New Site up now!

New Site up now!, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

The switch has been thrown and the new and improved MDSimages site is up and running. As with any new site, there will be a little bit of a rough period as I work out all the kinks! Feel free to let me know if you have any loading issues, size problems, etc. I would REALLY appreciate it :)

The new site is www.MDSimages.com.

Check it out!

Oh yeah....about the image....

I uploaded this one a little while ago, but it seemed most appropriate to post it again. I was luck enough to have 3 images chosen for an art exhibit at the Palm Beach Photographic Institutes Infocus Exhibit, and this was one of them. The show opens tomorrow and the hang is for about 2 months. Kinda cool to be a part of it. I look forward to meeting some of the other great artists tomorrow!

Back home - Sunset over West Palm Beach

Back home - Sunset over West Palm Beach, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

For some reason, those days that I choose to go on a hunt for the image seem to produce the least. I must have driven about 300 miles as I zig zagged back from the west coast of Florida. Just wasn't feeling the vibe ya know. Well, I guess it took gettting back to the places I know.

Stopped for the light

Stopped for the light, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I took this (and few more) on one of my cross state trips. Those are always kinda freaky (for the traffic behind me) when I'm creeping along Route 60 or sometimes alligator alley, and while on the constant lookout for subjects, color, and light. I seem to be drawn to those scenes like a mouse to the pied piper. I get that way with music too. I guess thats why I am heading across state in the AM to see a concert that I saw not just 2 nights ago in Miami.

I have been a fan of Jamie Cullum ever since I heard him a little more than a year ago. Just the right mix of upbeat melodic jazz and blues performed with a youthful pop delivery (alright, a music critic I am not.

In the meantime, enjoy the clip from one of Jamie's performances and I'll try to bring home a few cool images from the trip.....cool?

Litli Geysir in Iceland - and a little tip for shooting fireworks tomorrow

Litli Geysir in Iceland - and a little tip for shooting fireworks tomorrow, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Well, here we are.....the end of the week (alright, its actually Saturday) and the end of my HDR free post series. I end it, of course, with an HDR!

Funny, when I was stumbling around to get this shot, I kinda took a little double take at the spelling, till I remembered where I was. Nothing like traversing the countryside of Iceland whilst looking at a map with towns and roads with names like Vorsabaejarhjaleiga, Gegnisholapartur, and Ragnheioarstaoir. You think I'm kidding, check out this roadsign I had to figure out..... www.flickr.com/photos/mdsimages/4428835990/in/set-7215761...

So tomorrow, some of you in the states might be heading out with the rig in hopes of capturing that incredible fireworks image you always wanted to get. Well, as taken from Scott Kelbys post, here are a few tips:

1. Use a tripod - kind of given there, but just in case you were wondering.

2. A couple of lenses might be nice. A wide angle for establishing the location and a 200mm for some close up details.

3. Click it on over to manual. Trust me on this one.

4. Shutter speed to about 4 seconds.

5. Aperture to about f11.

6. Use a cable release.

This should give you nice sharpness with the aperture and a nice bit of light trail with the shutter speed. Try a few shots and if its over exposed, try speeding up the shutter speed to about 3 seconds.

Bracket a few, be safe, and enjoy your 4th!

Dallas skyline - from the W hotel

Dallas skyline - from the W hotel, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

The pool deck of the ultra hip W hotel here in Dallas seemed like a cool place to capture the skyline. I musta looked a bit lost and out of place as the 3 or 4 security guards stopped me on the way to what I thought was the pool deck. Lucky for me, they let me up there anyway....as long as I didn't take any interior shots. If you're ever in Dallas, its definitely worth a visit there. Its like south beach chic in the middle of Texas. I warn you though, its worth dressing to fit in!

By the way, the processing really exagerated the clouds in this image. I don't remember it looking quite this crazy. Here, it kinda looks like Dallas is about to be swept off the map!

Dallas - wandering around Victory Plaza

Dallas - wandering around Victory Plaza, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I saw a few images online of this place while searching flickr for images of Dallas. While traveling into a place I have never really explored, flickr is always a great place to start the search thanks to all the keywords left from my flickr friends!

And about that cone to the left....man, why in the world didn't I just reach over and move it? I guess I could clone it out though......anyway.....

Any great suggestions for a place to catch sunset tomorrow? I think I have one lined up, but I'm always open to suggestions.

Till then, cheers :)

Montmarte' in Paris - a walk amongst the artists

Montmarte' in Paris - a walk amongst the artists, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Having spent a bit of time in Paris over the years during a few various trips there, I didn't really take the time to wander this remote area called Montmarte' till last summer. Set up on the hill near the Sacre Couer that overlooks this city of light, its certainly worth trecking up there for an evening if you can. A great night usually begins with a bottle of wine and some local cheese while enjoying an incredible sunset from the steps of this cathedral. The tableaux vivant of street performers, travelers, and the like are a great theatrical feast while the Parisain skyline serves as its scenic backdrop. After this "living french" experience, the procession then continues to any one of the various street cafes or quant restaurants just a few enjoyable steps away. While it can feel a bit touristy, the trick is to wander away from the crowds and immerse yourself in ths wonderful area, like the famous artists Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso must have done.

Color in the harbour - San Diego

Color in the harbour - San Diego, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

"To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted." -Bill Bryson

Nothing balances out being cooped up in a dark ballroom for 8 hours for 4 straight days furthering your education than getting out and exploring the landscape of a city. I did just that when I was out in San Diego a few month ago on a training seminar and I intend to do the same starting tomorrow. This time, I'll be in Dallas for a long weekend. Not sure what I'll find whilst in pursuit of the image, but I am sure I will find out soon. For now, its off to bed....yikes, alarm in 4 hours!

Found this on a hike - Zermatt in Switzerland

Found this on a hike - Zermatt in Switzerland, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

There's usually a moment within the window of time that I give myself to explore the art....a point at which I have to ask myself "Is this a keeper, or am I creating a piece of serious garbage!"

I had a few challenges with this one, I must admit, but when I decided to let go, paint in a few textures, and just enjoy the process....it started to come together. Now, mind you, it could still be judged as a rubbish, but thats ok.....

And for all you Fathers out there....I hope you enjoyed your special day!

Magic hour in West Palm Beach

Magic hour in West Palm Beach, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

We've all done it. Heart pounding as we race to a place to park the car. The suns dropping like a bowling ball. That light, that incredible light! Its fading fast...please wait till I get the shot!

Then of course, you glance at the LCD screen and think "thats not at all what I saw, where is that deep color, why is the sky blown out, how come I can't see the dark details?"

That is of course why I spend half my time creating the magic in the digital darkroom.

I can't do much about that fading light though. That will always continue to be a race! Unless of course if you are in someplace like Iceland in June, which is of course is exactly where my friend Trey Ratcliff is from Stuck in Customs. Six hour sunsets, hard to beat that!

Matterhorn on a misty mountain afternoon

Matterhorn on a misty mountain afternoon, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

"The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there." -
Robert M. Pirsig

There is something very settling and familiar when exploring about an area like Zermatt. Seems like no matter where you are, one of the most majestic of all mountains called the Matterhorn always seems to be looming off in the distance - like an old friend there to comfort you, ya know. (my gosh, where in the world is all this going?!) Nowhere I guess.......now what?

Hmmm, how about a little about the image?

I had to do a bit of work on this one. The light was kinda flat and even, so I played with painting a bit of contrast in here in there to create more of a sense of depth and texture. There always, at least when I was there, seems to be a mess of clouds around the peak (like the time-lapse I took when I was there). I'll link to it on the blog if you want to check it out. In this case, the sense of mystery helps a bit (I think). Hope ya like :)

Through the window for the shot!

Through the window for the shot!, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Our final night during a great destination wedding we were lighting in the Bahamas had us staying at this really cool bungalow on the water. As I tossed my bags on the bed, I couldn't get to the 2nd floor patio that was attached to my bedroom fast enough. One problem however, the door handle was frozen...a salty corrosion throughout. Hmm, what to do. Suns heading down to the horizon and it looks like a killer view. Hey wait, the window. And with a little squeeze, I was out the window! (notice the screen on the left side) LOL....

More to come...

Austin Capital on a cool Texas evening

Austin Capital on a cool Texas evening, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

A little gift that I received the other day reminded me of the images I have yet to process from my trip to Austin a while back. A special thanks to Cliff for the cool art that he sent me! Check it out

And, of course, the link to my last piece of performance art!

The last disastrous video LOL!

Star in Austin - and a quick thanks

Star in Austin - and a quick thanks, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I decided to grab a shot from my Austin, Texas file after I returned home this evening. I had a nice surprise that came in a box from a friend in Austin! I do intend to post a more detailed blog about what I received from a fellow HDR artist tomorrow so check back. For now, a big thanks to Cliff for your kind gift!

And, as far as you pixel peepers out there, I kinda thought that the noise in the sky added to the stars that are there. Kinda looks a bit milky wayish?

Late night reflections in Paris

Late night reflections in Paris, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Dance is the only art in which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made. - Ted Shawn

My little reflection this evening is about art and the need to express yourself. Too often, modern society tends to place little importance on the arts. Not always of course, but the older I get, the more I see how that basic need to express yourself tends to get put way back on the burner for pursuits of money. Art being beaten out of the student to make way for skills to earn a living. Make more money to drive the economy, to buy more stuff, to keep the cycle going. Kind of maddening at times don't ya think? Guess I'm going off on a bit of a tangent here aren't I?

I guess my point is, keep it all in check. Balance it out. You know, its funny. We all pick up the crayons and express ourselves as kids, but somehow those artistic qualities that we are ALL born with become suppressed in that mad pursuit called life. I guess its easy to see why the enrollment in the art clubs, photography workshops, and dance classes is heavily populated by the over 40 crowd. Kind of a calling to get back to something of heartfelt meaning.

After seeing the look in the eyes of my little one this evening.....expressing herself in dance in her very first show....I am reminded of something that is so important. Support the pursuit of passion, for its not all about having the eyes on the prize, its about savoring the journey.....and expressing yourself along the way.

Oh, by the way, thats exactly what drew me into the streets of Paris here from the late hours of the evening and into the wee hours of the morning. Don't be afraid to explore your art and passion along your journey!

Miami - South Beach Poolside

Miami - South Beach Poolside, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

As the sun started to set and the party started to kick in for an event I was lighting for the Food Network in South Beach, I decided to take the ole' camera and sticks and explore a bit of the area. You know, ya think your cool till ya wander around this uniquely hip area of South Florida! Dork with a camera.....here I come! LOL

A wet evening stroll in Buenne, France

A wet evening stroll in Buenne, France, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I had a lot of strange looks as I explored the wet streets of Buenne on this particular evening. Rain, and lots of it, so of course I thought "reflections!" None the less, I still had a lot of "what in the hell is this guy doing out in the rain" looks.

The hardest part about my wet outing in the cute little French village was how to keep the constant spray of that bulbous 14-24mm Nikon lense. Have ya seen that thing?! That things like a magnet for water!

I decided not to fight the color temperature of the city's architectural lighting as I processed this one. Like a post from a couple of days ago, I also used a bit of texture to bring about a little interest to the sky and some of the architecture. I kinda like it :)

Infinate beach in the Bahamas

Infinate beach in the Bahamas, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

So, unlike the image I spoke of the other night in which I was able to "visualize" the final look I wanted in post as I composed and clicked the exposure, this is quite the opposite. I love creating these other worlds that up until I let myself explore a bit, they don't exist (and thank goodness I suppose LOL!)

Night sky at Raffies in Singapore

Night sky at Raffies in Singapore, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Alrighty now...

Here's another taste from the Singaporean buffet of images I have. Ok, that sounded kinda stupid.....but I continue....

I waited a bit outside of this rather cool hotel in Singapore called Raffes, or was it Raffies, or Raffles, definitely not waffles.....Aaannnnyway...

There was a lot to explore inside and my memory card proves it. I set up this shot just outside of the front valet area and tried to blend in. Kinda hard with a Nikon D3 and a huge Gitzo tripod, but I tried.

After a bit of processing the images in Photomatix and Photoshop CS4, I had a hard time getting rid of the incredible amount of popcorn sized noise nuggets in the sky, so I tried a different approach. I decided to mess around with a few textures that I combined together until I had a color and feel that I liked. I then used a little radial blur trick I picked up from Trey Ratcliff from Stuck in Customs, used a layer mask of just the sky (remember the noisy one that I wanted to get rid of), and then painted in my own little creation. Sure its fake, but its fun....and looks kinda cool I think!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Freedom Flyer in Singapore

Freedom Flyer in Singapore, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

Well, I'll be the first one to admit that this ones a wee bit of a disaster. Having never really cleaned it up or liked what I had so far, its been staring at me as the first image in my "ready to post" folder for quite sometime now. I tend to work on these images a few at a time but usually like to release only one a day, but that pools getting a bit shallow.

The air here in South Florida has been freaking stifling and incredibly humid lately. I have made several references here on the blog to the humidity in Singapore while I was there as it might be one of the most humid places on earth. I remember taking this shot with a couple of my photo buddies late in the evening as the sweat poured over my glasses and into the viewfinder. We arrived back at the hotel a few hours later, memory cards full and drenched from head to toe!

I hope to post a few more from Singapore soon as I have received some really great comments and possible opportunities from that part of the world. As always, I sincerely appreciate the views, so I'll keep em coming :)