Eddie vs. Pig Nose!

I finally received my new GH2 camera and it is amazing.

In terms of image quality, it's on par with the GH1 Hack in normally lit situations.  But in low-light situations, the GH2 shines.  I shot the video below at 3200 ISO just to see how far I can push the GH2's sensor.  I used my Pentax 25mm f/1.4 and my Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 lens.

Notice the lack of digital noise in the image.  And that's at 3200 ISO.  What?  Although it doesn't shoot 4:2:2 like my GH1 hack,  and it doesn't shoot pictures like my 1D Mark IV, I'm definitely considering getting rid of one of those cameras.

The video is of my childhood friend, Eddie, who asked me to shoot him eating a pig nose.  It disgusts, nauseates and disturbs all in a matter of minutes.  It's the first time I shot something that keeps making me sick with every viewing.

Anyway, enjoy and watch at your own risk.  If you vomit, you have only yourself to blame.

Love,

Chicano Lawyer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI82bnQoslM

 

I shot Teresita's!

So this past weekend, I shot some great Mexican food at Teresita's Restaurant.

Teresita's is located at 3826 East 1St Street, Los Angeles, CA 90063.  And if you like Mexican food, you need to check it out.  It's awesome.  A friend from my law school days invited me to photograph some of the plates they serve and since I never photographed food before, I jumped at the chance.

I did my research, consisting of Google searches and a conversation with professional photographer and motorcyclist Paul Buck.  With that information in my head, I took my gear to Teresita's.

The day started slowly since I never photographed food.  I spent about an hour trying to figure out how to arrange the plates in a natural yet appealing way.



This first plate seemed forced and unmotivated.  The coffee breakfast looked great, but arranging them in a straight line wrongly suggested an assembly-line type restaurant.

I eventually figured out that the plates should be surrounded in a circle as if a starving food critic was about to eat for the first time after being rescued from a deserted island.  I also cropped most of the areas that didn't show food.

This helped.

The following are some of the other photographs shot.











The last photograph is of owners Teresita Hernandez and her son, Tony Hernandez.

Now go do yourself a favor.  Go to Teresita's Restaurant and eat like that starving food critic recently rescued from a deserted island.

Love,

Chicano Lawyer

Here's Fanny!

Hello internet people,

So here's some more footage from my Thanksgiving with Brian and Cindy.

It's of Fanny, a talented singer/guitarist.

Check out her blog if you get a chance.  It's located at: http://raleighwoodtohollywood.blogspot.com/

Anyway, I shot this with the GH1 Hack, and finished it on After Effects.

Let me know what you think.  I used footage of an 8mm camera and slapped it on top of the original footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDJwN8jUtq8

Love,

Chicano Lawyer

More 3D Titles anyone?

To remind everyone, since my woman started studying for her law school finals, a whole new world of free time has emerged for me.  So much so that I started learning After Effects.

Below is the product of my efforts. It seriously took about 12 hours yesterday to make these graphics, but that's because I knew nothing.  Next time, I'll get it in 10.  It's fun though.

Enjoy.

http://www.vimeo.com/17273487

Love,

Chicano Lawyer

It's a 3D Thanksgiving!

Hello Ronins,

Still teaching myself CS5 After Effects.  The footage below shows some of the moments of my Thanksgiving with good friends, Brian and Cindy.

We went to Off Vine, a restaurant located just off Vine.  Ha!  Get it? "Off Vine," "just off vine."  I know.  I'm not proud of that.

Anyway, their friend, Fanny, also joined us.  Good times.

So here it goes.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90ffCo9rYdc

http://www.vimeo.com/17227575

http://www.vimeo.com/17229792

Stay tuned for more After Effects debauchery.

Love,

Chicano Lawyer

This is why drinking and learning After Effects CS5 don't mix!

Hello Everybody,

I know it's been awhile since I've posted something.  There's a reason.

Aside from the day job, I've been teaching myself After Effects CS5.  It's pretty awesome.  I was already familiar with color correction, but I am trying to get a better understanding of motion graphics and compositing.

It's fun, but a bit time-consuming if self-teaching while sipping tequila.  But since my woman started studying for her law school finals, huge blocks of free time have emerged.

Anyway, here are two examples. They're pretty awful, but funny.

Note, I could have just written, "I guess they're awfully funny," but that would not have been good.  It would have been sad.  Real sad.

So check them out.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT3sOus28qo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8q9epnDQ30

Don't read too much into the examples.  I love my woman.  I don't want any harm to come to her.  I just thought it would be funny if she ran from explosions and snipers.

Love,

Chicano Lawyer

MyChicanoLawyer.com Travel Tips

Here's what I did when I arrived late to a John Stewart rally in Washington D.C.

I had a great time.  Just me and my tequila.

Enjoy.

Love,

My Chicano Lawyer

http://vimeo.com/16527710/settings