{ Image Blog by Marc Orbito }
{ Image Blog by Marc Orbito }
(The final part of my San Francisco series)
The architecture of San Franciso has always fascinated me; its topography, density and spacing is quite unique and and the buildings themselves offer quite a variety of modern and classic. San Francisco is quite the character. I aboslutely love the Victorian facades of the homes and the eccentricity of Chintatown. The Golden Gate Bridge is awe inspiring as is the Palace of Fine arts, which I was surprised to find, was located the middle of a residential area; it is a jaw-dropping spectacle. Walking beside the columns and under the archways, I took a moment take digest it all - I wasn't in Europe or the Medeterranian, but on U.S. soil, and on the West coast, no doubt.
I shot most of these with my trusty 24-105L f4 "walkabout" on my 5D Mark II. The fisheye photos are courtesy of a 15mm. I used a graduated neutral density filter, which underexposed the skies by 2 stops and pulled the details in the clouds out (excitedly) afterwards with Lightroom 4. (This was the first set of pics I edited in LR4, so I may have gotten a little excited and overtweaked them.)
I think I hit a fairly good amount of locations in one day. My shoot setup did not include a tripod, which could have resulted in more stylized shots and perhaps less photos, but I stand by my semi-documentarian style choice. :)
(part 2 of 3 in my San Francisco series)
Street photography is very much like fishing. You pick a time and place, prep your gear, head out there, and just hope you are keen and lucky enough catch something...
I shoot the streets when I'm in need of a photographic rejuvination. I enjoy commercial work, but it can sometimes be strict in its creative opportunities. Rendered images or pre-conceived shoots of people or models often stimulate the "groins" of the Facebook generation more than anything - it's wonderful at drawing fans and exciting bunches of people, but sometimes it hides truth and honesty and throws viewers brains out of the window. I needed a change of pace.
When I first started, I shot the streets because I had nothing else. I did it to learn. I did it for the pure love of photography. Often times I have to remind myself: life and humanity have much to offer. And there is great thrill in what the unknown or unscripted provide - situations that are unparalleled in its beauty and far more wonderous that anything I could ever plan or set up. To shoot the street is to feel life's pulse. It is to feel MY pulse.
Unlike part 1 ("Alcatraz"), people living is very much the theme here. Where that post was almost entirely desolate, in this second series of images, I try to fill the frame with people...
(part 1 of 3 in my San Francisco series)
Last Sunday, I took the first ferry out to Alcatraz. Why? Because I'm a cheap bastard and wanted to save a few bucks. But, thinking as photographer, I also wanted to beat the crowds - it would make more sense to shoot the former prison in a state of desolation and solitude and I thought the clouds over the bay would make for more drama. And besides that, the prison itself was my subject - not the people (as it would be later that morning at the Taylor Street restaurants at the Wharf) I wasn't entirely successful at keeping people out of my shots (the first ferry was already bursting at the seams) but I think there is enough "space" in these shots for meditation. Enjoy!
Went up to Maui for a funeral on Tuesday. Afterwards, I had some time to roam the island and take some photos. I have a soft spot for small towns and historic places and many of these spots spark nostalgia in me...
Christmas is definitely a time for the children. It is when their dreams come true and hearts are relenquished for the new year. And as the gifts and presents are unwrapped, we are reminded that the Holidays isn't about toys or candy or feasts, but about being grateful for what we have and that sharing a part of ourselves - the happiness, kindness and joy inside of us, is what really matters. With the new year, there is always hope and a chance for renewal and forgiveness. Let us march forward in good nature. The Hungry Eye hopes you had a wonderful holiday season!
Congratulations to Jared and Joy, an amazing couple I met via Twitter. They flew all the way to Hawaii from Alabama to be married in front of friends of family!
Special thanks to my friends Dallas and Ed White of D'Amour Pacific for co-shooting this wedding!
Howdy! My name is Marc Orbito. I'm a general photographer in the state of Hawaii who enjoys photographing people!
I'm also a father, husband, Apple geekboy, writer, Disney junkie, Miami Heat basketball fan and washed-out cinephile.
I invite you to look around. Hopefully you'll like what you see and and maybe even hire me!
Contact me for rates at marc @ orbito.net
