Angles Matter, Ali R. Farhoodi Photography

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 127, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-02-18T21:19:00.000-08:00

From the Sublime portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 126, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-02-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

One of favorite ones from the Sublime series. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 125, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-02-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

From the Sublime portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 124, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-28T22:15:00.000-08:00

A night out could be seductive if every molecules in an observer's body moves much faster than those of the ones around him. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 123, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-27T23:26:00.000-08:00

From the Sublime portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 122, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-26T21:33:00.000-08:00

From the Sublime portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 121, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-26T00:22:00.000-08:00

From the Sublime portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 120, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-25T00:20:00.000-08:00

From the Sublime portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 119, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

We are a generation that cherishes speed. Our needs require immediate attention and patience is a rare commodity. Yet, desiring and arriving at a destination without experiencing the journey blares our vision of the surroundings. Every action has a consequence. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 118, From the Sublime Portfolio

2011-01-20T23:34:00.000-08:00

In my last writing, I emphasized on the ease of manipulation of a digital photograph. What you see here is not manipulated digitally. I like the mysterious feeling it projects. Since images in this series (more will follow) are real and yet move beyond the obvious, I called the collection "Sublime." (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 117, Venice, California

2010-11-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

I attended a meeting on photography, with a few legends discussing the path a particular photography organization should take to educate and serve its members. The result was not definitive, since the discussion would turn to techniques, or film versus digital issue, with a certain amount of nostalgia towards film. I thought that a productive approach for a photography organization would be to arrange a variety of discussions around issues that affected photography in the past and the ones pertinent to our time and modern societies. Then, allow the photographers make their own informed decisions regarding the paths they take. One such topic is the ease and extent of manipulation and alteration of digital photographs and their roles in forming our individual and collective memories. I am sure that you have seen plenty of doctored images in recent years and agree that the phrase "a photograph never lies" has lost its luster, or no longer represent any truth. Let's look at three images I planned for inclusion in a group show that did not happen. The idea was to expose the viewers with the following questions; "Does a photograph tell the truth? And, what is 'being truthful' in the digital age?" There are four people on the beach. All four could have been present, or perhaps not. You be the judge. Only one photograph is real, the other two are manipulated.
If three people see only one photograph each, who is holding the true memory of that day? I guess only the persons in the photographs and me know the answer.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

www.alfaphotography.com

Ali R. Photography, Image # 116, Quebec City, Canada

2010-10-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

This shot was very intriguing. Without reflections it would have been a boring one. There is again a combination of reality and illusion that leaves the viewer in a position of uncertainty. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 115, Downtown Los Angeles

2010-10-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

Most parts of downtown Los Angeles are lonely and empty places in the evenings. Perhaps trucks frequent this site before 6 P.M., or maybe not. The emptiness and the promise of business activities was intriguing. (alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 114, Barcellona, Spain

2010-09-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Should an image challenge its viewers by offering them an unconventional angle/composition of an ordinary scene, like this photograph of two people sitting on a bench and engaging in a lively discussion? I think you will try to understand this image the moment you see it, and will figure it out after some thinking. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 113, Untitled, Los Angeles, California

2010-09-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

From the "Cityscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 112, Untitled, Quebec City, Canada

2010-09-24T22:05:00.000-07:00

From the "Cityscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 111, Untitled, Montreal, Canada

2010-09-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned before, I like reality and illusion mixed up, in order to draw attention to how city structures reflect the life around them. (alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 110, Untitled, Brentwood, California

2010-09-19T21:42:00.000-07:00

Reflection of objects and sceneries in a store window mixed with what lays behind the glass reveals the illusionary nature of photography itself. The camera and the scene photographed are always face to face in the same manner. (alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 109, Untitled

2010-09-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

I totally love Montreal. On the East Coast, it rivals New York in
everything. It's bustling with life in the summer and yes, a little
cold in the winter. I found this image interesting for the contrast it presents.
(www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 108, Cityscape, Cambridge

2010-09-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I have not been around for a while. Not good if I were to post an image a day! I moved back to Boston from Los Angeles. I have lived much longer in Massachusetts than California, but I consider both coastal states my home. After I finish with the Cityscape images, I will share with you some images from my trip. I drove through the country for the third time.
This image was taken in Cambridge, Kendall Square. The structure always fascinated me with the golden pyramids under and above. I think I owe you a research to find out what this whole thing is about.
(www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 107, Cityscape, Cambridge

2010-07-19T00:57:00.000-07:00

From the "Cityscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotohgraphy.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 106, Boston Chinatown

2010-07-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

Occasionally cities change without drawing much attention. New buildings replace the old ones and the look and character of neighborhoods are significantly altered. Sometimes, for a short period of time, the ghost of a place and those who lived there linger on. Here in Chinatown, downtown Boston, one could see the smoke rising from the chimneys of this long-gone-residence. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 105, Boston Cityscape

2010-07-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

From the "Cityscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 104, Boston Cityscape

2010-07-14T01:23:00.000-07:00

Cities fascinate me. Humans are blamed for every atrocity imagined and blamed rightfully for the destruction of our natural environment. We certainly are foolish and inconsiderate. Unfortunately, the future generations will pay for our sins. Yet, man-made environment is also full of opportunities for photographers who see beyond the obvious and spend time searching for unusual images. I capture the elusive moments that many disregard. I am fully aware that this statement sounds cliche and tired, but if you look at my work at www.alfaphotography.com , you might agree with me. The challenge as always is to turn the ordinary scenes into something interesting.

Ali R. Photography, Image # 103, Salton sea, California

2010-07-05T02:01:00.000-07:00

From the "California Landscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 102, Salton Sea, California

2010-07-02T02:09:00.000-07:00

Despite its resilience, nature is fragile and delicate. The disappearance of one species affects the rest of of a very interdependent system. I went to a lecture at the Annenberg Space for Photography on Thursday, July 1, 2010. The main presenter, Robert Glenn Ketchum was brilliant, both a great photographer and an articulate speaker and conservationist. His images of Alaskan landscape was breathtakingly beautiful, and his concern for its possible destruction by a coalition of multi-national mining companies was well received and appreciated by the audience. As people who call this planet home, we are quite irresponsible caretakers. We all can help if educate ourselves about the current threats to our environment, and yes be active in protecting it from the greedy corporations. We ought to participate in our government decision-making and do not allow events such as the oil leak in the Golf of Mexico becomes a common happening.

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 101, Salton Sea, California

2010-07-01T00:13:00.000-07:00

From the "California Landscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 100, Salton Sea, California

2010-06-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

Something is very wrong for the fish. "Salton Sea Authority" site states that "salinity has been identified as the number 1 challenge..." It calls it a "time bomb." The more salinity, the more fish will die and with that other species that depend on the fish will also die off. There is a restoration project in effect to revive this very important body of water and natural habitat. Read more at:
http://www.saltonsea.ca.gov/
http://www.saltonsea.ca.gov/thesea.htm
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/SaltonSeaHomePage.html
and more sites if you google "Salton Sea."

Ali R. Photography, Image # 99, Salton Sea, California

2010-06-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

From the "California Landscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 98, Salton Sea, California

2010-06-18T00:20:00.000-07:00

Flowers wrapped, left to die like many other things around the Salton Sea. Perhaps they were once fresh, a token of one's love to another. But why? Why would someone leave them here to dry and die? Good question that applies to this body of water too. Why are we humans so careless about the environment? (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 97, Salton Sea, California

2010-06-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

From the "California Landscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Farhoodi, Image # 96, Salton Sea, California

2010-06-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

From the "California Landscape" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 95, Salton Sea, California

2010-06-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I visited Salton Sea in California. I drove with a few friends to Palm Spring and then off to visit the "Sea." According to Wikipedia , "The Salton Sea is a saline, endorheic rift lake located directly on the San Andreas Fault in California's Border Region. The lake occupies the lowest elevations of the Salton Sink in the Colorado Desert of Imperial and Riverside Counties in Southern California. Like Death Valley, it is located below sea level, with the current surface of the Salton Sea at 226 ft (69 m) below sea level. The deepest area of the sea is 5 ft (1.5 m) higher than the lowest point of Death Valley. The sea is fed by the New, Whitewater, and Alamo rivers, as well as a number of minor agricultural drainage systems and creeks."
It gets really hot there and the odor is very strong, dead fish, everywhere. The sea does not have a natural outlet, so the quality of its water is of prime concern. This site gives you enough information about this place, attractions and challenges. I found it beautiful in a lonely manner. There were a few people around and many abandoned buildings, mobile units and yes, trash. The visit was short since one member of our party did not feel well. I intend to visit the area again in a week or so. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 94, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-06-10T00:59:00.001-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 93, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-06-07T01:13:00.000-07:00

from the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 92, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-06-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 91, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-06-03T00:13:00.000-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 90, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-06-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

I wonder if people feel freer to express their political views wearing masks? People with masks usually are hiding something rather than revealing. It's ironic, isn't it?

Ali R. Photography, Image # 89, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 88, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-30T19:28:00.001-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 87, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-30T02:08:00.000-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 86, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-27T00:39:00.001-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 85, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-24T23:41:00.000-07:00

From the "Halloween" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 84, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles, or commonly called West Hollywood Halloween is huge. Five or six large blocks are assigned to attendees to freely roam back and forth, and show off their costumes. No one looks strange or alien this night. Everyone, no matter how strange, gory or unusual is welcomed enthusiastically. In fact, the more unusual, the better!
(www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 83, Halloween, Los Angeles

2010-05-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

Halloween in Los Angeles is an event that should not be missed by visitors and locals. It's a fascinating night of role playing, and an occasion to be whoever you want to be. The limit is one's imagination and the budget. The best I could do was to be "Zorro!" Sounds cheap and uninspiring, doesn't it? And, no this is not me. I actually dislike photographing myself!!! (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 82, Untitled

2010-05-13T22:59:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 81, Untitled

2010-05-12T00:18:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 80, untitled

2010-05-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 79, Untitled

2010-05-06T23:07:00.001-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 78, Untitled

2010-05-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 77, Untitled

2010-05-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 76, Untitled

2010-05-03T20:21:00.001-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 75, Untitled

2010-05-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 74, Untitled

2010-05-02T02:03:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 73, Untitled

2010-04-30T00:26:00.000-07:00

From the "Ephemeral Visions" portfolio. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 72, Ephemeral

2010-04-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

My apartment is very small. The body feels confined, but the mind
is agile. As I move through the space, from the corners of my
eyes I see walls and objects passing by rapidly.The visions
are ephemeral, leaving impressions for a short period
of time, then disappearing forever.

Ali R. Photography, Image # 71, Untitled

2010-04-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

Here is what California beaches look like on weekends! Santa Monica is a popular destination for people from every corner of the world. I usually bike to the pier and if I feel so take a few shots. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 70, Untitled

2010-04-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

There are so many man-made structures that have been challenged and destroyed by the ocean in California. Some had been around for years, but wiped out in a few days by powerful waves of a storm. I have such respect for the sea and am in awe with it. When it is calm, its waves are soothing and gentle. When angry, it roars and punches furiously. I hope that I always live somewhere close to it. The men who are fishing on the rocks probably used to do it off the pier that is no longer standing. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 69, Confrontation

2010-04-22T23:31:00.001-07:00

Ocean is beautiful and could also be deadly. Man and the ocean could be friends or foes. It's all about boundaries. Man's structures are no match for the ocean's fury. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 68, Manhattan Beach

2010-04-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

A man walking on the beach and the light coming through the pier made this photo interesting to me. I am not really a photographer that depicts reality alone. I like to strip an image from all familiar, easy to figure out aspects, so that the viewer thinks more than enjoying a scenery. Yet, I am guilty of taking the ordinary images as well!!! (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 67, Untitled

2010-04-20T23:38:00.000-07:00

People come to the beach for different reasons. The woman in blue is in total contrast with the joyous youths that are walking to the water and the little girl who is fascinated by something. Being careful about the composition probably forces you to leave somethings out!!! (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 66, Untitled

2010-04-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

A nice warm day brings so many people to the beach that in some places, like Santa Monica, it feels like a pool with no room for swimming!!! This photo is taken late afternoon, thus the warm color and feeling. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 65, Untitled

2010-04-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Stormy days in California are great time to shoot. In many instances dark clouds are on one side and the sun comes in from the opposite angle. Here calm is in the fore front and the fury is occupying the horizon.
(www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 64, Calm

2010-04-14T23:44:00.000-07:00

California beaches are always crowded, except packages of time that only locals would be around. I love the quiet time with a few people in sight. It seems that one owns the ocean all for him/herself. This image is from one of those rare quiet occasions. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 63, A Day at the Beach

2010-04-12T23:29:00.000-07:00

It's a humbling experience to look at the ocean from above. Its vastness is overwhelming, exaggerated by the smallness of the human figures. Do we treat this magnificent natural phenomena with proper respect? (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 62, Serenity

2010-04-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

I guess it's time to have some California shots for those who dream to be here. The beaches are fantastic. If Florida beaches are better than this, then viva Florida. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 61, Matador

2010-04-06T00:49:00.000-07:00

People post bills frequently and in many instances place them on top of others'. This one in France attracted my attention. The top of the matador and bull poster was loose and had bended. The man's face was deformed and resembled the bull's. This is a brutal show. I hate to call it a sport. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 60, The Big Match

2010-04-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

Election 2008 was a hot issue for artists and activists. Posters appeared everywhere and were immediately opined by others. People don't have that much presence on TV during the election season. However, many so called experts and special interest lobbyists do. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 59, Bold

2010-03-31T22:57:00.000-07:00

This wall is high enough to make it very difficult to post and yet visible and tempting enough to place this work and risk falling. I would love to know the artist's motivation and the idea behind this beyond the obvious anti-religion message. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, image # 58, Mystery

2010-03-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

Public really does not have that much access to "public space" to post thoughts, ideas, images, etc. The amount of tape and staples used to hold posts is mind blowing. One might wonder what all these gone thoughts were about. I think it is a good idea to have an electronic billboard devoted to the people of each city. I bet you that it would be a popular meeting place of minds! (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 57, Untitled

2010-03-27T01:20:00.000-07:00

Another graffiti from Barcelona, Spain. This was across from a hall exhibiting Juan Miro's work. (www.alfaPhotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 56, Conversation

2010-03-24T23:07:00.000-07:00

Layers over layers, elements of a visual conversation among people who don't know each other, but certainly have thoughts in common. I wonder what makes them to respond so passionately? (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Images # 55, Peace

2010-03-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

This is a good example of a wall in downtown Los Angeles that highlights the diversity of ideas and opinions. Many anti-war messages are posted anonymously. It is still difficult to express ideas that are contrary to those of the majority, even in a society that we call a democracy. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Images # 53, 54, Untitle

2010-03-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

It's really an unusual experience to be in the middle of huge parking lot surrounded by graffiti art. I think it would be great to have public spaces available to the artists in various neighborhoods to express themselves. Venice Beach has created such a space and is a good model for future projects in other cities. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Images # 52, Maedchen

2010-03-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Most graffiti works and bills people post have no signatures. Some artists and their styles seem to be at least known in their own circles. I usually crop what I like from the walls and create new contexts. This image was taken in Basel, Switzerland.

Ali R. Photography, Images # 51, Madrid Wall

2010-03-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

Could postings and graffiti work tell a different story about the society we live in than the TV news and popular shows? (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Images # 50, Discontent

2010-03-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

There is something communal about graffiti art. I understand that some people find it ugly, but I believe it's a channel of communication that needs to be left open. This wall is amazing. It seems that people enjoy adding more "messages" to the already saturated wall, either in response or unrelated to one another. If you gaze long enough, you will hear voices. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Images # 49, Voice of Mass Dissent

2010-03-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

Posters/flyers on top of posters/flyers, some intact, some torn find their place anywhere within our sight wether we like it or not. The juxtaposition is not accidental. KPFK flyer and its "Voice of Mass Dissent" message fits well with the content (or lack there of) below it. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Images # 47, 48, "Fantasy" and "Untitled"

2010-03-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

Looking at the past few days of postings, you might have noticed that billboards are about icons and brands. Few words are used. They sell fantasy, places you rather be instead of working 9-5 every day, buying products that could transform you into "them," and adventures that you cannot afford. It's all good news though. Up there everyone and everything look happy. Yet, down below, we live the hardest time this country has experienced in a long time. People are hurting and their messages in the form of graffiti and posters turn the walls of our cities into their diaries. As I said before, one is encouraged and another is criminalized.

Ali R. Photography, Images # 45, 46, Volvo, Santa Monica Blvd.

2010-03-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

The streets in LA tell more about the kind of society we live in than any other city I know. New york is also a city of shops and restaurants, but LA always remind you of consumption. Second image is stunning. Do we really pay any specific attention to all the signs seen here? (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 44, Target

2010-03-13T01:19:00.000-08:00

This ad for Target was covering the entire wall of a huge building on Sunset Blvd. I find them interesting, and often beautiful. However, their presence as I mentioned before is intrusive and many dislike them. My problem with them is that anyone who has money can get a "free lease on our eyes" as Marshall McLuhan commented about billboard advertisement, but another communicative method, graffiti, that is the voice of the ordinary people is illegal and punishable by law. (www.alfaphotography.com )

Ali R. Photography, Image # 43, Spider-Man

2010-03-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Movie billboards in Los Angeles are big. After all this is the movie making capital of the world (excuse me India). It was a stormy day and the east was covered with dark clouds. The sun was shining from the west. I thought it was the most beautiful light for this billboard, gloomy a bit, but Spider-Man is there to save us all from the forces of evil! (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 42, Sunset Place

2010-03-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

I am really intrigued that people are conditioned to quickly digest commercial messages and get on with their lives, as if nothing has happened. The reality is that so much like a subliminal message, buried within the body of a particular information, billboard messages also sink into the viewers minds and reside there uninvited for a long time. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 41, "True Blood"

2010-03-08T22:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, let's get to something different and if you like to see more of the architectural work visit my web site at www.alfaphotography.com.

Billboards are designed to be out of reach, above everything else and untouchable. Nevertheless, in a city like Los Angeles, they also dominate our urban landscape in a very intrusive manner. Without really noticing, most urban dwellers' physical and mental spaces are quietly invaded by these giants above. Yet, isolated from the immediate surroundings, a billboard possesses a certain beauty that is the result of its unique make, position, design and the clear message. Afternoon light and blue sky in West Los Angeles has made this image a very attractive one, in my humble opinion. I love the mood!!!

Ali R. Photography, Image # 40, Triumvirate

2010-03-07T22:58:00.000-08:00

The question put to me is always "did you put the three balls where they are?" My answer is always no, but I kicked the red one in from three feet away. The balls were there on the beach after a storm in Playa Del Rey, California. I love the combination of the balls and their shadows. Sun is a good partner to a photographer. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 39, Untitled

2010-03-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

This scene intrigued me a lot. The combination of the layered walls, shadows of the tree, part of the building and the balcony was impossible to resist. Of course, the composition is set to create an image that needs a bit of time to find in this location, Westwood, California. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 38, Untitled

2010-03-03T22:08:00.000-08:00

Opportunities in photography are sometimes like the moments that it captures, fleeting. This image was taken during the construction of the new wing at LACMA. As you can tell from the blog, I like form, color and simple composition the most. The idea is to show the viewers that beauty could be created from the mundane moments and places in our contemporary environment. But having curiosity and daring to look at our surroundings with open eyes and minds are totally necessary. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 37, Untitled

2010-03-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes cheap lenses allow you to take pictures that good lenses would not. In this case, a cheaper, earlier camera had such deep depth of field that these two walls from the opposing side of a street at UCLA campus seem to be on the same plain. In reality they are perhaps 100 yards away from each other. With better lenses, and better cameras, one need to know more of the traditional rules to control the depth of field, such as the relationship between the iris and the shutter speed and or the size of the lens. Obviously, longer lenses have less or shallower depth of field, versus the wide angle lenses that have a deeper one. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 36, A Rose of Esfahan

2010-03-01T22:25:00.000-08:00

This seems a departure from what you have seen so far, but it really is not. I called it "A Rose of Esfahan." In the West they might write it as Isfahan, or Isphahan. Persians pronounce it with a short "A" sound. It is created by moving the camera physically with a very slow shutter speed. Nothing new, but the result is more interesting than directly capturing a rose.

In practicing photography, sometimes we see the objects in our environment as they are, sometimes we become a bit more creative and observe them in unusual angles, sizes, orientations, etc., and sometimes we create images by moving the camera. It is also possible to use the shutter speed to change the "real" into something unfamiliar. These are all exercises in creation of new images that challenge viewers perception of what photography has been, is, or ought to be. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 35, Pastiche

2010-02-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Good pictures are sometimes literally under one's nose. I was driving in San Francisco when I stopped the car unexpectedly. I could see the potential for an interesting image on the wall of an apartment building. The wall was vast, and on it the house painters had left paint samples for the owner to make a decision. I composed this with a piece of sidewalk included to highlight the authenticity of the subject. Framing the four color would have probably been nice too, but it would have also raised more question about its realness. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 34, Tectonic

2010-02-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

A public sculpture in a street in San Jose, California is the foundation of this image. Three stand alone layers are meshed together through the camera's healthy depth of field an a tight composition. As usual, the natural elements are the key, without them only a flat image would have been resulted. The shadows of the leaves are crucial to the design. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 33, A Flamenco Touch

2010-02-26T18:33:00.000-08:00

Our environment is full of surprises. Everything has the potential to be photographed and if certain visual elements exist, a good image is not out of reach. What makes this image interesting is the red patch on a rock, covered partially by sand and the shadows of other rocks and a pipe that is outside of the frame. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 32, Untitled

2010-02-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes an images is so simple that immediately raises the response, "my kids could have done this." My response is always, ok, but "have your kids done it?" I read it somewhere that the most complicated puzzles look so easy when solved. To me, the question is not to try to be complicated, but to reduce something complicated to a simple representation of it. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 31, Joi De Vivre

2010-02-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

A combination of colors on the painted wall of a commercial property and the shadow of a traffic sign create this image. The wall was repainted to a neutral color a couple of days later. Timing is so important in photography. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 30, Effervescence

2010-02-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

I like to reduce most of the images I take to simple forms and colors. We live in a complex and complicated environment and I find this practice meditative. These are two sheets of metal in a construction site after the rain. I used flash to get out the rich colors you see here. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 29, Homage to M. K. Ciurlionis II

2010-02-21T21:42:00.000-08:00

And adding to my last posting, here is the Homage to M.K. Ciurlionis II. My favorite picture and a found object in Santa Monica, California. Don't try to understand it, but attempt to make some connections to the previous works you have seen by other artists, especially the German ones. Laba Diena Lithuania. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 28, Homage to M. K. Ciurlionis I

2010-02-20T23:12:00.000-08:00

This is one of the two images that I have called "Homage to M. K. Ciurlionis I" and "Homage to M. K. Ciurlionis II." Many people look at you with wide eyes hearing his name, but for Lithuanians he is a legend. Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, the famed Lithuanian composer and painter was born in 1875 and died in 1911, only 35 years old. The image is not exactly like his paintings, but reminds one of his winter works. Labas Lithuania. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 27, Homage to Kasimir Malevitch

2010-02-18T22:26:00.000-08:00

Is photography in need of text to explain it? Sometimes the image is too complex, abstract or vague to be left by itself. Occasionally, an image might not look "abstract" in the purest meaning, but so much on the abstraction level that makes it difficult to understand. It is said that the viewer should enjoy the image at the visual level and if there is no tangible content to hook on, then don't worry about it. I don't like that. I believe that after a viewer enjoys the first impression, on the visual level, an image must provoke a cognitive response. This is one such image. The title gives the viewer some clues, but one still needs to have some knowledge of what that title refers to. It is much more rewarding to know that this is a found image from the walls of a construction site in Los Angeles, composed with the highest respect for the work of a Russian artist and legend.

Ali R. Photography, Image # 26, Pagliacci

2010-02-17T23:03:00.000-08:00

Photography is sometimes pure fun. Here, a fallen branch in the calm water and from the right angle/time of the day, allowed me to get an almost perfect reflection. The trick is that you need to see the clown in this image and know that a 90 degree rotation would create the right orientation. (www.alfaphotography.com)

Ali R. Photography, Image # 25, Untitled

2010-02-16T23:50:00.000-08:00

There are many possibilities for finding and composing good photographs in an urban setting. This is the wall of an apartment building in Brentwood, California. The building itself is quite ordinary, but the wall is painted brightly. With a little help from the Sun and a decent composition an interesting image is created. (www.alfaphotography.com)