Santa Cruz and Nik Color Efex Pro 4

This past Saturday Rachel and I visited Santa Cruz for the first time. We met a friend for lunch downtown and then explored the Boardwalk and Wharf.  I liked Santa Cruz.  The downtown strip very much feels like a collegiate beach town with plenty of places to eat and drink.  The Boardwalk seems like a cross between an amusement park and a traveling carnival. The sheer size was impressive, but due to it being a beautiful summer day it still felt packed with people; mostly with children and degenerates.

The following set of images is not so much a documentary of our day in Santa Cruz, but instead a look at our day in Santa Cruz as seen through the new Nik Color Efex Pro 4 Photo Editing Software that I am trying out.  I have a week left to try out the demo version, but will most likely buy it when the trial expires. The surreal effects that Color Efex Pro 4 offers are amazing and the usability is very intuitive. I don't plan on editing every set of images as diversely as this, but wanted to explore the different options Color Efex Pro 4 has to offer.

Thank you always for stopping by and take care.

*this image was edited in camera only.

The Rachel Clone Affair: Push Yourself

Rachel had the idea for this new set of clone images.  She has a new found love for working out and is constantly pushing herself to work harder and be stronger.  These images are the literal/ surreal interpretation of that determination.

Technical side note: I recently downloaded a free trial of the Nik Filter package Color Efex Pro 4 and used it to edit most of the above images.  This was recommended to me by a friend and so far I love it.  I downloaded the plugin version for Aperture 3 and it works seamlessly, although it does seem to slow down my computer a little.  However, it is well worth it because the effects are spot on.  I am still tooling around with it, but plan on purchasing when the trial is up.

Abstracts: Blending Cancun, Alcatraz, and Rust

These images were created by combining at least one picture from our trip to Cancun, one picture from our trip to Alcatraz, and one picture of rust.  

World's Worst Statue

On the corner of Broadway and California in Burlingame sits the world's worst statue.  I realize this is a broad sweeping statement, but am pretty sure it is true.  There are no doubt worse looking statues and those that honor nefarious characters and events.  Truth be told, this statue isn't a bad representation of a soldier on horseback and the original purpose was probably to honor an honorable man.  However, this statue is the world's worst for three reasons. 1) It does not give any indication as to why it exists. 2) It is in a ridiculous location. 3) No one seems to notice it.  The only reason that I noticed it in the first place is because we frequent the ramen restaurant located in the strip mall on one side.  A Chevron station sits on the other side of the oddly placed statue which is covered with the ramen restaurant's banner and lies on a small patch of dirt next to an electrical box.  What I find especially strange is that after some time spent researching online I was not able to find a single bit of information about the bronzed soldier on horseback.  That makes it all the more absurd because in my estimation the whole point of taking on the cost and effort in building a statue is to memorialize someone or something.  It seems to be counterproductive that it would be impossible to find even a name associated with it.

So, if you are ever in Burlingame, CA and find yourself eating at the Mokutayna ramen restaurant or filling up your gas tank at Chevron, be sure to take a minute to check out the world's worst statue.  Below are a few images of the anonymous fixture.  It was not easy even finding a good angle to photograph the statue but I hope these images portray why I feel this is indeed the world's worst statue.

Sports Report: Pacquiao, Heat, and Euro 2012

"We like Sportz and we don't care who knows..."

Since starting this blog, I have had the intention of starting to write an occasional sports report. The combination of free time and strongly felt opinions made this past weekend's events the perfect opportunity to take action...


Pacquiao vs. Bradley:

"BOXING IS A FUCKING JOKE!" This was my initial reaction on Facebook.  Now that I have had time to sleep on it and digest what I witnessed, I wish to clarify.  What I truly meant to say is that boxing is a huge fucking joke.  My opinion, like that of the 99% of the people who actually watched the fight is that Pacquiao won handily.  A quick scanning of the internet immediately following the fight showed overwhelmingly that boxing experts, boxing fans, celebrities, and the average sport fan agreed.  The statistical evidence also agreed.  Pacquiao connected on 253 of 751 punches compared to 159 of 839 for Bradley.  He also landed more punches in 10 out of 12 rounds.  The fact that two judges (Duane Ford and C.J. Ross) did not see it this way leads one to the obvious conclusion that it was either blatant corruption or gross incompetence.  Either way it is disturbing.  The fact that an event watched by so many and involves the exchange of so much money can have such an unjust outcome is frightening to say the least.  Depending on what source you look to there are conspiracy theories abound.  Some point to the fact that there was a great amount of money bet on Bradley at the last minute.  While others don't believe Bob Arum's post fight outrage and think he is responsible.  Still others have sited that the judges are just too old and incompetent.  Whatever the reason, to end such a massive sporting event with such an absurd outcome gives credence to the opinion that boxing is fixed.  If there is a rematch later this year, I hope that nobody pays to watch it and boxing is forced to reform its arrant ways.


Miami Heat:

I don't like the Miami Heat.  I don't like Wade, Bosh, and especially Lebron.  I do like that this is a sentiment shared by many Cavs fans as well as many basketball fans outside Miami.  That is not to say that I hate the Heat and wish them ill will.  I simply choose to root for the other team.  What strikes me as strange is the sentiment recently expressed by some that there is something wrong with this.  That I should be happy for Lebron for some reason.  Why?  This is sports and sports is entertainment.  Like all entertainment, it is more fun to have a villain.  Lebron and the Heat gladly accepted this role and many outside Miami are happy to see them as such.  This will be especially apparent when the Heat face the very likable Kevin Durant and OKC in the Finals.  It is an ideal matchup for the basketball fan without a horse in the race.  If the Heat made so many impartial fans root for KG and Boston just imagine how easy it will be to put your full support behind OKC.


Euro 2012:

I have played soccer my whole life, but have only become a true fan of the international game recently.  This is the first year that I watched the EPL and Champions League consistently.  This was in turn rewarded with some of the most dramatic sports viewing that I have ever witnessed.  Manchester City and Manchester United going down to the last day and Drogba's winning penalty for Chelsea were two all time great sports moments that I will remember for quite some time.  This will also be the first year that I am invested in watching the Euros.  A tournament believed by many to be a better display of the international game than the World Cup.  From what I have seen so far it has been great and will undoubtedly live up to the hype.  Spain drawing Italy, Denmark defeating Holland, and the Russians routing the Czechs have been the highlights of what is sure to be a tournament well worth the viewing time and effort.

Alcatraz

Last weekend Rachel and I visited Alcatraz.  I have wanted to see the island prison since moving to the Bay area but it took about a year to finally make the trip.  We went along with our friends, Chris and Kristy, and made a day out of it.  We booked tickets on the night tour and departed for the island at 6:45pm.  The majority of time beforehand was spent at the Rogue Public Ale House (coincidentally, it was also my first time visiting Rogue which I highly recommend, especially the Chocolate Stout).  Boarding the boat was easy and the 20 minute ride was enjoyable, albeit, cold.

Once we arrived at Alcatraz we had 2 1/2 hours to explore.  The first part was led by a tour guide. Upon reaching the prison building you can take the prison audio tour or go your own way.  Chris and I went looking for the best photo opportunities, while the girls went on the prison audio tour which I am told was equally as entertaining.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Alcatraz.  My only criticism is that it did not seem like enough time.  I think the night tour is great because you arrive as the sun is setting, but if I were to go again, I would probably take the earlier boat to have more time.  I read a short book about Alcatraz before the tour so I had a good idea of the history and what to expect.  However, as with most things, seeing it in person was well worth it and gave perspective to the history.

A very brief history of Alcatraz:

• The island was used as a strategic military fort beginning in 1853 in order to protect San Francisco from foreign attacks.
• Over time it became a military prison and then a federal prison in 1934.
• Alcatraz housed many high profile criminals including Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly.
• 36 men attempted to escape- 23 were recaptured, 6 were shot and killed, 2 drowned, and 5 are still unaccounted for and "presumed drowned"
• The prison closed in 1963 due to the high costs of operation and deteriorating conditions.
• Alcatraz was occupied by Native American protesters for 19 months from 1969 to 1971.
• The island became a National Park in 1972 and opened to the public in 1973.

Below are my images of Alcatraz.  I tried to capture the grittiness of the prison along with the beauty of the light reaching the island right before and after sunset.  Thank you for stopping by Dirty Thirty Photography and take care!