Masters 2011

This years Masters was exciting to watch, with so many possibilities it came down to the final 9 holes. Theirs a famous saying about the Masters starts on the back 9 and this year it was definitely true.

I posted below CBSSports highlights from the final round. Charl Schwartzel's highlight shots came on hole 1 and 3 (time on video 2:04 and 2:20), these shots jump started his round, he also finished with 4 straight birdies, which is SUPER rare on the final days of a Major championship. I feel really bad for Rory Mcilory, a great young golfer had the lead going into the final 9 holes when one bad shot turned everything around (time on video 1:24). I hope he can recover from this, because he is the future of golf!

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Photo Shoot: Ida Mae & Robert

Ida Mae and Robert Engagement session style Portraits
Location: All shoots, taken at Japanese Garden: Hayward, CA
Flickr Album Website: Ida Mae & Robert

© Michael Lopez

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GDC 2011

Working near a convention center such as the Moscone center, I’m lucky enough to go and experience various different conventions. Seeing different booths, media outlets and seeing random people excited for what ever reason it maybe, gives me the opportunity to practice my street photography skills. Here are some pictures I took from this years GDC 2011 conference. (GAME DEVELOPERS)

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

© Michael Lopez

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In the Cupboard

"In the Cupboard" is a project revolving around natural light and using items found in my kitchen. This project helps me keep an artistic eye using items easily found in any household. You can take a look at other images on my website under projects/in the cupboard.

THANK YOU

website: www.mikelopezphotos.com

© Michael Lopez 

© Michael Lopez

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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.

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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

Golf: On the cover

I was at the Kinokuniya Book store in Japan town in San Francisco looking around and I stumbled upon a stack of these magazines. As a Phil Mickelson Fan I couldn’t help but appreciate that he was on a cover of a Japanese golf magazine. The only problem was, the only words in English was Phil Mickelson and golf…

UnNoticed: 22 "See you next Xmas"

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

© Michael Lopez

UnNoticed: 21

HOP on HOP off Bus stop in front of Pier 39.

San Francisco, Ca

© Michael Lopez

A new member to my Photo Family!!!

Like most photographers who are always on the go, i struggled with having to carry my DSLR around to take shots. I've waited and saved up for a professional level "Point/Click" to be able to keep a great camera next to me. I'm very excited to learn and play with my new NIKON P7000. I got the camera on Calument.com as they don't charge for sales tax and most of the time have free shipping!!!

C/S: Photo Book: “Jetlag and Alcohol”

Jetlag and Alcohol by Morten Andersen was selected as one of the best books of 2009. It has over 150 images ranging for portraits, scneariy and some abstract shots. These images were taken in New York City from 1990 - 1991. It tells you a story of what it would feel like being Jetlaged and Drunk in NYC at night...

UnNoticed: 20

Japanese Sweets

Minamoto Kitchoan, San Francisco Ca

© Michael Lopez

Quotes to live by:

Faith in your own powers and confidence in your individual methods are essential to success...

Moments with Apung Isay: Merry Xmas

PhotoAlliance: Amy Stein & Andy Freeberg

This is the first time I attended a lecture from a photographer and I was extremely excited to hear how these pro’s approached their current projects. I’ve followed Amy Stein for a while and loved her pictures especially her Halloween in Harlem and her famous Domesticated projects. The lecture was presented by photoalliance.org which also featured Andy Freeberg. Andy showed and talked about his current projects; the one I really liked was his Sentry project as this project captures exactly as he see’s it the moment he walks into a gallery.

The biggest thing I got from the two lectures was the time and process it takes to produce projects. These two wonderful photographers took a lot of time to do research and went through great lengths to produce these wonderful images. They both talked about the trials and errors it took to start the project and once they got the project going the amount of time it took to produce even just a single image. These two points opened my eyes on what it takes to produce a “quality” project.

On the Tee Box: Diablo Grande CC

Diablo Grande Golf & Country Club
Patterson, CA
www.golfdiablogrande.com

****WEBSITE & NEW BLOG TBD***

***THANKS FOR FOLLOWING ME, I WILL BE LAUNCHING MY WEBSITE AND NEW BLOG SITE BEFORE THE YEAR IS OVER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE SITE IS UP PLEASE EMAIL ME***

***I WILL NO LONGER BE UPDATING THIS BLOG***

Once in a Lifetime Golf Pic

as an avid Golfer and Photographer i can appreciate this shot. 1. it shows even the best golfer in the world can make a mistake and 2nd Photography is all about timing.

first thing your probably thinking is that this shot is fake!!! sorry It's not!!! this photo was taken live at this years Ryder cup in Whales by Mark Pain. Tiger Woods missed his shot and it lead to his ball beaming straight at Mark's camera. Lucky for him he was able to capture this shot that other photographers would dream of. Or not dream of, because it probably broke his lens... LOL

C/S: Picture: Help & Support Kalaw.com

A Good friend of mine and one of my biggest teachers to Photography has a wonderful Limited edition print available for $40. All proceeds go towards the Guidance center in Somerville. Please check out the links below and help support this great cause.

Kalaw.com
collectdotgive.org

UnNoticed: 19

Chess match on Paradise

Waikiki Beach, Oahu HI

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

© Michael Lopez

On the Tee Box: Hawaii Kai GC

Hawaii Kai GC, Oahu HI

UnNoticed: 18 John/Joyce Cuevas Wedding

Here are some pics of one of my good friends Wedding.

Location: Canyon View, San Ramon CA

Flickr:

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

© Michael Lopez

Photo Shoot: Tyler Solis-Cook Baptisim

Tyler’s Baptisim
Location: All shoots, taken at their Home.
Flickr Album Website:

Here are some shots from the day. Please check out my Flickr gallery for more pics.

Unnoticed 17: "Art & Wine Faire"

Here are some pics i took from the Annual Alameda Park st Art & Wine Faire.

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

© Michael Lopez

Moments with Apung Isay: INTRO

As my passion grows for Photography, I wanted to do a project that I can give back to my family. My family has sacrificed a lot to give me the life I have today, without them I wouldn’t be where I am. My grandmother is the center of my family and the closest person to me as she helped raised me as an infant and continues to teach me today. Through all she has been through she has remain strong and continues to live her life the only way she knows how… with love.

This project represents a journal of moments that I share with my Grandmother; I wanted to capture the moments that I share with her… The Joys, Tears and everything in between.

If you would like email updates on this specific project, please subscribe using "APUNG ISAY" from my contact me page.



THANK YOU