Truth and deception

I like the truth, mostly.  Especially in a photograph.  But there are times when the truth gets in the way of the sale, without being deceptive.  Mike Nolen at Falconhead Golf Club asked me to come out and shoot the newly landscaped 17th hole, which you see here.  The best shot seemed to be from up on the hill left of the tee, but from up there, you get a good view of Lake Travis High School back there behind the trees.  You don’t see it from the tee.  But you also don’t see the surface of the green from the tee, which makes it a visually intimidating shot.

The point here is that while the top photo isn’t completely truthful, it shows the landscape better because the viewer isn’t distracted by something else.  I wonder which one you like better.  I know which one I do.

AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center

Just wrapped up a big shoot over at the AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center.  It was great to work with Keith Purcell and Ann Marie Francese, the marketing team there.  Terrific people, and a terrific place.  If you live in Austin and don’t know about this place, go over to the UT Tower and look for it.  Have lunch there.  Chef Josh Watkins is an incredible guy and talented creative culinary expert.  I shot him, too.  Stay tuned for a couple of shots of him.

Barton Creek

Went to the fireworks show last night at Barton Creek with some friends.  Great fireworks and great party, but the best part is how they let hundreds of kids run all over the 18th green of the Foothills course, digging in the bunkers, jumping around all those cool mounds and having a great time.

The 17th hole at Falconhead

Yesterday.

Lazy or funny?

Saw this today near the corner of Congress and Cesar Chavez here in Austin.

Bentgrass in Texas

I told you about Stephen Best and his crew at Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club in Keller.  Here’s a shot of the plush spread of bentgrass, just yesterday.  In July.  In Texas.  Remarkable.

What is this?

All correct answers win something.  Not sure what yet, but something cool.

Golf

Headed back to Sky Creek Ranch just north of Fort Worth to shoot some new golf landscapes and their new restaurant.  Can’t wait to play the golf course.  Exceptional design and condition.  You old Barton Creekers will remember Sky Creek’s golf course superintendent, Stephen Best.  If I owned a golf course, he’d be on the short list of guys I’d pick to grow grass.  Stay tuned for some shots of Stephen’s handiwork.

Lab rats

This (and one like it of another gender) is one of the reasons I’m not a more productive photographer.  But it’s also why I’m a better photographer.  Both of them are always willing to be my lab rats when I need to try a new lens or lighting system or technique.  This one chose to put her shirt on her head and pull her pigtails out of the sleeves and walk by while I tried out my fisheye.  Happy Father’s Day to me.  And to you.

Comfort

I’m not a fashion photographer, which is exactly why I agreed to shoot some jewelry for Tracy Pesikoff, designer of all things pretty over at Lariats by Lily.  (That’s not her there in the shot…we hired professional talent.) The shoot, the thought process, the preparation and the unknown all took me out of my comfort zone of shooting golf, real estate, products, and other things that don’t move and smile and require specific light and technique.  I learned a lot on this shoot, and I’m a better photographer for it.  Thank you, Tracy.

Malverde

Loyal CW blog readers will remember the prototype of D-Crain’s “planted wall” I shot for them at their offices back a few months ago.  Well, it’s now up, in place and thriving upstairs from La Condesa on the patio at Malverde (website not up yet) in what Eric Sutherland from Fosforus calls Fancytown, just across the street from the new W.  (Try the Malverde Margarita…especially if you’re into Mai-Tai’s and drinks like that.)

Lapses

Sometimes I have a lapse in posting blog entries because I’m busy working.  Last week, I was not busy.  I was in the ocean.  If I didn’t have children, I would not have returned to Austin.

Love and separation

I love the people responsible for the design and construction of this “gentleman’s court” at a private residence here in Austin.  Love them.  They are kind, talented, fun, creative, inspiring and do incredible things with metals, stones and all things green.  This little piece of work here is just one example of what separates them from the pack.

New food

A friend of mine likes to say, “There’s nothing special about _____, but there’s something REALLY special about NEW _____.  It’s the same with food.  I’ve recently been introduced to new food, and while it’s not new, it’s new to me and it’s mighty special.  El Macho Chupacabra is bringing authentic Mexican grub to Austin.  Not sure where yet, and there’s lots to do between me and a bunch of that there, but The Marketing Butcher and I just got back from shooting some of their dishes and stuff down in Helotes at the home of Jim  Peyton and his beautiful, supertalented wife Andrea.  See that hammered bowl of orange stuff there?  You claim you don’t like onions?  Bullshit.  Try one of those, then lie to me.  That roasted tomatillo salsa there in the middle is incredible.  The verde up there on the upper end of the big molcajete puts the crap you get at Guero’s to shame. Don’t get me started on the escapeche.  Google any of those words if you’re curious.  You know you are.

Austin Golf Club

I had the good fortune of playing Austin Golf Club yesterday, and it was the best golf experience I’ve had in my 24 years of playing.  Everything about it.  I’m not sure it’s the fact that they did everything the way they would want it, but more that they did everything the way I would want it.  (Out of respect for the club, its members and the privacy of it all, this is the only photo you get.)