Happy New Year.

It's just after 8pm here in Southern California, and the new year is just around the corner.
With the winding down of this year, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed with just about everything.

I'm making some changes for 2014 to help give myself some breathing room, time wise. The goal is to have more time to enjoy the things that I love (including photography), rather than having everything so stacked on top of each other that even though I am "doing", I may not be enjoying.

Here's hoping each of you have a great 2014.

Queens Fine Food. San Bernadino, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
Canon Ae-1 28mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max b/w 35mm film.

See you soon.
-Mike

2013 Anaheim, CA. Halloween Parade

Since 1924, the City of Anaheim, CA. has been hosting an annual Halloween Parade. Before moving to Corona, CA. I was a resident of the city of Anaheim and was happy to return this year to enjoy some of the heritage being preserved, shoot some film and have some fun!

Paul Kott Realtors entry The Modjeska Maiden. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

One of my favorite things about city parades, be they Independence Day, Christmas, or other, are the community built "float" entries.

Witch. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

The ingenutity and and heart that people put into their creations is sometimes amazing.

This year, the parade was lead by a segment with featured "vintage" replicas of entries past, and period themed entries dating as far back as 1924.

1940's police car. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

The parade was wonderful, and featured floats, cars, bands, beauty queens, the works!

Miss Buena Park 2013, Emily Parker. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

Shriner Car. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

Of course there were Shriners... Shiners in little cars, Shriners in Dune Buggy's, Shriners as Clowns, old Shriners, young Shriners...

Shriners Hospital "Organ Car". ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

Haunted House float. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta AF2 38mm 100asa Kodak T-Max 35mm b/w film

I was really looking forward to attending this parade, and it did not disappoint. Hopefully, I'll be able to attend again next Halloween. I may even dream up my own entry!

'till next time.

-Mike 

Carnivals and fun parks...

When I was young, I had the good fortune of attending all of the various theme parks in Southern California, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, Marineland, Magic Mountain, Santa's Village, etc. As well as many many fairs in Los Angeles and Orange counties and loads of parking lot carnivals.
To this day I love carnivals and theme parks. I appreciate the rides, the people, the history, the sometimes "skeevyness", the laughter, the lights...

Carousel detail. Parking lot carnival. Riverside, CA. ©Mike Vega
Minolta AF-2 100asa Kodak T-max b/w 35mm film

When I am working and I drive past a parking lot carnival, I will crane my neck looking to see what rides they are featuring... The Zipper? The Tilt-A-Whirl? The Spider? Bumper cars? The Scrambler? I'm sure to some, these pop up fairs all look the same, but to devoted attendees, the details make the magic.

Bean Bag Toss. Riverside, CA. ©Mike Vega
Minolta AF-2 100asa Kodak T-max b/w 35mm film

As interesting as the rides, there is also the midway. What games are there? Bean Bag Toss? Ring Toss? Darts? B-B Guns? Games of luck, games of skill? The call to "Ring the Bell, win the lady a prize!" is just as enticing today as it was decades ago.

"Conjure a Villain" Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega
Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max 100 35mm b/w film.

As if the sights of a fun park or carnival weren't enough, there is also the smells. The aroma of popcorn, cotton candy, and diesel...
Add to that the mystery of nightfall...

"Step right up..." ©Mike Vega 2013
Riverside, CA.
Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-max b/w film

The Tornado. The stuff childhood dreams (or nightmares) are made of... ©Mike Vega 2013
Riverside, CA.
Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-max b/w film

When you've had your fill of treats and rides, take a seat and watch the parade of people, young and old, laughing, crying, rushing to and fro. Hear the Carnies barking down the passers by, trying to wrangle every last dollar from them. Watch as boisterous young boys suddenly become ill at the thought of riding the Zipper...

Spinning Bears and Super-Slide. ©Mike Vega 2013
Riverside, CA.
Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-max b/w film

How excited you'll be when you find they have brought your favorite ride or game...

The Twister. ©Mike Vega 2013
Riverside, CA.
Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-max b/w film

See you at the snack bar...

-Mike

Scenes from just up the road...

I had an uncle named Jim when I was growing up (he and my aunt divorced eventually, and we lost touch) who was a small business owner, entrepreneur and generally a hustler (not in a gangster rap kind of way but in a deal maker kind of way). He lived in Anaheim, CA. off of Interstate 5 which basically runs from Mexico to Canada. I remember that when doing business on the phone, he'd rattle off to potential customers that he was "just up the road" from wherever they happened to be. Sometimes, they were a few miles away, sometimes hundreds. But to my uncle Jim, anything off of I-5 was "just up the road".

While these images weren't all found off the I-5, I'm certain that my uncle Jim would have considered them all near enough to each other to refer to them as just up the road...

The Octopus, Parking lot carnival. Upland, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Cruella DeVille working the crowd on Main Street USA. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Getty Museum. Los Angeles, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Getty Museum Garden. Los Angeles, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

Citrus Belt Bank Savings and Loan. Riverside, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon Ae-1 50mm f2.8 100asa Kodak T-Max.

'till next time.
-Mike

They aren't all gone...

If you've been to Disneyland's California Adventure park, you may have seen or ridden the "Red Car" trolley. These cars (though much smaller in scale) were literally modeled after the famous Red Car trolleys of the 1950's that traveled from Los Angeles proper into outlying areas as far east as Redlands, CA.

The Disney Imagineers took time to travel back in time, by paying several visits to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA. which has in it's collection several original and restored Red Cars.

I recently traveled there myself, with my wife, daughter and some close friends.
There is easily more than a single days worth of things to see and experience. I am going to share a little bit with you today.

3100. Perris, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta Hi-Matic 100asa B/W 35mm film

The car above is typical of what would have traveled the streets of Los Angeles, from Eagle Rock to Inglewood and everywhere in between in the 1950's. When buses arrived, their look mimicked the trolleys.

This wonderful facility was the brainchild of a group of highly industrious teen-agers, who in the 1960's, had the foresight and presence of mind to raise funds and begin collecting trolleys and rail cars that were becoming obsolete thanks to increased private car ownership and buses taking on mass transit duties.

The L.A.R. "barn" houses several vintage restored trolleys. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta Hi-Matic 100asa B/W 35mm film

The founders began by storing their collection in Los Angeles by starting the Travel Town Rail Museum, which is still in operation today and houses an amazing steam engine collection.
When space became an issue, land was acquired in Perris, and became the Orange Empire facility.

1920's Pullman car. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 Kodak Ektar 100asa Color film.

In addition to the trolleys, the collection includes steam locomotives, Pullman cars, narrow gauge trains and cars, push-cars, vintage signage, and on and on...

2564 patiently awaits funds for restoration. ©Mike Vega 2013
Minolta Hi-Matic 100asa B/W 35mm film.

The O.E.R.M. grounds are expansive and all of the work, restoration, gift shop staff, docents, maintenance etc. is done by volunteers. It is indeed a labour of love. There is an on site metal shop, wood shop, paint area, steam engine barn and more.

The love that the volunteers have for these wonderful machines from a by-gone era is contagious. I can hardly wait to go back!

Maybe i'll see ya' there!

-Mike

Life in exile...

It's been several weeks since I've visited the Magic Kingdom; however, in just 2 short weeks, I'll be heading back, to gorge myself on churro's, Dole-whips, frozen lemonade and the sights and sounds of Walt's dream come true...

Sleeping Beauties Castle. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

So, in anticipation of returning to the fun park, I've selected a few images that I shot in June of this year.

The iconic Matterhorn Bobsled ride. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

Soon, the summer heat and crowds will subside and give way to cool nights and sparse attendance. Hot chocolate will replace ice-cream bars and frozen bananas, sunscreen will make way for jackets...

Submarine ride (opened June 1959). Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. ©Mike Vega 2013
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

If you travel from out of town to visit the Mouse House, as many many people have done for many many years, consider lodging at one of the quaint Motels that sprung up to meet the tourism needs of the park visitors from the earliest days. Themed as to stand out from each other, many stand as remarkably well preserved examples of mid-century kitch.

Covered Wagon Motel. Buena Park, CA.
1950 Tower 120 100asa Kodak Ektar Color film

'till next time...

-Mike

Independence Day 2013

It's already been a pretty hot summer here in Southern California. This July 4th was no exception, but regardless of that, I ventured out with some friends to a local Independence Day parade. The crowd was eager with anticipation and the sun was high.

The City of Redlands held it's annual July 4th parade around Sylvan park.
©Mike Vega 2013
Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

Veterans, vintage cars, bagpipers, baton twirlers, beer gardens, sno-cones, sunshine, balloons and on and on...

Veterans march the color guard.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

While the parade was well attended, participation was a bit on the spare side. But there were several highlights.

Junior cheer squad gets the crowd into the spirit.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

'merican parade, 'merican muscle.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

"Modern" Square Dancers get twirlin' to Katy Perry...
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

Square Dancers do-si-do-in' too modern pop music during an Independence Day parade was a lil' surreal.

A full band playing traditional favorites under the parks massive gazebo.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

While checking out the scene inside the park, we were lucky enough to catch the raising of the flag by the local Boy Scouts.

The Boy Scouts of American raise Old Glory to the sound of the National Anthem  emanating from the gazebo.
 ©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

Vintage metal decked to the hilt.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

An enthusiastic Cub Scouts Pack 16.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

Local Supermarket chain Stater Brothers represented with this vintage tractor and trailer.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 28mm f1.8 100asa B/W film.

Solitary park goer taking a reprieve from the festivities.
©Mike Vega 2013 Canon AE-1 50mm f2.8 100asa B/W film.

Until next time.
-Mike

Left overs...

So, a few weeks ago, Monika was rolling some 35mm film. She got to the end of the spool and had a piece of film just a few frames long... Being the thrifty gal that she is, she loaded it into a canister.
Along I came and loaded it into a camera...

Kindles Do-Nuts. Los Angeles, CA. Demi 28mm 100asa b/w film. ©Mike Vega

I may have finally visited all of the "Big Doughnut" stores in the Los Angeles area. This is easily one of the skeeviest. Go there at your own risk...

Ice-Cream Shop. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. Demi 28mm 100asa b/w film. ©Mike Vega

1971 Volkwagen Beetle. Riverside, CA. Demi 28mm 100asa b/w film. ©Mike Vega

I took a photo of this beetle because it happened to be parked in an alley where I was working. If anyone cares (or dares) to ask, I could probably talk for days on end about VW's, models, motors, accessories...


That's it, short roll, short update.

'till next time.
-Mike

The (Mouse) House of the Rising Sun...

While rummaging around in the film box to see what we had on hand, I came across a roll of Red-Scale 35mm 100asa film. This film is actually wound backwards, as to expose the red layer of emulsion first, which in turn leads to images which have a varying degree of red "tinting" to them. I know there are "apps" that pretend to do this to your images; however, they only offer a generic tinting of the image regardless of exposure, aperture etc. these, are the real deal...

Monika and I were heading out to Disneyland early one morning and I decided to load the Red-Scale into my trusty 65' Canonet.
For fans of the park, and photographers alike Disneyland on an early morning is a treat...

I don't always shoot straight into the sun... Matterhorn behind mad Tea Party. ©Mike Vega 2013

For whatever reason, I tend to "play around" a bit more with film and camera settings when I'm at the park. Perhaps it is because the park offers so many "problems" to solve, be it light, crowds etc...

Just looking at this cart I can practically taste the popcorn... Pre-opening, beside the Petrified Tree. ©Mike Vega 2013

The first run of The Columbia, Disneyland USA. ©Mike Vega 2013

Though it seems to be the smallest of the "lands", Frontierland is actually quite large, encompassing not only the shooting gallery, shops and restaurants, but also the Rivers of America.

Which way to Adventure? All ways! ©Mike Vega 2013

Try your luck... Frontierland, Disneyland USA. ©Mike Vega 2013

My favorite "gate" in the park Adventureland delivers on it's promise. ©Mike Vega 2013

"How do I know that's an African Elephant? Because we're in Africa..." ©Mike Vega 2013

Day or night, a Jungle Cruise is always a good idea. ©Mike Vega 2013

One large issue that the park can present is people, people that you don't know walking in and out of your frame, lines of people waiting to board rides, and people on rides that you are trying to shoot. Sometimes, you can incorporate them into your shot without being invasive.

The Mad Tea Party has been a favorite of mine as long as I can remember. I really think that the hats make this photo. ©Mike Vega 2013

One of the nicest horses in the park. ©Mike Vega 2013

Morning light on It's a Small World? Yes please. ©Mike Vega 2013

Got Grinning Ghosts? ©Mike Vega 2013

The end of the tour will finish up with one of the first images I shot that day... The Red-Scale film really liked the looming rain clouds behind the castle.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. USA ©Mike Vega 2013

 'till next time.
-Mike