No Patience for Photos

Unintentionally Funny Puzzles and Games

Great one!

Kevin Does Photography Good

Or he does it well. Either way, he's great. My friend Kevin McCollister has a new book of photography out, and I suspect you would like it.



See more of his great photographs of L.A. here. And then get the book if you know what's good for you.

This Was in Impossible Photograph

And yet, here it is.

No Pressure

Seriously, you've seen my photos, so there's no pressure to come to my first photo exhibit ever.

Happy Halloween from Las Vegas!

An Attempt at Rembrandt Lighting

You can tell me what it is, Interwebs, but that doesn't mean I can do it. Luckily, I have great subject matter, so the lighting is kinda irrelevant.

Today's Engagement Object

"Engagement object" is a search engine optimization term that means you get better search results if you put a video (or whatever) in your blog post.

Birthday Girl

I love just going to birthday parties and hanging out and shooting stuff. And the food's usually pretty good, too.

Today's $2 Portrait

It's Larry. Homeless, but charming and lucid. These trips to Fremont Street are so bittersweet. So much fun amidst so much struggle.

Sean's $2 Portrait

Here's another street portrait taken on Fremont Street. Thanks for the photo, Sean. A great bargain for me, to say the least.

Richard on the Street

Richard has no home. Nor does he have any ability to successfully perform a card trick. He gave me a penny.

What an odd hobby I have.

Some Kids

Some kids just make this little hobby of mine SO easy!

My Latest Effort: Best. Las Vegas. Blog. Ever.

I've been spending quite a bit of time and energy lately on my latest endeavor, doing a Las Vegas blog for Harrah's Entertainment.

It's been a blast. Originally, I was just supposed to do a few "sample" blog posts. Oh, hell-to-the-no! That is not how I roll!

I've been pondering doing a Las Vegas-focused blog for some time, and while this one has a slightly narrower focus than what I would have done as a Las Vegas blog (this has a focus on our Harrah's destinations for the most part), I have really enjoyed diving into this new challenge.

I think doing a blog taps into several of what I believe are my strengths, should I actually possess any. Of course, there's writing, which I enjoy. And I have kind of veered into a sassy, snarky (hopefully amusing) tone, which I think is critical to any blog about Las Vegas.

I have also taken it upon myself to take photos for the blog. I think the images liven up the blog quite a bit, and it's a definite chance to learn and add some things to my photographic toolbox.

Another benefit, one that's been supremely stimulating, is that I get to put on my editor's cap and generate story ideas. It's re-energized me, and has helped unleash some creativity in a job I'd gotten a bit comfortable in.

In the first month of its existence, I've managed to create more than 200 posts. Yep, I have kind of exceeded expectations in that regard.

I think I've found a happy medium between my pretty-much-unbridled type of content (think Dribbleglass.com) and content that is suitable coming from the largest gaming company in the world. I've been pleasantly surprised by how much freedom I've been given. I'm not confident about a lot of things, but in my ability to build a readership and/or community and/or following online, well, I got this.

I hope you'll check that blog from time to time, and please send me feedback or ideas you might have.

What could be more fun than doing a blog about a city I love? Well, other than doing this blog, about a PERSON I love. But you know what I mean.

Visit my Las Vegas blog at Harrah's. Yes, it's mine. Until I screw up and they want to fire me, then I have very little to do with it, thanks.

P.S. I feel obligated to mention that my always-insightful girlfriend has pointed out, quite correctly, that I just blogged about blogging in another blog. Yeah, and?

Photography Tips for Parents

I was happy to be asked to be a guest blogger on my friend's site, The Succulent Wife.

I decided to write an article for parents about how to improve their children's portraits. I talk to so many parents frustrated by the fact that they can't seem to get good shots of their kids, even after investing in a good camera or other equipment.

Hey, I hear ya. It's hard, no matter what equipment you have! Hopefully, this will give folks some how-to items to think about when they have that next birthday or holiday or bris. Mostly those first two things.

Read my tips for better kid photos.

Ten Composition Elements for Photographers

I and some friends recently took a photography workshop from Michael Andrew, a most splendid human being and awesomeful guru. He has 10 compositions he likes to have at his disposal when he's shooting portraits. They're great, and tend to spark one's imagination when doing photography, so here they are. I think these very much apply to Michael's specialty, wedding photography, but could apply to any number of situations.

1. Single (simple portrait).
2. Paintballer Pro (Lightroom presents Michael created...in essence, that "style" of shot).
3. Motion.
4. Framing shot (something in the background frames the subject).
5. Faceless.
6. Yin and yang. (Contrasts...tall/short, high/low, big/small.)
7. Sense of depth.
8. Shapes.
9. Flash.
10. Silhouette.

These can be used individually, or in combinations, and pretty much all are great to ensure variety in one's work.

Thanks, Michael!

I'm Not Done Loving Photography Yet

I Love This Look

I love the look of these smokers at RUB BBQ at Rio Las Vegas. The colors and texture are pretty much what every man would like their home decor to look like, I think.

My Biggest Photo Ever

My photo of a grinny kid appears on a billboard for Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids.



The billboard can currently be seen on the I-15, going north, near the South Point hotel and casino.

Now for Something Completely Different