Sunday, December 13, 2009

=P العربية



While parents are freezing their ass off son plays on the left in Pelada. I asked them to join me for the holidays but they said I was the least favorite of their kids so they would have to see what the others plans were first. Happy holidays to everyone who reads this. I have plans to return to the States in April for my cousin's wedding. I will at that time officially have won the bet as being the last single person in the family.. FU@K ME!!! That's was a stupid bet.. Sounded better while drinking.....

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Plato's Republic found in Nosara! WTF??





My guess is that religion could be better explained via this picture at the top vs a church full of fake people. I snapped this shot last night. This guy is reading some kind of bible while his day comes to an end. While the speedos kind of took away from the original shot, I still wanted to capture the moment. I switched to a different angle and got what I was looking for. Simplicity, tranquility, accompanied by a beautiful sunset with crashing waves... Maybe I have found my utopia. If not for the long run, surely for a quick moment...

Tuanis!~!~@#

Monday, November 30, 2009

Gettn froggy!



Little guy stopped by to say hello today. We had a staring contest... He won!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

umm lemme check my pda!! yea i'm free that day




Weddings, Fashion, Surf Photography, Property Photography,, busying doing it all.. Paradise slowly transitions into real life when you're checking you calendar to see what day is free. Considering I haven't really worked for the last year, I can hardly complain. I still surf daily and get to meet really cool people.

Tuanis,
g

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

High School 1959vs 2009

Got this email from dad.. Really funny and so true


HIGH SCHOOL --1959 vs. 2009

Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.
1959 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack...
2009 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1959 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2009 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1959 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2009 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD... The school gets extra money from the state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1959 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.
2009 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1959 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock..
2009 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations... His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.
1959 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2009 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist.. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher.. English is then banned from core curriculum.. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1959 - Ants die.
2009 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism.. The FBI investigates his parents --and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1959 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2009 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

This should hit every email inbox to show how stupid we have become.....

work at home.wmv




um thanks sis for digging this up. A few years back this was my life in South Florida doing contract Dept of Defense work.. Every day I was like "are you fucking serious"

Life is too short for shit like this.. Great pay, had lots of dough but no soul!!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

UBER LEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE!!!!!!!!!! 1337!!!!!


Got waves, Got camera, Got new board, Got cuba libre, got pilsen 6.0, Got lower rent in my 1 bedroom dorm, got a bunch of kittens off the road that someone dumped (thanks Ryan for giving them a home) , got no cash, got soul, got family, got friends, got health, got no woman, got no problems, Got lots to learn, Got lots to live, Got lots to love!

Summer is here.

One of my favorite people here is a guy named Santos who collects cans. He always gives me a blessing if he sees me eating at Olgas and I try to give him rides. It's so easy to forget the real people of Nosara and Pelada when your busy living the dream...

Quality of life vs Drive and Dedication.. Catch 22 in my book.... Would love to find the happy medium.

Kudos to you Santos and may I bless your next meal!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Ready for Tyson!

My new photgraphy office is located with a hair stylist who does some crazy cool shit. Yesterday she made up these local Ticas and took them to the boxing ring which is located in the middle of the jungle for their photo shoot. 20 min walk at 90 degrees is tough when your hair is all done up.. Prop to these chicks. With low lighting and no umbrellas here is the finished work... This was a really fun photoshoot for me as I have been mostly shooting surfing the past two months.. Nice to change it up every now and then..

~graham







Thursday, October 29, 2009

Something smells fishy!

NC Aquarium from projectgfs on Vimeo.



A brief trip back to NC led us to the NC Aquarium to kill some time. Filmed with my mino flip and with an audio track from an all too familiar band if you've watched sipping jetstreams (only song on my hardrive that wasnt metal).. We present another crappy home video de graham..

Enjoy

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Clean water my ass!

I read an interesting article about the safety of the drinking water here in Nosara and couldn't help but laugh my ass off. Don't believe everything people tell you. That should be rule number one in life. Have it tested yourself to determine if it's suitable for you and your family.(or even your dog for that matter) If you refer back to one of my old post. We had an environmental team test both well and drinking waters in one particular area.. It was actually a rather nice hotel. The bag on the left was the well tested . The one on the right was the city.. Needless to say they should have turned a yellow color but instead turned black. What does this mean.. Well simply put there are signs of shit in your water.. Pura Vida!!!

Prove me wrong~~~~ I'm waiting..

I will say that during rainy seasons the water is worst. Be sure to boil it for 10-20mins prior to drinking it and use the same water for the ice.

I learned this the hard way last week. Sad thing was I knew better!!!

And if the Police , Trafico, and government are corrupt why the hell wouldn't the water company be? I mean everything here does after all have a price.

Point being. If you plan on living here take a few more bucks and pay someone trustworthy to professionally test for the many different type of bacterial or minerals in your drinking water. Don't believe someone just because they said it. People here will sell you a log of turtle shit as a log cabin!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

here we go......



I moved here to Nosara, Costa Rica over 1 and a half years ago. I pretty much did a 180 degree turn in my life and haven't looked back since. Adapting to the transition wasn't too much of a culture shock being raised in the country of North Carolina, but the hardest adjustment I have yet to overcome is the need of steady cash. I spent many years thinking working my ass off was the key to securing my future of travel and excitement only to learn time flies too damn fast .. I decided to just leave it all.t all. I left a car, super great paying job, friends, and family to become whatever it is I am today.

So what am I today? Well anyone who knows me loves and hates my camera. I would prefer walking around alone shooting photos rather than hanging out with a bunch of people talking in a loud bar. I live for that shit. I really do. Other than surfing it's the only thing that "completes me." The post processes have become therapeutic as well. I can watch the photos come alive in digital darkrooms for hours only to change them back to their original state. My days are spent surfing, photography, hammock & book, and sometimes a movie.

So what's my point? I have always stayed away from photography as a profession in fear that it would destroy my passion for the art, but I have always wondered if I actually could make a living out of it. The town is afterall in need of a photographer. The closest thing we have here, other than the tourist with their point and shoots, is a real estate company who tries to capitalize on everything from property management to baby's diapers while also offering every type of photography known to man. Sadly my buddy is the photographer.. (Sorry man! you'll understand my sarcasm one day).. So as of the last two months my sole income depends on photography which is scary as shit! I hope I can pay the bills.

Entonces......
So.. ... Wish me luck and keep me in mind if you need my services in Nosara, Costa Rica. I'm pretty booked with weddings this year amongst all the surf pix....

Ciao,
g

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Rayando en la arena! ¨Scribble it in the sand¨


It´s almost like a gift from a god. We are in the middle of our rainy season and the weather is amazingly beautiful. Cool breeze and surf sessions with only the locals out. I looked at the forecast and it´s showing scattered thunderstorms but nothing which would means rain for days. If you´re into surfing try to imagine it's head high and glassy , the weather is perfect, 80 degree water temp,beautiful sunsets, and not that many people around. This is October 2009 for Playa Pelada-Playa Guiones. Wish you were here!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

GREYSON's Promoting his .coms

Greysonlamp.com and GreysonSick.com advertisment from projectgfs on Vimeo.

back in NC to renew the passport. Too much funny crap comes from Greyson's mouth. We could probably make money off of what he says daily. Here he is randomly talking about .coms . Where he got this from I have no clue!!!

Monday, August 31, 2009

short vs long



This was my first attempt at video and not surfing in the ocean. I will say that I have no clue how the pros do it. I mean 1hr of treading water was hard and then you have to worry about shooting a straight video. Props to people who do this professionally. I think next time I will float on a boogey board. Highlight of the video is this little Tico pup who just walks up in front of me and takes a load off. This was a smaller day in Ostional.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

RainySeasonMumbleJumbLe



We were all wondering when it would start raining. Last few days it seems to be getting fired up. It has been an especially dry Aug but maybe that means the flood gates were stuck... who knows. this video is an example of the rain we will have in the next months consistently.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Monkey Business


These sneaky bastards are always trying to jump onto the top balcony into the room. They are the hardest things to photograph. They are like ninjas, black as night. All together there were about 6-8 of them and one really really little guy who I couldn't really get a photo of. These are the Howler monkeys of Costa Rica. They sound like death.. You hear before you see them and if you're not familiar with the sound it scares the living shit out of you. Sounds like a giant bear is about to attack you. In reality they are about a foot or two tall.. big sounds small dudes..

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

No Tengo Plata!

I take pride in photography but it's so tough to make a living these days because everyone has a digital camera. If you have an interest in Playa Guoines/Nosara Costa Rica and if you appreciate art/photography like I do, please visit my site www.projectgfs.com and consider buying a print. You will have it mailed to your house in days and I guarantee it will look good on your wall!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Peas Nickle!!

Morning photo session for nosarashack.com surf report. Has become an everyday routine.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Nosara Shack


I have been working hard trying to develop a website that promotes local surf talent in the area. I have put together the following site. www.nosarashack.com . If you are planning on visiting or if you're into surfing you should check it out. Even if you have no interest in the lifestyle it still might be worth checking out. Add it to your bookmarks and try to click the link once a day to help me out!! This site is designed in mind to help get these local guys some decent sponsors while also documenting surfing in the area as well as other parts of Costa Rica. Media and News are added daily with hopes that by November it will be fully active. I am also trying to find a local charity to support, so if you know of one please email me graham@projectgfs.com . I will remain in Costa Rica through another rainy season. (Sept/Oct) Wish me luck!! Pura Vida!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Doodle me dandy!



I'm a doodler just like my pops! I don't know the first thing about art but when I get bored to kill the time I draw strange things like this.... Do you remember the last time you could sit down and doodle? Pros and Cons of a simple life. Pura Vida!

Friday, July 31, 2009

QUE BONITA DIA




After reading the "Tao of Pooh" one can't help but go outside and shoot pictures of flowers and birds. This of course, was before my morning cup of super strong cafe. When the coffee gets in my system it's all A.D.D. from there. No time to shoo pretty little flowers and Birdies. "Que Bonita Dia!" That is what I said to someone this morning.


What a beautiful day indeed. The humming birds were too fast from one angle to stop the wings so I shot from another. Only way to get it frozen was to shoot really high shutter which made the shot dark... DAMN YOU HUMMING BIRDS!! Always screwing my day up.. (coffee has since kicked in) To my family who reads my blog, To my friends who read my blog, To people I don't know who read my blog, and to the bill collector trying to figure out where I live reading my blog, HAVE A WONDER DAY!!!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Tica Mar !!!


This is Tinis. She is %100 Tica even with the blue eyes and blonde hair. Born in San Jose and put in Playa Guiones to try and keep me straight. She has helped in so many ways I wouldn't even know where to start. In the future I will try not to piss her off so bad as she is also %100 Latina. Cool thing about her is the fact that she has no clue how beautiful she is. I had to beg her to sit for 10mins before she ran upstairs and raided my chocolates. Pura Vida Muchacha!

Aug is a great time for a visit!!!

Lazy day here. Trying to figure out the best way to get some supplies. If anyone is down for a quick trip I can offer a free place to stay for the week/weekend. I simply need you to bring a few things for me.

My car is in the shop til the weekend due to me riding the hell out of the clutch but I can get ya from Liberia/San Jose anytime after that..


Think about it mom/dad/sis/bro/friends .. Help a brother out!!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

PUNKRAWKISBACK



A good deal of my life has been spent listening and playing music. While most people tend to cater towards one particular genre, I always tried to keep my mind open. It's safe to say I love all music but I have always had the best memories flashing back to Punk. Punk Rock was my teens and twenties. I played drums in a punk band for a couple of years. If i could have adapted to the life of late night in clubs and being drunk that would have been for me. Instead surfing, like always, won the contest.. Whatever,,, The reason I am saying this is because last night I sat down and had a glass of vino and youtubed a bunch of old punk bands I use to listen to. I stumbled upon these guys who are members of Lagwagon and MeFirstandtheGimmeGimmes. I was so sad to Learn the drummer took his life a couple of years back. He was one of my favorites.. Hats off to you guys!!! This is one of the songs that everyone listened to by nofx. BadAstronaut has redone it.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Surf is up !


















When Playa Guiones is double overhead plus like it was yesterday
Pelada fires!!!! After shooting 1 hr in knee deep water I gave my tripod a break and went surfing!!!!











Jungle Path from projectgfs on Vimeo.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Not another one!!! Geez do I have to watch it graham?...

Typical day in Playa Guiones, Costa Rica from projectgfs on Vimeo.



Ok another really quick boring video to show what goes on daily here. Yesterday we had a cookout on the beach. Good surf and good food. The weather doesn't get any better nor do the sunsets. The parrot is from Coconut Harry's Surf shop. He is a mean little mofo..

Thursday, July 16, 2009

meanwhile back in the States!

I recently got the news that my little cousin Nathan was getting engaged. This took the family by surprise because deep down we all thought he was sporting the rainbow boxers. Well a big "THANKS ASSHOLE" to you Nathan. Now I am the last single person in the family. I hope she knows what she is getting into.

The below image portrays the true Nay Nay we all have grown to know.


















and here's a shot of him with the lucky gal!

Que Rica!!!






My bad!@#$ that was another moment of debauchery he had. here is the lucky gal!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Nite shooting Tip

I don't consider myself worthy of teaching photography but sometimes its' nice to help beginners out. I had problems learning how to shoot in the dark and after a few years of being drunk wondering around at night with my camera I feel as though I have somewhat progressed... (reading back on this sounds kinda creepy. I mean walking around drunk with a camera at night might not be advisable to some people)
Tuanis< style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Shot was taken with no light. 30 mins after the sun was completely down. In other words, it was dark as shit!!

It's easy here is how...

Tripod a must

Camera shutter 30seconds
Camera Aperture 3.5 or lowest
Camera ISO 400, higher is possible but you will get grain or forced to use noise reduction.


Timer used for final snap.

Post processing includes raised exposure, minor bakground dodging as well as normal unsharpmask sharpening. Pretty natural shot and due to the long shutter causes the silk effect of the water..

Hardest factor is using Manual Focus due to it being night. *Tip focus on distant house light and take it from there. It usually take 2 or 3 shots before getting what you are after.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

July sunsets rule


I don't photo sunsets that much because I am always shooting other stuff but tnite my buddy James wanted to go shoot a spot in Pelada so I quickly agreed. Sunsets get boring to lots of photographers but to me i simply love the colors and surprises the darker it gets. The below image is James trying to find the right angle..... Gotcha Dood!!! You turned into my subject without even knowing.

P.S. The surf has been huge in Guiones


Blow hole in Pelada. Inches away from being a great shot but I cut the top of the splash off!
A little over exposed but kinda cool none-the-less.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Corny Family video

Graham finally comes home for a visit from projectgfs on Vimeo.



This was taken with that little flip mino hd I was holding the entire time I was home. I arrived in Orlando then rode with my cousin to asheville NC then to Winston Salem nc then to Greenville nc then to elizabeth city nc then to norfolk va where I flew back to Orlando with enough time to pick up a few supplies before I headed home to Costa Rica.. Was all the driving worth it? Hell yea! I love my family!!

Friday, June 26, 2009

june then july


After a quick 10 day trip back home I am happy to say I have returned to my house in Playa Pelada and all is well. I am putting together a cool little family video I made of the trip in the next few days.... It's nice to be back in the water.


Friday, June 5, 2009

Playa Pelada 6-5-2009


Surf was up at our beach today. 5 minutes away in Guiones it's double over head and closing out. This is when Pelada heats up. Above is a local Tico Shredder

We even allow Gringos at our beach. Here is Erik from Surfingnosara with a nice little one

Alfredo is probably the king of this peak.

Alfredo on another chest high gem.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Beddings and Wutterflys


These crafts are made by the Nicas. I sent one to my brother with my cousin Nathan about a year ago and he has yet to give it to him. Well Clay this is what the pot looks like so enjoy the picture because evidently that is all you're getting!




Please stop with the gay sunset pictures Graham!!! NEVER!!! I will always be a sunset whore!!! Another shot of Pelada at sunset which hardly does the area justice.


We had another wedding yesterday at sunset which probably makes 4 in the last 30 days. So if you're thinking about marrying someone, book a trip to Nosara and take care of business.. If only it was that simple :) above is the happy couple from Orlando, Florida.



This ugly bastard was sitting on my hammock. Who the hell does he think he is? Stupid butterfly I got my eye on you!!!