Method Modal - Modalis Specialis

Winch Day

2009-02-02T16:07:00.003-05:00

A class on Winching 4x4's held out at Brian's in Jupiter.

Project: Blurry aka Bokeh

2009-01-10T11:10:00.004-05:00

Blurry shots taken while driving back from South Beach. I was intrigued by the shapes of light when the camera was just out of focus.

While they are still categorized as "Bokeh", they are just plain blurry.

Nevertheless, the shapes and hues were fascinating.
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From Wiki:
Bokeh (derived from Japanese, a noun boke 暈け, meaning "blurred or fuzzy") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens using a shallow depth of field. Different lens bokeh produces different aesthetic qualities in out-of-focus backgrounds, which are often used to reduce distractions and emphasize the primary subject.

Origin:
An example of the bokeh effect produced by a Canon 85mm prime f/1.8 lens.
Mike Johnston, former editor of Photo Techniques magazine, claims to have coined the bokeh spelling to suggest the correct pronunciation to English speakers, replacing the previous spelling boke that derived directly from the Japanese word for "fuzzy" and had been in use at least since 1996. It can be pronounced /ˈboʊke/ or /ˈboʊkə/ (boke-aay or boke-uh).

The term bokeh has appeared in photography books at least since 2000.
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Aquatica!

2009-01-08T11:01:00.002-05:00

We finally got got our Aquatica A300 Housing for our Nikon D300 cam... For the moment we are using Sea & Sea YS-110 TTL Strobes. Some of the pics were taken with a Nikon D40 and some were taken by a Nikon D300 [I took it out from the housing]. There are some other components on back-order - and some things that we will need to get, but those are things you don't find out until you purchase...

As we go along we will learn...we will grow... and hopefully we will earn, ha...

I am very excited to try this all out as you can imagine!

New Years!

2009-01-05T07:36:00.000-05:00

Pics taken on New Years Eve and New Years Day

South Beach, and Lincoln Road

2009-01-01T13:27:00.002-05:00

Pics taken while visiting long time friends Dragan and Leila having a respite after Christmas. It was good to see them (as always) and it was nice to be able to walk and shoot

Tomorrowland Abstraction

2009-01-01T13:22:00.001-05:00

Pics taken while visiting the mouse in Orlando. I love this section of the park, due to its futuristic look, and obvious Art Deco approach.

Marathon, Key West and Beyond

2008-12-22T23:59:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful week in the Keys, this being our first time! We have all decided that Key West is the place for us, and the next time we visit we will not return, choosing to get lost in the local color, flavor and bon vivant of this magical island. It is truly an American Paradise.

Pawel, Gosia and Zoya's visit

2008-12-22T23:36:00.006-05:00

Pics of their visit to the States. Since they will with us for about a month I will have multiple posts...

Reflections, Dad 1962

2008-12-09T12:34:00.013-05:00

Reflections -

Dad found this pic in one of his boxes locked away like most of his memories of the Vietnam War and his 18 year career with the Special Forces. Slightly damaged, but still looking good for a picture that is over 45! years old, I photoshopped it back to good health. (There must be a metaphor in here somewhere)

When I see this picture, I am reminded that there are very few pictures of my Dad in his youth, due to the fact that most if not all were 'misplaced' during his 18 months as a P.O.W. (1966-1968) [his belongings or personal effects were shipped back to the States and G*D only knows where they are now].

Coupled this with the fact that his family suffered a fire when he was 16 or 17 years old where they lost EVERYTHING. So there are very few pictures of him prior to the fire and Vietnam.

The hope of finding any remaining items in tact is a bit like hunting for buried treasure, and with each passing year as the Aunts, Uncles and his generation of "Adult" cousins get older these items are harder and harder to find.

As I look at him at 22, at the beginning of his career as a warrior and patriot, I see the hope, self determination, swagger, atitude, and self assuredness that youth provides. I also see myself (and my brother Dale), as my family would attest.

Some where in this young man is the father (and teacher) that I have come to know and love, a young man that soon after his entering into battle would soon be changed forever.

I am amazed at his will, strength and perserverance for those experiences would have surely broken a weaker man.

For each struggle that I have to endure, for each obstacle that I have to overcome, for each problem that I feel may be too hard to solve, I reflect upon his experience and life and it all seems moot. His lessons (and mistakes) continue to endure, and re-confirm themselves.

Thanks Dad for giving me the "Tools for Life".

Holiday Season in South Florida

2008-12-03T17:55:00.004-05:00

Even after 2 years it is hard to be in South Florida during the Holiday Season. Sandals and shorts in December?? What Sacrilege!

As a Northerner there are certain winter ideals that are hard to overlook. Christmas lights on a palm tree is one of them. Strange, yet somehow wonderful I haven't gotten used to the idea.

As of late we have had unseasonably cool weather happening right now, even though I know that the weather will change in a week, I still keep a look out for what might be a flurry or two...

Duck in Space

2008-12-01T16:25:00.001-05:00

While at my parents house I like to go out and watch "Ducky", a float thermometer for their pool. I like to watch him bounce around with the currents, mesmerized by the sunlight that dances around him.

While watching I imagine him floating round in space, dancing in and around the swirls, or maybe nebulas or even time warps...

Lauren & Jefferson

2008-11-24T16:58:00.004-05:00

Pics of my good friends Lauren and Jeff.

Jeff and I used to work together briefly while at Lockheed in Rockville. Within 5 minutes I had a feeling that we would be lifelong friends. Easy going and a fellow photographer/artist, I respect his point of view and opinion because he cuts to the quick.

Lauren is his [much] better half and it was our pleasure to finally meet her. Both climbing enthusiasts, they long for big open spaces, vistas that defy description and skies that are endless. I wish them the best of luck in finding their Shangri-La, and a place that helps to drive their passion.

Thanks guys for visiting and I hope to see you both again soon.

Russ

2008-11-20T13:18:00.002-05:00

My good friend and fellow dive team member here at work... His face is so interesting and full of character.

I respect him for his diving experience and insight. As a team we work well together, and while diving we always seem to know what the other person is thinking.

That being said, I was with him the day he got 'bent' and the thought of possibly losing him as a team member or worse losing him to decompression sickness was heavy on my heart.

We had the same dive profile, the same bottom time, the same safety stop. All these questions were in my head rolling round. "Why am I not feeling any symptoms??"

After deeper discussion/investigation/consideration, it was attributed to a bubble no bigger than a magic marker nib that was lodged in his back due to his weight belt being too tight.

After he was lifted to a deco chamber, we had to continue with the salvage task and everyone was SPOOKED. Definitely one of the most stressful days of my life and not one that I want to re-live EVER.

It was hard to concentrate on the job and not think of him suffering or what the next 48 hours held for him in the deco chamber.

Thanks Russ for being a mentor and friend.

At last!

2008-11-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

We finally got our gear! It has been 2 years of hard work, perserverance, and dreaming.

Wayne and I believed that our art and experience would help in giving our 2 man show credibility - and with each project one step closer to fullfilling our vision.

"It's a wonderful night for a moon dance"

2008-11-14T15:40:00.007-05:00

While attending a going away party we were lucky enough to get a moon dance...

The evening was PERFECT.

Not too hot, not too cold - just right - with a nice sea breeze. It was one of those nights you dream of, the kind of night that makes appreciate life and hope to experience again and again...

Sunrise 11-11-08

2008-11-11T09:37:00.001-05:00

I never, ever get tired of shooting sunrises here in South Florida...

Wayne

2008-11-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

I can't decide which one I like the best...

In Color

In B&W

Nina, queen of the house

2008-11-03T08:14:00.006-05:00

She tolerates me at best. She is a good model, allowing me to get close...

Trip to Ft. Lauderdale

2008-10-31T13:43:00.004-04:00

The more I spend time with Donny, I realize that we are equally the same as we are different. I respect him for his experience, point of view, and his willingness to express it. Our conversations are equally as varied, even though the subject takes tangents it always seems to make its way back to the original discussion. We both have concerns, worries and ideas about where we are going as a Nation. Due to our respect for each other we can discuss freely, not holding back due to the fact that we are both "military brats", have thick skin and a multi-racial back ground.

Thanks Donny for being you...

Sunrise 10-18-08

2008-10-30T09:57:00.002-04:00

Amy's Birthday

2008-10-29T13:53:00.013-04:00

Amy, good friend and co-worker. She has a laugh that is infectious!

Homage to Ansel Adams

2008-10-13T18:08:00.001-04:00

My Attempt to capture an image as poswerful as Ansel Adams...

Another beautiful sunrise

2008-10-13T17:10:00.004-04:00

My ongoing love affair with Mother Earth.

Each morning that I can witness her show renews my spirit.

Each moment that I capture recharges my creative battery; Her blessings that would otherwise go unnoticed are always held close and dear, because I know that some day I will not be able to experience her embrace from this Earthly perspective.

I can only hope that the next world will hold more sunrises for me to witness...

The force that is...

2008-10-13T15:09:00.016-04:00

The Black Crowes

I have always been a big fan of The Black Crowes, but after seeing them live this past Summer, I was BLOWN away...

They are a soulful rebellion; a musical hurricane to be reckoned with.

The power of their prose, the force of their music, and the voice of Chris Robinson all came together for an awesome experience...

During Sunfest I was on my feet dancing with Anna, rocking out to every song... "Soul singing, you got my soul singing"...

I hope to be able to see them again this fall...

Rock on Crowes, rock on!

*Images pulled from various web pages...

Night Time on Jog Road

2008-10-13T15:01:00.002-04:00

Some extended exposure pics taken at a round-a-bout down the street. I have been wanting to take a pic using this technique ever since we moved in. I hope to be able to try a few things until I am happy with the results...

The Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

2008-10-04T11:12:00.002-04:00

Shots taken while visiting the Norton Museum of Art in downtown West Palm Beach.

Be VERY careful when bringing in cameras to this Museum. They are hawkish and you are allowed to photograph in only 3 areas, which are represented here. I was approached numerous times and questioned, and at one point was told "Don't do that!!". My reply was "You need to have a meeting", where he seemed perplexed. I explained my response, telling this 'astute' gentleman that I was briefed and told where I could take photographs by no less than 4 employees, where he sharply pulled out his cellphone to verify...

He later returned telling me that I could take pictures, and I thanked him for his prowess, powers of perception and above all being 'in the know'...

Carolyn and Jimmy's visit to West Palm

2008-09-15T10:02:00.006-04:00

I met Carolyn and Jimmy through my good friend and "hermano en armas/frère d'armes" Wayne. Carolyn is Wayne's "baby sister" and is about as loving of a person as you can find. Jimmy is a very nuanced Southern Gentleman with a great sense of humor. All 3 really compliment each other and they are the definition of class, love, and openess and truly have a bon vivant approach to life. Equally comfortable in the back woods as they are in the "city" - they are a breed of people that I can identify and feel comfortable with [no easy task] discussing many subjects with never a dull moment.

It was my distinct pleasure to meet them and I hope to be able to cross paths with them again.

Renee and Doug's Wedding

2008-09-03T09:47:00.002-04:00

Pics of good friends and co-workers coming together to celebrate Renee and Doug's Wedding...

The Lone Jennies @ O'Shea's 08-30-08

2008-09-01T11:15:00.002-04:00

Pics of my friends and their band The Lone Jennies.

Nina

2008-08-26T08:32:00.002-04:00

Got her as a kitten barely 8 weeks old. We are all she has ever known and we belong to her.

Juno Beach Pier 08-09-08

2008-08-12T08:19:00.000-04:00

Egrets

2008-08-12T08:07:00.004-04:00

Egrets although common to Florida, are not common while at Ocean Reef Park. I was suprised to see them, walking around tide pools snapping at bait fish. I tried [with some degree of luck] to get close enough to take a decent snap. I used my flash to back light them in hopes that their white feathers would light them up a bit...

A larger version:

Pelican King

2008-08-07T15:37:00.003-04:00

I look forward to the time of year when the Pelicans return, graceful in flight, and Pterodactyl like. They are spectacular to watch, with their lazy soaring and dive bombing runs on unsuspecting fish...

A washed out pier is usually their domain while here, a perch where they can watch it all and survey their kingdom, even if for a short time until they migrate to other locations...

Anna

2008-08-07T15:27:00.002-04:00

My champion, my friend, my love.

Sunrise Shells 08-06-08

2008-08-06T13:47:00.004-04:00

Shooting with that magic 50mm lens again this morning.

I love where we live. Of course it is not perfect, but I have worked my whole career to be here right now. And knowing/realizing that this is "our paradise" - I do not want to miss any sunrise, any sunset, any wave, any swim, any dive, or any moment that we are here. The photography is a means unto itself... To help document our new life, as Anna and I had always hoped and dreamed.

Tigger

2008-08-05T08:33:00.005-04:00

We found Tigger as a kitten at an American amusement park [Six Flags] while living in D.C. He was part of a litter that was hanging out at the food vendors area waiting for handouts. He was brave and ventured out to us when the rest of his siblings ran off to hide. Malnurished, dirty and visibly ill we took it upon ourselves to bring him home in hopes of finding a permanent home for him - but as things work out as they often do he became a part of our family. I sometimes wonder what would have become of him if we hadn't taken it upon ourselves to separate him from everything he had known, and introduced him to a quasi stable environ... He is as loving as he is docile, his personality is amusing and never tiresome. When we bring him to the Vet to get check ups and the like, we always hear how wonderful a patient he is, ha...

Sunrise 08-05-08

2008-08-05T08:31:00.001-04:00

Lightening Surprise!

2008-08-03T11:31:00.005-04:00

So, I go down to my fav beach in hopes of capturing something interesting and I get a chance to practice some long exposure techniques with lightening!... It was really tough to focus since the sun hadn't risen yet [the D300 uses a color matrix focusing system, so if the contrast or lighting is poor on distant subjects you have to rely on infinity], and of course I was trying to time the shot to coincide when I sensed a strike was going to happen. And of course as luck would have it, the first of the series is the best... I hadn't worked out a method yet, so I got a blurry poor excuse of a picture, ha...

Juno Beach 08-02-08

2008-08-02T18:30:00.003-04:00

Twilight Voyage

2008-08-01T08:22:00.001-04:00

This set was inpspired by LTJ Bukem's "Twilight Voyage"...

Sunrise 07-31-08

2008-07-31T09:40:00.001-04:00

Everything that is old is new again

2008-07-30T16:10:00.002-04:00

Found this group of pics that I had posted a while ago on another site... Some were taken while I lived in DC and some were taken the first time I arrived in South Florida... Pics taken using a Canon G3

Singer Island Sunrise 07-29-08

2008-07-29T09:57:00.001-04:00

Singer Island Sunrise 07-28-08

2008-07-28T09:27:00.004-04:00

This morning was more tranquil than I had expected... It was a nice surprise...

Singer Island Rise...

2008-07-21T13:25:00.004-04:00

This condo is right next to the park where we enter the beach. Its position, makes it easy to photograph and as luck would have it, it is usually in between the public beach and many of the storms that roll in from the West. This position allows for some interesting photography, and helps to give scale to the massive fronts that push on through.

Singer Island Sunrise 07-21-08

2008-07-21T12:55:00.003-04:00

To the outside viewer these may be redundant, but if you look at the collection as a whole, each day is new and varied. Never are there 2 alike. There are obviously mornings where the sunrises just are not that interesting, but mornings where the light is amazing and the sunrise is just too beautiful for words more that make up for the mornings that might otherwise be considered boring.

Dale's Visit

2008-07-13T00:34:00.003-04:00

A visit from my brother Dale is a momentous occasion, considering that he lives so far away. I do not get a chance to see him all that often so when he is here we take full advantage of our time together. I first met him along with my other brother James when I was in grade school, and he has shown my sister and I nothing but love and understanding. Our visits are usually spent laughing, talking, and basically reconfirming the bond that exists even though our visits are few and far between. I think of him often, and when he leaves there is a hole that is left until the next time we see each other. I hope to have many more times together, talking about anything and everything...

NYC, Brooklyn and a Wedding, July 2008

2008-07-08T22:05:00.019-04:00

Shots while in NYC for a friend's wedding. [It was my first real chance to try out my new Nikon D300!!! I received it one day before my trip. The menu took a minute to get comfortable with but I was able to get great results with only one day of practice.]
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Every time I visit with friends back in NYC and Brooklyn I am reminded of times... good, bad, triumphant and equally humbling.

Upon arriving for the first time I began realize that the city is truly alive...

NYC is many things to many people who call her home, and she has shared with me some of her lessons [and secrets] and it is a place where you can find yourself and lose yourself, make and even break yourself. There is an air of coolness here that most people will never experience.

That being said, I truly love Brooklyn - good, bad or otherwise. It has a "come as you are" attitude, a "rock what you got" place where anything is possible that I have rarely felt or seen anywhere else. I hope to come back many times to feel that brashness and when I leave - it remains and lives within...
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Object of Desire - The Nikon D300

2008-06-24T10:18:00.012-04:00

3 years of dedicated saving has all been for this: The Nikon D300 - A moment where hopefully I can bring the level of my "hobby" to someplace where my creativity and passion continues to burn just a bit brighter...

Photography - Light, Shadow, and Focus...

2008-06-13T09:05:00.019-04:00

Some of my favorite and possibly better shots...