"The Other Side" - Day 3

3 days until the show

Just because you do not see the other side of the bridge trust that it is there.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" - Day 7

7 days until the show (info below) 

January 1st has always been a mental break day for me and this year is no exception; however, after the show opens I get a new "New Year" and will officially be able to make the most of 2011 by closing out 2010 and starting new goals.

Heading out to balance my life forces (SGI) meet up with some amazing people and be inspired

--------------------------------------------

"NOT ALONE" Presented by Phantom Gallery Los Angeles/ Long Beach

An exploration of solitude while in natural, urban, and/or open landscapes. by Darnell Bates

January 8 through February 6, 2011
Artist Reception: (Saturday) January 8, 2011 6 – 10pm

 346 E. 3^rd Street, Long Beach, California

Somtimes.....You Gotta!

"Pier Moment" DB8S © 2009
"click on image for a larger view"

In order to protect yourself and others "Shut it Down" aka "Take a Break!"

Be mindful of your health at all times and especially during this time of year. Your family, friends, loved ones, and the world are dependent on you.

B&W film - "I Love It!"

--------------------------------------------------------- 

image note

My cousinne Cheyenne was starting her 1st quarter at UCSB and my friend Anders bought the "Red Beast" so we went for a road trip to visit her in Santa Barbara and camped out at Gaviota State Park

pier [pɪə] (n) - a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle
.
. 

Rain Shine Snow or Hail

Its been raining in Los Angeles for almost a week now and many of my colleagues (Shout Out to Jacqueline) have been motivated to get out there and shoot. Not me, I have been inside complaining about the rain as well as complaining about not being able to get out and shoot. Today, that all came to an end and just as soon as there was a low in the rain I dashed out to the Post Office (with camera) to get what I thought was my 22x15 photo paper for my up coming show and was too surprised to get cookies (from Scott ) -Big Smile- On the way there and back I was able to capture a few images and quench my thirst which should hold me for a day or two. 

The forecast for rain: continuous for the next 4 days.

Take Advantage of or Create Opportunities to Motivate Your Self!

.
.

Aural / Visual Pairing

"Beyond Here...." DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

While attending to my images, often I am listening to music, and normally the music is a reflection of the type of images I am attending to. If it is my minimalist work it is normally slow classical, new age, or even a mellow instrumental, however if it is busy urban work it ranges from in your face hip/hop to aggressive rock.

Stimulating my aural and my visual at the same time pleases me often and I try to do it daily.
 
Tonight, I found Imogen Heap-"Hide And Seek" the appropriate music for me with this image.
"Listen and Observe"

Imogen Heap - Hide And Seek  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIAfiVGluk 

This image is not for adoption.

Wall(v) meets Sky(h).... What a complement

"Sky, Wall...Complementary" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

Often while out shooting (photography lingo) I am often looking for themes that are complementary. In this case, I choose my every running theme of minimalist photography and also used the complementary colours of the Orange (wall) and the Blue (sky) as my overall theme. I enjoy being a witness (or participant) in things that are in complementary, be it nature, photography, and especially my relationships because I enjoy things that are complete. If you look closer at the photograph you will see more things that complement each other to form the big picture (symmetry, lines, etc...)

Darnell Bates @ DB8S.com

----------------------------------

Because of the limitations imposed by the range of colors that were available throughout most of the history of art, many artists still use a traditional set of complementary pairs. The use of complementary colors is an important aspect of aesthetically pleasing art and graphic design.  (Wikipedia, 10 December 2010 at 10:19)

• white and black
• red and green
• blue and orange
• yellow and violet

Days or Moments

I avoid counting the days in my life yet focus more on the moments in my life.

Thanks to my friends, family, loved ones and especially Denise for all the support.

Sometimes........

Regardless of how you feel, if it is a priority.... "Make it a Priority!" - Darnell Bates

"Disney_2297" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

 

"Disney_2295" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

"Disney_2298" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

"Disney_2296" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

Why Here Little Birdy?

"Work of 7" DB8S © 2010
"Click on image for a larger view"

Saturday about mid day I heard a rustling sound coming from my bathroom. When I opened the door the sound stopped, seeing nothing, I closed the door and went back about my business. However, after a few moments it started again, this time...... instead of opening the door quickly, I opened it slowly and peaked around it to find this "Little Birdy" attacking my window. I was not sure of her intentions (maybe she wanted to come in?) Immediately tried to recall that olde superstition.... "if a bird gets into your house it is a sign of 'Good Luck' Reflecting on the possibility of more 'Good Luck" I opted not to let her in because I felt it would be "Bad Luck" for her to come in and hurt herself for the probability of me receiving "Good Luck" Sure we could all use a little more "Good Luck" yet not at the expense of another living creature. "I am already a Lucky Man!"

"Little Birdy" continued to relentlessly attack my window for the next 4 hours (or so) with the strength of "7"as I continued to work on images. Eventually she went away as soon as the sun started to set.
------------------------------------------------

Tip

To take a photos of "Little Birdy" in this static situation, I used a tripod and a wireless remote to capture the scene without disturbing the animal any more than my Apartment and window has already. Also, this way my camera was already 'at the ready' and I could kick back, observe and let her do what satisfied her.

Romantic? Romanticism?

"Slope Off!" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

"Return to Here" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

Yes, I am! and it extends from my heart into my photography. While in the calm beauty of nature, I wish for nature to be this simple and beautiful forever and I strive for the same.  
Be Good to Yourself and Others

Darnell Bates @ DB8S.com

 
 _______________________________________________________________

ro·man·ti·cism    (r-mnt-szm)
NOUN:

1. often Romanticism An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions.
2. Romantic quality or spirit in thought, expression, or action.

The Blog Begins

This Blog is about Photography and how I go about it!

"Not Alone" DB8S © 2010
"click on image for a larger view"

My name is Darnell Bates, I am a photographer in Long Beach, CA @ DB8S Photography

There is so much to say and do, yet before I do, I would like to  open with a scripture passage (please know that I am a spiritual person and practice SGI Buddhism and gather wisdom and experiences from many sources) that expresses my romantic side for the environment and love for environmental landscape photography. Also, note that the sources are a always for the advancement of the environment, the goodness of man and myself.

For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 3:19