www.chadhillphoto.com

REVIEW: Fairtex Muay Thai shorts from Karate Depot

2012-01-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

REVIEW:

Fairtex Muay Thai Shorts from KarateDepot.com

For those who train Muay Thai the importance of the proper equipment is paramount.

In the fast paced action of Muay Thai’s beautiful violence, the art of this ring sport is one that is decided by lighting fast techniques.

A strike or a block that is perfectly timed can mean the difference between winning and losing. The tide of battle can change in mere seconds.

In my last review, I highlighted the importance of owning a proper set of gloves.

While a proper pair of gloves may seem to be an obvious acquisition for the rigors of training, less obvious but equally important are proper training shorts.

“What?! All shorts are the same!” You may think.

When I first started training Muay Thai I often wore swimming trunks to training. While my swimming trunks featured cool designs and looked like MMA trunks, I quickly realized that lacked proper functionality.

How many people do you know that repeatedly need to kick over their own head while at the beach? Not many I imagine.

Which is why normal shorts or swim trunks lack the mobility needed for Muay Thai. If you train Muay Thai, you need Muay Thai shorts.

My Experience:

My Review:

COST: $40 USD

While these shorts may cost a little more than a cheap pair of swim trunks they are well worth it.

EASE OF USE: 10 out of 10

This one is pretty straight forward.

Functionality: 10 out of 10

This is where these shorts really shine. If you have ever trained martial arts, try throwing your high kick in a pair of jeans….either you couldn’t get your kick above your mid section or you just ripped your jeans.

My point is…without the proper shorts, your mobility will be quite limited..not exactly a place you would wish to be caught in a combat sport.

Muay Thai shorts are specially cut wide in the leg to allow knee and kick stikes with added mobility not found in other shorts.

QUALITY: 10 out 10

The stitching is very nice on these shorts and the “Muay Thai” in Thai on the front in a high quality patch that is sewed onto the front of the shorts. The elastic in the waist is comfortable and keeps the shorts well in place.

DURABILITY: 10 out of 10
These things are tough, countless rounds on the bags, pads, mitts and in the ring, these things have really stood the test of time and punishment. I also used these shorts in the hot tub at Gold’s Gym after weight workouts regularly, but the hot tub chemicals have had seemingly no effect on these shorts. These things are well made.

OVERALL RATING: 10

I love my Fairtex shorts. I got mine at Karate Depot.

Karate Depot is where you can find these fine Fairtex shorts as well as many other great martial arts supplies.

Bottom Line:

Get yourself a pair asap if you are training Muay Thai.

If you already have a few sets of shorts and are looking for another pair, you cannot go wrong with these Fairtex shorts.

To buy these shorts and other great martial arts products check out KarateDepot.com.

Right now Karate Depot also offers FREE shipping on orders over $25.

To order a pair of Fairtex Muay Thai shorts click here

Published on Lions Fight.com & Fight Poster.

2012-01-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Recently Lions Fight Promotions used my image of Joe "Stitch 'em up" Schilling on their official poster for the Feb 25th fight taking place at the Hard Rock Cafe.

They also used 2 additional images that I shot of Joe on the main page of their website.

You can see more at

http://www.lionfightpromotions.com/

Also make sure to get tickets for this amazing fight card as it is sure to be stacked with amazing Muay Thai action!

Published on The Yard Muay Thai!

2012-01-21T23:48:00.000-08:00

As a photographer, I have come to feel the greatest honor is being published on the sites or in the magazines in which I myself love. The Yard Muay Thai is a more than a gym, it's like a family.
Like a brotherhood of like minded and like spirited warriors that support and push each other to their best. Joe Schilling is a perfect example of this. As 1/2 owner of the gym with Mark Kumora they are not only rising fast through the ranks of the Muay Thai world, but also in spreading the true art of Muay Thai.

The method in which they share the art of Muay Thai is that of hard work, understanding, personal attention, no excuses and that of a caring supportive environment. As a life long martial artist, I can say that The Yard is a place in which it is an honor to train and one can realize their full potential.

When I am fortunate enough to afford the time to train, there is no other place on earth I would rather be than The Yard. So it is with great honor that my image is currently representing their website.

Published on Fight Network (Canada)

2012-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

With what is sure to be the first "Super Fight" of the 2012, Joe Schilling vs Simon Marcus is stirring a lot of buzz in the Muay Thai world.

It is with good reason that the Muay Thai community is ablaze with talk about what will surely be one of the biggest fights of the year to take place in North America.

After his recent demolition of former K1 & Raja Stadium Champion Kaoklai, Joe "Stich em up" Schilling is now set to take on one of Canada's own top fighters Simon Marcus.

Below the image of Joe Schilling (top image) is one I shot for a fight poster for Joe.

To read the whole article...

http://fightnetwork.com/news/kickboxing/lion-fight-promotions-returns-schilling-marcus/

For those looking to train Muay Thai you can train with Champion Joe Schilling at The Yard Muay Thai, which moved to their new location..

www.theyardmuaythai.com/

241 W Ave 26
Los Angeles, CA 90031

Published on Total Muay Thai

2012-01-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

For the many of you who visit my blog regularly, Muay Thai is a prevalent theme in posting on my blog. Muay Thai is one of my deep rooted passions and I am always excited to see my images used in promoting the art, sport and fighters.

Today, I was published for another image of Joe Schilling on Total Muay Thai.
My image is of Muay Thai Champion (3 WBC Titles & 1 MTAA title) Joe Schilling of The Yard Muay Thai, he is fighting Canadian Simon Marcus on Feb 25th 2012 in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock.

I also caught up with Simon at the Muay Thai Premiere open gym and made some images of him training in to fight Simon fought Artem Vakhitov., which you can find here.

Having seen Simon fight at MPL and seeing a number of Joe's fights, this will be an exciting match up...even more so after reading the closing words Simon had for Joe.

Schilling is as accurate as he is deadly.
An explosive and calculated striker..I've seen many men crumble under his overwhelming striking assault. I am happy this fight is getting the press it deserves on various sites, as this is going to be a war that Muay Thai and fight fans simply can't miss.

To read the full article at Total Muay Thai click here

Published on Muay Thai is life (Joe Schilling)

2012-01-13T07:37:00.000-08:00

Recently while browsing a few of my beloved Muay Thai sites, I was excited to see that I have been published on the new home page of http://www.muaythaiislife.com/ (my image is Joe Schilling, Right, 2nd from bottom).

2011 was a great year for Muay Thai in America, my focus of photographing more fights and some of my favorite fighters in the world has led to meeting many great people in the Muay Thai community in the last year.

I'm sure this year (2012) will continue to be an amazing year for American Muay Thai and I look forward to being part of the Muay Thai community in supporting the art and helping it grow.

Muay Thai Photo of the Week on Muay Thai Authority

2012-01-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

There are very few websites that I feel the absolute need to check every single day, checking in as often (..or more) as one does with their email or cell phone. Muay Thai Authority is just such a site for me.

They always provide the most up to date and interesting info on the fast rising sport of Muay Thai.

Often they are the first to break news of upcoming fight cards, news and more.

So it is always with great pride and honor to be published on my favorite website.

This week my image of Joe Schilling (Top right) pairs well with the the posts in regard to Joe who is fast on his continued rise through the top ranks of the Muay Thai world.

For more Muay Thai Authority

For more on Joe & The Yard Muay Thai

You can also get some very cool shirts to support the art of Muay Thai at the Muay Thai Authority store.
http://muaythaiauthority.spreadshirt.com/

Joe Schilling vs Simon Marcus Feb 25 2012

2012-01-10T14:48:00.000-08:00

It has been an amazing year (2011) for American Muay Thai. Trail blazing the sport from forefront is none other than Joe Stich em up Schilling.

As he fast collects KO's and belts the Muay Thai world is on notice of this rising star. He was also just ranked #1 in the US by Muay Thai Authority and is the WBC National and interim World Champion.

The below image is from a photoshoot Joe and I did a couple months back.

If you seek world class Muay Thai training head over to The Yard located at 241 W Ave 26 Los Angeles, CA 90031. I hope to see you there.

Human Nature

2011-11-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

In keeping with that which inspires me, 2 subjects in which I always find myself lost within the moment of artistic creation are landscapes and nudes. This image I created while dually focused to blend both fluidly.

The human form and that of nature, both living, ever changing and perfectly unique...and at many times dependent on one another. Striving to co-exist in fluid living harmony while at other times juxtaposing each other. Humans and nature are like 2 sides of the same coin flowing into itself like Ying and Yang.

Though it is wise to remember....we need nature more than nature needs humans.

ChadHillPhoto©

Joe Schilling- The Yard Muay Thai (Behind the scenes)

2011-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Photographing things you are interested in is always great.
Whether I'm shooting Muay Thai, guitars, landscapes or beautiful female fashion models....it's especially fun when its someone you know and like.
Below is a behind the scenes shot while I was on set photographing Muay Thai Champion, trainer and friend Joe Schilling.
Joe now has more belts than any single person could wear at once and recently won the coveted WBC World Title by destroying his opponent Kaoklai.
This shot was taken a couple weeks prior to his world title fight and I'm happy to report, he is much happier now that he has added to his impressive collection of Muay Thai Championship titles.

Chad Hill (Me) and Joe Schilling

To train with Joe at his gym, check out www.theyardmuaythai.com it's the best Muay Thai gym in all of Los Angeles.

Muay Thai Photo of the Week on Muay Thai Authority

2011-11-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/ recently published one of my images of the great Kevin Ross from the M-One Grand Muay Thai event.

Muay Thai image of the week featuring Kevin Ross by Chad Hill.

It is always a sincere honor to be published on a site that I am such a HUGE fan of, the one, the only…Muay Thai Authority.

Just below my image you can also find an image with a link to the amazing KHero Charity which funds cancer research through the purchase of a very cool Kevin Ross shirt, which I posted about in my previous post.

Kevin Ross vs Saketdao Petpayatai

2011-10-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

M-One Grand Muay Thai Friday Oct 21 2011 Club Nokia Los Angeles

It would be correct to say that no conversation regarding American Muay Thai would be complete without talking about Kevin Ross. However, it would be more accurate to say.. no conversation about present day Muay Thai would be complete without mention of Kevin Ross.

Kevin has rose through the ranks with a very inspiring story and has helped elevate Muay Thai in America, due not only to his skill but his determination and desire to fight the best in the world.

In his last fight Kevin Ross fought the famous Saenchai.
Thai fighter Saenchai is known not only as one of the best Muay Thai fighters in the world....but one of the best of all time. While Kevin fought with great skill and heart, Saenchai was victorious.

Never being one to take an easy fight, Kevin's opponent on this night was Saketdao Petpayatai.
Saketdao Petpayatai, has beat Saenchai twice and is the current & revered Lumpinee Stadium Champion in Bangkok.
For those unfamiliar, to be the Champion of Lumpinee stadium is to be considered by many to be the best in the world.

Below are images of Ross vs Saketdao

The fight was stopped due to a deep cut on Kevin's head that required 15 stitches from an elbow and Saketdao was declared the winner and WBC World Champion.
It was truly an honor to see the current Lumpinee Champion Saketdao fight in Los Angeles and his skills were amazing. It was also a honor to see Kevin fight, his heart and humility even in defeat clearly won over the audience and made him some new fans. A great night for Muay Thai fans in Los Angeles!

Kevin Ross vs Sakkedao Petchpayathai (Sneak Peek)

2011-10-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

M-One Grand Muay Thai at Club Nokia brought American Kevin Ross vs Sakkedao Petchpayathai (Current Lumpinee Champion)
....Tomorrow I ll be posting images of the full fight

M-One Grand Muay Thai: Team USA vs Thailand

2011-10-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

JOE SCHILLING VS KAOKLAI (WBC World Title Fight)

Friday night in Downtown Los Angeles M-One Grand Muay Thai held an amazing action packed event!
In celebration of her birthday, her Majesty the Queen of Thailand, many of Thailand's finest fighters came to fight & represent Thailand for this event.

Thailand even sent current Lumpini Champion Sakkedao Petchpayathai to take on American Kevin Ross.
Romie Adanza took on Langsuanlek Sasiprapa and Joe Schilling took on K1 Champ and former Raja Champ Kaoklai Kaennorsing, among other great fights.
The event was streaming live back to Bangkok, and with a packed house and an eager audience it was certainly an explosive and energetic event.

This fight was the main event and had the audience on their feet for the whole fight.
The fight was in my opinion the "fight of the night" as Schilling came out looking to KO Kaoklai the moment the fight started. Schilling put Kaoklai down within seconds of the bell, then knocked him down again and moments later landed a crushing knee to Kaoklai's nose that sent the Thai Champion crashing to the mat a 3rd and final time.

New WBC World Champion Joe "Stitch 'em up" Schilling!!!

Coming soon!! M-One Grand Muay Thai Fight images!!!

2011-10-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the M-one Grand Muay Thai event in DTLA and I will be covering the event and posting images from the fights here on my blog. Joe Schilling, Kevin Ross and Romie Adanza among others are on the fight card and its gonna be a war!!! Stay Tuned, I ll also post fight results.

50's Pin up Shoot- Outtake

2011-10-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

This image is from a fantastic shoot I did a great team including Christina Melilo, Pablo Prado, Alex Hoffman, Joe Adea and Clara Rosales. At times, images are missed on the first round of edits and later found while archiving the images...this is one such image. The image was created using 1 beauty dish (camera left) and the sun coming from camera (Canon 5D w/70-200mm L Series Lens) right providing a nice rim light on the Christina on the right side of the image

Meet my new pet...."Fluffy" the Cobra!

2011-10-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

Having lived in Downtown Los Angeles for the last 5 years, I have noticed many people have pets in the midst of the bustling and busy city. While I love dogs, having one in the city is not very practical for someone like myself. Having travelled many places in this world, I tend to favor the exotic.

So why not get an exotic pet?

Cobra ownership is easy! No messy clean up, never needs to go for walks, Fluffy isn't noisy and is the friendliest deadly elapid ever!

Below are a few images I created of my new Cobra.

"Fluffy" is 100% real Indonesian Cobra...I wouldn't suggest trying to pet him.

Though, luckily (for me) "Fluffy's" biting days are over and he is now immortalized in his favorite pose, as seen here.

Ancient Angkor-Cambodia

2011-10-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

No other man made structure conjures the sheer awe inspiring aesthetic spiritual beauty, quite like Cambodia's Angkor Wat.

Located in Siam Reap Cambodia, this 12th century temple city was crafted in the architectural style of Khmer and Dravidian.

The primary deity in which is paid homage to is Vishnu of the Hindu religion.

Cambodia while primarily Buddhist, recognizes the Buddha as originating from the 2nd to last incarnation/avatar of Vishnu.

History aside, I can tell you personally this is one of the most incredible places on earth.

Few places can even approach the divine spiritual feeling of peace and oneness when visiting such a place of magnificent beauty and wonder.

Recently, I had a dream I had returned to Angkor Wat...camera in hand exploring and photographing the ancient temples once again. Angkor Wat's stunning beauty is only half of its allure.

It's true beauty lies in the essence/spirit of this ancient holy site, which is ever so evident, it's spectacular splendor powerfully intact.

One cannot help but feel its ancient history, transporting back in time hundreds of years.

For these images, my approach was to create stylistically in ancient form, imparting an old and surreal spiritual feeling.

10,000 views from all over the World. (Plus free limited edition prints for readers!)

2011-10-05T04:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Beloved Readers of my Blog.
I started this blog 2 years ago as a creative outlet and way to share my images and stories with friends, family and loved ones.
Now, a seemingly short time later, I have readers from all over the globe.

Travel images & stories, Muay Thai fighters, Fashion models, Visual Diary, Photo tutorials and more have been the subject of my post's and I've enjoyed having you all along for the adventure.
I wish thank every single one of my readers for sharing in this experience with me.

While most of my viewers are here in American, one third of all my viewers are in various countries ranging from Europe to Asia and even as far away as Africa and the Middle East.

As the blog has been growing rapidly lately (3,600 views on the last month) I will be adding a "translate" button for those who wish to read the stories in their native language.

I also would love to hear from my readers as to what features you've enjoyed or would like to see in the future.

Email me at chad@chadhillphoto.com or from the form here.

As a thank you, on Oct 31st I will pick 5 people who will receive a free limited edition metallic print of any image from my blog or websites. I will ship it to you anywhere in the world.

I look forward to hearing from you, thanks for reading and good luck!

Sincerely,

Chad

Ancient Angkor Series

2011-10-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview of my upcoming series that I've entitled, Ancient Angkor.

Recently, I had a dream I had returned to Angkor Wat...camera in hand exploring and photographing the ancient temples once again. Angkor Wat's stunning beauty is only half of its allure.

What is most most spectacular within the temple's of Angkor is it's essence.
The essence of this ancient holy site, ever so evident in that its spirit is still strong, not merely intact but powerfully so.

One cannot help but feel its ancient history, transporting back in time hundreds of years.
Here is a sneak preview the series in the form of a desktop background I created with 3 of the images from the upcoming series/post. Feel free to use it as your own personal computer's desktop if you wish.

In my dream, once I returned home..I found worn, creased, polaroids, tattered from the journey in my camera bag...it was this approach, that I took when creating these images.

2x WBC Champion & MTAA Champion Joe Schilling

2011-09-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph #1 ranked Muay Thai fighter Joe Schilling.
Not only one of the best Muay Thai fighters in America but fast on his way to becoming one of the best in the world.
Just weeks away from his upcoming fight with Kaoklai Kaennorsing (with the WBC light-heavy weight world title on the line).
I caught up with Joe at The Yard Muay Thai, which he owns and operates.

The Yard Muay Thai is a place I am honored to train at. Along with it's family style atmosphere among the patrons & owners of the gym & tough workouts/training sessions... it has been amazing over the last few years to see Joe rise & conquer.
He currently holds 2 WBC titles and the MTAA title.
Joe will be fighting for the WBC World Title on OCT 21 @ club Nokia in DTLA

Muay Thai Training Equipment Review-Twins 16oz Gloves

2011-09-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is my review of the Twins Special 16oz Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) Gloves.

While traditionally my blog has been soley about my photography, I've decided to add the occasional review of items that I feel are particularly noteworthy that I own and use frequently.

A photo I shot of my Twins Muay Thai Gloves

My Experience:

When I first started training Muay Thai, I made the mistake of going to a local sports store and purchasing a $20 pair of "boxing gloves".
Within 2 days of heavy bag work, pad work and sparing...my hands ached and I could barely move my fingers without a great deal of pain.

Was I punching too hard?
Were my hands just not used to the impact?
Was I wrapping my hands wrong?

Any of the above may have also contributed to the pain that I was experiencing, however none of these variables were the real culprit causing my pain.

Seeking the advice of my Kru (instructor), it only took moments for him to pin point the issue.
"Where did you get these things? A yard sale?"-He joked.
"You'd get more protection by stuffing a sandwich bag full of napkins and taping it to your hand"-He added with a kind laugh and a smile.

As I looked around the gym, I quickly noticed everyone had Twins, Windy etc gloves.
Soon after I bought my own pair of professional/proper gloves...

My Review:
COST: $80 USD
While these gloves did cost me more than $20 they provide serious protection & comfort.

EASE OF USE: 10 out of 10
The fact that these glove velcro instead of having a set of laces to tie is hugely convenient and almost a must for training, if you don't believe me try tying your 2nd gloves laces with the first glove already on.

PROTECTION: 10 out of 10
The thumb of the glove is attached to the hand, providing protection against catching you thumb in a bend during a glancing blow. The padding is amazingly shock absorbent and the wrist cuffs are nice and stiff to help keep your wrists straight during impact. Superior protection.

QUALITY: 9.5 out 10
Top quality leather, solid velcro, and silky smooth inside that seems to resist odor.
I have owned my pair for 3-4 years and they are still going strong.
My only gripe (its almost petty given the amount of milage I've put on them) is that now after years and years of use, the black dye seems to seep out and color my forehead as I wipe away the sweat now after all these years of abusing these gloves. (But again, I have abused these gloves and I m sure any other glove would have fallen apart by now)

DURABILITY: 10 out of 10 These things are tough, countless rounds on the bags, pads, mitts and in the ring, these things have really stood the test of time and punishment.

OVERALL RATING: 10
Love these gloves and they are worth every penny. Top quality, construction, performance and protection. Bottom line, if you train Muay Thai you need to protect the small bones that you are constantly smashing and slamming into the heavy bags to prevent injury.
These gloves offer that valuable protection.
Other brands I have heard are good include are Windy, Top King, Raja & Tuff.

I got mine @ Nine Dragons Martial Arts located in Texas http://ndmartialarts.com/muaythaigloves.html
but if you live closer to Thailand or don't mind the added shipping you can also find a huge selection here http://www.muaythaistuff.com/

Muay Thai Authority Publishes My Shot as "Image of the week"

2011-09-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

I'm always honored to be published on a site or in a magazine that I love.
http://www.muaythaiauthority.com/ is one such occasion as I check this great site daily.
See the pic below to see my published image and scroll down to see all my images from the MPL Open Gym Featuring Buakaw, Yodsanklai, Julie Kitchen, Zidov Akuma, Simon Marcus and more.

Muay Thai Premiere League- Open Gym (Image series 2)

2011-09-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

With this amazing event now in the rearview mirror, I have finally had a chance to finish up and pick all my favorite images from the open gym workout. For those who may have missed this event..Be sure to attend MPL Sept & May events in Los Angeles! It was the BEST fight card I have ever seen!!

Below is Buakaw, Yodsanklai, Julie Kitchen, Simon Marcus, Zidov Akuma & Walter ”The Sleeper" Michalowski!

New Muay Thai Premiere League Images (Coming soon!)

2011-09-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,

More images coming soon from from this amazing event!

Buakaw Por Pramuk

Chad Hill & Nathan Carnage Corbett

Stay tuned and thanks for visiting...more coming soon!

Yokkao Thai Boxing Video

2011-09-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

It is extremely rare that I post something to my profile that I did not create...I think this is the first time.
While I wait to post the next set of images....here is a very beautifully shot video, inspiring and I love the song its beautiful and peaceful. Seriously, I can not get enough of this song!!!!!!!!!

Its for Yokkao Boxing, which Muay Thai Champion Buakaw is sponsored by ...Amazing Video!!

For more on Yokkao you can click here http://www.yokkao.com/

For more on the amazing song by the band The Morning Benders click here http://www.themorningbenders.com/

Buakaw Por Pramuk at Muay Thai Premiere League-Open Gym

2011-09-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Muay Thai Premiere League put on the most amazing event on Sept 2nd a few days prior they held a few open workouts for the fans.

For Muay Thai fans this is a man who needs no introduction...as he is a world class & world famous fighter. Aside from being my favorite fighter (along with Yodsanklai), he is also a 2x K1 World Max Champion and has held 13 other Championship titles. I was lucky enough to be on hand at the open workout and created these images of Buakaw below.
He is fighting tonight at the Long Beach Pyramid and you know I ll be there!

For more info on Muay Thai Premiere League and their AMAZING events..
http://thempl.tv/main/
For more on Buakaw check him out at....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buakaw_Por._Pramuk

Muay Thai Premiere League- Julie Kitchen

2011-09-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Julie Kitchen is an elite female Muay Thai fighter...but you'd never guess that if you saw her walking down the street. Feminine, girly, cute are words that would come to mind.

However, she holds 21 Muay Thai Championship belts and counting and is a killer in the ring.
She is appropriately known as "The Queen of Muay Thai" and after seeing her at Sityodtong gym hitting the pads in preparation for her upcoming fight, I realized how well deserving she is of such a moniker.

Here are a few images of her I shot while she hit the pads.

Buakaw Por Pramuk at Muay Thai Premiere League-Open Gym (Sneak Peak)

2011-08-31T00:20:00.000-07:00

Ok...put Buakaw, Yodsanklai, Julie Kitchen, Zidov Akuma and a half a dozen of the best in the WORLD of Muay Thai in the same gym and prep for the most amazing event to ever take place on American soil and what would one expect?
An amazing, inspiring evening the the worlds Muay Thai elite!

Preparing for their fight Friday night....

Buakaw Por Pramuk 2x K1 Max World Champion

Me and Yodsanklai Fairtex!!

Battle in the Desert III - Featuring WBC Champion Joe Schilling

2011-08-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is Battle in the Desert 3!
Joe Schilling is not only my trainer at The Yard Muay Thai but he is also MTAA Champion and WBC Champion. Below is the fight poster for the event this weekend featuring the photo I took of him recently at the Gym.

For those who still want tickets, you can pick them up at The Yard (today is the last day) or at ticketmaster.
Hope to see you there!

Joe Schilling- The Yard Muay Thai

2011-06-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

Joe Schilling (along w/Mark Kumora) owns and operates The Yard Muay Thai.
Aside from running one of the worlds best Muay Thai gyms, a couple of Joe's accomplishments include being the current MTAA Champion & 2 xWBC National Champion.

You can often find me throwing punches, kicks, elbows and knee's, sharpening my skills at The Yard on any given day. Below is an image and design I created yesterday for Joe's upcoming fight!

Nebraska Sepia Barn

2011-05-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

There is something beautiful about the country, earthy, organic, weathered and real. This image was shot in Wahoo Nebraska.

Nebraska

2011-05-21T00:43:00.000-07:00

To all my blog readers, thanks for your patience. Its been such a busy year.
My best ever, I admit though that has taken away a little time from the blog.
Here is an image I shot in Nebraska during the holidays. More coming soon!

Mississippi-Republic Guitars Highway 61

2011-04-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Product Photography
Meet the new love of my life (My Birthday present 3/26)
She's a brass bell body vintage style resonator from Republic Guitars.
This guitar has the unmistakable sound of the 1920's era Mississippi Delta Blues.
I named her Mississippi and with less than 1,000 of these fine guitars made, she is #0932.
Music has always been a deep passion of mine for more than half of my life, I've played guitar.
Here are 2 pictures of my beautiful baby, expect a video of songs I wrote to follow in the future.

XXL double page spread

2011-03-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

My first nationally published photo shoot
Chad Hill Photo
This is one from the archives before I even had this blog, way back in May of 2008.
The photo shoot was for "Under The Hood" clothing company which licensed the Kellogg's cereal characters for urban apparel. The photo shoot was fun and the images ran as a double page spread in XXL and also appeared as a billboard and bus wraps.
I'll never forget the day the issue was released on newsstands, while I was highly skilled at the time I had yet to establish a steady client base and invoices can take weeks to be paid.
I remember seeing the issue at the local market but not even having the $4.95 to buy the magazine the double page spread was in. I've learned a lot since then and have fond memories of this first major publishing.

The double page spread, which also ran as billboards and buswraps

XXL May 2008 cover

A couple years after this photo shoot, Cracked.com did a very funny piece titled"The 7 most baffling products ever released by famous brands" Guess what was #1...

To see more images from the shoot & read the article on Cracked.com click here

A visual diary

2011-03-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Downtown Los Angeles
Some parts of the city feel so nostalgic, the beautifully worn rough edges not yet polished by new growth. Walking the street can feel like a transport back in time, I think of those who came before me and curiously imagine the lives they lived.
Fast forward to a time to a day in which my own present moment will be a long forgotten memory, it is that thought to which I quickly realize my good fortune, I am here now.

Downtown Los Angeles

Japan- Earthquake (How to help)

2011-03-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

My heart goes out to all my friends and readers in Japan, along with all of those affected by the recent tragic earthquake and tsunami. May your suffering cease and your recovery flourish.

www.chadhillphoto.com/travel

I have been long planning to add a charitable element to this blog, inspired by the many kind people I have met while traveling, those who are less fortunate than I.
I'll be donating a percentage of all bookings for the rest of the month to aid those affected in Japan.
For those of you who would like more info on how to find charities who operate transparently and honorably, please visit Charity Navigator (which reviews charities and their financial practices)

In the face of adversity we can all use some help and compassion..take care of each other out there everyone.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Blingstar Industries

2011-03-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

Client images
http://www.blingstar.com/
Here are a few recent tear sheets from client Blingstar Industries.
For those who live life at full speed and enjoy moto-sports Blingstar is the first name you need to know. They make very innovative and cutting edge accessories, which you can see on moto's on the track, off road and around the world.
Below are some of the images we created that are featured on their website and in their catalog, as well as a couple additional images we created that day.

Recent images for Blingstar by Photographer Chad Hill

On the set of the Blingstar photo shoot

© Photographer Chad Hill

Johhny Stachela and Jessie Payo

2011-03-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

Live in Concert: Hollywood
When I first saw Johnny live, I remember thinking "This cat can chop a piece of wood & 6 six strings like nobody's business" and Jessie's vocals are filled with smooth heartfelt fiery soul which is undeniably beautiful. After that first show, I immediately went home and sat down with my guitar for hours...I was reminded of why I started playing guitar myself years ago and their performance served as a defining moment in re-dedicating myself to my own guitar playing.

Below are a couple images (that I gave a vintage design) from when I recently got see this inspiring group perform again live at On the Rocks in Los Angeles .

It's always great as a photographer to shoot someone who you are genuinely a fan of and Johnny Stachela & Jessie Payo certainly fit the bill.

Johnny Stachela and Jessie Payo live @ On the Rox

Vintage Pin up Photo shoot

2011-03-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Photoshoot

Concept to creation.
Inspired by vintage 50's pin up calendars I had seen for sale in Nebraska at a local antique store and an old car that was sitting in the parking lot.
I imagined the car in it's glory days with a pin up model sitting in the seat.
So recently, when a friend told me he had access to a restored 1955 Chevrolet 210, it was clear this was the opportunity to create the photograph I had envisioned.

"1950's Pin Up Girl" (Model Christina Melillo/Hair&Make up Clara Rosales)

Pin up model in the "blue dream" 55 Chevy

"The Blonde Bombshell"

A special thanks to all the amazing people involved in making this photo shoot possible.

Alex Hoffman, Christina Melillo, Clara Rosales, Joe Adea, Maria's Barber shop (La Puente CA), Otto Models, Pablo Perez Prado and Paul. CHAD HILL PHOTO ©

Google Chad Hill

2011-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Working on spreading the word...there is only enough room for one Chad Hill on the internet.

Pin up photo shoot - 1955 Chevrolet 210

2011-03-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

CHADHILLPHOTO-Behind the Scenes
An amazing portfolio shoot took place this Sunday in the City of Industry.
The shoot involved a stunning 1955 Chevrolet 210, Make up/Hair by Clara Rosales and model Christina Melillo from Otto Models. I have a number of retouched images coming soon, in the mean time here are a few behind the scenes images from our awesome photo shoot.

The 1955 Chevy 210

Clara Rosales (left) and Christina Melillo (right)

Christina and Clara preparing for the first look of the photo shoot

Producer/Location Scout Pablo Perez Prado

Car owner Paul & Pablo

Fellow Photographer Joe Adea

Christina poses playfully for the camera


Then laughs.

A special thanks to all involved in making this photo shoot possible.

Alex Hoffman, Christina Melillo, Clara Rosales, Joe Adea, Maria's Barber shop (La Puente CA), Otto Models, Pablo Perez Prado and Paul.

Flirt Catalog.com Photo shoot- A few selects.

2011-02-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

CHAD HILL PHOTO

I really do love my job, it's days like this where everything is just perfect.
A few of my favorite images from a recent photo shoot with Flirt Catalog.

The models Carrie and Rachel truly define what it is to be great professional models.
They are absolutely beautiful and effortlessly hit perfect poses all day long, not to mention they are both very sweet people.

Rachel (above as the brunette) also did hair & make up for this shoot, you can see more of her amazing work and find booking info at www.sunsetblonde.com.
To view more or purchase from this beautiful and stylish clothing line visit Flirt Catalog.com

©www.chadhillphoto.com

Flirt Catalog.com Photo Shoot

2011-02-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

Recently I had the pleasure of shooting with a new client Flirt Catalog.
Not only did we create some great images but all the people involved were equally amazing.
It's shoots like this that remind me how fun & great it can be to collaborate with a group of talented people. Below are a handful of images from the Flirt Catalog website from our recent photo shoot..

Special thanks to all the great people at Flirt Catalog and Hot Sauce clothing. You check out more of Flirt catalog's awesome clothing @ Flirtcatalog.com

Johhny Stachela & Jessie Payo live @ On the Rox

2011-02-27T22:02:00.000-08:00

Saturday night, I had the good fortune to catch blues man Johnny Stachela tearing up the 6 string live on stage. The house lighting was dark and moody and the blues was burnin' hot. A great show!!!
Stay tuned as I will be teaming up with Johnny for a photo shoot very soon and have some amazing images planned. His debut EP is coming soon & you can check him out now on "Got me in a hold".
I feel lucky to see him live now before he's tearing up stadiums world wide. Seriously, check him out.

Johnny Stachela - Guitars Jessie Payo - Vocals Vince Fossett Jr. - Drums Jason Benfield - Bass

Travel Diaries Part 7-(The conclusion)

2011-02-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

Poisoned in India-Part 3


The statue from Thanjavur (which now resides in my room)

The man who had given me the tea had returned and now he was approaching me.

More than anything, I just wanted him to leave me alone...I felt incredibly sick, the feeling of not having full control of my mind, body or well being was unsettling.
I knew I had to choose my actions carefully, it was not the time for fear or anger as these things would not help me now, so I shut them out.
It was time to focus on my only 2 goals....get this man away from me and get to safety.

The man walked past me, bought 2 cups of chai at the chai stall and sat down next to me.
"Here drink this" he said trying to hand me one of the cups of chai.... I refused.
His game plan to me seemed obvious...I knew I had to take control...all while keeping from passing out. I stood up, walked across the street towards a group of people waiting for the bus...the man followed me. I stood to face him as he crossed to the street to follow me.

This predator chasing his poisoned but still dangerous prey, waiting for me to succumb to unconsciousness. My options and patience wearing thin, I was feeling threatened and disoriented.

It was time to take control of this situation, my options were few and my situation dire.
Not knowing if I'd soon pass out, it was time to reverse our roles, my adrenaline surged, my stance widened and my fist's clenched.

Just then, suddently I spotted 2 uniformed police officers...I looked to the man following me and headed toward the police officers. The man froze when he saw the police...turned and then ran off in the opposite direction around a corner and disappeared.

Once I reached the officers, I greeted them in the few words I know in Tamil (which is spoken in the south)
I switch to English to tell my story, but the men spoke as little English as I did Tamil.
Not thinking clearly and desperate to return to my room, I gave up my efforts to communicate what had happened to me to the officers. After a short bus ride and a 10 minute walk I reached my room.

Still dizzy and overtaken by the effects of my sudden mysterious sickness, I collapsed onto the bed and passed out.

22 hours later, I woke up.

The following 3 days were hell, I felt terrible and weak, extremely light & scent sensitive, my head hurt bad and I was disoriented. For the next few days I would sleep 18-22 hours a day using the remaining few hours of each day to photograph the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
I ate only once during this time as the smell of even the most delicious foods repulsed me.

On the 5th day I woke up and felt completely fine, 100% normal.
I was so thrilled that the nightmare was over...I felt human again.
Later that day I caught an overnight train to Bangalore on my way to Hampi.
While in Bangalore I had a full day in the city with no plans so I stopped by a local medical clinic.
Upon arrival, I described my symptoms and their sudden onset to the doctor.

1. I hadn't eaten anything for 12 hours prior to rapid onset of symptoms.
2. 4 days of splitting headache, light and smell sensitivity, disorientation, body ache etc.

He did some test's and I didn't mention that I suspected I was poisoned to doctor...I wanted his conclusion to be strictly scientific and part of me wanted to believe there was a more innocent explanation.
Some time later, moments before I was to leave for my train, the doctor returned..
"I have your result" he said
"I m a little bit concerned regarding this outcome... but you are quite lucky" he continued.
My breath stopped in silent anticipation...
"I believe it is most likely that you have been poisoned" the doctor said.
"However, you appear now to be fine" he added.

My fears confirmed, I felt a rush of gratitude that I was ok.
1 sip of the chai resulted in 4 days of intense hell, my dear friend Swapnil had certainly saved me.
It was his warning that made me dump out the rest after that first sip.
I often think of how lucky I am, my statue (pictured above) reminds me daily.
I think of Swapnil and my great gratitude for him...I may have met disaster that day if it were not for him. So Swapnil, if you're reading this "Thank you, my friend!!!"

Travel Diaries Part 7

2011-02-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

Poisoned in India pt II
(for part 1 see below)

The handmade lost wax Buddha statue I purchased

A story told to me by my good friend Swapnil of warning & sage advice quickly replayed in my mind after that first sip of chai.

A local girl who he knew personally in Mumbai had disappeared the previous year.
6 months after her disappearance someone who knew her recognized her begging in the streets hundreds of miles away. She had no memory of who she was.
Eventually it came to light that she had been drugged on her trip, the effects of the poison so strong that she suffered irreversible memory loss and did not recognize her own family, she never fully recovered but was returned home to her family. The story had been featured in the local papers.
"Never accept food or drink from strangers, ever!" Swapnil advised me repeatedly.

After the first sip, I quickly dumped the chai tea out on the ground when the man wasn't looking.

"I'm sure the tea was fine" I reasoned but out of respect for my friend Swapnil I decided that I wouldn't be so careless as to ignore his wise advice" I told myself.

The man who gave me the chai had disappeared inside of the main house.

I sat down and waited for the men to return so I could view the statues for sale.

5 minutes later, the man who had given me the tea returned, he led me to a small hut where I viewed the beautiful handcrafted statues.

As I stood up to follow him, I felt a little unstable and experienced a rush of blood in my head, I hadn't eaten in 12 hours so I wrote it off as a bit of hunger and carried on.

After a few moments, I picked out 2 beautiful statues that I really loved and wished to purchase.
I had no desire for a long negotiation, as my brain was still foggy from the head rush a moment ago which was turning into a bit of dizziness.
I offered him his asking price and extended my hand full of money to the man, though he just stood there and looked at me coldly and blankly, not moving at all.

"Here" I said a few more times, trying to hand him the money.
He just stood silent staring through me still not moving.
My head was spinning a bit now...

I raised my camera and took a photograph of the man as he blankly stood before me.

The man who gave me the tea.

I hoped this would break the awkward silence and get the sale moving before I decided to walk out.

He just stared at me...waiting for something.

As I headed for the door, he followed and I made sure to allow him to walk out in front of me.
I was getting a very strange feeling from this man and I wasn't sure why, maybe it was just my sudden feeling of sickness.
Outside he finally took the payment for the statues and told me he would return after wrapping the statues for me, then disappeared inside the main house.

I sat down, the feeling of dizziness growing with each moment.
It wasn't long before an intense feeling of disorientation had set in.
A few minutes had passed and the man hadn't returned, so I shifted my weight to stand, my body unstable and my head spinning.
Making it to my feet, I took a few steps forward to see where the man had gone, the rush of sickness intensified each moment I spent standing.

Unsure of what was happening to me, I was certain I had to leave.
Something was very wrong.

Within moments, a violent wave of disorienting sickness gripped me. I felt like I was slowly drowning from the inside. Mind and body sinking towards the black, I could feel the reigns of control slipping away helplessly. I needed to make it to safety before it was lights out....I didn't want to stick around for what would happen once I passed out here."
Suddenly, I noticed the man had re-emerged and was walking towards me.
"I need to go now" I told the man trying to muster all my strength to appear normal while I felt anything but.

"I can take you back to the bus station in a little while, wait here" the man replied
"I know my way, thanks" I replied. I grabbed my statues from him and immediately started towards the road.

It was a 10 minute walk down a semi-secluded village dirt road but there was no way I was sticking around here. I could no longer dismiss the seriousness of the situation, I felt extremely intoxicated and survival mode kicked in.
"Get the hell out of here and get to safety" my brain screamed as disorientation tossed and turned.

I had walked a few minutes down the village road, with no one else in sight...when I heard a dirt bike behind me...it was him, the man who gave me the tea.

Struggling to stay on my feet now, his dirt bike was gaining on me.

A few moments later, we were face to face as he pulled up on his bike.
"Get on" he told me
"Nahi" (no) I replied in Hindi
"Get on" He persisted.

"You look sleepy, let me help you" he said smirking and grabbing a hold of my camera bag.
I stepped in closer to him, now our faces inches away.."I'm fine, now leave me alone!" I said
I stared into his eyes and let my desperation ignite into furious anger, a visceral primal moment, 2 animals vying for dominance. A warning burning brightly in my eyes.
I pushed him back and he released my camera bag.

Finally....He left.

I continued walking and reached the bus stop and sat down at a roadside chai tea stall.
I had made it out....I was safe and now just had to get back to my room as my brain tossed and turned in confusing disorientated haze.
I now felt like I was very drunk and sick at the same time and had been sitting for 5-10 minutes waiting for the bus, almost safe ....and then the man re-appeared.

Travel Diaries 7

2011-01-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Poisoned in India
Part 1

Lost wax method statues. All images©Chad Hill

I've experience a few adventurous moments during my world travels.

I've chased cobra's, eaten spiders, rode motorcycles, volunteered to fight a local Thai kick boxer, got stitches, drank blood, fired an AK-47 and narrowly missed being on a train blown up by terrorists.

It hasn't all been fast paced dramatic adventure though, many of my favorite moments were peaceful moments and feelings of stillness and beauty.

My travel journeys have been juxtaposed with twists and turns, colorfully heartfelt.

However, this was the one story I never ever wanted to share.

Getting poisoned is not exactly the kind of story you want to come back and tell people about.

In March of 2009 I arrived in Mumbai India.

It was my second trip to the exotic, colorful and mysterious land of India, a place I love.

Naturally I began by visiting the great Swapnil Rothe which is a highlight of any trip to India. After a few days well spent with Swapnil exploring Mumbai, he plotted my course onward to my destination and helped me book all the necessary train tickets.

30+ adventurous hours of trains, buses and auto-rickshaws later I reached Thanjavur, where the temple is located. Navigating the journey of the 1,400 kilometer trek from Mumbai to the state of Tamil Nadu was wonderfully colorful, rustic and captivating as travel in India often is.

Truck driver Mumbai India

I had reached Thanjavur, home to the ancient RajaRaja Chola Temple of Brihadeeswarar.

I had just been dropped off in the center of town and keeping with adventure, I had chosen not to book any room in advance.

Adventure answered in kind as I arrived at 4 AM, in the midst of the monsoonal rains heavily pounding the earth. As I stepped out of the rickshaw, I peered out into the dark unknown impossibly trying to decipher my surroundings through the thick wall of darkness and rain...."now the adventure begins" I thought to myself.

Sensing that most places would be closed at 4 AM, I checked into the first ...and possibly only...place willing to grant me refuge for the night.

The room was slightly modest, but I hadn't come here for the amenities.

My room Thanjavur India

I'm in luck a western style toilet!!

While it was still raining outside, I certainly hadn't traveled all this way just to hang out in my room. Nothing was going to stop me from bringing my camera out and start photographing immediately at first light.

I prepared my photo gear for the rain as I waited for the first break of twilight to peek through the night storm. At the first sign of light that morning, I set out walking towards the temple.

On my way to the temple, the sun rose obscured by large clouds, the rain slowed to a soft trickle and the air grew thick and humid as Thanjavur started to awaken.
The air became electric with the buzzing sounds of the vibrant street life as one of India's oldest cities came alive with the coming of the sun.

I had reached the spectacular Brihadeeswarar temple, capital of the former Chola empire, the temple is an intricately detailed and a marvelously inspiring holy structure.
The temple is over 1,000 years old and it is the worlds first temple built of granite.
After spending a few hours in awe photographing it, I had realized I hadn't eaten anything in the last 12 hours. It was time to seek out some of the amazing, exotic & delicious cuisine that India has to offer.

Bull Nandi facing entrance to Temple Brihadeeswarar, Thanjavur India.

However, first I wanted to visit a village statue maker I had read about, who was located a 15 minute bus ride from the temple.

I caught a bus and then a dirt bike into a remote village area where the statue maker had his workshop. Upon arrival, I was greeted and I asked permission to photograph which I was granted. I photographed the ancient process of making these statues as the men explained how it was done. The process starts with making resin version of the statue which is placed into the mold and then filled with wax. Then the molten metals are poured into the mold.

Once cool, the stone molds are opened and the hand carving and polishing begins.

Known as the "lost wax method" or cire perdue this ancient method is documented in Hindu literature as far back as the fifth century (400-500 AD).

Statue maker pours resin and then shapes a model of the statue.

Melted metals go into stone mold.

Stone mold is opened and metal statue shaped.

A small statue in progress next to a finished result

Refining its shape and polishing

Finished statue being polished

A few minutes after taking these photographs, all the men went inside except one.
The lone man who remained offered me a cup of chai which I accepted.
I hadn't eaten or drank anything in the previous 12 hours during my long journey from Mumbai to Thanjavur. I knew I wasn't supposed to accept food or drink from strangers, however I didn't want to be impolite and a hot cup of chai seemed like a welcome gift on this rainy day. After taking my first sip of chai however, I thought of Swapnil and a story/warning he had shared with me at the start of my journey. "Do not accept food or drink from strangers" Swapnil had warned repeatedly. A warning I should have listened to more closely.

Unbeknownst to me, within minutes I would be in a world of trouble...but it was what I did next that may have saved me.

2 Self Portrait's 7 years apart

2011-01-19T14:25:00.000-08:00

Self Portrait 2004 & 2011
7 years later to the day....Reflection of Self
Once in a great while, I will photograph myself...even more rare is when I share it.
When I do photograph myself it is often in a mirror or a reflection of myself, which is exactly how I perceive self portraits...a reflection of self.
Below are 2 photographs of me separated by 7 years time.


Self Portrait Jan 2 2011

Self Portrait Jan 19 2004

Chad Hill

The Journey of 2011

2011-01-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

Update: #1-New Business cards
IT'S A JOURNEY NOT A DESTINATION

With 2011 now underway..
The coming of the new year surges forward with the promise of excitement and prosperity.
It is at this time, we begin charting the goals for the new year.
Each year brings a more creative and better skilled photographer, more precisely sharpened business acumen all with the promise of greater opportunity.

"Its a journey, not a destination" ...a famous quote.
I used to think it simply meant, be present here and now, wise advice indeed.

1 of 2 new Business cards

Exploring it's greater depth as an artist, it reminds us...we never stop progressing, growing, expanding our creativity and skills. We grow boundlessly if we are nurtured and challenged.
Therefore the moment you "arrive at your destination" you are already seeking to go beyond it.

New images, client ftp access, website update and revamp, behind the scene's, tutorial's, blog stories, video's and new promotional pieces are all on the near horizon or already in place.
Luckily, I have a new smart phone so staying in touch & sharing creativity is easier than ever.

I wish you all a prosperous and creative new year!

Favorite Places to Travel - Ceresco NE

2011-01-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

Favorite Travel Places: Antiques

Ceresco Nebraska Photographed 01/01/11
With a population of 920, the wonderful small town of Ceresco Nebraska is filled with fine people and unique small town culture. Honest, hard working, people of the earth, who often make their living directly from the earths bountiful crops.
The American Midwest is filled with history and still maintains much of it core values and character.
Largely unaffected by the pulsing streams of media and the momentary trends of major metropolitan city life. Life in Ceresco is less plugged in and much more connected.

Diana's Antiques is a place that personifies this small town glory, which makes it the first place in this series. Outside of Diana's Antiques & Gifts in Ceresco, these antique cars are displayed.
Within the store are many treasures of historic Americana all fairly priced, the owner Diana is very sweet as well. This is my favorite antique store.

Diana's Antiques and Gifts
98 E Main
Ceresco, NE 68017
(402) 665-2498

Favorite Travel Places: Series Introduction

2011-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Favorite Travel Places

Introduction:

"What is your all time favorite place you have traveled to?" I'm often asked when discussing travel.

Quickly numerous places immediately come to mind...all for various reasons.
While visiting the Shanti Stupa in the vast Himalayan mountainous land of Ladahk India is easily one of the most beautiful places on earth...I certainly wouldn't recommend you go there seeking tropical beaches and vibrant night life.

Shanti Stupa Ladahk India

Travel has taught me to be present, wherever I am.

I may not experience the thrill of cruising down the Mekong river in Vietnam everyday or exploring the lush rain forest's of Costa Rica.. however each place and each day has it's moment or favorite thing.

The "Favorite Travel Places" series will feature images from various favorite destinations from all over the world and what it is that makes these places memorable.

What places are your favorites and why?
Send me an image, I'll post it and link to your site/blog etc.


Off the coast of Krabi Thailand

chad@chadhillphoto.com

Travel Diaries Part 7-Poisoned in India (Preview)

2011-01-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

"Within 15 minutes, a violent wave of disorienting sickness gripped me. I felt like I was drowning from the inside. Mind and body sinking towards the black, I could feel the reigns of control slipping away helplessly. I needed to make it to safety before it was lights out....I didn't want to stick around for what would happen once I passed out here."

Still finishing up a few images and words for this one, a fascinating and even startling event to relive as I write this and view the images. Full post to follow soon..

Happy weekend everyone !

Glacier National Park-The Lost Images

2011-01-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

June 2004: Glacier National Park Montana

The state of Montana is a uniquely stunning place, it possesses a vast range of incredible landscapes.

I distinctly remember the powerful realization of a great creator, as I stood in stunned awe of the magnificent art of planet earth. Mountain peaks reaching into the infinite stillness of the clouds, it is in these places I feel most serenely connected to the earth.

*During the Summer of 2004, I visited both Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon.

In the fast paced return to school that followed my trips, I was separated from these images until now.

(Special thanks to my Dad who reunited me with these images recently)

Arizona-The Lost Images

2011-01-04T01:16:00.000-08:00

July 2004: The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Sedona.

Way back in 2004, I had the chance to go to Arizona for 2 weeks in middle of summer.

Until recently, all I had from my Arizona trip were the fond memories as almost all of my images were lost in the shuffle post trip and remained so for the last 6 1/2 years.

I vividly remember one blazing hot day in Phoenix, the temperature reached a record setting 120F/48C outside!

However, most of all I remember Arizona's unique beauty.

The triumphant way the earth rose and fell creating castle's and canyons across the vast and tranquil desert. Recently, I was reunited with these "lost" images.

*Special thanks to my Dad who reunited me with these "lost"photographs.

Downtown to Smalltown-The Greatest lesson of All.

2010-12-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

Travel Diaries part 7
I love the vast juxtaposition of travel.

Home for the holidays..
My home (Los Angeles) to my parents new home (Nebraska).
I live in Los Angeles, in all its gritty fast paced fury.
The Hollywood moments, celebrities and the fantasy that "all dreams come true".
A few hours after leaving this idyllic fast paced la-la land, I step off a plane to a town on the outskirts of Wahoo Nebraska.
A straight up country farm town of a couple hundred inhabitants and I love it.
(More people live in my building in LA than the town where my parents live)
It reminds me that I am not just one thing, one people, one place.
I am human, I am everyone...everyone is me, we are all the same.

This is the biggest lesson I have learned while traveling far and wide on this earth....we are ALL one.

Children of the Phnom Penh Trash Dump

2010-12-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

Travel Diaries Part 6

Phnom Pehn Cambodia is a place with many great people.

Cambodia possess a rich cultural currency within the fabric of its kind hearted people.
A rich life lesson in gratitude and kindness would find me at the most unlikely of places...the city trash dump.
Granted, it may seem like an odd destination, however this venture was a recommendation from the highest of sources, Boyd Willat.
My friend Boyd is a man of wisdom and passion for life, a success by any measure and serious experience seeker.

After arriving in Cambodia, I got a call from Boyd (who also inspired my first trip to India)
"Chad, you need to go check out the trash dump, meet the kids, the families who live there, explore that place" Boyd told me.

When I think of traveling 8,200 miles around the globe to an exotic land, visiting a trash dump on a hot summer day is ...not the first image that comes to mind. However, given the source of the recommendation I knew this was a mission worth exploring without reservation.

Boots laced, camera packed and headstrong I was ready to go to the....trash dump.
After a 15 minute ride from the city we neared the site of the dump, the pungent scent permeated and clung to the humid late summer air.

Our driver took us as close as he could without getting stuck the sinking earth as we approached the dump. We got out of the rickshaw and set out on foot.
The sun shined brightly, however evidence of the previous nights heavy rains was ever present.
The rains had turned the ground into a slow sinking slurry of thick wet earth.
Only a few steps into our journey I was ever so grateful for the protection my boots afforded me, Jeff on the other hand wasn't so lucky.

Jeff being the trooper he is brought his shoes to war that day.

The sour ripe spice of decomposition stung the air on each breath once we entered the dump, before us a landscape ravaged by the mass of decomposing waste. It look like we had landed on another planet, one that was not inhabitable by humans. It was a wasteland of unwanted.

As we walked on, the thick mud hid dangerous debris unseen beneath..I took a step and as with each step my feet slowly sinking into the earth, I heard and felt the crunch of glass beneath my boot. Littered along the way sticking up from the earth various metal fragments and glass shards served as a constant reminder to walk ever vigilantly. Still we carried on.
Soon we saw the first of those who spend their lives here, workers separating trash, one was even shirtless and in sandals.

Just around the corner, we met a shy young boy and his sister, who at first both seem quite apprehensive. Slowly their curiosity got the best of them and they approached, the girl hiding behind her brother. They greeted us with friendly smiles and welcomed us to the place they lived...the dump.

The girl reached around to hug her brother with a loving smile when I noticed the girl's arm and couldn't help but imagine the many ways how such a severe injury could happen to an innocent child among this dangerous wasteland. Living and playing in the dump is a dangerous way of life.

It was hard to see and reminded me how children in other area's in the world often face a level of adversity that not even adults in my own country will never have have to face.
It reminded me of how fortunate my own childhood and life has been and broke my heart at the same time.

As I forged on through the dump, a dump truck passed and a young boy jumped out.
I also spotted man walking the road and the young boy from the dump truck behind him clearly making his way towards us.

As the boy got closer he introduced himself, took off his hat and shook our hands.

His English was surprisingly good and he offered to guide us through the dump and show us around.

Jeff and I had brought band-aid's, food and water with us to distribute to the people of the dump and we offered some to him. He politely declined.

Even stranger he hadn't asked us for money yet for this needed service that would save us from the hidden perils of such a place.

"C'mon" he instructed with a smile and ran ahead of us clearly familiar with the days treacherous terrain by his swift calculated movements. We followed.

Ahead on the path, a man with sandals pulling a cart of trash through a valley of decomposition and plastic bags.

As we made our way deeper into this other worldly landscape of waste, the impact of human trash upon the earth weighed heavy on my mind. Just then we can upon a living encampment in the wasteland of trash. It wasn't the small tarp propped up by sticks and even smaller blankets that lay underneath that told me this was someone's home....it was the clothes hanging out to dry in the sun.

As we toured the dump further it was hard to tell exactly what was contained in the piles of decomposition. One thing however that does not decompose was clearly evident everywhere...Plastic bags.

For those who know me and my near obsession with not taking plastic bags, this is why.

As our young guide explained the inner workings and daily life of the dump, we listened fascinated.
Then suddenly, a dump truck pulled up and its horn sounded.
Quickly our young guide ran towards the truck and hopped inside.

Our guide jumps back into the truck from which he first appeared.

Jeff & I cash in hand, waved to our guide letting him know we wished to pay him for his efforts.
He waved back, smiled and was gone.
Jeff and I both looked at each other, touched by the boys kindness but disappointed that we couldn't have repaid him with a few dollars well deserved.
In an area where begging is quite common place, it was a very powerful gesture for him to help us with no desire for gain of his own.

Life in this wasteland of the unwanted is harsh. It's terrain filled with trash, rotting debris and danger.
However the hearts of the people who live/work there are filled with the precious gold of kindness.

When I first arrived at the dump, it was one of the most disgusting places I've ever been.
By the time I was leaving, it had become one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
The power of such kindness from a stranger changed everything.

Travel Diaries part 6

2010-12-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

...Coming Tomorrow!
Almost got it done today but am off to the airport.
Today, its wheels up to Nebraska!
NEXT UP Travel Diaries: Children of the Phnom Penh dump & Drugged in India.

Cambodia - Culinary Curiosities Part 2

2010-12-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

Travel Diaries Part 5

Snakes for Dinner

Snake Wine (decaying Cobras and lizards soaked in strong homemade alcohol)

Tarantula was really just a warm up in the culinary exploration...
After a long hot day of exploring exotic lands in faraway places, there are few things enjoyed like a good meal. Still hungry from the spiders I ate for breakfast (spiders aren't very filling) it was time to seek out a wider spectrum of unique culinary options available to me.

After speaking with the rickshaw driver, he informed my friend Jeff and I that he had a friend in the countryside who could prepare us snake.

Our snake eating friend the rickshaw driver explaining the variety of snakes available and our rickshaw which would later end up submerged in a rice paddy)

I knew there was no shortage of snakes because on the nightime bus ride into Cambodia, I spotted dozens of men with flashlights attached to helmets searching for something outside in the rain. As I stared out the window, curious as to what they were seeking, suddenly a long snake reared up, they were collecting cobra's!
We set off into the night, venturing into the countryside amidst the humid air and thick rain.
After 20-30 minutes we had arrived, darkness surrounded us, no street lights, no traffic, no people...just a single small house on stilts standing over the river.

We entered and removed our shoes, our rickshaw driver clasped his hands together and rubbed them back and forth in eager anticipation of our meal.
Shortly his friends came to greet us "Would you like a beer?" the host asked, with a dirty bucket in hand. "Sure" I replied...he extended the bucket towards me and motioned for me to reach in and grab one...as I did I immediately noticed that inside the bucket were 2 small pythons "Whoa!" I exclaimed as I jumped out of my seat. Everyone erupted in laughter including me.
A short time later, dinner was served.

Snake, snake eggs and rice, all of it looked quite good and I was eager to dig in.
Snakes (consisting of nearly all muscle) is not high on my list of favorite foods, but I was enjoying the experience profoundly. Food, drink and jokes eliminated any language barrier between us all and it was a wonderful and memorable experience.
Upon returning to where we left our rickshaw....it was GONE!
Our driver carefully peeked over the 20 ft embankment that led down to the watery rice fields and there was our rickshaw laying semi-submerged in 3 ft of water.

Cambodia is notorious for active landmines still strewn all over the countryside and I had seen with my own eyes many live cobra's being collected roadside in the rain, just a day before.
So as we embarked down towards the rice paddies into the water in the pitch darkness, I was well aware of the potential danger. (How fitting to get bitten by a snake shortly after eating one)

Luckily we retrieved our now wet rickshaw without incident, the 3 of us dragging it up a slippery hill to the road. Even more fortunate it started up and we were on our way back to civilization, another adventure to add to the list.
It wasn't until a few weeks later when I ate snake (cobra) again that I truly had reason to be scared for my life.
(but we'll get to that one later)

Up NEXT: Travel Diaries part 6
Photo Essay
A visit to the Phnom Penh dump and the children who live there.

Cambodia- Culinary Curiosities Part 1

2010-12-16T14:11:00.000-08:00

Travel Diaries Part 4

Spiders for Breakfast & Snakes for Dinner

There are 2 types of people in the world...

Those who will eat a tarantula and those who will not.

In my own mind, its about more than just eating a spider...it's a testament to "am I willing to step outside my self". Fear can be a good thing, but when its superficial I enjoy facing it head on.
I am a tarantula eater.
Here are variety of other culinary curiosities of Cambodia that I enjoyed.
Spiders for Breakfast

On the bus ride from Siam Reap (Ankgor Wat) to Phnom Penh (Killing fields & Toul Sleng) the bus stopped at a roadside village market. As I wandered around looking for something to eat for breakfast, the air was filled with mysterious and exotic spices.
The exotic aroma's clung to the humid morning air and called out to my senses.
As I perused the cultural culinary delights one can only find in a remote village in Cambodia...I noticed something I had never seen on any menu, anywhere in the world, tarantula.

Equally surprising, people were buying them.
However before I got my chance I was back on the bus as it was time to leave.
As I sat staring at the goat and 2 chickens also riding the bus, I felt disappointed having missing my chance to try tarantula. That's when I noticed something strange...a man eating spiders in the seat across the aisle. A local Cambodian man has a bag of them and snacking on the tarantula's as if they were potato chips. He noticed my less than subtle intrigue as I stared..."Would you like one?

"I was elated by the man's kind offer "Yes, please" I said
He handed me a tarantula, it looked exactly like a live one would, big thick body, long legs and sharp prickly hairs standing on end.
"Do people really eat these things?" I asked
"Cambodian's eat everything" the man replied as he placed the next hairy arachnid in his mouth.
I turned to my friend Jeff who was sitting next to me and uttered a trip mantra that I often repeated.
"I didn't come all the way to Cambodia to be afraid of new things"
As the man generously shared his bag of tarantula's with us, that morning I had spiders for breakfast.

Here are a few other culinary curiosities that found their way to my plate while in Cambodia.


I have no idea what these are but I still ate them. Taste is slightly bitter and salty, texture is tough & crunchy.

Crickets: Taste salty with a slight sweetness, texture is crunchy and light.

Cambodia- Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields )

2010-12-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

Travel Diaries Cambodia part 3
The Killing Field images

History
The term "Killing Fields" in Cambodia refers to a number of sites used by the Khmer Rouge to kill and bury nearly 2 million men, women and children between 1975-1979.
Choeung Ek is the most notorious "killing field, as it was used as an execution site/mass grave site for the prisoners of Tuol Sleng.
Many were forced to dig their own shallow graves before being bludgeoned to death.
Most met their end with pick axe's, hoe's and shovels in order to conserve ammunition.

Upon arrival

As I walked onto the dirt path, there was a light breeze slipping through the deathly stillness.
An intense aura of sacred respect for those all those who perished here swept over me in silence.
The still scarred earth, marked by numerous shallow graves, a witness to a horror not yet healed.

The signs posted told of the chilling inhumanity and the human remains nearby served as their own shocking silent witnesses.
One such sign posted on a large tree, known as a"Killing tree", which told of children and infants who were killed by having their heads bashed against the trunks of the tree.
A pile of their bones lay nearby.

My camera, though around my neck, was a million miles away.
All of my awareness gripped by the cold harsh inhumanity that is genocide.

I left the killing fields with less than 20 photographs, lost in my head, trying to make sense of that which one cannot make sense of.

All images ©ChadHillPhoto
A commemorative Stupa filled with the skulls of the victims at Choeung Ek.

Skulls

"A Killing tree"

Bones of children found near the "killing tree"

Choeung Ek is located near Phnom Penh and is now a Buddhist memorial site to those that died.
Remains are still being unearthed and recovered today.

To view additional images of Cambodia by me visit
http://www.chadhillphoto.com/travel

Cambodia- Tuol Sleng

2010-12-13T14:14:00.000-08:00

Cambodia-Prisoners of Tuol Sleng

Travel Diaries Cambodia part 2

After the Killing Fields, next I visited Tuol Sleng which translates to "Hill of the Poisonous Trees".
Also known as S21, this former high school was turned into a prison by the Khmer rouge.
Innocent men, women and children were brought here on various inane charges.
Once they arrived they were interrogated, tortured and then killed.
They were also photographed at each of these stages.

Ammunition at the time was scarce, so few met their end easily or quickly.

Of the 17,000 who entered here, only 7 are known to have survived.

The Photo's:
Included are my images of some of the photographs (interrogation phase only)of prisoners sentenced to death.
The words are their words, transcribed by the Khmer rouge from the interrogations.
The original photo's were taken by the Khmer Rouge as well.
The words I photographed using a macro lens to isolate certain parts of their stories.

A woman with her child

Child prisoners of Tuol Sleng

A carving on the wall at Tuol Sleng (below)

To view additional images of Cambodia by me visit

http://www.chadhillphoto.com/travel

The Khmer Rouge

2010-12-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

A brief history note on the Khmer Rouge.

"The Rouge..what? Who are they?"

The Khmer Rouge was the ruling political party in Cambodia from 1975-1979.

They used genocide as a tool of social engineering and sought to abolish all free market and enforced complete self-sufficiency. Schools, hospitals, banks and religion were all closed/banned.
Monks, teachers, doctors, artists or anyone even perceived as educated or even literate was immediately killed.

The remaining population was forced into labor camps and all their possessions confiscated.
If anyone dared to object or failed to comply in any way, you were killed...or worse.

Sending you to Tuol Sleng, would be one option worse than death...there they would be tortured until they signed a false confession.
As part of your confession prisoners were also required to implicate all friends, family members, neighbors and everyone else they knew as also being guilty of treason.
Those people (even children) were then brought to the prison, tortured and killed.

The Khmer Rouge fell from power due to Vietnamese military intervention in Dec 1978.
They remained in control of certain strong holds as guerrillas until 1998.

Travel Diaries-Cambodia Killing fields

2010-12-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

Travel Diaries # 1-Moments that change you.
It's rare in life when someone captures your image in the midst of a personal life changing moment.
The kind of moment that not only changes how you see the world but also challenges your perception of self.
Such experiences leave their indelible mark deep within you.
This is one occasion where I had just such an experienced while in Cambodia.

Gun Range -Phnom Penh Cambodia (9/13/2006)

I ll never forget the thunderous explosion and violent kick of firing a fully automatic AK-47.

Fire flashing from its barrel, the gun roared as I pressed all of my nearly 200lb and 6'3 frame into it, unleashing a hail of bullets down range.

It came coupled with an electric rush of adrenaline and testosterone that swept over me and I asked my friend Jeff to take this picture of me. I felt like Rambo...I was so cool.

Killing Fields- Phnom Penh Cambodia

Immediately after the above image was taken...... we jumped into the rickshaw with excitement and fervor.
Our rickshaw driver(who brought us to the gun range) took us a few minutes down the road to "The Killing Fields".
Known as a site where the evil Khmer rouge who ruled Cambodia committed genocide in the 1970's. As we walked through the mass graves of the killing fields, the horror was palpable, it was both chilling and unspeakable.
"How are humans even capable of doing something like this?" I asked myself .

Just then I turned on my camera to see how many photo's I had left and saw the image of me posing with the AK-47 moments before.

I could still hear the gunshots from the shooting range nearby, each one sent ice through my blood as I stood paralyzed and stared at the image (above) on my camera.
My emotions cut through me like knife, "so cool, just like Rambo"...intense shame and disgust swept over me.

Jeff must have seen it in my eyes, because he took the camera from my hands and shot this photo of me (below)

As we somberly walked back to where our rickshaw driver was waiting for us, the weight of melancholy hung densely in the humid air. We sat in silence in the back of the rickshaw, no one spoke.

Finally the rickshaw driver spoke....

"Now you know why I take you to the gun range first, because no one go to shooting range after killing fields"

Photographs courtesy of Jeff Lee

...my own new images of Cambodia coming soon

To view additional images of Cambodia by me visit

http://www.chadhillphoto.com/travel

The Taj- Ancient Print

2010-12-09T01:07:00.000-08:00

Limited edition sepia version of "The Taj" available soon (at secret gallery shows and online)
Stay tuned....
image ©ChadHillPhoto.com

Thailand- Ko Tao

2010-12-09T00:52:00.000-08:00

I arrived here at sunset...I planned to stay 3-4 days, then off to Cambodia.
21 days later, I left...totally renewed.
Just what I needed...thank you Ko Tao.

au natural

Disney concert hall- Los Angeles

2010-12-09T00:37:00.000-08:00

This image used to be on my places of spiritual stillness website but no longer.....it needed a new place to live. All images © ChadHillPhoto

Costa Rica- #6

2010-12-09T00:32:00.000-08:00

Amazing are the places one visit's, but even more so are the people you meet...
...somehow they stay with you.
That means something

Costa Rica- Faith

2010-12-09T00:23:00.000-08:00

Costa Rica-Manuel Antonio National Park

2010-12-09T00:21:00.000-08:00

Unretouched, real and simply tranquil....Oh how I love this place.....

Oahu- Hawaii

2010-12-07T15:31:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I like to create in a style different than my usual approach.
This one reminds me of a song that I love...

Thanjavur-India

2010-12-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

During my 2nd trip to India in March of 2009, I traveled to Thanjavur India.
I went there to see the Raja Raja Chola Temple, which is said to be a parent temple to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Alex Hoffman

2010-12-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

A portrait of photographer and best friend Alex Hoffman.
She stepped in for a "light test" while photographing my dear friend & actor Oren Dayan.
The resulting image below turned out to be a great shot of her.

Thailand-Bangkok Wat Phra Kaew

2010-12-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

Thailand has many beautiful temples.

Much of my time in Bangkok was spent exploring & photographing them.

Leh Ladakh- Mountainscape

2010-12-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

This is the most beautiful place I've ever been to.

Joshua Tree - California

2010-12-04T03:01:00.000-08:00

I have fond memories of photographing Joshua Tree National Park.
It is a place that felt comfortable and natural, yet foreign and mysterious.
Some juxtapositions create a beautiful balance.

Travel card design

2010-12-04T02:50:00.000-08:00

This week my travel work has found it's voice...I officially start to market my travel images in addition to my commercial work. Here is my very first travel photography business card.

Mask - Ladakh India

2010-12-04T02:36:00.000-08:00

While traveling in India, every region possesses its own unique cultural idenity.
Food, art, customs and even local gods and deities can vary from one region to the next.

Ladakh is a place where such aforementioned diversity is most pronounced.
The culture is Tibetan, it's people Buddhist and the land pristine and mountainous.

Angkor Wat (Bayon)- Siam Reap Cambodia

2010-12-03T15:04:00.000-08:00

Often I'm asked "what is your favorite place that you've been to?

I have different favorites for different reasons.

Angkor Wat is one of my top few favorites and is the most beautiful man made structure I have ever seen by far.

Halong Bay- Vietnam

2010-12-02T16:29:00.000-08:00

The emerald jade waters of Halong bay posses a serenity and a beauty that are truly unique as well as memorable. To see more of my images of Vietnam and other places visit http://chadhillphoto.com/travel/

My Dear Friend Swapnil Rothe

2010-12-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

Travel diaries: Friends I've met along the way.
Swapnil Rothe

In life...some people you don't talk to often, but you think of them often.

When you think of them, maybe thousands of miles away...you smile and they remind you that the world has great good within it.
This true of Swapnil, as he is someone who is most honorable and great.

He saved me from the train bombings on my first day of my first trip to India.

He housed me, treated me as family and showed me friendship from the moment we met.
He made me laugh and made sure that each time I have come to India that I visit the most amazing places and he gives the world's best advice.

He saved me from certain disaster on my 2nd trip to India. (more on this later)

Swapnil Rothe is not only a great friend, but truly wonderful human being.
He lives in Mumbai India with his wife and his son Rudra.
He is also a great photographer, click here to see some of his work.

Happy to be here

2010-12-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

I take pictures of myself on rare occasion...but when I am traveling I always create self portraits
(below I m in Costa Rica).

If I was a psychologist maybe I'd say I do it because it personifies my self image as I wish to see it. (I love to travel and think its cool)

To see amazing images by a photographer who explores reality and the inner self with self portraits (as opposed to my self aggrandized self snapshots) check out my best friend Alex Hoffman's blog.

Angkor Wat- Siam Reap Cambodia

2010-12-02T02:46:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this place!
I created many pictures at Angkor Wat, however I ll never forget when my shutter clicked this frame.

The power of peace and overwhelming presence of stillness swept over me at this moment (5:30 am as the sunrises inside this ancient holy structure) I created this image, then immediately submitted to its awe inspiring peace. This is one of my "happy places".

To see more of my Angkor Wat images go to http://chadhillphoto.com/travel/

Air port San Jose -Costa Rica

2010-12-02T01:56:00.000-08:00

This is the last picture I took in Costa Rica.
The first or last image I create in a country while traveling always feels personally significant & powerful for me.

The first image because, I remember my arrival and first impressions vividly.
The last image because, it reminds me of all that I loved about a place and instantly re-connects me to that place.

Costa Rica was amazing!

The Headshot & My Friend Oren

2010-11-30T17:29:00.000-08:00

CREATIVE TIP #1 -STEP OUTSIDE YOUR BOX!

If you are a photographer, especially in Los Angeles you are no doubt familiar with "The Headshot".

Some photographers, may hear the word "headshot" and think...
1. Easy
2. Less than exciting
...or at least I have been guilty of thinking that a time or so.

Just recently my dear friend and phenomenal actor Oren Dayan reminded me of something important that I think all creatives need to be mindful of.

FIND NEW WAYS TO STEP OUTSIDE YOUR BOX!

Its true, at some point or another, many of us set boundaries for ourselves.

The lesson I learned, came when Oren asked me to photograph in the style of another photographer.

First I photographed him with what I think of as a "traditional headshot" style, the classic straight forward headshot that every actor needs.

Next I photographed him taking using a more studio/commercial approach by using strobes...which is my usual approach...so we decided to push the boundaries.

The idea was to create something more visually stylized.
An image that would resemble a movie poster for Twilight/True blood, while still being a headshot.
I love the result and I always enjoy exploring new color palette's and retouch styles in Photoshop.

Where I stepped outside of my own box was when Oren asked me to create in the style of another photographer. One whose images looked like scenes from a movie, very natural feeling candid images while still being a headshot.

This inspired me, as I had never tried that before..the challenge called out to me and we created some images that I'm really very happy with, and i never would have shot them this way if he had not inspired me to do so.

I believe its not just rising above the big obvious challenges creatively and in life...but the challenges ones we face daily as well.

I would not have pushed myself past this boundary if it had not been for my friend Oren and my desire to create some great images for him.

So my advice for you is....Step outside of your box today, create something new, explore...let your inner creator grow.

"You get by with a little help from your friends"

A day in the life of a Photographer

2010-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Many of you have asked me to include a creative & technical tips as a part of this upcoming blog project and so I have decided to do just that.

Some will take the form of detailed tutorials others will take the form of creative philosophy.
It is my hope that you will enjoy them all.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions drop me an email at chad@chadhillphoto.com

India- Places of Spritual Stillness

2010-11-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

A day in the life of a Photographer

2010-11-10T16:41:00.000-08:00

At first I assumed this project would simply be about my current day to day.

Upon reviewing many of my trip images, I realized I have many images from the stories I returned with.
Below are just a few of the days that I have diary entries for and images to go along with the stories.

India 2006- July 11
"Welcome to India with a 7 bomb blast!"
Narrowly escaping the 7 train bombings my first day in India after spending nearly the entire day at the train station. My friend Swapnil saved me!

Thailand 2006- July 4th & 5th
"X Rated Independence day"
Pat-Pong show prostitutes plus my first Muay Thai experience.

India 2009- March 15
"Drugged....It couldn't happen to me"
Being drugged in an attempted robbery ( I have pictures of the man who drugged me)
4 days of hell that followed after being poisoned.

PLUS...Many more
Highlights from Costa Rica, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, India trip 1 & 2 plus daily life here in Los Angeles.

Stay tuned...

The very 1st image I shot on my 6 month trip

-From my hotel window Bangkok July 5th 2006

Travel- India Revisited

2010-11-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

Day in the Life of a Photographer

2010-10-27T23:54:00.000-07:00

An ongoing series, a peek inside the life of a freelance photographer.
As the last few months, I have been in great demand within the photo industry, I ve realized it is time to share a behind the scenes peek inside my world.

WHAT:
A real account of what it means to be a small business owner/photographer in Los Angeles.
Well read, well educated, well traveled & fully armed with the skills needed and a "Never say die" mind set. This is as real as it gets.

Why?:
In an effort to share what it is I do, keep a visual/written record of it and share my inspirations & triumphs.

WHEN: Once a week (for at least the next month) once a week, I ll give a 24 hour account of life as I know it.

Day in the life of....begins Nov 2010.
STAY TUNED!

Day 2- Buddha and the Samurai

2010-10-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

On o

Day 1- Los Angeles

2010-10-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

Bolt Barbers- Hot on Yelp Art Walk 2010

2010-10-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Muay Thai fight!! OCT 21 2011!!!

2010-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Get your Tickets now for M-One Grand The BEST of Thailand vs The Best of the US @ Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles on OCT 21 2011

Get tickets here, DO NOT MISS this AMAZING EVENT!!

Stepping outside the box

2010-09-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Travel-Los Angeles

2010-09-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

Travel Nebraska Vintage Heartland-Series

2010-09-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Each image is a combination of 2 images I shot in Wahoo, Ceresco and Lincoln Nebraska