Trippy colors along the Sebastion Inlet

Trippy colors along the Sebastion Inlet, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Well, I had a pretty cool little video slip to post as a teaser to an event we are about to load in tomorrow, but had a bit of technical workage on the upload. Hope to post soon, but for now......enjoy the serenity of this little scene I was luck to see!

More soon on the New Years Party madness that soon will unfold in my neck of the woods!

Along the coast of Oregon

Along the coast of Oregon, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

First off, I want to thank all who checked out, commented on, faved, and stumbled upon my last post yesterday. My stats on flickr showed over 650 view as it was on the explore page. As many of you know, it is always quite an honor to have your work viewed and appreciated, and I again thank you for that!

My image this evening might not reach that level of view I am quite sure, but I kinda like it. I had one of my camera bodies modified for infrared capture a while ago by a company called LifePixel and this was shot with it. I highly recommend it for those photogs with an extra camera body laying around.

Their site is: www.lifepixel.com if you are interested.

I'd also like to pass on a link to a video I saw yesterday. There seems to be a lot of people searching these days for new direction. Some industries have all but dried up, yet there are opportunities all around us. Sure its a search and takes a lot of drive, but rewards are abundant for those who do not loose focus of the dream. For those looking for new opportunities and challenges, this video will most likely mean a lot. Enjoy :)

Chasing God Beams in Iceland

Chasing God Beams in Iceland, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest of chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey." - Pat Conroy

There are a few pieces of musical art that trigger a memory, a flashback to a time and place when all I could do was consume the beauty in front of me. I treasure the acute cinematic experiences I have allowed music to help create for me while exploring parts of this beautiful world. My travels in Iceland were no exception. I was introduced to an artist called Jami Sieber by Trey from Stuck in Customs. Her incredible blend of drama and mystery created with the electric cello was a great travel companion for me as I explored this vast and unique landscape. Thanks for helping me to see this new place with a cinematic pair of eyes Jami! Check out a link to some of her sounds below:

Painted skys over West Palm Beach

Painted skys over West Palm Beach, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Cool weather always brings the opportunity for some great skys, and this evening was no exception. After a quick glance out the window this evening, I scurried about (at a rapid pace whilst haphazardly stumbling about I might add) and grabbed the D3 and sticks. I am so blessed to have the balcony I have and this time of the year, the suns in a great spot! I tried for a different perspective and used a 70 to 200 lense to isolate a space piece of the luminescent sky. Hope ya like :)

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 :)

Waiting for Santa - Merry Christmas to you all!

Waiting for Santa - Merry Christmas to you all!, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

There aren't many shows that seem to hold my attention long enough to allow me to mindlessly watch and consume. A Christmas Story, however, thats a different story altogether My dad always loved that one. So many classic lines......"you'll shoot your eye out" "why, its a leg!" "I double dog dare you"......so with this little marathon going on, I decided to setup the kit and take this shot of the pad just after I returned home for the night.

Merry Christmas to all my flickr, facebook, and blog viewing friends. Best of luck to you all for a happy, prosperous, safe, meaningful, and spiritual new year!!!

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!!!

Sunset in Sebastion - larger than life

Sunset in Sebastion - larger than life, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So often, many a great photographer has set out for the golden hour. Those warm and wonderful precious few moments of light have often found this photographer without a great location! Every once in a while however, these two come together in luminescent harmony. (Geez, did that sound stupid!) Sometimes its a crapshoot. You prep the gear, load up, and headout...or if your slightly insane, you do this in the morning. I must say, I do love starting the day this way...it's just a bit hard to actually get started. Yeah, my sunset shots far outnumber those sunrise ones, thats for sure! (Again, quite a lame sentence there.....)

Anyway, while bumbling about the coast here one afternoon in Florida, was quite lucky to be as they say "at the right place at the right time!"

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.