Miami Sewing Machines

by Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography
South Beach - Miami

Closing my Orange County photography studio (Mark Jordan Photography) to go galavanting across the country is not always easy, especially on a whimsy. But when a good bud offers to pickup the tab for a jaunt out to Miami for a few nights stay at the Versace Mansion (properly titled "The Villa"), who am I to argue? Goodbye California, wife and family, and hello South Beach!

Miami Sewing Machines - ©Mark Jordan Photography 

As it tuns out, the same chap who owns "The Villa," Barton G., also runs a posh restaurant just around the corner, and of the same name, Barton G. This dining phenomenon is yet for another post, but suffice it to say, it's more than worth the flight and expense to experience again, and again. In fact I did. This is where my story begins.

The Villa Barton G: Our Balcony - The Villa Entrance at Night - One of our Rooms with 12' Wide Bed 

After thoroughly gorging myself at a scrumptious dinner extravaganza at "Barton G's The Restaurant" in Miami, rather than accepting a ride back to my hotel (this visit at the Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa) I decided to walk off a few calories by rambling the streets of South Beach. Also having my trusty Canon 5D in hand gave me all the rationale I needed to walk a few miles when I could have just has easily been driven.

Mark Jordan - View from from room balcony at the Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa 

Being a Friday night, things were hopping in Miami. Either you like this sort of frenetic activity or you don't. My temperament leans somewhat to the latter, although there is something intoxicating about the energy and youthful lust for life - it percolates my blood. Not to mention the exotic cars, enticing aromas, reverberating sonance and provocative ensembles, if not the trappings of great wealth. Okay, so I was enjoying myself more than I thought.

Regardless, I felt very much the voyeur - a man out-of-place, brandishing an equally out-of-place appendage: a large professional camera. Each time I lifted my cannon [sic], faces would either grimace and scatter, or sparkle and shine. Nonetheless, it was not the people upon which my intent was focused, nor my camera. My fascination was the environs that seduced them - like moths to a flame it brought them by the thousands. The Miami turf, more than anything, captured my attention.

Well then, for all my talk, you'd think I'd post a few fairly outrageous images. RIght? Instead, I document my Miami stroll with a sole image of a window strewn with sewing machines. Well yes, that's me. This was my favorite image and one that seems to encapsulate best what my emotions were transmitting.

Raw Digital Image 

For all the excitement and stimulation, for all the glitz and glamour, and for all the anticipation and fertile hopes, there was an almost suffocating atmosphere of loneliness. It was these sewing machines I spotted in the All Saints window that spoke to me the loudest - each one suggesting the nature of the lives that scurried about. So many with latent design and purposeful intent, but idly active, on display, shelved and disconnected.

It also did not get lost on me that the agents of my curiosity were confined within a store boasting the emblem "All Saints." Although it's commonly thought today that "saints" occupy the realms solely defined by Websters as "persons recognized with exception holiness in the Christian Church by canonization," the Book whereupon the narrative of "saint" was first penned was a characteristic attributed to and attainable by every person. The contrast of this distinction was striking.

For me, these abandoned, inert and impotent machines, seemed to piece together my sense of the walking contradictions before me. So may lives that, though intertwined by activity, were nonetheless isolated and barren by the same force they sought to unite them. I guess if I had observed a display of robitronic zombies I could have substituted their image instead. But in lieu of such a discovery, these Miami Sewing Machines, I believe, will do just fine.

Mark

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Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

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Behind Closed Doors

Behind Closed Doors - ©Mark Jordan

Behind Closed Doors was inspired by a walk through the streets of Nassau, Bahamas. The image was captured with my trusty Canon 5D Mark II, with 24-70 EF lens, and was taken approximately 20 minutes before sunset.


The image is a composite of a couple and the building facade. After I accomplished the basic arrangement and values in Photoshop, I then played with the images in OnOne Software to achieve the look and feel I felt best expressed the overall design.


Unfortunately, the small format of my blog may preclude you from enjoying the raindrops, running diagonally through the image, right to left. In a larger scale, you might agree that it adds an interesting design element, as well as complements the story. 


As always, should you have any questions, or want to post a comment, no concern and observation is too small.

Mark

©Photosical - the photographic, philosophical observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

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Mark Jordan Photography specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer in Rancho Santa Margarita and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County. The portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where photography studio services are offered are in Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Northwood, Orange, Orange Park Acres, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Murrieta, Murrieta Hot Springs, Quail Valley, Riverside, Temecula, Winchester, Woodcrest, Chino Hills, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Montclair, Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Vista, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Diego Country Estates, Turtle Rock, Shady Canyon. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.

Today's Top Ten hot topics:
Ann Hathaway, HTC ThunderBolt, Nate Dogg, Vanessa Hudgens pictures, tsunami, potassium iodide, NCAA tournament, St. Patricks Day, Japan nuclear, SEO (Search Engine Optimization). 

Canon's Deluxe Backpack 200EG

I just couldn't keep quiet about Canon's Deluxe Backpack. In short, the 200EG is my favorite pack - reliable workhorse,  through and through.


The Canon Deluxe Backpack 200EG is  designed to hold 1-2 digital SLR cameras with 3-4 lenses, flash and accessories. I carry the maximum and it does so easily. 


The pack also has a carry handle and detachable strap. There are front and side pockets for accessories and tripod straps on the bottom of the backpack.


The 200 EG is not only sturdy, durable and roomy, it's price is nothing short of unbelievable - I paid $40! Yes, you read that right. I still keep pinching myself. 


I've owned dozens of camera bags over the years, and this bag has everything I need, and then some. Did I mention it was lightweight? How's 2.58 pounds? This comes in handy when you're lugging two Canon 5Ds, three lenes, two speedlights and a host of batteries, cards, and gear. 


Not that I see much rain in Rancho Santa Margarita, but even us Orange County Photographers can get caught in a downpour. Gratefully, this pack is water resistant, coated with water-repellent urethane. I've had the occasion to rely on it and every scintilla of my equipment remained bone dry. 

Now then, it is the best pack in the world? No. It has it's limitations. It's not a quick pack, and it the construction, though good for my purposes, more expensive packs can make this appear slightly amateurish. However, if your needs are like mine (I've been creating portraits in Orange County for family, children, high school seniors and business and the arts for over 31 years), restricted to lugging equipment from the car to a portrait site, or similar close proximity, this bag will last you at least ten years. Considering the price, it's a no-briner!

Besides my personal perspectives, here are a few official stats:

Water resistant nylon backpack

Lash tabs with straps on the sides to hold clothing or various other lightweight items

Keyring retainer inside exterior's main pocket

Comfortable waist strap, sternum strap & wicked mesh backing

Tripod straps on the bottom of the back pack.

Pockets

Zippered full size front pocket with external flap zippered pocket

Two gusseted side pockets with Touch Fastener closures

Carry handle with detachable strap

Compatible with;

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, EOS Digital Rebel XT EF-S 18-55mm Kit (Silver)

Canon EOS 20D, EOS 20D EF-S 18-55mm Kit

Canon EOS 5D digital camera

Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1Ds Mark II digital camera

Click Here for list of current cameras

If your looking for an outstanding pack, at a price that is just right unbeatable, look no further than the Canon 200EG. My shop of choice is B&H Photo. Drop me a line and let know what you think!

Mark

©Photosical - the photographic and personal observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portrait

Orange County Beach Portrait

Orange County Senior Portrait

Orange County Children Portraits

Orange County Headshot

Belly Art Photography

Wordle™ Puzzles

Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, an Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer, specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer (with a Rancho Santa Margarita portrait studio), and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County and Southern California. Mark Jordan's Orange County portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where Mark Jordan photography studio services are offered are as an Aliso Viejo Photographer, Anaheim Photographer, Brea Photographer, Costa Mesa Photographer, Coto de Caza Photographer, Cypress Photographer, Dana Point Photographer, Dove Canyon Photographer, Fountain Valley Photographer, Huntington Beach Photographer, Irvine Photographer, Ladera Ranch Photographer, Laguna Beach Photographer, Laguna Hills Photographer, Laguna Niguel Photographer, Laguna Woods Photographer, Lake Forest Photographer, Mission Viejo Photographer, Newport Beach Photographer, Northwood Photographer, Orange Photographer, Orange Park Acres Photographer, San Clemente Photographer, San Juan Capistrano Photographer, Santa Ana Photographer, Tustin Photographer, Villa Park Photographer, Westminster Photographer, Yorba Linda Photographer, Corona del Mar Photographer, Murrieta Photographer, Murrieta Hot Springs Photographer, Quail Valley Photographer, Riverside Photographer, Temecula Photographer, Winchester Photographer, Chino Hills Photographer, Fontana Photographer, Grand Terrace Photographer, Loma Linda Photographer, Montclair Photographer, Rancho Bernardo Photographer, Carlsbad Photographer, Coronado Photographer, Del Mar Photographer, Escondido Photographer, La Mesa Photographer, Oceanside Photographer, San Diego Photographer, San Marcos Photographer, Solana Beach Photographer, Vista Photographer, Carmel Mountain Ranch Photographer, Rancho San Diego Photographer, Rancho Santa Fe Photographer, and San Diego Country Estates Photographer, Turtle Rock Photographer, Shady Canyon Photographer. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.

NEW PRODUCT- The Perfect Camera Strap

REVIEW

Abie Camera Straps

By Betsy Finn, Cr.Photog., CPP

Finding the perfect camera strap is no easy feat. A number of elements go into this decision, including comfort, capability, and of course, style. Usually, you can find a strap with one or maybe two of these qualities, but it’s rare to find one that has all three. If you’re tired of sacrificing your fashion sense for comfort, or are ready for a camera strap that is comfortable to wear during long shoots, you may want to give Abie Camera Straps a chance.

Abie Camera Straps are both practical and fashionable. When you first hold one of these straps in your hand, you can feel the difference—I was impressed with the amount of padding in the strap, as well as the suppleness of the material. I fell in love with two designs in particular: subtle brown suede with an embossed motif, and a lighthearted yellow floral woven design.

The straps come in more than 20 styles, so whether you are looking for something whimsical, elegant, or subtle, you’ll have multiple options to choose from. Guys, don’t worry—there are some more masculine designs you will not be ashamed to wear out in public. If you’re looking for something more you, custom straps (even showcasing your logo) can be designed upon request. Unless you decide you want to add your logo, though, Abie Camera Straps come delightfully free of branding. You won’t be promoting a camera company or any business aside from your own.

I want to highlight several features that help Abie Camera Straps to stand out from the ordinary camera straps I’ve used in the past:

• Comfort

In case I haven’t emphasized it enough, the straps are well padded, yet are somehow not bulky to wear.

• Quick Release Buckles

The straps feature a pair of plastic buckles that allow you to change out camera straps easily, or even go strapless. I appreciated this because I like wearing a camera strap on location, but having a strap on my camera in the studio inhibits my shooting style (I use a camera stand).

• Plenty of Length

Since I am rather short (5'3"), the strap “ends” (that connect to the camera) were longer than I needed. This is a nice feature, as my husband (6'2") can rarely find a camera strap that allows the camera to hang properly. For myself, though, I trimmed off about six inches of excess length on each side (with more to spare). If you do decide to trim your straps, just make sure to heat the newly cut ends so that the nylon will not fray.

• Secret Pocket

Aside from the comfort factor, the straps are very well constructed, with a hidden pocket to hold an extra Compact Flash card (on the underside of the strap). [see below]

• No-Slip Backing

The backside of the strap, regardless of your strap’s motif, is soft black suede. I really enjoyed this feature because it kept the strap from sliding off my shoulder when I was working.

The straps are currently designed for use with Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony and other DSLR cameras. A hand strap is also in the works for those who prefer not to work with a neck strap. One final thing to note—Abie Camera Straps are crafted and sewn in the United States. Overall, I enjoyed using the Abie Camera Straps while working with my clients. As I mentioned, the ease with which I could detach the strap for studio work was extremely convenient. Despite the detachable nature of the strap, I felt comfortable trusting it to support the entire weight of my camera and lens. Even my model in the images accompanying this review remarked on how comfortable the strap was to have around her neck. In short—if you’re tired of having a subpar camera strap and want something comfortable, I think you should give Abie Camera Straps a test run. You’ll be amazed at the level of comfort it will add to your workday!

Abie Camera Straps are the brainchild of photographer and entrepreneur Ellen LeRoy, and retail for $145-175. The official website will be launching in about two weeks, so for now, you can visit www.abiestraps.com to get a sneak peek. Sign up to receive an e-mail notification when the site launches (and get an exclusive discount code at that time!).

Betsy Finn, Cr.Photog., CPP, has a portrait studio in Dexter, Michigan (BetsysPhotography.com); she shares tips and ideas for photographers at LearnWithBetsy.com.

Mark

©Photosical - the photographic, philosophical observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

Mark Jordan Photography specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer in Rancho Santa Margarita and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County. The portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where photography studio services are offered are in Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Northwood, Orange, Orange Park Acres, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Murrieta, Murrieta Hot Springs, Quail Valley, Riverside, Temecula, Winchester, Chino Hills, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Montclair, Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Vista, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Diego Country Estates, Turtle Rock, Shady Canyon. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portrait

Orange County Beach Portrait

Orange County Senior Portrait

Orange County Headshot

Belly Art Photography

Wordle™ Puzzles

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Camera straps business photo business portraitexecutive family portraits head-shot headshotportait planning portrait design portrait sessionpublicity