The Year -- And Blog -- In Review

Well, it's the last day of 2014... and this is my first blog post of 2014.  Not exactly what one would call a flurry of activity here, right?

In the past year, my life has been very busy with major milestones (got engaged, bought my old company back, sold my house in the Virgin Islands, etc) and I simply haven't had time to update this blog.  Make no mistake, I've definitely had time for photography, and have been busy making art all year long.  In addition, my Facebook Page gets a lot more attention these days, so, when I do have something to say, I tend to say it there.

So, what does this mean for the future of the blog?  To be honest, I'm not sure.  Creating quality blog posts takes loads of time -- and time is hard to come by these days.  For now, I'm putting the blog on hold.  I'm not deleting it as I may start posting to it regularly again in the future.  Just freezing it in time for now.  If you want to see my latest work, my website and Facebook Page are the ticket!

Before I go, I'm going to leave you with an image of my fiance and I so you can see for yourself who has been taking up lots of my time this past year.  Not bad, eh? :)

Look at me:  all grows up.

Announcing Hawaii Photography Tours!

Aloha!

I'm pleased to announce that beginning in March of 2014 I will be leading photography tours on the incredible Big Island of Hawaii. Joining me will be renowned Kauai-based landscape photographer Aaron Feinberg.  Together, we will take you on a photographic journey like no other. We will visit every corner of the island, including places that few other tours go to.

Sick of this insanely cold winter yet?  Needing some adventure to spice things up? Looking to get some world-class photos?  Well, stop looking!  This photography tour will cure all that ails you. :)

Click HERE to to get the details.

Until next time, thanks as always for reading.  And bundle up out there! ^_^

 BECAUSE THIS...

IS BETTER THAN

THIS. (My front yard in Minneapolis.)

Sweetpea and me.

Sometimes in life you come across people who are special.  People who have an aura about them. You know the type:  they always command attention when they enter a room, always look fantastic, are successful and always have lots of friends and things going on.

Back in high school, I knew this guy Eric. My friends and I called him the Golden Boy. He had natural good looks, perfect grades, the attention of throngs of girls, and always did well at anything he tried. It would've been downright annoying if he wasn't such a nice, cool guy. But he was. The awesome times I had with him are too numerous to count.

A few months ago, I was at a friend's birthday party when I ran into another Special Person. She had a small, unintentional entourage around her. I say unintentional because I could tell she hadn't arranged for it to be that way, it just was that way. The way she looked and carried herself made me stop and stare -- beauty and confidence command anyone's attention.

Eventually, after what seemed like a fortnight, she and I got around to chatting. I learned the following things about her, in order of importance:  1. She's not single. (Dammit.) 2. Her name is Tawnya Konobeck. 3. She performs all over the US as an incredible burlesque dancer named Sweetpea.  

A few days later, we connected via Facebook and I learned that she works with a lot of photographers and is very photogenic. I told her that if she ever wanted to work together, I'd be game. She replied in the affirmative and invited me to an event she was hosting later that week. I went with a friend and we were both BLOWN AWAY.

Seriously, I knew she would be good, but she was beyond good. It was a Saturday night show at a popular club in downtown Minneapolis and the place was packed. When she took the stage, my friend and I exchanged astonished looks. "That's the gal you were telling me about?" my friend asked. All I could do is nod and grin.

The next day, I wrote her again and pretty much demanded that we shoot together, and soon. After seeing her on stage, I just knew we could make some very strong images. Long story short:  she agreed and we did.

Below are some images from our first couple of shoots. We have more shoots planned, so check my Facebook page for updates. And, if you haven't LIKED my FB page or Sweetpea's FB page yet, please do! Every little bit helps. ^_^

P.S. Yes, I still have lots of good ol' nature images coming down the pipeline. I'll be shooting in the southwest US the entire month of November with my good friend and world renowned landscape photographer Marc Adamus. Stay tuned and take care.

Treasure Hunting in the Minnesota Woods

As a kid growing up in southern Minnesota, I had two things in abundance:  close proximity to the woods and a vivid imagination.  I took advantage of both.

I made forts to protect me from the bad guys that I just knew were out there, searching for me with nefarious intentions. I climbed trees to survey the land in case anyone was in distress and needed the assistance of a skinny, nine-year-old, self-proclaimed Master Of The Woods.  I skipped rocks on the river, practicing up for that big rock-skipping-contest that I was certain would happen any day now in the ravine behind my house.  Sometimes, things got heated and I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands, shooting the bad guys -- who bore an uncanny resemblance to glass bottles -- with my slingshot, grinning ear to ear when the bad guys smashed nicely into little pieces.  And, it goes without saying that I regularly searched for and found hidden treasures scattered throughout the woods.

This, of course, should not come as a surprise.  Any self-respecting kid simply knows that there is treasure in the woods.  It's just a matter of finding it.  Which, for me at least, was always an adrenaline rush because the treasure was actually real.  

Every spring, my family would grab some pillow cases, hit the woods and hunt for marvelous Morel mushrooms.  Morels are an easily identifiable, edible delight that can be found in the woods across the entire Midwest, New England and parts of the South.  Fried in butter, they are a tasty treat indeed.

Even better than the eating was the finding.  There's just something about tromping through the woods, knowing that just around the bend might be a treasure trove of goodies waiting to be found.  Or not.  Sometimes, we'd spend an entire day scouring the countryside and not find a thing.  Other days, it seemed we'd see Morels everywhere we looked.  Regardless, it was the thrill of the hunt that kept us coming back.  Much like how a slot machine keeps you playing with the promise that the next pull might be the jackpot, the woods keeps you hunting for that next delicious score.

Just over a week ago, for the first time in over twenty years, I decided to fuel my addiction once more and entered the woods just outside my hometown of Mankato, Minnesota. This time, I had a Morel beginner with me and I really wanted a successful hunt so that she would understand what all the fuss was about.  Literally within three minutes we struck gold.  There, like a diamond in the rough, was a cluster of three Morels poking through the leaves.  After that, we found them everywhere.  For the next hour, we weren't treasure hunters, we were treasure finders.

And another Morel mushroom lover was born. ^_^

Marvelous Morel Mushrooms

(Click HERE for larger version.)

Mushroom Hunter

(Click HERE for original version.)

Wind, water, waves... and yoga.

During my stay at Kalani as the Artist-In-Residence, one of the things they assigned me with was making images of people doing yoga.  Kalani is renowned for their yoga, both for their many excellent instructors and for the wide variety of yoga styles that they teach.  As such, they wanted dynamic image of people practicing the craft.

While scouting, I found an area on the coast where the waves regularly slammed hard into the rocks, shooting high into the air.  The power of it was astounding!  Thinking that it would be a perfect spot to bond with nature and practice yoga, I set about creating an image of someone practicing yoga with the thundering waves as a backdrop.  After many days conceptualizing and then shooting, I came away with some images I love.

Below are a couple images from the yoga shoots.  The first one was shot in the afternoon, and the next one was shot at sunrise the very next morning.  As you can see, the wind completely died during the night allowing for a perfectly still tidepool complete with reflections.  The end result are two images with similar concepts, but very different outcomes.  I want to give a shout out to my friend Lynn for posing for these shots for me.  She was very patient and resilient -- standing still for hours while being pummeled by high winds and waves is not easy.

I will have more images from the trip posted soon.  Until then, take care!

"Arise!" 

"Sorceress"

Time for a teaser.

Aloha!  After an incredible month, my time here in Hawaii is coming to an end.  To say I've gotten some great shots here would be an understatement.  This has been one of the most productive trips I've ever had, both professionally and personally.

Next month, once I've had time to edit them, I will have more images from the trip to show you.  For now, I have a little teaser image for you.  It's an image from my first lava shoot.  Witnessing the ocean and lava battle it out was awe-inspiring.  It truly was.

Until next time, Mahalo.

"Creation Meets Destruction"

Click HERE for large version.

I found Hawaii hidden under my couch.

Ever found money hidden away in an old pants pocket or book?  Or under the couch cushions?  A hidden treasure you did not expect!  Awesome, right?  I know the feeling.

Earlier today, in preparation for my trip to Hawaii tomorrow, I went through some of my decade-old Hawaiian images and found a couple keepers that I hadn't noticed before.  I'll call them my Images From Under The Couch.

As I'm quite busy today, I'm going to keep this photoblog post short.  Suffice it to say that next month, I should have a bounty of tropical images for you to get you through the rest of the winter.  Until then, take care.  And keep warm! ^_^

A Long Way Down

(Click HERE for large version.)

Sunbathing Seaturtle

(Click HERE for large version.)

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