Claremont Historic Depot, Part II

Canon 7D, Raw, 33mm, f/10, 1/60, ISO 160

Here is another photo from the Claremont Historic Depot. This is the entrance to the depot from the train side of the building. I think it looks good in black and white. When I brought the image into Photoshop, the first thing I did was straighten and crop the image a little. I then did a levels adjustment. I converted to black and white using Silver Efex software then added a vignette. You can see the door in yesterday’s image in color. I got my Lily fix this morning, so all is well! I’ll be out taking more photos tomorrow. 

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Claremont Historic Depot

Canon 7D, Raw, 23mm, f/10, 1/200, ISO 160

We were out doing some errands today and ended up in Claremont. I saw a sign for the Claremont Historic Depot. Since I had my camera with me, I wanted to stop and take some photographs. As you can see, it was a beautiful day. The sun was a little harsh and still high in the sky, but I was able to work with it. You can see the time of day on the clock. This is the back of the depot facing the tracks; I am standing on the opposite side. The building is beautiful and all the Jacaranda’s were in bloom. I upped the exposure by 1/4 stop in Camera Raw, then took it into Photoshop where I did a levels adjustment and a few other little tweaks. I have more to show you! Tomorrow I am going to get a Lily fix – I can’t wait to see her!

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A Pattern of Arches in Pasadena

Here is another photo I took in Pasadena yesterday. I was still looking for patterns and I thought these arches and lanterns were very appropriate. It is on Los Robles in downtown Pasadena across the street from the City Hall. It is such a great place to take photographs. I was born in Pasadena and lived there for many years. There is so much history in that town. I think I told you before that we would probably live there if it weren’t so hot and smoggy at times!

Beautiful arches and lanterns…

We had a good class tonight. School is almost over so that will be good. I am ready for a break. I hope to accomplish a lot this summer on my website and my weblog. I need a very productive summer!  I got my new Black Rapid RS4 strap for my camera. Willie put it on for me and I tried it out yesterday. I think it is going to work real well. It will make it so much easier to carry my camera around instead of having it hang around my neck. I never have liked that!

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Dirigible Hangers in Tustin

Willie and I were over in Tustin today at Micro Center. I took my camera with me and told him that I wanted to go over by the hangers, used for helicopters and blimps at the old Marine Corps Air Station. They were built in 1942. I was on a scouting mission for my next class assignment. We are to do an image of a building, free standing, at least 5 stories high so we can learn how to fix the perspective in Photoshop. The two hangers are 192 feet tall. I do not know how many stories that is equal to. If someone can help me I would appreciate it. Maybe some young architectural student would know?

One of the two hangers at the Marine Corps Air Station…

There is a lot of work going on over there because this area that used to be the base is supposed to be some kind of  “great American park.” Who knows when that will be finished! The final project in the web design class is due in two weeks. I will be re-doing my website to make it more CSS friendly. I will be working on it this week-end. It was a very beautiful day today and I hope the week-end will be the same. I heard a rumor of some rain on Saturday – that is hard to believe! The more I look at this building, the more I do not think it is a good subject for my assignment. I will do some more scouting tomorrow.

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Part of Old Pasadena

I took this photograph in Pasadena, CA, early in the morning at the Pasadena City Hall. There is also a beautiful church right next door. This is really a composite of two photographs. I am very happy with the results. Using Photoshop really enhanced this photo. I have been watching a lot of my lynda.com videos on creativity in your photography. I have seen some things I wanted to try here and they seemed to work!

A beautiful part of Pasadena…

I was born in Pasadena and my family lived there for many years. If it were not hot and smoggy there, Willie and I would probably live there now! But we are very happy where we are. Pasadena is a beautiful city and holds many great memories for me. Willie was even going to school at PCC (Pasadena City College) when we met! Well, this concludes another month of photos on my quest for 365. Please stay tuned for more!

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Back at the Getty Villa

This is not what I was planning on posting today but I was unable to get what I wanted last night.  I went through my photos and came up with this shot I took at the Getty Villa. It is such a beautiful place to go. I love the look of this corridor and its gorgeous shiny tile floor.  How do they keep it like that with all the foot traffic?

A long Roman corridor…

There was no more rain yesterday but a lot of big fluffy clouds.  It was very cold. I kind of relaxed yesterday and didn’t do much. I spent some time brushing the dogs. They need some attention after getting soaked in the rain the other day. Kyla is not too crazy about getting brushed. She had a lot of mats and she is a big crybaby. Donnan is more tolerant. I will work at getting something different for tomorrow’s post.

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Back Again at Cal Tech

It is such a beautiful place, I had to show you another photo. The architecture is so beautiful. This must be some kind of grape plant growing on these arches. Look at the trunks; they look like they were braided at one time.  I love taking photographs like this. Sometimes I feel like I am archiving things. But this is photographed so much mine is not needed. We both took a lot of photos.

When we go places to take photos, Willie has his Canon Rebel and always takes so many more photos than I do. He is getting better all of the time. I told him to start his own blog and show his photos, but he does not want to. Larry and Shelley are going to take his camera to Scotland. They are looking forward to the trip so much and have so many plans. The weather has been beautiful here. I hope it stays that way! My third month of adding photos is complete. This is the first one for month four. The November 2008 Gallery is up and running!

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One of My Favorite Photos

I really like this photo I took of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. It is such a beautiful building. Frank Gehry was the architect. It looks like The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which he also designed. I love going to downtown Los Angeles and just driving around.  Actually, Willie does the driving. He knows Los Angeles so well, he can get us anywhere! He takes me to places that are not on the tourist’s maps!

Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA

I was looking at the Huntington Beach Pier Camera yesterday around 4:30 P.M. It showed a very beautiful sunset – made we wish I was down there instead of at home doing laundry! Remember, that link is always at the top of my weblog on the opening page. Donnan gets his stitches out this afternoon. I am so glad things will finally get back to normal around here. I hope the vet does not  put any restrictions on him (which in turn will put them on Kyla and us). I will let you know tomorrow!

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Bella Terra, What is Going On?

So many changes at Bella Terra Mall here in Huntington Beach. The plans that are being made do not sound very good. There are plans for condos and apartments and a lot of traffic. We only live a few blocks away so it will all affect us. We were up there yesterday and took some photos. There are two big stores, Mervyns and Shoe Pavillion that are closing and a crumbling Montgomery Wards that has been closed for more than 10 years and the owners will not sell the building. Also, Levitz closed recently so we have there big rusty sign to look at. We were up at Corner Bakery Cafe with the dogs. That part of it was very nice.

Some Sad Sites at Bella Terra

It just looks bad. I know the city wants to improve things but with the economy the way it is now and the city not doing so well at making things better, it is a sad state of affairs. A lot of businesses are closing all around town. There are a lot less cars in parking lots. People are not out shopping and I know it will be a bad holiday season for all.  I normally like to stay lite and positive, but it is hard when you see things like this and listen to the news. I will do better tomorrow – I promise! 

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Crazy, Reflecting Stairwell

Driving through a parking structure last night, I noticed how strange the stairwell looked against the office building next door.  Willie was driving and I made him stop and back-up so I could look again. I was hoping I could capture in a photograph what I saw – the zig-zag and distortion of the stairwell reflecting on the windows of the office building. I guess you never know when you will see something interesting!

Reflective Stairwell

I was lucky to have my camera and tripod (my new one) in the back of the Jeep.  I am very happy with the results.  When we got home we watched Gavin and Stacey on BBC. I had recorded it earlier in the evening. It is a very funny show and very sweet also. I am not a big fan of British humor, but this is a good show. We also watch all the British detective shows that have been on BBC from Netflix.  Anyone else watch it?

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One More Getty Center View

This image I took at the Getty Center shows a lot of the things I really like about the place:  the beautiful texture of the stone used to create the building and the walls, the architecture and designs of both the structure and the gardens and the juxtaposition of the building on the site among many other things. I hope you see the beauty that I saw. I enjoy sharing this with you.

The Getty Center

Hopefully we will be going to the Getty Villa in Malibu sometime in the Spring.  It is just as beautiful there but in a totally different way. Yesterday was a rather uneventful day. I watched some Lynda.com videos on Flash and then watched a little TV.  I added a link for an RSS feed from my Weblog here. Sign up if you want to. For some reason I felt very physically and emotionally drained yesterday. Today is already better!

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The Beautiful Getty Gardens

I was at the Getty Center this week, which you would know if you follow my Weblog. I shared some of the building architecture with you in my last post and now I am sharing some of the garden architecture. There are many beautiful garden areas, including a cactus garden. A meandering stream ends in the center of this photo after going through different areas of plants. The Pacific Ocean is at the horizon along with Catalina Island in the background. The Getty is on top of a hill and there are beautiful views from any direction.

The Getty Gardens

We have been there about four times, and there are still a few areas we have not explored – hopefully, next time we will see it all.  When the hedge in the center of the photo is in bloom, it is covered with red flowers and is very beautiful. I think I will share one or two more Getty photos with you. Donnan’s growth is not getting smaller – Willie thinks it is getting larger.  Until tomorrow…

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Great Day at the Getty Center

We had such a great time at the Getty  yesterday. There were some wonderful exhibits that were very impressive. Especially a photography one with work by Carleton Eugene Watkins. I was not familiar with his work but I will definitely learn more about it. The architecture at the entire Getty Center, including the gardens, is so beautiful and I love photographing it. This photo is of an overhang that circles around one of the buildings. I was in the gift shop later and saw a postcard with the same image! I have other photos from the Getty I want to share with you. I hope you see all of them.

Such a Gorgeous Day in LA

The dogs were alone in the backyard over eight hours yesterday and they were very happy to see us when we got home. It started out being a hot day but the clouds came in and that cooled it off. We were very glad we went. Tonight is Flash class and I will do some reading and watch a few videos. It should be a good class. Come back tomorrow to see what is new!

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