Fun

As I get older, I feel the world tends to spin faster and there’s no way of slowing it down. During my first few minutes of waking up, I can hardly determine if it’s a Tuesday or a Saturday. With technology moving so fast, sometimes I wonder if it is beneficial or detrimental to the human existence and experience.  Enough with the poetic shit and get on with it. Ever since I have pursued photography as a career the past year or so, I feel that I have been losing touch of what got me into taking pictures in the first place; one word, 3 letters: FUN. It should be fun. I’m sure most of us get caught up in the current trends and what’s the newest tech out there. With that feeling in mind and looking at my own photography, I had to really take a step back and think…what the fuck am I doing?

Recently, I picked up a Fujifilm X-E2s. Now you’re probably thinking this guy is totally contradicting himself. But hold on a minute, I’ve been searching the market for a camera that I can carry everyday for quite sometime now. Something that’s low key, won’t break the bank, and won’t feel like I’m on the job. I picked up the X-E2s (body only) for $350 it’s not a bad find; considering that the newest version of it, the X-E3, will run you 1K (body only). I don’t claim to be a techy, in fact far from it, but I know for a fact that my recent pick up is more than capable to do a myriad of things that I enjoy shooting. I played around with the camera’s different film simulations, giving each photo a unique look. With Instagram filters and many other post-processing programs, we tend to underestimate and forget to appreciate how each individual camera can produce their own unique photographs.

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Have fun with it

X-E2s with the 23mm f1.4

 

It might not have the latest bells and whistles, but it offers a good time.

To test out the X-E2s, I paired it with my trusty 23mm f1.4 and went along with my sister and her friend to LA. I’ll let the photos speak for itself. We can talk about the ergonomics of it, and be nitpicky about all the technology, but honestly it’s a digital camera that is more than capable. For myself, it gave back the feeling of fun, the feeling of taking photos with an old style camera, but at the same time still has the punch of the new world. Overall, I had a great time taking photographs throughout the day with the X-E2s and it will stay in my camera collection for a long time.

Stay cool. Have fun. Keep on keepin’ on.

Notes:

  • Don’t be afraid to take shitty photos, that’s the only way to learn.
  • What’s a shitty photo anyway?
  • One person’s shitty photo is another’s perfect photo.

18 For 18 Skydive

For the past year or so I have had the honor to volunteer for Together 1 Heart; a non-profit organization that's saving lives from human sex trafficking specifically in the region of Cambodia. Human sex trafficking has been an ever growing problem that's overlooked by the general public here in USA. It is less evident, but if we look at the statistics at least 20.9 million adults and children are bought and sold worldwide for sexual servitude, forced labor, and bonded labor. 2 million children are exploited each year in global sex trade. Females make up 98 percent of victims for sexual trafficking.

Although in the darkness, there is a fire of hope that's slowly burning brightly. From Susan Sarandon, AnnaLynne McCord, Serinda Swan, and Shay Mitchell, Together1Heart's movement is steadily progressing to save lives each and every year. This past summer I've had the opportunity to record the fundraising event held by 18 for 18 Project in Santa Barbara, CA. 18 for 18 Project is an organization that is partnered with other top non-profit organizations and donate 100 percent of what they raise through the skydive. In addition, Powerplant Custom Choppers of Los Angeles was there supporting the cause. A long time advocate of anti-trafficking in the region of Cambodia, Somaly Mam and New Light advocate, Urmi Basu, also made an appearance.

With much awareness and action, there is no reason why sex-trafficking cannot be defeated. The money raised is used to not only save the victims from trafficking, but also providing education and rehabilitation. It was a pleasure to snap some photos to raise the awareness that is much needed.

Take action. Support the cause. End Slavery.: Together1Heart . 18 For 18 . New Light

 

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

-Mahatma Ghandi

Back to Basics (Fuji Geeks & Instagram)

It's been a minute and a half since I've written here; the busyness is real. This past weekend I had the opportunity to have a photo session with someone I met when I was taking some street photography in Downtown LA. Not only was I excited for this shoot, but I was ecstatic to test out my recent pick up of the Fujifilm XT2 with a 23mm f1.4 Lens. As I expected the XT2 performed flawlessly; the dials, buttons, and menus on the camera body are placed perfectly. Everything you need to perform is there, there wasn't any need for me to scramble around and go on a witch hunt to get to the menu settings etc. With it's new sensor and lightning speed of 14 FPS one can only jump for joy at this point...more like one can shoot the sh*t out of it. 

The lens also performed beautifully; the colors and the sharpness it produced almost seemed better than real life! Although that is a ridiculous statement, but you just have to try lens out for yourself. Both the body and the lens worked in perfect harmony. Now I'm just geeking out, but Fuji has really stepped it up big time. There seems to be a Fuji cult rising from the ashes; maybe it has already been for awhile and I'm just late to the party.

The shoot itself went quite well. Since I have not taken much photos lately, this was a nice easing into after a long hiatus. I guess you could say this is back to basics. Here's the subject, put them in front of this background and shoot; an instagram inspired shoot perhaps. After all it's an instagram world. I'll let the photos speak for itself. 

Keep on keepin' on y'all.

-Gabe

Signs of Light

Saw these fine folks this summer at the KROQ Red Bull Sound Space in Los Angeles, CA. It was quite the treat especially when the tickets were absolutely free. I was impressed with how KROQ organized the whole event. They provided pizza, water, and of course Red Bull. The Head and the Heart played a few songs from previous albums as well as new songs from their new album that recently released named "Signs of Light." "City of Angels" had the Los Angeles vibe in every note and beat. The song is composed perfectly to remind a person about those feels you experience when you spend some time in LA. It makes perfect sense since some of the tracks were recorded in LA. Another track, "Rhythm and Blues," has to be my favorite from the new album so far. A man is trying to swoon over a woman to stop second guessing and to give him a chance; "Come on darlin' wont you let me drive you home." THATH's 3 year slumber has now been awakened as their first single "All We Ever Knew," proclaims, "It's time to wake up from this, it's time to make up for it." This song is surely a hit; it is comprised with clever lyrics and catchy "la la las" in which faithful fans and new listeners can all sing along and relate to.

It's not the usual THATH, but it suits them oh so sweetly. Referring to what frontman Jonathan Russel explained in an interview... the band has many rock influences; they wanted to show their fans and the music world that the band will not be tied down to their sound in the past two albums they have created. With so much chaos and turmoil in this day and age, KROQ's Kat Corbett explained THATH's art and contribution to the world..."it's like popping open a cold one on a hot summer day." The Head and the Heart's songs are heartfelt; it soothes the soul and sends ripples of emotions through your veins. Even with fans awaiting the return of the integral band member Josiah Johnson, who's taking a back seat to battle drug addiction, it's safe to say The Head and the Heart is here to stay for generations to come.

City Roamer

As much as living and/or spending the day in Los Angeles, will break anybody's bank, I happen to enjoy it there lately. The more and more I explore and spend time in this city, I realize that I really do love it. LA has so many things to offer; of those many things are free events held at Grand Park. With various events happening each day of the week this summer; from free concerts, bootcamp classes, yoga, and more.. it's difficult to believe one can ever be bored in the City of Angels. My Econ professor once said, "There's no such thing as free lunch." (TNSTAFL), but it sure feels free when you're having the time of your life..all you have to do is get out there and look for it. 

To end..it's not the hobos that run this city, it's the roaches. Keep it real y'all. 

Create & Grind

Spent a night with creative people designing and creating our own T-Shirts. Surround yourself with creative like-minded people and the gears in your mind will be in motion; the kindling in your heart will start a brushfire. My particular favorite "Sleep When You're Dead." It is a constant reminder to keep improving and keep grindin'.