Reza - photoblog

Mike Rosenwinkel

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismilah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Sitting in front of Potbelly's restaurant and chatting with a friend I heard a familiar tune. I listened more carefully and realized it was Jack Johnson, one of my all time favorite singer/artist/guitarist. I listened for a few seconds more when I saw someone playing it live inside. I walked in and looked around. To my right sat a young fella singing and playing the song. His voice and tunes were dead on. I've heard others play Jack Johnson before but no one played it so smoothly as Mike Rosenwinkel. MIke Rosenwinkel, a high school graduate from Indiana, had been playing live for a little while and was to play for another 2 hours. I sat down for a second and decided this guy was defiantly worth photographing. I took out my camera and looked over at Mike. I held up my camera with the question on my face, he smiled and gave a shrug of approval. For about a good 20 minutes I snapped away. He played Sitting, Waiting, Wishing and Taylor while I was there, and coincidentally these are two of my favorite songs by Jack Johnson. My memory card was packed with photo's and I decided to stop taking photos. During the whole time Mike did not become camera shy or play the wrong notes because of the lens pointed in his direction. This guy is truly photogenic! Unfortunately, I had to leave, otherwise I would have been there the whole time he was, but in the near future I will head back to Potbelly's in hopes of finding Mike Rosenwinkel with his guitar jamming away. To Mike: Excellent job Mike, if you are ever around let me know ahead of time so I can come by and do some more shots. Anyone who plays so well deserves to be photographed time and time again. If you ever want copies of the shots I took just email me at thenameisreza@yahoo.com. Kodus and good luck with your talent! :-) Post Processing: MonochromeNoise ReductionSelective Desaturation for proper range.Gradient tool to blend the BnW shot with the colored one. I was in two states of mind when doing that because it did not fit it. But the more I look at it, the more looks better. Any suggestions anyone?

Those Spanish Eyes

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the benficent, the Merciful This is Courtney again, and this is her eye. I know I know, everyone has done a shot like this. BUT, everyone (well, the photo's I've seen) has tried to remove themselves from the photo. Here you can see me with my camera in her face. We are inside my car. Isn't it amazing how the eye is the best fish eye lens. Its soooo sweet. No camera could ever be made as precice and amazing as our eyes. Plus, she has pretty eyes, why not? Post Processing: MonochromeHighlights Dodged, Shadows Burnt (in eyes only)Cropped to 1000 x something.

Frogman

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful I took this photo a looooong time ago when I first got my Pentax *ist DL. I'm putting it up because everytime I've wanted to put it up, I decided it was better if I left it be because of the way the light relects off his back and creates that purple fringe. But...I think this shot is one of my best macro/wildlife shots yet. He was so cooperative with me. My lens was 3 feet from his face (the closest you can be 300mm 1:2 macro settings) He didn't budge while all of his buddies made a little yelp and disapeared into the brown water. Thank you mister frog. I had a tough time with his eye. The problem was you could see me, the lens, my cousins, and everything around us in his eye. So I had to photoshop that out. Other than that, no PS was done :)

Three Little Rabits

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful Today's shot comes from a nature preserve which is a 3 minute drive from where I live. Baby rabits were everywhere on the mowed path. They would run in and out from the tall grasses eating the patches of grass. I managed to click this, and again, they were very cooperative. Usually rabits run like hell when they sense motion, but these little fella's were probably curious to see what I would do, they were just youngin'. I did a thin crop because I captured lots of foreground because if I were to capture some sky, then the shot would be way too under exposed to see anything.

Zizou for Life.

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful MUST READ I have gotten several emails about my comment about the World Cup and let me clear things up more. First off, this is a blog, a place to people to share photos, ideas, philosophy. This is a place where we understand others and explore ourselves in terms of photographer and other ways, namely, who we are. So why did I write all that yesterday about Italy? Is it because I hate Italians? Do I really wish death on an Italian player? Why is Reza getting upset over a ball going into the back of a net on a huge field of grass? Its just a game and its just another sport, so WHAT, Reza why are you upset, who cares? Well, its understandable thats its just a game, and I'm all up for that, its just a game, thats it. But! Injustice is not just injustice. The reason I am/was so upset at the Italian players is because of their sportsmanship of such a beautiful game, a game where 2 billion plus watched and the most popular sport in the history of existance. Futball is partly about playing fair and just, no cheating at all. But what did we see from the Italians? Savagery. Simple. They did not play futball, they player Futball/Rugby. Their tackles, their dives, their playing was not professional futball, it was amatuer. Ask anyone (other than Italians, they'll just deny it anyway) about the way they played, and they cannot disagree that they played poor. The worse part is that the ref was practically BLIND to these things. A good ref knows divers, he knows when someone is cheating by hitting someone and see ALL in the game, not just one teams fouls, but both. This ref was horrible. He did not make very many good calls, he seemed to be under so much pressure that it seemed like he flopped. He was in the way of the ball so many times to begin with (one time preventing a pass by France). He was just not good, one cannot deny that. So I'm not mad Italy won, I'm mad they won by not playing beautifully. The saying goes "JOGA BONITO!" Play Beautiful! So, aside from the poor playing of the Italians there comes Zidanes headbutt. Zidane is the best player in the world, the most expensive, the most tactical, the most trained and the most amazing capitan. There is no denying that. What makes this amazing player furious? Well, lip readers around the world have broken it down to that Marco Materazzi called his sister a "whore" or called him a "dirty terrorist". His agent talked to Zidane. "Zidane has not said what provoked his reaction. His agent, Alain Migliaccio, told the British Broadcasting Corp. that Zidane told him the Italian "said something very serious to him, but he wouldn't tell me what." " Whatever it was, it was uncalled for. It was not FUTBALL at all. It was street talk and not tolerated on the international field. Maybe in the backstreets of Italy or France, its ok, but not when its in the WORLD CUP. Zidane would not headbutt Materazzi for no reason, he's not insane, so something was said. Thats all we need to know. Being a Moslem my self, I have been subjected to such words in the wake of 9/11 attacks in America. I've been called Osama, terrorist, camel jockey, suicide bomber, dirty arab, and etc. I've been called it all for what? For being Moslem. So for Zidane to serve this racist garbage player (who has has the longest serving suspention for attacking someone outside the field [criminal activity] in Futball) justice by a headbutt is beyond satisfying. It shows the world "do not tempt me with such ridicules because it will NOT be tollerated" There wasn't a better way for Zidane to end his career than this. He's a millionare who has all the medals and trophies in the world and the only man in France who scored twice in the world cup against Brazil. I still love Zidane, maybe more now than ever. I love this man so much that I will, Inshallah, name my children Zidane, Zinadine, and Zizou. :) Justice was served and the price was the world cup. I think I can live with justice and not winning the world cup rather than living with injustice and winning the cup. I love you Zizou, your my Moslem hero other than Prophet Muhammad. -Reza Sources: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071000712.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,1817473,00.html http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/sports/story/0,4136,109866,00.html WATCH MATTERAZZI NOT PLAYING FUTBALL AND PLAYING RUGBYWatch this too, its commentary of what is going on Now you know what I'm talking about :) As for the photo, it was taken with my Pentax when I had her. This one is specifically for Paul, I know he loves nature and animals, so this one is for you pal :)

My Buddy Herb

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful How do I start this? This is Herbert Rupp. He was one of my favorite people to sit with. I would sit with him and ponder into his eyes as he rambled on in his own new language. His undecipherable sentances and slurred words, pondering what it feels like to have Alzhiemer's. Recently my buddy Herb had a nasty fall. His lungs failed, his livers failed, and worst of all, fluid filled his brain. He was hospitalized and returned back to our facility. Bed bound and nearing the end of his life Herb would recognize me. For several days I walked into his room and say, "Hiyaaa HERB! How are you, Buddy!?" He would respond as usual, "He-heeeyyy" and continue speaking the language that he only knew. I would put on classical music for Herb and he would entertain everyone by conducting music to it. Moving his arms around and conducting the orchestra that no longer existed. He used to be a conducter for an orchestra of some sort in Chicago, and also an inventor with multiple post master's degree. I love this man. He was my friend, he was my buddy herb. Herbie: R.I.P. Inshallah, you are in a better place and no longer bound to this cruel world. Now you can see how much I care for you buddy. See you soon. ;-) Miss you always, bud. -Hamid Reza. About the photo. This is one shot that truely captures Herbs very essance. Uploading to shutterchance has changed the photo's contrast for some reason, maybe it was the way I saved. Whatever.

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful This man used be a bank president of a specific branch and he was also a photographer. I took in my DIMAGE A1 today to show him how much things have changed, but sadly the change was too much and it was hard to understand how thousands of photos could fit onto a flat square. He's a good man with a good heart who was working night and day for his children, but now, do you think the children all come to visit? Just one. Shot with the old Pentax. This may go down as "been done before" or cliche, but oh well, that hardly matters.

The One Way

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful Well, this is the last shot before I head to Iran. Inshallah, I will return. I am taking the DIMAGE A1 on my trip with a 256 and 512mb CF cards that I were supplied with from the generous person who donated it to me, (Btw, Mr. Donator, I just realized the A1 has a 2x digital zoom, lol, I'm slow) so be expected to see some cool shots. Especially panorama's of some of Tehrans streets :) Inshallah, I will return safe and sound from the middle east. This is one of my favorite places to go. Bliss Woods Forest Preserve. It is a very beautiful place where the trees stretch so high that its normally 5-9 degrees cooler inside the forest than out. This was taken with the Pentax (been to hot to go out and shoot some fresh shots). Thanks again for coming by everyone. I hope you have a wonder day, week, weekends, etc :) -Reza, over and out.

Iran's Mountains

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful Well, I'm back. It's good to be back, but I kind of wish I never came back. There is no combination of words that can explain how much I enjoyed my stay with my cousins and aunts and uncles. In a way I wish I'd never went because of this feeling....the feeling of leaving them all behind again...:-'( When I am myself again, I will post up details and other shots, but as of now, I need to gather myself up. Peace

Vatan

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful This is the last night that I was in Tehran. Let me start off by saying that being in Iran has changed me forever. I will never....never be the same again. The comphort I felt in Iran is unparrallel, the happiness I felt, the feeling of belonging in the right place has never been so strong in me. I left this this country to Iran feeling "Who cares about where your born and raised, this is all God's earth", but there I felt "This is the part of God's earth that I was born. I felt as if Iran's blood was pumping in my viens, as if my country was speaking to me with every breath I took. Everything here is sooo much more different than Iran. The air, the people, the mood, the streets, the life, everything! I feel a stranger now that I've been home. It's as if there was a void in me that Iran could fill, but once returning a the moment I was in America I felt that void once again. No one who lives in their homeland currently could understand this pain I feel. This is the worse pain of all, to not be walking on the land you were raised on, to not breath the air you breathed when you were born, and to not die in the land you wanted to age. There is a saying.....home is where the heart is. I have found out that my heart is in Iran. I am honestly willing to give up my life here and become a street sweeper just so I can be in my homeland. USA is my second homeland and I love living here, dont get me wrong, its just that your origins grip to you and pull you to your roots and there is nothing you can do other than obey your history. Can anyone relate to me? Can anyone explain this pain, can anyone here on shutterchance being to explain with words I cannot speak? I hope someone can relate. Anyway, this is Tehran, the capitol of Iran. Tehran's mountains are collosal giants overlooking the city and protecting it from rainfall which causes hot weather in the summers and freezing winters. Now that I have started from the end and shown you Tehrans goodbye to me, I will show you Tehran's "Welcome!" in the coming weeks. :-) For those of you who visisted, I am feeling much better, and I will explain the situation further for those who are intrested. Thanks for stopping by :)

Black n White

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismila h Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the name of Allah, the Benficent, the Merciful Greetings :). Like I said, I needed some time to get back into the flow of living in America and needed some time to grieve for leaving my heart back in Iran. Allow me to start from the begining of my trip. On the flight from US to France we had nothing but blue and black above and white below. I was thinking in my mind, "In 13 hours I'm going to see my family!!! THIS IS FREAKIN' AWESOME!" The reality of it would hit me so hard that my stomach would churn and I would feel sick. We were 36,000 feet in the air where the tempertures were -52C outisde. While looking out the window I suddenly realize such a beautiful scene. The dark above and the white below. After several shots I managed to get a crisp one, but I should have cleaned the lens. ;-) During the past couple of days I have been going out on walks in Nature. I've always believed that nature speaks to you in one way or another, and yesterday it spoke loudly. 30 minutes into my walk and not a single time was the sensor exposed to the beauty that is nature. I didn't take a single shot. Usually I'm photographing every little thing that I see and filling up the memory cards, but this time...nothing. What does this mean? Well....photography for Reza....is coming to a hault. My walks into nature still remain...but the photos...I can feel it. Its a gradual reduction of my momentum in photography. I thought of buying a new camera to allow me more room for creativity...but...you need the passion first. I will finish off my run here on Shutterchance with my trip, but I cannot guarantee I will return this time. I will comment every now and then...but....I wont be here like I used to when I first started. I will return the borrowed property to his rightful owner....Thank you, thanks again for your generocity :)

Message In A Bottle

Reza REZA! — 0000-00-00

]]> Bismilah ir Rahman ir Raheem In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful First shot up from the k100D. Alhamdulellah (Praise be to Allah) that I have finally purchaced this camera, though its not "bought" yet, meaning over the next 10 months i'll be paying for this camera, inshaAllah. Anyway, to the shot. Just some photoshop added to give it a little impact. I usually try to reconstruct the photo from what I remember it as. This is how I remember this looking. On a different note, for anyone who remembers me from a year ago, probably Suby and a couple others, yeah....Reza's back with a new toy and inshaAllah I'll be able to take some better photo's than I did before. Not that the photo's i took were any good before...lol...seriously, they weren't too good at all. But yeah, let me know what you think or not, either way. Take care of your self . Peace :)