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 :)

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?

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."

Austin - State Capitol

Austin - State Capitol, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Having been somewhat buried in work and other opportunities I am working on, I must say that my image creation and posting has taken somewhat of a back seat. I know, the world continues to spin, no great loss right?

My thoughts this evening before I turn in though, are with a few unfortunate in Austin. How sad that for the actions of one unstable pinhead, the lives of several stable, law abiding, tax paying, families will forever be effected. I read the silly little rambling off of the pdf on CNN's site from this jackass just this evening. The real tragedy in my opinion is evident in the shallow perspective that this murderer possessed. How sad to have not truly embraced the opportunity that this country presents to every one of us!

Jammin'

Jammin', originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Jammin' hamsters........might sound a bit silly to those who don't know me. Actually, it might sound silly to those who do know me! That we are this weekend......jammin! Tis the season here in Palm Beach. We are in the middle of a weekend of 3 events this weekend, and as of now, all is going great. I have a rock star team along side of me, and I must say, it feels awesome. Thanks guys.....

(So Mike, whats with the picture?)

Actually, nothing at all! ...... Yeeaaah....nadda......

Catch it quick!

Catch it quick!, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Not too much to ramble about, just a little touch of warmth to end the day. Don't you just wish that moment when the sun is about to hit the horizon could be frozen a bit longer? Guess thats why Iceland and Norway are a couple of pretty awesome places to be in the summer for the photographer. Hmmm, summers coming up soon, isn't it? Food for thought :)

And a little music to go with the scene :)

Love the melody at about 1:24 into it. Look for this to be released soon in the states!

Sunset at the Oasis

Sunset at the Oasis, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

In light of the fact that there were probably a million sunset images uploaded today, I present to you this....sunset image one million and one :)

I kept this one a bit real for ya. HDR processing tends to bring out detail in the lights and in the extreme shadows. Sometimes however, its kinda nice to keep those shadow details hidden. In this shot, there really wasn't too much of a payoff to linger in the depths of the foreground shrubbery. Taken during an HDR workshop I was on last week in Austin by Trey Ratcliff. Hope ya like!

By the way, here's a link to the post he did a couple of days ago as a wrapup. I must say that my image stream got about 6 times the normal view count for that day and the next. Wow, very powerful!

Stuck in Customs - Workshop

A special thanks to my stellar crew for the hard work this weekend (as I subtly shift gears to the event lighting world). We rocked out a couple of events over on the Island (I just love saying that) in Palm Beach at MaraLago and The Breakers Hotel, and as always, it was a pleasure working with them and I really appreciate the effort. Look for a few images over the next few days.

Till then, have a great weekend :)

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 :)