Huddled Masses

Reminiscent of the lines from the New Colossus, here we have huddled masses at the shore, Nature's golden lamp setting out to sea, no tempest at the door, just a peaceful moment completely free.

In the valley

There are places where one isn't removed from nature by concrete. Where all elements come together as part of a whole and exude a harmony of life.

Vibe

Before the holiday lights came down, I thought I'd have some fun but setting up my camera to take a long exposure and then moving it around slowly while the shutter was open. I like the effect.

Busy being blue

All made up and the place to go. Summer festivities fill the air in anticipation of song and dance. Gertrude found herself grateful that she wasn't the one busy being blue.

Long Shadows

It was an hour before sunset and the sun was casting long shadows of this pier as it moved behind it. This added a new dimension to the pier, creating its own geometry. I really liked the look. Letting people walk through my composition added the final element, putting all the pieces together. It works for me.

A body at rest

We're back.... after some much needed rest. Hard to get back in the swing of things.

Tranquil Colours

Just a little colour can add so much to an image... I've photographed this location at lease a dozen times, and so far this is my favorite and that is dues to the pink clouds and their reflections in the water.

Green Pastures

May your holidays be green pastures of tranquility! Wishing you priceless memories shared with family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Wishful Thinking

This time of year, you'd think everyone on the planet was a contestant in a miss universe pageant.... World Peace? Hardly possible, Peace on Earth... Sure, a little Photoshop work and viola!

Don't get me wrong. It's not a bad think to hope for, it just seems all it will ever be is wishful thinking without divine intervention. and that's something worth wishing for...

Rural Boxes

Keeping in touch with the world, no matter the distance...

That other little thing

The holidays: Shopping, Travel, Stress, Traffic, Crowds, and ... oh, yeah... that other little thing.

A Breeze

With a wind of change on the horizon Ted's journey is sure to become swift and hazardous. The calm beforehand helps prepare for the rough waters ahead.

Local Calls

I look out the window and call it a rainy day. All the technology in the world won't improve communication skills.

From the outside

A viewer brings a lot to an image. It is through their door of perception that brings infinite possibilities to two dimensions of pixels. So, is the bolted door keeping something out, or something in? Perhaps both somewhere in time....

Dali Daze

Feeling a little jumbled by the frenzy to trying to do a million little things? Welcome to the Dali Daze, err um Holidays. Stay focused, have some fun...

The beyond

Looking over horizons or dreaming of places where rainbows can take us are often the best way to keep going. Dream on!

Santa Baby

I love all the lights and decorations around this time of year. I could spend a whole week easy, just driving around photographing the colorful and creative ways that people express themselves during the holiday season.

Homeward Jane

The mad dash for holiday gifts left the place bare. There was nary a gift to be had, nothing in sight. Jane, exhausted turns on her heals and marches homeward. An act that would be her only real triumph of the day.

No worse for...

Rural locations provide for interesting finds. Most everything you encounter will have unique character and personality that is hard for find anywhere else.

4 Sale

Everywhere you turn, you run into a sale. Must be the holiday season.

Omega Man

When I rounded the corner and saw this guy standing on a rock I just started firing away as many shots as I could before he jumped down. That turned out to be three pictures. None of them turned out as sharp as I had hoped for so I couldn't use them for stock photography, but I like how they look none the less...

Pump up the volume

Being able to get music online is really working for me. There is so much, and it's so easy to purchase with a simple click. The problem is that it can become a time sink, and one has to resist the urge to click click click.... Other than that, it just keeps getting better.

On chrome

Cars aren't the only subjects of car shows.

Pelican Party

These are magnificent birds that are fun to photograph. I've been rewarded again and again with images of them in flight. You can't really get too close to them, so make sure you have a telephoto lens on hand.

Start me up

Each year the news stations and papers seem to go on and on about how difficult and stressful the holiday season is.... blah blah blah. Maybe it is, but a lot of folks I know don't see it that way. They aren't focused on spending their time in a buying frenzy.

They buy what they need online and are happy to spend time with family and friends they don't get to seen often enough. There's still a special nostalgia about the holiday season, and that's good.

Magic is possible if you believe...

Storm

It was rockin N' rollin out there yesterday. By that I mean the waves off the California Coast. This happens every year, but this year it seems the waves were exceptionally big....

I was disappointed in not being able to get out and photograph any of this, especially the surfers. People with surf boards where everywhere, all day long. It was like a surfing convention!

It's still early in the storm swell season, so this just may be an early indication of what's to come....

Have your cameras ready.

Donkey

You never know what to expect when you stroll the California beaches. Sandcastles , Sure. But, Donkey?

One thing's for sure. There is always room for creativity and expression...

3 Seconds

Long exposures are fun, but can be a bit tricky. Subject matter is always important, as is time of day. Water works well. In this case that water would be the Pacific Ocean during a negative tide at sunset. The small waves rolling back and forth in the tide pools seem to disappear, becoming almost flat and ghostly.

To do this you need to know when there will be a negative tide at sunset. I keep a tide book in my camera bag. Good lighting is a plus too.

When everything lines up right, the results are pleasing and the process is fun.

One more thing, you'll need a stable tripod and some type of shutter release.

Warship

This image might not be good for much else other than for an editorial (the stock agencies want releases). So be it. I'm not the one making the sacrifice. It's the men and women who put on the uniform and defend freedom. Hats off to you all!

Lines

Nature finds a way to prevail, despite the circumstances or environment. Something that should be a lesson to us all...

A little flash

The yearly winter migration of the Monarch Butterfly is underway. For me, it's always been a bit of a challenge to photograph these critters.

The main reason is that they like to keep to the shadows. Also, you can't get very close as they are some distance up in the trees.

I decided to give it a go and used a flash. To my surprise, my flash threw off enough light to bring out the details of the butterfly's that were in the shadows. Much better results than I've gotten before.

It's still early in the season, so I'm planning on making a few more trips out to photograph them and hope to find greater numbers of butterfly. I'll definitely use a flash from now on.

I'll also head up towards Pismo Beach where there is easier access and you're able to get closer to the butterfly clusters.

Weather Permitting

Lets face it, clouds add drama to the skies. Not just at sunset, but in general. The best part for me though is when they light up with colour.

Brides in White Satin

Out looking for signs of Autumn and water reflections I stumble upon a small group of people at a wedding. It gave me pause to reflect on one of life's biggest adventures - Marriage. I wish this mystery couple well.... and congrats too.

Old Salt

Along the California Coast, in places such as Morro Bay, you'll fine scenes, such as this, that are almost timeless. This was taken just after sunrise, which was perfect as most folks were still asleep. I really had the place to myself. Oh... and the lighting was good too.

Paddling

A herd of youth in red kayaks on blue water is sure to catch the eye, at least it is for me. The colour combo, along with the flags waving in the breeze were just too compelling not to photograph.

Union Station

Union Station in Los Angeles is a beautiful building and well worth photographing if you happen to be in the area. It has all the grace of its time.

New angle

Thank the red light. Sometimes you just can't be where you want to be when you want to be there. Not always a problem. In this case, I was driving by and had my camera at the ready. Fate was kind and I was first in line at the red light. Snap, and away I go...

Don't look back

This was the week of travel for sure. What was old is new again. What was dying is alive and vibrant. The cycle of life rolls on down the road of time.

Embellishments

They're all around us. Those little details that are part of the whole, which by themselves communicate creativity

The good light

Is it just me or are there days where the light just takes on a special quality?

Everywhere you go, and everything this light shines on seems to come to life.

Why o' why, can't there be more days like these... Maybe there are just outside of my cubicle...

Giving Thanks

When all is said and done, let us take a moment to give thanks for the great gift of life. A life filled with hope, family, friends, and love - the things that truly matter... The things it would be impossible to put a value on...

Start your engines

The mad holiday dash is upon us. A little patience and cool tempers will serve us all well. Be safe.

Traffic Jam

No matter his choice of transportation, each year Ben finds himself struggling in holiday traffic. Fortunately in this case, there were no reports of any major accidents... just a lot of bikes on the road.

Travels

Here it is, Thanksgiving week, the kick-off of the holiday season. The weather may be getting cooler, but travel activity is just starting to heat up. Be safe all Y'all...

Thumpin'

Sounds, so far away, fill the air. They add a pulse to the unfolding events of the day.

Surely this time things won't end badly....

Channel Keeper

This image that I took a few years ago has turned into a real project. Since I'm up early a lot, I have the opportunity to photograph sunrises. This is a good time of day as most people are just getting up an there aren't a lot of folks around. I've found that in order to make a compelling image a few elements are needed, such as this dredge and pelicans. This silhouettes provide for the interest and contrast with the orange and yellow morning sky.

I posted the image on my website, copied the photo onto a DVD and moved on. Forgotten really!

Well, a local fisherman really liked the image and wanted it on a T-Shirt. That's where the project end of this got started...

Lighting Sale

Hard to believe that November is half over and I've not had the opportunity to get out and take any photos. If all goes right I'll be able to rectify that tomorrow. The light has been outstanding the last few days and I want to put that to good use.

On red

Mid-day, under full sun isn't really the best time to be shooting bright reflective surfaces like cars. The key is to slow down and look at your subject matter. If you do, there will be plenty to photograph.

Colour Splash

Light, colour, and photoshop... That's one way to have some fun.

Yonder

Shapes of people and their shadows can be very effective in telling a story and conveying a sense of mystery. They make great subjects, and in most cases are easy to incorporate into a photo. Most of the time you just have to wait for someone to walk by and when they are in a position you think works - click.