Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Embarcadero BART station


Embarcadero BART station, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Monday, May 22, 2006

You may not be able to go home again, but they know who you are

On an impulse today, I jumped on BART and crossed the pond to Berkeley to go see a friend.

Today, I ran across folk I havent seen since I left Berkeley nearly 2 years ago. And to a man (and women), they all asked me the same thing...

"Are you still taking pictures?"

I didnt even realise the significance of that until I was riding BART back to The City, and that was because the last person I saw asked me a further question:

"When are you having your next exhibition?"

For what was slightly odd about the "Are you still taking pictures" questions, was that most of these folk never even saw me with a camera, as it had died from abuse in the summer of 2003, and I didnt get another camera until the end of 2004, well after I'd left Berkeley.

But they did ALL see my pictures when I printed and exhibited them. Which is why they kept asking if i was still taking pictures, for they knew my work well.

Wow.

Sorry, for those unclear on what it was that struck me, it is this:

They know me as someone who takes pictures. A photographer. It is what I do.

Oh my.

Apparently the only person who doesnt appreciate this.. is me.
-------------
Today's horrorscope, naturally, addresses this:

Lately it feels like you're going nowhere -- fast. Retire for a while and do some deep thinking about what you want and how to get there. It might be time to reposition yourself and emerge as a player.


Guess I hadda get away from San Francisco for a minute.

While in Berkeley, I was quite focused about what I wanted. And I thought that hadnt changed in San Francisco, but ...

Hrm.
-----------

As I was having a decaf mocha at Berkeley Espresso, a man came over admiring the New Camera sitting in front of me.

He picked it up (instant death normally, but eh - I let it slide), admiring it, comparing it to his Canon 20D. Heh, he kept saying "Oh man, Im regretting this..".

Anyway, as he flipped through the pictures on the camera, he said "You do really good work. Are you doing professional work? Working up to it?"

Naturally, I demurred - but he asked the right question.
-------------
There's a lot of hubbub going on right now, but you're not too attracted to any of it today. The energy going on all around you is nowhere near as interesting to you as your own thoughts and ideas.
Stepping out of the action may seem out of character for you, but this is a wise move -- it will give you perspective.

You're close to coming to a major conclusion and you just need a little more time by yourself to solidify your plans -- take your time and don't succumb to the expectations of others.


Hm.


I wuv my Nikon D50


I wuv my Nikon D50, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

(Photography Monthly magazine)

After nearly 2 months and 5000 images, this camera has far exceeded my expectations, surprising me with its handling, build, speed, performance and image quality. It puts far more expensive cameras to shame.

NO regrets, save one: I shouldve bought it sooner.

Drug of choice


Drug of choice, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Pink on Valencia


Pink on Valencia, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

camera porn


camera porn, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

I do, in fact, know someone with a daughter named Zippy.

I do, in fact, know someone with a daughter named Zippy.

Short for "Zipporah"

Friday, May 19, 2006

Bus ad


Bus ad, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Today's horrorscope

The planets appear to be sending you some pretty obvious signals that you should be moving in a new direction. You can ignore them if you wish but at some stage in the not-too-distant future you will realize that, like it or not, you will have to go that way anyway, so you might as well do it now and save yourself some grief.

Mercury, planet of the mind, and also your ruler, crosses the career angle of your chart today, so this is the ideal time to think deeply about your ambitions and to start making the changes that will bring you the recognition and rewards you deserve. Take a look at your rivals and realize that you are as good as, if not better, than they are.


Hrm.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Down the hill


Down the hill, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Photo shoot


Photo shoot, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Z on Fillmore


Z on Fillmore, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Buns


Buns, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Lou & Stephanie


Lou & Stephanie, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

D50 test shot


D50 test shot, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Bumper stickers


Bumper stickers, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Coast Guard MLB


Coast Guard MLB, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

A shoot at sunset


A shoot at sunset, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Golden Gate sunset


Golden Gate sunset, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

One of the reasons its called the Golden Gate.

A guy offered to buy this print on the spot.

JPennant: Ok, Im finally setting up the selling of prints.
McClint: you do realize that you need a "profile" in order to sell them for more than $5, dont ya?
JPennant: profile?
McClint: anyone can buy a picture,,, but if the photographer has a profile, it gives the picture weight.... you have clout
JPennant: you mean, A Name? :-)
McClint: "Joe Pennant has a keen eye for the sublime and ordinary. He makes raindrops appear magical..." etc etc
McClint: yes. A Name
JPennant: Oh, that. The Legend :-)
JPennant: The Cover Story :-)
JPennant: heheheh
McClint: yeah something like that
JPennant: Yeah, I sorta do
McClint: if you dont have that, you might as well just sell pencils
JPennant: I dunno if you remember
JPennant: back in 99, you saw some picture I took of the WTC from the back of a cab
JPennant: called me a goddamned Ansel Adams :-)
McClint: hahaha i dont remember
JPennant: or, more accurately you said - "What are you trying to be, a goddamned Ansel adams" :-)
JPennant: See, since that time in 99 my shit has been seen across the world
JPennant: my one and only exhibition basically sold out
JPennant: even tho i had no intention of selling anything
McClint: as long as you can answer the question: Who is Joe Pennant and why do I wanna buy his pictures? then you're covered
JPennant: Its all marketing for sure
JPennant: youve got that right
JPennant: but you know youve arrived when youre standing there taking pictures, and a man puts a hundred dollar bill in your hand to buy a picture he's only seen on the back of your camera
McClint: hehe Ben Franklin can be a good motivator
JPennant: Actually, the motivator was - strangers want to buy my shit.
McClint: hehehe

Bus stand


Bus stand, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Push man, PUSH.

How does
that line from "Raspberry Beret" go?

He told me several times that he didn't like my kind
'Cause I was a bit 2 leisurely

Seems that I was busy doing something close 2 nothing
But different than the day before


Yup, that's me. A bit 2 liesurely.

Even people who know me, and know me well - believe I am totally that way, that I am some sort of a sap, until I ramp up the intensity, show claws, get serious and accomplish things so quickly it takes their breath away.

Then they believe.

Still, I tend not to do things till Im pushed out of my comfort zones. Im almost too patient. That's not always good. That's why I tend to make things a little uncomfortable for myself, so then when Im quite sick of things the way they are, changes are made.

Still, that tendency isnt all bad. Saves my bacon from time time. Has kept me from plunging over the edge, engage in risky behaviors, squirreled out the the.. heh.. .unbelievers, removed the distractions, given things a chance.

F'rinstance, my year contract with Yahoo DSL is over. They raised the rates. They frikken cut it off.

They did warn me. Sent letters I ignored as is my wont. Then they cut my service off. Primarily to get my attention.

Freak out? Nah. That's what my rarely used AOL account is for. Wouldve made sense to not pay 23 bux a month, but inertia, as well as a finely keened instinct I dont always understand, kept me from pulling that trigger to save money. And it gives me time to explore my options.

What does that do for me? Gives me options. Chess has taught me most things are a matter of time and distance. Money, love, friendship, joy, anger, experience. All about time and distance. Give yourself enough time, you have more options, you can go the distance.

Still, given a choice - I would rather have things happen directly and decisively. And Im tired of needing to be pushed.

DSL, trivial. My life? Not so much.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Roses


Roses, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Chicken Katsu Plate in the Mission

Lord, VERY large plate

Saturday, May 13, 2006

bored @ work


bored @ work, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Acquisition mode

It was
back to the pawn shop to stock up on supplies...

Picked up the Tamron 28-200 lens i had put on layaway, then picked up a Nikon 35-70 short zoom. A little haggling was done, hands were shook, crisp bills exchanged for da goods.

Then after inhaling a huge chicken katsu plate for a victory lunch, crashed into bed.

Everything within a few blocks of the house. The Mission district, cant beat it.

Another 50 bux (extry battery and memory card maybe), and im done spending on this camera.

For this pay period anyway.
--------
On rotation:

Jean Knight - Mr Big Stuff
Everclear - AM Radio
Smash Mouth - All Star
Spoon - I turn my camera on
Mr Cheeks - Lights Camera Action
Everclear - I've Seen Better Days


Gah. 8^$$^&^% iPod is giving me the sad Ipod icon. Good thing its still under warranty. Well, a good excuse for me to go trekking. Just inconvenient as #&$&#.
------------

The pawn shop felt they did ok, moving some old merchandise at a good profitt. I felt like I made out like a bandit, because I got what i needed at a very good price.

So, now I have an excellent and fast prime, a serviceable long zoom and a under-rated short zoom with a good macro mode. (All for the egrand total of $140 versus 900 bux new) Add a second dSLR body and a nice wide-angle (they have some Tokina 14's in their case, hmmm) and I'll have the basic all-purpose shooting set I need.

*grin* Ahhh.

Is it over? Hah, nah. Not hardly. There is always more stuff to covet and get.

Fast pro-level lenses. Mondo flashes, BIG zooms to stop that surf action in it's tracks, SHARP german primes to make everything everclear, wide angles to bring in everything. Ooh yeah.

But this thought helps to keep me in check - "Never get more stuff than youre willing to carry."

Like Tim told me "Just get what you need, rent everything else so you dont have to worry about working to pay for what you have."

Yup, on the real. Keep things light and simple.

Friday, May 12, 2006

D50 test shot


D50 test shot, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Panning with low shutter speeds in broad daylight.

The camera is so fast (and using a fast lens), it usually catches panning shots without any blur. Tjis is why Im trying this technique.

Plus, the effect looks kinda cool. :)

I dub a dub dub thee..

"Betty"

Why? I dunno. But that is now the name of the Nikon D50.

Well, I was thinking, I may buy another one as I like this one so much - I could keep a lens on one while I put a different lens on another, to avoid the hassle and time to change lenses while shooting. (I'll prolly get a Fuji S2 body as planned before I do that.) While thinking this, the name "Betty" occurred to me.

It's definitely not a feminine camera, but "Betty" just feels right. I dunno why.

Heh, someone online was talking about having a crush on comic book characters. I think I had a slight crush on Betty of Archie comics fame. Pretty, down-to-earth and true blue.

It just fits in my mind.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

balloons for mom


balloons for mom, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Pawn shop lenses


Pawn shop lenses, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

There are a wide range of lenses here, and the knowledgable will be able to find some gems...

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Making out like a bandit


Making out like a bandit, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

New York rule #8: Never pay retail.

I saw this in the case and decided that I couldnt pass up a lens with this kind of range & reach, breaking my rule of "good Nikon lenses only", but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Apple Store SF


Apple Store SF, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Lombard Street view


Lombard Street view, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Taken while hanging off a cable car.

*Ring*

I dont expect
many calls. Any, really. Aside from the folk of the front desk of my building.I may or may not pick up.

I dont do answering machines.

Excuse me if Im a bit harsh with folk trying to sell me things or people i dont know.

"Hello."
"Is this Joe?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"Joe Pennant?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"Joe? It's V."
"V! Heyhey!"

My favorite JerseyGirl, the Cappy.

Virgo's and Capricorns are supposed to be compatible signs. Eh. But they do have similar, complementary energies. Put simply; Virgo's are the thinkers, capricorns are the doers. And they understand each other.

I've been having problems with motivation lately, to kick off what i know I need to do.

And she got me motivated, which is not an easy thing to do.

Cappy's want to run the world. Virgo's just want things to run right.

Sometimes I need to feel like I want to run the world.

Thanks, V.

Crabs on glass


Crabs on glass, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Where's the butter?

Actually, Im not much for the taste of crab or lobster. People tell me though that Dungeness crab is amazing. I need to try it before it goes out of season.

Cable car pole


Cable car pole, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

It was while hanging on to this that made me realize just how lucky i am to be in a place where i can ride around on historic cable cars in a beautiful city.

I am blessed

Monday, May 08, 2006

Medical advice from Burger King


Medical advice from Burger King, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

I have almost eliminated my cheese consumption to lower my bad cholesterol levels per my doctors orders.

But yesterday, i cheated. I had TWO croissanwiches. Whoo, made me dizzy almost.

i let him eat the crumbs in exchange for his picture

Today's horrorscope:

To do it, you simply have to dream it! Get your imagination working on new goals.

Research and planning is always a good idea, but you may be getting too caught up in the details of it all. Could it be that you're looking for an excuse not to move forward? The time is right to get active -- and if everything isn't crystal clear, just use your imagination to come up with guesstimates that will fill in the blanks and keep you going! If you need to make revisions, you can always work them out as you go along. Today it's important to make a commitment

Hyde Street Pier National Park


Hyde Street Pier National Park, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Cable car


Cable car, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Pecan roll and decaf


Pecan roll and decaf, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Union Square


Union Square, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Fish @ meat market


Fish @ meat market, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

The Itinerant Code

Last night, this Nigerian lady stopped, looked at me and said:

"In a previous life, you lived in the Hawaiian islands."
"You think?"
"Yes. Absolutely. It fits you."


Interestingly, Ive heard this from several other folk before.

Until the other night, I had little interest in going back to Hawaii in the near future, but now I know what I'll be doing the next time I go.

Things come together when its time.
---------
For Christmas 2003, I got a gift certificate for the Ross stores. I dont remember what else I got (belts and underwear prolly), but I still have one thing - my Idea notebook.

Bill Veeck, the impresario and owner of the White Sox, used to have these shoeboxes full of scraps of paper with ideas scribbled on them. The instructions to his family were that these boxes were the first things to be grabbed and saved in case of a fire in the house, as "Ideas are the most important things.".

Aside from my identity papers, this little notebook will be the first thing that I'll grab in case of a fire or earthquake. I havent had the time or inclination to write in the book since I got a bay area residence, but the details of my life for the near future is scribbled in that book. It may be incoherent to anyone looking through that book, but it makes perfect sense to me.

Now Im back in the book, the time to to implementing those ideas arriving. It feels oddly comforting reading and writing in that little notebook...
--------------
Now that ive stepped into the serious side with the purchase of the Nikon, with more equipment to come, i need to accessorize.

Let's see..

- Extra SD memory cards. Ive got a 1gb card in the camera, but I need larger memory to fully use the camera, to shoot RAW images.

Of course, that creates a cascading effect. Bigger cards = more files. More files = more storage needed. More storage needed = more hard drive drives and DVD blanks. And more powerful computers. Oy.

- Sensor cleaning kit. Back in the film slr days, a clean cloth and lintless swabs was all i needed to clean out the imaging area of a camera. But because a digital sensor acts like a dust magnet - everytime you take off the lens, dust will get in there. And the sensor is very very delicate. But it needs cleaning.

And I already can see dust in there.

- A camera bag. As much as i just wanna load everything into my messenger bag, sometimes you need a camera-centric backpack to carry your gear.

- Batteries. Oy. One of the things I like about Fuji's is that they take AA batteries. Practical. But the Nikons take a proprietory battery. The good news is that the battery lasts a long time - at least 500 shots. The bad news, theyre not cheap.

And hard experience has taught me to always carry spare batteries.

- An expodisc or grey card. Basically, to set color balance.

- Remote control. I used to consider this a gimmick, but long exposures require a smooth shutter finger to prevent vibration and blurry images.

This camera has no facility to use a shutter cable, but it will fire from a remote control.

Heh, in fact, if i program a cheap TV remote properly, that'll control the camera too.

This is basic stuff and a short list. Unfortunately, after this - with lenses, flashes, light meters and whatnot - its gonna get a lot lot more expensive.

But hey, thats why getting a camera like this is a serious investment.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Lobster in the half shell


Lobster in the half shell, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Fisherman's wharf

Carry


Carry, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

shooting blind from the hip - still working on that.

I used to be very good at it too.. but that was with a one-handed camera.

Bird egg waffle cakes


Bird egg waffle cakes, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

pacific and stockton in SF's chinatown

The lady on Canal street in NY chinatown, her batter is much better.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Lobsters at fisherman's wharf


Lobsters at fisherman's wharf, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Car show


Car show, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

jaguar


jaguar, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

From 'The Art of the Start'


From 'The Art of the Start', originally uploaded by Itinerant.

"No matter what, never admit that you're scared..."

Ovaltine milkshake


Ovaltine milkshake, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Seafood cup


Seafood cup, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Ordering pork buns


Ordering pork buns, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Car show


Car show, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Joe P. shoots Jeanne F.


Joe P. shoots Jeanne F., originally uploaded by allaboutgeorge.