Looking to the west for color - West Palm Beach, FL

Looking to the west for color - West Palm Beach, FL, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

First off, I sometimes have to remind myself of how lucky I am. As a photographer and lover of light and color, sunsets are one of lifes truley magical experiences. When I get the urge (which should be daily since I am so close), all I have to do is head down, grab the bike, cruise over the bridge to Palm Beaches Bike Path, and enjoy the show. Mind you, not every night is a symphony of luminous design, but its still worth the trip. To get out, clear the mind, and recharge the emotional batteries is essentially the goal. As the skys opened up this evening, however, I had a feeling that a nice scene was about to unfold, and boy was I right. At first, I was a little bit upset that I didn't even have a camera to record the beauty that was about to unfold in the sky, but I quickly realized that the real moment for me was just to see it.....really see it. Sometimes when you are fiddling with the tripod, lenses, knobs, and all that ghack, you fail to really get pulled into the moment. So thats what I did.

This image, however, was from another one of those moments...when I was fiddling about with the gear. Enjoy :)

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!

Colorful muck along the shore in the San Juan Islands

Colorful muck along the shore in the San Juan Islands, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Feel like taking a walk in the nuclear sludge? Its no secret that HDR really pulls out the color in a scene....color that may or may not have actually been there! As is so often the case, its all up to the artist...or in this case...me :)

I remember not a couple of short years ago, a fellow photographer and digital artist in an attempt to apparently speak his mind at a training class shouted out something like "of what value is this HDR stuff? You'll never see it in any publications or ads!" Wow, kinda shortsighted indeed. Just the other day in fact, I opened up a copy of National Geographic Explorer and counted over 15 images that were obviously tweaked. From ads to feature stories, lets face it, HDR processing is now a widely accepted technique as well as art form.

As promised this week....music to enjoy the image by. (could you imagine tuning that thing by the way?!)

Grab a chair and your favorite beverage!

Grab a chair and your favorite beverage!, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Whaddya say we just kick back for a few and enjoy the beautiful Texas sunset here for a moment shall we? This might be my last chance to enjoy the quiet for a few days, so I'm glad you could join me :)

Not to destroy the moment or anything, but you might not be hearing from me in a few days. You see, in the events industry here is South Florida, we are blessed and at the same time cursed with an unpredictable flow of work. Barely anything one week and then BAM, slammed the next. Off and running we are indeed into one of those weeks.

So far, we are off to a good start. Tomorrow gets a bit trickier however, taking us into a crazy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. As always, my team and I area up to the challange!

I am not sure if I will even be able to post until next week, so stay tuned. If you are so inclined, you can follow me on twitter or friend me on facebok however, as I may post from time to time on the job sites from the good ole Iphone.

Here's to a fantastic week!!!

"Hy-Lite Productions.....Illuminating the world, one event at a time."

Alley in Montmartre' - Paris, France

Alley in Montmartre' - Paris, France, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

We all have our reasons for working. Sure there's the obvious reasons for basic necessities, but my drive for deeper success is fueled with additional desires. One of my many many reasons is to feed my appetite for wanderlust. I am lucky to have a career that allows me this down time to reward myself. Quite the contrast to the day to day requirements of running a business and utilizing the entrepreneurial spirit, but a nice contrast. As I opened my Lightroom folder of images ready to post, I was reminded of that carefree feeling that I occasionally allow myself to experience.

Whilst wandering about Paris this summer, my wanderlust spirit fond me up till the wee hours of most of my evenings capturing my perspective of the City of Lights.

Searching for clarity along the mucky path

Searching for clarity along the mucky path, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Well, I guess my little blog break didn't last all that long did it? Whilst packing up a few things for a week of events I am on, I caved in a bit. Not a spectacular image, but matched my mood I guess. Vibrant and saturated but yet not really clear on what I should be focussing on. I haven't allowed myself the time to wander and clear the mind out in nature for a while, and I'm starting to feel the call again!

For the immediate future, or at least the week ahead, its time to rock it out. The crew starts at the crack of dawn loading up the semis with lights, cable, and heavy stuff and off we go for a 3 day event for Loreal as well as a week long meeting for Market America in Miami. The schedules a bit funky this week....really funky, and so shall my posts be.

Hope the weekend treated you all well. Start the week out on focus. Call your folks, if you can and tell them you love em', hug your kids, give to someone in need, and do your best to make a difference in someone's day :) Make the day count!

Sunset at the Oasis (or at least what I saw!)

Sunset at the Oasis (or at least what I saw!), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Sometimes, it kinda hits me. I am in essence coloring. Yes, a 45 year old with a coloring book and an endless supply of crayollas, proudly displaying a picture of the day he wants to show off! In this case, the refrigerator I choose to hang the image on is actually a bit larger and complicated. Perhaps, thru creating tagging, tweeting, facebooking, or linking, the fridge has a larger and more exotic audience, but in essence, its all the same. We all, (I am assuming of course) crave attention. Without an audience at all, the artist and creator has a deeper need to please himself, and thus will continue to create his work without this audience, but deep down...way deep down, is still a need to be recognized and appreciated. So, with all that said, here's what I drew with my crayons today.....hehehe. I hope your day was this colorful!

A special thanks to Trey Ratcliff from Stuck in Customs (google it, you'll find it) for the wonderful Texas hopsitality. His HDR workshop was all that I hoped it would be. I was proud to be part of the experience! Thanks :)

And, as is so often that case, a little taste of the music that I listened to as I was.....ummm......coloring :)

A typical Boston scene (and time to get back to normal, whatever that is.....)

A typical Boston scene (and time to get back to normal, whatever that is.....), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

I must admit, I carry some really strange hours. Having worked in the events industry for about 25 years, and never having been much of a morning person, I guess this has worked out ok for me. Of course, disastrous results sometimes ensue when attempting to mesh this type of schedule with one who is polar opposite. Of course I have first hand proof of this, but we all learn our lessons and move on.

So what am I rambling about.....?

Well, as you can see from the times I normally post, it is usually quite late, and in turn, probably not the best time to experience cerebral clarity, but I blog on. Kinda funny, but the millions of ideas that seem to bubble up throughout the day seem to all but vanish when my image of the day gets uploaded......and so I blog on....

I usually try to pick out an image that meets my mood at the time. More often than not, I can't really connect with one, but instead choose one that stands out in color, detail, and vibrance. Then the challenge of creating a few words worth reading unfolds its ugly face. I have always craved the ability to write.....with passion and clarity....creatively taking a reader on an interesting journey. Yeah, like I said, I have always wanted to do that. Wonder if I will ever get there? ......and he blogs on...

So why this image Mike?

Well, guess its a little personal. Although its not my home, it indeed reminds me of what I am creating for a special little person in my life. A home. I have spent quite a bit of time with my little sunshine girl over the past 2 weeks. I love the way the holidays have been spaced this year. Seems like there was a lot of time off this way. Memories, great memories, can only be created by putting in the time. As a father, I realize this more and more each precious day that I am rewarded with this special gift I have been given. When she refers to our place as home too, I can't help but swell up a bit and realize that, ..... well,..... all is ok.....

Thnkx fer listening......to me that is. And as I sometimes tike to do, here's a link to some of the music that inspired me this evening

End of the Christmas Day (and a little reflection)

End of the Christmas Day (and a little reflection), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So here we are.....the end of another day. Not just any day, but Christmas Day, a day meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Seems like the real meaning has been a bit watered down over the past 2009 years, don't ya think? Guess I tend to be the a bit forgetful myself. I was reminded of this as I clicked thru the library of images of a few cathedrals on my laptop this evening. I posted a few below. I have so often just kinda blazed into these houses of worship in hopes of capturing the details but yet, never really stopping to feel the presence of the one that the house is built for. With that in mind, it feels good to have allowed myself to do just that last night!

Merry CHRISTmas everyone :)

Cookie time again! (and a little conversation with self)

Cookie time again! (and a little conversation with self), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Q - So, cookie time again hey?
A - Yeah, time goes fast doesn't it?

Q - You bet it does. So, another year gone buy. Shes getting a bit older now. How ya feel about that?
A - Wow, thats a tough one. Can't anybody figure out how to freeze time yet? This is a good age you know. Little kid, little problems......you know what they say.

Q - Dude, your doing just fine. Three years now on your own. You seem to have it together. Balancing work, career, personal life, your future, and of course your daughter. Just keep it up...balance it all, and remember what's important. Memories, for you, for her.......especially for her.
A - Yeah, I know. I need her too :) and hey, thanks for the nice words....I need to here that sometimes, ya know

Q - No problem, thats what I'm here for. So on a lighter note, how did the kitchen hold up.
A - Well, got it cleaned up in about an hour. Looked like an explosion of sugar and flour. Kind of a disaster actually.

Q - And the cameras?
A - Covered in flour of course! Sticky floury mess...

Q - Was it worth it?
A - Every second.....you bet!

Q - Cherish the memories my friend!
A - I will, and thanks again!

Night lights in Boston

Night lights in Boston, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Any day that starts out with a phone call from a couple of friends can't help but be a good day. With that in mind, this shot seems most appropriate. While up in Boston a few clips ago (Ok Mike, what does that mean exactly......not sure are ya........didn't think so.....well, carry on.....) I had a chance to explore a bit of Boston with a couple of fellow photogs.

I must say, I love those shows that reward me with a chance to explore a new city with a few friends. During one of those moments, a couple of us happened to stumble upon this cool location near the Boston Harbor.

And not that this has anything at all to do with the mood, heres a link to the music I processed to this evening.



You know...I think its time for a few festive holiday shots, don't you? Guess I gotta get to work on that!!!

Up near Ricoletta in Buennos Aires

Up near Ricoletta in Buennos Aires, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharial Nehru

Wandering about.......I gotta tell ya, sometimes thats what I seem to do best. In this fast paced, time everything to the minute society we seem to find ourselves a part of (and trapped in at times), I have to admit, I crave that feeling of wanderlust quite often. Seems like I allow myself to embrace this most when I am out of the country. On this particular evening, the sounds of the Argentineans were the beacon and the camera my guide. Wandering in and out of alleys between tents housing vendors, I slowly and inquisitively approached the top of the hill. The scents in the air from the food stalls, old natives selling handmade crafts, the laughter of children romping about, ...... all setting the scene for a memory eternally and cinematically embedded in my mind. This is the gift given to the visiter that chooses not to see a new place as a tourist, but as a traveler.

Time to decompress - Sunset at Seabring

Time to decompress - Sunset at Seabring, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So I was asked at the book launch party last night about how I have been able to diligently post a a blog post just about every night. Well, for me, its all about the escape. There are those who escape to the bottle, the TV, the gym, the club, the internet, you name it....we all look forward to that daily escape. I guess this is mine. Sure, there's the occasional useless tweet or mid day facebook post, but this is more of a focused....uhhh, well.....what is it exactly? Kinda like a rather long worthless tweet actually. Yeah, well, sorry about that......let's hope tomorrow evening is a bit more insightful!

Anyway, enjoy the image!

Thats the real escape for me actually. Spending a little time painting and playing in the digital darkroom this evening was rather therapeutic. After finishing a few proposals for up and coming events this evening, this little escape to my world of color and light is just what I needed!

Along the banks in Varenna in Lake Como, Italy

Along the banks in Varenna in Lake Como, Italy, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

A longtime goal of mine has always been to spend the summers in Europe. Sure, I've been there a few times, seen alot, backpacked from Norway to Greece and just about everywhere in between, but what I mean is more of a total immersion. One of my dreams has always been to have an apartment in Paris. This would be a great place to use as a base to explore all of Europe! Perhaps a rental unit somewhere along the Seine....you know, in one of those penthouse floor to ceiling window units on the top floor somewhere between the Isle de Cite' and the Musee de Orsey. Or perhaps a lofty space over looking a quiet courtyard or street in Le Marsay or Saint Germain dePris. By the way, I am quite sure I totally hashed the correct spelling of all of those places.

On my last trip over there, I was lucky enough to find another jewel. Although its really no secret, the lake region (as seen above) is a great region to get away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Milan and Florence. This little port village of Varena was a great little home base to explore the lake area from. Hmmm, I guess I'll have to get a little villa here too! I wonder if its a buyers market over there now? LOL!

Nighttime fountain play in Boston (and a link to a video with a special message)

Nighttime fountain play in Boston (and a link to a video with a special message), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

My little image of this fountain in Boston has waited patiently and quietly in the "to post someday" file. I've stared at it many a times and thought....na, not today. I like it when I can tie an image together with a thought....or in tonight's case, a message. Read on.....

Water....wow, something most of us take for granted. In fact, we have more than we need for the most part and don't even consume half of what we are all supposed to. It is a stark reality, however, that a lot of the world is not so fortunate.

I am linking you to a video here and embedding a copy on my blog. If you get a chance, take the time to view it.



While attending a service this morning that, for some reason or another, I had felt a strong urge to attend, I was slapped a bit about the message. (To put things in perspective here, I can count on one hand the times I have actually gone to church this year) That doesn't really have anything to do with the story, but just painting a picture here. For some unknown reason, I felt a strange urge to attend.

They opened the service with this short little clip. (You really should stop for a few seconds and watch it.....really) I decided to google the video to see if there was more online, and bingo, there it was. I'm not here to push a belief, but the theme is quite powerful. Several messages actually. How so many in this world are without some of the basic needs absolutely amazes me! I mean....clean water!!!

Seriously, watch it a couple of times. It just might change you.....

Dig a little deeper into their site. Can one incredibly rich country make a difference? I think so!

A colorful day on the way to Key West

A colorful day on the way to Key West, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Hmmmm, I was gonna drone on about some reference to color and how life is all about the perception you choose to embrace this wonderful colorful world with and what it has to offer, and wouldn't ya know it.....I lost my train of thought......LOL.....

to be continued, I guess....

(hope you are having a great weekend!)

An end to another great day.....(A day of thanks and reflection)

An end to another great day.....(A day of thanks and reflection), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So another wonderful Holiday comes to a close. I like these kind. No mass commercialism, no fanfare (except for the parade I guess), no excessive late night party......just real people sharing real feelings. Gratitude and thanks, definitely something that we all (especially us Americans) seem to take for granted on a daily basis.

I definitely have a lot to be grateful for. I blogged about it last year, and to be honest, I still mean every word of it. Here is the link....
mdsimages.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-i-am-most-thankful.html

My real focus this evening I guess is one of my vision or shall I say, my wish for the future. Making a difference in the world seems to be a tune that has been resonating a lot in the world recently. Perhaps it has always been playing softly in the background, but I have just started to allow myself to hear its precious melody. A reminder of what is possible was quite evident to me this evening as I tuned into CNN's Hero special out of the corner of my eye as I got a little caught up on some work. To be honest with you, it was kind of a slap in the face to me as to what is really possible. I have been grappling lately with this concept of giving without ANYTHING in return. To give with your heart, mind, and sole for the sole purpose of making real resonant change in the world (or at least to a small part of it.) Sure, that has a lot to do with why we all want to be great parents, but beyond that, and especially after watching that show...I know that I have so much more to give. Finding what that is exactly continues to be a journey.

We all want to leave our mark in this world. I guess its only appropriate to realize, except, and harness that feeling when it hits you. I am sure that I will continue to find ways to make a difference....in my life, my families, and the world around me....and for that, I am sincerely thankful!

More to come......

Reflections in infrared (and a thankful perspective)

Reflections in infrared (and a thankful perspective), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Life changing moments. Indeed, we all have a few of those. A couple of days ago, I had an anniversary and a reminder of one of mine. I kinda blogged about it a year ago if you want to dig it up, but this post really isn't about that. Its more of a reminder to myself about a bit of personal perspective and progress.

I like the term "self growth". There are many that chuckle at the mere mention of this study. For others, its a life long focus. I guess I belong to the latter club.

Over the past year, one of the daily rituals I have allowed myself to enjoy is perhaps something that I should have been allowing myself all along. I try to start my day with a quiet 20 minutes or so.....in reflection and focus. I use these special moments to give thanks to at least 10 things....usually the first 10 things that pop into my mind. Be it personal, relationships, family, business, investment, comfort, financial, artistic,...from the minutely simple thoughts to the rather complex ......gosh, they just come flying at me actually. In that special time of reflection, I truly give thanks for what I have and what I have achieved. It is in that vibration of energy that I then allow myself to focus on the direction I intend to take myself, not only for the day, but in the near future. Although I don't always get that far in this process, I never get past the morning without at least giving thanks. Seems like a good week to mention this :)

So, on a similar note, I would like to also give a bit of thanks to all who happen to stumble upon this. For the last couple of years, I have been regularly posting images here on flickr, while in turn uploading to my blog and facebook. I have received comments from all over the world, over 200,000 views, been published a few times, been in 2 books, had my images used in a couple of industry brochures, had a few people ask to use an image on their business card, and for all of that.....I am very thankful! It means alot to me :)

And, as I like to do now and then, a musical journey that inspired the image and the post...

Bumbling about the Oregon Coast

Bumbling about the Oregon Coast, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Bumbling....indeed how I do feel sometimes when chasing the light. This trip was definitely no exception. Its funny how the sun appears to be falling at the rate a bowling ball would when you're racing to find a place to capture this special time of day!

Along the Oregon Coast, the sea is quite cold; unique, but very cold. As I studied a few of the locals heading to the beach in this part of the country, I noticed that they seemed to be a bit more focused......perhaps sophisticated as well.....?

Just before exploring the tide pools off in the distance, I decided to plop down in the warm sand to capture the amber light that was beginning to paint the landscape in this coastal paradise. Good God, that was one of the longest sentences ever! And kinda lame too.....

Anyway, hope ya like it.....the image that is....

And, to continue a sort of recurring theme this week....music that inspired the edit: