California Spires

Today I launched a new and more user-friendly blog, blog.jstuartstudios.com.  Content will still be posted to this gallery, my Travelogue, and the new blogger-specific website  blog.jstuartstudios.com.  The challenge of marrying my two websites together was a fun exercise; hopefully this new change will better serve you, the reader.

From movies to advertisements, the palm tree is synonymous with Southern California culture.  However, when I look at the image above, I think that the sky is the limit.  We all have immense potential and we must take each opportunity to better our world and ourselves.  For me, this image is hopeful with the trees creating a staircase to the heavens.

I photographed this grove of palm trees in North Park, a community north of Downtown San Diego.  The day was hot and the sun was bright.  I stepped into the shade cast by an enormous palm tree.  When I looked up, this picture came to me.  

Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

May 23, 2010
Urban Oasis

Earlier this week I visited a real oasis in Southern California.  That experience got me to think about urban oases that I have witnessed.  We have all seen them, but so often these are fleeting moments that are quickly forgotten.  As a photographer and nature-lover, I incessantly observe my surroundings and record mental images and maps of my environment.  

Back in March I walked around San Diego and found this interesting "urban oasis" on a lovely street corner.  We all know that walking through a city is the best way to learn of your surroundings, but most, including myself, seldom explore our cities.  We go through life buzzing to work, eating lunch hurriedly, restarting work, and then retreating home only to repeat the process the following day.  During the workday I enjoy taking my sandwich out for a walk and exploring.

In March 2010 I stumbled across an excellent "urban oasis" (pictured above).  The plants are eclectic, yet perfect.  I stopped my journey and enjoyed these plantings for a few minutes.  The palm trees and blue sky in the background are not only quintessential San Diego, but also nicely complement the foreground.

When I travel to a new city, the first thing I yearn to do is "get lost" by walking back-alleys and wandering aimlessly.  It is hard to motivate oneself to do this in your own backyard, but on this occasion my efforts are fruitful.   

April 30, 2010
Warm Daisy Rays

Wildflowers are blooming all around San Diego.  Backroads and freeways currently have abundant color.  

It seems an easy task to capture the essence of the sun.  The sun is often overpowering and is difficult to harness.  However, the feeling from this photograph is warm.  Perfect.

April is one of the best times of year in San Diego.  Get out and enjoy the warm sun!

April 19, 2010
Balboa Crescent

Spring is here.  The sunny San Diego weather is back, not that it left for very long!  Deep blue skies and a touch of clouds make for fabulous photographic opportunities.  Visiting Balboa Park in San Diego is wonderful because of the numerous museums, laughing children, and Old World-styled architecture.  The varied subjects make for an exciting adventure each time I visit the park.  

April 14, 2010
Pebble Path Turbulence II

The cloudy afternoon presented a quandary, finish important errands or take my gear out for a spin.  I chose the latter and set my tripod up at Torrey Pines Beach for wave photography.  One of the keepers from this stormy afternoon is the above pebble path with crashing water.  The steadfast stones contrasted by the wispy waves illustrates the ocean's motion.

Sometimes images are exposed by chance with unintended results.  However, for this image I composed atop a ridge where I noticed the waves parting.  More in this series to come in the future.

March 29, 2010
DTSD Warm Panoramic

The harbor was busy with watercraft from dinghies to destroyers.  Just before the sun set on this weekend, I arrived at the bay front, set up, and exposed this panoramic image.  The falling sun started to cast warm light on Downtown San Diego's skyline.  What a wonderful time to be on the waterfront!

One of the joys of San Diego is the bay; it is worth spending a few chilly hours on the water at sunset!  

March 28, 2010
Beach Photo

Two and a half seconds in bright sunlight is a first for me!  The sun did get overexposed, but the beautiful deep blue sky accented the bluffs while wispy white waves receded at my feet.  I really  like the feel of this image.  

March 27, 2010
Catching Dinner

A few men were out catching tonight's dinner.  This fisherman's feet perfectly parted and enhanced the receding Pacific.  Interestingly, the atmosphere was very thick tonight and helped to stop down the sun's bright rays.  The cloudless skies doused the landscape with wonderful pastel hues this evening. 

March 23, 2010
California Spires

Today I launched a new and more user-friendly blog, blog.jstuartstudios.com. Content will still be posted to this gallery, my Travelogue, and the new blogger-specific website blog.jstuartstudios.com. The challenge of marrying my two websites together was a fun exercise; hopefully this new change will better serve you, the reader.

From movies to advertisements, the palm tree is synonymous with Southern California culture. However, when I look at the image above, I think that the sky is the limit. We all have immense potential and we must take each opportunity to better our world and ourselves. For me, this image is hopeful with the trees creating a staircase to the heavens.

I photographed this grove of palm trees in North Park, a community north of Downtown San Diego. The day was hot and the sun was bright. I stepped into the shade cast by an enormous palm tree. When I looked up, this picture came to me.

Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

May 23, 2010
blog.jstuartstudios.com. Content will still be posted to this gallery, my Travelogue, and the new blogger-specific website blog.jstuartstudios.com. The challenge of marrying my two websites together was a fun exercise; hopefully this new change will better serve you, the reader. From movies to advertisements, the palm tree is synonymous with Southern California culture. However, when I look at the image above, I think that the sky is the limit. We all have immense potential and we must take each opportunity to better our world and ourselves. For me, this image is hopeful with the trees creating a staircase to the heavens. I photographed this grove of palm trees in North Park, a community north of Downtown San Diego. The day was hot and the sun was bright. I stepped into the shade cast by an enormous palm tree. When I looked up, this picture came to me. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream) May 23, 2010" href="javascript:openLB(877027797,'',XLarge,'',1024,682);">California Spires

Today I launched a new and more user-friendly blog, blog.jstuartstudios.com.  Content will still be posted to this gallery, my Travelogue, and the new blogger-specific website  blog.jstuartstudios.com.  The challenge of marrying my two websites together was a fun exercise; hopefully this new change will better serve you, the reader.

From movies to advertisements, the palm tree is synonymous with Southern California culture.  However, when I look at the image above, I think that the sky is the limit.  We all have immense potential and we must take each opportunity to better our world and ourselves.  For me, this image is hopeful with the trees creating a staircase to the heavens.

I photographed this grove of palm trees in North Park, a community north of Downtown San Diego.  The day was hot and the sun was bright.  I stepped into the shade cast by an enormous palm tree.  When I looked up, this picture came to me.  

Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

May 23, 2010
California Spires

Today I launched a new and more user-friendly blog, blog.jstuartstudios.com. Content will still be posted to this gallery, my Travelogue, and the new blogger-specific website blog.jstuartstudios.com. The challenge of marrying my two websites together was a fun exercise; hopefully this new change will better serve you, the reader.

From movies to advertisements, the palm tree is synonymous with Southern California culture. However, when I look at the image above, I think that the sky is the limit. We all have immense potential and we must take each opportunity to better our world and ourselves. For me, this image is hopeful with the trees creating a staircase to the heavens.

I photographed this grove of palm trees in North Park, a community north of Downtown San Diego. The day was hot and the sun was bright. I stepped into the shade cast by an enormous palm tree. When I looked up, this picture came to me.

Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

May 23, 2010
See photo in original gallery.