Southern California Autumn

I was laying on the grass the other day, and this is what I saw.

Some of my favorites from Zion

Irving Penn: Small Trades Exhibit

I went to this exhibit a few weeks ago at the The Getty. Probably one of the largest photo exhibits I have ever been to. Portraits of working citizens from New York, London, and France.

Link to a video from NY Times.

Kohjiro Kinno

Kojo came to my photo class to speak about his photo career. He is an assistant photographer to a staff photographer of Sport Illustrated, Robert Beck. These guys travel all over the world to shoot events, like the Beijing Olympics, and take portraits of athletes.

Kojo quotes:

His ultimate goal would be to put his work in a fine art galleries.

He wishes he traveled more before he started working full time.

He likes to shoot weddings. It is a change of pace and everyone is happy. And you actually can earn some money.

You just can't quit.

Never say no.

With working with so much equipment, simplifying photography on his personal projects is his inspiration.

The Adventurers of Zion

Zion Preview

Anywhere I Lay My Head...

I am going to Zion National Park this weekend. It is one of my favorite places in America. I recreated a slideshow from the photos I took last year.

School Kills Creativity

I Don't Wanna Grow Up

When we are all lost, what do we do? We all look at the night sky for answers.
-Tom Waits

When Im lyin in my bed at night
I dont wanna grow up
Nothin ever seems to turn out right
I dont wanna grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
Thats always changing things
Makes me wish that I could be a dog
When I see the price that you pay
I dont wanna grow up
I dont ever wanna be that way
I dont wanna grow up

Seems like folks turn into things
That theyd never want
The only thing to live for
Is today...
Im gonna put a hole in my tv set
I dont wanna grow up
Open up the medicine chest
And I dont wanna grow up
I dont wanna have to shout it out
I dont want my hair to fall out
I dont wanna be filled with doubt
I dont wanna be a good boy scout
I dont wanna have to learn to count
I dont wanna have the biggest amount
I dont wanna grow up

Well when I see my parents fight
I dont wanna grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I dont wanna grow up
Id rather stay here in my room
Nothin out there but sad and gloom
I dont wanna live in a big old tomb
On grand street

When I see the 5 oclock news
I dont wanna grow up
Comb their hair and shine their shoes
I dont wanna grow up
Stay around in my old hometown
I dont wanna put no money down
I dont wanna get me a big old loan
Work them fingers to the bone
I dont wanna float a broom
Fall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did I get here so soon
I dont wanna grow u

Smoke Signals

Driving around north LA fires. Maybe some Indians got lost.

The beginning of editing Russia.

I am ever so grateful for all of my friends in Russia that took me into their homes and hung out with me. I even met a curator who wanted to bring me back and host a gallery of my images.

Personal Work

Always make time for personal work.
-Cliff Lester, Photographer & Teacher