Some sick photos from a sick photographer.

sick

adj. sick-er, sick-est

     1.  In poor health.

               He was sick all day with the flu.

     2.  Mentally unstable, disturbed.

     3.  In bad taste.

               That's a sick joke.

     4.  Having an urge to vomit.

     5.  (slang)  Very good, excellent, awesome.

               This photograph is sick!

Happy New Year from the Caribbean!

I sure as hell hope that 2013 goes a lot better for me than 2012 is ending. I've recently come down with Dengue Fever, a mosquito-borne illness that's sort of like the flu on steroids.  I'm not a doctor, but my personal opinion of this tropical malady is this:  IT SUCKS ASS. On top of the physical symptoms, the psychological horror of being cooped up while it's beautiful outside is a veritable hell.  Ugh.

Venting aside, I do actually have some new photographic sweetness to demonstrate. Last month, I entered the prestigious Ocean Views Photo Contest. It's an annual contest focusing on all things ocean related, from wildlife, to weather, to recreation. I entered almost 50 images, many of which you've seen here before. There were, however, some images from the Caribbean I entered that have never seen the "light of day" here, so I thought I'd share them with you. None of them have titles, but I wrote a small description below each.

That does it for this entry and for 2012 as a whole.  As always, thanks for your continued readership.  Wish me luck in the contest.  And Happy New Year!

Bachelor party hijinks.

The sun rises in the wee hours of an all-night beach party.

A man floats lazily in a rain shower.

One of many boats in the annual Christmas Boat Parade.

People relax on a yacht at Buck Island National Monument.

Mother Nature Always Bats Last

Like death and taxes, one thing you can always count on is that both the canyon country of Utah and the mountain country of Colorado will always show you a damn good time.  

We had some extra adventure thrown in this go-around, courtesy of Mother Nature.  A rare and powerful thunderstorm pummeled Canyonlands National Park on our third day, complete with tarp-tearing winds, drenching downpours and hail aplenty.  Ironically, the storm day ended up being the favorite day of the trip for most of our nine-man expedition, myself included.  The weather brought with it stunning clouds and good light.

On our very last day, we got one last smack by the weather gods, as the road out of the canyon was completely washed away and unpassable for cars.  All the bikers went on ahead, but for myself and the other truck driver (we had two SAG vehicles to carry the group's gear), it meant turning around and retracing 100+ tough, 4X4 miles back to where we had entered the park days earlier.  It was a grim prospect, because we didn't have enough fuel and the daylight was at a premium.  No way did we want to be stuck on the treacherous canyon roads after dark.  We only had about six hours of light left, and the ranger at the roadblock said it'd take at least seven hours to drive out.

I drove it in four and a half.

Yep, the desire not to be stranded in the wilderness alone was, shall we say, a powerful motivator.  I put the pedal to the metal, bought gas along the way from another camp, and was back in Moab with time to spare.  I met with the rest of the group and we all went out for a fun Saturday night on the town.  The other driver?  He didn't have my... enthusiasm, and ended up stranded in the wilderness for one more night before finally returning to civilization the next day.

I'm still not completely sure if he wasn't the smartest one of us all.

Canyon Gloaming

(Click HERE for larger version.)

High Adventure

(Click HERE for larger version.)

 The Way

(Click HERE for larger version.)

Canyon Canvas

(Click HERE for larger version.)

Stormy Desert

(Click HERE for larger version.)

 Harmonious

(Click HERE for larger version.)

Lobster

(Click HERE for larger version.)

Time to get leid.

They say everyone deserves a second chance.  I think that's a bunch of crap.  I say everyone deserves a fourth chance... at least that's what I keep telling myself lately. How else can I explain my good fortune at landing a fourth trip to Hawaii?

That's right:  this winter, after a five-year hiatus, I'll be packing up my lenses and returning to the Big Island of Hawaii.  Like before, I'll be exploring every corner of this magnificent island in search of beautiful images.  Only this time, I will have an additional role to play.

I'm proud to announce that, after a lengthy application process, I have been selected to be the Artist-In-Residence for the month of February at the renowned Kalani Oceanside Retreat on Hawaii.

Kalani is like nothing I've ever heard of before.  It's a combination retreat/sanctuary/wellness-center located in the remote Puna region of Hawaii. Situated on a lush, 100+ acre plot, Kalani is a place for people to come and unwind, recharge, connect with nature and leave the hectic pace of the modern world behind.

But, Kalani is much more than just a retreat.  It's a non-profit, thriving eco-village that practices sustainable agriculture and places great importance on concepts of family and community.  You can stay there as a paying guest, or you can volunteer there for months at a time, joining over 100 others in helping out with the many different things needed to make Kalani run smoothly.

Or, if you're lucky like me, you can be the monthly Artist-In-Residence (AIR).  As AIR, my primary job is to use my photographic skills to make a beneficial contribution to the Kalani community.  As such, I have been charged with creating works of art for use both on Kalani's website and throughout the property.  I will also be teaching photography classes both in the field and in the classroom.

In exchange, I will be given room and board in a special VIP section of the compound with free access to healthy, chef-prepared meals and world-class facilities.  There's even a large clothing-optional pool. (You know, in case your swimsuit gets too, um, constricting.)

Of course, the best part will be the community and island itself.  Living and working in one of the most amazing places on Earth meeting friendly folks from all around the world isn't exactly the worst way I could think of to spend my time.

In celebration, I have posted some of my favorite Hawaii images from the past below.  Hawaii has always been very good to me, and I have no doubt that this time that trend will continue.  I can not WAIT to get back out there!

That about does it for this month.  Next time, I will have the images from my recent trip to Utah and Colorado.  Until then, thanks for reading as always.  And Happy Halloween! ^_^

The Watcher

BOO!

With tomorrow being the first day of October and the start of the Halloween season, the time feels right to unveil this spooky, ominous image.  (Be sure to view the large version.)

I shot this from my canoe while paddling the Minnesota River earlier this summer. It's a bald eagle, quietly surveying his domain.  He stayed there motionless for quite awhile, all alone at the top of a tall dead tree.  I got the feeling that nothing escaped his steely gaze.  I wouldn't want to be a mouse or rabbit living around there, that's for damn sure.

That about does it for this month's unusually brief (some would say mercifully so) entry.  Next month, I will have images from my upcoming trip to Colorado and Utah, which is only six days away.

Until then, take care.  And, don't even think about wearing the same costume as last year. ^_^

The Watcher

(Click HERE for large version.)

An Engaging Experience

As promised in last month's photoblog post, here are the images from the photo shoot in the tall grass prairie.  I don't often do this type of work, but, when good friends honor you by asking you to shoot their engagement photos for them, you don't say no.

The prairie, of course, cooperated perfectly and really lent a sense of beauty and atmosphere to the images.  We had a blast the whole time despite the hordes of mosquitoes.  A colorful sunset sealed the deal.

To mix it up, we also did some shooting on the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis.  My friends are city kids, after all.

To Gen and Jake:  thanks for being great subjects and even better friends.  I look forward to shooting your 50th Anniversary photos in 2062.  Until then! ^_^

A butterfly bonanza!

Ever heard that saying "even the sun shines on a dog's ass some days"?  It basically means that everyone gets lucky sometimes.  Well, pass the sunscreen, because lately my butt's been getting severely burned.

Last week, I returned to a beautiful native tall grass prairie near Minneapolis (the very same one where I made this image, this image and this, too) to check on the wildflowers for an upcoming photo shoot.  Every single time I've been there, Lady Luck has been sitting in my lap and I've been blessed with perfect conditions.  This time was no different.

The moment I saw it, I could scarcely contain my smile.  The sky was a vibrant blue with nice, fluffy clouds and the wildflowers were the best I'd ever seen them!  Even though I was only there to scout locations and hadn't planned on shooting, I knew immediately that plans had changed.  It was time to make some art!

I found the composition I wanted, set up my camera, and waited.  The place was swarming with Monarch butterflies and I knew if I was patient enough, I'd eventually get a bunch of them in my composition.

Sure enough, one by one the Monarchs swooped in.  Each time, I snapped a shot. Then, in post production, I blended the shots together to create the image you see below, which I am very happy with.  It really captures the fun, exuberant, summery emotion I felt out there.  Seems like I can do no wrong on the prairie.  (Other places are a different story.)

And that photo shoot?  It happened just a few days ago, and, of course, Mother Nature cooperated beautifully and things went well.  I'll have those images posted soon.  Until then, thanks as always and take care.  And enjoy summer while it lasts! ^_^

(P.S.  There are 12 Monarch butterflies in the image.  Can you find 'em all?)

Monarch Madness
(Click RIGHT HERE for large version.)

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

My next-door neighbor must be on cloud nine.  Wouldn't you be if a pot of gold materialized in your back yard?

A couple weeks ago, at the end of a stormy day, the most magnificent rainbow I've ever seen appeared right over my house in northeast Minneapolis (my house is the second one from the left).  It was a rare sight, indeed.  The fact that you could see the whole thing from end to end -- in the middle of the city -- was almost unheard of.  Combine that with the vivid colors of the setting sun and the result was truly something to behold.  For the short time it lasted, I was hypnotized by its beauty.

As for that pot of gold?  I dunno if that legend is true or not, but I will say that my neighbor has been sporting some new bling lately.  Coincidence? ^_^

Home Sweet Home
(Click RIGHT HERE for large version.)

P.S.  It's official:  Fine Image Photography now has a Facebook page!  Please check it out and "Like" it if you, um, like it. ^_^

P.P.S.  Fine Image Photography now also has a 500px page.  If you have't heard of 500px.com, you should definitely check it out!  It's a very high-quality photography site that is quickly gaining momentum worldwide.  Stop by and "Follow" me there.

The Moth With No Name

I'm stumped.  (Yes, big surprise, I know.)

For the first time ever, I can not identify a butterfly.  Over the years, I've shot many, many butterflies, and I've always been able to successfully identify each and every one.

Not this time.

This cute lil' bugger has completely eluded me.  From my extensive research, I've concluded that he is a moth, not a butterfly, but that's about as far as I've been able to get, and even that's not for certain.  I've exhausted every lead I have.  Therefore, from this day forth, he shall be known as The Moth With No Name (cue epic music).

That does it for this month.  Next time, I should have some new summertime images for you.  And none of them will contain unnamed species.  Until then, take care. ^_^

The Moth With No Name
(Click HERE for large version.)

Postcards From The Caribbean

When was the last time someone sent you a postcard?  You know:  those cards with an image on one side and a space on the other where you use a writing utensil to, um, write a note -- with your hands.  Not with a keyboard, keypad, touchscreen or anything of the sort.  

If you're like most folks in this ultra-digital age, it's probably been quite awhile.  Well, fear not, because I have a whole mess of postcards for you.

Ok, I admit, these aren't true, paper postcards.  But, they're postcards nonetheless.  In the world of photography, we often call images that are good but not great "snapshots" or "postcards".  These are images that are often shot spontaneously without the normal amount of scouting and pre-visualization that goes into "hero images".  They are still good images, but not necessarily the cream of the crop.

Such is the case with the images below.  These are a collection of "postcards" I made throughout last winter from St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.  I don't consider them quite up to par with the images on my main website, but still nice enough to show you.

Please enjoy.  And send a postcard to someone you love!  They're so much cooler than Facebook updates. ^_^

Coakley Bay Colors 

Sunbathing Iguana

Dog Prints 

Sunkissed 

Coakley Bay Sunset 

Sunset Through The Palm Fronds 

 Blue Skies, Old Ruins

West End Road Perspective 

Storm Over Buck Island

Treebeard lives!

Forests are a bitch. To shoot in, that is.

Ask just about any landscape photographer, and they'll tell you the same thing. Finding good compositions among the dense forest is just plain tough. (I touched on this in a previous photoblog post when I was shooting in the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park.)

The rainforest of St. Croix is certainly no exception. I've spent years trudging through many different parts of it, and never have found a composition I liked. Being in the Caribbean, it's a jumbled mass that often requires a machete to progress through. It reminds me of that famous line from Predator where Jesse Ventura says, "This sh*t makes Cambodia look like Kansas".

But, that all changed recently when a good friend took me on a jungle excursion he often does for fun. I thought I'd seen it all, but he proved me wrong. (Something that's all too easy to do.)

I came across a tree that is quite honestly the most spiritual, majestic and human tree I've ever seen -- it literally had a face. It was straight outta Lord of the Rings -- Treebeard would've wept! The feeling it gave me can only be described as "humble". I can't wait to visit it again.

I worked hard at creating the "feeling" of the tree's spirit in the image below -- I hope you can feel it, too. Please be sure and check out the LARGE VERSION so you can see the detail in the scene.

Before I go, I'd like to give a shout out to Crazy Joe Hazi for taking me on his excellent "Slow Down Jungle Tour". And, as always, thanks to all of you for your continued readership. Now, get out there and hug a tree! ^_^

The Tree God (Large version HERE.)

Me and my little feathered friend.

After living in the US Virgin Islands for twelve consecutive winters, I've learned a few things: Bugs are everywhere. Rum is divine. Tourists are clueless. (Most of them, anyway.)

Surprisingly, between the beach, bugs and booze, I've actually managed to learn a few useful things, too. Like how to sail a boat. Or, how to open a beer bottle -- any beer bottle (even the non-twist-off kind) -- with the flick of a lighter. Or, in the true survivalist spirit, how to hack open a coconut with a machete in a jiffy.

I've also filled my brain with a lot of interesting things: Columbus landed here on his second voyage in 1493. When the sun sets on a clear day, it often produces a green flash. Everyone should see bio-luminescence at least once in their life. (It's mind-blowing!)

Then, of course, there's the sad stuff: Third-world poverty is no joke. Corrupt politicians can really screw things up. Hurricanes are forces to be reckoned with.

Along the lines of that last category, I have seen first hand what development can do to indigenous wildlife. Before settlers arrived, the US Virgin Islands were home to a diverse population of tropical birds. Then, Europeans introduced the mongoose to the islands to eradicate rats. Big mistake. The mongooses, being day-hunters, largely ignored the nocturnal rats and instead feasted on the unprepared birds. Before long, the islands' once robust bird population was decimated. (Nice move, Europeans! Mongooses: 1. Settlers: 0.)

Due to our forefathers' blunder, it is a rare treat to be able to see an indigenous island bird species in the wild today. Enter the Green-throated Carib. For some reason, this pretty hummingbird has beaten the odds, and can be seen here and there around the islands. However, getting a good photo of one is no easy task. Being a hummingbird, the Green-throated Carib is extremely fast. We're talking lightening speed -- now you see it, now you don't.

For years, I've fantasized about being able to photograph one of the little buggers in a way that's truly artistic. Not just a quick snapshot of one on a fence. Something truly pleasing to the eye.

Last month, I finally got my wish.

I was out shooting on Cottengarden Point, on the eastern tip of the island, when out of nowhere popped a Green-throated Carib. I watched him for awhile and noticed that he kept coming back to a specific flower on a certain cactus. The sun was starting to set and the light was golden and beautiful, so I decided to take a chance, set up my cumbersome long lens rig and train it right on the flower.

I knew it was a long shot. What were the chances that the lil' guy would come back yet again to that specific flower? And, even if he did, how likely was I to manage to catch him when he was in just the right spot in the frame with his wings positioned correctly, et cetera?

Well, maybe I should visit Vegas soon because I hit the jackpot! Within ten minutes, my little feathered friend returned right on cue. He lingered for about a minute and then he was gone and did not return. Didn't matter. I had what I came for. My wish had been granted!

That about does it for this entry. As always, thanks for reading and be SURE to view the LARGE VERSION. And happy Leap Day! ^_^

A Sweet Sip (large version HERE)

Thanks, Mom!

I love Mother, and I'm not talking about my mom. Although, yes, I love her, too. (Whaddaya think I am?)

No, I'm talking about Mother Advertising, one of the trendiest, most well-respected advertising agencies in the world. They have offices in London, New York and Buenos Aires, and are the agency of record for some of the world's biggest brands including Coca-Cola, Ikea, Stella Artois and many others. They produce some of the most clever, catchiest and flat-out best ads in both print and television, including Superbowl commercials complete with celebrity appearances. In short: they are a big deal.

So, you can imagine my elation when I landed a photography assignment for Mother New York last November. I travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to shoot the Target GoTube in it's inaugural deployment.

The GoTube is a genius idea courtesy of the brilliant creative minds at Mother New York. Basically, it's a mini-Target store that sells a limited number of items tailored specifically to the event at hand. In this case, the event was the 2011 Arizona Balloon Classic. As such, the Go-Tube had things like binoculars, lawn chairs, neck pillows -- all things that one would need at a hot air balloon festival. Sweetening the deal was the fact that the items were at regular Target prices, as opposed to the normally high prices found at festivals these days. And, you could even return the items later to any Target store if needed. Pretty clever, indeed.

For me, the best part of all was working with the Mother staff. They are at the top of their game and it was a genuine pleasure working with people who really know what they're doing. They were very happy with the work I did, and hinted at the possibility of future projects together. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Be sure to check out the official announcement of the GoTube project on Mother New York's website by clicking RIGHT HERE. (Because these images were shot on assignment, they are technically the property of Mother New York and thus can't be found in my website's Fine Art Galleries as per usual.)

Well, that's all for this month. As always, thanks for reading. And give your mom a hug! ^_^