I'm renewing my relationship
with a camera and, as with any relationship where you've been apart for a long
while, sometimes we don't quite see eye to eye on things. The camera usually
knows best in matters of aperture and shutter speed, but that's one of the things
we're not seeing eye to eye on yet, so a good many of my pictures don't come
out the way I might have hoped. Many of them turn out unprintable.
The images you see below
are selected frames from the 6+ rolls of film I shot during a photo "safari"
to Newport Beach, California in August of '99. They're the best of the few
where camera and photographer worked in tandem rather than in conflict. It
may be no great shakes as photoessays go, but keep in mind that I'm a writer,
not a photo editor. At least they're in focus.
Click on the images to
see a higher resolution, full-screen version of each. Enjoy...
This
building is at the base of the Newport Beach pier. I really liked the way the
ocean reflects in its windows.
Surf
breaking at The Wedge. Not a very remarkable shot, but doesn't every beach-themed
photoessay need a panoramic shot?
Why?
Swim fins.
Ooh,
action!
More
action! Why? The guy popping up out of the wave at top right. I like that.
The
hard-core fishermen at the end of the pier. Down here it's not about fun, it's
about food.
This
isn't a good shot. There's something very wrong with it technically that I can't
put my finger on. Still, I like how moody and grey it is and how the middle
sailboat seems to glow.
This
is probably my favorite shot of the day.
This
is Beth's favorite.
My
partner in crime for the day, Steve. At left he hefts his new monopod, looking
for all the world like a disappointed hunter home from a bad day on the veldt.
At right, the man at work.
The
best shot of the day -- and a total accident. You know how when you're loading
film you insert it and then run off a couple of throw-away frames to advance
it? Meet one of those frames. Perfectly exposed, in perfect focus, interestingly
framed... It's a keeper. I'm mounting a copy on the wall in the den. It might
just end up being my best work ... ever.
