Lone tree along the edge of the Island

After the group had left Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, a couple of us decided to head out on one of the whale watching boats. Although, the trip only offered a few glimpses of seals, I was rewarded with some great conversation. Mark Kettenhofen was with us from Nikon. He was there as a guest teacher on the DLWS workshop. While we were out on the boat, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the unique topography of these barren islands as they passed by. An occasional boat house here and there, rocky coastlines, crashing waves, deer running across the dry grass hill. Almost like they were chasing the boat as we cruised along the coast.

Anyway, getting back to Mark..

We talked about a book of his that was due out called "America from 500 feet 2". All of it was shot from an ultralight by he and Bill Fortnoy......talk about a cool project! I haven't bought it yet, but I plan to. If you get a chance, check out this link. Very slick site !

www.americafrom500feet2.com

Just a little thought

Although I can't take credit for this passage, I want to share it. As I was cleaning off and filing items from my desktop on the computer this evening, I noticed this. I can't remember where I copied ot from, but it was profound enough for me to keep on the desktop for a while. For anyone that has been through a painful separation of any kind, this might hit home a bit.....


after a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't mean security and you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises and you begin your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a chlld and learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have a way of falling down in midflight after a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you ask too much. so you plant your own gardens and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers and you learn that you really can endure that you really are strong and you really have worth and you learn and you learn with every goodbye you learn

Miami Skyline

Having never shot the Miami skyline before, I was kinda bumbling around a bit before I arrived at this location. There was a huge clear area with no lights and minimal fencing. I didn't notice the "No Trespassing under orders of the Miami Beach Police Department" signs until I was packed up and leaving the location. At least that was gonna be my story should the illusive flashlight holding over zealous law enforcer arrive.

This post is for Steve and the gang in Miami. Sounds like you gotta be a little more stealth like with the tripod my friend. Yes folks, it sounds like the worthless tripod police are in full force at Miami's Bayside as well. These jackass's are all over the City Place as well. Sneak, click, and walk.....it's a game we have to play I guess!

Shanghai'd in the elevator

After a long day of exploring and wandering around the many dark alleys and foreboding passages in Shanghai, the weary photographer returns to the comfort of the his 19th floor room at the Hyatt.

Geez, that's about the stupidest caption I think I have ever written......bar none!!!

Waitin' on a wave

I've had this one sittin' in the processed and want to blog someday file. This was taken a couple of months ago on a local photo meetup club that I belong to. I haven't had a chance to get out with the gang in a while and I really really miss it.....guess that's why I picked it to post tonight. Its really kinda cool to head out with a bunch of photogs and then later checkout how everyone else viewed the same place. As I was capturing this water soaked shot of Irina, I had this texture from Trey Ratcliff in mind. Hope you like.

St. Paul's in Saint Paul

As I wandered around in one of the most majestic cathedrals I have seen outside of Europe, it was hard to get a vision out my head. Just as I walked up the front stairs, I noticed the chaos starting to unfold just down the road. In sharp contrast to the calm, etherial, and serene feeling inside of The Cathedral of Saint Paul was a somewhat out of control mob scene growing down at the bridge protesting the Republican speeches of the evening. Rumor had it that a few were attempting to break into the Convention Center that evening. Although I was in awe of this beautiful space, there was definitely an adventurous and curious side of me that wanted to head into the thick of it like a war photographer. Well, the more cerebral side of me won over and so I bring you this. Hope you like :)

Jardin du Luxembourg

If this blog does one this, it allows me to take a short daily mental break....and in this case, remind me what a nice long Parisian break might feel like about now. Nothing like wandering around, care free with a camera in Paris. Great memories to relive :)

You know, I'm not complaining cause its great to be working, but I wish we could spread out some of our events coming up. As I tirelessly plan the next 3 weeks, I realize that we are gonna be jammin hamsters! (alright Mike, what on earth does that mean?) Why does it all happen at the same time. Actually, you think would be used to it by now.

To top that off, there is a boatload of family coming in town (well, not literaly a floatilla) that I might not even get to see at all :(

Like I said, I'm not complaining, I'm just...well....freakin' out a weee bit and trying to get caught up. Time to fire up the new coffee press.

Hey, are sharp chest pains a good thing???

Raffles in Singapore

I am sure I have mentioned this before, but wandering around Singapore was quite a delight. Safe, clean, vibrant, and very colorful. As I was attempting to capture as much as I could in my short stay there, this was a plus. After our work days ended, I frequently wandered for hours in a daze till the wee hours, trying to soak in all I could. I didn't know much about this hotel called The Raffles Hotel when I stumbled upon it. I still don't know much about it now either actually, other than the fact that I have many many shots to process someday from that evening. They are also known for a drink called the "Singapore Sling" (tasted like sugar cane, pineapple, coconut, and chalk to me, kinda yuccy!)

Wikipedia says this about it:
Raffles Hotel (Chinese: 莱佛士酒店) is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore, dating from 1887, and named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles. Managed by Raffles International, it is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum and Victorian-style theatre.

Kinda nice to relive these little journeys, especially when the stress of the South Florida season kicks in. Enjoy :)

Happy New Year! (about time!)

New Years is one of those special Holidays for me. For as long as I have been in the events industry (24 YEARS!), this is one of those nights that reminds me of why I got in this crazy industry in the first place. My memories of New Years events at the Flagler for those crazy Young Friends of the Red Cross Party's with Bruce are about as vivid as what I ate for dinner tonight actually. This special Holiday evening is one of those that I have always felt the need to be on an event. The caos, the noise, the excitement, all of it.....I like it. Not sure why, but, its part of me. I can think of only 2 New Years Eve's in the last 24 that I wasn't ringing in the New Year with the stress that running the lighting, sound, and technical elements of a large party brings with it. To be honest, I really felt a bit lost on both of them.....like a penguin at a beach bonfire. (Whhaaatt! My god, what in the hell is he talking about?)

Anyway.....

During the day, Drew's crew was hard at work getting the balloon drop ready. Right here is always a great place to consider what would happen if the string got stuck and the balloons never fell. Well, I've seen it actually. One year, the whole bag was actually...or should I say eventually....brought down. In one big clump that is. The mayhem on the dancefloor as the party goers attacked the bag as to dislodge the balloons was a high point to the evening!



As we started to get into full swing, for some reason, I felt it necessary to try to get a self portrait of Eric and I composed. Nothing like an unflattering closeup with a wide angle lense.....(yikes!)





As to enhance the "Vampire's Night" theme of the evening, the front of the control area was treated with hundreds of battery operated flicker candles....a really cool effect!



Keeping up with the energy of the evening, Eric slams the GMA lighting console to the beat of the music.



All right, were past the hump, now where's my glass!



Alright, this was after another glass!



And down come the balloons!



As I look back at the images, all the hard work looks like it paid off. Hmmm, wonder where we will be next year?

Back to work

As difficult as it is, I guess it's time to focus and get back to work. A 2 day jaunt to Orlando with the little one is kind of a tease actually, but still worth it.

This one was captured a couple of summers ago somewhere in Paris. The timing just seemed to work for me.....an American goofing off and wandering the streets of Paris catching a seriously focused Parisian on his way to work (at least I guess he was). Kind of the extreme opposite if you think about it. I have always admired how the French can seeming enjoy a half a glass of water in an outdoor cafe' for what appears to be hours. I have enjoyed numerous conversations with the French, laughing at our little 2 to 3 week annual vacations....6 to 8 weeks being the norm in France. You know, they may just be on to something there!