View from the pad

View from the pad, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

This post finds me chilling out on the porch here at the Pirates Cove Tiki bar here in the Bahamas. In just a few minutes, I will be heading out on a boat to another Island to catch a plane to do a fly-over of the event sites we are working on to capture the setup. Should be kinda cool!

As far as the image, this has been our view from the wraparound patio at the guest house my crew and I have called "camp Hylite" for the past week.

With spotty internet service coupled with really long days, my posts have been a bit limited, so look for more updates soon.

Bahamas....day 1

Well, we are off and running here in the ole' Caribbean. Although we intended on beginning the day first thing in the morning, a bit of a snaggle with the container deliver put us right back on island time LOL. A 1:15PM start put us a weee bit behind, but my stellar team put it into high gear and I think we are back on track. Internet is a bit spotty except for the little bars down by the harbor, so don't expect too many updates. I had this wacky idea that I was going to be able to update with a video post every night. HAAAAA.....not gonna happen, sorry. I am getting a bunch of clips as we progress though, so I can only guess that an epic video might appear on this blog someday, so stay tuned. As I type this, the waves are splashing off to the right side of me and the cool Bahamian breeze reminds me of how lucky I am to have been chosen for this project. More to follow soon :)

A playground of images - wedding details

A playground of images - wedding details, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I've often referred the the business I am in (providing lighting and effects for special events) as getting the chance to play with a really big toy box filled with goodies. I know, kinda silly, but its felt that way since the beginning. This season, more that average, has found us lighting quite a bit of weddings. It seems only natural that I approach these environments with my camera like a playground.....with goodies to photograph all around me. I know, REALLY silly. Speaking of silly, check out the video I uploaded this evening. I don't know where I could have possibly thought that I would have the time to video blog from the event in the Bahamas we are leaving for in the AM, but I decided to record an intro video this afternoon. Well, an on camera talent I am NOT! As I looked over the clips for a shred of anything useful, I realized that what I had actually created was a bunch of out-takes. Check in out if ya get a chance. Lets hope it gets better as the week goes on!

In the wine caves

In the wine caves, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change. ~Charles Horton Cooley

I've been quite fortunate to have traveled this great world for both pleasure and for work. Although tonight's post is from one of those carefree explorations of Europe that I love so much, my focus now is gearing up for a pretty cool trip up ahead. I must say, its always rewarding when a client decides to trek our team out of the country, and although the Bahamas is a quick 1 hour hop across the Atlantic pond, its still kinda cool!

Tomorrow will be a bit of a packing, gathering, and a last minute collection of clothes, camera gear, and computer gear for a 1 week destination wedding that we are lighting in the Caribbean. As I did on the last event, I will try to blog a bit as we progress thru the setup and complete the events. I am sure we are in for a few challenges on this one, but thats what we look forward to. Check back soon for more fun :)

A bit of tasting in the Wine Celler - Beunne, France

A bit of tasting in the Wine Celler - Beunne, France, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I must admit, I'm one of those types that absolutely loves a great glass of wine, but has no real interest in the research that one might take to really understand the art of the product. I just don't have the time. So although I have no idea what I am tasting, that surely should not stop me from exploring the great cellars in France, right? This place in a town called Beunne was really sweet. Barrels placed throughout the various rooms in this dark and cavernous cellar had bottles placed atop with candles to add a bit of ambience. Very cool indeed! The result? As there were not too many tourists there at the time, I received a fantastic lesson and kind of a private sampling of a few "special" wines. And yes, all this before lunch LOL!

Moonwalking in Denver

Moonwalking in Denver, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

So, while walking on the moon the other day, I ahhh ..... WAIT A MINUTE HERE MIKE... the moon?

Having gotten a brief update on an event I will be heading working on in Denver around mid July, I decided to look over some of the images I grabbed on the last trip out there. On a side note, I could spend the better part of a lifetime processing the vast hard drive of images I have captured from various locals around the world! That being said, I am not really sure why in the world I chose this one.....or where this post is even going actually....

I have this insatiable appetite to explore. To see more of the world is indeed high on my bucket list...way up there! That intense desire is what ultimately drove me each and every morning before call time while working a bit on the DNC event in Denver to head off with the rental car. On this particular outing zig zagging up the Rockies, the air got a bit thin....really thin! As I got out of the car and bumbled about a bit, half gasping for air, I took notice of this particularly strange cloud formation happening over this R2D2 looking observatory. Kinda cool? Maybe not.....

God Beams over West Palm Beach - and a search for enlightenment

God Beams over West Palm Beach - and a search for enlightenment, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

During one of those o' so few evenings when the South Florida sky just opens up and screams at you, I decided to fly out the door and capture some of natures enlightenment. Sure, the camera sensor doesn't really see what I see, or in this case, what I wanted to see, but thats what post is for. Color, light, great music on the Ipod, and a sense of accomplishment from the day....thats about all you need sometimes.
So, on a somewhat related note, I feel like linking to a video I recieved today. As you must know by now, this blog has never been much of a source for ideas or product endorsements, but I really felt like sharing it. Life sometimes has a way of presenting you with challanges, or as I like to see it, opportunities for self growth disguised as hurdles. Since my divorce, I have been on a full on feast of self growth knowledge. There is no one that seems to cover all these areas that, lets face it, we can all use improvement in, as well as this cat I found called Brian Johnson. His debute product called Philosophers Notes (google it), is a buffet of knowledge and selfgrowth wisdom. Kind of like a cliff notes creation of 100 of his favorite reads while on a sabaticle in Fiji (man, thats sounds cool doesn't it?), he indeed pours his heart into this product. It has been my "Go To" folder on the ole' Ipod for sometime now. In fact, I can't think of a better way to start the day that with one of his delicious 20 minute morsels of insight. A great fuel for the mind for sure. Well, as you can see from the link to a video below, he has an other product out that looks kinda cool too. So, I ask you, what have you fed your mind today?

http://www.optimalliving101.com/why

Driftwood on the Talbot

Driftwood on the Talbot, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Hey....sorry....I snuck off for a couple of days! I guess I should have mentioned it. I appreciate the daily visits by those who do, so I promise to keep em coming this week.

I stumbled a bit about this coastline while on our event up in Amelia Island and although the lighting wasn't perfect, I knew there was an image or two I could create in post.

More tk......

Exploring Paris

Exploring Paris, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Moroccan Party Collage

Moroccan Party Collage, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Everyday brings its little challenges. I like to look at them as opportunities to learn and grow. That's of course easy to say when everything works out in the end as today did. Actually, it was a smashing success I must add. Lighting an event of any size on the beach has its obvious obstacles, but the biggest one of course when the sun sets at 8:30PM and the event starts at 6:30PM. There's no easy way, at least not one that I know of, to dim the sun to check lighting levels and focus. So of course, thats when you rely on your gut and do the best you can. As luck has it, we hit this one out of the park!

Thanks team. You all rocked out there today!

Colors of the night

Colors of the night, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Set it up....four hours later, tear it down. Done so many times it all becomes a blur.

I created this image from an event we are on this week. Tomorrows event sets up in a few hours, (on the beach mind you) and well, I still have a bit o' late night work to get done so....till then, hope you like this quick lil' creation :)



Here a quick and noisy video from the event as well. I'll post a few more images soon, so check back later :)

Sunset on the Talbot

Sunset on the Talbot, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

There's a beauty in decay if you look for it.....and this evening, I found it. This cool area up here near the site we are working at has a lot to explore. Not sure why the beach is so populated with these full size trees that appeared to have been ripped off of the fragile coast. Massive trunks, root systems, twisted branches and complete trees.....some in what appeared to be their prime. Kinda strange, but they seemed happy :)

A colorful end to a colorful day

A colorful end to a colorful day, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Seems like I'm on a constant quest for light. Whether its from an instrument I use to paint with light in a room for an event, an image I capture in my travels that I refine and fine tune in the digital darkroom, or a philosophy that I embrace from my library of self growth books and CD's, it seems to be a constant theme here.

I've kinda struggled a bit lately with the real direction of this little blog of mine. It started out as just a little dumping ground for images and thoughts I felt like throwing out there from my travels and work projects, and well, that's what it still is. I guess there's nothing really wrong with that. I do have a vision of a few little tutorials I might create in the not too distant future as well as a little bit of a peak into that self growth library of mine. Seems like so many people I deal with are at a point in their lives......be it from life changes, divorces, setbacks, career changes, financial challenges....where they are stepping back and looking into what its all about. You know....your true purpose, life vision, deepest wishes, spiritual direction, real calling....you know, little things like that (lol!) I guess I notice that a bit more, cause well, I'm there too.

They say, when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. Perhaps I have had my head in the sand for the past 15 years or so. Totally focused on work while I let part of the real me suffer. Do I have all the answers yet? Well, of course not.....does anyone? Having said that, I hope to share a few thoughts and recommendations over the next few weeks or so from my journey so far.

So I guess its pretty clear now....light, light, and more light.....hope u like :) (and of course a few random rambles about nothing at all!)

A walk in Shanghai

A walk in Shanghai, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

During my visit to Shanghai, the city was in the process preparing for the Worlds Fair and Expo. Its kinda cool to see all the images coming out of that part of the world now. Cool new structures, vibrant colors, and technical wizardry to say the least. What a great destination to head to over the next few months!

While the world stage was being set, I decided to dig a bit deeper into the grungier part of the city......in Old Shanghai.

Banyon on the Bike Trail - and a Sunfest 2010 wrap-up video

Banyon on the Bike Trail - and a Sunfest 2010 wrap-up video, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Well, the end of another great Sunfest weekend has about come to a close. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this one more that any I can recently remember. Although the music was quite lame and the food had a lot to be desired (unless you actually were looking for a full on artery block.....I mean, is it too much to ask for a fruit, vegetable, or salad ANYWHERE in this festival?) sorry, I'm back.....where was I now? Did I finish that sentence? Never mind...

For me, it was a few things. The time off (finally), the art booths (I always love seeing artists give their gift to the world, and of course best of all, the precious time with my child. I look forward to next year!

Here's a quick little wrap up of the fireworks finale' of the event. Enjoy :)

Phillips Point in West Palm Beach

Phillips Point in West Palm Beach, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

"Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are." - Chinese Proverb

That being said, its been really great taking a few hours here and there to really unplug, hang out with my little one, and bumble about the local arts and music festival. Although the music hasn't really been my cup of tea, the precious time spent with a loved one is what its been all about for me. (guess I'll have to head to Europe to catch the music I REALLY want to hear LOL!)

As far as the image, its a little taste of downtown West Palm Beach.....home of Sunfest 2010!