Some Christmas candids

Here are a few candid shots taken Christmas morning at my brother's home.

Jack with baby Bobby.  I didn't get a lot of smiles from Bobby this Christmas

Mary, Ed (Jr.) and his girlfriend, Vanessa

These two cousins (Samantha and Marissa) were practically inseparable

Kayla, Bear and Marty

Brother-in-law, Jim, opening his gift from his mother-in-law

New New Year

Well I didn't do so well last year in keeping the blog up. I hope to make 2010 the magic year for that and other areas of my photography - specifically my website http://www.bbrockphotos.com/. For the first entry of this year I will post some train photos I just entered in a contest. The theme was "Beyond the Engine" as they wanted photos featuring other aspects of the railroad experience. I had a few to choose from but was surprised that so many of my photos were of the engine or aspects of various depots that did not really have a railroad feel to them.

New generation of photographers

First - Happy New Year! May 2009 be all you hope it will be.

At the San Juan Capistrano train station I came across this young aspiring photographer. Her parents graciously allowed me to take the following photos. I think my favorite part is how the neck strap became a body strap for her. I love shooting candids with a telephoto lens. It allows me to get up close without giving young subjects a case of the "shys".

"I got it Mom. Compose, focus and press the button"

"Ok, give me a big smile now"

"That's it, that's what I want. Damn I am good"

"Kiss the camera!"

More boats on parade

Christmas boat parade

Dana Point, California has an annual boat parade each Christmas season on the first 2 weekends in December.  Boaters compete by decorating their boats with lights.  Crowds gather all along the harbor as the boats parade up and down.  Here are just a few of them.

Another look at the Mission

I love to take photos at the San Juan Capistrano Mission - known as the "Jewel of the Missions".  There are ruins, gardens, stonework galore.  I have revisited the mission and used a technique called HDR (High Dynamic Range).  This techniques allows me to capture the brightest brights, the darkest shadows and everything in between.  I hope you enjoy these photos.

New, new, new

Wowwee, wowwee!  There are so many new things going on with my photography in the last few weeks I don't know where to begin.  New techniques, new places to shoot, new types of photos and new people to photograph.  I have been neglectful of my blog due to the number of photo projects on my plate.  I have made some exciting plans that will be in the works this next month and into the new year.  I will have a place to view my photos the way I have envisioned it for so long.  All of that is to come.  But today I want to share some photos from last months trip to Valley of Fire outside of Las Vegas.  It is a photographers dream and I am sure I will post more photos from there shortly.  Oh yeah, Happy Thanksgiving!