Interlaken Blvd., Seattle, WA, during a cloud break. I drive on this road almost every weekend just for the fun of it.

Haven’t done a portrait in a while, so I decided to do one for practice. This is my friend Jianna in front of one of the walls in my condo. There are two kick lights to either side of her, behind and high, ring flash in front.

I managed to kill four separate rosemary plants, and I suppose this says something about how nurturing I am. You can imaging my surprise when these buds appeared on my basil plant, which is harder to grow than rosemary.

Actually, I could care less about basil. I picked up an EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM macro lens and just needed something convenient on which to test it. I love the creamy bokeh. What do you think?

This is my attempt at a Dave Hill style photograph. It’s not quite there yet. I think I need to move the main light to the left, and the kick light further behind the model to get that sharp edge light. Also, perhaps a more interesting background; maybe one shot separately and composited in. Also, dark, shiny clothing. Finally, a ring flash. Yeah, that’s what I need. A ring flash.

My niece, on a Seattle ferry, lost in her own world.