Capitola at Night

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With colorful buildings and a picturesque pier, Capitola is one of the most photogenic beach towns on the Monterey Peninsula.  Add a setting sun and night lights and the photo opportunities are endless.  I arrived several hours before the official start of the photography club shoot-out and witnessed a scene I had never seen before: hundreds of thousands of birds circling, diving and perching.  Was Alfred Hitchcock filming?  What do you suppose enticed them all to swarm Capitola? (See below)

 (Millions of anchovies)

You can view more of my Capitola images on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebrazelton/

The Paparazzi

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The Morgan Hill Community Foundation asked if I could provide paparazzi for its dinner/ceremony recognizing and honoring community volunteers.  I have photographed many community events, but this one was the most fun.  Photography club members lined the red carpet, flashing the guests, and making them feel like celebrities.

My friends Jean Pinard & Janet McElroy

I don't know why celebrities are so anti-paparazzi.  

We just like to take pictures

(even of ourselves).

After the paparazzi dispersed, Barbi Kutilek and I stayed on to photograph the rest of the event.

Just another good time with a camera.

All 257 photos from this event can be viewed at: 

https://morganhillphotographyclub.shutterfly.com/pictures

Morgan Hill via my iPhone

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I took 548 photos this year with my iPhone.  Most are of Morgan Hill because I walk/jog the streets several mornings a week and often again in the evening.  These were all taken in October & November.

 Morning Light

 El Toro viewed from the CCC

 I love a rainy night.

 Morning sky in December

 Mount Hope Cemetery on Spring Street

Additional iPhone photos are embedded in specific posts.

Day of the Dead

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One of the biggest street parties of the year in Morgan Hill is the Safe Halloween.  Thousands of costumed kids and parents stroll Monterey Road from Main to Dunne collecting candy from the downtown merchants.

Once the sky was completely dark, I attached a spectral filter to my camera lens to photograph the ghosts parading along the street.  Even though they can not be seen with the naked eye, the filter allows the shadowy energy of non-physical beings to register on the camera sensor.  The street was way more crowded than the costumed revelers realized.

 You can see more ghosts on my Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebrazelton/

Howl-O-Ween

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The dogs of Morgan Hill had their own 

Halloween party at Community Park.

 

Some dogs skipped the costume parade and just played 

like only dogs can.

 

Many more canine photos are posted on my Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebrazelton/

California Photo Festival

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Five Days of Nothin' but Photography

I met up with friends from the photography club in San Luis Obispo for a week of immersion in photography.  Each morning we had several choices, from Cayucos to Pismo, of where to shoot the sunrise, each led by a professional photographer/instructor.  After breakfast back at the hotel, we attended 3 or 4 classes during the day on whatever aspect of photography we found interesting.  We could choose from over a hundred that were offered.  Then with no time for dinner, we were out shooting the sunset, once again choosing from several locations.  The day usually ended with a late dinner.  Friends & photography: what could be better?

Horses on the Beach at Morro Rock. 

A thick cloud cover blocked the beautiful sunset.

Critters!

Dozens of critters were stationed around a room all shouting, 

"Look at me!  Take my picture."

See the cricket at the end of his long, sticky tongue?

 

 Sunrise at Pismo Pier

My first attempt at light painting

Models on the Beach

This was the most difficult shoot for me.

 Sunrise at Morro Bay Harbor

iPhoto (one of the classes I took) processed in HandyPhoto

As always, I have many more photos from this week

 posted on my Flickr page:http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebrazelton/

World Wide Photo Walk

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Scott Kelby, a Photoshop guru, organizes a one day event each year when photographers gather to walk about in cities all over the world, including Morgan Hill.  I arrived an hour before the official start time to take advantage of the early sunlight on the downtownscape, and then mingled with the other photographers at the Farmers' Market. 

You can see more photos from this day on my Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebrazelton/