John's blog

I happened to look out the window one night and saw the thickest fog of the year at Camarillo. I hurried out with my camera. I normally do not use tripod when I take pictures for fun. This time, I brought my tripod because I had to take long exposures.

(FYI: I always carry a tripod when I go out for wedding gigs)

After taking several photographs around the clock tower, I was going to drive to different places. But the fog disappeared very fast.  I was lucky to save a few shots.

Old Town Camarillo looked amazing in the fog.

Happy Halloween Ventura County.  I hope you have a lot of fun.
Pumpkin patch in Camarillo, CA - at 101 Freeway Century off ramp (October 23, 2006). This is an amazing, fun place.  I had to stop whatever I was doing and drop by. 

Below picture was taken outside of Ralphs, October 8, 2006.  I made a 10"x13" print of this shot and hung it over the kitchen wall.  I enjoyed it a lot, then it fell off the wall while I was watching a horror movie.  I hung a cross in that same spot.  If that cross turns upside down by itself... 

As usual, Camarillo Plumbing lead an annual event for Old Town Camarillo.  This attracts a lot of young people (2-5 years olds who's too young to go out trick-or-treating at night)

Christmas here we come~!!

There is a famouse empty lot in Simi Valley at Los Angeles Avenue and Madera Road. Most of the time this place looks empty and useless.

But, this dirt ground is a huge part of Simi Valley. It holds various events such as carnival, pumpkin patch, Christmas tree sales, etc.. Their seasonal displays bring whimsical feeling to everyone. Simi Valley will not the same without this empty lot.

If you live in Santa Paula, you should know exactly where this is.
I love Santa Paula.  I get a lot of wedding photography clients from Santa Paula.
I took this shot as I was following the limo (in front).
I photographed a wedding at Santa Paula and I was on my way to the reception in Camarillo.

This is Rite Aid I go every Friday.
Rite Aid, like most drug chain stores, has a rebate program.
What makes Rite Aid my favorite, compared to the other drug stores, is that they have a really good online rebate system.  Everything can be done online, and you get the rebate checks fast.  There is one thing I do after shopping at Rite Aid.  After making purchase I do not open any packages until my rebate would get confirmed.  This usually takes 1-3 days. If, for some reason, my rebate doesn't get cleared, I will take back my products for a refund.  So far they've been 100% accurate with my rebate.

I took countless pictures of this Rite Aid.
Here is a fun shot. Click below picture for a panoramic image, you can see the entire store.

Photographer VenturaPhoto.com - Click for a SUPER Large Image

Photography note: This image pushes the limit of my cheap camera.  Detail is not very good.  Also, I had to pixelate the people inside the building.  I think I am not breaking any law, because I shot this image at the public place. At least that's what I learned at school. :)

Rite Aid, Camarillo
2550 LAS POSAS ROAD Camarillo, Camarillo 93010
Phone:(805) 482-2135
Website

Sav-on Drugs will become CVS Pharmacy. I took some pictures of this Sav-on at Carmen Drive before they changed the sign. Sav-on Drugs is not completely disappeared. Albertsons owns Sav-on Drugs.  Albertsons will keep Sav-on Drugs inside the Supermarkets.  All Sav-on Drug chain stores will become SVS Pharmacies.

When I was taking this picture, they were already remodeling the interior.

Update: March 2007, Now they are CVS/Pharmacy

I saw two cool cars today.
This yellow car was turning left at Arneill to Pickwick (to post office & fire station).
I didn't get the whole car, but it's still cool.

And I found this Evil Knievel (look-alike) pickup truck at Camarillo Town Center.

This Wal*mart is located at Rose Avenue and 101 Freeway at Oxnard.

I do not know the name of these trees/flowers.
The flowers seemed to be illuminated... the color was amazing. These flowers were everywhere in the parking lot.  (from Sam's Club to Wal*mart).

I took a few flash photographs.
First, I measured the exposure as I looked up to the sky (at Av mode).
Then I switched my camera to manual and set the shutter speed.
And I turned on the flash at the lowest power.

I am amazed at today's technology. My cheap camera can do practically anything.

Party store at Janss Marketplace, Thousand Oaks.

Krispy Kreme at Oxnard is now Closed. There is no Krispy Kreme in Ventura County anymore.  The nearest location is in Van Nuys.

I remember when they first opened the store around year 2000. After taking a bite of that hot glazed donut, there was no going back. They also had good coffee. They've been roasting coffee since 1937. I used to grind & brew Krispy Kreme coffee every morning before I go to work. I still have two Krispy Kreme coffee mugs.

I have 19 pictures to share with you. Some of the photographs below were taken in March 2003 & May 2006.  "After"  shots were taken August 9 2006.

Click pictures below for large images.

This is the tallest building in Ventura County that I know of.  It's Morgan Stanley Tower at Oxnard.  I'm trying to find the history about this building... but it's very difficult to find anything. 

More pictures from inside the building & looking down from top floor are located here.

Below image was taken at dusk, December 6th 2006 on my way up to the top floor

We just had the hottest (longest) heatwave in Ventura County. I was shopping at a warehouse store. There, I saw the first sign of Christmas. These three showmen sing and dance. They are very cute.

I wasn't even sure if I was allowed take pictures here, but I snapped two anyway.

It will be less than 4 more months, you will hear Christmas music everywhere.

I had a civic duty to do... a jury duty.

My juror badge, they made me to return it

I thought I was going to Ventura Courthouse, but I was called to report to Simi Valley (East County Courthouse).  Ventura Courthouse has wireless Internet connection for notebook computer users.  East County Courthouse (Simi Valley Civic Center) does NOT have wireless Internet connection.  I was a little disappointed, but it's OK.

I gave respectable time when I left home, but I ended up arriving at Simi Valley Civic Center 10 minutes late

23 Freeway was under construction to expend the lanes. I see more progress every time I drive by.  On top of it, there was an auto accident to slow us down even more.

On my lunch time, I went to Borders in Simi Valley so I would get online and keep in touch with my work. 

Here are some detail shots from Camarillo Fiesta 2007.
Every July, Camarillo holds Camarillo Fiesta & Street Fair.
This is a huge 3 days event starts on Friday evening to Sunday night.
A lot of people show up for Camarillo Fiesta.  We have rides, music, activities, vendors, fodd... and more. 

Click on pictures for larger images.