Asian Pacific Lunar Festival 2016

Asian Pacific Lunar Festival

The Asian Lunar festival was held on Saturday, January 30th in downtown Riverside,Ca. The first few shots were taken walking towards the festival.

(Art by - Jeff Soto/image below)

                       

(The first congregational church,and Parish house)

Riverside's finest even had a setup where the kids could get free stickers and pamphlets.

Many cosplayers hung out at the Chinese Pavilion (in the background) during the festival.

In front of the Riverside Museum 

Locals 

(cultures)

End of the festival blockade 

vendor goods

PEOPLE Walking around

(couldn't decide which to post,the color version or black and white)

(the Philippine table)

There was a lot to see, and many photographers out and about, with no shortage of subjects to shoot.

The image below was one of my favorites, because of the colors, and was one of those shots where I shot for the heck of it. 

Coming to the end of the festivities, my family and I went into the local museum.

Notice the window images. Look at the black and white version, and now look at the color version. Do you see the eye? I could not tell where it came from. The reflection of the window, or from somewhere else.

Local wildlife

The inside of the museum 

Collection of cameras

A few of my favorites from the collection

Passing the window on the second floor caught my eye

.....and out from the museum we went passing the church

Looking around one more time for something else to shoot,I always say look up.Photographers perspectives are pretty much the same,get low,shoot around waist levels,then eye level.Just remember look up.

The festival was fun. I thought I would have gotten some more shots of the festival and activities this year, but we showed up when none were scheduled earlier in the day. I recommend coming next yea,r and staying for the parade and fireworks and checking out the museums and galleries, or walking in and around the Mission inn.

Till next time thanks for viewing

Just an old Oak memorial

I had some free time before a party I was to photograph so stopped off at a geocache near by and was surprised to see a memorial in its place to boot. Here's a few images I took on this cold rainy day,if your in the area stop on by on Highland Springs Road also called the Patriot tree on google maps (N Highland Springs Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223)

(the poem on the tree reads)

“I grew up here all alone; you know, so spindly, small and frail,

‘Twas nicer here way back then, a horse and buggy trail

By the side of this country lane, I stood only four foot high,

I hardly got a sideways glance from folks a passing by

                         I am an oak, a scraggly oak, not mighty and not tall,

I’m approaching 80 years; I’ll be 80 in the fall...

‘Twas first a flag, then two more, I did not understand

And then I heard the prayers of those come praying hand in hand,

Each flag is for a mother’s son who went to meet the call,

I’ve seen the tears and heard the prayers for those who gave their all,

And so my job, both night and day, protect these many flags

Shads those who come to mourn their loss and do the best I can

I’m proud to be out here, there are no other trees to guard the many flags that,

Stand and flutter in the breeze.”

Preview from todays venture(Oldfolks)

Ive been eyeing this spot for some time but never ventured in because I new squatters were leaving in it.Sadly it burnt and whats left is still interesting.The size of the place was big with over 320 rooms big halls and misc rooms.In its heyday it must of been grand.

More images and videos will be posted in the weeks to follow cheers folks

Abandoned and lost in Time

Calimesa's wide open area has a hidden treasure in its forgotten  lands known only to the occasional mountain biker or random hiker or urbexer.On a totally different venture I was out photographing 3 different abandoned locations.After I had seen all I could see I figured what the heck and made my treck down the long dirt road because I knew theres was more abandoned goodness waiting,I just didnt know how far.                                                                                                                                                                           

After walking for almost 40 mins occasionally stopping to take photos of the landscape I found what would end up being a new favorite location.



Has I walked upon the location and its desolation it was like looking back in time

Inside you can see the homes were made of adobe bricks and some small things remained inside 

I continued to take photos of the location in and out those will be up in a future post,has the time went on sunset came and I had the long walk back,funny it only took me 20 mins to get back,it got cold and dark fast.The following weeks I went back afew times with a fellow photographer (DanWade photography).Its like a fellow photographer of mine said "if you see umm shoot umm".The location after a few years of me going here has feel even further into the elements so im happy i was able to shoot it.Images from inside will be posted soon so keep your eyes open.