Spring has sprung, and my girlfriends and I headed up to see the tulips and visit San Juan Island…fun was had. As well, many clicks were clicked. As always, iPhone got a starring role as the snapshot must, but the big 5d2 got a few in as well, fish attached…
For memories of tulips, specifically, of years past – 2011, 2008…
iPhone faves…
And via the fish…a few faves…
Full fish slideshow –
Ok, so not a blister, per se, but a bit of bright sun to burst through the winter blues, with images full of solar flare and whatnot – that was what the ol’ sensor captured on the big 5d2…
But, it wasn’t just the big camera, in fact it was mostly the little iPhone that got the biggest workout – because…yep, it’s the camera with me…
Actually, I made a point not to take the bigger camera with me for most of my vacation – it was a birthday break, turning 40 in the tropics – a time to relax, take in the rays, drinks some tropical beverages, just to relax. Relalxing means, not obsessing over getting all the spectaular shots… Perhaps this sounds counter intuitive – but I can be, a bit obsessive with my clickage. I want to capture all the pretty.
I actually thought about this for a bit – the images that would or would not be captured whilst I was in the tropics. I wanted both, not to be obsessed, but to be able to get some image trophies to bring home…
So, I scheduled a tour – specifically a photography tour. Alex Wilson runs Oahu Photography tours – and has earned the top spot on the activity list on Trip Advisor – I concur(ponders – Alex, do you need to franchise out – the Big Island perhaps?! – only partially kidding, lol).
Given the schedule I had of family and friends meeting me on the island – I felt like I could only spare a half day – so I chose the Sunrise tour - and it was spectacular – I got my photo on, fed the beast as it were, and my trusty iPhone was able to satisfy me for most of the rest of the 9 days. I only cracked out the big cam again on the 2 trips up to North Shore (the wild seas warranted it), and a few shots out at Haunama… I also chose to shoot primarily with my 15mm fisheye – which I think worked out well. I have really fallen in love with it. Playing with the bend, the flare, the wide angle – a great creative lens and creative image partner.
First – with my iphone, instagram was my friend…posting friend & family pics easily to facebook, and pretty seascapey phone pix to my tumblr. Several of the fun phone pix – here -
And, of course, solar flare most often in sharp focus…big cam shots – about eighty percent from the photo tour – thanks again, Alex!
~full gallery archive slideshow~
Aloha & Mahalo, Hawaii – until next time…
It was a what, 2 hour show? A show that never had a headliner, as the lead for Vampire Weekend lost his voice. But alas, we were treated to a couple quite good opening acts – first the Dum Dum Girls, then Beach House – they almost could have headlined in my opinion…
For whatever reason, I never got to publishing this set…but heck, it was time to dig through the archives ~ enjoy!
~ Archive Slideshow ~
So…I just got back from an Alaskan cruise – it was…different.
It’s not your typical tropical destination – but the colors were bright – and when out – so was the sun. In fact – the sun, as even just part way north as the Inside Passage isn’t really that far up, doesn’t set till later up there…so sunsets – pretty spectacular. Granted no palm nor coconut trees a la Hawaii / Cali…but, I think the massive mountains and crazy sky make up for it.
And I took plenty of images when inspired with the big good camera – but I also took lot’s of snapshots – you can check them out on the tumblr.
The most impressive part of the cruise and by far the source for most of my images – was the 2-3hr mini cruise we took up the Tracy Arm Fjord after climbing down onto a smaller vessel. We got extremely lucky – only a few days a year are as beautiful as the day we got here…the water was glorious, the glaciers spectacular, the icebergs brilliant, and the mountains, massive.
At the end of the day – bigger is better and more beautiful – here’s a few more, and the full gallery slideshow following…
Alaska, July 2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman
This year as I was going to be out of town the second week of June – I thought I was going to miss the annual charity music festival – Noise for the Needy…after having shot it every year since 2008…but they had a couple of early show dates – so I was able to squeeze this one in – at Neumos, headlined by The Thermals, with Little Cuts, and Tacocat. To reminisce on years past check out – 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 blogs.
This year – as always, the images show what a great cause, what fun, and what is so cool about this event – the people & the music. Enjoy…
Full Gallery -
Noise for the Needy 2012 @ Neumos 6-2-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman
So I went down to folklife festival this year – not sure I have been before? Anywho, many I know are over at Sasquatch this weekend…others out of town on vacation…
But it was a gorgeous weekend in Seattle – so if you were here – it was a great time to get out and enjoy something local – ergo, I did. I was supposed to find a friend that was playing there – but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out where…the place was teaming – bunches of Seattlites were there – running around the fountain, consuming the fair food, lazing in the sun, taking in the music on the stages, and street performers of all types (music and otherwise) along all the walkways…It was fabulous – a perfect seattle day (and weekend) to be out at Seattle Center taking in the bliss.
And so I did…camera in hand. I decided to focus on the life over the stages – if that makes sense. From the kids running around, folks lazing under the sun, street performers doing whatever they do, playing for tips, etc…it was perfection, this day.
Take a look -
Full set gallery archive from the day
Northwest Folklife Festival 2012 5-26-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman
So, it’s been a while since I shot some music – since January actually…ironically, it was last at the Neptune – where I shot Concrete Blonde… Anywho – it’s been 2 months since I’ve even last picked up a camera…so when I got an email asking to sub in and cover the opener at the Neptune last Sunday – I figured, why not – my shutter finger could use a work out. So I did – honeyhoney opened the show on Sunday – take a look.
Assignement gallery -
http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1754/honeyhoney-in-seattle/
Some of my faves -
honeyhoney at the Neptune Theatre 4-29-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman
Well, if folklore is to be believed, the Mayan prophecy says, it’s end times…I say, it’s just a really cool number, and I think my friends are throwing a 12-21-2012 party – woo hoo!
For me, this year is a shift. I turn 40 in a year (Janauary 2013 – it’s mai tai’s on the beach for everyone!) – and this makes me take a step back and say, what am I doing – personally, professionally, creatively? Creatively – photography is my outlet. In recent years, it has been music that has drawn my lens – live performers, swirling lights, and those exhale moments of bliss in between.
In the new year – the shift, as it were – is that I have decided to turn my lens towards other things for a bit. I have stopped signing up to shoot gigs – I am not quitting, or “retiring” – that’s way too dramatic. I am simply choosing to explore imagery of different things. Sure, I might turn out for a gig here or there – or if you really want me there – hit me up! It’s all good. Not to mention, I still have some opening sets in the hopper, that will probably be making mention in upcoming blogs – never fear, there’s always more.
Image making wise, things that will be pulling my lens in 2012 are: colorful, delish food, exotic places, mundane locality, and the beauty that abounds.
In 2012, I will continue to chase my bliss. Here’s to everyone, chasing theirs. Cheers.
xoxo
~elisa
p.s. check my foodie blog full of colorful yumminess, recipes and whatnot – yearinveggies.com
Theory of the Deadman at the Showbox – was all about big lights…check it.
Assignment photos – http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1552/11/theory-of-a-deadman-in-seattle/
Some of my faves –
-archive slideshow-
Theory of a Deadman at the Showbox Market 1-22-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman
The last gig I’ll have shot for a bit…it was an interesting night, shooting Concrete Blonde – back/high lighting, intense black light off the top, and the only time I’ve ever shot at the Neptune…enjoy…
Assignment photos –
http://www.soundspike.com/photos/1546/3/concrete-blonde-in-seattle/
Concrete Blonde at the Neptune Theatre 1-25-2012 – Images by Elisa Sherman