Fall colors change in the Northeast, a tourist destination, an annual economic spike drawing individuals from all over the world to view the green foliage of Spring and Summer turn to yellows, oranges and reds of all shades and tones. Under the colorful canopy lies a world of kaleidoscope warmth as sunlight filters through, providing the last kiss of warmth to the cooling ground.

The Rocky Mountains boast Aspen trees that transform to shimmering silver dollar leaves of gold and bronze as temperatures descend toward their winter slumbers. Without question, a grove of Aspen is a tranquil sanctuary as the breeze gently blows through and the orchestra of colored leaves moves into song.

The California coastline has a magical Fall occurrence as well, not well publicized, it doesn’t draw tourists, in fact it drives them home. It can be dangerous, prompting warning for low visibility along the spaghetti mazes of roadways traversing the “Golden State”. I first recall being seduced by the encroaching fog in Santa Barbara while attending Brooks Institute of Photography. The summer throngs of visitors meandering up and down State Street and Stearns Wharf had all returned to their abodes and a resident could once again travel across town via the 101 and main roads without the crowds. I still often chose the back roads to return home atop the Mesa neighborhood I called home for three years. I noted the thick blanket that appeared to be rolling over the Mesa as though it was tucking a young child to sleep. As I slowly traveled up the two lane road along the back side of the Mesa I saw the patches, rolling, sliding….flying through trees, across yards, soft patches that had broken from the main blanket. By the time I reached home, visibility was minimal, pairs of glowing lights becoming slowly visible as cars tread carefully to and thro. I walked the few blocks down to the beach access, Thousand Steps, known affectionally for the number of steps required to feel the sand between your toes from the elevated mesa perch. I couldn’t see the Pacific, but was drawn down the steps to its edge.

Since that day, as Summer turns to Fall, and the air temperatures fall rapidly atop the Pacific, I look to the coast as the day turns to dusk, searching for signs…..signs that my love may be approaching. In November 2009, I saw the blanket in the distance beginning its descent, I headed to the coast. Often, extreme tide coincide with the Fall fog, and this evening greeted me with the perfect pair. I visited alone this first evening, reveling in the sound of the sea, unseen but heard coming from the west. To the east, the sound of unseen cars traveling the coast highway, an occasional voice as someone comes into view, but speaking in soft voices. The softness of the fog, the silence of it, brings it visitors to a quiet peace. A sanctuary of unseen clarity truly, nothing to distract from ones thoughts, simply a blanket of gray and distance sounds. The following afternoon, I invited a guest, my wife. I wanted to share with her, hoping she would “see” what I “saw” in the vastness of nothingness. That evening, inspired by her and the elements, I captured this image, a visual representation of the feelings within. The lone seaweed patch, like I, before the soft tones and movement of the sea through the vision of the Fog.

Do I hope the Fog of the California Coastline becomes the next tourist attraction in the Fall season? Selfishly, no, I don’t, but just like that quaint new restaurant or unknown artist you discover, you want to share with others so that they too can experience and admire your found passion.

The initial communications with a new prospective client usually leaves me with a feeling, a gut feeling you could say. That gut feeling doesn’t always pan out as you hope or envision and sometimes you realize you were way off course, but those that do hold true are filed away in the old hard drive of the brain. I recall speaking with Andrea Browning of Model Design on a late afternoon in November, clicking the phone off and thinking, “I want to work with Model Design”. Andrea an interior designer and her husband, Jeff Browning, an architect; reminded me of my wife, Jennifer, and I, both photographers. Married and working together, to me always seemed like a perfect fit. I was surprised when people inquired how we could manage to handle that situation? I learned not everyone sees it as a perfect fit, so its refreshing when you do meet a prospective client you share something so integral in your professional and personal life. Andrea and I agreed to follow up again in the new year after the hectic holiday season was complete.

In January we reconnected to discuss the photography needs for Model Design, the new architecture and design company created by Andrea and Jeff. I made a trip north to scout and discuss projects so that I could produce an estimate for the scope of work. The three of us hit it off, a number of commonalities, from surfing to husband and wife work team to the kicker, Jeff has an Uncle Chip, yep, thanks Mom and Dad, the name seals the deal. As they were really beginning their marketing as a company, there was a substantial volume of work in need of documentation. Their work is outstanding, their projects illustrate their creativity as artists and their passion for their work. Once again the voice in my head, “I want to work with Model Design”.

There was one particular project that grabbed my attention. A renovation in San Pedro, a typical 1950’s ranch style home turned into a comfortable modern interior with sparkling iridescent glass tile. I have another client, Oceanside Glasstile, and I inquired with Andrea about her source for the glass tile, sure enough, Oceanside. Oceanside Glasstile is another client that is just tremendous, wonderful to work with and their glass tiles are exquisite. A perfect opportunity arose for Oceanside Glasstile, Model Design and myself, the opportunity to co-op on the photography of this unique project. I love to bring clients together for cooperative efforts for a number of reasons, one, why wouldn’t you want to improve your team by adding another star player and secondly, its a terrific opportunity to provide my clients with an even greater return on their photography investment. Shared costs and increased marketing exposure, its a no brainer. All the estimates approved and photography scheduled, I was looking forward to working with a talented creative team and capturing images.

This project was scheduled to be the final project on the first day of photography as it lent itself to the late afternoon and evening. The project held some challenges due to the financial meltdown and frozen lending markets. As a result, the project was not 100% complete, but the focus of photography, master bathroom and kitchen were 90% there, the remaining 10% would be completed by the construction company Adobe, aka Photoshop. They provide some terrific tools, but the end result is determined by the individual holding the tools. The other challenge confronted was the need for some elbow grease cleanup. The entire team, photographer, assistant, designer all rolled up the sleeves and went to work. I have tremendous respect for clients that dive into the malaise of cleanup and prep when the project requires, its all about a team, which is stronger than an individual. Once the focus turned to capturing the imagery, everything went as planned, the perfect project to complete the first day of Model Design photography.

The completed images represent the team, it begins with Oceanside Glasstile producing the finest glass tile available, the design vision of Model Design implementing the tile into their overall design and lastly the photographer brings their vision to an photographic image encompassing all the talent and artistry involved. That gut feeling, yep, it was nails on this assessment. I think the question/statement by my assistant after a long 12 hour day says it all, “How do you find these types of client? Because you’ve got the coolest clients”. My response, “I absolutely do”.

The San Diego Harbor boasts views of the Pt. Loma peninsula, downtown skyline and Coronado, breathtaking 360º views in this idyllic amphitheater. It is understandable that when Cabrillo discovered the harbor and its safe haven from the rugged seas of the Pacific he decided to stay for a stretch. People have been following Cabrillo’s lead for centuries, making San Diego home and creating an unquenchable demand for housing in America’s Finest City. If the height of the price tag dictates the level of demand, and it certainly does in real estate, the closer to the water the more zeroes trailing the $ you will find. As the remaining grains of sand and soil are developed upon land, where can growth occur, how can the thirst for waterfront property be quenched. You can build vertically, but that can tarnish the views to the priceless living natural artwork everyone desires to hang in each window of their home, the Pacific Ocean. Ocean view is another buzzword in the real estate market that equals those zeroes trailing the $. So what is the solution?

Ahh, yes, what could be better than waterfront living, how about actually living on the water. I’m not speaking of the Dubai approach of man made islands, which seem to try and compete with the natural world rather than exist in unison. And from some recent reports, Dubai Island Falling into the Sea, I think the natural world is going to win that bout just about every time, sometimes it may take a few extra rounds, but its going to when by decision, TKO or straight up KO eventually. So how do you build in unison, in a sustainable, complementary manner to the existing waterfront, well you engage the services of an architect, you hire Miller Hull. The Miller Hull Partnership of Seattle, Washington is recognized for there ability to develop and design sustainable, harmonious projects that enhance the land it stands upon. The project on the San Diego waterfront, Wharf at America’s Cup Harbor, is a perfect example of the vision and talents of Miller Hull.

To discuss and scout the project I met Robert Hull and Norman Strong of Miller Hull on a rainy Seattle like afternoon. Yes it does rain in San Diego….occasionally. After I accused and they pled guilty to bringing the Seattle weather along, we set forth with reviewing the project and discussing the needs of the images for Miller Hull. Asking questions and listening are key skills to producing successful imagery for a client, its not always just about a beautiful image. The quality and beauty of imagery is expected and goes without saying, but the imagery must also fit the client needs, solving their needs just as they have their clients. This was my initial opportunity to work with Miller Hull which made this information gathering and scouting even more critical.

The project consists of retail, restaurants, office space, open space and the boat slips that provide the potential for housing. The restaurant, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern occupies the ground floor of one of the tandem structures while the retail and offices fill the second level. The view from the harbor master office is certainly spectacular, taking in the boat masts rising vertically before the view of Pt. Loma and the open ocean and also enjoys the warmth and vibrance of the afternoon sun. As a photographer, an artist, I was equally drawn to the artist studio that occupies the second story of the street front facade. Facing due north, the soft filtered light illuminating the white walled single room studio compares to the NYC photo studios boasting of their northern exposure, not just prime real estate, but also primo light.

The majority of photography was completed in a single day, arriving on site at sunrise, only to be greeted by a thick marine layer and packing up equipment after the sun dipped below the horizon. An additional early morning trip took place to capture the northern facade in early morning, marine layer-less, sunlight. My “office” for the day, on the water, smelling the salty air, listening to the seagulls, the lapping water on the rocks provided the perfect multi sense inspiration for a days work. Before you chime in, “what a plush job”, let me remind you that not every project is located on the waterfront in 70º San Diego, I’ve got stories of minus temps in Chicago in January or 115º Dallas in August, working outside all day, that keep one even keeled. The visual stimulation of the Miller Hull designs and use of complementary materials, textures and tones fueled my own creative juices. These are the days where you hear your stomach bark at you and realize its 3PM and you’ve yet to even consider stopping for any lunch. As a photographer, I love these days and am extremely thankful for cliff bars and water.

On the heels of projects like The Wharf at America’s Cup Harbor and Pier 32, Miller Hull is opening a San Diego office in April. They are currently working on the redesign of the US – Mexico bordering crossing at San Ysidro, a significant project and massive undertaking. I look forward to welcoming my friends, Miller Hull, to San Diego and am eager to witness more of their outstanding designs grace the San Diego landscape.

I was raised in Oceanside, California at the height of the 80‘s Cold War nuclear fears. To the north lay Camp Pendleton and to the south, numerous military installations; Miramar, North Island, and the Naval Training Center to name a few. I recall the aircraft hangars along the west side of I-5 as we traveled to downtown San Diego. I listened in awe of the stories of small town Oceanside during WWII, the lookout towers along the oceans edge, constantly scanning the horizon for signs of Japanese submarines. Like so many others, my grandfathers were both involved in WWII, one served in the Pacific, one worked to build the initial structures that make up Camp Pendleton today. And as most from the Greatest Generation, they never spoke of their experiences, only short subtle recollections as I grew older, but never anything that would truly communicate the horrors of war they must have experienced. Country served. Sacrifices made. Stories untold.

These weren’t the only sacrifices made or stories untold. I’ve always remembered my first grade teacher, Ms. Nagata, for the simple fact that she let me explore learning with the zest of a curious, excitable, six year old. I loved math, I loved numbers and I thoroughly enjoyed the work books filled with problems awaiting answers. She allowed and encouraged me to work through the book at a pace that fed my hunger, all the while checking to make sure I was doing the work correctly and understanding the necessary concepts. Thirty years after leaving Ms. Nagata’s classroom I experienced an admiration for her as a person far beyond any math lessons. You see, Ms. Nagata’s family is Japanese and faced imprisoned in the internment camps of WWII like thousands others of Japanese decent. For decades I lacked the knowledge to the depth of the warm welcoming smile I recalled each morning of first grade.

A little piece of history I didn’t learn from a history textbook at any grade level, rather I was first introduced to this history by the photographs of Ansel Adams. Ansel Adam’s image, Mount Williamson, Sierra Nevada, from Manzanar, CA, 1944; the large granite boulders backlight by the setting sun and towering Sierra Nevada range in the distance was my first introduction to the internment camps. His images focused on the Manzanar Camp, one of 10 throughout the Western United States. There were other images as well and a published collection of photographs entitled Born Free and Equal,  Ansel’s statement on the terrible injustice he saw occurring. I suppose at age 16 I still didn’t grasp the depth of this historical event or period in our nations history. Though Manzanar became a place I hoped to visit one day, in my mind it was still about retracing the steps of an admired photographer; not a first grade teacher or complete group of people identified and imprisoned only by their heritage.

The stories of the Greatest Generation and the movies depicting the horrors and heroism of WWII have become quite prevalent over the past decade. They are stories of tremendous sacrifice and service to our country, deserving to be told so that future generations will be reminded of what others who walked before them sacrificed for them today. I believe, there is a story yet to be told in its entirety, that of the Japanese internment camps. Possibly it is due to the lack of attention those who suffered through it have raised, as many felt it was part of their duty to country. Even those that were born in the United States and held complete citizenship made the sacrifice to willingly board the buses and trains that carried them from their homes and business to remote areas throughout the West. Possibly the remoteness of these camps have kept them hidden from the mass public. Possibly the fact that once the prisoners were freed, the camps were quickly cleared of any signs of the saddening history, the guilt of our own shame.

I visited Manzanar in the Spring of 2010, as my family enjoyed Spring Break exploring Death Valley and the Eastern Sierras. I had read more about this historical site and thought I had a greater understanding, but as often occurs in life, real life experience brings about a change within our soul. One building remains on the 500 acre site that housed 10,000 men, women and children from 1942 – 1945, of which two-thirds were born in this country. The gymnasium where teenagers once enjoyed dances and socials as an attempt to forget the binds that held them. Today this gymnasium serves as the museum for Manzanar National Park. The grounds still hold relics of internment, one remaining guard tower, monuments that were created by its temporary inhabitants and the bones of once beautifully designed Japanese gardens. You could sense the souls still hovering in the crisp afternoon light cascading over the towering Sierra peaks. The voices that told the stories of life at Manzanar brought chills throughout my entire body. I felt warm tears roll down my own cheeks as the now aged American told of his life in Manzanar, his memories as a child, “It was like summer camp, all the time, so many children.” But his tears flowed as he spoke of his father, an American citizen, a man that owned a business, a home and loved his country, that had all of it stripped from him because of his ancestry.

The photographs included in this post are from the Manzanar site. The afternoon at Manzanar became more about the emotions and experiences than the photographs. The images serve as reminders for me, they hold greater meaning to me personally because of what they represent. A soul changing day, experienced with my wife and children, all our lives changed. An untold story heard by the four of us and digested deep within our souls.

Yes, I realize, sadly, this is not a first in the history of mankind, unfortunately its an all to common occurrence in the history pages of our planet. Is love or fear the almighty of feelings? Both have the power to spread like wildfire when the winds are stoked and can be used as rationalizations for our actions. In the end, we all must look within to answers these challenges, which drives our heart and soul, love or fear?

In closing, my mind drifts to the words of Bono, the lead singer for U2, just another artist, like Ansel Adams, who continues to bring social injustices and concerns for mankind to the publics view. In a concert in Italy in 2005 shortly after the terrorist bombings in London, Bono introduces the the song Miss Sarajevo, a song dedicated to the horrific ethnic cleansing that occurred following the fall of the Soviet Union. To quote my favorite Irish lad in his intro, “We would like to turn our song into a prayer, the prayer is; we don’t become a monster in order to defeat the monster”. Let us all keep an eye on the past so that our future is free of monsters.