Since Flickr is imposing fees for anyone who has more than 200 photos published in their galleries, DLRfoto is taking focus on another online gallery service. So say hello to the new DLRfoto gallery hosted by none other than Smug Mug where folks are fully able to peruse through images, AND are now able to purchase prints all in one fell swoop… AAANNND I can post more than 200 images…I’m lookin at you, Flickr!!! Pretty rad though, huh? So check back often as DLR will continue to update its backlog of images and perhaps even throw in a new redesign. Time to roll up the ol’ sleeves once again.

Until the next,
DLRfoto

The New Orleans Cultural Center

The Perfect Gentlemen second line Sunday Parade.

Trombone Shorty and Preservation Hall

Creole Voodoo Tour with Priestess Gwen

The folks at Photographer’s Toolbox has made a great tool for LR users. The download and installation process is relatively simple and with a donation of your choosing, you can own this feature that allows you to export from Lightroom, directly to your WordPress blog.

More information can be found on The Photographer’s Toolbox’s site.

Enjoy!

So much to announce as we look to a new year and new destinations. 2010 was quite a year with places visited near and far from Peru, Seattle, Kauai, Seattle again, and now…  we look to end and start the year at the birthplace and home of Americas one true original musical art form that is Jazz music – The Big Easy aka – New Orleans!

A sincere thank you all that have supported DLRfoto in the past year. Your words of encouragement along with the booking of sessions and purchases of my book ‘Hijo de las Piedras’ have been more than motivation and inspiration.

I need your vote! Over the recent months DLRfoto has enjoyed accolades from friends, family, acquaintances, and even perfect strangers for works posted – for that, I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks. Now is the time to voice your enthusiasm to the world by voting for my book Hijo de las Piedras in the People’s Choice Photobook contest. It is a body of work that was inspired by meeting my maternal relatives (una gran familia!) for the first time in Guadalajara. The many wonderful sights, sounds, and smells that make Guadalajara a unique and beautiful city is the setting in which I expanded my knowledge. This book holds a great deal of personal meaning and is a collection of work that will continue to have a profound impact on all my future artistic endeavors. By seeking out the origins of my culture, I have come to realize how interconnected we are as humans and it is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to share the beauty of the Mexican culture with everybody.

According to wiki:

… The city is named after the Spanish city of Guadalajara, with the name originating from the Arabic word wād al-ḥaŷara (واد الحجارة or وادي الحجارة), meaning “Valley of Stones”; the literal translation of the Iberian name Arriaca, meaning “stony river”.

The translation of the title of the book is “Son of the Stones”

To vote, simply click on the badge below, enter the 3 short fields of information then check you email for verification!

Again, thanks to each of you who have supported me and continue to with encouragement, motivation, inspiration, and of course love.

Sincerely,

~Frank Rodriguez

Below are some images from the first moments on the island in Princeville. We wasted no time and embarked on a mini-tour by land in Kapaa, and one by air as we climbed aboard a tour plane for a 1 hour excursion around the island.

Special thanks to Jim Degnan for sharing with me and 6 others aboard the craft on his birthday. It was a pleasure to not only see him enjoy doing what he loves most, but was by far a privilege to partake on a venture as magnificent as this.

And uhh… the view wasn’t too bad either.

On our next explorations, we packed up the ride and headed west on Hwy 550 up through the various stopping points on Kokee Rd, through the Waimea Canyon and beyond. We picked up some local dried fruit snacks from local vendors before heading off to the trail head leading to a spectacular view of the Na Pali Coast. A nice dinner and cocktails (mainly Mai Tai’s) were enjoyed at the end of the day with good company.

{fast forward a few days… island time}

July 4th was one of reflection as our trip came to a close and as daylight gave way to night, we gathered our friends lovingly and proceeded to…

blow stuff up!!!

As time came closer and closer to our departing flight from the island, we managed to squeak out one more trip to a nearby beach. This time we chose Hanalei, which apparently is the home of Puff the Magic Dragon. True story, I can’t make this stuff up!

Check back within the next week to view an added page to the blog for purchasing prints as demanded by you, the people!

Again, a big congratulations to Aimee and Brad Degnan who are to be wed this Wednesday in lush Kauai, Hawaii. Last week we spent a relaxed day in San Francisco and hung out at a few places, and took a few shots along the way.

We are now in our destination spot and have already been on a couple photo ventures. One by land and one by air! More to come soon!

Right off the jump, I’d love to extend a special thanks to my gracious hostesses to the utmostesses, Amie and Nina for taking the time to show me Seattle and explore the beauty of their city. My impression from the trip is that it is a very warm and welcoming place where the people still hold the door for you everywhere you go. It is, from my perspective, a mindful and respectful society of its indigenous people and various cultures that dwell within. There is a certain unspoken sentiment when wandering through the downtown streets and alley ways – as if being reunited with a long lost friend.

The ladies took me to the annual Folk Life Festival, where folk music (and food) from all corners of the globe were celebrated. We then turned out attention to the spectacular Experience Music Project, which has collections of the very foundations of the music of Seattle.  Of course what tour isn’t complete without a ride to the top of the Space Needle?

Days later, we absorbed more of the cities history as we were guided through the Seattle Underground tour, where we saw lots of cool old stuff and learned about the evolution of the cities politics, infrastructure and social climate.

I highly recommend Seattle for anyone who is into music, art, culture, good vegan restaurants, and history.

Joining the ranks of millions in the facebookisphere is none other than DLRfoto! Become a fan! If you’re not able to follow the DLR foto blog as often as you’d like, you can still stay up to snuff on all the images I put out to the world.

Thanks!

Frank(ie)

A day spent in one of my favorite places to play in the East Bay.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. It appeared to have worked and all of my friends’ safety have been accounted for. Thoughts still remain to those affected by the flooding in Machu Picchu and surrounding villages.

Today’s news of  the Chilean quakes has brought about many worries to my day. My thoughts immediately went out to all my friends and their families in Peru. When I received word of the devastated areas, my immediate actions were to reach out to everyone I knew in Chile’s northern neighboring country via facebook in hopes for the best. In recent weeks, it has been reported that  Machu Picchu suffered sever flood damages due to torrential downpours. This having happened a little over a month since my visit, coupled with the nearby quakes, have made my visit all the more precious.

Hawaii had also received news of a tsunami warning within hours of the quakes. It was to my relief to learn that the the state where one of my childhood friends live and where I will be shooting a wedding in June had no reports of any deaths, injuries or damages.

I have not received a reply from any of my friends in Lima, but still remain optimistic as communications are usually jammed up or disrupted during these times.

Today was a decent amount of progress and rest. Made some headway and plotted my route for WPPI in Vegas. I plan to land on March 7th and will post up at the MGM thru the 11th. Also took some time to speak with a potential client about shooting his orphanage facility in Peru. He is sending his information along to me to formulate a documentary style photo essay. Very promising things on the horizon. Lots to plan for and lots to complete still. Looking forward to my first destination wedding in Kauai, Hawaii on June 30th! Congratulations to you Aimee and Brad!

Day of the Dead as celebrated in the San Francisco, California

Day of the Dead as celebrated in the Fruitvale, California

A book of my photos from Guadalajara, “Hijo de las Piedras” can be previewed and purchased on blurb.com>>>

Hello blogosphere! DLRfoto is making a splash with a simple mission – to document and share images taken around the globe. It would be an understatement to say that I am more than excited about my upcoming endeavor and my travel to Peru later this month. Some trails blazed in recent years  include Costa Rica, the Yucatan, Jalisco, as well as stateside destinations. Keep your eyes on this space and be on the look out for the most current site updates. Be sure to follow along on Twitter and join my Facebook page! The official launch of DLRfoto blog will be set for December 24th 2009!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

_{special thanks for development support by New Skin Media and Daniel Mores.}