...Of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax... of Cabbages and Kings...

Come on Down...

2009-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

And see me at my new blog. http://thesparkthatglows.wordpress.com/ It will have more work, more talk, more mindless rambling, more talk of other things. It's in support of my new business, the Spark that Glows. I was simply finding it difficult and unnecessary to maintain two blogs. A lot of the content you would have found here will be found there, plus you'll get musings from Cindi: two for the price of one. See you over there where the Image is the Spark.

Peacock

2009-03-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

In the Howling Quiet II

2009-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone

2009-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Seagull and Seaweed

2009-03-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

Any Shelter in a Storm

2009-02-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

Industry up from the Grass

2009-02-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Just a little change up in the seasons. I stumbled upon this forgotten photo from the end of summer. Mostly it reminds me that I need to set aside the time to hand develop the medium format film from my winter trip to Montana. Hopefully I'll get to that soon.

In the Howling Quiet

2009-02-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

The Roof

2009-02-03T00:44:00.000-08:00

The Lines at the Acoma

2009-01-29T00:39:00.000-08:00

Sadly these are the only lines the Acoma will see, unless someone purchases it and reopens the business.

On an Empty Road

2009-01-28T00:14:00.001-08:00

There is Power in the Wilderness

2009-01-27T00:41:00.000-08:00

That Seems Less Than Comfortable

2009-01-14T01:54:00.000-08:00

Frozen Child's Play

2009-01-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

The Trestle

2009-01-12T02:11:00.000-08:00

City Limits

2009-01-09T02:14:00.000-08:00

For Henri

2009-01-08T01:55:00.000-08:00

Pylons

2009-01-07T01:11:00.000-08:00

You're Nice to Me Like Ice

2009-01-06T01:22:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over I will have time to start up regular posting again. A recent trip to Montana also has supplied a new surplus of photos. Enjoy.

Three to Stand the Test

2008-11-16T23:51:00.000-08:00

Life in a Spring

2008-11-13T01:30:00.000-08:00

Steam in the Biscuit Basin

2008-11-11T00:16:00.000-08:00

Cathedral of Saint Helena

2008-11-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

This cathedral in Helena, the capital of Montana, was something entirely unexpected. It was quite surprising to find such a large example of Gothic architecture in Montana.

Passing Train

2008-11-06T00:15:00.000-08:00

A Home by the Sea

2008-11-05T00:29:00.000-08:00

Here's one from probably over a year ago that I stumbled upon today and realized I never posted it.

Between the Molten Core and the Sky

2008-11-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

Two Up, One Down

2008-11-02T23:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to November. If you visit this site at all you might notice that some things have changed. I felt it was time for a new look. Hopefully nothing important was dropped in the template change. If anything, things were added, such as new links that will hopefully be regularly expanding. Having dropped the slimming black backdrop the lighter tones definitely feel roomier...

All Hallows

2008-10-31T02:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Cathedral of St. Helena

2008-10-29T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Shadow of the Gallows on the Church

2008-10-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

Sunset falling, throwing the image of a Gallows Frame on a church for sale in Uptown Butte, Montana.

Treehouse of Horror XXXVII

2008-10-27T23:42:00.000-07:00

In the interest of Halloween being at the end of the week I'm going to try to post photos this week that aren't explicitly "Halloween", but are at least evocative of the mood. Let's see how that goes...

Cut a Canyon

2008-10-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

I finally, this week, had the time to develop and scan the negatives of my medium format film shot with my Holga. I shot quite a bit with the Holga, but not as much as I thought, especially since I tried to be judicious with what I shot, since unlike with digital I am limited by 12 or 16 frames per roll. I was rather pleased with the results.

Tower Falls

2008-10-24T01:54:00.000-07:00

It is unclear how many waterfalls there actually are in Yellowstone. Most counts put it over forty-five. However I was just watching a thing that said that waterfalls are still being discovered. This isn't out of the question since a large majority of the park is back country and Yellowstone is bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

Sentinels of a Deadly Plain

2008-10-23T01:13:00.000-07:00

There are dead trees littering the majority of Yellowstone. Many are left from the massive fire, caused by a lightning strike, the National Park service allowed to burn to revitalize the ecosystem and to "allow nature to run it's course". It was astounding how many trees were left standing from this fire. However near the thermal features there are stands of dead trees that were killed when the drainage of the springs and geysers altered. These trees are examples of this.

Elk Bugle

2008-10-22T01:33:00.000-07:00

In Yellowstone you expect to see a lot of elk and we weren't disappointed. The animals were almost in rut, so there was a little bit of bugling going on, but if we came a week or two later I imagine we would have heard a lot of bugling. This is the one shot I managed of a bugling elk. It's quite a ragged sound to come out of these majestic animals, yet impressively loud nonetheless.

Orange Spring Mound

2008-10-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

The Mammoth Hot Springs area has amazing thermal features. Springs that have been running so long that the deposits have turned them into leviathans, such as the mound seen above. This is quite a feat, since earthquakes and other seismic shifts run the possibility of essentially killing springs and geysers when the earth shifts. And earthquakes are quite common in Yellowstone.

Natural Color and Design

2008-10-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

One thing I couldn't help seeing while looking at the thermal features in Yellowstone were the patterns and color palette. I was amazed at the natural range of colors spewed from geysers, vents, and springs. I kept looking at them as abstract art in the same vein as those pieces you see where they give animals (monkeys, elephants, etc...) paints and then sell their "masterpieces". The huge exception is that this is a macrocosmic work of art created solely by natural forces, with some of these "canvases" acres in size.

Bison

2008-10-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Then there are these prehistoric looking beasts... At the beginning of the 1800s when explorers were pushing the western boundary of the United States there were estimated to be roughly 65 million of these shaggy leviathans roaming North America. During the course of the century the population was decimated. At the turn of the century it was estimated that only 1,000 bison remained. Legislature was passed in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho as well as within the federal lands of the National Park. In twentieth century the bison population has rebounded with over 150,000 continent wide and over 4,000 just within the park boundaries. Four thousand seems like a lot and it is, but in a park that is bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined it seems low. The first time I saw bison I was not prepared for how large they are. They are largest land mammal in North America and stand close to seven feet tall. They are considered one of the most dangerous animals in the National Parks. While they aren't carnivores they will regularly charge (at speeds up to 35 miles an hour) and gore visitors...which is kind of like getting run down by a truck with horns...

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

2008-09-30T00:44:00.000-07:00

I went on vacation to Montana and Wyoming recently and visited Yellowstone National Park briefly. I took a lot of photos, sadly conditions weren't in our favor for most of the trip (dull overcast skies) But this day our luck changed and we had frequent breaks in the clouds. It is amazing how varied the terrain is: with cauldrons of fuming, bubbling water and chemicals that conjure Tolkienesque visions of Mordor while contrasted against immensely lush valleys teaming with wildlife. Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake above 7,000 feet in North America. And then there is the enormous thousand foot deep gash in landscape you see here on the screen which houses two impressive waterfalls...which we will get to in due time, but I figured we would start with a photo that displays the yellowish stone that is the namesake of this National Park.

Sailin On

2008-09-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

High in the Sky

2008-08-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

Pelican Vultures

2008-08-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

Treefingers

2008-08-22T00:34:00.000-07:00

Flock on Flock

2008-08-21T02:12:00.000-07:00

Vertigo: Chapter 3

2008-08-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

The Roots (of Photography)

2008-08-14T01:07:00.000-07:00

I received Michelle Bates wonderful book Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity for Christmas this last year from a good friend (make that great friend). I was peripherally aware of the world of lomography and toy cameras but never investigated it. Well, the first book I read this holiday season was the aforementioned. By the end I was a convert and was trying to figure out how I was going to make use of this non-technology. Problem with being in the digital age is that it's been a while since I have shot film, let alone developed or printed in the medium. Knowing I would have limited to no access (or ability at home) to a darkroom I found a scanner that would scan medium format film and bought myself a Holga for about $20. I immediately fell in love with the oversized lightweight camera. I have taken to "showing" friends my new camera by tossing it to them, something I wouldn't even dream of with my Nikon D200. I had two rolls professionally processed and after the sticker shock investigated doing my own developing. I bought the equipment and chemicals today and hope to hand develop my first roll of film tomorrow. So, film is making it's way back into my digital life...beginning with this shot from my first day out and about with my Holga.

From Moro Rock Looking Norhteast

2008-08-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Plowing a Fallow Field

2008-08-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

Out near Oso Flaco Lake in the Nipomo Dunes this last winter I stumbled upon this, while there are agricultural fields relatively nearby there was no apparent reason why or how it was left it what is essentially a barren wasteland.

Pipes for the Organ

2008-07-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

Went down to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, here in San Diego, a few Sundays ago where they give weekly concerts. It was hot and sunny and there was some prerequisite Bach played...all in all it was enjoyable.

Fiddler

2008-07-31T01:19:00.001-07:00

Be Still Now

2008-07-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

Was walking through the Botanical Building in Balboa Park and came upon this gentleman muttering to himself and writing furiously. After the title line the first line in the notebook on this page is "Be Still Now..."

Grasshopper

2008-07-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

Found this little dude just outside my apartment a few nights ago.

2008-07-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Kings River Canyon

2008-06-25T01:04:00.000-07:00

Grizzly Falls

2008-06-24T01:36:00.000-07:00

Among the Giants

2008-06-19T01:10:00.000-07:00

Shooting the Peaks

2008-06-11T03:30:00.000-07:00

The Prow

2008-06-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

As One Speaks

2008-05-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

Out in the World

2008-05-06T02:38:00.000-07:00

Manhattan Maelstrom

2008-04-10T02:56:00.000-07:00

On the Border

2008-04-01T00:16:00.001-07:00

Tanks

2008-03-18T01:38:00.001-07:00

Slaughterhouse Television

2008-03-13T02:19:00.001-07:00

Tub Growth

2008-03-12T03:00:00.001-07:00

I'm Published!

2008-03-09T23:31:00.000-07:00

The something big that I mentioned a couple weeks ago has finally been completed and come to fruition. I have a book now of my photography and a few thoughts. You can click the picture to buy the book. You can click on the Preview Book, to check out the first 15 pages.

Of Shoes, Ship...

Imagined by: Joel ...

Book Preview

Dune 2

2008-03-03T00:21:00.001-08:00

Untitled

2008-02-27T01:54:00.000-08:00

Reflecting on the Botanical Building

2008-02-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

The Tail End

2008-02-22T01:55:00.000-08:00

Tears for Baby Alexander

2008-02-21T00:38:00.000-08:00

Grizzly Bear

2008-02-20T02:06:00.000-08:00

What's That Sound?

2008-02-19T02:42:00.000-08:00

Just a heads up. I've got something big brewing for the photography scene. I'm hoping it turns out good. I'll let you guys know when I find out...If you never hear about this big thing, it's because it turned out to suck...hey, sometimes things suck.

Looks Like Album Art Again

2008-02-15T01:52:00.000-08:00

A Place to Stand

2008-02-13T01:24:00.001-08:00

Dune Flare

2008-02-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

Handicapped

2008-02-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

An Elephant Never Forgets

2008-02-06T00:09:00.000-08:00

The Spark

2008-02-05T00:53:00.000-08:00

Walking Across the Sunset

2008-02-03T23:56:00.001-08:00

Bucket

2008-01-31T23:37:00.000-08:00

Slaughterhouse Ceiling

2008-01-30T23:41:00.001-08:00

A Sideways Glance

2008-01-29T01:05:00.000-08:00

La Jolla Sea Lion Staring Me Down

2008-01-24T00:02:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Cindi Lou!

Lady of the Lake

2008-01-22T02:32:00.000-08:00

Washed

2008-01-21T01:58:00.000-08:00

This is just half a second after this photo.

Believing Is Seeing

2008-01-18T02:35:00.001-08:00

Yesterday's post was a black and white conversion of this photo, which originally was upside down from the position you see here. I was interested that when I adjusted the tones on the black and white that I could make the starfish disappear, so it looked like you were simply looking through a canopy into the sky, rather than looking into a tide pool catching the reflection. So, I thought I would share a little before and after for you folks. (But I'm much happier with the picture upside down like this, so I'm not going to bother showing it the "correct" way...just tilt your head way around to see it, and I'll hope you do that, so I can imagine you all looking kind of dumb trying to look at it upside down.) Cheers, have a happy weekend.

Seeing Is Believing

2008-01-16T13:36:00.001-08:00

Pelican 1

2008-01-14T02:22:00.000-08:00

Grapnel

2008-01-11T00:48:00.000-08:00

Moored in the Twilight

2008-01-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

Dune 1

2008-01-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

The Animals Still in the Slaughterhouse

2008-01-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have been a slacker about posting photos, but it's been due to trying to figure out how I really want to utilize my website www.joelreis.com I think I might have worked out a system to streamline the process, I hope. As it has been in the past it has been rather time consuming and cumbersome to upload and present photos simultaneously to both my website and blog (and flickr sometimes too). Since I've been more selective of the photos on my website I have also slowed, despite my plan, to just post whatever on here and only select photos on the website. Hopefully 2008 will improve this...Cheers.

A Net of Glass

2007-12-20T02:49:00.001-08:00

Headstone Sundial

2007-12-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

The Lake That Sounds Like Spring Reverb

2007-12-12T03:06:00.001-08:00

Waves That Wash Away

2007-12-11T00:36:00.001-08:00

She Looks Cold

2007-12-03T23:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the Change of Scenery

2007-11-22T12:38:00.001-08:00

Flying In

2007-11-21T16:07:00.001-08:00

Spending the holiday in Montana...