Abre la puerta (Open the door)

I shot this image in Barcelona as I was walking along Gran Via one afternoon. In composing this image, I focused in on the door knocker since I found it to be so unique and visually interesting. I'm sure you're asking yourself if it's just a decorative element or if it's actually a fully functional door knocker...I wondered the same thing and after trying it found out that it works perfectly :)

Argentic Adventures in Europe: A Slideshow

You Can't Rush Perfection

La Sagrada Familia, the famous cathedral in Barcelona, is considered to be Antonio Gaudi's masterpiece. He spent over 40 years of his life working on this massive project, dedicating the last 15 years of his life exclusively to it. Apparently when he was asked about the lengthy construction timetable he replied, "My client is not in a hurry." Considering the fact that the project started in 1883 with current estimates indicating a scheduled completion date of sometime in 2026, the circumstances support Gaudi's sentiment that it's really not possible to rush perfection.
During my visit to Barcelona last Spring, I had set out specifically to shoot La Sagrada Familia. On the day I shot this image, I tried to mask the scaffolding and construction equipment as best as I could by using a wider angle and incorporating the trees and shadows into the composition in order to achieve a more balanced and artistic image.

My photo exhibit: (Groupshow) Universal Art Gallery, Venice from June 13-July 12 2009

I'm one of 13 photographers being featured in a groupshow at Universal Art Gallery in Venice, CA. The opening reception was this past Saturday, June 13th and the exhibit will run until July 12, 2009. The evening of the opening was a great experience full of awesome art and it was quite well attended by invited guests as well as locals from the Venice/Marina del Rey/Santa Monica area.
I have 12 works on display (hand-made archival silver gelatin B&W fiber prints) featuring images of Barcelona, London, Paris and Venice, which were shot over the course of the past three years (2007 to 2009).
I had a great time talking to guests, customers as well as the other artists. who were exhibiting. The range of talent in the show is extremely diverse and all of the photographers are awesome, both in terms of their photographic skill as well as the fact that they are just amazingly nice and gracious people.
If you are in the area and have a chance to stop by, I would encourage you to do so as there is likely to be something to suit every taste/photographic aesthetic, etc.
Enjoy!

Back in the US after Shooting Europe....

I've just returned from a wonderful trip to Europe. I visited several cities and had a chance to do quite a bit of shooting so I will be sharing some of the images from the recent trip on this blog over the course of the coming weeks.

Also, a quick plug for an awesome camera shop, ProCamera in Thousand Oaks. I was so busy prior to my scheduled departure that I didn't have a chance to take my camera equipment in for a good cleaning until literally the Friday afternoon just before my trip (I was leaving early on Tuesday). I've gone to this camera shop before and they've always been wonderful but in light of the pressing schedule, they managed to provide their usual exemplary service in an expedited fashion without charging me the equivalent of highway robbery prices. I'll add them to my list of favorite photography resources (Los Angeles/SoCal)...if you happen to be in the area and need your camera repaired, cleaned, etc., stop in and ask for Wayne.

In the interim, I've posted a few images...I will upload more images from my recent trip as often as possible.