Katya Palladina: Blog https://www.palladina.com/blog en-us (C) Katya Palladina katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:08:00 GMT Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:08:00 GMT https://www.palladina.com/img/s/v-12/u574485782-o336182123-50.jpg Katya Palladina: Blog https://www.palladina.com/blog 120 120 Water, sky, fire - Lummi Island https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/9/water-sky-fire---lummi-island Photos from a lovely short trip to Lummi Island over the Labor Day Weekend (before the fires brought smoke to the area)

Together with Andrew Elizaga we paddled our homemade boats to an only public campsite on the island. 

©Katya Palladina

@Baby Seal Films™

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Baby Seal Films™ Bellingham drone photography katyapalladina kayaking Lummi Island Mt Baker pacific northwest photography Puget Sound sea kayaking travel WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/9/water-sky-fire---lummi-island Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:07:36 GMT Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vigil in Issaquah 9-20-2020 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/9/ruth-bader-ginsburg-vigil-in-issaquah-9-20 People gathered on the steps of Issaquah City Hall in memory of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2020 city city hall democracy event Issaquah katyapalladina people photography Ruth Bader Ginsburg vigil WA women rights https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/9/ruth-bader-ginsburg-vigil-in-issaquah-9-20 Mon, 21 Sep 2020 04:57:40 GMT To the Turn Point https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/9/to-the-turn-point Going to San Juan Islans means sweeping vistas, moving water, spectacular atmospheric sunsets - and it is all true. Sometimes though walking through the islands forests touches something inside me, reminding of my homeland and mushroom picking with my family. Worth bringing full frame camera with nifty-fifty lens, packed in two dry bags and stuffed into kayak's hatch.

These photographs are from our trip to Stuart Island and hike to the Turn Point.

Walked this path with Andrew Elizaga 

Here you can watch a short film from our trip.

Hope you will enjoy looking at my nature photographs!

 ©Katya Palladina 2020

©BabySealFilms

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) babysealfilms get island islands juan katyapalladina nature northwest outside pacific photographer photography poetry point pow san stuart travel turn visual WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/9/to-the-turn-point Tue, 15 Sep 2020 03:59:41 GMT Tacoma Protest June 13th 2020 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/6/tacoma-protest-june-13th-2020 From Wright Park people marched today on the streets of Tacoma. The protest was peaceful and included protesters demonstrating a die in (laying down on the street/park for 8 mins and 46 sec). 

Some photographs from the event.

The full gallery in color you can see here


 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2020 city Die-in event march people photography Protest streets Tacoma WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/6/tacoma-protest-june-13th-2020 Sun, 14 Jun 2020 05:36:21 GMT Issaquah General Strike and March For Black Lives June 12 2020 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/6/issaquah-general-strike-and-march-for-black-lives-june-12-2020 750 people walked silently from Confluence Park to Seattle City Hall. 

Here are some photographs, more here.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 12 2020 and Black For General Issaquah June Lives March Strike https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/6/issaquah-general-strike-and-march-for-black-lives-june-12-2020 Sat, 13 Jun 2020 04:47:54 GMT Issaquah diary. Snow 2020 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/1/issaquah-diary-snow-2020 When rare snow falls in Issaquah, first artist I think about is Pieter Bruegel the Elder, painter of The Hunters in the Snow. Netherland's climate must have been similar to PNW, with heavy skies, muted colors and lack of details in the shadows. I love to walk slowly around town on a day like this. 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2020 America Bohem cascades change Chocolates city climate Front Issaquah katyapalladina photography PNW small snow street suburbia town WA weather https://www.palladina.com/blog/2020/1/issaquah-diary-snow-2020 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 04:36:56 GMT A trip to the 70-s https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/2/a-trip-to-the-70-s In 1974 city of Spokane hosted Expo '74 was the first environmentally themed world's fair. The heart of the fair park grounds was located on Canada Island, Havermale Island, and the adjacent south bank of the Spokane river in the center of the city.

I was visiting my daughter in February and it felt like time travel. Weather was very nasty, with snow mixed with rain and the wind and after an hour walking around Spokane clinging to my umbrella I had this roll of film from my Rolleiflex.

 

 

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) analog black city empty Expo-74 film format katyapalladina medium monochrome nostalgic Parkade people photography River rolleiflex simplicity Spokane urban vintage WA white winter https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/2/a-trip-to-the-70-s Wed, 01 Mar 2017 05:48:51 GMT Photos from the Women's March in Seattle https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/2/photos-from-the-womens-march-in-seattle I have huge amount of respect for photojournalists of the past. imagine being in the midst of moving crowd and changing roll of film at the same time! Checking exposure levels and manual focus, composing and rewinding film. Every image is deliberate and there is no room for error. Andrew and his son Joel joined me for the Women's March in Seattle that started at Judkins Park. I used my vintage Rolleiflex and DSLR. 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) PNW Seattle WA city community event film film is alive film photography katyapalladina peaceful people photography photography" protest rolleiflex street street photography streethy, protest, rolleiflex, women's march womensmarch https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/2/photos-from-the-womens-march-in-seattle Sun, 26 Feb 2017 06:55:05 GMT Imprisoned for profit: The Northwest Detention Center https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/imprisoned-for-profit-the-northwest-detention-center Imprisoned for Profit: The Northwest Detention Center - our latest video in collaboration with Andrew Elizaga.

We went filming the protest on January 7th, during the cold winter spell, before the immigration policies of new Trump's administration were released.

Please watch the short film and be aware of the facts and see the faces of people who will not be silent!

 

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Northwest Detention Center Tacoma WA city event families freedom immigration katyapalladina people photography protest https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/imprisoned-for-profit-the-northwest-detention-center Tue, 31 Jan 2017 05:05:45 GMT The Perfect Strangers https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/the-perfect-strangers I want to say Thank You to all the people who marched on January 21st, women, men, young and wise. Sea of pink feels very welcoming and supportive! 

Thank You for knitting, crocheting and sewing these awesome hats! Thank You for spelling your heart out on your signs! Thank You!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) PNW Seattle WA city community event katyapalladina peaceful people photography protest women's march womensmarch https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/the-perfect-strangers Tue, 24 Jan 2017 04:00:41 GMT An early start on democracy https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/early-start-on-democracy Frederick Douglass once noted, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” For me as an educator this sentence rings true. What we teach our children and the examples we show them by doing will help form their future. I went to Women's March on Seattle as a mother, teacher, human, and photographer, to be a part of the historic event and to document it the best as I could. Seeing so many families with kids, grandparents, friends made me very happy.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Seattle WA Women's March children city community event family freedom future katyapalladina people photography pussyhat https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/early-start-on-democracy Mon, 23 Jan 2017 01:11:29 GMT Photography without lens https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/photography-without-lens I've never made a camera before. But I always wanted to. And for my Middle School students I decided to offer a pinhole camera making class. After some research I found plans for a reusable cardboard 35mm pinhole from Francesco Caponi.  I made my version to test it. Looks like this:

It is a box and a hole in it. Held together with rubber bands. I didn't have many expectations and went through the roll of BW film in three days, trying different exposures provided with the plans. 

Here are the results:

For indoor portraits people had to sit still for 27 seconds! 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 35mm Seattle WA bw city dreamy film katyapalladina lensless photography pinhole school teachers https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/photography-without-lens Sat, 21 Jan 2017 05:26:40 GMT A Hospital in the Pines https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/a-hospital-in-the-pines When our movie A Hospital in the Pines received an award, it brought back so many memories from three years ago. Andrew Elizaga and I went to the Philippines in 2013 for the first time with Go-Med medical organization and I was photographing for two weeks in Baguio General hospital. Next year we decided to make a documentary about the people who use their vacation time and their own funds to work in the hospital and perform surgeries for locals who can not afford medical care.  Looking through the photographs I managed to take between filming surgeries and interviews I felt great compassion and hope. It is all about us, people of this planet, and our desire to help others. We were told that after watching our documentary many people decided to volunteer for next missions! 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) award Baguio doctors Documentary film GOMed katyapalladina medical mission people Philippines photography social volunteers https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/a-hospital-in-the-pines Sun, 15 Jan 2017 05:24:36 GMT "Photo Booth" https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/-photo-booth We combined two December birthdays for Liza, my daughter, and Andrew, my partner. Celebration took place at CameWorks in Seattle. And for the first time I did a simple Photo Booth. You might recognize PacMan characters and green diamond of Sims that I made and attached to sticks. I brought black velvet backdrop and some additional props- masks, glasses and garlands. I like the simplicity of this setup, contrasting background and direct lighting. It was fun!

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Seattle WA city event fun games katyapalladina people photo booth photography portrait props studio video games https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/-photo-booth Sun, 15 Jan 2017 03:52:22 GMT American girls https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/american-girls Nothing takes me down the memory lane like my own negatives and scans I dig out of old boxes. Years ago I did a photo session for three children in their amazing backyard near Carnation, WA. I did digital imagery but took several frames on film and I think forgot about them. Film brings so many details and textures to the image and black and white gets rid of unnecessary colors crush.  Girls are now in high school and don't live in the US. I see their faces on FB from time to time, happy to see them traveling, studying and enjoying life!

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) American Doll film forest katyapalladina people photography portrait portraiture sisters https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/american-girls Thu, 12 Jan 2017 06:04:14 GMT Gray day in Point Defiance Park https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/gray-day-in-point-defiance-park Point Defiance in Tacoma is a wonderful place. There's beach, marina, zoo, scenic drive, flower garden and miles of trails. On a typical Pacific Northwest day everything looks kinda gray and dreary, and not much color around. Fall leaves turn brown and get soaked with moisture very quickly. On our 5 miles hike I took a roll of Ilford Delta film with 3200 ISO light sensitivity, designed for low light situations, not expecting great result. But after developing and scanning film I really think that high contrast and graininess really worked well. 

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Ilford3200 Pacific Northwest Point Defiance Rolleiflex Tacoma WA analog autumn black and white classic fall film film photography filmisnotdead forest katyapalladina medium format monochrome people photography portrait https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/gray-day-in-point-defiance-park Sat, 07 Jan 2017 03:10:22 GMT Winter light https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/winter-light I took my camera for a quick walk around the campus of Open Window School in Bellevue to capture the gorgeous winter light reflected from rare Seattle snow.

   

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Bellevue Open Window School WA bokeh katyapalladina light photography seattle snow sunlight winter https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/winter-light Thu, 05 Jan 2017 06:38:09 GMT One Seattle family https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/one-seattle-family Motherhood. Love.Trust.Real life.

Every time I photograph this family I feel very happy!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Seattle WA and baby black city family journalism katyapalladina light monochrome natural newborn people photographer photography portrait real white https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/one-seattle-family Wed, 04 Jan 2017 06:19:11 GMT Colors in the snow https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/colors-in-the-snow First day of 2017! And snow on the streets of Issaquah. Colors appear more saturated, white creates an amazing graphic, cars move slowly and sky feels really close to earth. Happy New Year!

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 1st 2017 Issaquah January WA city colors district downtown historical katyapalladina people photography snow https://www.palladina.com/blog/2017/1/colors-in-the-snow Mon, 02 Jan 2017 00:26:48 GMT Double exposure in BC https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/12/double-exposure-in-bc This October Andrew and I were very fortunate to see the works of Harry Callahan at Vancouver Art Gallery. I've seen some of his works before but haven't realized how influential his street photography is. The most fascinating part was a number of images with double or multiple exposures, juxtaposing TV screens with unsuspecting people creates new depths and meaning to the images.

So when we went back to the hotel, we were inspired to do some double exposure photography using our vintage medium format cameras.

Andrew's Rolleiflex were supposed to be able to do multiple exposures, but only couple of images came through. Using my Rollei I shot a roll of TV screens, took film out in the dark, rewinded it and loaded it again.

Here are 12 photographs I took:

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 120mm 6x6 BC Rolleiflex TLR TV advertising analogphotography and black city commentary double exposure film format grim juxtaposition katyapalladina medium photography politics screen social travel vancouver white https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/12/double-exposure-in-bc Sat, 10 Dec 2016 00:59:22 GMT 22 Fancy Hats https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/12/22-fancy-hats Last month I was working with actress and model Malika Usmanova and Seattle Fashion Designer Rita Gruzman from Fascinators First. Hats have almost magic powers of transforming person immediately, posture changes, smile is bigger, and also a touch of mystery behind the veil!Here are some of my favorite photographs from the session:

I feel nostalgic looking at Rita's creation, wishing for time to slow down and for more occasions to wear fascinators.

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Gruzman Rita Seattle fancy fascinators fascinatorsfirst fashion handmade hats headdress katyapalladina light model nostalgic photographer portrait posing seattle studio style https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/12/22-fancy-hats Sat, 10 Dec 2016 00:15:59 GMT Denny's Paint Party https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/8/dennys-paint-party Denny Croston is an artist who sees turtles in old war helmets, totems in empty gas canisters and dragonflies in mismatched spoons. He also sees talent in everybody and hosts Paint Parties for friends, opening his house where you can create and use brushes and paints and canvases and eat delicious food.

Tree sock knitted by Suzanne Tidwell

and there is a caboose in Denny's yard...

Vintage frock on Tanya and hand made tie-dye on Shelly 

..and a lot of torsos!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) WA artists artists life city essay issaquah katyapalladina painting people photoessay photography https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/8/dennys-paint-party Sat, 06 Aug 2016 04:00:01 GMT Vintage camera with color film at Fremont Solstice Parade https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/vintage-camera-with-color-film-at-fremont-solstice-parade For the first time in seven years photographing Fremont Solstice parade I brought film camera with me. Vintage Rolleiflex medium format twin lens reflex boxy classic. I found it easier to connect with people using this camera. I shot two rolls of black and white film ( you can see the results here) and two rolls of color negatives. 

Weather was very dynamic, from dark clouds and rain to sunshine and harsh shadows. 

I am truly satisfied with all of them, even the one stray image of the fence, probably accidental release of the shutter.

There are images that may be NSFW, Seattle's own naked bicyclists.

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Fremont Solstice Parade Seattle WA camera celebration city community ensembles event film filmisnotdead katyapalladina people performers photography rolleiflex vintage https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/vintage-camera-with-color-film-at-fremont-solstice-parade Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:40:47 GMT We are born to fly! (or flutter)! https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/we-are-born-to-fly-or-flutter This year's Fremont Solstice Parade participants seem to grow a lot of wings! 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Seattle Solstice Solstice Parade WA celebration city community costumes event katyapalladina people photography spirit wings https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/we-are-born-to-fly-or-flutter Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:45:49 GMT Seattle Pride Parade 2016 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/seattle-pride-parade-2016 Love, sun and rainbows!

I am so fortunate to call Washington State my home, the place where all people are treated equal and trees are always green.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Facebook Parade Pride Seattle Seattle Pride Parade Seattle Symphony WA Wild Rose city colors equality katyapalladina love participants people photography rainbow https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/seattle-pride-parade-2016 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:24:48 GMT Solstice Parade through the twin lens reflex vintage Rolleiflex https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/solstice-parade-through-the-twin-reflex-lens-of-vintage-rolleiflex Stop. Look. See. Think. Measure exposure value. Compose. Focus. Press shutter. Advance film. Repeat 12 times. Rewind. Change the film roll. 

Get home.

Load film in total darkness. Develop. Rinse. Fix. Rinse. Dry. Scan. 

Fremont Solstice Parade 2016 in black and white.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) B&W Fremont Parade Rolleiflex Seattle Solstice WA city film format katyapalladina medium people performers photography vintage https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/solstice-parade-through-the-twin-reflex-lens-of-vintage-rolleiflex Sun, 26 Jun 2016 06:41:41 GMT Colors of Solstice https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/colors-of-solstice Fremont Solstice Parade is always a feast for the eyes and this year I felt like there was a full rainbow of colors - from golds of pleated capes to literally rainbow painted bodies of bicyclists. Rainbow ribbons were seeing everywhere in the crowds. Being on the streets and seeing people celebrating summer, being happy and proud for who they are, with no judgement makes me feel empowered and hopeful for humanity. 

Some of the photographs might be NSFW, just in case.

Enjoy your summer!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Fremont PNW Parade Seattle Solstice WA bicyclists body city color community event katyapalladina paint painted people performers photography rainbow https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/6/colors-of-solstice Sun, 26 Jun 2016 05:49:06 GMT What did we forget in Aberdeen? https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/3/what-did-we-forget-in-aberdeen Issaquah - Tacoma - Aberdeen - Westport.

Travel with adult child.

Rolleiflex, black and white film.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Aberdeen BW WA. Westport film film is not dead medium format road rolleiflex travel trip https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/3/what-did-we-forget-in-aberdeen Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:50:46 GMT Journey to the Dark Side of the Spud https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/1/journey-to-the-dark-side-of-the-spud Last year Kevin Abosch's photograph of a potato, "Potato #345 (2010)", sold for over $1,000,000. Inspired by this otherworldly image, we wanted to create our own photo series of a potato, titled "The Dark Side of the Spud”.

 

 

""The Approach”

The Approach

 

"The Landing”

The Landing

 

"The Dark Side of the Spud”

The Dark Side of the Spud

 

"Encounter in a Potato Field”

Encounter in a Potato Field

 

"Survey of the Melon World”

Survey of the Melon World

 

All images are copyright ©2016 Katya Palladina and Andrew Elizaga and are available as signed and numbered limited edition fine art prints,

12 x 12 inch print on archival fine art paper, $100.

 
]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Kevin Abosch astronauts concept creative galaxy inspiration potato space spud https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/1/journey-to-the-dark-side-of-the-spud Mon, 25 Jan 2016 01:35:12 GMT The 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and March in Seattle https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/1/the-34th-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration-and-march-in-seattle Rain stopped for a day. Perfect weather for The 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and March in Seattle from Garfield High School to Federal Building in downtown.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Capitol Hill Garfield HS MLK PNW SPD Seattle Seattle Superhero Aliance WA avareness black lives matter city downtown equality event katyapalladina march peaceful people photography police seattle https://www.palladina.com/blog/2016/1/the-34th-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration-and-march-in-seattle Tue, 19 Jan 2016 06:56:48 GMT An Old Fashioned Christmas https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/12/an-old-fashioned-christmas Nostalgia is a sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

Just a quick glance over old photographs opens all gates of hidden memories, smells, sounds and feelings.

Andrew and I decided to create a vintage scene evoking nostalgia for the late 70s.  A Google search for "Christmas 1970s" brings up lots of images of people standing in front of a Christmas tree and fireplace. A TV always seems to make it in the frame too.

The idea didn't come from nowhere. Andrew's parents recently moved from their old home, and I inherited part of their large collection of old vinyl albums to play on my Crosley replica phonograph and I love it! Andrew and I are increasingly using film cameras and printing photographs on paper instead of keeping them on hard drives. Although it's hard to beat the convenience of digital photography, we have grown to appreciate the look and durability of film.

Using analog helps to slow down and reflect on the process. Even turning an LP to the other side makes you get up from the computer!

First thing we needed for this shoot was a vintage TV set. Found one on Craigslist. The owner was giving it away for free. It weighs more than 150 pounds! Next - Christmas tree, thanks to Home Depot.

Lamp, ornaments, suede jacket, shirt, pants, cowboy boots for Andrew, and shoes and turtleneck for me - courtesy of Value Village. Also fabric for a tree skirt.

Dollar store- great place for stockings, glitter glue, wrapping paper and garlands.

After messing around with old cables and video cameras, Andrew figured out how to get a picture on the old TV.

And then we spent a lot of time experimenting with positioning lights, deciding between strobes and flashes and balancing all other light sources.

 

We looked at many old images for inspiration and even found Sears catalog from 1977.

This is reversed view through the Hasselblad 500C viewfinder, to check composition and poses. First version before we lighted the fireplace and were able to put picture on the screen.  Working on tricky shadows.

Wishing everybody Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! And if you are interested in a free, perfectly good 24 inch analog TV, let me know!

 

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 1970-3 analog christmas family fireplace inspiration katyapalladina LP photo photography tinsels tree TV set vintage vinyl WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/12/an-old-fashioned-christmas Fri, 25 Dec 2015 01:07:28 GMT Run with the Fishes Kids Dash at Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/10/run-with-the-fishes-kids-dash-at-salmon-days-festival-in-issaquah

​

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Arbor Arbor School Issaquah Kids Dash Salmon Days WA city katyapalladina people photography https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/10/run-with-the-fishes-kids-dash-at-salmon-days-festival-in-issaquah Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:33:08 GMT Issaquah Salmon Days Parade, October 3rd 2015 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/10/issaquah-salmon-days-parade-october-3rd-2015 Fog blankets forests, leaves cover the ground, apples hide in caramel.. October is here! Time for Salmon Days in Issaquah.

Drummers, gymnasts, princesses and super girls - all parading through downtown Issaquah.

 

And of course my friends from Arbor Schools!

Great crowd and no rain is a plus for event like this!

Even Sasquatch made an appearance!

If you want to see more, it is all here!

Thank you!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2015 Issaquah Pacific Northwest Salmon Days parade WA city fall festival katyapalladina parade people photography salmon days tradition https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/10/issaquah-salmon-days-parade-october-3rd-2015 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 23:05:41 GMT Tacoma stroll with camera and high school senior. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/9/tacoma-stroll-with-camera-and-high-school-senior These dozen images Gillian picked for me out of the session as her favorites. I used different edits on all of them, from golden 70-s film look to grainy classy black and white. Which one do you like?

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Tacoma collage filters katya palladina photo session photography portrait portrait photographer posing senior session https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/9/tacoma-stroll-with-camera-and-high-school-senior Wed, 23 Sep 2015 04:57:33 GMT Road trip Seattle-San Francisco with 12 year old. 2005. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/road-trip-seattle-san-francisco-with-12-year-old-2005 Road trip..Music to my ears! It requires some planning and patience, flexibility and resources. 

In July 2005 Lena and I drove the scenic Highway 101 from Seattle to San Francisco.

Beautiful Pacific Ocean followed us all the way.

We saw lighthouses, sea lions, many beaches, vineyards, rode cable car, drank Ghirardelli cocoa, visited Alcatraz and missed the Golden Gate bridge entirely due to lingering fog, lost inside huge redwood tree trunk, and had a traditional Japanese tea in the garden.

And we had no electronics for the entertainment but we counted red cars, stopped where we wanted to and stayed on the beach as long as we felt like.

Revisiting old files from this trip made me want to go on a road trip again! 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Alcatraz California Exploratorium Garden" Golden Gate Bridge Japanese Muir Woods Oregon San Francisco Sea Lion Cave aquarium beach boat bridge cable car', Ghirardelli, city fog katyapalladina pelicans people photography roadtrip tea teenager https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/road-trip-seattle-san-francisco-with-12-year-old-2005 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 03:32:23 GMT Last August in Seattle https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/last-august-in-seattle Have it ever happened to you - you open a folder on your hard drive and look at the images and having hard time figuring out where is it? This is one of those, taken last summer. Very hot evening at Capitol Hill in Seattle. 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Capitol Hill Katya Palladina photography Seattle august city double exposure evening files forgotten hot life mindless neighborhood slices urban wandering https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/last-august-in-seattle Sun, 26 Jul 2015 00:22:44 GMT Western Washington Prairie Grasslands of Mima Mounds. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/western-washington-prairie-grasslands-of-mima-mounds I've heard about Mima Mounds for some time and finally decided to go see it. Andrew took his Phantom III drone and made a nice short film that shows this unique area from the air. 

The smell of dry grass, puffy clouds and gentle warm breeze reminded me of my life in Russia and summers spent in the village with my grandparents, running through the golden fields, looking up to big sky...

Rhythm of blades of grass, modest colors of wild flowers, dry from unusual heat, repetitive waves of mounds captured my eye.

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Hills Mima Mounds Washington State bloom grassland nature prairie summer wildflowers https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/western-washington-prairie-grasslands-of-mima-mounds Thu, 16 Jul 2015 05:33:46 GMT 2015 Tacoma Art On the Ave or Everything Is Temporary. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/2015-tacoma-art-on-the-ave Tacoma. Street. 6th Ave. The AVE. Art. Festival. Hot. July. Children. Tattoos. Santa. Bull.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2015 Tacoma Art On the Ave art bikes candid event katyapalladina kids painting people photography stage street summer Tacoma WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/7/2015-tacoma-art-on-the-ave Tue, 14 Jul 2015 05:58:18 GMT Colors of SSTIKS https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/6/colors-of-sstiks ​Another sunny day in Pacific Northwest! Clear and Hawaii-like warm waters of Hood Canal hosted paddlers participating in SSTIKS- South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium.

Rolling demos, rolling practice, harpoon throwing, kids racing - and amazing colors!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Greenland Hood Canal Pacific Northwest SSTIKS boats colors kayaking paddling rolling skinonframe sunny texture traditional https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/6/colors-of-sstiks Sun, 14 Jun 2015 22:44:23 GMT Issaquah Triathlon 2015 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/6/issaquah-triathlon-2015 Gorgeous weather greeted participants of the annual Issaquah Triathlon put together by Arbor Montessori Schools!

What a true family event!

Thank you for visiting !

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2015 Arbor Issaquah Schools Triathlon tri https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/6/issaquah-triathlon-2015 Sun, 07 Jun 2015 16:27:00 GMT Paddle in Seattle - peaceful protest against oil drilling by Shell in Arctic https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/5/paddle-in-seattle---peaceful-protest-against-oil-drilling-by-shell-in-arctic I want to add my modest contribution to visual coverage of ShellNo Paddle in Seattle - peaceful demonstration of disapproval. It is time to invest resources into alternative energy research and lessen our dependency on oil.

I used tiny waterproof Nikon Coolpix AW130 camera for both stills and video. 

Link to the short film at the end of this post.

ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic

Polar Pioneer at the Terminal 5 at Port of Seattle ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic

Taking interviews on the water is pretty challenging. Andrew Elizaga and Rob West. ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic

We got surprisingly close to the rig. It is enormous! ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic

There were several tribal canoes at the mouth of Duwamish River. ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15ShellNo Paddle in Seattle 05-16-15Kayaktivists unite for the clean future and against oil drilling in Arctic

  watch the short film - Meet the Kayaktivists

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Kayaktivists Paddle Pioneer Polar Seattle ShellNo WA canoes in native oil people rig tribes https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/5/paddle-in-seattle---peaceful-protest-against-oil-drilling-by-shell-in-arctic Mon, 18 May 2015 02:29:51 GMT One square yard of spring https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/5/one-square-yard-of-spring I like to fire up my old cameras and play with them. Canon G9 got a lot of use since 2009 but I abandoned it for iPhone.

It felt very familiar - all controls and ability to adjust exposure an shoot in RAW format.

Here are some examples taken in the area no more than one square yard during the early April.

Leathery leaves of primerose

First rosebuds

pure white pear blossoms

blooming rosemary bush

young apple tree buds

fluffy decorative plum 

unfolding like pleats maple leaf

future strawberry 

symmetrical rhododendron

salal plant

some bush unknown to me

and a little guest.

I love this time of year!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Canon G9 blossoms challenge flowers garden gardening northwest pacific photo plum rain rosemary snail spring strawberry tulips https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/5/one-square-yard-of-spring Mon, 18 May 2015 01:07:25 GMT Give a Child the World movie premiere. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/3/give-a-child-the-world-movie-premiere I can't say thank you enough to everybody who supported me during movie production! Arbor Schools staff members, teachers, students, parents, former students and parents! And of course huge thank you goes to Andrew Elizaga who did an amazing work on editing!

We presented the movie at the Plateau Club during Arbor Schools Benefit Auction - the Hollywood style setting was perfect! 

I was really nervous and didn't photograph a lot. Many of the images are taken by Andrew Elizaga. 

If you are interested in watching the movie, here is the link :https://vimeo.com/122132583

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) https://www.palladina.com/blog/2015/3/give-a-child-the-world-movie-premiere Wed, 25 Mar 2015 06:07:48 GMT Winter paddles https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/12/winter-paddles There's nothing better than to spend Christmas day on the water. Kayaking in Pacific Northwest is a year-round thing, you just need to dress properly. 

Commencement Bay in Tacoma was beautiful, sunny and calm.

High tide is a fun time to go around old pilings and check out cormorants.

A little different weather met us at Lake Sammamish couple days later.

Happy New Year and wishing you a lot of adventures!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2014 Bay Christmas Commencement SOF WA cormorants dashpointpirate katyapalladina kayak kayaking lake nature paddling peaceful photography sammamish tranquil wooden https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/12/winter-paddles Tue, 30 Dec 2014 07:44:35 GMT Sunday on Granville Island https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/11/sunday-on-granville-island After excitement of our documentary A Hospital in the Pines premiere we were invited to join Natalia and Judy on the rented motor boat off Granville island in Vancouver BC. Sunny September day, scented by Okanagan Valley peaches, seagulls calling...

Work by Os Gemeos from Brazil. I think we missed unveiling of those giant silos by one week!

pickle boats, just like in Victoria.

...beautiful wooden boats, big and small.

and SPEED!

Viking ship juxtaposed with modern sailboat,

and a great company!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) BC Granville Island Os Gemeos Vancouver art city katyapalladina peaches photography recreation sun travel vacation viking water https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/11/sunday-on-granville-island Fri, 21 Nov 2014 05:22:46 GMT 8th Annual Sammamish Arts Fair https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/10/8th-annual-sammamish-arts-fair

Second weekend in October is when people living in Sammamish and surrounding area have an opportunity to see works of local artists, photographers and crafters. 

I love to exhibit my works here and meet my artists friends and talk to people about creative process and my vision.

In between I walk around the fair with my camera.

More photographs are here.

Big thank you to Sammamish City Hall for providing space for artists for free!

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2014 Arts Eastside Fair October Sammamish Washington artists https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/10/8th-annual-sammamish-arts-fair Wed, 22 Oct 2014 05:43:18 GMT Gold Fronts and Dragon Lounge https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/8/gold-fronts-and-dragon-lounge On a very warm late August evening my daughter Lena played with the Gold Fronts band at Dragon Lounge, it is an intimate establishment at Chop Suey venue. 

Last rays of sun touching clouds behind Capitol Hill cell tower

Of course she is saying: No pictures!

Sound check

Instagram check

Instruments are ready

and the music starts!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) capitol hill chop suey concert country first gold fronts honky tonk katyapalladina music photography seattle https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/8/gold-fronts-and-dragon-lounge Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:25:50 GMT Bamfield https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/bamfield Small fishing village with population about 300. Boardwalk on a west side is pretty amazing and people don't lock doors. It feels like a place where famous writer can spend a year working on a 700 pages novel. 

Local ferry that we didn't get to see

interesting collection of swings

Cats have a small town there, though we didn't meet any.

It was sad to see Bamfield Inn abandoned. Hopefully somebody will take care of it.

Across the inlet there is Bamfield Marine Science Centre, a shared campus of the Universities of Victoria, British Columbia, Alberta, Calgary, and Simon Fraser University. 

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Bamfield BC Canada fishing inlet katyapalladina photography sunset twilight Vancouver Island https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/bamfield Thu, 31 Jul 2014 05:23:37 GMT Brady's Beach https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/bradys-beach After returning from five days kayaking trip to Deer Group Islands we had half day to explore Bamfield, small fishing village on West Vancouver Island. Leisurely strolling on a boardwalk, we saw sign to Brady's Beach. Locals told us that it is a 15 min hike in the woods and perfect sunset watching spot.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Brady's Canada PNW Vancouver beach island katyapalladina photography rocks sunset https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/bradys-beach Wed, 30 Jul 2014 05:33:53 GMT Daylight Stars https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/daylight-stars Waters of Pacific Northwest are full of life. Especially at low tide.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Deer Group Natural PNW Pacific Ocean canada colorful ecology environment habitat healthy nature ocean ochre starfish water https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/daylight-stars Tue, 22 Jul 2014 05:45:24 GMT Fog, rocks and water of Ross Islets https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/fog-rocks-and-water-of-ross-islets This tiny group of rocks is part of a Deer Group Islands, in Barkley Sound, West Vancouver Island. 

Overlooking Trevor Channel

The best camping spot ever!

If you like to look at the rock formations, more images can be found here.

Thank you!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Canada Deer Group Katya Palladina Kayaking Pacific Trevor camping channel landscape photography rocks serene summer vacation https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/7/fog-rocks-and-water-of-ross-islets Mon, 21 Jul 2014 03:22:28 GMT Swim, run, bike or Issaquah Tri 2014 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/6/swim-run-bike-or-issaquah-tri-2014 June 7th 2014 started early for volunteers and athletes. Lake Sammamish State Park once again hosted Issaquah Triathlon, all proceeds from which benefit Eastside Montessori Education Foundation. Arbor Montessori School worked hard to organize this fun and dynamic event.

For more photographs from Issaquah Tri please visit my gallery.

Thank you!      

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Issaquah Triathlon WA athletes bike event exercise katyapalladina kids tri nature people photography run splash and dash swim https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/6/swim-run-bike-or-issaquah-tri-2014 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 03:46:47 GMT A Child on a Bus https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/3/a-child-on-a-bus  

I love public transportation. Growing up without a family car all I knew were buses, trains, subway cars, trams and trolleybus. Time to think, time to see, time to nap.

Travelling from Baguio to Sagada on the non aircon bus brought back many memories of long trips back in Russia. Face glued to the window, wind messing my hear, people, trees, houses moving past with great speed.

I was touched by this little boy no older than 18 month, who was sitting in front of us. Six hours of mountain winding road made me impatient, but this little child was quiet and very attentive when he had a chance to look over at us. He was sleeping in the beginning of the trip, cuddled on his mother's lap.

Then he was staring, and eating, and looking so attentively.

I will remember this trip not only for breathtaking beauty of the Cordillera scenery, but for this invisible connection I had with this little human.

There were others on the bus and on other buses - you may find it here.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2014 child human katyapalladina photography road travel trip https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/3/a-child-on-a-bus Tue, 04 Mar 2014 04:19:39 GMT GO-MED in Baguio, Philippines, 2013 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/3/go-med-in-baguio-philippines-2013 My first experience of going abroad to volunteer with medical organisation GO-MED. Andrew Elizaga went as anesthesiologist, writer and videografer and I was photographing in the hospital and in Baguio City..

Being inside an operation room and seeing how surgeons, nurses and anesthesiologist work is so humbling. Can you imagine the responsibility that lays on their shoulders?!

Removing unhealthy parts and making people's lives less painful and more productive!

Here is Andrew filming surgery while listening to patient's heartbeat through custom earpiece. Medical professionals are very interesting people, focused and extremely intelligent.

And this is a video about GO-MED medical mission in Philippines, January-February 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P38CVzDnqaA&feature=player_embedded

If you are interested to see more of my photographic coverage, please take a look here.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 Baguio GO-MED americans canadians katyapalladina medical mission nurse people philippines photography surgeon surgery https://www.palladina.com/blog/2014/3/go-med-in-baguio-philippines-2013 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:28:46 GMT Issaquah Salmon Days Parade 2013 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/10/issaquah-salmon-days-parade-2013

Located in the foothills of North Cascades Mountains historical town of Issaquah hosts it's annual Salmon days Festival on the first weekend in October. This year the weather was incredible! Sun lit everything with soft impressionistic light, reminding me of works of Monet and Renoir.

Every year Arbor School where I teach art participates in the parade and students create art works related to the theme. This year theme was "Streaming Live", so we went with pixelated fish design, recycling packaging from new shelving, scraps of construction paper, old CD's and aluminum foil.

And we won the first prize for the float decor!

Aloha from Colors of Hawaii

Morning air was crisp and cold.

Princesses and Queens from all over the state were present too.

A lot of cheer were there too!

...and marching bands

...and karate schools showing mastery of self-discipline

Snoqualmie Tribe members were in the canoe with traditionl drums

Followed by a dancer

I truly enjoyed walking alongside the parade! Hope that you too are having a good time browsing through my Salmon Days Parade Gallery!

P.S. I almost forgot about wonderful audience lining up Front Street and Gilman Boulevard!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 Arbor School", street, October, festive Katya Palladina Photography Salmon Days Parade WA city event katyapalladina people photography sunny traditional https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/10/issaquah-salmon-days-parade-2013 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 00:24:27 GMT The Best Type of Hunting https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/the-best-type-of-hunting First King Boletes found in US! After living in Pacific Northwest for more than a decade I finally got to go mushroom hunting and it was very successful!

This is a quiet kind of hunting, with camera and basket or a paper bag and a pocket knife. And a buddy! It was  Andrew's first time mushrooming too and he found more boletes than I did! 

We had to hike up in the mountains, climb some rocks and jump across clear streams. Ashberries were brightening surrounding greens with its vivid red color.

We were so impressed by a number of different types of fungi. They were large, small, tiny, purple, orange and bright red, like Amanita Muscaria.

Some orange variaeties were almost like chanterelles, but as saying goes - you can try mushroom once!

The best tripod to photograph mushrooms is your own knees or belly - they tend to be VERY close to earth.

To find our best King Boletes we had to go down very steep hill and look under low branches and big rocks.

Finding these sturdy and fresh young boletes was a highlight of our trip. And soup tasted really good!

If you like fungi please visit my Mushrooms Gallery.

Hope to see you on mushroom trails one day!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Amanita Bolete King Muscaria Mushrooms Northwest Pacific forest fungi hiking hunting katyapalladina photography picking trail https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/the-best-type-of-hunting Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:04:37 GMT Tokyo people https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/tokyo-people  

I was patiently waiting for the moment,  woman was looking away from me, and I was photographing beautiful back of her kimono when suddenly she turned and calmly looked at me. After pressing shutter I smiled and lightly bent and so did she.

I was very fortunate to spend a week in Tokyo in November 2008. It was my first time in Asia and of course I was overwhelmed and at the same time reassured in richness and uniqueness of Japanese culture. My main concern was not to be intrusive into people's everyday activites, and I was very polite when taking photos and bowing slightly in respect. Here are some of my photographs.

Morning commuters, clad in black, silent and very organized. Though during rush hours first two cars are for women only, to prevent inappropriate behavior.

There's no better place to apply makeup as in moving train in early morning!

I really enjoyed seeing so many people wearing traditional clothes in the city. November is a month when children are celebrated. It calls "Shichigosan" that means Seven-Five-Three. Girls of age 3 and 7 and boys of age 3 and 5 dressed in the most beautiful kimonos and parents bring them to big temples and ask for health and long prosperous life.

Odd numbers are considered lucky in Japan.

 November is a popular month for weddings. I felt like being part of woodcut print!

Japanese couple posing for wedding photoJapanese couple posing for wedding photo

Posing for group photo at the Tokyo Meiji shrinePosing for group photo at the Tokyo Meiji shrineOne of the biggest shrines in Tokyo is the favorite place for weddings - very formal event

Photo assistants are making final adjustments for family photo.

I witnessed the process of making new episode of popular TV show in the middle of the park.

People were protesting against smoking on the streets. It was a big surprise to see so many people are smoking in Tokyo. Even McDonalds has a section for smokers. And near big street intersections there are huge wents for people to smoke around.

Chefs making food in front of big windows,

...street vendors happy to pose,

...pandas dancing under rain,

...chrysanthemum admirers,

...school girls going home,

...monk with eyes closed walking down Ginza street,

...Harajuku fashion aficionados,

...and salarymen trying to get on a train.

This is my "regular luck", at least readings at the temple said so. I hope my luck will bring me to Japan again. Even if I often was literally "Lost in Translation", exploring Tokyo was a great adventure. Here is my gallery of images from Japan. Enjoy!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Asia Ginza Japan November Shichigosan Tokyo blog city hour" katyapalladina monk photography rush school girls', kimono, train, protest, antismoking, street, travel https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/tokyo-people Sun, 29 Sep 2013 21:05:18 GMT Luminata Lantern Parade 2013 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/luminata-lantern-parade-2013

 

This is Green Lake in Seattle, quiet gem in the city with wide walkway around it. Every year Fremont Art Council puts together magical procession in celebration of Autumnal Equinox. Families come with home made paper lanterns, little vagons covered with strings of lights and kids and adults dressed up in beautiful festive attire.

Days are getting shorter and sun will be in the sky less and less.

Some people putting on stilts to be closer to the sun!

And when twilight is  creeping in the light show begins!

Night time photography is very magical. Long exposyre reveals patterns unseen with naked eye.

I think it is King Winter.

After the Parade people gathered for Secret Banquet with hot cider and cookies. And the moon appeared to add more light to dark autumn days.

For more light please visit this gallery.

And if you like this post please share with friends to celebrate change of the seasons!

Thank you!

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 Autumn Equinox Green Lake Luminata Seattle WA ceremonial event katyapalladina lantern parade people photography procession twilight ©KatyaPalladina https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/luminata-lantern-parade-2013 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 06:35:23 GMT Piglets of Pyallup Fair https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/piglets-of-pyallup-fair Pyallup Fair now has a different name - Washington State Fair. Sounds important. But I liked Pyallup Fair better, it forced me to learn how to spell Pyallup and study map of the area better!

I really wanted to see pigs and piglets and we had this opportunity on one of the last days of the Fair. It was cold and rainy and three days old piglets were cuddling under warm lamp after feeding.

Mama pig is one and a half year old and weights 600 pounds.

It was very crowded so I could only get some glimpse of little piglets.

Mixed emotions here.

This one is my favorite, I was waiting for the baby walk next to mama pig. On a serious note I am glad that I became vegan more than two years ago and my menu doesn't include little cute pigs.It is my pesonal choice and I can enjoy my time with animals without guilt.

The rest of cuteness is here.

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 Pyallup WA Washington State Fair agriculure animals domestic farming industry katyapalladina newborn photography piglets pigs https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/piglets-of-pyallup-fair Mon, 23 Sep 2013 06:56:34 GMT Yellow, orange, red, blue and "Impatient Virgin" https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/yellow-orange-red-and-impatient-virgin

Nothing warmth one's hear as ability to see something writteng in one's native tongue. Here I read "Save" in Russian on a beautifully restored plane on display during 6th Annual Vintage Aircraft Show hosted by Historic Flight Foundation at Paine Field in Mukilteo. Sunny and hot, paint shines, aluminum panels reflect, and propellers are ready to take planes off.

Looking for abstract colorful composition is always an interesting way to approach the subject. I am not a specialist in planes, but as a designer I truly appreciate beauty in functionality.

...so do some insects :-)

I wonder if paint colors for airplanes have some unique names, like "Stratospheric crimson" or "Speed of sound blue"

Planes for sure have some provocative names!

...and beautiful graphic!

Scary!

I spent several hours photographing everything. If you would like to see more of flying vintage beauty, please visit Vintage Aircraft Weekend Gallery

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 Field Flight Foundation Historic Katya Paine Palladina Weekend aircraft airplanes formations photography planes vintage https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/yellow-orange-red-and-impatient-virgin Wed, 18 Sep 2013 04:02:52 GMT Cherie and James Wedding Day in Covington WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/cherie-and-james-wedding-day-in-covington-wa Beautiful September day was a perfect gift for Cherie and James.

Day before weather was very unstable and rain could easily change their plans for outdoor wedding.

 Wedding ceremony took place  in a backyard completely transformed for the event, decorated with sea of white dalhias, lemons in glass vases and strings of lights.

Just a sneak peak at some of the moments from this warm and sunny day( and evening).

 

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Greater Seattle Area Seattle WA emotions feelings katyapalladina people trust wedding wedding photographer https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/9/cherie-and-james-wedding-day-in-covington-wa Mon, 09 Sep 2013 08:07:29 GMT 2013 Ring Around The Needle Pub Crawl, Seattle, WA. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/8/2013-ring-around-the-needle-pub-crawl-seattle-wa

On June 24th 2013 Seattle was full of happy people wearing bright  T-shirts with letters RATN on them. They were part of the Ring Around The Needle fundraiser in memory of Melissa Erickson, who past away this June after 7 years battle with ALS.

My daughter Liza was a captain of one of the team and I joined them with my camera walking from one friendly bar to another.

Many of participants knew Melissa from the time she played basketball for UW.Sunny day, friendships and life stories were part of this beautiful day.

Team Liza and Jay

Each team gets tickets for a free drinks in 8 participating bars in Lower Quinne Anne neighborhood. 30 min at each bar.

Fun Saturday with drinking for a good cause! All money will go to two of Melissa's favorite charities - research through ALS Therapy Development Institute and family support through ALS Evergreen Chapter.

To see all the fun please visit this gallery.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) ALS Katya Palladina Melissa Erickson Pub Crawl Ring Around The Needle Seattle city compassion event fundraising love photography support team https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/8/2013-ring-around-the-needle-pub-crawl-seattle-wa Mon, 26 Aug 2013 03:20:41 GMT Wild, Colorful and Creative Painted Bicyclists. https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/7/wild-colorful-and-creative-painted-bicyclists

Annual treat for usually coldish and gray city of Seattle. I think the reason we all like painted bicyclists here is that they are sure sign of SUMMER!What could be more summery than free of clothes citizens?! Only people with paint on instead of clothes!

Wild oranges,

Firey powerful reds,

Calming purples,

Robotic yellows,

And no paint!

The day was "unseasonably" hot and Parade started later than usual - at 3:00 instead of noon, so some paint was peeling off.

Superheroes of course were present too!

And how can we live without Lady Liberty and a Bride?

Wonderful celebration of new season, human beauty and free spirit!

For more of colorful people on bikes please visit this gallery.

P.S. More clothes free images, maybe not for viewing at work.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 Fremont Seattle Solstice Solstice Parade bicyclists bikes body colorful event naked paint painted painted bicyclists riders https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/7/wild-colorful-and-creative-painted-bicyclists Wed, 10 Jul 2013 05:50:10 GMT Red, White and Dead Zombie Walk 2013. Seattle, WA https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/7/red-white-and-dead-zombie-walk-2013-seattle-wa

I believe that it is only in America Zombies would be so patriotic! I've been to several Zombie related events since 2011 and even was a Zombie myself once. Not that it was my favorite thing to do, but worthy of experience.

What interests me the most is high level of emotions and participation. People are too happy to pose, some of them have their own acts and some ready for directions from photographer.

 

Families, generations, childrens and babies all covered with sticky fake blood and wounds gather once a year for a Zombie walk. Seattle tries to bit the record of about 8,500 but no success yet. I love the most the ability to get close to people faces, their eyes, sometime with different color of iris.

Age doesn't matter, young people even more eager to be photographed

I like how I can see my reflection and his hands in glasses.

Pretty cool, makeup and outfit!

Of course there should be a scary clown. I am not afraid of clowns but this one is creepy, don't you think?

I am glad my parents have no idea who zombies are! I would have hard time with me as a child being covered in blood.

The good thing is that they all are happy people! Thank you zombies for a great photo op year after year! To see the full gallery please follow this link: http://katyapalladina.zenfolio.com/p455607088

P.S. Warning - blood and more blood.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) 2013 July blood brains costumes hazmat katyapalladina makeup people red, white and dead zombie walk seattle unded wedding wounds zombies https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/7/red-white-and-dead-zombie-walk-2013-seattle-wa Mon, 08 Jul 2013 02:52:35 GMT 2013 Issaquah Montessori Kindergarten Graduation https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/6/2013-issaquah-montessori-kindergarden-graduation I love the excitement of graduation, especially when graduates are 6years old!

 

School director Chelle Downey-Magee with friends.

Six year olds are the most serious graduates!

And little siblings are the most attentive audience.

Parents are capturing every moment!

...and teachers listening to sincere thank yous...

Here is a slideshow of images I took at graduation:

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Issaquah Montessori katyapalladina photography https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/6/2013-issaquah-montessori-kindergarden-graduation Wed, 26 Jun 2013 05:25:51 GMT Summer in spring https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/summer-in-spring Seattle is known for rain and gray depressing weather. Also for fleece and sandals with socks.

And it is all true. Also true that when sun gets out everybody are rushing outside!

March 30th 2013 gifted Seattle with clear skies and warm summery sun. My daughters and I went to a spontaneous picnic in Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

All the real grass was covered with people sunbathing and others playing Quidditch, so we went to a sport fields covered with astroturf.

They are running with brooms, for real!

Some veggies and hummus and fruit created nice stil life on a quilt hand made by me:-)

Somebody just couldn't say good bye to Santa untill the end of March - this was a pile of free stuff.

Here are some encounters of the day.

Some photos are taken with Canon50D, some with iPhone.

It was a wonderful day!

 

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Cal Anderson Park Capitol Hill Spring astroturf buddha city march people picnic santa claus seattle space needle sunglasses sunny sunset teens weekend https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/summer-in-spring Sun, 31 Mar 2013 06:57:31 GMT Arbor Montessori Cultural Night https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/arbor-montessori-cultural-night This annual event always filled with warmth and joy. Families of Arbor School students share their heritage,  traditional food and ethnic wear. And kids get to show their works, maps of the worls carefully sewn, poems thoughtfully created and colorful dresses and fancy ties too.

 

Please visit my website for more images from Cultural Night.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Arbor Montessori Cultural Night Sammamish USA WA culture education ethnic families friendship learning parent people sharing students teacher traditional https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/arbor-montessori-cultural-night Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:08:16 GMT Children of Baguio Market https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/children-of-baguio-market On a recent trip to Philippines with Canadian volunteer medical organisation Go-Med Andrew and I had some time to explore Baguio City Market. It is a maze of stalls, alleys and small shops. Market seems to have no beginning and no end.

And there are children. They don't cry or throw a fit, they just happy to be next to their relatives, get some treat with little money or play jumping ropes. Back home I was not sure what to expect - hungry begging miserable children with no future. In reality kids are very much loved and taken care of. Families are large and very tight. And parents are very friendly and happy to show off their kids for the camera. There is a saying - It is impossible to get a picture of one child - in 20 seconds there will be 20 smiling and willing to pose children in the frame! Average age in Philippines is 23 years, and Baguio is home for many colleges and universities.

More young faces from the market are here.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Baguio City Filipino Market Philippines children chilldhood environment happiness happy joyful katyapalladina local produce simple world cultures https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/children-of-baguio-market Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:51:39 GMT First Annual Alderbrook St. Paddle's Day https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/first-annual-alderbrook-st-paddles-day     I like to be on the water. Less than two years ago I've discovered kayaking and last year added stand up paddling, or SUP. It is always entertaining to go to paddling events and see different types of watercraft, people of all ages and abilities who enjoys being close to nature without leaving huge gasoline driven footprint. In 2011 Andrew and I made a small movie about Deception Pass Dash. 

On March 17th 2013 we drove to Alderbrook Resort and Spa for a First Annual St. Paddle's Day.

Driving across Tacoma Narrows bridge with kayak and SUP

Tacoma Narrows bridge is very windy, so we stopped to check that our kayak and SUP were solidly tied up.It is a beautiful structure, now doubled after construction of the second bridge. Alderbrook Resort is situated in about an hour drive from Tacoma on a shores of Hood Canal overlooking Olympic mountains.

View from the Alderbrook resort

We were expecting to see a big croud of competitors for the 4 mile race and people from Skokomish Tribe welcoming paddlers on traditional wooden canoes. Tribal people called in honestly saying that they slept in. And there were 14 racers, total. Half were on SUP.

Small group of racers

Rob Casey, author of the first book on stand up paddleboarding "Stand Up Paddling" was giving overview of the race course.

Rob Casey

Weather was surprisingly good, sunny and windy.

SUP and hood canal Support group

Here I am , sitting on my cedar strip SUP.

Katya Palladina on cedar strip SUP

And here is the winner of sea kayak division Andrew Elizaga in his Sterling Illusion kayak.

Andrew Elizaga, winner of sea kayak division

It turned out to be a fun event and I hope it will grow into a bigger race every year.

For more images from this event please go here.

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Alderbrook Day Kayak Olympics PNW SUP St.Paddler's WA competition hood canal katyapalladina paddlesport race https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/first-annual-alderbrook-st-paddles-day Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:46:52 GMT Greenland Week 2011 https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/greenland-week-2011

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Dubside Kayak PNW SUP competition dashpointpirate eskimo roll fall greenland roll katyapalladina kayak academy paddlesport traditional watersport https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/greenland-week-2011 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:12:50 GMT Panagbenga https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/panagbenga

]]> katya@palladina.com (Katya Palladina) Baguio Flower Philippines Road Session Travel https://www.palladina.com/blog/2013/3/panagbenga Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:55:26 GMT