to slow ahead of me. I look into my rear view mirror and I see a little silver rice rocket of a car barreling down fast behind me. He had to be going 90-100 mph. He swerved at the last moment into the Car Pool lane and missed me by what seemed to be a few feet. The next thing I see to my left, is two B&W squad cars in fast pursuit. At this point the traffic is really starting to bog down and I hear a police radio... “move aside”. Again to my left, in the car pool lane, a black suburban police unit with it’s lights on. Moments after that, another squad car and then some crazy, black, Rhino coated exterior, fully armored, assault type modified van or suburban with it’s lights on. - that silver rocket is in trouble... I wonder if he got away? Doubtful. I’ll have to check the news tonight.

So, the above photo was taken in Irvine at the Jamboree on ramp about an hour after the above story. It would have been brilliant if it was my lil’ silver rocket but instead, from what I could tell by the man in shorts being given a sobriety test, a cocktailer spreading his Christmas cheer all around and off the on ramp. I wish I could’ve gotten the shot of him next to his overturned car touching his nose but being that I was driving and trying to take these shots, I didn’t want to end up upside down next to his car, touching my nose. Talk about monkey see monkey do... you get the picture.

Seaman Christmas Open House

This is a spanish Colonial Revival built in 1927 located in the Banning Wrigley Historical District. This was shot with the Canon 5D. Other images from this event were shot with the Canon 5d and the Canon Speedlite 580EX.

Lucky for me, the photographer for this event had to cancel out at the last minute. This was the Seaman’s 25th Annual Christmas Party and Open House. There was plenty of great food and good cheer. The Seaman’s and every one of their guests were welcoming, friendly and amazing people. Their home was another character unto it’s own. The Seaman’s home is a Spanish Colonial Revival built in 1927 and is absolutely gorgeous. They’ve also completely furnished and decorated in this same period. They are located in the Banning Wrigley Historical District in Wilmington. I suggest to anyone even remotely interested in Historical Architecture or Old California to do yourself a favor and visit this neighborhood and museum.

Group tours of the interior of the private homes in this neighborhood can be arranged through Simie Seaman.

310-835-8177.

Sydney

Sydney shot with a strobe behind a 6X6 foot scrim against a white wall.

Naughty or Nice

Orange County Photographer Greg Garcia shoots Kymree and Lyndsey  for a Christmas Card set.

This is Kymree and Lyndsey. I will probably post a few from this shoot. We had a great time shooting this and it cracks me up every time I look at these shots. These girls really worked it for these shots and managed to have a good time even though we were in less than desirable conditions. But then again, what kind of shoot would it be otherwise? This was shot in a warehouse in Long Beach shortly before Christmas. Of course it was freezing and the last thing you would want to do is run around in your underwear but here they are... What started out as a Christmas pin-up shoot evolved into a number of scenerios as we found various props in this warehouse, collaborated on ideas and thought of ways to keep the girls warm...

Canon 5D, Strobe and Halogen Lights for warmth... literally!

Merry Christmas

Sometimes you just gotta have fun! My brother and my nieces keep that spirit alive in this impromptu ”sync” of “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”. I actually had nothing to do in the making of this but I loved it so much, I wanted to share it, and they let me. Simply, they set their camera on the counter, hit “record”, and let whatever happened, happen. Press “play” on the CD player, and have a good time was all this took. May be because this is family, I loved it. Hopefully, it will spread a little Christmas cheer, warm your heart, and bring a smile to your face as it did mine. I hope you enjoy “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” by the Garcia’s.

Happy Halloween my Monkey Girl!

Happy Halloween!!!

Sunday Funday!

On sunday we take a look at rare, vintage, cool and sometimes odd photography.  We take that day to view, celebrate, critique and appreciate photography new and old.  Feel free to comment below and visit again next Sunday.

Images posted on Sunday Funday are not property of, nor were they created by Orange County Photographer, Greg Garcia Photography.  Most of the images have been circulated around the internet and to my knowledge, free to be shared and appreciated. 

Steve Jobs

1955-2011

Whale & the Mermaid

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.

They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.

They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?

They would have no sex life and could not bear children.

Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.

And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.

We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.

Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! 


By: Delphine Fieberg

CounterShock

CounterShock, originally uploaded by greggarciaphoto.

Billy Corgan

Billy Corgan, originally uploaded by greggarciaphoto.

@ Red Rocks

Einstein & Marilyn Monroe

When you look at this picture you see it's Albert Einstein

But, if you stand 15 feet away it will become Marilyn Monroe.

Now what do you think of the reliability of eyewitness testimony?

Sunday Funday!

On sunday we take a look at rare, vintage, cool and sometimes odd photography.  We take that day to view, celebrate, critique and appreciate photography new and old.  Feel free to comment below and visit again next Sunday.

Images posted on Sunday Funday are not property of, nor were they created by Orange County Photographer, Greg Garcia Photography.  Most of the images have been circulated around the internet and to my knowledge, free to be shared and appreciated.  

Crutch

Crutch, originally uploaded by greggarciaphoto.

Alice Cooper

Maggie

Maggie shot with shoe flash in a parking garage in Santa Ana

American Flag

Images posted on Sunday Funday are not property of, nor were they created by Orange County Photographer, Greg Garcia Photography.  Most of the images have been circulated around the internet and to my knowledge, free to be shared and appreciated. 

War is Hell

War is Hell

Comment Below

Images posted on Sunday Funday are not property of, nor were they created by Orange County Photographer, Greg Garcia Photography.  Most of the images have been circulated around the internet and to my knowledge, free to be shared and appreciated. 

Sunday Fun Day Comment

I'm playing with a new series on my blog.  Sunday Fun Day!  It's to open up discussion regarding photography and it's impact. How the image not only records but also creates history.... Or, merely the appreciation of the image, the craft or the capture of a fleeting moment.  In this age of digital photography and 7 frames per second or still images converted from video capture, the photographer's instinct of the decisive moment is dying.  It's like the tuna fisherman that cast a huge net and so what if they kill some dolphin in the process.  The creative image is turning into something that is created in post rather than the camera.  For most, the image has turned into a commodity and they have resorted to the "numbers game" as opposed to creating and capturing a special moment in the camera.  The game, the business has changed.  This series is to appreciate, applaud, critique, and admire the works created primarily before technology got it's grasp on our art, craft  and industry.  

Today's images are not "Fun" so the title of the series may not be appropriate.  The title is merely named so because these posts do not have anything to do with work.  Today's posts being quite editorial in nature are here as a memorial on  the tenth anniversary of 9/11.  Even though the subject matter does not have anything to do with 9/11 directly, they a simular in nature.  Feel free to comment.

Feel free to submit images to be part of the discussion too if you like.  greg@greggarciaphotography.com I'm not sure if you can post images in the comment section but you can email them to me directly.

Enjoy!

American

Images posted on Sunday Funday are not property of, nor were they created by Orange County Photographer, Greg Garcia Photography.  Most of the images have been circulated around the internet and to my knowledge, free to be shared and appreciated. 

Sunday Paper Headline

Sunday Funday!

On sunday we take a look at rare, vintage, cool and sometimes odd photography.  We take that day to view, celebrate, critique and appreciate photography new and old.  Feel free to comment below.

Images posted on Sunday Funday are not property of, nor were they created by Orange County, Greg Garcia Photography.  Most of the images have been circulated around the internet and to my knowledge, free to be shared and appreciated.  

Colorado First Time Home Buyer

Another video day!  Today we are using a small camcorder to follow around a potential Colorado First Time Home buyer as her realtor shows her prospective properties for the afternoon.  We are hoping that she'll make her selection and make an offer at the end of the day so we can capture that on tape too. No fancy rigging for this one.  I'm excited to see how this is going to cut together.

Colorado First Time Home Buyer

Today were shooting stills of the Colorado First Time Home Buyer Team and individual head shots.  This was a little be of an after thought but we figured, since I'm out here....


So, I needed to come up with a portrait lighting rig with the materials I have on hand.  I ended up making it work with some light stand adapters, two shoe mount flashes, a few Pocket Wizards and an umbrella.  I was tempted to shoot with the video lighting set up but I was worried that I wouldn't have the depth of field needed to shoot the group shot.


The rig and rigging worked out fine and we have another happy client!

Colorado First Time Home Buyer

Today we're in Centennial Colorado shooting testimonials and web content for Colorado First Time Home Buyer.  We are set up in the training room of Home Real Estate.  Clients, New home owners are scheduled to dropping in about every hour.  
Today's shoot is totally unscripted, zero prep and we should catch some authentic reaction and testimony from our new Colorado First Time Home Buyers!

Ford F-100

It's Labor Day weekend and what does that mean if you live in Old Towne Orange by the traffic circle?  The Orange International Street Fair!  It's a sweat fest of international food and the smell of spilled stale beer.  There's plenty to eat and drink if you are not concerned about the International part.  Thousands of people attend every year and I kinda have an annual tradition of at least making it over there to have my customary bratwurst.  Feel free to click the link for info and check it out!

So, this afternoon I'm standing in front of my house assessing the tons of yard work I should be doing but it's just too damn hot so I'm procrastinating.  The yellow Ford above drives up to the curb and the passenger asks if they can park in front of my house.  I immediately fall in love with the truck.  This truck is perfect for a few upcoming video projects I have stirring in the mill so as they get out of the truck, I ask if they would bee interested in letting use the truck for a video project.  The driver was enthusiastic about it and gave me his contact info.

As an independent filmmaker on a small budget, there are a lot of compromises and decisions one must make.  Do you hurry up and make your video in haste and end up with a diluted lack luster remnant of what was once a great idea, or do you stick your guns and vision and take the time to execute it correctly?  Truthfully, I think it's a balance of both.  It may be a balance of both at any level.  I think it's a matter of where those lines will be drawn in the sand.  Today, I'm glad I waited.  This truck practically fell in my lap.  Keep an eye out for it.  I'm sure it will be featured in at least two upcoming projects.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Chargers v. 49ers

The surf was big today in San Clemente.  We saw it on our way down to San Diego.  Ron had tickets in the first row on the field of the Chargers v. 49ers game and gave them to Jz and I.  We took off around 5pm.  

It was pretty much a comedy of errors...  We weren't planning for a trek yo San Diego so we were far from prepared.  We both needed money...  the car needed gas...  So we had many pit stops before we got stuck in traffic.  The stadium is nestled in low rolling hills.  You can't even see the stadium until you're almost on top of it.  You come around a small hill with what looks like a rock quarry on one side and apartments on the the other then there it is.  By this time, you're committed to your lane and you must go with the herd.   Of course we parked on the opposite side of the stadium than our seats and once we found our gate, it was closed.  So, we needed to back track until we found an open gate.  Jz needed to hit the head but we couldn't find a restroom.  Finally after walking almost back to where we started we found one.  Jz almost got into a fight in the restroom for yelling at a guy that took cuts and said guy continued yelling at us even after we left the restroom...  something about 619!  You can check in but you can never leave...  I don't know if he was a Raid fanatic or forgot the words to Hotel California but he sure seemed pretty angry.   

We finally found our seats but since we were on the field you couldn't see the game because all the players were standing in front of us.  That was ok,  we had the Jumbotron for an occasional peak.  We mostly just watched the cheerleaders.  This was fine with me because I barely understand how the game is played anyway!  We ate at Chevys afterward and I had chips and salsa, and an andouille quesadilla.  My stomach is in knots and very pissed off at me right now.  I just got home. Luckily.

Photoshop of Horrors

Photoshop of Horrors: Vogue Mag Forgets Body Parts, Do You Care? Posted: 19 Aug 2011 08:37 AM PDT Over at Vogue magazine, it seems the retouching crew was a little remiss with Mario Testino’s shot of Kate Moss and her daughter Lila –seems they…er…left off a few of her daughters fingers. Or worse, that her daughters fingers actually fused into her mom’s back. So, we all know Photoshop happens. They’re in there taking out zits and making people skinnier than they really are, and taking out wrinkles and on and on. Yes, yes, we all “know” this. But is “oops, I just left off a few body parts” excusable? I don’t know where I stand on this. It’s a beautiful shot, but the sophomoric blunder isn’t lost on me. Do YOU even care, or is it just expected that there will be some mistakes and faux pas along the way, so we should just get on with it anyway….? (faux pas via Jezebel) via Chase Jarvis

Saints of the Underground

By Madina

Images Greg Garcia Photography

Jani Lane

Rest in Peace

Jani Lane: His Only Real Friend... That Killed Him in the End RIP
  

People have been asking me about Jani Lane & I really don't know what to say. Picturing him by himself in a Comfort Inn in Woodland Hills with a bottle of vodka & a bottle of pills is so typical of what a rock musicians life actually is. It is a life marked by extremes. Extreme attention from people you don't know, while all the work & travel takes you away from those you actually do know. Playing to thousands of people & then going back to your hotel room & shutting the door. When the door shuts... the quiet is the exact opposite of the volume of the concert. The solitude of the empty hotel room becomes the diametric parallel of the adulation of strangers. For some, the bottle of vodka or whatever becomes a friend that is always there for you while others come & go. Yes I have felt these emotions myself. If you see me going head over heels over a girl, it's because all I have ever wanted is to have a girl to love & share my life with, & for the one I love to be with me wherever I'm at, travel with me to distant locales & stay in nice kick ass hotel suites & have fun & sing & dance & see the world. But so far this is a fantasy. Just like Jani, I spend most of my time alone in a hotel room dreaming of a girl I love who is somewhere else. I bet Jani Lane felt exactly what I feel. How could he not?  I remember decades ago being invited to Jani's house for a barbeque, which we went to. But Jani didn't show up. So I spent the afternoon with Jani's dad cooking burgers & steaks & having a wonderful day with his family. My condolences to his family & especially Jani's children who now only have memories of their dad to hold on to. That is truly heartbreaking. Let this be yet another lesson to tell someone some kind words sometimes... before it's too late... while they are still alive. I can guarantee Jani Lane would not have anticipated everyone coming out of the woodwork extolling the life & times of Jani Lane. Which is why he probably died alone. In a hotel room. With his only real friend...that killed him in the end.

By: Sebastian Bach

Gear Head - Mobile

Orange County Photographer Greg Garcia's Equipment
This is a follow up to Gear Head - AC Powered. Most of the content will be the same. So, the reason for this entry? This will answer the inquiry for an environmental location shoot without any access to electricity.
I have organized my gear so with a couple swaps in lighting, I'm still good to go. The primary DSLRs I use are the Canon 5D and the Canon 5D Mark II. My lens arsenal consists of a Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8, Canon EF 70-200 2.8 IS, and a Canon EF 85mm 1.8. I find I get most of my work done with those three lenses. For metering I still use my Sekonic handheld and I use a Calibration Target for Custom White Balance. This is probably the absolute bare minimum I would take to any shoot.

For Lighting on a "Mobile" shoot, I use JTL MobilLights with battery packs. I have a Quantum Q Flash with a Turbo Battery pack and the Canon 580EX that I can mount to a stand with a shoe mount trigger, that plugs into my wireless receiver for off camera lighting. I'll use the Q Flash or 580EX to lighten the load if we are hiking the gear to a remote location or if I need a quick accent light to pick up some detail. I find this works really well for me even in a multiple light set up.

Keeping with the same JTL Lighting mounts enables me to use the same light modifiers as I would with the VersaLights. Depending on what is needed for the job, I have a large 60" Convertable Umbrella and a number of smaller umbrellas that are Silver, Translucent and White Reflective. I have a 21" Beauty dish that I have enjoyed using as well as a number of soft boxes including the Photoflex Platinum Series Strip Dome Q39, for controlled light placement. With those tools, I've been able to satisfy the needs to get about any job done.