The colors of LaBoca - Buenos Aires, Argentina

The colors of Recoletta - Buennos Aires, Argentina, originally uploaded by Photomike07 / MDSimages.com.

I'm thinking about painting the outside of the building, what do ya think? Oh I don't know, slap a few colors up and we'll have a look see!

I didn't really have alot of time to photograph all I wanted to here in Buennos Aires. It was certainly one of those "Oh, I gotta make it back here" places. Next time, I think I'll do a little reasearch!

Speaking of that, I have an idea or 2 I am working on. Has a bit to do with photo locations. As a traveling image gatherer with a focus a few knotches above a casual snapshooter, I am always looking for the "inside scoop" on where to go.

If I've peaked your interest a bit, check out the blog. I have recently added a place to sign up for my future newsletter I am working on as well as a few other possible goodies!

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.

A late night walk to the hotel in Buenos Aires

A late night walk to the hotel in Buenos Aires, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

For me, its quite obvious that the effects of a sour economy have kinda dampened what could have been an active summer. By this time last year, I had events (and a little personal time) lined up in Boston, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, Greensboro, Minneapolis, Denver, Oregon, Washington, Napa, Key West, San Francisco, Greensboro, Key Largo, and Miami. This summer? Well, not quite so much to put it bluntly. I'm not complaining, I'm just appreciating what I had the opportunity to do. Outside of the economic opportunities that I enjoyed, I must admit that it was great fun capturing those trips with the camera. This one was taken during one of those late night wandering sessions with one of the guys from the crew as we scoured the neighborhood around the hotel well past midnight in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After the skewers and skewers of meat they constantly feed you down there, a late night walk is well needed, thats for sure!

A walk along Iguazu Falls - Brazil

A walk along Iguazu Falls - Brazil, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

I have always heard of this special place called "Iguazu Falls." On the border of Argentina and Brazil, this incredible force of nature has been carving is path for millions of years. This little peak into the falls is but a small piece of the labyrinth of rock and water that seems to go on for miles. While on an event in South America last year, I found the time to trek off to this magical place.

As a photographer, I was of course hoping to get the best in lighting conditions, but was presented with, well....., blah conditions at best. I still snapped several exposures....many that still have not even been processed yet, but this one seemed to stand out as a particular challenge. It seemed to have a few things going on...like composition, flow, and energy, but the lighting was awful! I eventually decided that I wanted to create a kind of painterly look to it, so I brushed in some color and texture with a plug in called Topaz, dodged and burned it a bit, and created this. The image below shows a before and after.

Church in Buenos Aires - up on the hill

I guess I should post the name of this cathedral, but I am too tired to look it up! I know its in Buenos Aires, Argentina and up on a hill near the Recoleta Cemetery, so it should be an easy thing to research. I do vividly remember the incredible scent of incense mixed with age. The acoustics played havoc on my sense of hearing as the faint sounds of a crying baby reverberated off of the ceiling. (Geez, by the time I am finished typing all this extra verbage, I guess I could have just found the name of it!)

This seems like a fitting post as tonight was opening night for a Passion Play I designed, programmed, and provided lighting for. The interior is not quite as elaborate as this, but the story and message are still the same.

You know, I have attended many little performances and ceremonies as a proud father for my little girl over the past 8 years. Its kinda nice when the tables are occasionally turned though. She hung out with me in the lighting control area and watched her dad do his work this evening, and you know, she was just as proud of me too......and that feels good......really good

Hope you like this one :)

A stop along a path at Iguazu Falls in Brazil

Since I am in Boston for the week, I have decided to post an image from South America......

Hmmm, not really sure what the tie-in is here Mike.....

Yeah neither am I...but I'm starved and running out the door in a few minutes...

(My Lord, these posts are getting lamer and lamer!)