I'm getting serious

Film Shots

I got some pretty interesting shots of the balcony at night. It was so scary out there at night in the cold. I stayed out there with my gear and nodded off periodically to where it felt like I was doing nothing. When the light came up I made some interesting abstractions but I have no idea how or even if they fit into this project. I feel like I'm not getting anywhere so much of the time I'm up there but then when I get back here and sort, edit, look something comes clearer to me. I think I'm going to make a book out of this but it may be many more trips before I have something that makes sense to a viewer.

I got some really nice shots on the back from the trip. I think I might try and incorporate some of these landscape shots. Not what I normally tend to shoot but there is something about them that describes my frame of mind for this project. I hope I got some good film shots. It's been so long since I've shot much b&w that I forgot how labor and time intensive it is. I am enjoying the anticipation in a way. If I get some good ones, I'll post them as soon as I process & scan them...

Spring Break

I followed a few of the "missions" and was certain he might see me or recognize me at any moment but I think I got some good stuff. The above image is where I entered the woods on the North East side of his house. It is so gorgeous up there. I crept into the woods and hung here until it got a bit darker. I kept worrying about the car and if anyone would wonder why it was just sitting on the side of the road. I got in pretty close but not many good shots from across the street to the East. I decided the next day to go back to "my spot" across the street on the West side of the street.

Almost called it quits...

I was scared away by my last trip because of how terrified I was when I thought I almost got caught (or so I thought). I can't describe how scared I was. I almost decided to scrap this project all together but then I met this student who gave me the help I needed exactly at the right moment. He put together some "missions" for me to help me gain better access both during the day and at night. He told me that he works as a military contractor mapping missions and that he wanted to help me with my project. He had some pretty excellent advice about strategies but also equipment and staying discreet. I plan to go up there next week and follow this one at least:

Route 1 Danger level 5: Insert here during daylight. Take your camera gear in a purse but leave a case in the car. Display interest in whatever the building contains while doing so eye the perimeter find the least visible potion on the side where the first line it most likely that corner. Enter the forest after checking if there is anyone watching while keeping a casual look as if “meandering”. If you feel people have noticed you go back to your car and put your camera in the camera bag and act as if you are inspired. Also take several pictures before you enter the trees you once you have you will have a short window less than a half hour before people start noticing your absence. Clothing: wear normal clothes but none that are bright for obvious reasons. Make sure you have long clothes on and a light extra layer that you can shed after exiting trees. Secure any long lenses you may need. IMPORTANT: before you enter the parking lot be sure that he is there you have only one opportunity for this route so it is important that he is there. If this scares you to do this while having to inquire you can on a Sunday for example where there will be low volume of inquisitors however this also runs you the risk of standing out.

So, it's still kind of terrifying but I think having the direction will be helpful.

4th of July Pt. 2

I processed the film and even though there aren't a lot of images, the ones I got are incredible! I thought I had been spotted because right after I took these, he came back out with his partner and pointed down into my direction. I got all flustered and scared and instead of taking more photos (like a hard core P.I. would have!) I literally fled the scene barely grabbing my gear and even had to go back to get my notebook! It was very conspicuous. Then, I realized that they were probably pointing at all the construction going on right between my vantage point and their balcony. Sheesh! My heart was pounding, though. After I returned things stayed quiet for most of the rest of the day. Man, what I wouldn't give now for a photo of him pointing at me! Shit. Well, I guess I'll just have to go back up...

4th of July Weekend, Pt. 1

Phew! I just got back from my trip this morning. What a crazy weekend up there. It was pretty packed with tourists but it is such a small town so it's hard to blend in. I still couldn't get my long lens out without drawing attention to myself. It is so obtrusive and hard to conceal. I drove in A LOT of circles and thought for certain people could tell I was spying on someone. I get really paranoid when I'm up there. For good reason, I suppose. I only bring cash and rarely, if ever interact with anyone for any reason. I always get gas before getting there or after leaving. I brought plenty of energy bars with me for food but I did needed coffee for the overnights so I stopped into this tiny coffee shop there. I started to wonder if he ever goes in there because it's right across the street. Then, I discovered this empty house right across from his condo with a circular drive that has part of it hidden fromthe street and a little small brush that I could get into and be concealed. It's the perfect view of his balcony but could not see much inside other than lights going on and going off throughout the evenings. I just crawled up in there the first evening I stayed and stayedput the whole night until very early morning. It was so scary when it was dark. Silent and pitch black. I didn't use a light because I did not want todraw attention to the fact I was hiding in the woods at night. Oh, and I couldn't get cell phone reception so there was no point in trying to use my phone either. I just laid there for a long time checking through the telephoto lens here and there to be sure I wasn't missing something. It was quiet for a long time. I was restless a lot. The sound of snapping branches woke me up at one point out of a half sleep and scared me to death. I was literally shaking because it sounded like something or someone coming up the hill towards me. I tried to adjust my eyes to see better but it was still so pitch dark. Myeye sight is really good but I coud not see one damn thing - not even an outline of the trees around me. Then, I refocused my eyes only to see tiny bright eyes starting at me from all around me. I laid in my position perfectly still for a long long time. I couldn't tell how many there were but maybe half a dozen, if I had to guess. They were all blinking and just starting at me! Then, a few of the pairs of eyes disappear and turn into these flashes of little white stripes where the eyes were. They looked fluffy to me and I could finally see that they were little baby skunks! Knowing that made me even more anxious but I stayed put. What if I was right int heir den or something? What if the mama came back and attacked me?! I remember thinking that this is one of those momentsthat I swear I'll remember for years. I stayed in the same spot for most of the night but peed a few times off in the back near the car. At one pointI tried to venture off near the ocean foot but almost stepped right off a cliff. I won't do that again. I will draw out a map of the layout so you can get a sense of where I was in relation to the highway, my dad's house, and the ocean. I'll post more later once I've gotten some rest and processed the film...