California VI - Point Lobos

I talked about this place so much on other posts...

First of all, I have to say: no pictures in the world will make justice to the beauty of this place. It was probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! It is located in the Highway One, in Monterey County. If you ever decided to travel through this beautiful road, please, don’t miss this State Reserve. And take all the hiking trails. You won’t regret.

Nikon F100
35mm f1.4G
Portra 160 (exp 2014)

It’s friday, I’m in love

I was watching Sideways yesterday and, oh god, how I miss California. Especially this place, Point Lobos, which has nothing to do with the movie, but it is now one of my favorite places on earth. I’m a bit skeptical, towards God and all that, but for once in my life I could feel there’s something bigger than you and me.

Fun fact: about 40 minutes after this picture, he proposed. :)

California V - Muir Woods

I totally forgot to post about Muir Woods! It should have been posted before Yosemite, haha.

It happens, right?! Before late than never!

It is such a beautiful place. You’ll probably remember it from the new Planet of the Apes series. It is Ceasar’s home. But let me tell you, it didn’t remind me of the movie... One scene I remember clearly was James Franco’s character and the girlfriend having a picnic there. But there are MANY signs informing that is forbidden to eat anywhere in the park. Haha. I took a lot of food and a nice towel and all I did was eat an energy bar in the middle of the trail.

Anyway... I just wished we could have spent more time there. We were in a hurry to hit the road to Yosemite... The sun was setting at 5pm, and we didn’t wanna take the road in a complete darkness (which happened anyway). Even though, we had enough time to take one trail and enjoy what nature has to offer. :)

Funny story: I took this Velvia roll before the Wine Tour we did. By the time we were leaving the hotel I mistook this one, that was expired, thinking it was the other Velvia 100 that is not so expired. I only noticed what I did when I got back from the lab. Now I put a yellow mark in all very expired rolls, so I’ll never mistake them again. Haha, living and learning.

Nikon F100
35mm f1.4G
Fuji Velvia 100 (exp 2009)

California IV - Yosemite

I love mountains. Always did, since a little girl. So you can imagine how happy I was to visit Yosemite National Park for the fist time. The park was all autumn-yellow, like a painting. Cold (there were snow in a few higher points), but not too cold. For me, it was the perfect weather.

The bad thing was that, since it was autumn, and Califa is on a drought period, the biggest waterfall was almost dry, and so was the Mirror Lake. But other than that, it was a lovely time I spent there. When I think about Yosemite, a smile just show up in my face.

A (not so) fun fact: I almost didn’t shoot on film there. My fiancé took my digital and shot almost everything with it, I grabbed the camera whenever I saw something TRULY interesting. And since I was on vacation and didn’t wanna miss the moment, I kind of kept everything inside my head. It doesn’t sound like me, I’m always shooting everything and everybody, but I needed the rest. For the eyes, the mind and the body. Not mentioning the soul.

The half dome. My second favorite (the firt one was El Captain, which, funny enough, I don’t have on film)

Nikon F100
35mm f1.4G
Kodak Portra 160

Monday bubbles

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

Jane Austen 

Alcatraz in Colors - Chapter 2

Back to the Alcatraz in colors. I already told you I didn’t like the development and the colors of this particular film, right? But the only ones I did like were those from Alcatraz because, in a strange way, these tones remind me of the Clint Eastwood movie “Escape from Alcatraz”. Don’t you think they do? I’m not crazy, am I? Haha. Do you get what I’m saying?

Did I mention I miss San Francisco? California didn’t catch my heart they way Paris did, but it still one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visit. From up north in San Francisco to down, really down south in San Diego (I almost passed the Mexican border), California is the kind of trip everybody has to do at least once in their lives. There are tons of pictures yet to share with you, hope you’re not bored.

Nikon F100
35mmf1.4G
Portra 160

15 things

Mushrooms in a trail in Point Lobos, CA. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

There we are. 15 resolutions for 2015.

(Believe me, I could come up with 112, but I though it would be prettier like that, 15 things to do in 15)

1:: Get more exercises;

I thing this is in everybody lists, right? While I was traveling I felt my body complaining all the time. It was a very physical trip. Lots of trails and bike rides. I’m not 20 anymore, but sometimes my body feels like 80. Got to change that. 

2:: Eat healthier;

I eat well, don’t get me wrong. My weakness is chocolate. Always has. 

3:: Travel more;

2014 was a slow year in terms of traveling. It only got good in the end, with California calling. But the rest of the year was really all working. Maybe that something to balance more.

4:: Learn (decent) french;

I’ve had french lessons for 2 years, in 2010 and 2011. I learn to comunicate, and I still understand so much better than I speak. 

5:: Get more organized;

This item is on my list since I remember making lists. But I truly believe 2015 will be the year I’ll be organized. 

6:: Blog more;
I’ll try to be more present here. And to be less critical with my photos. And to feel less guilty when I post something that doesn’t feel like the next best thing.

7:: Photograph more for fun;
2014 I rarely photographed for fun. Work consumed me. This blog was, in a way, a means to that. So I think, technically, 6 and 7 are the same. haha.

8:: Volunteer;
I use to do that a lot through college. And it felt so good. Don’t know why I stop doing. 

9:: Read at least 2 books per month;
I tried to do 1 book a month in 2014 and failed! Haha, even though, I’ll try to do it better. 

10:: Get back on the tennis court and learn to serve;
I love watching tennis, you all know that. I use to play a bit, just for fun, but until this very day I can’t serve, can you believe it? 

11:: Save money;
The thing is: I can’t deal with money. I always spend more than I earn, I make loans, I miss deadlines and I regret nothing. 

12:: Worry a little bit more on what I wear;
I’m not so much of a fashion person. I would leave the house in my pajamas, if it was socially ok. 

13:: Buy less make up (or wear more the ones I already have);
I buy tons of makes, but usually just wear mascara and concealer. 

14:: Watch more movies;
Just because is something I love, it makes me happy and I wanna be a happier person. :)

15:: Last, but not least: STOP PROCRASTINATING.
No explanation needed. 

And you?

And, of course, Happy 2015 for y’all! May this be the best year of our lives so far.

Alcatraz in Colors - Chapter 1

Some appendix from the Californication series. For some reason I hadn’t developed this film yet! The first film I used in San Francisco, because it was already in my camera.

A bit of Alcatraz in colors.

I must say (and it hurts to say it), but after developing my films at Richard Photo Lab, I’m a bit spoiled. Didn’t like this development that much. I’ll try to scan again some other time, maybe it helps.

Leaving San Francisco. Did I mention I’m in love with this place? 

Alcatraz seen from the sea

When arriving at the island, this guys provides us a bit of Alcatraz history.

Nikon F100
35mm f1.4G
Portra 160

California III

During that week we spent at San Francisco, we decided to take the wine tour through Napa and Sonoma. It was a really beautiful sunny day (I already shared one photo in this post). The wines there are soooo good. I end up buying a Chardonnay at the Sonoma Winery we visited (where the portrait from the other post was taken), I believe it’s called Richolson Nicholson Ranch or something. If you ever go there, buy their Chardonnay. It was the best I’ve ever tasted and I regret had bought only one.

And the food there is also amazing, we had lunch somewhere around Napa at a place called “Pacific Blue”. I ordered the Veggie Burger, and it was from out of this world! Seriously. 

The other thing I forgot to mention before: when in California, try to get your films developed at Richard Photo Lab. Their work is amazing, really (if the picture didn’t come out as I expect I’m the only one to blame, haha), and I don’t need to say that. From their giant client list you must know that. It was fun to know the place and the people working there. It is in LA, at North La Brea Av, 979 . and they have parking which is a plus considering you're in LA. I didn’t developed all my films in there, because they got lost in my luggage and when I find there wasn’t enough time, so if you’re organized and smart, try to develop all of them. You won’t be sorry. 

Entrance of one of the Wineries we visited.

I tell him all the time: if our kids don’t have his eyes, I will divorce him immediately! (it’s a joke, of course!)

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a wedding here? 

Nikon F100

35mm f1.4G

Velvia 100 (exp 2009)