Front Door Christmas Wreath

So I Guess This Is The Season for Wood?

Golden Gate Rules of the Road

San Fransisco, CA -- I thought there were a lot of rules in Los Angeles! Try taking a ride on the The 75-year-old, Golden Gate Bridge. Quite frankly, we paid no attention to the signs, we just kept our eyes on the path and road our rented bikes to the other side. It was a first for our family.

Happy Black Friday

Washington, Missouri -- No LA on this Black Friday, just enjoying the pig farm and family in cloudy MO. Wishing all a happy post Thanksgiving.

Snow in LA?

Los Angeles County -- Sure is....

Car On a Lake

North of Los Angeles -- Some towns have dirt roads, other prairies, but we have nothing but large parking lots, surrounded by a concrete jungle. But if an Angeleno ever wants to teach their 12-year old son to drive, take him to a dry lake bed in the middle of the desert. Both of you will never forget the experience!

Trails To Scouting

Los Angeles -- Each year, our Troop offers an opportunity for younger Cub and Webelo Scouts to come out and see our program. Each patrol shows off their skills; cooking, knife, axe, camping and first aid are among the skills performed. Here, Scouts demonstrate how to make a sling from a neckerchief. Troop 4 of Pasadena is celebrating it's 100th consecutive year in scouting in 2013.

Commuting Along The LA River

Los Angeles -- One way to avoid traffic with a little more esthetic scenery.

Veterans Day

Los Angeles -- "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

If Picasso Designed a Cake...

Pasadena, CA -- I think the name "Dr. Seuss" came to mind when my wife, Amber, made this cake for our son. The goofy birthday confectionery was in fact supposed to tilt, wobble and give a Pisa-esque feel. Once the candles were lit, we had about three seconds before the top section slipped and performed a full flip onto the table--with candles still sparkling.

Perhaps the cake is a reminder that here in Los Angeles, we tend to bend the rules and have a little fun!

Breaking The Rules

 

 Won't Say, CA -- The paparazzi drive me nuts. They break all the rules for that one money shot that, quite frankly, not only can make them a small fortune, but can also ruin one's reputation. This shot defiantly doesn't equal that of those taken by a lens snake, but it sure is fun breaking the rules, even if it's a meaningless, worthless photo like this.

Waiting for Autumn

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

--John Muir

Whitewater Preserve

Palm Springs, CA -- It may be a dry year but most days there is a raging river tumbling down the white rocks of this Southern California desert bed. A short drive north leads any semi-adventurous motorist up a mountain road to the Whitewater Preserve. Check it out on DayTripping.com!

The Candid Frame

Altadena, CA -- The mission of Daily Photo LA is an attempt to capture a glimpse of life in or connected with Los Angeles. As any daily photography blogger knows, inspiration is either a gift or a daily struggle.

I work full time at my career, which is not photography, yet when I am inspired, it's amazing how subjects present themselves to me without taking time away from my day job. When I have time, I listen to podcasts--especially those that focus on business and of photography. I learn best from listening and imitating others like Ibarionex Perello of The Candid Frame.

Ibarionex is a photographer, writer and an adjunct professor at the Art Center College of Design and teaches several online photography course through Better Photo.com. His articles and photographs appear regularly in magazines including Digital Photo Pro, Outdoor Photographer and Shutterbug magazines.

Check out his website and listen to his interviews with other photographers. I think you will enjoy it.

Ultralight Backpacking Dog Tackles LA Trails

Mt. Wilson, CA -- Andy is a 14-pound chiweenie (dachshund and chihuahua mix). This little dog loves to hike. For a small "designer dog," he knows how to put on the miles.

An average backpack for us, like the one above, we will hike up to 20-miles or more a day. He does great and never complains. The secrete is in pacing and obedience; my wife and I taught Andy to walk behind us and not run ahead. By doing this, we estimate he saves more than twice the energy than most off-leash dogs, chasing squirrels, sniffing out holes and sprinting after deer. As for the leash violation: I take my chances with the authorities, but only remove the leash once we are well into the wilderness and away from people. Plus, being an ultralight backpacker, every gram counts. The same goes for the dog, a leash actually weighs a few ounces and pulls on his neck. I even made an ultralight collar my little buddy!

This photo was approximately mile 10 on a 17-mile day with about 3,000 vertical feet of climbing.I estimate he has at least 300 miles logged. Not bad for a wiener dog.

Pasadena Museum of History Acquires New Guide

Pasadena, CA --After living in the Crown City for over half a century, I had never visited the Pasadena Museum of History. My son, James, is a Junior Docent and gave our family a tour of the historic, Fenyes Mansion, built in 1905. All of us were very proud of the job he did! 

Two Beach-Lovers Sun Bathing

LA Beach -- No, this is not a result of Sandy, just a goofy kid and a sea lion looking for a little peace and quiet.

Happy in Red

Sierra Madre, CA -- Older folks are irresistible to shoot, especially when they are either real happy or especially angry. Snapping shots of happy elderly people is a pleasure, yet shooting a sour old man who is mad at the world is just plain ol' fun.

I think it's safe to say these two are among the first group I mentioned.

Contrasting Fuel Prices

Los Angeles -- December of 2008, when fuel was affordable--at least for a few days.

The Best Camera Is...

Pasadena -- I recently posted this photo on Instagram, which caught a bit of attention. I used to carry my SLR with me a lot, but since being sucked into the iPhone cult, my Apple devise has filled in the gap of those days when an SLR is too impractical. Chase Jarvis once said, "The best camera is the one that's with you™." So true. This shot was a last-minute panorama taken outside of the Soup Plantation after lunch. It reminds me of a photo that may have been taken in the 60s or early 70s.

Colorado Blvd Circa 1981

Pasadena -- The corner of Fair Oaks and Colorado Blvd before the development of "Old Town," circa 1981.

Bus Stop at Dusk

Pasadena -- Colorado Boulevard

Vintage Gas Station

Pasadena

Builders in the Wood

Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles -- Two women pose for the camera

Truck Tire

Vernon, Los Angeles

50 Years Ago Today

Pasadena, CA -- That would be me in 1962, downing my first birthday cake with cousin's, "Bug" and Cheryl. It's been a good ride so far! 

If all goes to plan...

The High Sierra -- Not much more than a three-hour drive from Los Angeles, looms the Southern Sierra. Hopefully, I will be heading up into the high country of the Sierra Nevada to commune with my furry-tailed friends. The plan is to take a group of Scouts on a four-day backpack. This will be one of two trips planned this Summer. The second trek will be with my wife in Yosemite's high country.

Goats in Los Angeles

Palos Verde, LA County -- Billy was the only curious one in the crowd.

Swimming in L.A.

Big Rock Camp, LA County -- Growing up in the 60s and 70s, we kids had all kinds of freedom. It seemed like the summer before us would last an eternity. None of us counted the weeks or days until the first day of school. Then, like a slap in the face, a "Back To School" commercial from Miller's Outpost would jolt us back to reality of just how short summers were.

Boy Scout Room--Pasadena Troop 4 Soon to Celebrate 100 Years

Pasadena, CA -- 2013 marks Troop 4's centennial year. The scout room has not changed much in the last 99 years.

The Glamor of Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, CA -- I think most of us know by now this is the real "Tinsel Town."

Lightweight Hike to Inspiration

Los Angeles -- Spending Sunday afternoon with my wife nearing Inspiration Point.

Irony

Sierra Madre -- A boy scout pointing out different types of knives to a group of prospective scouts.

Cheap Shot

Los Angeles -- Look close enough and you can see Yours Truly in the window.

Disney Concert Hall Shoes

Los Angeles -- Two boys from Japan were photographing each other in front of the Disney Concert all. I noticed the shoes, had to ask for the photo, got permission and shot away. A match made in LA...

Happy New Year!