Under the Juno Pier - In a perfect world

Under the Juno Pier - In a perfect world, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Thanks for stopping by!

Although I originally shot this as an asymmetrical image with a small section of the pier off the the left, I decided to work my mirror image technique on it. After a little color work, a bit of tonal contrast, and a couple of other photoshop actions, I created this. Hope ya like :)

Infinate reflections

Infinate reflections, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

On occasion, the image posted is the result of a creation not scene at the original moment of capture. It was a hazy lazy day in Key West that I found myself floating about in the shallow waters with a couple of friends. I shot a few images out there that day...some with boats, some underwater, some of us clowning around....but the simple ones of the clouds seem to interest me the most. As I studied one of them a little closer, I couldn't help but wonder what I could do if I mucked around a bit with it. I kinda like the result :)

Up to Montmartre' - Paris, France

Up to Montmartre' - Paris, France, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

I've often heard a few critiques talk about HDR photography as if its a fad. Hmmm, yeah, just like the impressionistic paintings in France were originally seen as. The only difference in todays internet age is how this fast this new look has spread. A passing fad? No, I think not. A technique that artists of the future will continue to explore, create with, and expand......you bet. I'd lay a nice size stack of cash on that one. There is no one that understands that more that the HDR guru himself, Mr. Trey Ratcliff from Stuck in Customs.

Check out his stuff at: www.stuckincustoms.com/2009/12/06/where-the-impressionist...

And while I'm chatting a bit about artists...and specifically about art it Paris.....here is a little clip of the one and only Jami Cullum jammin to a cut off his new album in, .......well,...... Paris!

A quick stop to soak it all in

A quick stop to soak it all in, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

I must admit, I haven't been allowing myself to be the most creative here lately. (I'm not even sure if that sentence makes any sense actually.....) This time of the year usually has me scrambling to keep up with the demands the season down here in South Florida. I guess that demand on the body and mind opens up the adrenaline tap thus allowing myself to create on a different level. (Once again, not really sure what the hell I'm talking about!)

All right, lets start over.....

How about we just all look at the pretty picture here :)

While heading over to the Breakers Hotel here in Palm Beach, the cloud formation off to the side caught my attention (funny how it seems to do that!) After a quick swerve off to the side of the driveway, I just had to stop to enjoy the reflection.......

That's it Mike......thats all ya got?.....ouya!

(Oh my, what a lame post!!!!!)

I think its time to grab the camera and get out there again, don't ya think? I need some new stories......and quick! LOL.....

Temporary lighting on a HUGE waterfall - Turnberry in Aventura

Temporary lighting on a HUGE waterfall - Turnberry in Aventura, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

This cool waterfall on the golf-course was the backdrop for a wedding that we lit a couple of weeks ago.....pics to follow soon. About 100 yards off to the left was the ceremony. We used wireless DMX to control a rack that fed power to the lights that you see along the wooded cart path. Without these, the waterfall and surrounding trees were virtually in the dark. The effect worked awesome, all were happy, and I got this cool image :)

The process required a few exposures as the waterfall was quite a bit brighter that the foreground here. In fact, the foreground red flowers were in the dark! It was something like a 3 minute exposure to get the detail. As always, more to come!

Look what I found!

Look what I found!, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

I don't care how many times I visit this incredible city, the desire to wander about the grounds at the Eiffel Tower (or Tour Eiffel as its known over there) never diminishes. I haven't scene it yet, but according to PLSN (a local trade publication for the lighting industry), this famous monument in Paris has been lit since October with more than 400 LED fixtures to mark its 120 year anniversary. I can only hope that the programming has been done tastefully. I am sure, being French, that restraint has been coupled with elegant style. The last thing the world needs, in my humble opinion, is another beacon of illumination slapping rather haphazardly thru the visible spectrum of light like a cheap imported souvenir! I'm just say'in.........

Nighttime fountain play in Boston (and a link to a video with a special message)

Nighttime fountain play in Boston (and a link to a video with a special message), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

My little image of this fountain in Boston has waited patiently and quietly in the "to post someday" file. I've stared at it many a times and thought....na, not today. I like it when I can tie an image together with a thought....or in tonight's case, a message. Read on.....

Water....wow, something most of us take for granted. In fact, we have more than we need for the most part and don't even consume half of what we are all supposed to. It is a stark reality, however, that a lot of the world is not so fortunate.

I am linking you to a video here and embedding a copy on my blog. If you get a chance, take the time to view it.



While attending a service this morning that, for some reason or another, I had felt a strong urge to attend, I was slapped a bit about the message. (To put things in perspective here, I can count on one hand the times I have actually gone to church this year) That doesn't really have anything to do with the story, but just painting a picture here. For some unknown reason, I felt a strange urge to attend.

They opened the service with this short little clip. (You really should stop for a few seconds and watch it.....really) I decided to google the video to see if there was more online, and bingo, there it was. I'm not here to push a belief, but the theme is quite powerful. Several messages actually. How so many in this world are without some of the basic needs absolutely amazes me! I mean....clean water!!!

Seriously, watch it a couple of times. It just might change you.....

Dig a little deeper into their site. Can one incredibly rich country make a difference? I think so!

A colorful day on the way to Key West

A colorful day on the way to Key West, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Hmmmm, I was gonna drone on about some reference to color and how life is all about the perception you choose to embrace this wonderful colorful world with and what it has to offer, and wouldn't ya know it.....I lost my train of thought......LOL.....

to be continued, I guess....

(hope you are having a great weekend!)

An end to another great day.....(A day of thanks and reflection)

An end to another great day.....(A day of thanks and reflection), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

So another wonderful Holiday comes to a close. I like these kind. No mass commercialism, no fanfare (except for the parade I guess), no excessive late night party......just real people sharing real feelings. Gratitude and thanks, definitely something that we all (especially us Americans) seem to take for granted on a daily basis.

I definitely have a lot to be grateful for. I blogged about it last year, and to be honest, I still mean every word of it. Here is the link....
mdsimages.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-i-am-most-thankful.html

My real focus this evening I guess is one of my vision or shall I say, my wish for the future. Making a difference in the world seems to be a tune that has been resonating a lot in the world recently. Perhaps it has always been playing softly in the background, but I have just started to allow myself to hear its precious melody. A reminder of what is possible was quite evident to me this evening as I tuned into CNN's Hero special out of the corner of my eye as I got a little caught up on some work. To be honest with you, it was kind of a slap in the face to me as to what is really possible. I have been grappling lately with this concept of giving without ANYTHING in return. To give with your heart, mind, and sole for the sole purpose of making real resonant change in the world (or at least to a small part of it.) Sure, that has a lot to do with why we all want to be great parents, but beyond that, and especially after watching that show...I know that I have so much more to give. Finding what that is exactly continues to be a journey.

We all want to leave our mark in this world. I guess its only appropriate to realize, except, and harness that feeling when it hits you. I am sure that I will continue to find ways to make a difference....in my life, my families, and the world around me....and for that, I am sincerely thankful!

More to come......

Reflective landscape in Iceland (and a Happy Thanksgiving!)

Reflective landscape in Iceland (and a Happy Thanksgiving!), originally uploaded by Photomike07.

My trekking about Iceland, as I have mentioned way too many times by now, rewarded me with a few challenges when it comes to lighting. Kind of ironic for someone who lives in a world of light! When I shot this scene however, I knew that I could work it a bit in post.

The original shot was just half of this. I have stared at it for a couple of months and never really thought that it was finished, until it hit me tonight. The scene was really quite grandiose there (sorry, I kinda hate that word to....just a bit stuck here), but I didn't really capture that when I was there. I decided to work the ole' copy and flip trick here, dodged and burned a bit, and created this. I kinda like it :)