Color Changes
Clouds over Palm Springs Monday afternoon, January 9 2023, as storms moved into California. Watch for the sky color changes. Time-lapse.
F-18’s Takeoff
Two F-18’s taking off out of Palm Springs California. iPhone video on a very hazy day. The iPhone is great because it is always with me. But the results are often not what I would consider professional. You might have noticed that the latest “Top Gun” movie was not shot on an iPhone.
The Weather Came In
This afternoon the weather came in and the weather went out. But all around us in Palm Springs there were thunderstorms, leaving behind flooding hours later.
REACH Air Ambulance Helicopter
A REACH medical helicopter en route to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs California
Full Moon Rising
The full Moon rising in Palm Springs just above the horizon through clouds and haze.
Bird Party
I came home the other day to find a bird party in my front yard. A foursome playing cards perhaps.
The Leica Film Look
Going a different direction for some of my photography. Will be shooting some film in a Leica lllf camera. This camera was manufactured in 1952 or 1953. All manual and not even a light meter. I always loved the look of film shot in Leica cameras.
Peaking Power Plant
Out shooting with the new Fujifilm GFX100 camera and GF45mm lens. A medium format 100 megapixel digital camera system. I am much more impressed with this camera system than I had expected. The image quality is extraordinary!
This is the “Peaking Power Plant” in the North end of Palm Springs California. It was designed and built to provide additional power during peak demand such as occurs in the high heat of the Summer.
The Sculpture Of The Windmill
I do find the windmills fascinating. This is here in Palm Springs. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Series camera.
Not Far
Downtown Palm Springs today. Something to look through, the alien babies are still there, and every sidewalk needs a yellow cow with polka dots.
Air Force One Arrival
Air Force One arriving in Palm Springs California at 10:30am this morning (Wednesday February 19, 2020). Fujifilm X-H1 camera and Fujifilm XF 50-140mm F2.8 lens.
Pool Time Palm Springs
It is always pool time in Palm Springs. Photo shoot with TJ. Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting.
Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game
The Palm Springs Air Museum was honored to have opened the Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game at sunset last night, Sunday at Big League Dreams Sports Park with a flyby of our World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc”. I was there to photograph the moment.
The annual Police and Firefighters game was renamed to honor the two fallen Palm Springs Police Officers from last year, Lesley Zerebny and Jose Gilbert Vega, with the proceeds going to the Palm Springs Police Officer’s Memorial Fund. We are very Thankful to have been there to pay our respects.
Up Close
Like nowhere else, you get up close at the Palm Springs Air Museum. That is where you find me with my favorite Hasselblad cameras. The cameras that orbited the Earth and went to the Moon.
This plane coming in from a flight demonstration is the North American Aviation T-28 Trojan… I have been told that it, in many ways, actually outperforms the famed P-51 Mustang of World War II. The T-28… “a basic trainer that was ordered in four advanced versions, the T-28A for the U.S Air Force and T-28B and T-28C, by the U.S. Navy, with the latter version designed for carrier training operations and the AT-28D. It was the first trainer designed to transition pilots to jet aircraft. In its second life, the AT-28D was used in counterinsurgency missions and later as a ground-support fighter in Southeast Asia. It’s a remarkably strong, fast, and capable airplane, and the big Wright radial engine makes that wonderful music that only a round engine can. The Trojan was the first American fixed wing attack aircraft lost in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.”
“Specifications and Performance –
T-28B Engine: One, Wright Cyclone R-1820-86 radial piston Engine. Horsepower: 1,425 hp., at sea level with auxiliary supercharger. Dimensions:Wing Span: 40.1. Length: 33 ft., Height: 12.8 ft., Weight Empty: 6,424 lbs. Maximum Speed: 343 mph Service Ceiling: 35,500 ft.”
Autumn For Only Minutes
Only a few minutes into Autumn and I am already looking back at Summer. I can’t help it, I had such wonderful models in my pool for photo shoots like the breathtaking Noel VanBrocklin.
Shoot Notes… The wonderful makeup and hair styling by Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor. Only the best!
Scenic Imagination
So great fun doing photo shoots in interesting and scenic places. Sometimes they do not seem scenic at first, but then just use your imagination. The imagination of knowing what something will look like in the photograph. One of my favorite photo shoots, this time with bodybuilder Daniel Hill.
My World
The ever so gorgeous Maria Bertrand, often in front of my camera. And my friend! I am so lucky that so very many of the beautiful women and good looking guys I photograph become and remain my friends.
One of my buddies was walking around an event with me a few months ago. He said, looking around at the crowd… “None of these people look like the people you photograph”. Very true! Nothing wrong with it but the thought stayed with me. I do indeed work and live in a different world than many. Just different. I guess I did recognize that some time back when I named the portfolios on my Website as “My World”.
So maybe visit the “My World’s” on my Website at SecondFocus.com. Maria Bertrand is certainly there. Some of you too are there. And there will be more, changing it soon! Thanks!
Shoot notes… Maria Bertrand photographed by me. Makeup and Hair Styling by the Estee Lauder featured Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
First Shoots
It was not John Black‘s first photo shoot. He has actually been getting some good modeling jobs. But it was his first photo shoot with me. First photo shoots are important because it gets you into a mindset so you know how each other works. Then when I have an assigned or commissioned shoot, I can cast or recommend you with confidence. So John is now up at the top of my list. Shoot notes… Photographed here in Palm Springs. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Here We Go!
Coming up to that time of year when all of the activities at the Palm Springs Air Museum really get going. Flight demonstrations, special presentations and programs, chili cook-offs, car shows and so much more fun! And even when there is not something specifically scheduled, you never know what you might see.
This day we sure did know what to expect. A Navy EA-6B Prowler coming in from a carrier in the Persian Gulf to retire at the Museum. What a sight to see that was! Wow! You can check out that amazing aircraft today at it’s permanent home. Come take a look! You will often find me there with my cameras!
Dos Palmas Preserve
The Dos Palmas 14,000 acre wildlife preserve and oasis near the Salton Sea. It has become one of my regular stops. It almost seems like these palms could come alive and be some kind of fairy tale creature wandering the landscape.
Salton Sea Not A Painting
Not “photoshop” either. From yesterday on another photo excursion and location scouting. The Salton Sea is ever fascinating.
Close Enough?
Famed war photographer Robert Capa said “If your photographs are not good enough, you’re not close enough”. Probably not applicable here but I thought it was a good excuse to get closer to the gorgeous Sherry Goggin in our photo shoot. Click on this photo to see the photograph that was the result. One of my all time favorites and on my website at http://bit.ly/1Ik2Rgy
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