The Smokey Mountains

Back in May I headed to Tennessee to attend the wedding of one of my oldest friends, Cori.  We grew up together in NJ and majority of my childhood was spent in her swimming pool.  If her Mom did managed to get us out of there, it was to take us to Six Flags Great Adventure, where Cori and I would ride the same roller coaster about 20 times in a row.  Our obsession for rollercoasters soon moved over to The Price is Right.  We would call each other everyday to watch it together while on the phone.  Conversation consisted of yelling prices, going crazy for Plinko and absolute insanity when a someone hit a dollar on the wheel.

As a wedding present to her I photographed her ceremony and took some portraits of her and her amazing family.

Dad looks on

There ceremony was sweet and full of laughs

aww!

The Whole Gang!

TIME TO PARTY!!

The Party Cabin

It wasn't called the party cabin for nothing!

Kings

Looks like I'm drinking. wah waaaah

Beer Pong

The next day Matt & I decided to explore around. Since I love birds we headed to Bird Mountain.  A bird sanctuary slash religious cult type of place.  You would pass a cage of parrots only to find yourself in the prayer garden or you would run into The Ten Commandments on your way to the restrooms.  Strange.  But I love birds so I can’t complain.

Matt made a friend

This guy would not get off of him. Love was in the air.

Head scratches all around!

Of course I took my toy cameras.  

Before heading to the airport Matt & I decided to ride some Go Carts since that seemed to be the thing to do there.  I strapped my Go Pro to the front of the cart and made a little video.  It was first time using the Go Pro in this fashion.  I am now obsessed with it.  I’ll probably re-edit this video down the road, but here it is for now.

Meet Lilly, Jesse & Daniel.  They rock out together in a band called Let Fall the Sparrow.  We drank some beers, had some laughs and photographed in Firehouse 8.  It’s a historical landmark currently being restored. Rad.

I told we laughed and drank beer.

Meet Jessica Adams, a certified Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor for over 10 years.  She invited me down to the Corner Studio in Potrero Hill to document her practice.

Landscapes: Beyond the Postcard in Portland, Oregon

Thursday September 22nd – Sunday September 25th at Newspace Photo Center

Photo By Raul Touzon

Workshop Information:

Photo By Raul Touzon

Price: $425.  Limited to 16 students.

Registration: Please register at http://www.meetup.com/The-Light-Composers-Photography-Group/events/19699731/

Photo By Raul Touzon

About the Workshop

Landscape pictures, have we seen them all? Is there a new interpretation of that iconic image that we have seen ever so often? Is there a way to redeem ourselves from shooting so many “pretty” postcards? Is there a path to truly creative nature imagery that will present the world our creative interpretation of a place that has been photographed millions of times?

Landscape is rocket science; to shoot and produce stunning landscapes involves not only photographic knowledge but also a deep understanding of creative concepts and special techniques.

In the quest for the “Landscape, Beyond the Postcard”, you will learn and examine the creative process behind every great photograph. You will master light, movement, flash and filters to help your visualization come alive. You will also explore a simple way to plan, shoot and produce amazing panorama pictures utilizing the same techniques.

This workshop includes two landscape shoots, one every afternoon, and additional lectures on macro and night photography.

Photo By Raul Touzon

About The Teacher

RAUL TOUZON is documentary and underwater photographer who specializes in making images that convey what he refers as to “The Eternity of a Moment”. Raul has traveled extensively building a collection of dramatic photographs that have been featured in many publications including: Time Magazine, US News and World Report, National Geographic Traveler and the National Geographic Magazine. Raul is a full-time educator and instructor producing and teaching workshops for the Santa Fe Workshops and National Geographic Expeditions. His images are represented by the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images. His list of clients include The United Nations and the US National Park Service.

More of his work can be seen at www.touzonphoto.com

Photo By Raul Touzon

Be sure to check out Raul’s other Workshops:

The Burning Man Project

Flash: The Portable Sun

Photo By Raul Touzon

Photo By Raul Touzon

I encountered over 6 feet of snow between my trip to New Jersey and Lake Tahoe over the holidays last year.  At home on the East Coast, I watched snow furiously consume my entire neighborhood in just a few hours.  Up in the Sierras I entered a pre-existing winter wonderland.   I enjoyed the Tahoe snow from our cabin’s hot-tub while at home I had to dig my way out to civilization.  I documented these frozen tundras through the lens of my 360 Spin Camera & my Sprocket Rocket.

on our way to the lake

After our stroll around the lake we decided to drive through the town.  I just had to document the area even if it was through a car window.

I fell in love with the signage in the town.

I had to take a picture of the photo store!

Back to the cabin for a nice dip in the hot tub.

Bliss - except for Matt's creepy face

our view from the hot tub

The next day I wanted to check out the slopes even though I wasn’t going to participate in the activities.  Let me say, what a trip!  I’ve never hung out at a ski resort before.  It is truly another planet.  A snowy playground for all ages with couches outside, bars, stores, restaurants and I’m sure tons of other things I didn’t see either.

I adored everyone in full winter gear relaxing on the couches outside.

Back in New Jersey….

View out the front door. You can't even tell where the street starts and our reindeer lawn decorations are buried up to their necks!

I dug my way to the street with the help of my super awesome Dad.

Freedom!

For New Years I decided to set up my DSLR in the corner of our main party room.  I attached my speedlite and popped on a remote trigger for the shutter.  I told everyone to go nuts taking photos and in the end I created a stop motion video of our entire night.  This videos captures our New Years celebrations from 9pm to about 3am.  The more you watch it the funnier it gets.  I like  trying to find who has the shutter remote.  It’s also fun watching all the objects on the table move around.

Shawn & Thuy

This amazing couple had a wedding to remember. A beautiful ceremony featuring a full choir and a reception location to die for.  Despite the rain, spirits were high and the party and celebrations went on.

Gettin ready!

Here comes the bride!

Off to the church

You may now. . .

On their way to Nestld Down

We snuck into the neighboring cabin for some photos since it was raining

Loaded up in the English Cab we headed to the reception

A warm welcome

Cheers!

They had a Polaroid photo booth! What a cute idea.

Shawn & Thuy, thank you so much for letting me part of your special day.

The team consisted of 2 hairstylists, 2 models, a makeup artist with 2 looks per model.  Amelia handled all the environmental portraits outside while I took care of the studio shots.  The plan is to submit some photos to Passion Magazine and to the NAHA Awards.

Here are some of my favorite from the day. Enjoy!

Look One

Hairstylist: Dana Nelson

Model: Jes Middendorf

Makeup: Maria Hernandez

Hairstylist: CJ Poelman

Model: Lianne

Makeup: Maria Hernandez

Look Two

Hairstylist: Dana Nelson

Model: Jes Middendorf

Makeup: Maria Hernandez

Hairstylist: CJ Poelman

Model: Lianne

Makeup: Maria Hernandez

Workshop Information:

Thursday 7:00-9:00am
Registration and Slide Show

Friday 10:00-12:00pm
Lecture: Camera Settings, Metering, Composition and Working the picture
1. Use of digital camera; settings and understanding of basic functions
2. Effective metering
3. Rules of Composition, and creative use of them
4. Working the image
Afternoon Shoot 2:00-5:00pm

Saturday 9:00-12:00pm
Edit and Critique Session
Lecture: Understanding and Managing Light
1. Using and Understanding Different Light Sources
2. Creative use of flash and remote flash operation.
3. Mixing different light sources, including flash
Afternoon Shoot 2:00-5:00pm

Sunday 9:00-12:00pm
Edit and Critique
Lecture: Editing, Sequencing and Story Development (how to choose, create and shoot a
story)

Price: $425.  Limited to 15 students.

Registration: Please register at http://www.meetup.com/The-Light-Composers-Photography-Group/events/16678491/

About the Workshop

 A great next step after basic photography is learning how to use color, light, and composition to create outstanding images. We begin each day by editing and reviewing each other’s photographs. Visual lectures and demonstrations cover digital camera settings, accurate metering and exposure, and the rules of composition. Another important component of this workshop is its focus on the artistic use of light, with special emphasis on creative flash techniques. A final lecture on the basics of editing and sequencing your work rounds out your learning experience.

About The Teacher

RAUL TOUZON is documentary and underwater photographer who specializes in making images that convey what he refers as to “The Eternity of a Moment”. Raul has traveled extensively building a collection of dramatic photographs that have been featured in many publications including: Time Magazine, US News and World Report, National Geographic Traveler and the National Geographic Magazine. Raul is a full-time educator and instructor producing and teaching workshops for the Santa Fe Workshops and National Geographic Expeditions. His images are represented by the National Geographic Image Collection and Getty Images. His list of clients include The United Nations and the US National Park Service.

More of his work can be seen at www.touzonphoto.com

What Past Students Are Saying

“Raul pushed us all and no matter what level of a photographer you are Raul will make you much better. If anyone has a chance to take a workshop it is well worth it.” – Andrew Heinsohn

“Raul’s teaching was detailed, intriguing, and mind opening. Raul’s teaching made me “think”, made me “slow down” to think, compose, and create my shot. Although it was tough but I love it. This workshop not only sharpen my photographic skills it gave me a different perspective to taking photos. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone that wants to take their photos to the next level. Challenge yourself to take this workshop and I promise you will gain an experience that is worth a lifetime.” – Jean Tseng

Be sure to check out Raul’s other Workshops:

The Burning Man Project

Flash: The Portable Sun

Enjoy!

The streets of Oaxaca

Atzompa Graveyard

This is the night at the graveyard when the souls reunite with the families.  They celebrate the dead by dancing, drinking and eating with loved ones. The family pictured welcomed me with open arms and we celebrated together until the sun rose.  We drank lots of mescal and shared a few laughs.  When the night was over they invited me back to their house for breakfast, but I had to decline.  Maybe next year.

Zaachila Animal Market

Comparsas at Etla

The Churches

The People

We also visited a couple of families during our expedition. These families were humble, welcoming and extremely generous.  The two families pictured made their living weaving and sewing various textiles.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to photograph their craft, their altars, and their culture.

Xoxocotlan Graveyard

This is one of my favorite photos from the trip. Her expression and the light captures the overall feeling and ora of this graveyard.

For those of you wondering, of course I brought my Holga!

I was invited on a horse ride by some of the fellas there.  I think they just wanted to get a good laugh at an American city girl trying to figure out how to get on a horse.  Either way I asked him to take a picture of me and I couldn’t resist photographing him trying to work my camera. It was my way of evening up the score.

ALEX KOLL is a San Francisco based Funnyman and Entertainmenter of variable power and speed.  In 2009 he performed in the “New Faces” showcase at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, garnering a “Best of New Faces” nod. He appears on Comedy Central’s “Live At Gotham” 2009 season, and has also performed at the SXSW, Vancouver, The Bridgetown Comedy Festival, SF SketchFest and the Bentzen Ball. As a filmmaker, Alex has created award-winning videos for IFC.com, SuperDeluxe.com, Revision3, and Rooftop Comedy. Alex is also the two-time winner of the San Francisco Regional Air Guitar Championship; No kidding.  You will see him as air guitarist, Awesome, in my next series.  As for now, here are some headshots of this clean-shaven comedic wonder in studio and on location.

I just love this face. haha.

Zona: Who are your 3 most influential standup comedians?

Koll: I loved Steve Martin and Weird Al as a kid (and Eddie Murphy), and I was listening and watching a lot of Bill Hicks and Andy Kaufman when I got into the game.  My favorites have bloomed from there quite a bit, but my biggest influences will always be the folks that make/made me laugh that will never grace a stage.  All the weirdos and wise-asses that I always crack up around make me wish I was funnier and probably drove me to this.

Zona: Best and worst show you had as a comedian?

Koll: My Live At Gotham taping was really exciting and felt new and fresh.  Good thing it was recorded for posterity.  Couldn’t ask for a better first TV appearance.  Worst show…I performed for three people at a Jewish singles mixer in a cavernous, sterile Japanese vegan restaurant.  The other comic ate three times what the booker thought he would (we were being paid with food) did a short, filthy set, then bounced.  I tried to follow, but finally just sat down and had a casual conversation with the three-person audience.  The booker got so mad he destroyed a basket of fruit in the bathroom.