The Doppler Effect

On Fire Hydrants…

2012-01-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

After a two-car collision by the Google campus last night, one of the vehicles spun into a fire hydrant, unleashing a 40-foot-tall spout of water into the air. The Mountain View Fire Department was able to close a valve in the road to shut off the water. Both drivers walked away from the incident.

Wide Load

2012-01-23T04:15:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday night, I spotted a bunch of flashing lights on my way home. The truck driver towing a 60-foot office trailer hadn't taken a turn wide enough and ended up damaging 60 feet of guardrail and significantly damaging three or four of the axles supporting the office. When I arrived, the trucking company was in the process of repairing or replacing the axles under the trailer.

Above, a tow truck (center, facing the camera) uses a cable to lift the rear end of the disabled trailer and shift it away from the guardrail.

A CHP car directs traffic away from the closed offramp. The offramp was subsequently reopened once the tow trucks had left (and as the trucking company continued to work).

A worker watches under the trailer as the tow truck operator (right) uses his truck to maneuver the rear of the trailer.

Music at Google

2012-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Howdy, folks!
I'm Omari, and this is (the online version of) my show.

Music
I've loved music for as long as I can remember. And having grown up hearing classical, jazz, and swing in cartoons; MJ and Luther Vandross in Dad's car; The Cardigans and Biggie on the radio; and Lyle Lovett on the way to track meets; I've come to embrace a pretty eclectic variety of music. It would be an understatement to say that music is important to me. But rather, my relationship with music is a fundamental characteristic of who I am.

Photography
I started practicing photojournalism seven years ago, and have since come to specialize in concert photography. I began as a photographer for the MIT student newspaper, The Tech, and had spent two years as a photo editor by the time I left. During my last two years at MIT, the Concerts Office hired me to document all of the musical performance groups, and I've kept shooting concerts ever since.

Music at Google
We are extremely fortunate to have live musical performances at this place we call work. And as might be expected, I've taken my cameras to more than a couple (around 30 at last count). Even so, as a documentarist, I've sometimes found myself frustrated by the brevity of Google's institutional memory. This exhibition grew from a desire to help Google remember an aspect of our culture which I care deeply about, and that will certainly stay with me.

As consummate musician Leonard Bernstein once wrote, “Life without music is unthinkable. Music without life is academic. That is why my contact with music is a total embrace.”

I'm honored to have the opportunity to share these images with y'all, and I would be delighted if you decide to bring a print into your home. The signed and dated originals are also for sale. Email prints@doppler-photo.net.

Music at

Carlos Santana faces the audience after playing the final notes of a concert in Charlie's.

Bass guitarist Tony Hall lets a note ring during a solo as he and Ivan Neville play with the rest of Dumpstaphunk.

Colbie Caillat glances at the camera as she and her band play a concert at the San Bruno YouTube office.

Thao Nguyen of Thao & Mirah plays the slide guitar for "Squareneck," a song from their self-titled album.

Danny Armstrong pauses a moment before playing an extended trombone solo during the performance by Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.

“Music is meant to be shared with others,
whether you know them or not.”

The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) leads the audience in singing his song "World Wide Rebel Songs," which he wrote in honor of a selfless group of Korean guitar-makers.

Jelena Jovanovic and Leon Barrett dance during the gypsy jazz performance of Le Jazz Hot, a quartet modeled after Django Reinhardt's band from the 30's and 40's.

Googler Jason Shafton gets the crowd on their feet during the CAKE performance at Googleween, Google's annual Halloween celebration.

An audience member who brought a cajón jams with Jake Shimabukuro after a concert.

“Our format forces musicians to provide a different
experience than in traditional concerts.” —Cliff Redeker

Country singer Keith Urban (far right) fields live questions from the audience during a concert. The live questions were interspersed with those from the onstage interviewer.

After an unintentional challenge by the photographer, singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson plays the piano behind her back after a performance.

OK Go frontman Damian Kulash playfully echoes the live transcriptions of his own speech after noticing one of the transcription monitors.

Amanda Palmer (right) glances at cellist Zoë Keating as the two perform "I Google You," a song originally written by Palmer's husband, author Neil Gaiman.

“I really like it when I go to a concert and feel like I
learned something about the performer.” —Tina Wright

Thao Nguyen of Thao & Mirah outstretches her arms toward a toddler as she and Mirah talk and sign autographs after their show.

Jimmy Buffett reacts as his daughter, Savannah Jane Buffett, recounts what life was like with a traveling dad.

Bassist Joshua Nyback takes a shot as he and guitarist Justin Young shoot some hoops after performing with Colbie Caillat at the YouTube office.

Matt Nathanson has a moment of realization after an audience-member explained the pun on his "Astronauts drink at the space bar" t-shirt.

That's all; Thanks for looking. If you'd like a print, send me an email at prints@doppler-photo.net or just click on the image above. Email me for signed originals. Cheers!

Fire in the Night, followup

2012-01-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

By early Saturday afternoon, the power lines were fixed and the Steven's Creek Trail was again open. After poking around a bit, it occurred to me that the explosion must have resulted from an insulation/insulator failure somewhere — despite my initial inferences about the cause, there are no power transformers in the area, only power transmission lines.

Walking through the area where the fire had been, what struck me most wasn't its area as much as its volume. At six feet tall, I was able to walk fully upright in the area that had once been completely filled with vegetation. It's unclear how much of this was the work of the fire, and how much due to the cleanup efforts of the firefighters.

The floor of the area was six inches thick with the charred, pulverized remains of the trees and bushes that had caught fire. Moreover, the fencing in the area was completely warped — likely owing to the heat of the fire. In places, the charred bark of the trees had either fallen or been burned off, and the color contrast reminded me of severe burns to people.

What was more difficult to capture in a photo were the smell, the sound, and the feel of the area. Most things remaining were charred, and you could smell it. The surviving trees and bushes in the area still had charred bark where the fire had been. The ground consisted mostly of black ashes, and with each step you sank an inch or two. The sound of it wasn't quite as loud as a crunch; it was more like a muffled crackle. Nearly every human sense elicited the thought of fire.

Fire in the Night, v2

2012-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

Emergency personnel respond to a fire sparked by an explosion last night near some high-voltage power lines in Mountain View. Firefighters extinguished the fire after it burned a reported 1 acre of land near the La Avenida exit of the Steven's Creek Trail. As of this morning, the Pacific Gas and Electric company was still dealing with downed power lines from the incident.

So Long, New York

2012-01-12T04:13:00.000-08:00

After a week of scurrying around the northeast, I'm back home. I spent the last two days in New York and New Jersey, and JFK airport was the springboard for my journey back home. Here are two photos from the last leg of my trip.

The sky was overcast as we rose above the city. NYC was a bit brighter and a lot larger than most of the other cities we flew past on the way home.

Later on during the flight, light from the the mostly-full moon reflected off the clouds as we passed over the midwest.

PAW: Evening Thoughts

2012-01-09T00:14:00.000-08:00

A quick photo during my trip to MIT.

PAW: Jump!

2012-01-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

En Vacances

2012-01-02T01:01:00.000-08:00

During the week prior to Christmas Day, L and I took a short road trip to Los Angeles. We managed to see friends and family down in LA, as well as in the Bay Area after our return. Here are some pictures.

(Clockwise from right) Jared, L, and Christine listen as Amanda plays the yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer) in her garage.

Patrick gives his mom an unexpected kiss after an impromptu dance practice in the kitchen.

Patrick's dad, Blas Sr., looks up into an avocado tree that he had grown from a seed.

A person sits facing the Pacific Ocean sunset.

Patrick writes a message in the sand.

Patrick helps his cousin Alisa learn a song on the guitar.

An impromptu portrait of L

"Come On!"
A child tries to compel his chaperone to keep walking.

"Attack of the Aunties"
An auntie goes for the slam dunk alley-oop after a baby bobbles a morsel of food.

Gary's wife and daughter reach for his cheeks during a meal.

Saxophrenia

2011-12-27T12:51:00.000-08:00

This is a blast from the past. See pages 10/11 of The Tech (Volume 126, Issue 55) for the original coverage.

The MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble frequently featured guest performers at their concerts. The Nov 18, 2006 concert, entitled "Saxophrenia and Other Benign Maladies," was no exception: it featured guest director Mark S. Harvey (also an MIT lecturer), as well as saxophone soloist Arni Cheatham. I only just discovered that the two had played together in the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, which is directed by Harvey.

Anyway, fast-forward to the end of the concert. The final song was "Movin' On," a piece composed by Harvey. People were trading solos left and right, and the energy was building as the close of the concert drew near. Finally, Cheatham stood up for a solo with saxes in both hands. I could hardly believe my eyes. And from chatting with pianist Matthew J. Rosario (right, rear) afterward, it was apparently a surprise to the rest of the players as well.

Well, wow. Holy smokes. Certainly an evening to remember. If you'd like a print, just click here or on the image above, and then look on the right side.

REI

2011-12-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Toys for Tots, and Grown-ups Too

2011-12-10T14:30:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday, while en route to OSH, I spotted a fire truck, with lights flashing, turning into a parking lot and decided to follow it. It turns out that the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (which encompasses both fire and police) was running an annual half-day event where people could donate toys to Toys for Tots in exchange for a round-the-block ride in a fire truck. The event took place in the Toys"R"Us parking lot near Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd.

A woman climbs into the cab of a fire engine.

Public Safety Officer Cortez waits at the head of the line to receive donated toys and usher the groups of people toward the waiting trucks. Many of the toys were then collected in the rear of the vintage fire truck on the left.

The truck, a functional 1929 Ahrens-Fox fire engine, was for all intents and purposes a child magnet. Once one parent had pulled a child off of the truck, it was only a matter of time before another child would climb up into the open cab.

A mother (left, obscured) reaches for the clapper of the fire bell to stop her son from ringing it.

Public Safety Officer Lyons smiles for the camera while visiting with his family. Lyons had spent the earlier parts of the day in the driver's seat of one of the fire trucks.

A public safety explorer helps a father and daughter buckle in for the engine ride.

Misty in Mountain View

2011-11-29T21:03:00.001-08:00

The weather in Mountain View over the past two days has been downright peculiar. I've been busy with other stuff, but my camera practically forced itself into my hands and I had to take a picture or two.

I liked the contrast of the bright, organic leaves against the neutral sky and the neutral geometric shapes of the building. I shot this Monday morning outside of Posh Bagel, on Mountain View's Castro street, after a quick brainstorm session at breakfast.

And another from this evening. Photography is a great stress-reliever. I was going for a walk and I spotted some color in the dark night sky. I always like these guys since the stand out so sharply against any kind of light on the horizon, which in this case was in the form of a giant, backlit cloud of mist.

Street

2011-11-25T10:13:00.001-08:00

Spent last weekend pretending to be a street photographer. Photos are in chronological order, starting off in Berkeley, then SF Chinatown, then Pier 39 for the tree lighting.

PAW: Together

2011-11-06T20:44:00.000-08:00

"Hold on tight"
A man gets dinner as his child holds on for the ride.

"What time is it? Lemme see your watch!"
A boy eagerly checks the time on a relative's watch as they ride on Caltrain. The two were returning from AT&T Park on Saturday, where they watched the UC Berkeley Golden Bears trounce the Washington State Cougars with a 30-7 final score.

PAW: Halt for Halloween

2011-10-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Inebriated Halloween revelers control traffic on Mountain View's Castro St. around 11:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 29th.

The CAKE was not a lie

2011-10-29T03:57:00.000-07:00

Busy as always. Here's a sneak peak at the last two days.

Candles burn into the night, throwing light on flower petals and other decorations during Google's celebration of Diwali this past Thursday, Oct. 27th.

A Googler brandishes his fangs as another looks on during Googleween, celebrated on Friday, Oct. 28th.

An assistant checks frontman John McCrea's guitar in preparation for CAKE's performance at Googleween on Friday.

PAW: bjones minus bjones

2011-10-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Title inspired by garfield minus garfield.

Fellowship

2011-10-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

If you're jealous, I totally understand. It's not every day when you get to see The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring with music performed live by a full orchestra and two choirs.

If you must go and are in the area, the final performance is later today (Sunday), at 6:00 pm at Sacramento's Power Balance Pavilion. Click here to hop over to Ticketmaster.

Portraits

2011-10-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

I've been busy doing stuff :o) Still putting things up here and there. Here are two portraits

A firefighter sits in his engine during the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, held Oct. 15th and 16th this year.

Two friends dance during a mid-afternoon performance by Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at The Googleplex.

Full Service

2011-10-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving was celebrated this past Monday, Oct 10 throughout Canada. To visit some friends and join in the celebration, I took a short trip up to Vancouver over this past weekend. While waiting to get on the plane for SFO->YVR, I pulled out my camera and managed to spot some neat stuff.

It had never even occurred to me that jetliner windscreens get dirty until I spotted someone cleaning one. When flights are delayed and travelers are weary, it's all too easy to forget all the different folks who help turn around an aircraft as quickly as possible. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I hope this serves as a small reminder.

This is (I believe) an Asiana Airlines 777-200ER which was parked at the gate next to mine at SFO's international terminal. The windscreen cleaner used a high-mechanical-advantage handcrank to open and close the windscreens. Below and to the left, the guy in yellow is unloading bulk cargo from the front cargo hold. At the same time, folks are restocking beverages and snacks from the SkyChefs scissor truck. I believe other folks had already finished unloading passenger luggage from the aft cargo hold by the time I shot this.

Two members of the ground crew greet each other with a hug while waiting for a bulk cargo pallet to be loaded and secured on the trailer in the top-right of the image.

An Air Canada crewmember for my flight does her hair as she and the other cabin crew chat while on their way to the gate.

Canada bound! A quick photo of a cup against the sky as a backdrop.

Google Mela 2011

2011-10-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

Google Mela is an annual cultural celebration which is timed to coordinate with the Indian Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 15th. "Mela" itself means "gathering" in Sanskrit. This year's event took place on August 18th. Click on any of the photos to jump to the full set of 30 images.

Above, Googler Stephanie Chiang performs a belly dance routine during this year's celebration.

Audience members nearly fill the Charlie's cafeteria patio area during a performance featuring Bollywood-style dance. The group was organized by perennial dancer and dance promoter Anna Botelho.

A woman spins her parasol while facing away from the audience at the start of a second Bollywood performance, later in the event.

The Nightwatchman Rocks The Googleplex

2011-09-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, Tom Morello as The Nightwatchman played a set for the Music Beta by Google concert series. Morello is well-known for his role as guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, as well as for the since-disbanded group Audioslave. During the performance, Morello shared the stage with backing guitarist Carl Restivo.

An assistant helps Restivo to switch guitars between songs. The two played a variety of songs from The Nightwatchman's new album, "World Wide Rebel Songs," including one that Morello described as a "love song" to his new steel-stringed acoustic, "Black Spartacus."

A girl sits on her father's shoulders as the two listen to The Nightwatchman play This Land Is Your Land, originally by folk musician Woody Guthrie. In addition to the more-well-known lyrics of the song, Morello included a hidden verse from the original, which he introduced with a short list of instructions for the audience:

Listen and learn
Answer the question ("Is this land still made for you and me?")
Sing along
Jump the fuck up

Afterward, Morello invited everyone in the audience onstage to help sing "World Wide Rebel Songs," which he had written to celebrate a selfless act by Korean guitar makers. The guitar makers had been fired en masse after forming a union with the hope of improving their working conditions. Morello played a benefit concert for the group, but the group decided to donate the funds toward relief efforts in Haiti after the major earthquake there in January, 2010.

Above, Morello smiles and the audience applauds after the song comes to an end.

After the applause had subsided a bit, Morello asked if the audience wanted to sing it again, and the crowd shouted their assent. Above, Morello strains as he plays the last few harmonica notes near the end of the concert.

Click on any of the images above to jump to the full set of photos.

Correction: the original version of this article incorrectly said that the concert concluded with three singings of "This Land Is Your Land." It actually concluded with "This Land Is Your Land," followed by two singings of "World Wide Rebel Songs."

My Precious...

2011-09-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

I think this is one of the most sinister-looking cats I've ever seen. The bookstore was closed, and that cat was mostly still, except to turn its head to look at me as I took a couple photos.

A Confluence of Sound, part 1

2011-09-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last few weeks pondering how to dig myself out of what has become an inundation of concert photos. I've finally figured something out, so here we go, in some kind of weird reverse chronological order.

Correction: I had mistakenly called the second group "Hot Club of San Francisco." The quartet's actual name is "Le Jazz Hot", and they are a subset of the Hot Club of San Francisco.

Note: click on a photo below to get to that respective set of photos.

About two weeks ago, YouTube Presents brought Taylor Swift to the Googleplex for an interview. I was fortunate to be one of the two official photographers for the event.

The interviewer, Kevin Alloca, presented both written and video questions posed by Taylor's fans, along with a couple questions of his own. I think one of my favorites was a video question from a fan: "Taylor[…] what is your definition of beauty?" Her response was succinct and thoughtful: "I think for me, beauty is sincerity."

A week prior, Le Jazz Hot played at the Googleplex on August 26th. Patterned after jazz guitarist Django Rhinehardt's famous band, Quintette du Hot Club de France, Le Jazz Hot specializes in the same style of gypsy jazz and features a similar instrumentation.

Near the end of the concert, the group rotated instruments — everyone in the front row cycled right by one position, and the bassist brought out a trumpet to play.

Fresh off their reunion performance at the Outside Lands Festival, on August 20th Latyrx performed at Google on one stage with Jazz Mafia, Skins & Needles, Kat "O1O" Ouanu, and Joyo Velarde (left, in photo). Latyrx is the partnership of rappers Lyrics Born (center) and Lateef the Truthspeaker (right). Lateef, Lyrics Born, and Velarde were all members of the Solesides collective, which became Quannum Projects in the late nineties.