Lighthouse- Key West, Florida

One of the tough things about getting good lighthouse photos is perspective.  Most of the time, our only position to photograph them is from the ground and without a perspective correction lens, lighthouses (and other buildings) appear to fall away from us, distorting the image.

In this situation, I looked for, and found, a vantage point about half as high as the lighthouse thus giving me a more pleasing angle to shoot from.  This vantage point was the second floor porch of the Hemingway House Museum.  I must admit, in all honesty, that this was a deciding factor in my decision to purchase a ticket.  I think it was worth it.  I positioned myself so that palm trees would frame my subject adding more interest to the shot.

Land's End- Key West, Florida

This image is of the southern most point in the United States which lies approximately 90 miles north of communist Cuba.

The weather was beautiful while I was in Key West but turned bitter cold the day after I returned to Ft. Lauderdale.

Hemingway's Cat

As one of the decendants of Ernest Hemingway's cats, Ivan has no worries as he is well taken care of , along with the other feline inhabitants of the Hemingway House in Key West, Florida.  Ivan was named after the hurricane that blew through south florida the month he was born. 

There are approximately 60 cats on the property all related to Snowball, the first cat owned by Hemingway and his then wife, Pauline.  The cat was a gift from a visiting sea captain.  Snowball had six toes.  Several cats currently on the property have six toes as the trait has been passed down with each generation.

I processed this image with Nik Silver Efx Pro and used the Holga preset.  This is one of my favorite images from the trip.

Little White House- Key West, Florida

Long after his passing, Harry S. Truman continues to be one of the most popular presidents in U.S. history.  During his presidency, Truman accomplished quite a bit including establishing the Everglades National Park. 

Truman spent a lot of time in Florida and created the Little White House as a winter office of the presidency.

A Few Hours in Key West

This year, I am "wintering" in the Ft. Lauderdale area after fleeing Denver, Colorado before the first snowfall of the season.  To celebrate high temperatures in the low 80's, I spent an afternoon driving down thru the Florida Keys.

I made this image late in the day after parking in a nearby apartment complex.  I was attracted by the stunning light reaching the buildings beyond the palm trees and the plants rooted in the shallow water below.  This image was made on tripod using the camera's timer to assure a steady shot.

Deja Vu

This is another image from Lucca, Italy made in September of 2009. 

I've been going through some of my unused images from the past 3 years in an attempt to find a diamond in the rough.  As time rolls by, we learn new techniques and acquire new software that help us process more challenging images.  It's the reason we don't discard less than perfect images.

This image is a perfect example of waiting until the best processing application is available.  Nik Silver Efex Pro has been available for a couple of years now but until recently wasn't a top priority purchase for me.  I'm very interested in this monochrome (black and white) media now and no software that I've found does more to help produce a quality black and white image than Nik.  On this image, I used the "High Contrast" preset to darken the shadows creating an image with more drama.

I'm new to this whole B&W thing, but I can already see that it's going to be an interest of mine for a long time.

The Mittens of Monument Valley

I had hoped for some thunderclouds to form the afternoon I made this image but as you can see, nothing but blue sky and endless desert.  As a huge western movie fan, I felt as if I had just entered one of John Ford's epic movie sets and a small part of me expected John Wayne to ride up from the valley below to greet me.  O.k., that didn't happen but the memory of this day in Navajo country will stay with me forever, just like those classic western movies.

Polaroid Pansies

I named this image after the method I used to process it.  After cropping the photo into a square format, I used Nik Color EFEX Pro 3.0 to give a simple subject a little more edge.  I didn't want to go wild or anything, I just wanted a little creative pop.  Something that would stand out.  So, I chose the Polaroid preset.  It gave the image a softer, less focused look and added the "ripped" edges for a subtle nod to the pre-digital days of Polaroid photography. Hope you like it.

Torrey Pines- A View From The Clouds

Torrey Pines, near San Diego, California is a terrific place to watch hanggliders and paragliders soar high above the cliffs and the pacific ocean far below.

I can't begin to imagine the feeling of puting all your faith in a bunch of material and rope.  It's a long way down if you have a problem.  Standing on the edge of the cliff was enough for me. "Top of the world, Ma".

Lucca in High Dynamic Range

HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography is a process where more than one image is blended to expand the exposure range past the capability of modern cameras.  This image was processed a little differently.  I only had one image and the courtyard area at the top of the frame was blown out and overexposed.  So I made a copy of the image in Lightroom and underexposed the second image until the courtyard looked a little better.  I then ran both images through Nik HDR Pro software and blended the two into one.  I think it saved an otherwise spoiled shot.

This image was made in Lucca, Italy in September of 2009.

Orchid in Black and White

While in San Diego earlier this month, I thought I would try my hand at a black and white macro shot.  This image is of my hanging orchid plant.  I processed this photo using Nik Silver Efex Pro then softened the image just a bit using Nik Color Efex Pro.  I think it turned out pretty well.

High Mountain Ranch

One of the things that I enjoyed most during my drive through southwestern Colorado was how green everthing was.  Every square inch of mountain contained greenery of some kind.  Fall was certainly in the air, however, trees and foliage alike seemed to defy the coming cold season with one last display of nature's beauty.

I made this image on a high mountain pass during my drive from Durango to Silverton.  My main concerns were depth of field and to accurately capture the colors of the lake and background.

Fall Color in Colorado- Part 3

Another shot of Aspens turning color.  The key, I found, was to have the sun behind the trees so that the leaves were bright and colorful.

The wind was blowing quite a bit so I chose a fairly fast shutter speed, 1/500th of a second if I remember right.

Fall Color in Colorado- Part 2

Fall Color in Colorado- Part 1

For the rest of September and most of October, I will be focusing on fall color changes in the Colorado area.  The next few posts will come from my drive from Durango to Denver.

This image was made near Monarch Mountain Ski Area.  One side of the valley was completely covered with bright yellow Aspen trees and blue spruce.  The contrast was striking.

Durango and Silverton, Colorado

The Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad leaves Durango around 9am and follows the contours of the canyon and the river below.  Loaded with tourists, this coal burning,steam powered locamotive chugs it way up the valley to its only destination, the town of Silverton.
I watched the train leave Durango and then drove to Silverton to find a spot to capture the train under power.  After scouting the area around Silverton, I found this location about a 3 mile walk down the tracks from town.  It was worth the hike as an opportunity like this doesn't come "down the track" every day.  Sorry for the pun :~)

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is a little "off the beaten path" to say the least, but it is still a very worthwhile place to visit.  Its claim to being "one of the eight wonders of the world" is uncontested in my book.  One look over the canyon wall is all it takes.

Monument Valley is located on the border of  northeast Arizona and southwest Utah and is part of the Navajo Nation.  There are tours to the bottom of the canyon or you may drive your own car.  Warning: This drive is not for everyone as the dirt road conditions are dismal at best.  Having driven the loop for myself, I would be very happy mearly viewing the canyon from the well appointed and wind protected visitor's center.  I mention the wind because after shooting here for the better part of the afternoon, the wind came up and turned the area into nothing but dust with limited visibility.  I'm talking five to ten feet!  Try to see Monument Valley early in the day.

Swell Memories

California surfer heads for shore after a long board competition in Oceanside, California.

Morro Bay

Morro Bay, in central California, is a wonderful place for photographers and other artists.  There's simply so much "life" here to capture.

Morro Rock, at the mouth of the bay, is a very popular subject and finds its way into most art from the area.  Fishing boats, birds, seals, kayakers and the redwood forest all add to the beauty of the area.

Morro Bay can be shrouded in fog for days on end but the gods smiled on me this day.  I made this image of the "Morning Light" fishing vessel with the assistance of a tripod, polarizer, and shutter release.

You can drive out to the rock and watch the birds diving for breakfast, an impressive thing to say the least.  The back bay area is also worth a look.  It's located across the street from the state park entrance, southeast of the marina.  If you're the camping type, a stay at the state park, with all its redwood trees towering above you, may be just the ticket.  I found it quiet, and somewhat spiritual.

Luminara di Santa Croce

The month of September is a month of festivals in the medival town of Lucca, Italy.  I was there for the Luminara di Santa Croce (luminating of the cross) when thousands of candles are placed on buildings along the parade route and groups of locals, dressed in period clothing, march from one church to another across town.

Each group, or district, displays a banner representing their part in the history of the small town.

This image is of the cross, covered in flowers, finally reaching its destination.  Thousands of people turn out to view this yearly spectical.

Bridge Detail

I had already made several images of this bridge (Ponte Vecchio) in a wide format so I decided to move closer to the bridge in an attempt to show more detail in the structure.  I wanted to show the appendages that had obviously been added after initial construction had finished.

I was also very interested in the detail of the stone that makes up the arches of the bridge.  Spotted with rust and foliage, these arches had character and history.

Chalk Masters

As children, most of us recall drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, our masterpiece displayed for all to see until the next rainstorm.

This image was made in the Little Italy section of San Diego during a yearly event where the roads are closed to allow artists to create works of art using chalk.  Like sand sculpture artists, these folks know that their work will be temporary and yet they spend hours creating visually stunning street art.

Shades of Blue

The skyline of San Diego, California is very photogenic and is best photographed from The Landing on Coronado Island.  In this image, I decided to limit my field of view and only include a few key buildings for a less seen vertical landscape shot.  It was dusk and I waited for the blue hue of the sky to match the hue of the water.  After a few test shots, I was ready.  A fairly long exposure time was used to smooth the water of the bay and a tripod was used to prevent camera shake.

I like how the reflections in the water draw the viewer's eye toward the city center in a Wizard of Oz kind of way.

Florence- River Reflections

Walking along the banks of the Arno river in Florence can be a religious awakening.  Senses come alive as the cool morning air clings desperately to the mountains and valleys.  The warm sensation of sun on your face, the smell of fresh bread baking in stone ovens, and the sounds of a vibrant city waking to a new and promising day.  This image is of the Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge").

Venice- Part 3

Venice is built on islands in the middle of a very large bay.  There are few streets, however, canals crisscross the city and are the best way to get around. 

There are more boat owners in Venice (per-capita) than anywhere else on earth.  Everything from construction to trash pickup, restaurant deliveries to police services are conducted on the water.

Some of the greatest cities have been located near water.  Venice is a great example of that.  The location of Venice has made it a natural trading destination for hundreds of years.  With that trading has come culture and sophistication.  Venice has something for everyone.

Venice- Part 2

When people think of Venice they think of gondolas, canals, and singing gondoliers.  This afternoon, however, most boats were tied up and covered as tourists lined the race course and parade route of the Regatta Storico.  The yearly race is held along the Grand Canal and draws thousands of spectators.

Venice- Part 1

I was in Venice for the Regatta Storico (historic race) in September of 2009.  After shooting the race from several different vantage points, I decided to explore the surrounding area while most Venicians and tourists were still watching the festivities.  This image is of a carnivale mask in a boutique window.  I liked the softness and dream-like qualities of the window display.

This image was shot "on the fly" as I walked the narrow pedestrian streets and bridges of the romantic city.  I spent little effort capturing this image and yet it adds a great deal to my memories of my time there.

Venice is another place that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. Once will not be enough for me, however.

The Perfect Day

Napa, California is one of my favorite places.  Some of the best vineyards in the world are here and while some are a bit pretentious, most wineries welcome visitors with open arms and open bottles.  An afternoon of winery tours and tastings followed by a great evening meal at one of the fantastic local eateries is a day you'll remember forever.

I shot this image in the late afternoon as evidenced by the long shadows and deep orange tones of the fertile soil.  It was a bit hazy so I employed my Singh-Ray Warming Polarizer.  I also used a 2 Stop Hard Neutral Density filter in front of the lens to balance the very bright sky with the darker landscape.  By moving this filter up and down during the shot, I avoided having a hard edge at the transition point.

This will not be my last trip to this wonderful area and I look forward to exploring this region further.

Environmental Portraits

Environmental portraits don't have to be complicated.  This shot presented itself while I was shooting a surf contest.  The early morning sun warmed this surfer's skin tones and contrasted nicely with the blue seas in the background.  I love morning shoots for this very reason. 

I must say, I don't like getting up early, but every time I do, I'm rewarded.

Get up early and get the shot!

Meercat Mountain

Meercats are terribly photogenic and know how to strike a pose.  They obviously have no personal space issues as they pile up at the drop of a hat.  What more can you ask for in a photo session.

I have to admit that not a lot of thought went into this shot.  I knew that I wanted to fill the frame but include the man-made mountain they sat on.  My only other thought was to use a wide open aperture to blur the background in order to create a 3D-like quality.

I waited for something to attract their attention and as they all showed me their profile, I gently squeezed the shutter button. 

And Away They Go

Is there anything more beautiful than a horse running at full speed, its legs fully extended, muscles stretched?  Yeah, two horses with riders racing for the finish line and the glory to be found there. 

These racers were only warming up for events to take place later in the day, but it's still amazing to watch. 
My goal here was to capture all the detail in focus while maintaining the feeling of speed.  I tried a few panning shots at slower shutter speeds and liked a couple, but the shot that caught my attention the most was this one. 

Del Mar, Ca.

All About the Light

If the key to real estate is location, location, location, then the key to good photography is light, light and light.  O.K., good composition is important, but without quality light it's only half way there.
This image is all about light.  It was mid morning on a very bright, "blown out" day.  So I looked for areas along the lake that were protected from the harsh light by the forest behind me.  Contrast was a problem as the lake and sky were very bright and required a little post-production work in Adobe Lightroom. 

This image was made in the Rocky Mountains National Park.

Lucca- Getting Lost and Lovin' It

During my travels in Italy, one of my favorite places was Lucca.  A small, wall-protected town with old world charm to spare, Lucca can be a bit difficult to navigate due to the narrow streets with buildings that block out your view of landmarks.  The best way to get around Lucca is to walk.  The roads are cobblestone and there are no stop lights and very few cars, mostly cabs dropping off tourists.

I made this image after walking the better part of the morning.  I have to admit to being lost at the time I took this shot, but I thought this spot was indicative of life in Lucca.  A great place to unwind and feel like a local.

Florence- Early Morning Suprise

I arrived in Florence late in the evening after a long train ride from Rome.  It was dark, so I turned in pretty early.  The next morning, I was eager to investigate my home for the next few days.  What I saw as I stepped out of the entryway of my economy hotel, took my breath away.  The cathedral at the end of the street was amazing.  The early morning sun lit the dome covered building with a subtle hue of orange, making it stand out considerably from the shadows of the residential neighborhood. 
I'm sure that my jaw had dropped as I fumbled with my camera to record this moment in time. What a way to start the trip.  Only good things could happen after that...and they did.

Balboa Park- Statue

This image was made in Balboa Park in San Diego and remains one of my favorites from the park.  I wanted something behind the statue to give the horse and rider an anchor to the park.  The tower in the background does this well, I think.
There is so much to see and photograph here and many of us go back time after time and still find new things to shoot and new ways to shoot them.  If you're in the San Diego area, don't miss Balboa Park.  There are museums, fountains, traditional architecture and gardens to spend your time in.

Pinwheel Close-up

I made this image during a San Diego DSLR groupshoot at Seaport Village in San Diego, Ca.  Being a member of a local photo group is a good way to learn about your camera and groupshoots are a great way to meet others with similar interests.  Of course, each of us has specific areas of interest like landscapes, nature, sports, but being a proficient, well rounded photographer has it's advantages.  Join a group today.  You'll be glad you did.

Pelican Point Lighthouse

Pelican Point Lighthouse State Park was under renovation when I stopped in on my trip from San Francisco to San Diego.  There were painters and carpenters scurrying around the impressive tower so, I waited until break time to snap this image.  There were still a couple of workers hoisting lumber up to the top of the tower and if you look closely you'll see what I'm talking about. 

The weather couldn't have been better and the marine layer stayed off the coast offering me a rare view of the point. 

Lighthouses always make good subjects for traveling photographers and this lighthouse was no exception.  I was hoping for a ship to pass by, but no luck.  Oh well, it means I'll have to stop by again.  Maybe, I'll try to be there at sunset next time.  It will be fun to see the lighthouse in its fully renovated condition.  This was my first lighthouse image and it certainly won't be my last.  I think I'll start a collection.

Morning in Florence

Before going to Italy in September of 2009, I had read and heard stories about the quality of light this part of the world receives and how artists have tried to capture that light in their paintings. I didn't fully appreciate the power of light to transform an otherwise simple image into a feast for the eyes. Sure, morning and afternoon is the best time to shoot anywhere you may happen to be, but the hills and valleys of Italy take this concept to a whole other level. The colors at sunrise were incredible. The blues were more vibrant, the yellows and greens brighter and the blush of pink gave life to the countryside.

This image was made in Florence, Italy not far from the city center.  Florence is a city you fall in love with.  I suggest everyone visit at least once in their lifetime and don't forget your camera.

The Human Element- Part 3

Sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time.  That was the case when I made this image of a boy and his father.  I had just finished photographing an early morning surfing competition just south of the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, California and wanted a few shots of spectators.  What I got was one of my favorite images and an image that tells a story without words.  A father and son moment that can't be scripted. 

I watch for moments like these now.  I know that capturing something like this is mostly luck, but I try to be ready for special things to happen.  Remember, chance favors the prepared mind.  Happy shooting.

The Human Element- Part 2

I was doing a little shooting at La Jolla Shores near San Diego, California one afternoon hoping for a great sunset.  After shooting the beach, pier, waves, and surfers it was clear that the marine layer of clouds and fog would obscure any chance I had of a great sunset photo. 

I was walking back to my car when a young boy who had obviously been watching my exploits caught up with me and started asking questions.  I answered all his questions then asked if I could take his picture.  He said yes and after firing off a few rounds I turned the camera screen toward him to let him see the results.  His eyes lit up as he viewed his image on the 3" screen.  This seemed to energize him and he asked to pose for more.  I obliged and after a couple of minutes I handed him my camera, showed him what to do, and let him shoot a few shots.  It was obvious to me that while he may not be the next Ansel Adams, a spark was lit that afternoon. 

Sometimes, it's the story behind the image that makes it special, if only for me.

The Human Element- Part 1

As photographers, it's easy to have tunnel vision while we shoot.  The subject in this photo was obviously the leopard and many of my photos had the cat filling the frame.  These were nice images and I could have stopped there, but, that would have been a tragedy, because the images of the leopard lacked a story.  They were flat and sterile.  I decided to wait for something or someone to interact with the animal in a personal way.  I didn't have to wait long.  Several people walked thru the exhibit with little or no reaction to the leopard pacing back and forth in the corner and then it happened.  A young girl and her mother stepped up to the enclosure and only inches (and very thick glass) separated them from the beautiful predator.  I couldn't believe my luck.  I couldn't have set this up better.  I took a couple of shots and it was over.  Later at home, I looked thru my images of the day and found this shot to be one of my favorite zoo images.  Sometimes, you have to wait for everything to line up.

Wyoming Territorial Prison State Park

His name was Butch Cassidy and he was a "guest" of the Wyoming State Territorial Prison in Laramie, Wyoming.  Billy "the kid" was also a frequent guest of the less than comfortable establishment.

Today, the prison is one of the best history lessons the State Park system has to offer.  The restoration and conversion into a first class museum, gives visitors a unique glimpse into prison life in the late 1800s. 

This Park is a must-see if you're in the Laramie area.  Admission fee is $5.00.  You can run through quickly or spend a couple of hours, as I did, reading about how the prison offset costs through the manufacture and sale of straw brooms.  The broom factory is still there and you can even buy a broom made there in the gift store. 

Wyoming- Cheyenne Frontier Days

Each year, thousands of rodeo fans from around the country gather in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the largest, longest running rodeo in the world.  114 years to be exact.  Named the "Daddy of 'em all", Cheyenne Frontier Days is a 12 day event complete with an opening day parade, Indian village, museum, crafts fair, and of course the rodeo.  Here are a few photos from this year's event.