Martin Fieger Photography

Holly & Torien in Lodi

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:32:00 +0000

Here's a short slideshow from a visit last month to the Wine and Roses Restaurant hotel, spa, restaurant, etc, etc (It's a real nice place). It was fun just bopping around.

A great looking couple looking forward to their September wedding!

Clicking on the arrow will begin the slideshow -

For a true full-screen version, visit Holly & Torien slideshow on my Photodex gallery. You'll be asked to download their small plugin. It's totally safe. When the show starts expand to full-screen mode.

Alcatraz

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:43:00 +0000

Earlier in the month I participated in the annual Keeble & Shuchat Photography workshop to Alcatraz Island, this year with Joe McNally and Nikon. The team at K&S did a great job in organizing the entire evening.

We took a relaxing bus trip to the city and had a quick boat ride to the island. When the park closed for the day at 6:00 the rangers swept the island of the tourists and our intrepid group of photographers had the island to ourselves. (A couple of NPS rangers made sure we didn't get lost or fall off any cliffs!) We all got some great shots of the prison, the bridge and the city.

Joe provided some great insights into his process of producing a great portrait. We enjoyed watching him photograph one of the (scary-looking) guards in the cell block nicknamed "Broadway". A very worthwhile evening!

Along the Mist Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:48:00 +0000

A few moments after this image was taken the sun was high enough to overpower the nuances of color that attracted me to the scene.

I like the range of color - the warm reflection of the cliffs beyond and the cool, blue tones - as well as the balance between the smoothness and sharpness of the waves. The image takes me right back to what I was feeling at that moment.

Memorial Day 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Mon, 30 May 2011 20:36:00 +0000

From the Golden Gate National Cemetery ...

Bridalveil Fall Rainbows

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Today I'm offering two images of rainbows at Bridalveil Fall taken during my last trip to Yosemite. On the last day I spent several hours at Tunnel View and watched the clouds and their shadows float across the valley. At times a shadow would stretch the width of the valley floor from El Capitan to Bridalveil Fall; at times the entire valley floor would be in shade except for a sliver of sunlight across the base of my frame. I would shoot a few frames, wait for a different shadow on El Capitan, shoot a few more, wait for Half Dome to be in sunlight, wait for the entire valley to be sunlit, etc. Always different.

As it turns out I was positioned directly in line between the sun and the waterfall, and at about 4pm the rainbow started to appear. As the sun became lower each color in turn came into prominence. An arc of red appeared first, at the base of the fall, and gently rose up the cliff face, closely followed by orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.

When I'm in Yosemite I'm always fascinated by the different time scales in which the world moves. The valley itself was formed over a period of millions of years by the carving effect of various glaciers. On a much shorter time scale there are sequoias in the park that are hundreds of years old and still stand magnificent. Shorter still are the lifetimes of the animals (including we human visitors) that live or visit here. Then there are the types of moments illustrated by this image; some seen and appreciated. Most of them, I suspect, simply pass.

An even shorter-lived moment is that during which the water actually falls. I like to think of the water drops accumulating in the creek above the fall eagerly anticipating their vertical plunge, like children at an amusement park ride. (I tend to anthropomorphize a lot of things in nature, especially water.) They drift down the length of the creek, maybe get caught in an eddy or two, but eventually reach the cliff and then "Wheee!" off the edge they go. Free of their neighbors, surrounded by nothing but air and light for a few glorious moments before resuming their long trip to the ocean. And maybe they can sense the arcs of color they create and the sound of their crash into the rocks below.

And the young pine is literally taking it all in - the air, the light, the water. (Hey, trees have feelings, too, right?)

I love this place ....

Morning Palms

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:58:00 +0000

This is one of those scenes you see almost every day but that needs the right light to make an interesting image.

This is a set of palm trees in the shopping center at which I stop for coffee. Palm trees are everywhere (they wouldn't naturally exist) in California, and I've always liked the composition of the four trees on the left balanced by the shorter four trees on the right. On this particular morning the warm light on the trees and the clouds made me say to myself "that's it!" as I grabbed my camera and tripod. A little post-processing was all it needed...

Poppies

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:05:00 +0000

What would spring in California be like without poppies? This image is another taken in our front yard. I wanted to isolate this single flower from its neighbors and keep a nice, soft background to frame it.

PG&E Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:41:00 +0000

I hiked the PG&E Trail at Rancho San Antonio one recent weekend for the first time in many years. I passed by (and was passed by) people who could actually RUN up this trail. And talk at the same time with a partner. And SMILE about it! Makes me realize that the years are passing ...

37°19.83'N, 122°7.90'W

This is a view from the top to the trails on the other side of the park. The trails down were SO much easier!

I thought (after catching my breath) that hiking and photography could be combined into a sporting event like the biathalon combines cross-country skiing and marksmanship: no tripods allowed, shutter speeds of 1 second with 300mm lenses. For the younger generation, obviously.

Bleeding Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:45:00 +0000

Bleeding hearts, the poetically named perennial, have heart-shaped pendant pink or white flowers with spurs at the base and attractive fernlike foilage. And they grow in our front yard!

Yosemite Falls

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:28:00 +0000

For today, one view of Upper Yosemite Falls and another of Lower Yosemite Falls.

I love having so many software tools available to help produce the image I envisioned when I took the photograph. Each tool can enhance the emotion or a feeling I had at the time.

The image of Upper Yosemite Falls only needed a little contrast. I liked the way the leafless trees add a base to the composition. (Later in the summer they'll blend in with the trees behind.) They looked like an audience with front-row seats to a performance.

I envisioned more mood when I captured Lower Yosemite Falls. I saturated the colors a bit and added a glow which really makes the sunlight tree "pop". In post-processing I considered converting the image to black and white but decided against it, as I would have lost the impact of the highlighted yellow branch on the left.

Santa Clara Orchards

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:08:00 +0000

According to this history of Santa Clara County, "Santa Clara County [was] the banner fruit-producing county of the state. In 1919 there were 98,152 acres planted in fruit trees and 2,850 acres in vines."

Needless to say, times have changed.

I was shooting this grove of cherry trees in Sunnyvale when I was approached by a lifetime resident of the valley who shared her memories of the orchards of cherry, apricot, and prune trees.

This small grove feels like an outdoor-museum to a bygone era ....

Blossoms

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Time and time again I'm reminded of the fact that sometimes you find the photographs, sometimes the photographs find you.

I had spent the day looking around for active orchards in the valley. Most of the locations I visited were not yet in full bloom. On the way home I passed by a neighbor less than a block from home with this beautiful tree on his corner, moved up close with my fisheye lens, and got this lovely image.

Almaden Valley Wildflowers

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:56:00 +0000

One of my favorite places in the valley is off Bailey Road. I liked the serenity and simplicity of these two views.

Rancho San Antonio

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:06:00 +0000

This was my first visit this year and I wanted to see how the streams were flowing. I hadn't seen this pond filled with water for a number of years. Still one of my favorite local spots.

Pigeon Point Light Station

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:47:00 +0000

The Pigeon Point Light Station has one of the tallest lighthouses in America and has been guiding mariners since 1872. First lit at sunset on November 15, 1872, the lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 8,000 pounds. Although the original Fresnel lens is no longer in use, the lighthouse is still an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation using a 24 inch Aero Beacon.

The keeper's housing has been restored to a hostel, and the site is popular for whale watching from January to
April, and a tidepool and the Pescadero Marsh are nearby.

A few years ago they had a section of the cornice fail, so there are some areas roped off. Actually it's been several years now. The beach on the north side is accessible, although it doesn't currently provide a very photogenic view.

Campbell Heritage Theater

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:38:00 +0000

One of the great things about living in Campbell is the Campbell Heritage Theater. They offer a wide range of shows and events.

Every time I drive by the reflecting pool I enjoy looking at the floating balls.

Valley Yellow Pages 2011 Cover

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Valley Yellow Pages selected this image for their Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, & Sunnyvale book cover for 2011-2012!

Sailing At Shoreline

Of course, the actual book cover has the Valley YP logos and an ad.

Nice choice!! Of course the first thing I did was to check the spelling of my name on the cover and in my advertisement inside. Luckily, all is well ....

Jack's 80th Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 01:18:00 +0000

A surprise party for Jack's 80th birthday took place at the Wine and Roses Restaurant in Lodi. Friends and family came from as far away as Atlanta to celebrate. People shared stories about and paid tribute to a very important man in their lives.

Here's Jack affectionately looking at his children and then his grandchildren.

Morning Stillness

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 02:36:00 +0000

I love the quiet and calm of morning. I was waiting for Bay Photo to open and wandered to this nearby pond.

Callie & Lee's Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 01:47:00 +0000

Our friends Mark and Gayle did a wonderful job preparing their yard for Callie's wedding - ever since she was a girl Callie wanted to have her wedding here. A wonderful new couple!

Carrizo Plain National Monument

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:12:00 +0000

The Carrizo Plain National Monument is about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. It seems centuries away with its glistening white beds of salt, vast grasslands rimmed by mountains, wildlife, and fauna. There is subtlety and vibrance at the same time, often within the same image.

I love the transitions in this image. From this side of the fence to the other, from spring to summer, from morning to day, from foggy to clear. From last night, to today, to tomorrow …

Sophie

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:10:00 +0000

Sophie

Our girl Sophie in the front yard. We recently found and removed some tumors that turned out to be malignant. She’s been very brave through the whole process (but understandably, she still doesn’t like visiting the doctor). She’s lost most of her hearing as well.

She’s still our best girl….

Laura & Troy

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:57:00 +0000

My friends Laura and Troy celebrated their wedding day in San Francisco, with a lovely brunch at the Fairmont Hotel followed by their ceremony at City Hall. It was wonderful photographing them, their family, and friends.

Here's a shot of Laura with Jennie and Julie.

Bandon, Oregon

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:50:00 +0000

I had been looking forward to a photography trip to Oregon for a long time - I especially wanted to shoot the stacks at Bandon. We had one day of very high winds, even by Oregon standards, and one day of heavy overcast.

For this shot I was standing on a 3-ft high rock and could barely keep my balance even with the help of my tripod.

Needless to say I can't wait to get back!

Holly's Graduation

noreply@blogger.com (Martin) — Sun, 30 May 2010 04:56:00 +0000

Congratulations to Holly, Lindsay, and Celeste!! Looking sharp in that regalia!