Testing Ideas

Thanks for checkin' out the blog! Long exposure photography is my favorite! I instantly fell in love with it the first time I saw a picture with light trails in it. It fascinated me. I couldn't get over how strange it was that light left trails that we couldn't see with out eyes. I wanted to learn how to take picture with light trails for a long time, after that. Which is why, light trails were one of the first things I started shooting, when I got into photography. I started experimenting with long exposure photography learning to take my own light trail shots. Soon I was learning how to spin orbs and spin steel wool. I even learned how to make my own light brushes and spinning tools. It was just recently, though, that I started exploring the possibilities of combining long expose photography with time lapse photography. I have some ideas that I am developing for a time lapse project I want to shoot. But I'm still in the process of working out how to project the visions I see with the resources I have. The goal is to create a unique time lapse video that employs a variety of long exposure tricks to give extraordinary new life to something ordinary. I wanted to test out some ideas. To see how some of my theories play out in reality, I made a short light painting time lapse test. I'm using it as a base for the development of my project. I wanted to share some of the edited pictures that came out of the time lapse. I also stacked some of the edited pictures and made some light painting graffiti composites to share...

               

I'll be posting more of the project, as I develop my ideas, since I feel I have a long way to go on this one. I'm planning on shooting more tests and will probably make a tutorial video out of at least one of the tests. So please check back soon from more Bsombin' art, photography, poetry, videos, and more!

"Influence 3"

Thanks for takin' the time to check out Bsombin'! Back in November, I found out about a photography event that was being held at the Compton airport. The airport is home to Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum. A museum and learning center owned and operated by Robin Petgrave (@robin.at.tam on Instagram). The museum houses a variety of helicopters and airplanes, from military aircraft to small single engine propeller planes. Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum is also a learning center that provides inner city youth with an opportunity to learn about aviation and engineering. The kids are literally learning to be rocket scientists, at the museum! The museum even has it's own gourmet food truck, built out of an old DC-10 airplane, and a beautifully lit dinning area. I didn't get to try the food. But it smelled amazing!

On November 10th, the museum opened up its doors to co-host a pop-up art gallery / photography meet, along with @influenceartists ( a nonprofit pop-up gallery that showcases talented artists and influencers) and @losangelesgrammers (an Instagram feature account showcasing Los Angeles photography). It's a long drive to Compton, from where I live. But, when I heard that Robin would be giving $75 helicopter tours over DTLA through out the day, I was set on going. Despite my fear of heights, I wanted to shoot DTLA from a helicopter as much as I wanted to breath! It was also the day after my 41st Bday, so I took the opportunity as a gift from the Universe. It was a mission getting there. But, when I pulled up and saw all the old military aircraft and the DC-10 food truck all lit up, I couldn't help but smile. When I walked in there were about a dozen photographers showing and selling their work. Since the helicopter ride was what sold me on the event, I headed straight to the ticket line to get my ticket. I wasn't the only one excited about the heli rides and there was an hour wait before I could get my turn. After getting my ticket for the helicopter, I checked out the show. I picked up a print from Kristen Bautista (@killakristennn), and headed to the bar to prepare myself for what I thought would be the scariest photo mission of my life... Although I got there late and missed the photo meet, there were still a few models and a handful of lowriders there. So I got to work shooting, while I worked on my beers. By the time my turn on the helicopter came around, I was starting to freak out. But, sweaty palms and all, I jumped in and buckled up as soon as they said I was up! The funny thing is, I was so excited (and in disbelief about actually being in a helicopter) that I wasn't scared at all. The flight lasted about 30 minutes. But it felt like 5. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've had the good fortune of living. It even helped me with my fear of heights. Still afraid of heights. But I feel more in control of that fear now.

I'm extremely grateful to Robin Petgrave, Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum, Influence Artists, & Los Angeles Grammers (and everyone else who was involved and took part in the event) for giving me and the other photographers the opportunity to come together to shoot, network, and even fly in a helicopter! Here are some of my favorite shots from the night...

@raquelitalamasbonita_

@kelseyroseketting

@kelseyroseketting

@raquelitalamasbonita_

Influencers 4 is being held at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum this Saturday (01/19/19) and more amazing photographers will be showcasing their work there, in case anyone is interested in checkin' it out. 

Thanks for checkin' out Bsombin'. Check back soon for more stories, adventures, and art!

A Night On The Sunset Strip

   
Thanks for checkin' out Bsombin'! A couple of months ago, the kid asked if she could go to a show at the Roxy Theater. I thought it was funny having my teenager ask me if she could go out and party on the Sunset Strip with her friends. I asked her who would be driving and she said she wanted me to take them. Surprisingly, she even invited me to go. I think that was just her strategy for getting me to say yes. But I didn't want to be a creepy old guy at a concert full of teenage girls. Instead, I told her that I would just drop them off and pick them up after the show.

When the night of the show finally came around, I decided to save myself some driving time and shoot along the Sunset Strip while the girls went to the show. After walking them to the Roxy, I headed down the strip to Holloway Dr. to get some architecture and light trail shots.

Theres an interesting building with a unique architectural design, at the intersection of Sunset and Holloway. Sunset Blvd. twists on an incline there, too. I wanted to get some up shots of the architecture and I thought the twisting incline in the street would produce some interesting light trails.  It was just a quick 5 minute walk from the Roxy to Holloway. After getting some architecture shots, I set up in front of the news stand and started shooting light trails. In the process, it occurred to me to get the remote control out and make a time lapse video as well... I got so into it, I completely lost track of time. I was amazed by how fast 2 hours went by. But before I knew it, the kid called to tell me the show was over and they were ready to go home.

It made for a great night. The girls had a great time at the show and I got a lot of shots I liked and was able to make a nice time lapse video out of. Here are some of my favorite shots from my night out on the Strip, along with the time lapse that I assembled and edited...

              

Thanks again for checkin' out the blog! Check back soon for more Bsombin' photos, videos, poems, paintings, and more!