My Michael Jackson Connection

All-America DavidOn June 13, 2005 I got a call from my sister. She and her roommates had decided to drive up to where the Michael Jackson trial was being held to witness the craziness that was happening there daily. Ventura, where I was living at the time, was on the way so she asked if I wanted to come along. I am always in for an adventure, so I hopped in the car with my sister Harmony, and her roommates Sarah, Joanna and David and set course for Santa Maria California. I took a lot of pictures on our adventure, but this is the first time I have published them.

Heal the World.When we arrived we had no idea that this would be the day that the verdict was delivered. We got to the courthouse very shortly after the news went out: The Australian"Not Guilty." It was pandemonium. People were cheering, some were boo-ing, total strangers we hugging in the streets. I remember specifically one man from Australia who came out just to support Micheal. He gave many intense news interviews. We heard that after MJ's arraignment, he had invited everyone present to come back to Neverland to enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere. We thought this might be a possibilty now and we weren't going to miss out on that. We also weren't the only ones with that idea.

Never, Neverland.The gates of Neverland were firmly shut, but that didn't stop the throngs of supporters who were content just to be there. It was a truly bizarre scene. A few of the Jackson entourage came out to thank the supporters. At one point, Tito Tito on the Scene.said hello from behind the gates. Everyone was waiting to see if Michael would come out and say something to the crowd, but eventually we were told that he was tired and would not be seen. Our Jacksonian adventure was over.

Although I love his music, I am definitely not one of the hardcore Jackson supporters. In fact, I still think he most likely committed some crimes against children. However, his contribution to music and culture cannot be denied. He was an utterly complex individual with many positives and negatives about him. Does his story remind anyone else of that of Anakin Skywalker? Hopefully Quincy Jones isn't working on a Vader-style suit...

More photos from my day on the Michael Jackson news beat.

Technologic Overkill: The First Music Video Shot on an iPhone 3GS

I present, the first Music Video shot on iPhone 3GS!

Technologic Overkill is the first music video shot on an iPhone 3GS. The song by XFYA accompanies the plight of a little blue robot and his attempt to be relevant in an increasingly technological world.

Youtube Link (click to watch on an iPhone)

UPDATE(July 3rd):
Many people have asked me where they can download the MP3 of this song. I am happy to say that XFYA has graciously allowed me to post it here as a free download.
Download Technologic Overkill MP3

Like what your see? Subscribe to my RSS or follow me on Twitter. Any Questions about this video visit my Contact Page.

Pocket Cam: The Cowboy and The Bull

This edition of Pocket Cam takes place in the famous Galleria in Milano, Italy. It documents two everyday occurences that are a little bit strange out of context. Watch:

The Cowboy is just one of the many different animatronic toys that vendors are selling inside the Galleria. I think their main selling strategy is to have people trip over them in the busy path.

The Bull is a particular tile mosaic on the floor of the Galleria. It is said to be good luck to grind your heel in a circle three times on this bull's testicles. It is a very popular tourist attraction. Go figure.

If you liked this video check out Scenes from Paris in Six Acts and This Puppet Thinks You're Beautiful.

Pocket Cam: Piano Concert at Bellevue

I shot this video a couple of weeks ago. This guy had hauled a piano out to Bellevue in Zürich and was playing for tips. Props to him for the manual labor at minimum.

Similar videos include Stand by Me in the Niederdorf and This Puppet Thinks You're Beautiful.

Pocket Cam: Sechseläuten 2009

This edition of Pocket Cam features footage from Sechseläuten, one of my favorite holidays. If you don't know what it is, watch until the end to see one of the reasons I like it so much.

Enjoying what you see here? Follow me on Twitter or Subscribe to my RSS.

Intervalometry: Monmartre, Paris.

This is a time lapse I shot in Monmartre at the base of the Sacre Coeur by the carousel. Movie buffs will recognize this location from Amelie. You will also recognize the Bracelet Makers if you have watched my Scenes from Paris in Six Acts. Karla and I got engaged here four years ago.

Pocket Cam: This Puppet Thinks "You're Beautiful"

Here is an entrancing scene I captured right next to the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, Paris.

iPhone Friendly Youtube Version

I am definitely not a James Blunt fan. However, something about this song being sang by a Marionette makes it much more tolerable. This is a perfect true life scene to me. My favorite part is when I finally pan up to reveal the puppeteer. You can really tell how much he enjoys what he does. If you are ever in Paris and run into this guy, be sure to toss hime some change.

Photo Blog # 36: Bonus Paris Edition

I love these Metro signs.

Sacre Coeur

Mona Lisa. Smile!

Drama unfolding at the Louvre

Paris Punk.

Selling Miniatures

Phantoms of the Louvre

Venus De Milo, You dont care nothin' about me.

Tourists.

A bird flies through the Latin Quarter.

Pocket Cam: Scenes from Paris

I have just returned from a trip from Paris with my wife and brother in-law. Over the 4 days that we were there, I shot lots of photos, video and a time lapse or two. Over the next few weeks I will be posting the best of it. First up, the second installment of Pocket Cam. This time it's a montage of little scenes I captured in the streets of Paris. Enjoy!

CameraBag for iPhone. It makes the iPhone Camera Usable!

Those of you who follow me in Twitter might have noticed me talking about an iPhone app called CameraBag and noticed some unique shots on Twitpic. I had heard of this app for a while and finally decided to drop the $2.99 and buy it. It is now one of the apps I use most.
CameraBag is a simple app that processes photos from the iPhone camera or photo roll with one of 9 different effecst. All of the effects are meant to mimic vintage camera or development process. Such as Helga(a Holga Look), Instant(- Polaroid style), or 1962(a high contrast black and white look). Check out these examples:




Article continues:


I never really used to take pictures with the iPhone camera because a.) it sucks and b.) I always have my Canon g9 with me. With CameraBag however, I have started to take a lot more pictures with the iPhone. I now find my self thinking things like "this shot would look great in a square crop like a holga" or "this would look great in black and white". Now I can take a shots with a CameraBag setting in mind.

I think the brilliance of CameraBag is that it is not trying to improve the images, but degrade them in a artistic way. CameraBag let's you shoot with your iPhone for the same reason you would shoot with a Holga or Polaroid - for that unique, lo-fi look.

One caveat with this app. In the settings you can choose what resolution the files are processed in. I have noticed that if you use the highest setting, the app can be buggy and crash. I have had no problem with the 800 pixel setting however.

List of CameraBag effects and my opinion of them.

  1. Helga
    Simulates the look of a Holga toy camera. Complete with vignette and square crop. Adds contrast and desaturates a bit. Its a good one.
  2. Instant
    This is a polaroid simulation. As you see in the examples about, it even adds the polaroid frame. This adds contrast and a brownish tint. I also like this one a lot.
  3. Mono
    A simple black and white conversion. Also adds a white border. This one can be nice when you want a smooth Black and White look.
  4. 1962
    Another B&W conversion. This one is much higher contrast. It can be nice in certain situations. The first image example used this effect.
  5. Fisheye
    This one is basically worthless to me. It would be better if they added some other kind of processing to it istead of just warping it and making a circle crop. There is not example of this on my post because it's too lame.
  6. Infrared
    Simulates shooting on infrared B&W film. Camerabag does a great job at this. Daytime skies go pitch black, greens glow white. High contrast. The second shot in my examples is infrared.
  7. Lolo
    I assume this is a play on Lomo. This is a square cropped, punchy saturated effect with a white border. I like this one a lot.
  8. Cinema
    A bluish, contrasty, desaturated look in a 16:9 crop. I'm not a fan of this one.
  9. 1974
    Slightly sepia and desaturated with a border. Not my favorite.

In conclusion, if you find yourself not using the iPhone camera, give this app a try. It might just be what you are looking for.