Tina Epperson Freelance Photography

After Christmas Snow!

2010-12-30T06:28:00.000-08:00

Connecticut received a good amount of snow on 26 December 2010. My husband and I were out in it looking for photos. We came upon this lovely shot on the grounds of UCONN at Avery Point.

Daisies

2010-11-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

Snow!

2010-11-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to this! It made driving into work such a joy. >:(

Fall Colors

2010-10-25T04:10:00.000-07:00

Beautiful fall colors in New England!

Stonington Harbor Lighthouse

2010-10-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

After our move, getting some what settled and starting a fulltime job 2 weeks after arriving, here's one of the first photographs that I've taken in 4 months. Enjoy!

Here's a bit of history on Stonington Harbor Lighthouse.

Half Way There

2010-05-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday morning and we got into St. Louis about mid to late Saturday afternoon. After getting showers and relaxing for a bit, we went to spend the evening with my mother. It was wonderful to see her and for her to see the kids. We'll spend today here and then continue East Monday.

Empty House

2010-05-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our household goods were packed onto the moving truck and last night we slept on air mattresses in this empty house. The air mattress that Scott and I slept on had a leak in it. So we woke up on a flat air mattress on the hard floor. :( ... Tonight we stay in a hotel here locally and then begin our drive back to the East Coast.

Stay tuned for updates from the road!

Last Minute Stuff

2010-05-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday and we are getting a bunch of last minute things done. I just wish we had one more day and a few extra set of hands! UGH!! .... The packers will be here on Monday!! When we get to Connecticut, we have got to get rid of things we don't use/haven't used in years!!

So Long San Pedro. Until We Meet Again.

2010-05-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Life has been crazy the past few months with getting ready for our move back to the East Coast. And now we are in our last week here in California.

When I first got here 5 years ago, I wasn't too crazy about California, but it grew on me. And I grew as a photographer. I will miss my home on the ocean.

In the future, I will be posting photos from Southern New England. And if possible, photos from our drive cross country.

Check back often and please feel free to leave comments!!

You gotta love the military life!

Tina

Airplane and Moon

2010-02-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

This plane was flying circles around Old Ft. MacArthur in celebration of the 9th Annual 'Great Los Angeles Air Raid' yesterday.

Long Beach Lighthouse

2010-02-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

Sand Dollar

2010-02-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Garage Fire

2010-02-10T18:50:00.000-08:00

This fire happened just a few hours ago in the trailer park off 25th St. about a mile from where I live. We heard the sirens but really didn't pay attention to them at first. Then a few minutes later, we then heard a helicopter and my daughter went into her room and noticed it was a news helicopter hovering just up the coast. I had her start checking the local news stations and came across ABC 7 doing the live aerial shot of the fire. We grabbed our shoes, I grabbed my purse and keys and my daughter grabbed my camera bag and out the door we went!

It was a garage fire. I'm happy to report that no one was hurt!

Across the Marina

2010-02-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

It's Friday and since it's raining here in Southern California today, I figured I'd go with the theme of Rain. I just love how the building stands out against the dark rain clouds.

Osprey

2010-02-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

I was driving thru the Coast Guard base heading to my husband's office, and noticed several people standing near the pier looking up at one of the light posts and taking pictures with their camera phones. I looked up and saw a bird that I had never seen before. My daughter and I were telling my husband about it and took him down to show him. After my daughter and I left, he went and took a picture and sent it to me. I looked it up and discovered it was an Osprey!

Royal Terns

2010-01-30T10:04:00.000-08:00

On Torrance beach at extreme low tide. I just love their reflections in the wet sand.

Clouds over Camp Pendleton

2010-01-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

The clouds just before sunset while driving thru Camp Pendleton.

Lost, Lonely and Eroded

2010-01-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

I found this lost lonely eroded Matchbox car sticking out of the sand as my daughter walked along Torrance beach.

The Wave

2010-01-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

I got this outstanding capture after storm #2 passed thru SoCali last Tuesday. I can't wait to get it printed!

More Clouds!

2010-01-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

We were driving past Trump National Golf Course and noticed the clouds. They were just beautiful! I just had to convert this photo to black and white because it made the clouds pop even more!

Black and White Cloud

2010-01-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

I got home after being out looking for photos after one of the storms had passed and when I got out of my car, I looked up and saw this...

The Aftermath of the Second Storm

2010-01-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

This week California is being hit by a series of storms. The first 2 have come and gone leaving a wake of destruction behind. Along with yesterdays storm, it produced lightning, thunder and several waterspouts. This morning, the weather forecasters are saying that storm #3 that is due to arrive sometime today is supposed to be the worst.

Here are a couple of photos from yesterdays aftermath.

This is looking down on White Point/Royal Palms. The beach was closed due to part of the hillside washing away.

Here is the end of 25th Street, where San Pedro ends and Rancho Palos Verdes begins. With the extremely heavy down pour, there was a small mudslide that covered 25th St. The road was closed for several hours during the clean up.

My Daughter's Boyfriend

2010-01-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

My daughter's boyfriend came home on leave for a couple of weeks for Christmas and I got the rare opportunity to do a portrait. The day he graduated boot camp and went to pick up his "boot camp" pictures, the company messed up his order, so he didn't get the photos. Anyway, I talked to him about letting me take his portrait and he was all for it! His parents were very grateful for the photos!

Recovery

2010-01-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

I had to take my sons cat to the vet earlier this week for a wound that was oozing pus. During the cleaning/irrigation of the wound, they ended up having to make an incision to drain a deeper pus pocket. Scout has a drain in her back and is not a happy camper. When I went back to pick her up, I asked the vet for a cone because I know Scout too well and knew that she'd lick and bite at the drain in her back. We have to irrigate it 3 times a day to flush out any remaining pus. It's a difficult thing to do because it is painful for her since the syringe has to go under the skin.

My heart breaks for her because she has hard time eating with the cone on. I took the cone off a few times, but she found that as an opportunity to run away to lick and bite her back. We have been hand feeding her. She desperately wants to go outside. As I sit here writing this, she's at the back door scratching to get out!

The drain in her back. The "hole" on the left is the original wound and the "hole" on the right in the incision the Vet had to make.

Wanting to go out back

Untitled...

2010-01-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

I was at Pt. Fermin last evening with my husband to watch the sunset. I couldn't resist this silhouette against the purple sky.

The Last Full Moon of 2009

2009-12-31T22:32:00.000-08:00

Vincent Thomas Bridge

2009-12-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

Santa Barbara Island

2009-12-18T12:59:00.000-08:00

Last night Scott and I watched another beautiful firey sunset. It was clear enough that Santa Barbara Island was visiable!

Lone Fisherman

2009-12-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

Fishing off White Point/Royal Palms during the rain fall of 7 December 2009.

Rainy Day in San Pedro

2009-12-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today Southern California got much some needed rain. I went down to White Point, the beach near my house and captured this image of the run off from the area. We had our own waterfall.

Spectacular Sunset!

2009-11-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

Last night as we got out of the car at Target, the sky was just breath taking with the setting sun reflecting off the bottom of the clouds! It was like the clouds were on fire! I am glad my husband suggested that I bring my camera along!

Annual Wet Drills

2009-10-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Oct. 8, 2009, was the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles annual wet drills at Torrance Beach! As a Coast Guard wife, it is an honor and privilege to be able to photograph these women and men doing their job!

Reflection

2009-10-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

One of the smoke stacks of the RMS Queen Mary reflected in a puddle.

My First Baby Photo Shoot

2009-10-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos from my session with Baby O last week!

My Moment to Brag...

2009-10-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

After a year of hard work and training, our son Andy has finally received his wings! He is now a KC-130J Crew Chief!

A Foggy Pt. Vicente

2009-09-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

Seagull

2009-09-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

We had an early dinner today in Long Beach. After we were done, we went for a stroll along the Pine Ave. Pier and found this fellow hanging out on the rigging of a sailing vessel.

Doing My Part!

2009-09-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

Once a month I take my Belgian waffle maker (and all the other supplies needed) and go into the office and make waffles for breakfast. I have been doing this now for close to 2 years. They absolutely love it and it's great for their morale! When I first started doing this, it was just for my husbands office. There were 4 of them. Then other offices and individuals were invited. I was making waffles for close to 15 people.

Today was waffle day. There were only 6 people to make waffles for.

Pipe Cutter

2009-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

My husband and I were at the Angel's Gate Cultural Center to see the current exhibitions. When were done, we walked around the grounds and found this old pipe cutter.

Sunset - 10 September 2009

2009-09-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

I walked outside this evening to turn the sprinkler off and noticed the sky a beautiful shade of pink. I went back into the house and grabbed my camera. Here's one of the pictures I took.

The Cat Next Door

2009-09-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

This handsome fellow lives next door and when he's outside, he loves to come over and see my girls. This morning I noticed him sitting under the tree outside the fence and couldn't resist grabbing the camera and getting this picture.

My Sweet Baby

2009-09-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

This is my girl, Socks. She was sitting at the gate this evening watching the world go by....

Serene

2009-09-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

We pulled into the parking lot at Pt. Vicente lighthouse to watch the sunset. I couldn't resist getting out of the car and snapping this picture of a bicyclist enjoying the beautiful sunset too.

Orange Moon

2009-08-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

As the moon was starting to set in the western sky, it's color was brought to my attention. This rich burnt orange color (yes, it was actually this color) was just beauitful. I grabbed my camera, handed it to Scott and asked him to put on the 500mm lens and get it set up on the tripod while I put on shoes and a light jacket. This photo was taken about 12:30AM Sunday morning (30 August 2009).

The Station Fire

2009-08-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

As we were leaving the commissary at Los Angeles Air Force Base yesterday (Saturday, 29 August 2009), Scott and I had noticed that the large cloud of smoke over the Station fire had increased in size. Once we got onto the 105 freeway, I had my camera at the ready and was able to get this shot of a Southwest airline jet coming in for a landing at LAX with the smoke cloud in the background.

We got home, unloaded groceries out of the car. Put the cold stuff away and headed back out for more pictures.

Scott took this photo from Friendship Park.

During our quest to get a better vantage point, we found ourselves driving in the direction of the fire. We ended up in La Crescenta on Foothills Blvd. standing on a corner, with other on lookers, watching the fire department helicopters and other aircraft doing water drops.

The top of large plume of smoke

I took this as we were driving along the 210 freeway.

Rancho Palos Verdes Wildfire (Portuguese Bend)

2009-08-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

My husband, daughter and I went out, along with everyone else, to see the fire. As I was heading out the door, I grabbed my camera. Here are some shots my husband and I took.

The 400 plus firefighters and 5 helicopters have tirelessly fought this fire thru the night. As I am typing out this blog post, they are still fighting the fire! These men and women of the Los Angeles fire department deserve a HUGE THANK YOU!!!!

We saw this small fire flare up. Looking at it thru binocluars and the camera lens, you could see that it surrounded by firefighters. They had this fire out in less than 15 minutes!

*These images are owned and copyrighted by Epperson Photography. DO NOT USE, save, print or copy without permission.

Fire in the Angeles National Forest

2009-08-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier this afternoon, a wildfire broke out in the Angeles Nat'l Forest. The smoke cloud can been seen for miles. I took this photo from the lookout on Gaffey St.

Sunset

2009-08-24T22:40:00.001-07:00

I was going thru some old pictures and came across this one. I thought the palm tree looked great silhouetted against the colors of the setting sun.

Hot Pedro Nights

2009-08-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

This beautifully restored vintage car passing in front the historic Warner Grand Theater during the evening cruise.

Surfer Girl

2009-08-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

I was at San Onofre beach on Camp Pendleton with my family and extended family yesterday. And while the family was out in the water trying to catch waves of their own, I spotted this young lady further down the beach catching wave after wave!

Gerber Daisy in Black and White

2009-08-18T23:03:00.000-07:00

Cricket

2009-08-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Moth

2009-08-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

One evening, after dark, I went into my bathroom. When I flipped on the light, I saw this little guy on the wall near the sink. I called downstairs to my husband to please bring me the camera with the 28mm-105mm Macro Zoom lens. I snapped a few shots and then left the moth be.

Vincent Thomas Bridge - Port of Los Angeles

2009-08-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

I took this last week as the full moon was rising over the port.

White Dutch Iris

2009-08-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

I captured this beauty outside my husbands office on Terminal Island.

My Trip to the San Francisco/Alameda area

2009-08-10T19:38:00.000-07:00

After living in California for 4 years, I FINALLY got to go to the San Francisco area at the end of July. We took the Coast highway up there. What a beautiful drive!

Here are some pictures from my trip.

Scott and I north of Big Sur on the drive up.

I spotted these old pilings sticking out of the water during low tide as I was taking a stroll around Coast Guard Island my first day there.

Later that afternoon on my first day, we went to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner. We put the top down on the convertible so I could take pictures as we drove across the Bay Bridge into San Francisco. Took this picture of Scott as he was driving.

After dinner, we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. We walked out to the first set of towers. It was a freaky walk out there! When would stop to either take a photo or look over the side, with all the traffic going across, the bridge vibrated! *LOL* Here's Scott on the bridge.

Later in the week, we made a trip to Napa Valley. We got stuck in traffic and didn't make in time to do any wine tasting. I was quite disappointed, but I did manage to get a couple of shots.

This is the tower at Robert Mondavi Winery. It's the same one that is on the bottles of Robert Mondavi wine bottles

And this windmill is right across the street from Robert Mondavi Winery.

San Pedro High School Class of 2009

2009-06-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

On the afternoon of Thursday, 18 June 2009, San Pedro High School had their 152nd Commencement ceremony. It was a joyous occasion for my husband and myself. Our youngest graduated! We are very proud of our daughter!

Congratulations to the Class of 2009! YOU MADE IT!!!!

Cloud Formations

2009-06-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon there were some amazing cloud formations over the South Bay area. I first started taking pictures as I was leaving the Coast Guard base. Then my husband came home, he changed out of his uniform and we grabbed our camera bags and headed out to take more pictures.

I took this photo from Friendship Park.

Los Angeles Zoo

2009-06-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from my visit to the L.A. Zoo last week!

Tiger

Giraffe and Baby

Gerenuk

Gorilla

Zebra

Meerkat

Angel's Gate Lighthouse

2009-05-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

This evening I went thru some files of photo's that I had taken last summer(2008). I came across this one of Angel's Gate Lighthouse (built in 1913, it sits at the entrance of the Port of Los Angeles) and decided I'd play around with it. When I first edited the original last summer, it is way too blue! Again, inspired by the photos I've seen of San Pedro from the early 1900's, I just had to convert this picture!

Here is the photo after I did the editing last summer. TOO BLUE!!

After the re-edit tonight. I prefer this one!

Playing with Overlays

2009-05-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

I took this photo a few days ago while walking around downtown San Pedro. I was inspired to convert the picture to black and white and to do this overlay to give it an aged effect when I saw old photos of San Pedro from its "hayday" as a bustling port.

Fiery Sunset

2009-05-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Taken on the evening of 6 May 2009. The warm colors are courtesy of the smoke and ash in the air from the wildfires burning in Santa Barbara, California.

Korean Friendship Bell

2009-03-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

Thunderhead Over Long Beach, California

2009-02-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

You have San Pedro in the foreground, the Port of Los Angeles in the middle and Long Beach.

Joshua Tree National Park

2009-01-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to drive thru Joshua Tree Nat'l Park. Even though it was a very quick trip, I was able to get a number of pictures. These are two of the best ones.

Ocotillo Patch

Cholla Cactus Garden

Ready for Deployment

2008-12-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

My husband has recently deployed with a Port Security Unit to the Middle East. And on Sunday, 30 November 2008, the unit he deployed with had a picnic for the members and their families at the Coast Guard Air Station in San Diego. As he was standing on the stern of a cutter, I was able to get this photo of him.

After my husband moved away from the spot on the stern, I captured this photo of a Coast Guard PSU member and his beautiful daughter posing for a family member. Out of all the "family photos" I took, this one is definetly my favorite. It was the 'Featured Photo' on the Coast Guard homepage today.

I just love the way the flag is blowing in the background on both pictures.

Photo Scavenger Hunt!

2008-09-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a photo scavenger hunt! There's a list of 100 items and I'm going to try do to as many as I can! As I take the photos and edit them, I'll be posting them.

Paper Clip

Postage Stamp

2 Dollar Bill

Purple Flower

Sea Oats

2008-09-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

I took this this evening when my daughter called me and told grab my camera and come take pictures of the red sky at sunset. By the time I got to where she was, the sun had already dropped behind the marine layer. On the way back to the house, we took the "short cut" and walked past the sea oats. They looked great against the colors in the sky.

Little Cutie

2008-09-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

This little cutie is on holiday from the United Kingdom. She's here with her father and grandparents visiting family here in America. We were invited to a BBQ that was being held for them.

When I took these pictures, I was sitting back, out of the way just watching. I was using my 70-300mm lens.

Here "A" was playing on the steps in the pool. I just love the look on her face! Since she was standing on the steps in the pool, the right side on her face and neck have a tourquoise hue.

This one was taken after the sun had diappeared behind the apartment building and she started catching a chill.

Sitting in daddy's lap.

Playing with Post Processing

2008-09-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

I was playing around Hue/Sats on this picture this morning. I took this while at the beach yesterday evening. All the sea gulls were in groups. I was able to approach these 3 without too much disturbance.

I used my 70-300mm lens, ISO 200, SS 1/640, F/6.3

PP was playing with Hue/Sats, adjusted levels, unsharp mask and cropped.

Got my camera back!

2008-08-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

I picked up my camera from Nikon yesterday afternoon after being in the shop for a week for a MUCH NEEDED cleaning. So what do I do after I get my camera back? I go to the beach! I thought twice about getting my camera out since I had parked myself right at the waters edge and there was alot of sea spray blowing off the water.

While waiting at the showers for my husband and daughter to rinse off, I saw the huge Sea Oats plant and noticed how the sunlight was playing on it. This is one of the shots I got. I did 3 different edits. Black and White, sepia and then color.

Here's the black and white version.

Family Time

2008-08-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

I took this picture a few weeks back. We went to the park and had a picnic dinner. The spot we picked was over looking the ocean and it was beginning to get chilly, hence the pullovers. This is one of my favorites from that evening because my daughter didn't have her iPods buds in and she wasn't text messaging her friends (she was told to turn her cellphone off). She was actually relaxed and having a good time.

I have been playing around with the editing of this photo since I took it. And last night I did the editing with Capture NX and this is what I got. The photo may be a bit darker because I used my husbands MacBook laptop. I may have to go back and lighten it.

Festival of Sails

2008-08-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

This past Friday I got the opportunity to go out with U.S. Coast Guard Station Los Angeles/Long Beach to photograph the Tall Ships as they were coming into the port for the Festival of Sails at the Port of Los Angeles. One of the main attractions of the parade of ships was the Coast Guard's Sailing Ship the Barque Eagle, a 295-foot three-masted training vessel used as a seagoing classroom for cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

When the Barque Eagle came into the Port of Los Angeles on August 1st, my family and I had the priviledge of getting on board and riding her into port.

The BOUNTY

I want to send out a very special Thank you to PA1 Conroy for thinking of me when she needed a back up photographer and arranging for me to go out with the station. And a HUGE Thank you to Petty Officer Garcia, Trent and the rest of the boat crew. You guys are awesome and I had a BLAST!! I can't wait to do it again!

Shooting in the Evening Sun

2008-08-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

I took this photo of my husband, Scott, the evening before as were walking around the park at Trump golf course. The sun was beginning to set and the warmth of light was perfect. Thanks for posing, Hon.