In March i was walking through Downton Los Angeles one Saturday when I saw a Waterslide unrolled in Downtown and tons of cameras all around. I didn't bother much and took a few photos that you can see in my L.A. Gallery. On my way home I walked right by the slide, took a couple of shots and went on.

One month later, while watching TV i saw the advertisement for the new Dodge Journey when I discovered the same scene again. I only took 3 shots, but I really liked the one of the actor in the suit.

Driving through California is one of my greatest joys. On my way to the great photographic sights, I have plenty of time to think about how California really looks like apart from the glossy pages and polished frames people are used to seeing. One of the main sights on my travels are golden hills lined with trees. Depending on the time of the day, they may glow golden or look rather dull and brown.
For some reason, I always pass the most beautiful rolling hills in perfect light when there is no way to pull over. This is pretty much how most of central California between I-5 and 101 looks like. I am sure that I will finally succeed in capturing a better image.
 

Monday is Saint Patricks day, where all Irish communities around the world celebrate one of the patron saints of Ireland. The San Francisco Bay area has a large Irish community and hence Saint Patricks Day has always been celebrated with fanfare.

Yesterday San Francisco kicked of the St. Patricks Day Celebration with a big parade. I took this chance and tried to capture the spirit of the day.

See some of yesterdays pictures in my St. Patricks Day in San Francisco Gallery.

Yesterday I drove to San Francisco and took a stroll along Fishermans Wharf. Spring is the best time to visit California. I soaked in the sun and the bustling market, watched street performers and cable cars.

After an hour I drove to little italy to sit down at a local coffee shop and watch the busy life pass by, ending the day with a visit to the Legion of Honor.

After all these years living in the bay area, San Francisco still has an appeal that makes it my favorite city. Some neighborhoods still feel like a small town. People are friendly and welcoming and open to everyone.

Check out my San Francisco Street Photography Gallery for more images or my general San Francisco Gallery.

During the past years, I have been year-end traveling. This year, I am on a trip through the Southwestern States. After we bolted straight to Phoenix from the San Francisco Bay Area, suffering through a monstrous 30-mile traffic jam around L.A., we were somewhat disappointed by Phoenix. We explored sights in Southern Arizona, New Mexico and headed into El Paso – Texas, where we spent Christmas. If you can avoid this city, you will spare yourself a big industrial looking blob of no particular beauty.

After Christmas, we headed North into New Mexico and the White Sands National Monument. The park was a real treat for our strained souls. We had a good time there and I finally got to use my Jetboil cooker for some hot treats.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe were a nice diversion from mundane El Paso, although we didn’t find too much things to do, as many of the smaller parks were either closed (Puye Cliff Dwellings, El Rancho de Las Colindras) or less photogenic (old town). Pecos National Monument turned out quite nice (see picture). Santa Fe and Albuquerque are freezing with a temperature shock so far below freezing that our thin Californian blood circulates at Mach 3.

I am looking forward to heading into Bandelier NM tomorrow and then leaving New Mexico for Arizona and Utah again.

Learn what it takes to take perfect photos in winter.

Extreme weather conditions are challenging to photograph. High contrast scenes and bright snow throw off your auto exposure. Cold weather and condensation can damage your equipment and batteries drain faster.
Whether you are trying to capture the beauty of icy winter landscapes or your children’s fun on the slopes, the challenges of winter photography require preparation. In this short essay, I am going to give you advice to help you coping with those situations.

Last weekend we discovered a fantastic place right here in California. The Ancient Bristlewood Pine Forest is unlike any other place I have encountered.

High above the Owens Valley in the White Mountains lays this state park. Deprived of the usual loud visitor clouds, the park is a sanctuary for your nerves and an interesting locality for the nature photographer. Parts of the park are hard to get to, requiring a long drive on an unpaved road. Although at the time I did wish the park service had paved the road for me, I have to be grateful they have not, for I have never encountered an area of such tranquility. The high altitude and cold winds also made the park less appealing to birds and other animals.

In the absence of virtually all sources of noise, one could stop and listen to ones hard pound. And pound it did. After I saw all the fantastic subjects waiting to be photographed, I did not count on the high altitude when I was bouncing around the forest like rumpelstiltskin.

Unfortunately, the pounding headache did not permit me to stay longer, but I got what I came for. Check out the gallery to see for yourself. Later this week I will also add some more photos to my 395 gallery and the Mono Lake Gallery.