Lake Merritt's 33rd Couples Relay

I was doing a walk around Lake Merritt and I came across the 33^rd annual couples relay. This relay uses a team of two to run 5k each and then finished as soon as the second person crosses the finish line. It was fun to watch people cross the finish line and greeted by the family and friends, especially since the weather was definitely a lot better today than in past days. Lake Merritt in Oakland is only about 3.5 miles around depending on which route you take and with the renovations to the walkway I could only imagine that the runners had a great time. Maybe next year I’ll give it a try…

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

“UnNoticed” a series of random Photographs that i find from my day to day activities that i find interesting that would generally go Unnoticed.

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C/S: Picture: "Sad Vader"

I was browsing through 20x200 and I found this great picture by Alex Brown. It’s a limited edition picture titled “Sad Vader.”  I’m a big Star Wars fan and I couldn’t resist adding this great picture to my collection. I was almost to late as I purchased print 497 of 500.

On top of being a Star Wars fan, I love how the picture displays the emotions of being “sad.” The kid in the picture might be wearing a mask, but Alex Brown is able to capture the emotions of the kid at the right moment, head down, shoulders slouched and arms not visible “typical sad.”

If your looking to collect art or you want to support some great photographers, check out 20x200, they have a ton of great images, to suite all different photographic taste. I know this picture will not be my last one…

ARTIST STATEMENT:

In my photography, I am interested in the spontaneous documentation of scenes from daily life. I am drawn to moments of beauty and humor in the mundane that often go unnoticed.

This photograph was taken in a McDonald's restaurant in Upstate New York. The kid was sitting in the booth on his own wearing a Darth Vader helmet that made the same breathing sound as the character in Star Wars. For some reason, he reminded me of myself as a child. I always wanted a helmet like that when Star Wars first came out but my parents wouldn’t buy me one.

This photograph explores various themes that are central to my work and that are heavily influenced by the American TV, movies and pop culture I experienced growing up in the 80s.

THANK YOU 20x200 and ALEX BROWN FOR THE GREAT PICTURE!

© Michael Lopez

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Quotes to live by:

I came across this quote, as today is MJ’s Bday. I grew up in the Jordan Era and can appreciate all the excitement he offered to all us Basketball fans.

This quote is not only a great life quote, but also a definition of what it takes to become a good photographer.

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."

- Michael Jordan

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Off the Grid: SF Food trucks

“Off the Grid” is a bunch of different Food Trucks offering great food in a random location in the city. These food trucks vary from cupcakes, thai, Filipino, American and unique sandwiches. The trucks, location and time does change, so if you’re interested in getting lunch in the city check them out on http://offthegridsf.com/ or their twitter page for updates. When I was there I tried out HapaSF, Cupkates truck and last week I tried Iz It. All the food I had was GREAT!!! Definitely worth a try.

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

“UnNoticed” a series of random Photographs that i find from my day to day activities that i find interesting that would generally go Unnoticed.

Follow me on Twitter 

Fun with Film: 1

A Lonely Walk on the Beach.

Fun with Film is an opportunity for me to get back to my Photography Roots by using Film camera's instead of Digital.

Fun with Film: Intro

Fun with Film is an opportunity for me to get back to my Photography Roots. As The Digital Era has taken hold of main-stream arts, I felt that it has blinded young photographers like myself on what it takes to produce decent shots. Today, digital enthusiast can run-off hundreds of shots to capture ONE, as this may become economical and accessible to most; dark rooms now turn into computer rooms, ISO film is easily manipulated with the turn of a dial and digital turns into looking at the last shot rather than looking for the next one.

As of right now I’m considered self taught with no “formal” school training, but my influences and understating of Photography all stems from “Film” photographers who have paved the way to open our minds to how we see art. I’m thankful to appreciate the time and effort all the Photographers I follow took to produce great shots on a single roll of film. I’m not knocking on any digital photographers in any way, trust me, I love my Nikon, but theirs something about what a roll of film can produce that a digital camera can’t. Images are still images and it still takes an artistic eye to produce great shots, but I guarantee you’ll appreciate your shots when your looking at a printed contact sheet rather than 100’s of shots through your computer.

Welcome!!!

I've just relaunched my blog and website and i'm very excited to have you look around and follow me. I Love taking pictures and i have a couple different sets going on. 1st on my blog i have "Unnoticed" which is a my day to day series, "Moments with Apung Isay" which is a long term project that i'm working on. I also have pictures of golf holes of some of the interesting places i play.

If you would like blog updates, the best way to get them is via twitter. I also have a Facebook page dedicated to Portaits. If you would like updates on projects or events subscribe to my newsletter.

Once again, i appreciate you visiting and don't forget to spread the word. THANKS!!!

My Favorite SB XLV Commercial!!!

By far one of my Favorite commercials of all time. I'm a Star Wars Fan and when this commercial came on, i couldn't stop laughing! I love how the kid shows his expressions, even with a Mask on he was able to show emotions!!! LEGENDARY