After the summer off, it's time to challenge myself with photography classes. Photography classes inspire me to look to different source materials and refine my vision with different subjects. In preparation, I upgraded my tripod - my old Velbon couldn't support the weight of the 5D with a zoom lens - got a really cool Gitzo. This fall I'm taking two classes at BetterPhoto.com: Impact in Your Photographs: The Wow Factor Street and People Photography

Betsie Hidalgo and Karen Simon threw an Olympics inspired fundraiser at the Red Devil Lounge. Photos are now available .

Ever wonder where the photos you and others give a thumbs up to go? Wonder no more! Check out where your favorite photo ranks at View Fan Favorites .

San Franciscans came out last night to raise funds for Spark . Spark seeks to build a community of young, global citizens who are invested in changing patterns of inequality that impact women throughout the world. While dancing to the tunes of Livewire , Spark also educated partygoers. Some facts, I didn't know, that I learned last night: 1 in every 4 households is now headed by a woman. Women are often paid 30-40% less than men for comparable work. In most countries, women perform approximately twice as much unpaid labor as men. Of the 185 highest-ranking diplomats to the United Nations, only 7 are women. Of the world's nearly 1 billion illiterate adults, two-thirds are women. Some photos from last night are now live . More to come later!

Treat yourself to a weekend getaway before the school season is back in full swing and come out to the Black Oak Casino this Saturday. Livewire will be performing 3 sets from 9pm to 12:30 in The Willow Creek Lounge. Hike during the day in nearby parks and get your boogie on at night! I'll be there taking photos of the band and crowd. Check out the photos from Livewire's last show at Black Oak Casino. If you come out, be sure to get your photo taken with the band. Don't feel like leaving the city to hear Livewire? And, want to support a great cause? Get your tickets now to see Livewire at Red Devil Lounge, Thursday, September 18, 2008. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Doors open at 7:30 pm and Livewire performs from 9pm - 11:30. Also, 100% of all purchased photo downloads and $1.00 from every purchased print goes to support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Get your ticket it early!

The Google Salsa Club started turning up the heat and Livewire kicked it up another notch. Even with a high of 92 degrees in Mountain View, Livewire had the crowd jumping. Photos of the Google Salsa Club as well as Livewire are now live .

Pricing and product options are effective as of September 6, 2008. Matt and Glossy Finishes Discontinued I will no longer be offering matte and glossy finishes; only lustre will be available through the online gallery. From SmugMug's Help, "lustre has a satin-like sheen and a modestly textured surface which you can see when the light angle is just right. Lustre paper is .71 mils thicker than gloss and matte." I prefer the feel and look of Kodak Endura to the Kodak paper used for the matte and glossy prints. Electronic Delivery thru SmugMug Online Gallery Only Delivery of digital files through email or FTP has been discontinued. Files can be purchased individually through the online gallery (available immediately upon payment) or on CD (available within 2 to 3 weeks of payment). CD with up to 100 high resolution JPEG images is still available for $50 plus sales tax and shipping. Additional images in increments of 100 can be added to the CD for $20 plus sales tax. Lower Per...