Holy Smokes. You guys see that gigantic visitor’s spike in my google analytics dashboard? That was on the day David Hobby, aka The Strobist, pimped me out on twitter. …his handle is @strobist for those reading this post who didn’t find me through him.

1,835! that’s how many people checked out my blog July 15th, 2010. For the most part they went to two pages: This one. and This one.

Thanks to all you folks who subscribed to my twitter feed. …I think it tripled! And I appreciate everyone who subscribed to my blog on their rss feed. I’ll try to do you guys right by keeping this blog filled with interesting images and I’ll give y’all a good explanation when I can remember my set up. hahahaha.

And of course, thanks to David Hobby! No wonder Time Magazine named The Strobist as one of the top 25 blogs of 2010. I wouldn’t have seen that incredible spike without him. I think my regular page views are up, too.

I know this sounds like I’m bragging — and well, I guess I am a little, but not in a cocky way. It’s more like a “super excited” kind of bragging.

I did really well in the recently judged September clip contest. The monthly clip contest doesn’t really go in order. December’s already been judged, for example, and we’re still waiting on results from November, August, and May.

So, In addition to winning 1st and 2nd in Feature/Multiple, I also placed first in Sports, and third in Feature/Single.

It was a good month for some of my friends, too. Fellow PPC co-worker Sarah Nix-Pastranna won 2nd in Feature/Single. Patrick Smith landed second in Sports, and Drew Anthony Smith grabbed 2nd and 3rd in Illustration. I’m 100 points — or two first place wins — away from tying with Kyle Green, the regional clip Juggernaught from The Roanoke Times. Fingers crossed!

WooHoo!!! I cleaned up in the Illustration category for December’s NPPA: Monthly News Clip Contest.

If I was to give myself some professional New Years resolutions, this is one of them.

“Shooting the emotion” weighs heavier to viewers than cool, graphic images. Using rad light and a bad-ass compositions, don’t cut to the core. They’re just eye candy.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOOOOOVE eye candy. When I look over my work, I’m kinda predisposed to it. It’s easier for me to make.

My friend Monica Lopossay — three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee (and she’s only 33!) is waaaay more in tune to people’s emotions. Her photos make viewers feel something. Her most important work makes you “want to slit your wrists,” …her words.

Emotions are relatable. They transcend cultural norms.

They’re also iconic.

Sure, this photo is really just Jess upset that I’m busy taking her picture instead of unlocking the back gate. She’s cold and wants to get in the car. The truth in this photos is that the cold is making her more upset than I am.

But I’ve seen this face before. I’ve upset her. I’m sure anyone who’s been in a relationship has hurt their loved one before.

I don’t have the courage, or maybe I’m smart enough not, to pick up the camera during those moments.

But that’s kinda the point I’m making. I think it’s safe to assume everyone on this planet has been on the opposite end of this kind of stare.

It’s relatable. …and therefore, it’s powerful.

So, 2010! the year to shoot the emotion!

Who’s with me?

and had a caaaaa-RRRRazzzy photo shoot.

…for no reason whatsoever. seriously. no reason.

Pouya and I rescued a toy poodle from the treachery of an I-85 on-ramp In Atlanta Thursday, December 10, 2009. We named him Rufus.

Pouya shot some of these.

…and I shot some of these.

We were supposed to go to a bar, but ended driving from the southside to an all-night emergency vet clinic in the northern suburbs.

There, we found out he was recently groomed, fleasless, was about two or three years old, and also had his teeth cleaned.

We also found out he Rufus didn’t have an ID chip. So, we brought him back to Pouya’s house.

We fed him. He pooped, peed, and sniffed around.

At this point we didn’t know where we were going to keep him. The backyard seemed like an okay idea when we first got him, but a massive cold front moved in over night.

Plus…

Pouya was worried that his dogs would make a midnight snack out of the lil’ guy.

So, he slept on a blanket, in the tub, behind closed doors, where he was safe and warm.

The next morning Pouya dropped Rufus off to the SPCA. For some reason they renamed him Hunter.

Obviously we were both worried he might get put down. Luckily for Rufus (and us) strays are kept for seven days before getting injected, allowing owners enough time to look for him.

The lady Pouya talked to said she wasn’t even worried about it. She’d be surprised if a mature, house broken, quiet, pure bread, clean, HYPOALLERGENIC, non-pit bull, dog wasn’t adopted in two days.

Sure enough, he found a home. We did good.

Noah Devereaux and David Walter Banks. Matt Eich made an update on his Luceo blog with his photos and it got me inspired.

So, here are my Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar snaps.

Showing David Banks my 28 f/1.8 macro lens.  …in the most obnoxious way possible.

Kendrick. making mustaches.

Jeff Furticella.

Raffie Belliard and Tom Glavine joined us for BBQ.

Saltiiiiiiines!!!

Jess and I stayed at the Ascot Motel in Atlantic City a month ago.

Dooter and Ashley cuddle up while William, Catrina, Jess, and Phil make their way to the Ocean off the Atlantic City boardwalk Saturday, November 28, 2009. Jess wanted to touch the Ocean.

A couple walked past this fashion shoot and the guy didn’t see William in the tree until he started moving. He was like,”I only saw teeth!”

You guys have heard of a headdress, right?  Well, William is fashioning a headskirt at H&M.

see the American Flag light?

William abandoned his lewd gestures after realizing there was a tiny child hiding behind the cardboard cutout.

see Jess in the sunglasses reflection? …clever.

In the secret bathroom, behind the video games, at the Arcade where, because of my skeeball skills, I won a jackknife comb.

I always wanted one of those. I’ve decided it’s ONLY for my beard. …which William, seen below, trimmed. He and his roommate, both dancers, were worried the cleaning lady was going to mistake it for pubic hair. …creepy clumps of course pubic hair.

from the best store in the world!

best knock off perfume name ever.

Michelle Obama jumps rope during The White House Healthy Kids Fair held on the South Lawn Wednesday, October 21, 2009. I shot this while on assignment for the New York Times.

(Tuesday, March 31, 2009) I just bought a new 35mm f/1.8 DX lens. I tried it out on my D700. I guess it’s a part time FX lens. If you close down the aperture and focus out the lens casing starts showing up. So, if this lens stays below 5.6 I think it’ll be fine. This is my friend Jared.