The Photo of Santiago McKinn

Some things from the past few weeks. More photos of my photography students. The bottom composite is from my favorite place BEATNIK BOOKS. I've started taking photos of their third Saturday art walk in exchange for books. This time I got Steven Kings "The Stand" because I run into it at the library a lot and it seems interesting and Arthur C. Clarke's collaboration with Stephen Baxter called "The Light Of Other Days" because Clarke is brilliant.

"The Stand" is making me paranoid though. It's about a virus killing 99% of humanity and a battle between good and evil. I don't even care about good and evil but if you sneeze near me, expect a swift karate chop to the soul.

Photo Students and Dead Cows

So this is what I've been up too; climbing around the hills just outside of Fairfield, dancing in the cow graveyard and teaching a photo class at Newcastle Elementary. It really pleases me when the content of my recent photo excursions differs so drastically. Black and white close ups of death and playful children. That's awesome.

I idly snapped a photo during class today that is absolutely perfect for The Photo Book for Lonesome Children. I'm up to 28 photos for the book now. Bit stumped on what else to shoot for it. Probably more people. There's a lot of personification going on right now. Which is interesting and challenging, but there are way too many structures. More faces I think.

Time to scrounge craigslist for photography related jobs.

Honey Bucket

Walked about Chantry Hill in Newcastle the other day. Took a perfect shot for my book. And some nature! Lookit all that nature. Wow.

I really like Chantry Hill. Walking about in the fog and the rain made me feel like I was back on the coast. The dull roar of the freeway became the distant pulse of the surf. It was quite a POETIC and MEDITATIVE experience.

I really want to get more into landscapes, but I don't really appreciate the epic vista type of shot. The B&W shot of oaks almost sums up where I want to go with it.

Dogs Are So Dreamy

Aw man I ain't gots nuthin to say nohow neways.

I'll Be Returning When I Can

Was down in Palo Alto for the period of time that most people spend stressing about their family and gifts and traveling and their diet and whatever else. I mostly slept and played with a remote control helicopter.

Most photo time (photo thought really) is getting dedicated to my book. I did make a bunch of progress today! Lonesome crosses and mailboxes and suchlike. Climbing all over my town. Wonder if I'll ever get hassled by johnny law for my photographic proclivities..

Until next time friends!

I went to a black metal show and all I got was this lousy hearing loss.

Blogger likes to shove
all of my photos and text
into the middle.

It makes me feel like everything I write is a haiku, though I must admit it looks pretty good.

Went to San Francisco this past weekend to catch a black metal show. Got to see my old favorites Ash Borer and Fell Voices. I even bought some Ash Borer merchandise because I felt bad for those many times I got into their shows without paying. Velnias was there too, in all their candle lit glory. The band pictured is Lycus.
It was crushingly loud experience and I came away fully satisfied.

GOOD TIMES ALL AROUND AND I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY BUT THIS;
Those two dudes gathered around the Ms. Pac Man table look damn incongruous don't they just?

SUPER HAPPY SACCHARIN FUN ZONE ULTRA MUSTACHE HOUR

Portraits of severe looking old men do not mix well with action shots of kids playing. But that is what I took photos of today so DEAL.

I'm teaching a photography class at a charter school in Tahoe. We don't have cameras (I brought my own today) so the class invariably devolves into art/PE. And that's fine. Each day has a specific country that we focus on, so after viewing and discussing shots of New Zealand we went outside and I told the kids to find things for me to take photos of, the catch being that they have to direct me. Lots of loaded questions on my part.
These kids are rad. Hard to get kindergarteners to sit still for more than five photos, but whatever.
I think we'll turn a classroom into a camera obscura next week.

The old dude was at a rest area I stopped at. Chugged a carbonated caffeine drink, turned around and saw his majestic hair sculpture.
Had to ask.