©2009 Kiffanie Stahle, A Study of Rhythm and Feet No. 6

This image was taken almost a year before this version came about. I took this image of The Polymers at Old Ironsides in Sacramento, California. For the few months prior to this, it had been a running joke between us that I wanted a photograph of their feet.When I first looked at the image, I liked the composition, but knew that it needed something to make it special. Almost a year later, I was riding home from school on my bike, and bam, I saw this processing in my head. I raced home and started working on it. A few hours later, I had processed the raw image to match my mental picture. I love how this image combines the gritty feel of film, with the modern elements of digital photographs.

©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Biscuits.

I was intending on posting a different image today, but last night I attended the Lightbox SF Mixer at La Boutique. At one point I was having a conversation with Julie Michelle about some of the things that we both were seeking from the local artistic community. I mentioned that I would like a place where I could go and take work for critique. A place where I felt comfortable asking if an image really worked. Or a place that I could take a series to find out if the images worked together in the way I thought they did.

The image above is the type of image that I would take. There is something that I really like about the composition of the image, but for some reason I just don’t think it actually works, regardless of the treatment I give it. Which makes me think that something must be off in the composition. The black and white treatment above is my favorite so far, but I’m still unsure what I think about the image. So, my fellow readers, does it work?

© 2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Doggie Love.

I frequently get asked for the story behind certain images. Because this is a frequent request, each Monday I have decided to share a story behind one of my favorite photographs. This story, I shared a couple months ago in my monthly newsletter.

I captured this image back in February while I was out shooting in the Haight. Living in San Francisco, I come across so many interesting people walking down the street each day. I often make up stories for the people that I see reguarly and am curious how my stories compare to their real lives.

In a quest to learn more about the people around me, I’ve begun taking a few street portraits. This is something I’ve been wanting to try for more than a year, but up until recently my fear of how people would react has prevented me from starting this process.

This particular morning, while walking to the Haight  I decided that I couldn’t go home until I had asked at least 5 people if I could photograph them. This lovely woman was the first person I asked that morning and even though it was her doggie’s feeding time, she graciously allowed me to take a couple photographs of her and her dog and learn a little about them. Her kindness buoyed my courage and allowed me to ask four more strangers if I could photograph them that morning. This photograph is my favorite of that morning, probably in large part to her kindness.

© 2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Doggie Love.

This image I’ll be featuring at the 200 Yards third show opening at Free Gold Watch this Saturday. The opening will be from 6-10 pm, March 12. The story of this fun street portrait I told in my March monthly newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do!

©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Winter Summer II.

Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: the gorgeous weather we have been experiencing as of late here in San Francisco. My roommate and I have begun calling it “Winter Summer.” On Sunday, I went for a walk from my house in the Mission up to the Haight to once again try to capture some interesting photos to submit for Round 3 of the 200 Yards project. The weather was perfect and as I was returning home I stumbled across this view, I love how this image perfectly summarizes the good parts of this City: the hills, the weather, Muni, and the old buildings.

©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Da Wharf.

Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this building that I found along the Embarcadero wharf the other day. I loved the ladder to nowhere and the pipes along the right hand edge. A little iPhone processing brought out the worn details in the building and I really like this image.

©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Embarcadero Juxtaposition.

Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this juxtaposition of old and new along the Embarcadero. The other day while walking down the Embarcadero I was noticing the layering effect that you get when looking towards downtown. In the distance, there are the shiny glass buildings of SOMA. While across the street there are old brick buildings. At points you also have the stark concrete of the Bay Bridge. At some points (including the one above) you get all three in one frame.

©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Bel Air.

Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: this shiny, vintage Bel Air that I ran across the other day in the Financial District. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car this shiny and pretty.

• I discovered Susannah Conway’s photography courses this week through a post on scoutie girl about heros of creative living. I’m not going to be overly ambitious and try to take it right now. But I wish I could.
• I’m a huge fan of The Big Picture and can’t wait for the launch of Alan Taylor’s new project with The Atlantic next month, In Focus.
• These bento boxes by Susan Yuen are adorable. They make me want to pack a lunch and give it to a random kid on the street. (via My Owl Barn)
• The Learning to Love You More project by Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher is no longer accepting submissions. But their assignments seem like a fun idea to spark creativity when the well is dry.

Have you discovered anything this week that jumped out at you? Let us know below. I’m always looking for new sources of inspiration!

]]> http://www.kiffaniestahle.com/2011/01/31/things-i-fancy-january-31/feed/ http://www.kiffaniestahle.com/2011/01/29/winter-summer/ http://www.kiffaniestahle.com/2011/01/29/winter-summer/#comments Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:00:17 +0000 Kiffanie http://www.kiffaniestahle.com/?p=716

©2011 Kiffanie Stahle, Winter Summer.

Another iPhone capture of things that catch my eye. This time: a little corner of the San Francisco Mission. This week we in San Francisco have experienced one of the about 10 seasons we seem to have in this city, the winter summer. Sorry to all of you that have been bogged down with snow and rain, but this week we’ve had sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. I went for a walk earlier this week to enjoy this lovely weather and liked how the blue sky contrasted with the yellow of the cross and with the white of the adobe.