Details from Touch Floral - and a bit about some changes

Details from Touch Floral, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I've given a bit of thought to my blogging strategy recently. Blogging strategy....now that sound a bit strange doesn't it? Having a few irons in the fire tends to create a stream with no real direction. Perhaps that's ok I guess, but I think I am leaning towards a complete restructuring of things round here.

In an effort to simplify my life, I think I have actually complicated it a bit. Funny how that happens :) Having multiple interests and passions can sometimes find one driving down a few paths at the same time. Lighting, real estate investments, photography, travel...trying to keep it all on the track can be a bit maddening.....yikes!

So anyway, look for some big changes in the MDS site as well as the Hylite site soon. My plan is to keep the 2 kinda separate with their own individual direction and applicable posts. I have a few interesting products, tutorials, and goodies I am working on in the near future with my photography as well. Check out the blog for a place to sign up to be notified first!

As far as the image, I created this collage with a cool preset I created with lightroom. I plan on sharing a few tips like these and others in the newsletter!

Visions of a Journey

Visions of a Journey, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

In sharp contrast to my post last night, this evening has my mind wandering off to a mysterious location. I guess sometimes living in the "now" means taking a moment to craft the future. I have been holding off planning a trip for myself up until now. Not sure why actually. I guess it kinda hit me when I saw a little news clip about the president off on his vacation. With all that he has on his plate, the leader of the free world even finds the value in "uplugging and recharging." More to follow soon on this I am sure.....

This little collage is my little impressionistic vision of sorts. While waiting for a train on one of Europe's many quant train station platforms a couple of years ago, I spent a little time trying to capture my feelings with the camera. I love to listen to great music as I travel. Quite often, the world seems to unfold in a cinematic explosion of visuals while music on the Ipod from Pat Methany, Lyle Mays, or some other great artist helps to melodically score the scene for me.

For me, there is something unique about train travel. I have allowed my mind to wander off to areas deeper than air traffic or driving a car could ever permit. A kind of special therapeutic journey I guess......if you let it be.....

These images, for me, are also a bit symbolic of the feeling you get while waiting for the train to arrive. A new location awaits, a fresh experience is about to unfold. Somewhat unclear of the exact details of what will occur, you are quite clear about one thing......you ARE living in the now.......

Good grief, what am I rambling on about, ....... time to get some sleep....

More on all of this later....

Buildings in Boston, a unique perspective

Buildings in Boston, a unique perspective, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

You know, I've had this conversation with several people recently......about perception and perspective. I find it fascinating how several people can be in the same location at the same time, but yet see completely different things. This becomes quite apparent while with a group of photographers on say a workshop or a photowalk. I love looking at the images after one of these to see the perspective of another visualist. Although I knew I wanted create a unique perspective of this scene upon capture, I must admit that the real adventure truly happened in post while playing in photoshop. It will, however, open up my mind's eye while looking for new perspectives on future walks!

So, rambling on a bit more....

There seems to be an intense focus on positive thought and mind control recently (or at least, that I have noticed it more...once again, a perception). Certainly a process that I am working on as I continue my journey through life. I know that this down economy has hit a lot of people in a pretty hard way, but with every challenge comes an opportunity. I know this sounds like a lot of horse shit to some people, but its true. I can think of no better time in history to work hard on creating and visualizing the future you want for yourself. Through what appears to be a great need for this positive energy, there is an endless supply of great websites, books, and CD's to feed your mind.....so grab a plate and dig in. Feed your mind with the fuel it need to excel and propel yourself into the future you deserve!

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - General Session Lighting Looks

Son et' Lumiere Sunday - General Session Lighting Looks, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

This weeks Son et' Lumiere or Sound and light Sunday actually finds me on location. The summer season is usually the quiet one here in South Florida, but as luck would have it, I have three weeks of up and coming work. This week finds us on an event providing lighting for a corporate meeting and evening events for a company in the beauty industry. Our load-in today was quite smooth. Upon my initial walk into the ballroom here at Turnberry in Aventura, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my crew had already dumped the truck and were well on their way to organizing the sea of cases into organized areas. Ah yes, off to a great start!. Soon after the 8AM call for lighting and rigging, the audio and video trucks showed up. As this well oiled machine progressed thru the next 4 hours, the ballroom floor was cleared for the scenic and decor crew. An afternoon of touch up, cleanup, and patching took us to an on time dinner break. After dinner, a quiet lighting focus in a calm room void of all other departments. Just the way I like it! We even got a jump start on the install for tomorrow nights party lighting in another ballroom as well.

All in all, a great start to a great week. It was good fun working with my crew again. I am fortunate to have them join me on this one!

The shot above, or collage of images, is actually from the same clients meeting at this venue from 5 years ago. Wow, how time flys!

I am quite passionate about these events for the beauty industry as the producers create a very synergetic and creative environment to design in. As a creative eye in the look of the event, I am once again looking forward to the process over the next couple of days.
Events like these remind me of why I have been doing it for so long! More to come :)

A look at a close-up world of details just before the guests arrived

A look at a close-up world of details just before the guests arrived, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

As you may or may not know, my "regular gig" is providing lighting for specials events. On a typical event (like this morning), our team shows up at the crack of dawn. A mad scurry then takes place as lights are hung, cables run, hardware is placed, circuits are patched, lights are focussed....and thats just our department. Add in the layers of decorators, florists, caterers, musicians, and other various artisans and you have quite a symphony of talent! As a photographer and visual artist myself, there is a virtual playground of images, textures, and colors to be enjoyed as a result. I have often wondered if the guests....any of them for that matter.....ever REALLY get it. I mean, do they really see the infinate detail that goes onto these projects? Well, I do, and after 25 years in this business......I am still in awe.

This little collage was created from a few shots right before the guests arrives (my favorite time) as I scoured the scene for unique angles. As I am a little backlogged, this is from an event we did last month. More on this one in a couple of days. I like these kind of "Conde Nast" style composites. Hope you like it as well. I have a few more great shots I hope to post from from this event so stay tuned :)

My Trek in Iceland - Day 1

My Trek in Iceland - Day 1, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

From what I have seen so far today, I am going to run out of time long before I run out of ideas for my images here in this incredibly diverse island of Iceland. Day one.....jet lag and all, rewarded me with a few great locations already. The biggest challenge is apparently going to be the weather. Of course, I embrace this challenge wholeheartedly cause, well, I'm in Iceland!

More to come :)

A much better view is here!

Little India in Singapore - Vertical Collage

An hour or two was barely enough time to scratch the surface of this colorful ethnic quarter of Singapore. The uniquely Indian hanging Jasmine Garlands, spice scented alleys, and brilliantly painted architectural elements were what I had hoped to capture in that short little visit. Upon return to the hotel a little later that night and a quick glance through the images captured, I felt that a composite was the best way to tell the story. I have always loved the look of the 4 or 9 picture spreads of Conde' Nast Travel Magazine, and that look was the original inspiration for this layout when I started it. It then quickly turned into more of a poster look. Hope you like.

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