Not So Still Life Photography Blogsite

Civil War Reenactment Days

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:56:48 +0000

On Saturday I was part of a group with special photographer passes to the battlefield for a Civil War Reenactment Day.

Topical Tuesday (25)

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 03:17:39 +0000

Safari West – Wild Animal Photo Shoot

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:06:01 +0000

Today I made the two hour car ride from San Jose to Santa Rosa to visit Safari West with a Meetup Group. We saw many animals in all states of rest and activity. Some were quite docile during our visit, like the cheetah above, and some saw our jeep full of photographers as a threat. This ostrich in particular seemed to want to get the closest look possible at our group.

Crazy Ostrich Attacks Our Jeep at Safari West! from Danielle Stolman on Vimeo.

After coming in close to look at our group the ostrich refused to move despite our best efforts to make noise including playing music to startle it (NIN’s The Perfect Drug), and our guide, Adrian, waving a stick in its general direction. Finally, we had to choose another way to get around the preserve.

Although I tried to keep the enclosures out of most of my photos, the rhino slipping her horn through the gate was just too cute for words.

Since our tour began at 4 p.m. we anticipated some of the animals might be less lively. Though this vulture was of the more tired variety, the texture of his feathers and his expression made this one of my favorite shots of the day.

Adrian, who was also previously the official Safari West Photographer, had asked our group if we just wanted to be shown the animals or to learn about them. Since we enthusiastically asked for facts we learned about species like this little fellow, the White Faced Whistling Duck. This adorable fellow never quacks, and yes we did get to hear his cute little whistle.

Our jeep was able to get very close up to the giraffes so that we could truly see how rough they were texturally.

One of my favorite animals, the zebra.

Our group rotated taking seats at the top of the Jeep. The ride up top was bumpy, yet breathtaking. I made sure to get a photo during the time I was at the top (my hair really windblown during out three hour tour).

Our group thoroughly enjoyed the tour, and we highly recommend it for photographers and animal lovers alike.

Topical Tuesday (24)

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:41:08 +0000

Fire Dancing: Temple of Poi – San Francisco

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:03:56 +0000

On Saturday night at Union Square in San Francisco, a large collection of fire dancers game together as part of the Temple of Poi event.

Many thanks to my friend Matthew for accompanying me up to San Francisco to see this wonderful show.

Happy Earth Day – Landscape Photography

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 03:35:22 +0000

Ever since I’ve been carrying a point and shoot camera with me on runs, I’m much more likely to take a random shot of something than I was when I was just using my iPhone. A few weeks ago I noticed a beautiful egret and only got a few shots of its reflection in the water before it flew off, not giving me the chance to photograph the bird and the reflection together as I wanted to. While I still think it’s a good photo, the whole bird and reflection would have been optimal. It does however, remind me of the message of Earth Day. We have this beautiful planet and one shot to take care of parts of it, or they will disappear before our eyes as well.

Topical Tuesday (23)

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:10:48 +0000

On April 19, 2009, I ran my first half marathon, the Santa Cruz Half Marathon and 10K. I had chosen that race as I loved the city, and as it was the birthdate of my late dad who loved running, and only later did I find out that it also happened to be the official marathon race the running group I would later join was running as well. That day was hot and humid, and I definitely felt a real accomplishment as I did it. I wanted to run it again this year to commemorate it on April 11th, unfortunately I registered too late and could only get into the 10K. So I came up with another way to commemorate my first long race: I’d run a 5K, a 10K and then a half marathon, all within a series of 8 days.

Both long and short races have their merits for me. A short race can be a great start to the day, and the spirit is often one of happy everyone can join in and do this kind of feels. The longer races being more challenging have been aid stations (water, gels, bananas, etc.) and often have better finishing awards usually a medal, occasionally a necklace. Still each of the races I did in these eight days was a lot of fun for me.

I ran the Spartan 5K walk Run (April 10) the Santa Cruz 10K (April 11) and the Mermaid Half Marathon (April 17).

As a 3.1 race, my first race was the shortest race I’d ever entered. As it was at San Jose State University, where I obtained my degree in Photojournalism, and my good friend Jess was going to be walking it (as part of training for the Wharf to Wharf race), it was a good warm up event for me. As the online instructions said to be at least an hour early I was..and was the first runner to register.

It was expected to rain that day, though all we had were sprinkles. As the announcer tried to warm us up by telling us we were lucky as it wasn’t raining as predicted several people myself included helped her with the obvious punchline of “Not yet!”. The race was two and a half loops around campus. Despite starting off too fast, a hot dog start, I finished the race at a good pace for myself.

The next day, it was up and at em for my 10K in Santa Cruz. Unlike last year, it was very cold and it was raining before the race start. It made for a gloomy sprinkly 10K race. The local tides splashed many as we ran by.

I was enjoying the run and the scenery very much, when all too sudden I saw this:

As I headed back, the rain started coming down a bit more forcefully, so I was grateful as I saw the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in the distance and a bit later the finish line. It started pouring soon very after, so thanks to a happy accident of fate I wasn’t drenched that day, as I would have been had I been in the half marathon.

I then had less than a week off of races before my largest in the series, came up.

To my delight I found Ada, shown with me below, who had emailed my running group about the Mermaid Run a discount coupon. We ran together the first seven miles or so, then as she has a faster pace than me, I suggested she take of and maybe I’d catch her..and that was the last I saw of her until the finish line as I was finishing and she and her husband say we coming in (as they were enjoying their chocolate chip pancakes), and cheered for me.

The course was amazingly beautiful. I enjoyed the wildlife and landscape during my run.

Since the announcer was announcing everything by the time I got to the finish, she even announced that I was taking a photo before I ran across the finish line.

As promised the necklace was beautiful and unique.

Congratulations Joe and Heather! (One Year Anniversary)

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:50:11 +0000

Today is the one year anniversary of Heather and Joe whose wedding I photographed last year. It is also the anniversary of the first half-marathon I ever ran, the Santa Cruz Half Marathon and 10K and finished a few hours before their wedding. It was the first, and to date the only wedding I ever photographed the same day as a major race (over 6 miles).

In some ways the start of a race is like the start of a wedding day shooting assignment for me. For each I try to mentally go over key parts and strategies for the day, and I’m filled with an excited energy.

I had already signed up for the race before I was asked to shoot the wedding, yet they were far apart enough in hours that I knew even with a slow finish time, I could easily do both time wise. Running helps me think of creative ideas, in fact I’ve had some of my most creative ideas while running. So when I showed up at their home, where they were to have a small backyard wedding, I was ready for an amazing day of capturing images.

As I was presenting the images to the couple they asked if I had any particular favorites. This was definitely one of them, and soon became one of their favorites as well.

A photo of me running my first half marathon just hours before the wedding. (Tomorrow there will be a special one year anniversary of my first half marathon post on the blog).

Heather and Joe met at JJ’s Blues, where I had worked as House Photographer for two years. By cooincidence I ran into them there around their sixth month anniversary with my (then) new Flip Video camera. We got to talking and they made a testimonial video for me:

Heather and Joe Wedding Testimonial from Danielle Stolman on Vimeo.

Sam Liccardo: Birthday Party and Re-election Kickoff Party

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:33:38 +0000

A few weeks ago a received a call from Lisa Jensen, Councilman Sam Liccardo’s campaign manager. I’d taken photos of Sam in costume at The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, at the time not recognizing him as the Councilman of my district (probably as I was in the pre-race zone), and she after finding them on this blog, wanted to use them for his birthday cake for his combination birthday party and re-election kick off party. I was thrilled to help out, being a fan of Sam’s work, by letting them be an in-kind campaign contribution.

I was also excited to be invited to his party which took place this Friday evening on the patios between Mezcal and Billy Berks. Upon arriving I found out that my photos had actually been used on two different cakes.

Sam made a quick introduction speech by standing on a chair and speaking without a microphone.

After his speech it was time to quickly light the candles so that Sam could blow them out. It was a cute statement that people worked together to light them.

Lisa described Sam as having a wonderful sense of humor (and anyone who runs in a Whoopie Cushion costume has one in my book). Though she knew he would be a great sport about the cakes, she wanted the designs to be a total surprise, and they were. His reactions were priceless.

Sam asked for two adorable sisters to help him blow out his second cake. I later learned these two were the first to (with a lift from their mom) dunk him in a dunking booth earlier this year). Still there were no hard feelings, and after they helped him blow them out, he gave them smiles and high fives.

It was great meeting Sam, Lisa and there many supporters in person. Lisa even took one great photo of Sam and I with the cakes. I wish Sam the best of luck, he has my vote, and if you are in District 3 of San Jose, please consider giving him your attention and vote as well.

Easter Brunch at Fremont Hilton with The Magnolia Jazz Band

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:11:03 +0000

Today my best friend, Colleen, and I had opportunity to celebrate Easter, enjoy a great meal and hear wondeful music all at once. There were actually two brunches held at The Fremont Hilton today, one at the Ginger Bar Restaurant, and a second in the ballroom with colorful tables and a buffet with Easter decorations all over.

While the brunches featured the same food, we had a lot of fun at the latter which included wonderful music from The Magnolia Jazz Band. Colleen felt inspired to dance with the Easter Bunny.

“Here Comes Peter Cotton Tale” – The Magnolia Jazz Band from Danielle Stolman on Vimeo.

“Fly Me to the Moon” performed by The Magnolia Jazz Band from Danielle Stolman on Vimeo.

As we listened to the beautiful jazz music and enjoyed a large table all to ourselves (due the really early brunch time I’d chosen), we each went up a few times to get food. Fresh salads featuring asparagus, spinach and strawberries, breakfast items including made to order omelets, and a magnificent dessert bar were all beautiful and tasty.

As always, the seafood station was my favorite of all.