Happy 420!

Well, after returning to Minnesota, I quickly realized that winter had not left. We had two big snowstorms within two weeks of my return. So, what did I do? Went back to St. Croix, of course.

While I was there, a friend threw a party on the beach. It was, to say the least, fun.

Below is a photo which embodies the very essence of the party. To get this effect, I composed the shot, set the exposure to 1.6 seconds, tripped the shutter, and then moved the camera to the left while the exposure was being taken. The result is the tripped-out, blurred effect that you see. I learned about this nifty technique from world famous nature photographer Jim Brandenburg; he used it on this image. Although I use it very sparingly, when used properly, it can really strengthen an image. I feel that it has done just that here.

I was careful to compose the shot so that it showed a little bit of everything at the scene: there is a little bit of ocean, some moonlight peeking around the foliage at the top, and of course, the party-goers illuminated by firelight. If you look closely, just to the left of the girl's head, you can see some of the moonlight reflecting on the water peeking through the bushes. As usual, the larger version can be seen here.

And, in case you're jealous, don't be. I'm back in Minnesota now. And it's snowing today.

Look Out Below!

I think the Caribbean sun has gotten to my brain. Or, maybe it's the rum. At any rate, something must've addled my already meager senses. How else can I explain such a long delay in getting this blog entry posted? Once again, I apologize for such a long period of silence. Getting my sailboat up to speed has taken a good deal more time than I figured, and has eaten up much of the time I had allocated for photography. Whoever said that boats are money pits wasn't kidding. Every time I turn around, there's something to attend to. I've learned a new saying, one that's pure genius in its simple truth: BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand. Haha. Excuse me while I go cry now.

But all has not been bad. I do have at least a little something to show for my toils.

On one of the occasions that my boat was actually up and running, I was able to capture my favorite photograph since I've arrived here. During our sail someone mentioned that climbing up the mast and jumping into the water is quite fun. Never being one to pass up a chance for fun, I scrambled up the mast and had an exhilarating leap into the water from some 35 feet above. Not to be outdone, a friend followed suit immediately after me. However, his jump differed from mine in that he ended his with a most impressive face-plant into the water. It hurt just watching it.

Below is a photo of that man's jump. Note the crazed look on his face. If you look closely, you'll also see folks on the beach watching intently. How often do you get to watch someone try to tear their own head off? Filling out the composition are some terrific clouds and the moon right next to the guy. Maybe he was trying to jump over it?

I will be back in Minnesota soon. Take care.

Cold enough for ya?

If, like me, you live in Minnesota or any other midwestern state, on a cold winter day you've inevitably heard that dreaded question: Cold enough for ya? And again, if you're like me, you inevitably want to slap the face of the person asking that question. Seriously, what kind of response do they expect? "Gee, now that I think about it, 20 below zero isn't cold enough for me! I'd actually prefer it be 50 below. Thanks for asking!"

I bring this up because I've heard that it's been pretty darn nippy back in Minnesota. The temperature actually was 20 below zero just last week. Add a bit of wind chill in there and you have weather worthy of Antarctica. Of course, you know what's coming next. This is the part where I brag about how blissfully warm it's been down here in the Virgin Islands. I then tell you that I have built up a nice tan, and that's it's been sunny, and between 80 and 85 degrees every single day. But, I'm not gonna do that, because that would just be plain mean.

Nope, instead of telling you that I went sailing the other day, I'm going to talk photography.

I've been quite busy since I got here, and haven't had as much time for photography as I would like. That should change as time goes on. For now though, I do have a shot I'd like to show you. It's of a gecko, one of millions that we have here. The particular gecko was quite fun. He kept peeking out at me from behind a tree. I swear he was playing Peek A Boo with me. After a few shots, I finally got the one I wanted. I like how the composition is balanced by the three trees and the spaces between them. As always, the larger versions of the shot can be seen on my main website here.

I will do my best to report back soon. 'Till then, keep warm!

Better late than never.

I know, I know: I'm late. Not just a wee bit late, but a whole lotta late. I said I'd have the Hawaii photos up "in the next few days". Turns out a "the next few days" actually meant "thirteen days". Oops. Sorry 'bout that. Normally, I'd have something witty to say which would explain the delay while simultaneously making you laugh like you'd just watched President Bush try to solve a math problem. But, today I just don't have it in me.

You see, tomorrow I leave for my winter retreat in the Virgin Islands. Which, as fun as it sounds, is actually a lot of work. (I know, you're probably throwing up now.) I'll be gone for three months, so I've been busy with all the preparations, not to mention the whole New Year's thing. So, that's why these photos were so delayed. 'Tis the truth.

But, hey, at least they're done and posted now, right? Please take a look at them and let me know what you think. I'm pretty happpy with them and I think you will be too. As always, all these photos can be viewed in much larger versions complete with captions on my photography site in the Hawaii Gallery.

I will try and post photos from the Virgin Islands when I can. Internet is spotty there, so it may be awhile. Until then, I thank you for keeping up with me, and hope the best for you and yours.

What a difference a day makes.

Ha ha ha! Merry Christmas!

Haven't you heard? The powers that be have now decided that "ho ho ho" is politically incorrect, and would rather we say "ha ha ha" instead. ...And you thought I was strange? In all seriousness, though, I hope you had a swanky holiday.

I returned from my photo trip to Hawaii about a week ago, and upon landing I thought my plane had veered off course and landed in the Northwest Territories. I mean, some snow is one thing, but holy frozen cajones, Batman, are we having a winter this year. It would make a penguin scream!

My body was thoroughly confused. One day, I'm here:

...and the very next day, I'm here:

Yes, I know you're probably thinking I should call the waaaaaambulance. If you've been suffering through this entire winter without a break, you most likely have zero sympathy for me. Well, to that I say ...nothing. I can't really blame you. Ha ha ha! (No, that's just me laughing, not doing a Santa impression.)

And now, to the business at hand: photos! I'm happy to say, the shooting went pretty well. We had a bit more rain than usual, but in the end I definitely got what I feel are some stunners. I'm currently editing them and will post them ASAP -- should be in the next few days. Until then, Aloha and Mahalo!

If you go to San Francisco...

Well, the photos from my Northern California trip are finally done and in my California Gallery. I must say it is quite an amazing place. Even though I've been to California many times before, I was still astounded by all it has to offer a photographer.

I started in the awesome city by the bay, and it only got better from there. I explored waterfalls, mountains, giant redwood forests, coastal cliffs, lakes, rivers -- you name it, I saw it and photographed it. Overall, I was very happy with the trip and resulting photos.

Not everything went according to plan, however.

For starters, I got a bad cold the day before I left Minneapolis. It was severe enough that if I had I been going by car, I would've postponed the trip. But, I wasn't driving, I was flying. So, there was nothing to do but just grin and bear it. Getting up at the crack of dawn and hiking through wilderness with a backpack of camera gear can be tough. Doing it while sporting a fever and coughing every five seconds is an altogether different challenge. Thank God for willpower and Benadryl!

About five days into the trip, with my cold in full swing, I parked my rental vehicle near some railroad tracks running parallel to a river and proceeded to hike along them. I had been told by a guidebook that at the end of this hike was one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California. But, after awhile I realized that the book must be wrong. It said that the waterfall was only 1.5 miles down the tracks and I had already gone two miles. Then, I read more closely and saw a bit of info I had missed: I was supposed to hike the tracks upstream. And guess which way I had been hiking? Sigh... yep... I was hiking downstream.

I stood there numb for a moment and let it sink in. There I was, with a raging cold and a heavy burden, and I had just gone two miles in the wrong direction. Which, of course, meant that I had to hike those two miles back, and then from there go another mile and a half to the falls. And then another mile and a half back. So, instead of hiking three miles, I, navigational genius, would end up hiking seven. Yay.

I begrudgingly did an about face and began hiking back, when something else happened. A train decided that this would be the perfect time to come rumbling along on the tracks behind me. The tracks I was walking on. The guidebook had warned that the tracks were still in use and to watch out for trains, but I figured they were just being overly cautious. What were the chances that a train would really come along while I was there? Turns out the chances were pretty damn good.

I quickened my pace until I found a spot where I could get off the tracks, and I watched the metal monster chug by me. I really had serious thoughts about jumping it and riding it all the way to the falls. It'd be awesome! I would have an exhilarating ride, and cut four miles off of my hike! Then, I woke up. I'd already made enough blunders for the day. No sense in making a FINAL one. Besides, what would my tens of millions of blog fans do without me?

Tomorrow, I leave for Hawaii. I'll be back in a couple weeks with more photos and tales. Until then, take care.

A sign o' the times.

During my recent trip to Northern California, something terrible happened: an oil tanker hit a bridge in the San Francisco bay and spilled a large amount of oil. This happened the day after I arrived. So, when I went down to Fort Point to shoot some photos of the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge, this is what I saw:

Needless to say, this really pissed me off (and continues to do so). I mean, honestly, how hard is it to drive a boat without hitting something? Apparently, the captain got his license out of a Cheerios box. The authorities are considering bringing criminal charges. Give 'em hell, I say!

Sorry for such a depressing blog entry. It had to be done. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming very soon. I am ALMOST done with all the photos from Northern California, and should have them posted later today.