The Lens and the Eyebrow

Annular Eclipse, 5/20/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sat, 26 May 2012 05:15:25 GMT

I hiked up Mt. Helix to get a good view of a once-in-a-lifetime event, an annular eclipse over the Western US. I wasn't the only one with the idea, although most everyone else knew to take the shuttle to the top.

It was impossible to see this with the naked eye. I had to cut the light down 2500x in order to properly expose the surface of the sun.

I managed to grab the last couple seconds of the sun before it dipped behind the marine layer. This was shot on my way home while going over a bridge.

A bit dangerous perhaps, but it's not like I'll be around to get it next time.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Lord Howler, Makeup Sex at Bar Pink, 5/9/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:16:54 GMT

This was my first time hearing this O-band, Makeup Sex. Great rock songs with absolutely killer guitar tones. His sound takes me back to the 90s rock sound I grew up on. If Fluf reminds me of Soundgarden, this band reminds me of Nirvana.

O can try to hide his eyes from me, but I'll still find a way to get them.

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Lord Howler is a different beast, and deserves its own look.

That amount of resinous grime takes years to accumulate.

The new songs have lots of unison guitar licks.

Their first album is up online for free, I can't wait to hear the new one, which should be even more epic.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Lord Howler Group Shot, 5/9/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:40:46 GMT

Lord Howler, shot around the corner from Bar Pink before their show.

You can't put a bridle on rock fury. That's what makes it "unbridled rock fury". Same as asking Lord Howler to stand still for 20 seconds at a time. Kinetics are a bitch that they'll conquer soon enough with their twin guitar attack. Now who's wearing a bridle?

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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San Francisco trip, 4/30/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 13 May 2012 03:41:18 GMT

I visited San Francisco for a few days, mixing business with the pleasure of seeing my brother and his girlfriend. IT's always better to visit a city with people who actually live there. I wasn't a tourist, I was a guest, and that's makes a big difference.

They prefer paintings to photographic art, and fiction to non-fiction. Which is kind of the same thing.

Shiloh is old, blind, and the sweetest beagle ever. She has no problem finding the person with treats. Or hogging the futon if you don't stake your claim at the beginning of the night.

I drove the coast of Northern California up towards Oregon, passing redwoods and rocky coastlines.

There's nothing like coming home to your family at the end, though- furry or otherwise.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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OGDS(11) Translation has Failed at 98 Bottles, 4/28/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:49:18 GMT

Nathan Hubbard escaped the heat long enough to play music from his new OGDS11 Translation Has Failed CD. I caught them outside, presumably since these days it's not often Nathan can turn his face towards the direct sun without bursting into redheaded flame.

I've never used this upcoming phrase on this blog before, but Nathan Hubbard is a musical genius. I have quite a few of his CDs and some of them are jaw-dropping in their composition and execution.

Skeleton Key Orchestra, Cosmologic, Rafter, just a few things he's lent his ears and hands to.

He brought help with him to bring "This Middle Ground" to life.

Molly Whittaker is new to me, she navigated the multiple genres quite well.

Kornhauser and Swirnoff were delightful on the bossa parts, but no guitar player meant no doom parts, which provide a vital balance to the album.

I know Harley has distortion effects in that rig, he should have done it.

The show ended with an all-percussion version of a Tina Turner song, while the two stars that stole the show were Ed's socks.

It will be exciting to see what other releases Nathan has planned for 2012. I'm sure there are some future classics already on tape that are just waiting for him to release.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Sunset Cliffs at Sunset, 4/27/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:12:32 GMT

With not much else to do on a Friday night, I decided to visit Sunset Cliffs during an actual sunset instead of my usual full moon escapades.

It's easy to make long exposure landscapes ominous because they naturally lend themselves to that aesthetic. I included a black and white version of a photo below to show how that feeling can burst out of a photo as an automatic response. I have many examples of this type of mood in my photo collection. But I think that there's something to be said for trying to elicit a different emotion than the one on the surface.

12.5 stops of neutral density make 3 minute exposures possible, even in bright daylight. What I tried to do last night was to capture the warm feeling of a Southern California Spring. It was there all around me last night in the flowers and sunset glow, as well as in the faces of the people that gathered on the cliffs to watch it. By taking out the sharp waves, I wanted to focus attention on the warm peace of the the land. Anyone who was walking through the frame while I was shooting ended up as a faint blur in the final shot. No model releases needed that way!

Sitting absolutely still for a couple minutes at a time is hard. I only make bands do it for 30 seconds at most.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Hills Like Elephants, Darrows at Whistle Stop, 4/13/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:11:36 GMT

My new camera has been working well for me and my past couple shoots, but I wanted to see what it could do when I really push it. I had friends playing at the Whistle Stop on Friday and that's the perfect place to practice dim club photography. For the Darrows, I used my prime lenses to test focus ability and speed.

The new Zone AF mode does not work well in low light at all, evidenced by its inability to lock focus the whole time. I would have switched it back to my trusty single AF point mode right away, but it is a new feature for me and I wanted to give it a chance. This was its first and last chance. I don't like fuzzy photos.

I gave my old friend, Eric, a microphone mustache.

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For Hills Like Elephants, I popped the flash a few times.

The CD is steadily growing on me and the songs sound good live. Plenty of people were dancing.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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James Moore at Space 4 Art, 4/9/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:03:01 GMT

I had no idea what I would be seeing Monday night when I walked into Space 4 Art for the next installment of Bonnie Wright's Fresh Sound series. I wasn't familiar with James Moore at all, and the samples I found online didn't really shed any light on this night's music.

James played a couple sets of solo National Guitar music, composed by several 20th century classical luminaries. Most of the songs were folk-sounding, sparse, and a challenging listen. The John Zorn compositions were a string of short, strange etudes that made use of drumsticks under the strings, balloons dragged across the strings, vocalizations, and percussive banging on the guitar body. It made me wonder how much of this was actually written out, and how much was just Zorn leaving instructions for the musician to make a racket. I'm generally not a fan of this kind of music that asks so much of a listener and gives so little in return.

That's not to say that there weren't a lot of interesting moments. James showed his guitar skills not by impressing with technique, but with his ability to add life to some pretty thin material. As Robert Bush pointed out in his review, the musical highlight was hearing a passage of James singing a melody over an almost random set of complicated chords that just kept building.

As impenetrable as the music was for me, James is a very open person who welcomed questions and audience interaction. I know a few other performers of "difficult" music who carry themselves with a certain amount of smug superiority- as if they get something that most people just aren't able to comprehend. That kind of attitude put me off, and I didn't feel any of it from the performer or the audience.

In fact, Bonnie Wright managed to pack the room with an older, more sophisticated crowd that I didn't even know existed. It's good to see that there's so many people who like a musical challenge.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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La Jolla at Night, 4/5/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 03:36:07 GMT

I came back the next full moon to the same place where my old camera died. This set was me finishing what I started.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Housewives, Silian Rail, Nicely, Roswell That Ends Well at Tin Can, 3/31/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:23:19 GMT

I finally got my 7D after a couple weeks, and I was looking forward to this show for a long time. I'm still getting comfortable with the new buttons and features, so I kept the post processing straightforward. Still trying to get used to the feel of everything and the new AF system. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

First up was Roswell That Ends Well. I have an instant affinity for any band name with a pun.

Tony the drummer also plays in Sleep Lady. He was so happy to see me, he brought me some weird shot, and I knew it was a mistake as soon as I swallowed it. As the clock struck midnight and it became the first of April, everything in my head lost touch with reality.

They played a great set of 80's covers.

By the time Nicely got on stage, my head was spinning from whatever was in that drink. I stumbled into Lain while I was taking a photo, and he spun his bass around to smack the headstock right against the back of my neck. My fault for getting to close to him while he's creating, I guess.

He sure looks pretty in pictures though. Too bad all the songs were about leprechauns and fairies. Despite the Barry White style vocals over the techno beat, Lain still managed to fit in an odd bass solo into each song. A bit overkill, in my opinion. I didn't get too many photos of them due to the sharp headache I now had, and because Nick kept throwing his guitar picks at me from the stage.

Silian Rail debuted a new rock opera for this tour. I like the 4 part harmonies- they really showcases a whole new side of this previously all-instrumental band.

Robin also showed off some wicked harmonica skills during an A Capella version of Dylan's "Hurricane".

I think what everyone loves about this band is how the drummer can say so much while playing so little. They make the perfect soundtrack for cuddling with a good book and a frothy cappuccino on a rainy Sunday afternoon, just some "me time". Yeah, that's my Silian Rail.

I've heard a lot of good things about Housewives, but honestly, the gimmick is a bit confusing.

First of all, I get it. You play nursery rhymes at fast tempos. That might be fun for one or two songs, but how many ways can you play "The Wheels on the Bus" with distortion and synchronized two-hand tapping before it loses all resemblance to the original version?

Even though the nice girl standing next to me was telling me that this next song would be based on "How Much is that Doggie in the Window", I couldn't pick out the melody.

I thought she was just messing with me at first, but when the bassist launched into a uptempo dirge based on the changes to "Mary Had a Little Lamb", there was a bright spot in an otherwise reserved and soulful set.

The guitar player tried to sell me a T-shirt in the bathroom. I said I didn't really want to buy a Housewives shirt, especially in the bathroom. He said he'd give me a discount on the one he was wearing since it was already used. No thanks, I can put sweat stains in my own shirts.

As I walked out into the rainy night, my head buzzing from a combination of the music and the blend of Guatemalan knockout drugs I was slipped, I felt dizzy with excitement. I grabbed the closest girl on the street and spun her around until I realized she was a drunk tranny coming from the bar down the street. That would have been embarrassing if anyone saw. Oh yes, the whole bar. Great.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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La Jolla at Night, 3/8/12, or The Shot That Killed My Camera

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:09:11 GMT

This is a cliff in La Jolla, looking South towards the cove. I shot this around 1am during a full moon and it took 336 seconds to record enough light. But that isn't the most noteworthy thing about this image. This was the last exposure my camera made before the mirror broke. This, my first DSLR, died four years to the day of when I first got it.

In that time, I have had many interesting experiences while shooting. I would say there have been countless bands, but it's actually pretty easy to count them- 377 sets on Flickr, with another 120 or so sets buried in Google Photos somewhere. I'm happy some of my earlier efforts aren't easily visible. I think I've improved a lot from where I started.

There are many more moments that happened in between the shutter clicks. There was all the great music, of course, but there are also lots of people that I wouldn't have met if it wasn't for this camera. Fellow photographers, musicians, art lovers, and foodies, they have all enriched my life.

Before I had a camera, I thought I was a shy person. But, this camera had a way of dragging me out of my comfort zone and making me point it at interesting things. I couldn't help but interact with the people I was shooting, and I always had an easy icebreaker if I wanted to talk to someone. I didn't just grow as a photographer, I grew as a person.

I have come to accept the fact that I am not always an easygoing bystander. Sometimes I have to participate in life and make images that document and interpret just a few of the things that make it worth living. If that makes me an artist, then fine, I'm an artist. But my best work is yet to come, and I can't wait to see where it takes me.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Molly McGuire Group Shoot, 3/23/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:56:41 GMT

I knew the name Molly McGuire from seeing CDs at the record stores in the 90s, but I never happened to hear any of the music until a couple years ago. Lots of friends at the show were telling me how they grew up with these songs.

I had to borrow some equipment from a friend in order to get this photo done. Some unfamiliar buttons kept me from paying as much attention to detail as I would have liked but hey, sometimes you can't get every face sharp during a long exposure. I'll bet I know who had the most to drink before the show, though.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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A Scribe Amidst the Lions, Moosejaw at Eleven, 3/6/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 01:42:04 GMT

Right after Space 4 Art, I went to Eleven to catch the second half of Moosejaw's set. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

With Ziggy on drums!

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A Scribe Amidst the Lions are always a fun show.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Jeff Parker, Ben Goldberg, Ches Smith at Space 4 Art, 3/6/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 01:07:32 GMT

Once again, I have the easy job of getting to just post photos since Robert Bush was there too. I also have the honor of having my photos go with his words in his articles. Bonnie Wright's Fresh Sound series kicked off with Jeff Parker, Ben Goldberg, and Ches Smith. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

To me, this was music that has to be seen live in order to be fully appreciated. It requires a lot of attention, paid by both artist and audience. Seeing how they communicate with each other with non-verbal cues, gestures, and looks adds a very important dimension to the music that an audio CD can't capture, which would make for difficult listening. But seeing how they swing on that musical trapeze with no net is exhilarating.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Third Story at 98 Bottles, 3/2/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:00:18 GMT

My latest ttempt at long exposure portraiture was a bit of a hasty mess. I found a big wall in the parking lot next door to the venue, but cars kept trying to drive in front of my background as I was shooting. With 15 minutes till showtime and cars trying to park, I got just a couple different setups in before we were truly blocking traffic. It's strange to think that I've been shooting some of these guys for four years now.

I meant to get a plane's light trails in the top of this shot. The self portrait was inadvertent.

Third Story's show was as good as it gets. The room was packed and electric. Once again, Robert Bush has a better description.

This is Danny Weller's band, and he was beaming the whole time. Everyone was.

We're lucky to be treated to such a convergence of young talent.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Ian Tordella Group, Mattson 2, Cantelm/Brough at Glashaus, 2/25/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:30:34 GMT

Dusty Brough and Julian Cantelm opened up the 3 year anniversary party for Glashaus in Barrio Logan. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

Once again, Robert Bush puts it way better than I can.

Mattson 2 were up next.

And finally, Ian Tordella's band played a long and dense set of tunes off his new album, Tragic Comedy.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Mutantspaceboy at Soda Bar, 1/31/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:50:48 GMT

Mutantspaceboy is a much more interesting instrumental band than some other, more popular ones in town. It's an updated, shred version of Mahavishnu Orchestra and Santana, or something.

For this set, I didn't want to convert to black and white. I wanted to find a way to balance flash with ambient and leave it in color.

OK, maybe I pulled the blues and greens out of some shots, and the reds out of others.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Awakeners Group Shoot at TIn Can Ale House, 1/26/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:41:21 GMT

Ian Tordella Group at 98 Bottles, 1/21/12

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:11:47 GMT

Ian's new music and some of my new night photos were on display Saturday night at 98 Bottles. Robert Bush described the night perfectly, so I won't bother to add anything. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

OK, one thing is that I wish he chose a more interesting Squarepusher song to cover. Iambic 5 Poetry is a relative dirge compared to TJ's more dextrous efforts. I wanted to hear some blast beats.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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Dublin, Ireland, 12/17/11

michaelklayman@gmail.com (Michael) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:10:00 GMT

I found myself in Dublin with one free day, no plan, and no car. Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

I was in the Temple Bar area, which must be called that because that's all you find here; old churches and even older bars.

St. Patrick's Cathedral. They charge admission to go inside.

The dogs looked as Irish as the people.

I followed the signs to the Old Jameson Distillery, where it was all made up until 1971. The bar sat above the original supports for the stills.

At this point, I realized that I'd been out shooting for almost 6 hours and the sun was still in the same position. Wow, Northern latitudes.

What's this, two magical elixir birthplaces within 10 minutes walk of each other?

The top floor Gravity Bar had a great view of Dublin.

Everybody says that Guinness tastes better in Ireland, but it tastes the same to me.

Click on a photo to go to the full gallery.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2012, All Rights Reserved.
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