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2013-05-24 20:05:47 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

Smoke and Mirrors

Always adjusting my technique, my process, based on whim, on new knowledge of techniques, based on inspiration from classic works (also known as thievery, and if you borrow from the best, then grand thievery).. 

But alas the end result hopefully reaching a summation that uniquely equals me.   For aside from the processing, when it comes to photographing the human soul, the only thing that matters is an emotional connection to the subject.

The rest is just smoke and mirrors.

#portrait   #Portraiture   #portraitphotography   #plusphotoextract   

2013-05-24 18:53:01 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

Missed You

2013-05-24 16:42:08 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

These bird jokes are so bad, I defy you to read all of them.

Q: When should you buy a bird?
A: When it’s going cheep!

Did you hear the one about the crow and the telephone pole?
He wanted to make a long distance caw.

Q: What is green and pecks on trees?
A: Woody the Wood Pickle.

Q: There was a rooster sitting on a top of a barn. If it laid an egg, which way would it roll?
A: Roosters don’t lay eggs!

Q: Why did the bird get a ticket?
A: It broke the law of gravity!
Q: What do you call a chicken in the 1960′s?
A: A funky chicken.

Q: Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
A: Because if they flew over the bay, they’d be baygulls!

Q: How do you catch a unique bird?
A: Unique up on it.
Q: How do you catch a tame bird?
A: The tame way, unique up on it!

Q: How does a birdwith a ... more »

2013-05-24 13:58:35 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

I'd thought today I would share some of my favorite portraits I've taken this year.   It's too bad that in sharing the photographs in this manner, the comments and stories that went with their original post are not shared.  

Although I would hope the faces would tell their own stories as well.

Enjoy!

J.J.

2013-05-23 16:03:50 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 45 +1s)

The Rescue of One

If you've never read about Leonard, you should start with my other two posts here: (http://goo.gl/olvE5) and (http://goo.gl/CCt9w)

I guess it's not all bad news these days.  Not for Leonard anyways.  It's a rare thing when one of the homeless people I get to know can share some news like this with me.  

Leonard has been working at one of the bars at the pier for 2 months.  He does "swamp work" as he puts it.  Basically, anything from stocking the bathroom supplies to cleaning up the mess left from drunken customers.  Yeah, that kind of mess.

He also discovered recently, in an attempt to get his social security from the government, that he was owed some backpay.  He actually wanted to show me, and this is what makes Leonard endearing, the letter from the office which indicated the amount of money owed, and howmuch h... more »

2013-05-22 21:26:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

any update on when the photo upload process is going to get fixed?

2013-05-21 15:24:57 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 39 +1s)

Strike the Stone

How you do differentiate yourself as an artist from others?  Especially when everything is derivative of something else.  How does an artist mark a spot in their field?  How does a sculptor strike the stone with a unique special touch such that the result is different and their own?  How can we see the same old thing as new, as if through the eyes of a child's dream?

Can the strokes of a brush ever really be so different?  Is red just red, and blue just blue?  There is a limit to the choices an artist can make, and all have been made a million times.  

How does an artist make their work unique?  How do they speak with a voice worth hearing?

I have no idea.  

I just know, with every work I create, I want to strike that stone with all the passion in my soul.

And as I step back, I hope to see.. inthe sculpt... more »

2013-05-21 14:14:33 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 23 +1s)

Post Life

#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography  

2013-05-20 21:17:51 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 76 +1s)

Please Stay

While my wife waited at the door, I was trying to round up my 4 year old girl.   She had ideas.  She had desires.  None of them seemed to be heading toward the direction of the door so our family could get on their way to their destination.

I playfully "guided" her towards the door with my hand on her back.

"Mama, Papa's pushing me!" she said with dramatic flair.  

Mama said nothing.

"Don't you care that he's pushing me?!" she asked in disbelief.

"We need to hurry up and go, come on", Mama replied trying to maintain her patience.

"If you don't care that he's pushing me.. then I am out of this family!" she declared in a huff.

We laughed.   Where does she come up with this stuff?  Then we validated her feelings, and Iassur... more »

2013-05-20 14:17:31 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 28 +1s)

A disheveled display of emotion.



#portrait   #portraiture   #blackandwhitephotography   #portraiturephotography  

2013-05-20 14:10:17 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

The Violinist



#monochromemonday   #blackandwhitephotography   #streetphotography  

2013-05-19 13:55:24 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 38 +1s)

Do you like faces like I do?

2013-05-17 21:43:04 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

Just the two of us.. 


#floralfriday   #flowers  

2013-05-17 16:24:33 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 42 +1s)

A Memory Like No Other

man reflecting on a memory 
vivid and clear and every
detail clear and yet slippery
the emotions washing away
one set of truth for another
a memory like no other

- jj bentley


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography   #poetry   #blackandwhitephotography   #plusphotoextract  

2013-05-17 14:41:43 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Curious to see what happens here.. 

2013-05-17 14:22:47 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 36 +1s)

3rd Street in Santa Monica is one of the few places where I often will ask people to pose for me.  I like the candid shot, in part because of my introverted nature.  But there are too many really good faces, too many cool faces.  Sometimes, so as not to avoid missing a fantastic shot, I just ask for the shot.  So far, no one has ever said no.

Not in Santa Monica.


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography   #blackandwhitephotography   #streetphotography  

2013-05-16 21:14:31 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 37 +1s)

In another life...

#portrait   #people  #portraiture #blackandwhite #streetphotography  

2013-05-16 16:51:24 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 32 +1s)

Familiar

Candid street shot.  Woman has a familiar face to me.  Having seen so many faces, I sometimes wonder if I recognize a face because my brain is remembering it from another time, the memory buried and filed away in my subconscious somewhere.  Or perhaps the features of face are similar to someone already well known to me.  

Either way, I am happy with this portrait.

#candid   #portraiture   #portraitphotography   #portrait   

2013-05-16 14:33:41 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

Street Chillin'

Man relaxing against a wall, a wall perfect for a backdrop.  I think his broken sunglasses say it all.

#portrait   #portraiture  #blackandwhite 

2013-05-15 22:21:50 (35 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

I can't add photos the way I used to!  Ugh.

I used to be able to click open an album, say add photo, then Google would create a post announcing that new photo.  Now the photo just uploads to the album.  If I try and share the photo afterwards, it creates a duplicate of the photo as a separate post.

Remaining patient... 

2013-05-15 16:07:26 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 53 +1s)

I am the walrus.


#blackandwhite   #plusphotoextract   #monochrome   #wildlifewednesday   #wildlifephotography  

2013-05-15 14:19:54 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 41 +1s)

Never Forgets

An African elephant for #elephantwednesday . 


#elephants     #monochrome   #blackandwhite  

2013-05-14 20:14:02 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Inner Voice


Some people do it while meditating with folded legs and arms.  Others while running up a trail.  Perhaps while washing your hair in the shower.  So many different ways, none of the wrong or right.  

How do you listen to your inner voice?

2013-05-14 14:40:38 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

You Know Now Love
words and photo by jj bentley

laying  
in an open meadow
next to a willow
a soft muslin blanket 
falls ever so slowly
across your smiling face
stroking your skin
in the gentle summer wind
the warming sun
peaks through from above
laughing 
you know now
love


#poetry   #floralphotography  

2013-05-14 14:15:42 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 32 +1s)

I waited patiently.


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraitphotography   #portraittuesday

2013-05-13 20:44:14 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

If you are on Fine Art America, please consider casting a vote for my image, which has been entered into a contest.  I need 250 votes for the image to qualify for jury voting.

http://fineartamerica.com/contests/national-tv-photo-contest-2.html?tab=vote&artworkid=7400558

2013-05-13 20:25:00 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 23 +1s)

Orange Fish Zen
words and photo by jj bentley

one quiet morning 
turtle whose mama named hop
sitting on a rock

need for awareness
closing eyes to see farther
orange fish water

smiling eyes open
hop lowers head to jump in
orange fish and zen


#haiku   #poetry #plusphotoextract #photography   #turtles  

prints here: http://goo.gl/i0cje

2013-05-13 15:18:34 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

Catch Me If You Can

Sailboats in the water on a perfect day for sailing.


#monochromemonday   #blackandwhitephotography   #monochrome  

2013-05-13 14:27:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

can tomorrow heal what's done
you'd better believe it
and then some

J.J.

#macromonday  

2013-05-11 17:28:40 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 35 +1s)

Happy Mother's Day!

Especially to my wife, the best mother my daughter could ever wish for.

:)

2013-05-10 19:40:13 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 47 +1s)

Sad to See You Sad
words and photo by jj bentley

sad to see you sad
in a hurting kind of mood
with a mellow fire flickering
spirit so subdued
but your yellow flame glows
in the dimness pure and strong
sad to see you sad
but i will hold you ever long



#poetry   #floralfriday  

2013-05-10 16:12:57 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 37 +1s)

What Excites You?

Bees are programmed from birth to do what they do until they die.

We are not.  

So why do so many people behave like bees?  Predictable, as expected, and often unfulfilled.  Going to their job for which they have no passion.  Taking care of the same errands, the same chores.  Doing the same thing, day in and day out.  Eating the same things, from the same places.  A new week, and it all starts over again.  Day after day.  Year after year.  Like bees.

But I know you are different.  I know you, at the very least, want to be different. Tell me, what excites you in life?

2013-05-10 14:36:49 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Click

Sometimes when I am out shooting, I can spend a half an hour and not find anyone interesting to shoot.  Then there are days like the other day, when I literally spend 15 minutes, photograph 4 people, and all 4 people are really good subjects.  That is an efficient outing!

Although when your environment is at a pier in Southern California, I am not looking for efficient.  

I wouldn't call this a candid shot, as the woman turned to look at my camera.  But it's unposed, because I was waiting for her to do so, and clicked the moment she looked.  She smiled.  Probably wondering if I took a picture or not.  

I did.


#portrait   #portraiturephotography  

2013-05-09 22:19:13 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 29 +1s)

I Love L.A.!

Aside from the god awful traffic, over population of aspiring fill-in-the-blanks, shallow empty headed conversations all around, utter lack of character or beauty in the sky (except like 5 times a year), the inflated property values, the... ah nevermind.

Look at those trees!

I love L.A.!



#close2home #losangeles   #palmtrees  

2013-05-09 17:55:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Abstract Study of the Face Series

This series, Abstract Study of the Face, originally began as an attempt to salvage some of my street shots that did not appear to make good portraits.  The subject had looked away, or their eyes were closed, etc.  

But since I began adding works to this album, I have found myself looking for these kinds of angles and perspectives when I am out shooting.  There is definitely a type of face and expression that works very well with this kind of processing.  It has opened my eyes to new opportunities, where before I may have passed up on a shot.

I am not sure what I will do with this series, or when I will consider it completed, if ever.  But who cares, anyways?  The journey is always the only thing that matters.

J.J.

#portrait   #portraiture   #plusphotoextract  

2013-05-09 16:11:41 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 30 +1s)

Gave Up
words and photo by jj bentley

my world looked like a wet letter
but i gave up and feel a lot better

loads lifted
priorities shifted
the heaviness drifted away

i opened my hand to release the pressure
i gave up and feel a whole lot better


#poetry  

2013-05-08 18:59:56 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

Ah, Love
words and photo by jj bentley

ah love,
that magnificent awakener of the soul
like a dripping passionate kiss
part rock, part roll
taking it's sensual toll
on the body
and the heart
ah love,
so beautifully tearing us apart

http://goo.gl/28tMI

2013-05-08 15:28:41 (7 comments, 4 reshares, 43 +1s)

Julia Heliconian

This graceful orange southern beauty has long narrow wings outlined in a thin black line. While females usually have more black on their wings, the males are often a brighter orange. The Julia is a swift flier that enjoys tropical woodlands. The female can be observed laying her eggs in a shady location on Passiflora vines. An interesting trait common to the longwinged butterflies is their specialized proboscis that allows them to feed on pollen. They are able to get amino acids from the pollen that they cannot get from nectar. This unique diet allows them to live longer than many other butterflies.

thank you gardenwithwings.com for the text in this post.

#butterflies   #butterflieseverywhere   #butterflyphotography  

2013-05-08 14:15:46 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

Savanna Elephants

From Africa, these savanna elephants have a lifespan of 70 years.  Unfortunately, these two did not live that long.  They can be found in the Los Angeles Natural History Museum.  Although I don't know the origin of these beautiful animals, the museum does not kill animals just to put into their museum.  They likely died in a zoo, or somewhere they could be collected and donated to the museum.

order prints here: http://goo.gl/k2XD8


#wildlifewednesday   #elephantwednesday   #elephants  

2013-05-08 03:26:09 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

I wait in my bedroom, after having just tucked in my little girl of 4 years, and lay quietly for her to fall asleep.

I have given her water, tucked her into bed (not half assed but "properly" as she puts it), put her bedtime music on, rocked her, and kissed her.

I have anticipated all requests so she can't ask me anything in a clever attempt to remain awake and engaged.

A few minutes pass by.

"I have succeeded", I say to myself with an internal grin representing both satisfaction and yes, smugness.

And then from the other room..

"Papa?"

"What is it?"

"I poked myself in the eye."

"Why did you do that?"

"I don't know, but you should come check it."

Damn. I lose again.

2013-05-07 15:35:38 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 50 +1s)

Back to Basics

I've been posting a lot of different stuff over the last few days, mainly because I recently visited the L.A. Natural History Museum again.  But I need to get back to the basics for me.  These pictures make me the happiest, and leave me the most satisfied.


#portrait   #portraiture   #portraittuesday  

2013-05-07 14:54:53 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Thanks +Jarek Klimek for selecting one of my photographs as one of the 7 TOP Google+ Photographs for May 5.  

Check out the selections at the link below.

2013-05-07 14:14:35 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 40 +1s)

Gulf Fritillary

If you have a chance to visit the butterfly pavillion at the L.A. Natural History Museum, do so!  Incredible.

The wings of this butterfly are like stained glass, artfully designed to maximize the beauty and light in a garden. The Gulf Fritillary is similar in size to the Monarch, but can be distinguished by the large grey patches on the underside of the wing. The wings are quite long and can gracefully carry this butterfly way out over the water in the Gulf region. This butterfly is richly colored orange with orderly dark spots in the center and along the edge of the wing. (description courtesy gardenswithwings.com)


#butterflyphotography   #butterfly   #butterflies   #butterflieseverywhere  

2013-05-07 13:57:25 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Just Adorable!

This animal, a warthog, is at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum.  They have a large collection of animals from all over the world which have been preserved through the process of taxidermy.  

This link, from another museum, explains the process.
http://goo.gl/RG2vb


#taxidermy   #naturalhistorymuseum  

2013-05-07 13:45:35 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 38 +1s)

Sexy Beast

Love the jaguar.

prints available:
http://goo.gl/NQxrH

#monochromemonday   #plusphotoextract   #blackandwhite #monochromeworld  

2013-05-06 17:53:45 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 51 +1s)

Pipevine Swallowtail

This tailed beauty has a shiny blue body and white spots on the upper side of the hind wings. With a wingspan averaging 2 3/4" - 5", these swift fliers are usually low to the ground and do not stay at one flower for a long period of time. They enjoy open wooded areas and forest edges. 


#butterflyphotography   #butterfly  

2013-05-06 16:11:04 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

Elemental Surprise
words and music by jj bentley

formed upon the heating
an elemental surprise
orange adorns the warm glowing greeting
of the spherical 
of the mystical
beyond what dies


#poetry  

2013-05-06 14:49:48 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 18 +1s)

I don't know.  I woke up, looked in the mirror, and this is what I see.  How do you think I'm supposed to feel about today?!

Happy Bleeping Monday!

2013-05-06 05:10:39 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 58 +1s)

Blah.

2013-05-03 17:59:09 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

When I Was A Boy
words and photo by jj bentley

when i was a boy
i could not walk
i opened my mouth
but i could not talk
i tried to think
but had only one thought

just a dream that i could fly.

when i grew up
i stepped outside
i opened my eyes
and yes i cried
but with great defiance
and endless pride

i soared above in the sky

don't tell me not to fly.


#poetry