Raisins Swimming Video

I currently use a Canon 60D camera.  One of the main selling features of this camera is the video capability. Sadly, this is a feature that I rarely use (other than a brief back and forth of diss videos with that no good Birdman Jones.)  So, yesterday I decided to take a few minutes to utilize this feature and make a short video.

It was fun and iMovie makes it fairly easy to edit.  The only hang up is finding music you can use without violating copywright law.  Originally, I had La Vie En Rose by Loius Armstrong in mind, but realized maybe it was wiser to use music that was deemed "free use".

Below is my very short, somewhat instructional film about swimming raisins.  Check it out and see you next time!

The Flintstone House

If you have ever driven north on I-280 towards San Francisco, you have undoubtedly noticed the "Flintstone House" located over the Crystal Spring Reservoir in Hillsborough.  It was designed by architect William Nicholson and was built in 1976.  The house was an experiment in design and was built by spraying concrete offer balloon shaped forms.  The house was not well received by its conservative neighbors in Hillsborough.  It spurred the formation of an architecture review board to keep more experimental designs out of the neighborhood.  The house suffered from structural damage and mold issues in the mid 1980s but was saved by a thorough restoration in 1988.  The "Flintstone House" is a domestic residence, but after doing some research it appears to be vacant at the moment and owned by an investor.

The "Flintstone House" is an easily recognizable sight for anyone in the Bay area and anyone who has traveled past it.  I attempted to find a spot where I could stand and photograph the structure, however, after doing some searching it appears that the best view is from the Doran Memorial Bridge on I-280 North.  Of course, this is a bit of a challenge since it involves shooting out of a car window at 70 mph.  Since my lovely girlfriend Rachel was driving last weekend on our way back from Redwood City I had my chance to snap a few shots.  With a fast shutter speed and continuous shooting, I was able to capture some quality images.  Check them out below, and as always thank you for stopping by Dirty Thirty Photography.

Filoli

Last weekend Rachel and I visited Filoli.  Filoli is a historic country house with 16 acres of formal gardens and is surrounded by a 654 acres estate.  It is located in Woodside, CA 30 miles south of San Francisco.  Filoli was completed in 1917 by Williams Bower Bourn II; owner of one of the state's richest gold mines and president of Spring Valley Water Company.  There are undoubtedly many more Filoli facts that I will not take the time to recount here because they are honestly not that interesting and the Wiki link is provided above.

Fioli is an unique attraction and I highly recommend visiting if in the area.  The entrance fee is a little steep at $15, but still well worth spending a few hours at such a picturesque location.  We showed ourselves around, but there is also the option to join a guided tour.  The first floor of the mansion is open and there is lots to see.  However, by far, the most compelling reason to visit are the well-maintained and vast gardens.  There are a variety of flowers and gardens set against the background of the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Below are some pictures that I took of the house and grounds and Rachel.  Thank you for checking out Dirty Thirty Photography!