Epic Status Photoblog

Lesson of the day: Don’t take yourself too seriously.

 

 

People, Unusual

 

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Action, Outdoor, People

After spending years as a flyer with a private team, my younger sister Ashley started cheerleading for Iowa State University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action, Attractions, Outdoor, People

Finally, late as usual, I have the last installment of the 3 part series of Halloween on Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.  Since I was a “photographer” I could carry some lighting equipment with me, and not get so many weird looks.  It works out great because I can achieve much better lighting than with standard on camera strobe flashes.

A facial costume of sorts, if you will.

 

She means business, let me tell ya.  Couldn’t even crack a smile out of her.

 

 

 

 

They had some girls line up on top of the pool table for me.  They probably mistakenly identified me as Arturo Fernandez again.  I didn’t ask, I just started snapping away and requesting more tinsel… more wind… oh and while you’re at it call the Zoo, some wild animals would look spectacular right over there.

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t want to ask.

 

 

As in “Seriously, this is my costume.”

 

By the end of the night, apparently I started having trouble figuring out who was in costume and who wasn’t.  While walking back to the car I snapped off this shot while we passed these two gentlemen.  I thought they were in costume as a Farmer and a Lawyer.  In my own embarrassing defense, the street wasn’t well lit… and what men dress up to go to Court Ave?  Maybe it was a wedding, a Halloween wedding.  I don’t know, but nevertheless I sincerely apologize for the mix up.

Bars, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Night, People

This is the second installment of a three part series from Halloween 2007 downtown, where I’m continuously mistaken for Des Moines Juice photographer Arturo Fernandez.

 

 

 

Nuked ‘em with flash.  Oops.  I can take horrible photos if I want to, I work for myself, remember.

 

 

 

This guy has been waiting for this picture for a few months, sorry man.  I have a feeling someone’s myspace icon will be changing soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Des Moines IA MMA girls

 

Bars, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Holidays, Night, Parties, People

This Halloween we did something different for a change.  Richards Dad and step mom previously hosted awesome annual Halloween parties, but decided that it’s too much work to continue.  We were forced to find something else to do, so we hit up downtown Des Moines.  This is the first of three posts from this night.

 

Just getting started at Johnny’s downtown

 

My beer maiden.

 

Richard had to see the butt doctor, lucky for him they had one on staff.

 

The humor that this suite invites is limitless.

 

 

I really enjoyed the idea of this taken out of the context of Halloween.  Imagine  just stumbling upon this photo somewhere.  It’s just something so strange you have to stop and think about what’s going on or where it is.  In case you haven’t picked up on it, I’m “into that stuff.”

 

 

It was one of those back and forth downtown nights.  We wandered between a few court avenue bars, trying to satisfy most everyone (or the loudest spoken) in our entourage.

 

Pee Wee spotted, hide your children.  Get that damn cellaphone out of my way.

 

Liars Club, Court Ave Downtown Des Moines on Halloween.

 

Excellent costumes and attention to detail.  They could have used a drink though.

 

 

 

 

Yes, a ballerina tu-tu tranny with penis in hand.  I’ve seen everything now.

 

 

 

I was managing to survive with getting tapped on the shoulder every other second with some desperate chick begging me to take a picture of her in costume.  But this is different.  These girls weren’t even in some poor attempt of a costume.  Nothing, zip, nada.  To pour salt on the wound, the begging “me me me, my turn, my turn” chick on the left wouldn’t stop staring at my remote flash.  I’m sure you’re brilliant in your own ways, but the lens is down here sweetie.

 

 

 

Much more still to come…

Bars, Des Moines, Downtown, Greatest Hits, Holidays, Night, People

A quick shoot of Tom and Amber’s kids before the sun gets too low.

 

 

 

 

Des Moines, Night, Outdoor, People

I took my new Sigma 18-50mm for a test drive.  Here’s some test shots of Cherish eating.

 

 

People

 

 

 

Action, People, Unusual

We went camping at Rock Creek State Park near Kellogg and Newton.

 

 

Ken busted out the slack line to test everyone’s balance.

 

 

 

 

Abe found a pair of “Antlers.”

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting findings along the nature trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After patiently waiting for them to align at the right moments, these random kids made decent subjects.

 

 

I needed a foreground object to place against the sky colors.  Unfortunately it was chow time and the sun was setting fast.  Ben and Abe became victims of chow face syndrom.

Greatest Hits, Nature, Outdoor, People, Travel

The much acclaimed Halo game franchise has concluded with Halo 3.  Hundreds of stores nationwide opened at midnight on the night of Monday the 24th for pre-sales.  In select larger cities the festivities included store sponsored parties, prize giveaways, and in-store game matches.  Above shows the Halo 3 release line at Game Stop in Urbandale Iowa at 8pm, 4 hours prior to the release.

 

Best Buy Halo 3 line at 8pm on Sept 24th.

 

Zoom forward to 11pm.

 

All kinds of people attended.  One guy brought his cat with, while a highly bearded guy appears to be praying.

 

 

 

Free Red Bull for everyone waiting in line.  It helped everyone stay awake long enough to get some games in before going to sleep.  Well, for those of us that went to sleep this night.

 

 

 

 

 

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This guy that works at ColorFX is a huge asshole.  Can I say that here?  Of course I can.  I don’t like to bust people out, but this is a valid exception.  Anyway, bigshot here is apparently more important than everyone else.  He employed this clever game of making small talk with someone ahead in line then walking in front of them, two or so at a time.  Very slick.  If you’re bigger than this ogre and see him in a dark alley, you know what to do.  

 

 

Hugs 25 Cents

 

Let the journey begin, or end… Halo 3 Trilogy.

Night, Outdoor, People

The Fall for Urbandale festival contained a skate competition at the Urbandale skatepark.  In between taking pictures I got to watch a minute or two of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action, Outdoor, People

A good kegger doesn’t always just happen.  Sometimes the right variables are finessed to create better than usual results.  This was one of those times, and with some help from the cold weather, everyone was forced to cram into the house and be more social.  It wasn’t the biggest keg, but what really mattered was everyone had a great time.  Many more came after I couldn’t hold the camera straight anymore.  Sorry, you’ll have to come earlier to get on this bandwagon.

 

 

 

 

I gave a flash to Shuey to experiment with.  He pulled some pranks on people and luckily nothing was damaged in a fit of anger.  If you look around the room, especially at the ceiling, you can see the peach tint from light reflecting off his skin.  He literally nuked the hell out of this guy’s face.

 

 

Enough of that, I’ll hold the flashes myself.

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting in line for the bathroom.  This chick wondered what the hell we were up to.  I wasn’t about to leave my camera laying around so I continued to shoot a couple random shots.  I entertain myself quite well thank you.

 

 

 

 

To smile or not?  The never ending question.

 

 

 

I had crappy shadows all night because I didn’t hold the flash high enough.  It’s honestly not easy holding a heavy camera with one hand and your beer and a flash in the other, while trying to move around the room.

 

Chad came and posed for a money shot.  Uhh, you know what I mean.  He’s trying to push forward in his photography post-processing career.

 

Lucky for me, models tend to show up wherever I go.  On this fine day I didn’t have to deal with any models that aren’t approved.

 

Crazy Joe practiced his disco dancing, I think he’ll win the comp this year.

 

 

 

Des Moines, Night, Parties, People

Tom and Amber wanted some quick portraits of their daughter Summer and son Mason.  I have great respect for photographers who shoot posed children portraits.  This isn’t easy.  We didn’t shoot much because someone needed a nap.  It wasn’t me this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor, People

We went camping somewhere other than the Saylorville area this time.  Island Park in Adel Iowa was a great alternative and just as close to Des Moines.  Not to mention it’s right beside Adel, providing easy access to necessities.

 

Bonnie and Josh’s combined children show their superhero strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard got the rest of us in trouble with our significant others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case anyone wonders, my camera takes some good pictures.  Luckily there’s no human intervention needed, it does it’s job then lets me know when it’s done.  Now if I can only teach it to cook for me.  But then again, my pans cook some really tasty food anyway.

 

 

We met this assumably remotely rural lad while he walked through our camp to get to the Raccoon river.  He stood at our camp for a little while, telling us stories about his pa, ma, and other family members.  After we couldn’t stand to hear any more we had to tell him to “run along now.”  Nice kid, if not tear jerkingly boring.  They must not have any neighbors or schools in his area.  The kid sure can hold a fishing pole for a 8-hour shift, let me tell ya.

 

 

Island Park Adel, Electric Sites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gals played the game telephone with the kids.  Amusing.

Attractions, Greatest Hits, Nature, Night, Outdoor, Parties, People

The next few posts will show photos taken from our half week trip to Chi-town.  This post focuses on what we saw when we first arrived and between other sights in the Chicago area.

 

Nice hotels in decent parts of Chicago are extremely expensive.  We instead stayed out in the Suburb of Itasca and commuted via Metra trains to Chicago each day to avoid outrageous parking costs.  You get to experience the city a little more that way also.  After exiting Union Station in Chicago, this is the great view you’re greeted with.

 

 

 

 

Our cab ride back from the Museum of Science and Industry, taking the safe route around the ghetto.  On our way down there, having not prepared a route, we took the L train to Englewood where we waited on the street for 25 long minutes to transfer to a bus.  I wouldn’t quite suggest it.  The bus stop probably isn’t the most dangerous part of this Chicago neighborhood, but that wasn’t reassuring either.  You know you’re in a poverty stricken area when a street vendor exclusively sells used couch cushions and socks, and the citizens congregate on milk crates in the median of the road.  Needless to say, the camera was well hidden in my bag.  Come to find out, this is one of the worst crime areas in Illinois, with approximately 70 murders a year.  See the link above for statistics about lovely Englewood.

 

So the cab driver speaks English that is less than distinguishable, and we have to pay $40 to avoid waiting in the ghetto at sundown.  That’ll be just fine I guess.  Hopefully his night will be as safe as ours, driving cab here is Russian roulette.

 

 

This mans’ job is to monitor the printer on the stool, on the sidewalk.  Whatever you say boss.

 

Tons of Navy types running around the city, they must be docked nearby. Chicks dig uniforms I’ve heard.  Remember this if absolutely everything else fails.

 

All the tall buildings reflect light onto each other throughout the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why yes I am taking pictures of the back of your head.

 

Being the rebels we are, we crossed the street while the no crossing symbol was lit… after checking around for any signs of the FBI or CIA.

 

These two got on our Metra train at Itasca and got off at Union Station as we did.  Yes he tucked his long sleeve shirt into his shorts.  He can go straight from a meeting at the office to a walk on the beach with his lady.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Berghoff

 

Outdoor, People, Street Photography, Travel

I met Gabe of www.dsmskateboarding.com at Skate South where they gather once a week or so. 

This being my first time shooting any indoor low light sports, I didn’t do horrible but I didn’t do as well as I wanted to either.  The poor and sparse lighting (rollerskating rinks usually only use their mood and disco lighting) didn’t help me capture action very well.  I had to use compact strobe flashes to illuminate and freeze the action.  I should have used more variety in lighting setups for better results.  It was definitely more challenging than any shooting I’ve done before, a learning experience no doubt.

 

 

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Gabe of DSM Skateboarding on the rainbow box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action, Des Moines, Greatest Hits, People