I wanna be like Peter Lindbergh

I have a new photoblog

2010-04-10T02:04:00.001-07:00

This one wasn't better than the last, and the new one isn't better than this one.

On to the next one:

calvinmaphoto.com/journal

2010-03-11T23:57:00.000-08:00

2010-02-27T01:32:00.001-08:00

2010-02-14T01:28:00.001-08:00

2010-02-13T20:46:00.001-08:00

I really miss my best friend Eric.

aleza shot this

2010-02-12T21:45:00.001-08:00

then she ate it

2010-02-07T01:10:00.001-08:00

2010-02-07T00:57:00.000-08:00

2010-02-03T16:43:00.000-08:00

ANORAAK- Nightdrive with you

2010-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

Please push play on the bottom before looking at the picture. Thanks!

@kevd00d and @jeffr0x

2010-01-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

I know it's against my policy to say on this blog what I shot with, but shit, look at the often unnoticed quality of an iPhone.

Flash? Where we're going... we don't need..... flash.

Lina Scheynius... Redwings defensiveman Scheynius?

2010-01-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

Came across the portfolio of Swedish photographer Lina Scheynius. I don't regret one bit of this long ass blog post.

See more of her work at Flickr and her website.

one more for good luck

2010-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

I just got a new studio

2010-01-17T23:51:00.000-08:00

Just leased a new studio- which means the project list is now known as "gettin' 'er done". So one concept down, more to go.

Model: Christina Bushner
Stylist: Aleza Guiriba
MUA: Maycher Carig
Hair: Dana Faulkner

Beach House

2009-12-30T23:16:00.000-08:00

I don't usually name my photos, but this one is called Beach House. Not because it's a beach house because it is not. It's a motel stuck in the 70s. But because when I listen to Beach House, it gives me a weird feeling that resembles a motel in Route 66 along the Bible Belt. Something Robert Rodriguez would shoot in. That's all.

That's totally God, dude.

2009-12-30T17:42:00.000-08:00

And he's at the SF Zoo during closing.

My next shoot...

2009-12-29T20:06:00.000-08:00

my next shoot

I definitely need a digital tech so if you're available and want to make a quick buck and know your way around a Mac, let me know!

2009-12-15T23:40:00.000-08:00

2009-12-15T23:39:00.001-08:00

The one

2009-12-15T15:59:00.001-08:00

This is my favorite one out of the group and I think it deserves its own post. Most people who's seen all the proofs do not agree. Several hundred pictures were taken and her facial expression here is 100% what I wanted to capture when I first saw Andi. It's a good feeling to see your idea become reality from A to Z.

IT'S A WRAP!

2009-12-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Finished. I think the results are awesome. It's hard to believe it's Andi's first time modeling. I'm super excited to have worked with this great crew- everyone contributed to the final product and helped Andi in front of the camera for the first time. Couldn't have done it without Aleza's and Chariss' help in direction. It doesn't hurt that Andi was a natural, too.

Working on selects and editing. A lot more to come.

Model: Andi Mazingo
Stylist: Aleza Guiriba
Hair/MUA: Chariss Ilarina
Photographer: Calvin Ma

Golden Gate National Cemetery

2009-12-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

I was at an armed forces cemetery and the below picture is just the north wing. This was a massive cemetery. What I didn't realize is that each tombstone represented at least 2 people (or reserved).

It bothered me that on the back of each tombstone, the wife or child is only represented by what you see below. I mean, not even a last name? Maiden name? And a title like "his wife" with a serial number above? It makes me wonder what happens when the veteran is a woman. I couldn't find it, but I wanted to know if the husband (who didn't serve) were treated the same way.

Simple living

2009-12-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

This is my mom's bedroom TV, circa today. When I saw this, I realized this is visual proof why I still struggle to teach her how to use e-mail. E-mail and the internet is like a work party she REALLY doesn't want to go to, but if she doesn't, she'll miss out on a lot of professional opportunities.

Coffee Break

2009-12-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

Two friends just taking a break. The black lab is a guide dog. His owner is blind. I saw them at Borders. I was blocking a narrow magazine aisle, engrossed in Marie Claire. Out of my right ear I hear, "What's up, boy?" I look up and it was the saddest faced black lab, looking at me, confused. The owner was wondering why he stopped. The dog couldn't fit by me knowing his owner was following. He didn't know what to do. It's not like he could nudge me with his muzzle and say, "Excuse me, we're trying to get by."

Dogs are awesome. Cats are not.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-01T22:30:00.001-08:00

Hey guys, how's Thanksgiving?!

Hey Collin, that's not REAL BEEF!

Arndroid's living room

2009-11-26T00:48:00.000-08:00

My friend Arnold is the most technologically smart dude I know. When asked if he can do this or that with a website or computer, the answer is either "yes" or "I'll learn it." He operates off multiple computers and screens simultaneously. Like he's on the ones and twos.

And this is how his living room looks like. I thought it was funny. Love you, Arn! :)

Speaking of which, check out his site: www.cinestra.com

109 22nd St., San Francisco

2009-11-26T00:46:00.000-08:00

The eyes have it

2009-11-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

There is not a doubt that my dog and best friend, Einstein, was a timid and most kind human being in his previous life. His eyes have it. Most of the time, I can look into his eyes and know exactly what he's thinking, how he's feeling, or what he needs. He returns the favor most of the time.

Untitled

2009-11-24T01:30:00.001-08:00

3 Day Weekend

2009-11-24T01:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I like taking several photos in succession. It simulates a narrative, tells a story, similar to the effect of a storyboard.

LOLz!

2009-11-24T01:10:00.000-08:00

Friends and video games are for life

2009-11-24T01:02:00.000-08:00

I was pretty high on Monday night with the guys. I'm not sure how long I was stuck on Arnold's couch for. We all just watched Fernando play Call of Duty.

Cross-processing* a digital photo is really ironic. The effect of cross-processing in film is to shift actual colors- this occurs naturally over long periods of time in developed film, as well. But a digital photo is just that- digital. It won't age. But we can easily do so in post.

Anyway, hanging out with the guys is a timeless thing, and I guess this is my cheap way of saying it.

* Cross-processing is a film photography technique whereby the film is deliberately processed in a solution intended for a different type of film. The effect is usually heavy color shifts, increased contrast, over-saturation, and a funky greenish-yellow tint.

Warmth in knowing

2009-11-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

This is a naked photo. I did not do any sort of editing to it other than Noise Ninja, and only a little bit at that. I wanted to keep this "naked" because what caught my eye was the warm temperature. The color temp on this is really consistent with the comfort level I have with the presence of my dogs.

Scary ass walkway

2009-11-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow they are cutting the trees to the alleyway behind our apartment. It currently looks like this. I walk Einstein every night here to pee. I've always found it to be a really creepy place. Like midwest/Blairwitch kinda creepy. If it weren't for Einstein, I would find it very difficult to walk down this place alone.

Einey loves chicken

2009-11-23T00:03:00.000-08:00

Fam-lay. I'll never get tired of shooting my dog.

So it begins!

2009-11-22T23:50:00.001-08:00

Equipment is in, studio is up! Thank you, Aleza, for being the best sport ever and allowing me to play around.

As of 11/2009 I am going to try to be a portrait and beauty/fashion photographer. I think there's a particular skill involved with making people look good, no matter who they are, and I'm going to spend some time to explore that.

I won't ignore the good ol' walk-n-shoot for learning composition, however. Always will do that.

This might mark the beginning of something...

Small victory

2009-11-14T17:12:00.000-08:00

I like the way this turned out from beginning to end. Just walked into the bedroom during the 5PM sunset and thought that it'd create a really nice shadow piece. Initially I wanted the shadows (from on camera flash) to be the main subject. Seeing it in my viewfinder and playing with 5-6 photos, I realized that I wanted to change the WB to go for an entire "haunted house/skeletons wearing YSL-party" theme. I think it's totally haunted house/skeletons wearing YSL-party themed!

Too Terry Richardson?

Best one

2009-11-08T01:17:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt, this is the best photo I have ever taken. Details on the face, closed (near meditating) eyes, coat, specific exposure, and my God, the symmetry! Is it my math background? I don't know, but I am a total sucker for symmetry.

But I gotta say, I took this randomly without the intent on having the (many) effects that resulted. I owe this to the model.

Texture 101

2009-11-08T01:01:00.000-08:00

Black and white is the best way to cheat texture. TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE!