Ernesto and Alex

I went to No Future CafĂ© last night because I’ve been feeling horrible the past couple days.

I overheard Ernesto and Alex talking about finding a drummer. They’re in a band and still in high school. (Ugh, that made me feel old. Whatev.)

We talked throughout the show about music and being in a band. They told me about their musical background, plus they play an acoustic set once a week locally.

I made sure to give them our demo and my card.

Very cool guys. I hope to see them perform live sometime soon — as long as they get back to me!

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Photowalk around Old Town Pasadena

Copy and pasted from this Flickr thread I started:

I’ve got all day to chill before our 9PM gig at Old Towne Pub (Pasadena, CA).

Would anyone like to meet at 5:30pm?

I’ve mapped a ?2.7 mile route at Google Maps.

We don’t have to walk that route!

For those who rely on Metro, Memorial Park Station might be a good meeting place.

That would give us 90 minutes before sunset. We could walk around that area, and even get some night photography in.

Depending on where we are, I’d want to be at Old Towne Pub at 8:15pm (just so I’m not in a rush). Perhaps we could dine at a place nearby.

If you’d like to stay for our show at 9pm, you know we’d love the fans! (Note: You need to be 21+ to get into Old Towne Pub.)

I’m just throwing it out there.

I’m not sure about parking. I personally need to find a spot close enough for me to lug my bass and amp to Old Towne Pub.

Let me know if you’re down by leaving a comment here or through my contact page. Otherwise, have a great weekend!

Cup of coffee and a lens hood, please

Bryan and the DIY lens hood

Need a lens hood for your inexpensive 50mm f/1.8? Try using the paper sleeve from your cup of coffee or espresso!

For the Canon lens, it’s barely large enough to sit on the rotating part of the lens. You’d need to unravel it so its diameter is wide enough, then tape it.

If you don’t mind looking slightly foolish, it’s better than nothing!

Credit goes to Silas Perez for the idea and photo of me — we were hanging out at Starbucks the other day.

Digital Days Photo Contest

Are you a budding photographer? Want to attend a cool workshop that won’t break the bank?

My friend, Drew Bennett of BenSpark.com is offering six 2-day passes for Digital Days Photography Workshops in a few major cities.

  • Palm Springs , CA – April 4 & 5, 2009
  • Boston, MA – April 18 & 19, 2009
  • San Francisco, CA – April 25 & 26, 2009
  • New York, NY – May 16 & 17, 2009
  • Nashville, TN – May 30 & 31, 2009
  • Atlanta, GA – June 6 & 7, 2009

All you need to do is enter your best photo into his Flickr group by March 31st, 2009.

Get yourself over to BenSpark.com for complete details. Enjoy!

Edgar

Edgar

While on the way to work using the Metro Gold Line, a several young girls and their teachers boarded the train. It must’ve been a field trip. The only open seats were around one man, all alone. He looked miserable. I waited until he had a solemn face, then snapped a photo.

The man sitting next to me chuckled at the girls and their conversations. He laughed after I took the photo.

“He looks so miserable, I couldn’t help myself,” I whispered, snickering quietly.

We talked between Lincoln/Cypress station and Union Station. He asked me if photography was my career (not yet). His roommate, Travis Tanner, is a photographer.

“Where is your accent from?”

Columbia Colombia, South America,” he told me. “What about you?”

“I’m from here.” I knew he meant my ethnicity.

“Where are you parents from?”

“They’re from the Philippines, but I was born and raised here.”

Edgar was between jobs. He’s been working in television production for the past ten years, but was let go. They were all with Spanish language television channels — I forget which ones specifically. He said he was going to apply for jobs with other networks, like CBS and NBC.

Before the train stopped at Union Station, I asked him if I could take his portrait. Since we were inches away, I used my 18-55mm lens.

Good luck finding your next job, Edgar.

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