Melanie and James Engagements, State Fair Style

State fairs just might be the best place to photograph, especially engagement pictures. During the Utah State Fair, Melanie and James and I headed up to Salt Lake City to take a few pictures and it was a blast. Between cotton candy, darts, and farris wheels, the whole thing ended up being a lot of fun. Can't wait until December when I get to photograph them some more in California!

Carnival: Sarajevo.

Carnival for a reason I could not figure out, but it was fun nonetheless. My favorite was on one side of the swing ride was "Hotel Sarajevo" and on the other side was communist block housing. I found it interesting the juxtaposition of the carnival ride with each of those things.

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days (Digital)

If there is a carnival within a 80 mile radius, you can pretty much guarantee that I will be there. Every year Spanish Fork has "Fiesta Days", aka an excuse to have a carnival. I went on Saturday night and rode some rides, took a few pictures. This is my favorite of the digital images I took. I also took my Holga (the ideal carnival camera), it proved successful once before, so we shall see what comes out of it when I develop my pictures. If so, there will be another Fiesta Days post, if not, this may be it until the Utah County Fair (August 18-21).

Pendleton Fair

While driving back from Portland I decided to stop wherever I wanted and take my time, so I stopped in Pendleton, Oregon. There was a carnival going on which I promptly decided I needed to go to, because they are one of my favorite things ever. If you ever want to know how to win my heart, take me to the state fair. I love that stuff, and the pictures always seem to turn out beautifully.

The Utah State Fair 2009

The State Fair + My Holga = Love.

State fairs have always intrigued me. There is something about the magic and mystery of the whole ordeal. For a little kid there is the awe of the carnival and for me as I grow up it becomes the awe of the memory and the nostalgia which follows from the previous years. Funnel cake and deep fried Oreos are a must. Anything deep fried is a must actually, which then becomes every booth offering food. Then the rides. The Zipper, the farris wheel, the Starship 2000. They are all enchanting and lit up as screaming comes from the seats. This ride in particular is the swings which lift you up and shoot you off to the sides screaming as you soar above the rest of the amusements. Memories are always hazy, which is why I chose to shoot many nostalgic subjects with a Holga, a cheap, unreliable plastic toy camera, acting as our memories. Sometimes hazy, sometimes strange colors, and always not the way it actually was.

State Fair

i had my first critique in my photojournalism course. the photo had to be based off of composition. so i took this one at the state fair, has a longer exposure, and panned with the father and girl to keep them sharp. it took a while, but turned out alright i think. my professor seemed to like it.