Journey with Janelle » Photography

Photo of the Month: September 2011

Janelle K. Eagle — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:59:11 +0000

While trekking around Angkor Wat, many children spend their afternoons watching the tourists walk by. This little girl was swinging on a nearby vine and proved to be just as picturesque as the ancient ruins surrounding her.

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Photo of the Month: August 2011

Janelle K. Eagle — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:00:59 +0000

This was one of those moments where I was so happy that I brought my Canon G12 with me as I was walking around Waikiki. With a free public hula show on the beach nightly at sunset, it’s clear that the Hawaiian Tourism Authority knows what it’s doing. I happened to catch the dancer and musician in silhouette, but couldn’t be more thrilled with the halo around the sunset and the added mystique of the glowing outdoor spotlights. The clouds and palm trees played their parts beautifully in this composition. To see more photos from my trip to Hawaii, CLICK HERE.

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Venice, Italy in Photos

Janelle K. Eagle — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:17:58 +0000

I recently stumbled across some long-forgotten photos from my trip to Venice, Italy in the winter of 2009. It was a freezing trip- but the city could not have been more beautiful. Check out the slideshow:

If you receive an error message, click HERE to view on my Flickr Photostream.

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# 70: Returning to Israel

Janelle K. Eagle — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:18:13 +0000

Janelle is Israel, Summer 2011

Part of the goal in creating my “Life To Do List,” was to manifest certain dreams into achievable, tangible existence. There are lofty goals included on the list, some of them requiring great funds, great bravery, and great luck. Crossing off #70 from the list (Revisit Israel) was purely the latter option.

Being Jewish is something that I’m openly proud of. I am active in the Jewish community of Los Angeles, and am even a featured writer for “Oy Gay,” a blog in the Jewish Journal in which I speak about the cross section of my identities. One of the greatest hopes that many a Jew can have is a chance to visit the land of Israel.

Janelle & Friends in Israel, Summer 1999

I visited Israel when I was 14 years old with a group of 118 of my peers from the San Francisco Bay Area. We spent six weeks gallivanting about the country (which is the same size as the state of New Jersey). I snorkeled in the Red Sea, floated in the Dead Sea, spent a week training with the Israeli Army, and made memories that have stayed with me for over a decade.

Longing to return to the country that has changed so much in the 12 years since I was last there, I never dreamed I’d get to travel for free when I added this item to my Life To Do List almost three years ago. You can imagine my surprise and gratitude when I was asked to bring 40 young Jews to Israel with me on a Birthright trip. This amazing organization sends Jews to Israel in order to inspire and connect them to their heritage. Did I mention everyone travels for free? My passion for Judaism and inclusion could not have made me a more willing staff member.

I can’t explain the joy that I felt during the 10 days that I traveled in Israel this month. I can’t explain how all of the pieces seemed to come together to make an unimaginably supportive environment: open minded travelers, passionate guides, giving soldiers, and devoted staff. We got the whole kitten caboodle on our trip and the beauty of the country was the icing on the cake.

I will be writing multiple posts about Israel in the coming weeks, but for now, feast your eyes on the best of the best in photography from my recent trip. And thank you so much to Birthright for asking me to be a part of something so amazing.

If you are a Jew between the ages of 18-26 and want to visit Israel for free, visit Birthright and register for the trip at:

http://www.birthrightisrael.com

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Photo of the Week 1/21/11

Janelle K. Eagle — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:54:09 +0000

Photo of the Week 1/14/11

Janelle K. Eagle — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:00:07 +0000

I’ve got a great camera, but not the best camera. As a result, I get very disappointed on a regular basis when the lens doesn’t seem to capture the colors of the world as my eyes do. In this picture, I was ecstatic to see that the beautiful yellow/green of the fallen leaf shown in all its glory. Juxtaposed with the steel gray of the background and the composition in the frame with scattered brush, I love the way this picture turned out. Courtesy of SF Golden Gate Park.

Photo of the week 1/7/11

Janelle K. Eagle — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:30:15 +0000

This week’s photo comes to us from my travels in Hong Kong. The city is situated on a very steep island and is consistently modern in its appearance with high rise buildings cutting in line for your view of the mountaintop. Ironically, on “Hollywood Road” there is an ancient temple called Man Mo that business-suit-clad residents briefly stop into before their days’ business. In the center of the temple is this array of incense spires that you see pictured here. The lighting was pretty spectacular that day and the smoke added a nice affect for the camera.

Photo of the Week 12/21/10

Janelle K. Eagle — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:39 +0000

For this picture, I have to give the majority of credit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for good lighting and incredible skeletal reconstruction. I recently revisited the aquarium with my mother and godfather and joined all the small children in being in complete awe of all that the water has to offer. It tooks quite a few takes to get this shot because I could not use a flash, so I’m ecstatic that the skeleton appears “floating” in frame, just as it did in its tank at the aquarium.

Namaste from Nepal

Janelle K. Eagle — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:01:18 +0000

There is something about this place… the smell of incense mixed with ancient dust, the stares that turn into smiles with the greeting of “Namaste,” the way the children seek knowledge as though nothing more could bring them happiness… I’m not sure, but it is magic.

Returning to a country that I love so much has been more than fulfilling for me. I wake up, look out a window and see prayer flags flying in the breeze. I spend my days with camera in hand and attempt to capture the stories of children who’s lives inspire me. By night I watch the sunset reflect off the snow-white Himalayas and breathe in the honor that has been bestowed on me to witness all of this.

It is not always easy to do this work. Within 24 hours of my arrival I was gravely ill and lost a night of sleep to the dreaded Delhi Belly sickness. Our gear is constantly in use and thus constantly in need of recharging, but the inconstant and pouty electrical system refuses to keep us charged. Our equipment is not as reliable as it is when plugged in at home with a Best Buy nearby in case of technical difficulties. I had to ask my colleague tonight to remind me that I love the challenge. And I do.

What I am incapable of putting into words is how much this means to me to be here. I was accidentally introduced to Nepal just over one year ago and to be here again supporting the children of this country feels both overwhelming and dreamlike. To be tasked with the responsibility of capturing the images and feeling of a country and a people that are so giving, so open, and so inspirational is often lost on me. I know it is impossible to truly “get” just how amazing it is, so I have to trust that what I bring to your eyes is in itself worthwhile. I wish you all could be here with me to witness it with your own lens.

In the meantime, I gift to you some of the images that my lens has captured:

Photo of the Week 12/14/2010

Janelle K. Eagle — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:00:47 +0000

While Sin City is known more for its debauchery than for its more redeeming qualities (such as fantastic food and entertainment), I am always amazing by the amount of electricity the city uses. This photo was taken on the new Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. I could get lost in this picture trying to find all the nooks and crannies that fit into one frame.