Valentine’s day

We are together for more than 15 years now... an it still amazes me how much of a great person he actually is.

Clarion Alley - Frisco || Velvia 100 (exp)

Happy Valentine’s day for the one who pick me up every time I fall, brings me back to reality me when I dream too much for too long (and I tend to do that a lot), truly believes in me (sometimes more than I do), makes me feel the happiest woman on earth with just one look and is the best partner ever. For a movie night in bed or an amazing adventure in Yosemite... just being with him makes everything better.

3 of my favorite people in this video of one of my favorite songs ♡

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)

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)

Californication II

I was thinking about posting the crazy bike adventure, but I decided to let you have a little bit of the touristy San Francisco.

Next post I’ll show you a little about Frisco, Sausalito and Tiburon. I biked for 9 hours. It’s hard to realize you’re tired when there’s so much beautiful things to see! But, believe me, I felt everything the day after. I’m not 20 anymore, you know. :)

From cable cars to the crooked street, to Alcatraz seen from the pier to the ups and downs of this magic city. A sneak peak.

Quick thought: I realized in this trip I need a smaller camera. I want a Leica for so long, but still don’t think it is my time to get yet (if you know what I mean $$$), I researched a bit and thought about a Bessa R3A, any of you have, had or used one before? Would you recommend?

The man I love

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.

Pablo Neruda

Nikon F100
35mm f1.4G
Trix 400

Californication I

I’m back. It feels like ages since the last time I posted... Did you miss me? I certainly miss you...

This trip was honestly the best thing I did for myself ever. California is really something else. The only part of America I knew was New York (which I love), but Califa is totally different. There’s beach, there’s mountain, there’s forest, there’s snow. And you can do all of that in one day. How can you not fall in love with this place? I’ll post in parts, of course. There’s a lot of photos and I don’t want you to get bored!

From the beginning: the first place I visited was San Francisco (and now I wanna live there so badly...). Frisco is amazing (I’m running out of words to describe all those places, I’m sorry!). The first day we just walked around, because we were tired from the flight. I’ll show you a little about the first real place we visit: Alcatraz. It is very tourist, but so nice. If there’s one thing americans are good at is to preserve history (and make money out of it). I thought since it was a place with so much heavy history, it would seem softer if I used some bw. So I took all of the photos with my beloved trix.  What do you think?

Nikon F100
35mm f1.4G
Trix 400