Abandoned Water Park Article

 A fun e-magazine I was looking at today. Really awesome images...kinda makes me wanna go find abandoned places to take awesome photos like these. Of course Alameda had a military base that is "abandoned" but so many businesses moved out there...so that wouldn't have worked. I really miss having great locations like that around. I guess I need to discover more of Phoenix to see what I could find.

http://bit.ly/uS26i9

Google: Louis Daguerre

Today Google is celebrating, what would be the 224th birthday, of Louis Daguerre. Always fun to see what Google will have as their logo, doodle or whatever you want to call it... for the day and especially fun when it is photo related. I'll have to remember to mark my calendar for next year and see if they do something extra special for the big 225!

50 reasons not to date a photographer

I saw this and thought it was too funny not to share. I found a few that I really relate to such as number 7, 33 (someday soon I will post some images from my trash the dress session with Blue Chair Photography) and 34.

Enjoy!!

http://bit.ly/tFC4yn

A Garden Variety - Hand of Light

Adding texture to my images is something newer that I am trying out. I've shown you guys a few that I have worked on but I find it really fun, which again I have probably said before, to see the transformation, nah, I mean completes the image with adding a bit of texture. I suppose that, of course, that is my own opinion but since it is my work I feel it makes it complete. :)

You can find really great textures in many different locations. One person I follow on FB offers MANY different textures Jessica Drossin Textures. She often gives away samples of her textures as well. I would recommend checking her out.

The textures that I am currently working with are Totally Rad - Dirty Pictures. I really like their stuff and use their actions as well.

And now...my newest image.

Hand of Light

© Anna Chipman

My Big Move

So we have made it to Phoenix...and apparently I have been thinking a lot about Alameda. I was working on images and after I had been working on them for a while when I noticed that one looked like waves and the other like flames. I dunno if it was just coincidence or if I had been looking for something that would represent my thoughts.

This move back to Phoenix has been a real hard move for me. Though now I am closer to my family, something I really enjoy, the readjustment phase is something that is taking me a bit to adjust to. I miss the Bay Area a place that was my home for over six years.

 My Alameda Waves

© Anna Chipman

My Phoenix Flames

©Anna Chipman

Reflection - A Garden Variety

Today is one of those days that you live and wonder how it happened. This afternoon I received very sad news of my uncle passing away. This was very unexpected and just no warning. Huge life changes like this make you question your own life and how you are living it.

Today also marks the passing of Steve Jobs which, I suppose, typically wouldn't affect me as much as it did today. However with my uncle passing away I was reading some quotes by Steve Jobs and they seem so poignant. Amazing how something someone says takes on a life of it's own within someone else's head.

Quotes from Steve Jobs:
(from CNN)

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do," he told the Stanford grads in 2005.

"If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on."

I know that my uncle loved his work and I have to believe that he was very happy and satisfied with his life. Family or friends passing makes you take a hard look at your life and if we are truly satisfied with our lives or just doing what we do to get by. Photography is certainly what makes me happiest. I love the time that I get to spend with my career and only wish I could be doing nothing but photography. I am happy spending time in nature and discovering life.

Pardon my broken thoughts, I hope that I have made some sense. Rest in peace uncle Marty. You were loved and will be missed.

Reflection

© Anna Chipman

Ruth Bernhard - Book Review

I have been reading Ruth Bernhard - Between Art and Life for the last few weeks, I don't get a whole lot of down time except my breaks at work, and just finished it today. First off I must say that that Ruth Bernhard is one of my favorite photographers...her, Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham.  You may notice theme throughout all three of their work...elegant nudes which focused on the line, light and beauty of the model. Anyhow, I am distracting myself with thinking about their images and not continuing to tell you about the book that I read.

I really enjoyed getting to read more about Ruth Bernhard's life as a photographer in San Francisco, of course she was in many other locations as well, but I really latch on to the San Francisco part with living in the Bay Area. She was an amazing photographer and, from people's reviews, she was a great teacher. Sometimes you see all the work a photographer has created and you forever about all the things that they had to go through in their lives, that they also have tough times just like you and I do. 

Ruth grew up in a family that didn't seem to care to much about her one way or the other. She had a sister who wasn't told that Ruth was her sister until she was like 18 or something like that. Later in life she suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and that resulted in her not being able to print her work anymore and had a harder time focusing to take photographs. Then there were the great opportunities that she had like meeting Edward Weston and Ansel Adams and countless other ground breaking photographers. 

There are so many great things about this book that I don't even have the words to tell you everything about it. Obviously the best way to know everything about the book is to read it yourself! I very much enjoyed this book and I actually think this is the second time I have read it, last time would have been in grad school so I would have been busy then too. I found this book to be quite inspirational and really wish that I could have met her and taken some of her classes. 


I love her work and have included one of my favorite images, which of course is the cover of The Eternal Body, and her most popular image.

Photo: Ruth Bernhard, “Perspective II, 1967″

A Garden Variety

Three images for this week. You have seen Whirling Dervish before but I was working through the new images that Farmboy Fine Art has just picked up. I picked these three images because of the color connection.

A Fire Inside

 Polar Aurorae

Whirling Dervish

Better late than never

Cloak and Dagger
© Anna Chipman

So here it is a month since I have posted. I was so proud of myself earlier this year with keeping up with blogging every week. August was a busy month for us with Myles birthday, both in Alameda and in Phoenix, and then one thing after another came up. Tuesday evenings come around and I think alright...tomorrow I need to post a new image...and then the next thing I know it is Friday.

So I have worked up a new image to show you, even though I am supposed to post on Wednesdays, I am going to do it now so that I get back in my groove. Cloak and Dagger is an abstract photo of a lily. This image is one that Farmboy Fine Art has picked to be among the images that they sell of mine.

A Garden Variety - Positronic Butterfly

Positronic Butterfly
©Anna Chipman

Well life is getting back to normal for us. We now have a child who is one year old and walking every where! Lots of company for us this month and some traveling. I need a vacation though to catch up from our vacation.

There is a store over in Berkeley that I love to visit. It's a reclamation center that has got the most interesting stuff from old windows to photos, books, bathtubs and light bulbs. The yard of Urban Ore is another one of those places that is just beyond interesting. Like I said there are bathtubs, door and windows out in the yard but growing in between all of these things are different types of flowers along with, what I think are, raspberries. Positronic Butterfly was taken at Urban Ore and, I must say, I was very happy with this find of a flower. I felt this image had a lot of life in it and it was a lot of fun!

Remember you can purchase this print on etsy: http://etsy.me/pi68kx
Check my photography out on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/annachipmanphotography

Hello!

So I missed last weeks posting...like I thought I was going to. It is amazing though how doing something on a weekly basis my week was kinda thrown off by not doing something I am used to doing. We have had company in town for my son's first birthday and then this coming weekend we are heading to Phoenix for even more celebrating! It has been really nice having people around and getting to do things that typically we don't do but it also nice to have my house back to normal...well almost normal. Myles has his first fever and so instead of working on images I have been laying on the couch holding my boy.

I talked a few weeks ago about Figuring it out and I wanted to show a few more images that I have added texture too. Both of these are like the Monkey Tail image, I have been looking at them forever and thinking about how to use them. Adding a texture to them really completed them, I think. I wish that there was more to say about that cause I kinda feel like that is too simple of an answer...but currently that is it.

Shadow of Your Heart
© Anna Chipman

Star in the Dark
©Anna Chipman

Twitter: annachipman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annachipmanphotography

Holy awesome camera strap!

I totally found a camera strap I want! I was reading another photographs woes of ordering a bad camera strap and someone suggested this Black Rapid camera strap for women. When I find stuff this awesome I just have to tell you guys about it! Looking at the site I was just like eh, another strap but then I watched the video and in the last minute I was completely sold, without actually buying it...but I hope to.

I showed my husband and he said I was giving him the look of "this is freaking awesome, what is wrong with you!?" So anyhow here is the link and I would suggest checking it out. If you feel super generous you can send one on over this way as well...ya know since I was the who pointed you in the right direction.

http://bit.ly/95Rul1

A Garden Variety - Slipstream Pink-thing

Slipstream Pink-thing
©Anna Chipman

The next three weeks for me are gonna be packed with visitors, two birthday parties for my son who will be turning one year old and traveling to Phoenix (one of his parties will be down there.) So I am not 100% positive that I will have my regular Wednesday posts.

Sneak Peak of Julian

Julian is a fun loving 21 month old and was such a fun kid to photograph. He was just a bundle of energy running from toy to toy showing me all of the fun things he has. He had so many fun toys that I had to get a few of them for my own son.

A Garden Variety - Aureolin

Aureolin
©Anna Chipman

Myles and I went photographing this weekend. His little fingers were exploring the petals of the flowers very nice and delicately. I was just about to tell him what a great job he was doing of being so gentle when he ripped the flower into pieces and then started to shove pieces of it in his mouth. Ohhh what an interesting time we have photographing together....and I can honestly say I wouldn't change it for the world!

For sale on etsy at http://etsy.me/nyfmyh and you can see other images at http://annachipman.etsy.com

Harvest the Sky

Harvest the Sky
An abstract photograph of a tulip
©Anna Chipman

We are back from camping. We were camping for two days in Big Basin camp grounds towards Santa Cruz, CA. We had a really great time and it was really exciting to take Myles on his first camping trip. There was quite a bit of time spent knocking dirt out of his hand before it got to his mouth.

I was really surprised by the lack of flowers up in that area. I found one campground that had a blooming tree and was going to capture them, however, when I went back there was someone setting up their tent.

So as promised...this week is another image that I have been working on for awhile now. I am very excited about this image! I imagine this one printed on canvas and hanging above our bed...or maybe in the living room...either way stretched on canvas. What do you think? Where would you hang this image?

Intimate Abstractions

This evening my husband re-imaged my computer, thanks Bryce! I knew it was something kinda slow but I didn't anticipate exactly how long it was going to take. Well the nice thing, there are more than one nice things about getting a much larger drive, was that since I couldn't work on my computer I had to find something else to do.

So what did I do....I soaked myself in a nice warm bath and finished a book I had been reading. Sometimes you need something to force you not to do the same things that you generally do! Even though it threw me off of my typical nightly routine, I am really glad for the change of pace.

This week I have two new images for Intimate Abstractions rather than the Garden Variety that I typically post on Wednesday evenings. Next Wednesday, I think, will be another week for Intimate Abstractions. I am going on our first camping trip with Myles this coming weekend and we won't be back until Tuesday evening, which is also Bryce and my third anniversary. I will be taking lots of new photos while camping but don't think I will have time to edit them for Wednesday...never know though.

The Mint Collision

© Anna Chipman

Sailing to the Sun
© Anna Chipman

A Garden Variety: Butterfly Landing

Butterfly Landing
© Anna Chipman

I am amazed how time flies! So it feels like to day should be Wednesday, since this is a short week, but it would also be nice for it to be Friday already. Hope everyone had a great fourth of July! We had a wonderful weekend with lots of company but didn't actually get to see live fireworks since Myles is only 10 months old he had to go to bed. Maybe next year.

I appear to be having issues with Blogger on Wednesday evenings and had this image ready to post but was unable. So yet again I am a day late.

A Garden Variety - Hydrangeas

Tried to get this to post last night but Blogger was down.

Troll Skin
© Anna Chipman

Venusian Paradise
©Anna Chipman

Images from the day that I discovered that the other side of the apartment complex has hydrangeas.

I think I know what my favorite flower is until I discover that almost every time I am photographing a flower I fall in love with that kind and it is my new favorite. Growing up my favorite flower was always a daisy. During school I fell in love with calla lilies and tulips. I think I would still have to say that daisies are my favorite but I must say also that calla lilies and tulips offer more unique possibilities for photographing.

And what about you? What would you say your favorite flower is?

Figuring it out!

I have been starring at this image for, what seems like, forever. I have tried to work on it and will do a little then close it back down because it just isn't working right. Then I tried adding a texture to it and it came to life! I love ah-ha moments just allow work to finally come together!

Monkey's Tail
©Anna Chipman

So here also is the before and after so you can see the difference. I have found quite a few photographers on facebook that show their behind the scenes or give examples like this, before and after. I love their courage to show their work unretouched and I find it very inspiring.

©Anna Chipman

A Garden Variety - Ringing June

Life has been pretty low key this week which has been really nice. I just discovered a great new group Escala, which is a string quartet, and have been listening to this cd nonstop. I find it really motivating to edit to!

Ringing June
© Anna Chipman

I thought I would include an image of how I work now...wearing Myles while photographing. Not as easy as it was before but totally worth it and kinda fun!

A Garden Variety - Purple People Eater

Not too much to say this week. Suffering from a few nights in a row with very little sleep.

One of the things I enjoy so much about this project is that I can go back and forth between abstract and literal. Getting to switch back and forth allows me so much freedom and expression.

The March of the Blue Men
© Anna Chipman


Matter Eater
© Anna Chipman

Until next week...

Saturday in my garden

Saturday was a very nice day in the Bay Area. It was cool with cloudy skies but not like it was going to rain. I know interesting, huh, not what I typically talk about with my photography. My husband, son and I were out picking strawberries from our garden when I noticed a beautiful dark purple iris. Once I put Myles down for a nap I grabbed my camera and ran over to photograph it. Our garden is on the other side of the apartment complex so while I was over there I thought I would see if there were any other flowers. It turns out that that side has a completely different set of flowers than our side! They have solid color iris (our side has white ones with lavender centers), hydrangea, tiny little white flowers! Oh man, I got so many new photos! So just to give you a sneak peak, with words, I believe that this weeks photos are going to be of a purple theme...since I seem to be having themes as of late. So just a few short days away and you get to see the purple variety of flowers I found yesterday! Have a good rest of the weekend!

Week 7: A Garden Variety: Troubles!

We all come across thorns and thistles in our lives. The last few weeks have been rather stressful as we were trying to sell our car. Tonight my car of seven years has left our household and is making a life with a new family. I am gonna miss that car but having a child really doesn't fit well with having a two door car.

Anyhow, I have used my images this week to demonstrate two different aspects of the last couple weeks. First, trying to sell the car is certainly where the thorns and thistles come in to play. Reading email after email and meeting with people night after night, that was all done by my loving husband, you get worn down and the thistles seem to get you more.

Then comes the light at the end of the tunnel...a serious buyer! That is the other aspect of these thistle images. Even though these plants aren't something you want hold they are beautiful. My thought in all of this is that you need to make lemonade out of lemons...or more to the point...beautiful images that truly represent something to you.

Trouble
An image of a thistle

Double Trouble
An image of two thistles

Butter Creme Ocean

Butter Creme Ocean
A photograph of a rose.

Today's post doesn't really fall in to either the Intimate Abstractions or A Garden Variety series, though of course it is similar. I was working on this image and just finished it up. I wanted to get this one posted before I fall in bed. Again I appear to be inspired by yellow!

Sweet dreams!

Week 6: A Garden Variety

This time around I have been aching for summer to get here! You may notice that reflected in the images as well as the names. I adore the weather in the SF Bay Area however it is June now and today I wore my pea coat. The weather could stand to be a touch warmer.

Anyhow, aching for summer to get here....yellows have been on my mind. I finished the first image and thought on I need another one, then I saw an abstract image, also yellow, and had to include all of them in my post for today. All of them are a little different but I hope you will enjoy all of the images this week.

Summer Lovin'

The Golden Mean

Summer Moon Shuteye

A Garden Variety - Viridian Skies

Viridian Skies

Each week I am discovering a new of colors that are in the world. So often I tend to go with the exact color that the I capture in camera but now I am exploring other mood of the image. I am listening to what the image is telling me and testing out a variety of colors.

I am really enjoying the Wednesday's: A Garden Variety project. This series is an exploration of the garden and is helping me expand my view from always being right up next to the flower.

Week 5: A Garden Variety - Encounter at Farpoint

Encounter at Farpoint
SF Botanical Gardens

Visiting the SF Botanical Gardens I found this really crazy flower! I don't what type it is but man do I love it! Images like this one I really love because not only does it include my love of flowers but it brings to mind other nerdy ideas to mind. This flower, with all the spiky points, reminds me of the Crystaline Entity from Star Trek. I can't help but think of that every time I look at this image...and then I want to watch Star Trek....it's a vicious cycle!

Week 4 of Wednesdays: A Garden Variety

Whirling Dervish
An abstract view of a Gloria Cosmo

This time around I was searching for motion and this image made me think of the whirling dervishes, thus the title. This cosmo is from my garden, my little hideaway where I get to be alone with my thoughts.

Wednesday: A Garden Variety Week 3

Triangula Tria

Week 2: A Garden Variety

Pleione's Children

This star shaped flower was also from the Blake Garden. Sometimes, when I am in gardens like this, I become so involved in beauty of the flowers and the excitement of what I am doing that I forget to take note of what type of flower it is. So as I grow in this project it is something that I will have to remind myself to do.

Wednesdays: A Garden Variety

This past weekend my husband, son and I went to Blake Garden, hiding up in Kensington north of Berkeley. This is the first time that we have been out photographing flowers since Myles was born; of course it has been winter and the rainy season. Anyhow the weather was perfect for a day out in the garden! Creating these images has inspired me to create a new weekly series called:

Wednesdays: A Garden Variety

Blake Garden Ranunculus

Giveaway!

This week I will be participating in a giveaway with Love That! Crochet. I will be giving away an 8x12 of "The Emperor Mantis". There are many great things being given away so stop on by her page and find out all the details!

Fires of Promethus

My abstraction of a tulip, Fires of Promethus, has been featured in a beautiful treasury on etsy....check it out!

http://etsy.me/gx5IGo

Friday images

Happy Friday! Haven't been very good about posting on my blog so I am making more of an effort to make sure that stuff gets here as well as on Facebook. I've been working a few new images to share.

Wave of the Future...
An abstraction of a lily
© Anna Chipman


Thulian Falls
An abstraction of a tulip
© Anna Chipman