Writer, Photographer,
Pen Enthusiast.
Random quote of the day...
Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.
- Shel Silverstein
Stuff for Sale, Continued…
Here are two smaller pieces for sale, and one 3-panel set that I’m really pleased with! 
Ugh…sorry about the glare on this one!
Held
About this photograph: This was taken on the lovely and very picturesque CalTech campus. One of my favorite things to do when I shoot around is to grab a prop of some kind that catches my eye—a flower, a left-behind shoe…On this day my prop was the perfect pink flower pictured here.
Tech specs: Exposure 1/100, Aperture f/5.0, Focal Length 57 mm, ISO Speed 400. This image was shot with my trusty Canon Digital Rebel XTI. The HDR processing was done with PhotoMatix.
Why I love it: On this day, I had just found out that after years of searching for full-time work, I’d gotten a job at a wonderful marketing firm that works with nonprofits. I felt elated, encouraged, and held. Every time I look at this photograph, I think of that day.
Hardware: 8 x 12 print, matted and framed by yours truly; gallery wire attached.
Purchase Price: $45
(why is this all tilted? Sorry…)
Lost in the Lavender
About this photograph: This photograph was taken in Cherry Valley at the Lavender Festival. They had fields and fields of many kinds of lavender in bloom, which is heaven for me because lavender is one of my favorite flower smells.
Tech specs: Exposure 1/320, Aperture f/5.6, Focal Length 135 mm, ISO Speed 100. This image was shot with my trusty Canon Digital Rebel XTI.
Why I love it: I love the rich colors of a lavender field in full bloom. I wish I could lay down in this photograph and sleep for years, lost in lavender.
Hardware: 4 x 6 metallic print, matted and framed by yours truly; sawtooth hanger attached.
Purchase Price: $35
Haven Sunrise
About this photograph: This photograph was indeed taken at sunrise, at the top of Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga. I had just dropped my husband off at the airport, and decided to go somewhere I could wait for the sunrise while the city panned out beneath me.
Tech specs: Exposure 1/30, Aperture f/5.6, Focal Length 135 mm, ISO Speed 1600. This image was shot with my trusty Canon Digital Rebel XTI.
Why I love it: For me it’s impossible to separate this photograph from how I felt when I took it. There was such a sense of calm and quiet, that I felt like I was the only person in the world. Its simplicity and warmth stirs my soul, and it’s one of my favorite photographs in my portfolio.
Hardware: Three 10 x 20 panels, each with gallery wire attached
Purchase Price: $250
Jillangill is Selling Stuff!
So, in July/August I had my very first photo show! Yay. It was awesome, and I felt great about completing this goal. The installation is now over, and suddenly I have all this finished work lying around. In addition, I’m getting ready to move (which I hate!), so that’s all the more reason to try and find new homes for these pieces!
So without further ado here are the first two:
STUFF I’M SELLING:
Just Dreaming
About this photograph: This piece is actually two photographs layered one on top of the other—one in color, one in black & white. The color photograph is an HDR image of a blue sky with clouds. The black & white photograph was taken inside the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, NV. There was a beautifully artistic display of colored umbrellas, along with lights falling from the sky to mimic rain.
Awards: This piece was chosen to participate in a juried photography show at the Birch Street Gallery in Brea.
Why I love it: I feel like this piece blurs the lines between reality and dreaming. I love the way the glass roof makes it seem like the whole world is just one big bubble in an even larger greenhouse. My favorite aspect of this piece is the bright light in the center. Is it the sun in the sky, or is it a bright light in the indoor display? You be the judge.
Hardware: 16 x 20 print on canvas with gallery wire attached
Purchase Price: $270
And the other…
Dreamscape
About this photograph: I shot this while hiking down from Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. I looked across the horizon at the blending of city and wilderness, and saw hikers. It struck me as interesting, how compact our world can sometimes be–how everything coexists side by side.
Awards: This photograph was awarded a prize in ePhotoZine’s “Cities and Scapes” competition. The judges said: “The panoramic treatment works well for this subject and the image gives a sense of freedom from the bustle of city life.” I agree! J
Tech specs: Exposure 1/500, Aperture f/8.0, Focal Length 300 mm, ISO Speed 100. This image was shot with my trusty Canon Digital Rebel XTI.
Why I love it: My favorite thing about this shot is the way the hill is the perfect shape to complement the downtown skyline in the background. It seems to bend to allow it, but resumes its path afterward. I also love how the hikers look like stick figures from this distance, with similar but different body stances.
Hardware: Panoramic 30 x12 BW print on canvas; gallery wire attached
Purchase Price: $225
Polish Off Jillangill
It’s May! Unbelievable. In the time since I wrote last, I turned 28, which is also pretty unbelievable. I certainly don’t feel 28, but then I’ve always valued being “young at heart.” 
In case you’re curious, for my birthday we went horseback riding in Malibu! It was really fun, and such a beautiful day. Jeremy is slightly terrified of horses, which made the day even more entertaining. We rode along a trail in the mountains near Malibu–which was pretty! Here, I’ll show you:
There was some kind of old west prop town near the trail we took, and while riding through it we saw no less than 5 groups of photographers on shoots, and someone shooting a rap video. Apparently this was also used as the set for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (ah….that takes me back!):
There was a dramatic tree situation, too:
It was a great day. Here’s some more fun news! I’ve decided to start another blog. I know, I know…you’re thinking about how I barely update THIS blog and am therefore a lame candidate for another. But hear me out! I’ve been interested in starting up a beauty blog for a while now, specifically a blog dedicated to my crazy love of nail polish. I’ve been mulling over whether or not I’d actually have anything to say that’s new, fun, and/or insightful about polish. I decided yes! I do! I’m thrilled to announce that Polishmeoff.com will soon be up and running. If you like polish, check me out! Or even if you don’t like polish but you do like me, check me out.
Here’s to a fun new hobby (yeah right–like I need another hobby!) and the culmination of a lifetime of polish love!
What is Jillangill up to??
So, since I updated last I have done the following:
- Attended infinity weddings
- Moved to Altadena
- Started a new job at Russ Reid
- Joined a new church and became involved in their choir
- Took a trip to San Francisco and Napa
Pretty crazy, right? Life these days feels pleasantly full, and I feel productive and happy. I have time to do lots of creative things and have even made some great friends at my new job. That’s pretty broad, I know! Here are some pictures to look at so you forget how much I’ve neglected this blog. Enjoy!
We got stuck in traffic!
First time seeing the Rose Parade
Lovely San Francisco Skyline
It’s such a majestic bridge!
Napa in winter is a breathtaking mix of mist, mustard flowers, and dry vines.
The Berringer estate had an aura of mysterious beauty.
Jillangill and the Year of Weddings!
Here are some of my favorite images from my lovely cousin Alison’s wedding on the 7th…it took place at the Westlake Village Inn and I was really impressed with how beautiful everything looked! This wedding was a photographer’s dream! Bright colors, beautiful weather, a butterfly release, and a stunning location:
Her flowers alone were just beautiful…but as you’ll see a little later, the bridesmaid dresses were really stunning too–aqua!
I just think this is a really fun, happy picture…I’m partial to DOF shots where the main activity in the photo is a little muted. I feel like that’s how life is sometimes–the excitement is just beyond the focal point.
How sweet is this?? They did a butterfly release instead of unity candle (I didn’t know this, but CA apparently has some really stringent rules about outdoor flames). It was so precious, and made for some really great photo ops.
Here’s another reason these two are a photographer’s dream: theatrical kiss! You just can’t stage this level of awesome. I chose to process this a bit differently too, with some de-noiseing after HDR to really make it look like a painting. This is my favorite shot from the day.
Ok, here’s a bonus image of one of my ridiculously cute nephews: Graham! All 3 boys were throwing the flower petals up and were just so entertained by them. I love this! Special thanks to my sister and bro-in-law for producing such photogenic children!
The lovely Pointer family, with their new addition! Seriously, aren’t they a good-looking family? I really like how this one is composed…not straight on, and with everybody staggered. My beautiful cousin Bethany is modeling the stunning aqua the bridesmaids wore, isn’t that a cool color? Also, see the guy on the far right? That handsome devil is getting married in TWO WEEKS up in Yosemite! Another gorgeous wedding location…my camera and I are charged and ready to go!
P.S. Full set from the day is available here.