Danger Zone

There's a line… or should I say area, that, depending on what kind of photography you do, you may find yourself dancing in as a photographer.  

In the days of film you honed in your senses to be at the ready for that decisive moment.  All your experience, training and knowledge of shutter speed, aperture, ISO, depth of field and film stock was second nature. It's like driving a car with a manual transmission and you don't even need to think about the clutch anymore. It's automatic, so you're on the hunt and looking for that decisive moment so you can capture it with the best composition possible.  You would use lighting and exposure to capture something that may or may not be in front of your lens and through camera control, you can interpret the scene on to the negative in the creative nature that you've pre visualize in your head.  And… that area that I speak  of above, is the blurred line between reality and the photographer's interpretation of the scene.  This blurred line used to be a creative playground. A place to dance between reality and fantasy.  Of course there were limits but it was an exciting and creative place to live.

Today, with digital manipulation, this playground has almost found itself extinct.  The camera has become more of a gathering tool for images and less of a creative instrument.  For the most part, a good percentage of photographers have taken the creed of the lazy audio engineer and live by the motto, "fix it in the mix".  In this case, PhotoShop.  But as I overheard someone say once, "You can't expect to make a chicken salad out of chicken shit!"  Well, today, you can get pretty close!  There are a lot of brilliant photoshop manipulators out there now and they can do amazing work…  maybe, too amazing.

Todays magazine covers and images on the internet are so manipulated that the torch is being held high out of the reach of reality.  Yet we are so over saturated with these images, there are people that try to hold them selves to that torch as if it is reality.  

Our area of creative playground has turned into a danger zone, a mine field in post production.  Photo retouching of the past like teeth whitening, softening wrinkles, removing acne has turned into full blown body sculpting and plastic surgery.  I'm finding more and more that I am getting these kind of requests and they are requested like it's totally normal.  Maybe it is normal and I'm just not "with it" but I think there's a larger issue at hand.  I seem to recall a psych 101 lesson regarding the three "selfs". 1. You - how you are, truly.  2. How you perceive yourself.  And, 3. how others perceive you.  The closer these are to each other, the healthier and better state of being you possess.  The media has really torn this apart with the manipulated imagery it feeds every day.  Now with more and more people buying into it, it's tearing into perception on a personal level.  The farther these selfs are from each other, the being starts to fragment and suffer repercussion from the false reality.  I see this trend getting worse and worse with more people requesting unrealistic photoshop work like it's the normal thing to do.  This trend has pushed me into a quandary.  I have provided photoshop work that I personally have felt is unwarranted but it's what the client wanted so it was provided and billed accordingly.  But just because that's what the client wants, does that make it right?  I understand that everyone whats to look good but there is a line when you push reality.  Personally. I'd rather dance in the creative playground than the mine field of false reality.

Blue Valentine

I guess this is a movie commentary of sorts… even though that's not really what is covered on this blog typically.  After viewing this movie, (I'm kinda assuming you've viewed it as well… I'm not talking about the storyline or plot.)   I was left so out of sorts, I wanted to talk to someone about it.  So guess what?  You're it!  I was so mixed on how I felt about the movie I had to go online to read reviews to see what others thought.  My initial reaction was WTF?  Who would make a movie like this... About this...  But then it was so real it was disturbing.  To that, it takes great talent.  We are so desensitized with action, CGI, get to the plot, that when presented with something real, we don't know how to respond.  It was shot very documentary style too which adds to the reality.  No pretty light set ups.  No glamourous love scenes.  Pretty fuckin raw emotion. If you're looking for escape, this is not the movie to watch.  If you want to be dropped into reality, take a spin, then reevaluate your life.  Fuck. Have at it.  The movie is hard to put in a box.  On the surface, it's very mediocre.  But it is because that's life for a lot of people.  So to capture that, it's brilliant.  

Here is a trailer for Blue Valentine.

Four Hour Tour of Anza Borrego

Canon 5D, natural light and hand metered.

Orange County Photographer Greg Garcia Hunts Wildflowers in Anza Borrego

Every few years when conditions are right, the Anza Borrego desert will get a nice bloom of wildflowers in the spring. I love the Anza Borrego desert and I seem to miss this spectacle every time I hear about it... "it's blooming... it's blooming!" Before I can arrange a trip, weather heats up and all the wildflowers are gone.

This year with all the recent rain, I figured this would be the year to catch it. Well, as scheduling would have it, once again, my trip kept getting bumped back. I didn't want to miss it again so knowing that I had a shoot scheduled on Saturday afternoon, I called a couple buddies that were game, grabbed my dog Paige and we headed out friday evening.

We arrived in Ocotillo Wells 10 or 11pm on Friday night after a bad KFC experience and witnessing an overturned vehicle on the winding road outside Banner. (My last three trips down this road held witness to incident. Be cautious folks.) Obviously too late and too dark to see any kind of flora, we built a fire and set up for the night. The weather was comfortably warm with a slight breeze which cleared the skies for an awesome view of the stars. It was a peaceful desert night. Only the sound of the fire and jokes cracking could be heard until a lone rider on a dirt bike seemed to be lost and circling our camp for hours well past 2am.... which lead to more jokes, but eventually, we crashed out for the night.

7am. Up and at 'em! We packed up camp and headed over to the Blu Inn for breakfast. This place has been there for as long as I can remember. It's probably changed hand a few times since I've visited but this is by far the nicest "version" of the Blu Inn. It's got an Old School Diner motif with all the typical fixin's and pretty bad ass Breakfast Burrito from what I witnessed. They have added a nice patio for outdoor seating and service as well. I didn't inquire but it looks like they are expanding to an RV Park and Quad Rentals too.

After we grubbed it was time to hit the trail. The Wildflower Report claimed the bloom had moved to the upper desert around Culp Valley and Hell Hole Canyon. I'm not to familiar with that area and being on a limited schedule, we chose some familiar trails and hoped for the best.

We headed out to Split Mountain and started up Fish Wash. I could see scattered color from flowers on the side of the road as we drove up Split Mountain Road. We stopped at Split Mountain, the Wind Caves and Fossil Reef to view the "Elephant Knees" but didn't hike to the Wind Caves due to time. We continued all the way down Fish Wash and entered Sand Stone Canyon. We were able to get passed the Narrows but we were not able to get much farther on the trail. Apparently from the recent earthquake on Easter, quite sizeable boulders had fallen and blocked the path. (To see images, follow the link below or click here.) At that point we turned around and headed back up Fish Wash and turn on to Arroyo Seco del Diablo Trail. We negotiated the small rock field and climbed to the plateau above Diablo Drop Off. That's when we viewed the Ocotillo and Cholla in bloom and took most of the days pictures you see above.

Next, we raced to the Tapiado Mud Caves for some quick exploration. The day was starting to heat up and coolness of the Mud Caves were inviting. (There are pictures from the Mud Caves in my online gallery as well.) Running short on time, we rushed out Arroyo Tapiado to Vallecito Wash and headed for pavement through Canyon Sin Nombre. Here, we stopped for a minute or two and captured some more images of purple and yellow flora before hitting pavement.

This was a fun and interesting short trip. I titled this blog a Four Hour Tour because, rubber hit the dirt for only about four hours and we were able to cover a lot of ground and see a lot. It was very rushed and I almost felt like Chevy Chase in National Lampoons Vacation..." there it is... OK, Let's go..." but it was well worth it. Even with traffic backed up on the 5FWY because of a van on fire, I made it home with enough time to shower before my shoot. I love it when a plan comes together. I'm going to try and sneak in another trip before all the flowers are gone... That'll be my excuse any way... I love it out there.

To see more images from this trip, please follow this link:
http://greggarciaphotography.com/online/borrego/

Help Portrait

Noal Clavel, 4 of Tustin, begins to focus on getting his picture taken after he sees an image of himself. His family has been living at the Orange County Rescue Mission in Tustin for the last four months. Help-Portrait, a group of photographers, make-up artists, organizers donated their time to help the needy with a portrait and print during the holiday season.

From left, Brian Luengas Jr., his dad Brian, 28, brother Samuel, 4, sister Sophia, 3 and mom Isis, 29, view images of themselves just taken. They were thrilled to get their first family portrait ever thanks to Help-Portrait, a group of photographers, make-up artists, organizers who donated their skills to help the needy with a portrait and print during the holiday season.

Noal Clavel, 4 of Tustin, shows his appreciation to photographer Greg Garcia even before the photo session is over as brother Jacob, 11, watches. Help-Portrait, a group of photographers, make-up artists, organizers donated their time to help the needy with a portrait and print at the Orange County Rescue Mission, Tustin.

Noal Clavel, 4 of Tustin, gives photographer Greg Garcia an unexpected hug during the middle of a photo session as brother Jacob, 11, watches. Help-Portrait, a group of photographers, make-up artists, organizers donated their time to help the needy with a portrait and print.

For information on Help Portrait go to: http://help-portrait.com

Laguna Beach: The Vape O.C.

Here's something we shot this weekend.  It's the new commercial for Vapor Solutions by Julie starring comedians Pat Leborio and Vince Royale.  Also featuring Caroline Fink, Christina Quinones and Bryanna Santillan.  A special thank you goes to production Rhiannon McGuan and Stuart Schryer.

Check it out!  Share it!  

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Thanks for watching!

Vapor Solutions by Julie

Orange County top comic Pat Leborio stops into Vapor Solutions by Julie and is distracted by Hawaiian Mike testing flavors at the tasting bar.

This was shot on location on one of the hottest days of the year and it just so happens that the air conditioning broke down the day before.  Even though it was extremely hot and got even hotter due to the lighting, everyone involved rolled with the punches and managed to have a great time.

Julie and Joe are great and really took care of everyone there for the shoot and from what I witnessed, that same care goes to meet the needs of their customers.  If you're into vaping, just want to check it out or just try some new flavors, visit Vapor Solutions by Julie in Anaheim.  Their staff is friendly, knowledgable and accommodating.  

Vapor Solutions by Julie.com.  2060 S. Euclid St. Anaheim CA 92802.  

714-636-3180

Finding a Family Photographer

When it comes to photography and selecting a photographer, if there's one thing you have, it's a choice.  In this time of digital photography and technology, everybody is a photographer.  Well, I guess that's all on how you look at it.  A more factual statement is everybody has a camera.  It's funny how in this industry, no one has any reservations about calling themselves a photographer just because they have purchased an expensive (in some cases) camera.  I have a lot of records and a large CD collection but that doesn't make me a Dj...   I have a lot of tools in my garage and I work on my car but I don't call myself a mechanic...  So why is it so easy for others to give themselves the title of photographer?  Is it because in this age of digital photography with memory cards with gigabytes in the double digits, you can afford to take thousands of images and just because in the law of averages the odds are there's going to be a good shot in there somewhere?  In contrast, in the days of shooting film, there were costs involved in film purchasing and processing not to mention time back and forth to the lab for pick up and delivery.  In those days, the shots mattered because they cost money.  Maybe...  I don't know.  I can't pinpoint why and maybe that's just part of the reason for this phenomena.  Anyway,  drifted off point.  This entry is supposed to be about choosing a photographer.  Feel free to consider the above when making your selection.

If I had to suggest why you should select a photographer I would say the best reason is because you like their work.  It's really that simple.  Everything else, even though may be a factor, is secondary.  There is a lot of talent out there but every photographer sees things differently and there are just as many styles out there as well.  Select the photographer that you feel most confident that they will provide you with the images you desire.  From there, you can hammer out the remaining details.

I came across a video for Angie's List in regard to selecting a photographer.  There are some very good points in this presentation.  I'd like to share it with you.  To view the video click here. 

Selecting a photographer is no easy task but you do have choices... and that's good!  There are more photographers out there than flavors of ice cream.   Some people would like a double scoop of chocolate and some vanilla.  There are people that like Mint n Chip and those that prefer Rocky Road.  It's all good ice cream but if you were craving Mint n Chip, Rocky Road just wouldn't satisfy.   Of course I would hope to be your flavor selection when it comes to photography but if it's not a Mint n Chip day, I understand.  Keep in mind, unlike your double scoop of ice cream,  your photographic images are going to remain long after you've finished your flavor of the week.

Greg Garcia Photography

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