Friday Foto: Sunset

Good morning to all. Another week has gone by. I can't believe it. Last weekend was fun, had lots of family in town celebrating my Grandmother's 86 birthday.

Today's fotos are from last night. I had a shoot yesterday evening for work. On my way home I saw the beautiful light through the trees and just had to stop for shooting, but what I got was more than just a couple photos.

Do you ever get so busy, your mind in so many places, that you forget to reflect? I mean, take time to just breath, take inventory of how your life is going? We work so hard trying to get places, become these identities that we have in our mind, while all along we are, and find ourselves wasting time not enjoying what we have. It reminds me of a scene in one of my favorite movies, "Joe Dirt". Joe spends the first 25 years of his life looking for his parents that abandoned him when he was a child, all the time pining for a family. It isn't until he's about to kill himself that his girlfriend enlightens him that he has had a family all along, he just didn't realize it. I know, quoting "Joe Dirt" is on the way to absurdity, but it holds true the point I'm trying to make. Reflection is key.

Anyway, tomorrow I am going up to a farm in mid Georgia to help celebrate my best friends bachelorhood. His wedding is next weekend. We should all have a grand time. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Friday Foto: River edition

So last weekend I went on the Altamaha River. Probably one of my favorite places in the world, and to be more specific, Lewis Creek which runs off of the Altamaha. I don't know why I love this place so much. I've seen prettier places, but maybe it's more than just the sights. It's the feelings associated with it. Off Lewis Creek is Lewis Island, home to the world's largest un-cut Cypress trees. Back in days, when they were pulling these trees for lumber, they eventually stopped because they couldn't get the machines any further back into the depths of the tree-populated island. So here today, they sit, monster trees. Trees so big it would take 5-6 grown men to wrap their arms around one trunk.

We got on the river to catch some of the morning light for photographs, then on to Lewis Island to hunt for the trees. See, they are kind of hard to find. This was my fourth trip to look for them, and each time we get a little closer. This time we actually found one, a dead one, but all the same. I can't wait to find the live ones. According to our calculations, next time we should find them. GPS's are great.

This weekend should be fun. I have a lot of family in, celebrating my Grandmother's 86 birthday. I am cooking Italian food tonight for the whole lot of them (around 25 or so!). Tomorrow we are all cooking lobsters.

That's about all I got this morning. I'm taking a half day so I can begin cooking, so I'm pretty excited. Hope you guys have a great day and weekend.

Friday Foto: YOB Pt.2

The YOB (Year of Ben) is upon us now. I'm more so than ever pumped about 2007. I found out this week that my boss/manager is leaving the company for better options. So now it will be just me and the owner/boss. This can only be good news for me. Possibly more money and definitely more control and responsibility. So, that's a good start to the YOB.

So, today's Foto comes at you from our own backyard. The St. Simons Land Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving land on our beautiful island, has just constructed a new nature trail located off Frederica Road next to the blinking light. I encourage everybody to go check this out. It's about .5 mile long and goes to a beautiful overlook on the marsh with benches. I went out there last weekend and took some shots.

I'm pretty pumped about this weekend. It will be nice to relax. I've been spending a lot of my free time building this coffee table for our house. I acquired some real nice marble tile and I wanted to inlay it into the top of a coffee table. I think it came our really nice. Kelly is very happy with it, which really, is all that matters. She helped too; was a good worker. Anyway, so this weekend I am relaxing. Sunday I'm hitting up the Altamaha River really early for a little photography adventure. I'm really excited... Definitely my element.



And, now to bore you all, I must mention the Apple iPhone that was announced this week. For extreme fans of the Apple company like myself, this announcement has been more than two years in the waiting. It will be released in June of this year and be provided with Cingular. The phone, just slighty larger than an iPod but thinner than a Razr, does it all. It's an all-touch screen, that is an iPod, web browser and phone all in one. I could go on and on about how cool it is, but I won't subject you to that. Follow the above link for photos and more info if you want.

Something you might find interesting is this though... Close to six years ago Cisco Linksys, a big tech company I'm sure you've heard of, actually trademarked the name "iPhone". Everybody new that if Apple ever made a phone that they would name it the "iPhone". Well, about a month ago, Cisco released an internet phone called the "iPhone". On Tuesday, when Apple's Steve Jobs unveiled the new cell phone, he said "...and we're calling the iPhone." It's a blatant request for civil action from Cisco and they took the bait and have already filed suit against Apple. Who will win? My money's on Apple for sure. The "i-whatever" naming scheme has been in public conscious for way too long now. Good luck Linksys, you're going to need it.

Hope you guys have a great day and an awesome weekend. Peace.

Friday Foto: New Year and Poi.

Poi (pronounced 'poy') is the art of spinning fire. My cousin, who has been and still is in the Peace Corp down in Belize has picked up this little sport. Him and his wife were home for the holidays and we got to hang out for a couple of days while I got these shots. What could be more fun then spinning balls of kevlar soaked in Coleman fuel on 18 inch chains? Not too much I tell you.

So yeah, it's the new year. I'm not giving myself any new year's resolutions, because I usually fail at them. I have, however, coined 2007 the Year of Ben. Life is about being, I know. But I can't help but look back on 2006 and ask myself what did I accomplish that really matters? A couple of things granted, but this year will have more. The Year of Ben is going to be a bountiful harvest, full of changes for the good of me and my family. Hobbies I've neglected, projects I've half started, time I've neglected to spend, etc... watch out! I'm coming for you.

My holiday break was great. I had a wonderful extended break that had me back in the office just Wednesday. Every year since I was born my dad has taken off the week between Christmas and New Years. It's always been a special time in my life, a time to relax and spend time with family and friends. Two Christmas's ago (2005) was my first year ever working during that time. It killed me, as I'm sure I posted here. This year I had enough time and was given a little extra, to enjoy that week once more. Now I'm hooked. After working through it one year, I'm never doing it again. I'll save my off days if I have to. It's too special to me.

So that's about it. My best friend Whit is having some wedding shower parties (notice the plural tense) this weekend, so I'm pretty excited. I love not having to worry about what to do. I hope everyone of y'all had a great weekend. Get ready, The Year of Ben is upon us all now. Don't be surprised.

Friday Foto: Christmas Edition!!!

Christmas is here! Probably my favorite time of year (except for those mornings that you wake up and you can tell it's cold outside, that might be my favorite...). Christmas time has changed for me. I used to be all jacked up on getting presents (still am of course), but it's changed. For one, I'm paying for those presents now. But what's really different is the meaning. I'm looking more forward to spending time with family and friends this Christmas than ever before.

When I was younger, all my friends were always home, family time is abundant and I took for granted the fellowship enjoyed with family and friends. As I got older, friends moved away, I got married, people went to college, I went to college and my time seemed to be slightly consumed with the real world. I have a sister and two sibling-in-laws in town that I get to spend time with. My best friend from Annapolis will be home today, I haven't seen him in a year. My other best friend/cousin and his wife will be visiting next week too. They've been in Belize for 2 years with the peace corps, and they are home for the holidays. We are throwing a big party Saturday night. We do it for one reason only... fellowship. I can't wait to see everybody, after all, that's what Christmas time is really all about.

On to the Friday Foto... last week we went to Rafters for a concert. Peter Rowan, legendary bluegrass musician and friends Larry Keel and Natural Bridge. Above are pictures of Rowan (the first one) and the rest. We had a great time.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. Hope to see you all Saturday night.

Friday Foto: New stuff!!!

First thing, here's today's Foto... I wanted to save this one for closer to Christmas. I like it. It puts me in the Christmas spirit (as if I wasn't already). This was taken in Rockefeller Center, and that's the Rockefeller building you see. The famous Christmas tree is right there. We actually went up to the top of the Rock to a place called the Rainbow Room, where I enjoyed a nice scotch on the rocks overlooking all of the city. Very nice place, I recommend hitting it up next time you venture to the big city.

So, all this week I have been busting my butt to redesign my website completely. Not this, this is a blog, but my photography site. I'm please to announce it's 99% complete! That one percent is hardly noticeable to anyone but me... and, I'm waiting on the names to transfer over, so until that happens (couple of days) you have to access it at its temporary address of: www.benjamingalland.netfirms.com. So, I encourage you all to go over there, check it out and let me know what you think. I've built it to really push my business, incorporating all the wedding and promo shooting that I do. You can even buy prints off my site now! I'm really excited about that. The design is completely different than the old site, and I think it is far better. Please, let me know what you think... again, it's not 100% complete, so I'm looking for critique.

Also, we are 10 days away from Christmas! But, more important, we are 8 days away from the Holiday Soiree. Who is excited about that? Man, I can't wait... it's gonna be better than the last one. Why you ask? Because Kelly's not going to make me tuck my shirt in, that's why. See y'all soon.

Friday Foto!

This is Hell's Kitchen in New York City.

This is walking outside of the NBC building next to Rockefeller Center.

This is me, sitting outside the Public Library.

Kelly smiling for the camera. It was cold.

Saturday night I had my uncle drive me to the waterfront on the Jersey side to get these shots. You should see them blown up, they are pretty slick.

In the good ole NYC subway. Waiting for the train to take us from Greenwich Village back to Columbus Square.

My favorite photo from the trip probably. I took this in the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) in NYC. This little girl was hanging out next to the Egyptian Tombs that they had moved from Egypt and put back together inside the museum. I love the contrast of big and small and old and young.

Obviously I took more photos, but I have to save some for future Friday Fotos right? We had a great time though. We really caught the weather at a perfect time. It wasn't too cold, but just enough to really make you feel like you were up north.

We are decorating our house and Christmas tree this weekend. We usually do it much earlier -after Thanksgiving- but with going to NYNY and all, we decided to wait. But now, it's on. The Crimus Cree is going up. The spirit is on. The Holiday Soiree is just around the corner!!! December 23rd, mark you calendars! This one will be even better than last one.

Merry Christmas!

Friday Foto: NYC edition

Hola from the airport! Last time I wrote to you all from the airport, it was a nightmare! I had traveled down to Jacksonville to pick up my cousin and her friend from New York City. Well now here I sit in the same airport, but this time I'm flying. Kelly and I are traveling to New York City! We are actually staying at my Aunt and Uncle's place in New Jersey, which is only five miles from the city. We are Uber excited!

First things first, the Friday Foto. This one is fresh from Sunday. I went fishing out in out boat with my dad on Sunday morning and caught this pic. I love it. It says a lot about the lifestyle around here. I cleverly call this one, "Slow". I hope you like it.

Now, as most of you all know, last week was our first Soiree of the season. What a blast it was. We got a keg this year, which is definitely the way to go. No bottles and cans to pick up! The party was a lot of fun, and we are already anticipating the "Holiday Soiree, Part Deux", which will be December 23. Mark your calendars! Evites will come soon....

Pictures from last week's Soiree are here... if you want one to print, email me and I'll send you a higher resolution one... no prob.

So, I'm really excited about visiting NYC. Last time I was there I was probably 14. Kelly's never been, so she's in for a real treat. I'm going to take lots of photos so don't worry, I'll share some with you all.

Friday Foto: Macro time

Anybody not know what macro photography is? It's close up shots, that's it. Today's shot can sort of be called a macro shot. I took it with a macro lens (special lenses needed for this kind of stuff), but I didn't get that close. Some people get so close it's unreal, like this guy. But, I was just playing around this weekend, and I really like this shot. What do y'all think? I don't know what to call it.

So, this time next week I will be off of work, waking up with a belly full of food and getting ready to party for the second annual Holiday Soiree. You are all invited. I sent out evites a couple of weeks ago, and if you didn't get one (bc I didn't have your email address) and want to come, you can. What's on the menu? I know, that's the first question on my list too. Smoked turkey (if you can stomach any more), London Broil, rolls, Beer and a whole bunch of other sides that don't really matter right? We've covered the basics with two kinds of meat, bread and beer. What more can you ask for? This year I did get a real nice fire ring, so no more holes on my back deck.

These past couple of weeks have been really hard for me. I've had so much going on in my life, not just in the ways of work. I wish I could vent this all to you right now, but I need to hold out a little bit longer. As soon as I get everything figured out I will post and fill you all in on all the details of what's been going on in my life.

But for now, that's all I got. I'm really looking forward to this weekend and the Thanksgiving holidays next week. I need some time off. Y'all have a great weekend and Friday!

Friday Foto: From the Vault

This foto is from the grave. While living in Florence (Italy not Alabama) I took a trip cross county to Germany. One stop was in Berlin. This pic was taken in the Riechstag, the German capitol building (i.e. White House). This is back in the days when I was shooting mainly film, black and white to be specific. I love this shot.

Man, I've been so busy it's not even funny. I wish I had more time to write this morning, but I don't... I have so much I'd like to share with you all, but I gots no time at the moment. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Looking forward to a nice couple days off.

Friday Foto

Good morning to all. It's November, and you know what that means? It's soiree time! Come one come all to the annual Thanksgiving Soiree Friday after turkey day. I can't wait. We have lots of plans in the making.

This photo I took at the bonfire the night before the highschool homecoming game. I like it, I think it is very active. Comments?

So, not much is new with me. I'm really enjoying the change of weather this morning. It's cold outside. GA/FLA weekend was a blast last weekend. The island was packed. Watching Wainwright close out the Cardinals to win the World Series was my favorite part. The whole bar was into it, it was amazing. Saturday I had a nice peaceful, much needed, night in.

I don't have much to talk about right now, just keeping busy and plugging away at work. I hope to experiment with some macro photography this weekend. Do you know what that is? Close-ups, extreme close-ups. We shall see how that goes, keep posted.

Friday Foto: GA/FLA edition

Yep, it's Georgia/Florida weekend and that means our Island is overgrown. I like it. I it's like summer is here, but for only weekend. I enjoy all the commotion once in awhile and GA/FLA weekend is perfect for that. It's just long enough for me to get my fix of hanging with all my friends from out of town and going out and partying, before I go back to my peaceful little hectic life here on St. Simons. I know some people can't understand that, but that's what makes me, me.

Today's picture is an attempt to bring that peaceful serenity of St. Simons Island out just a little. You ever have those moments in the middle of a stressful day or week that you really feel like you are about to loose it? I did on Tuesday; I almost dropped the ball. When I left work I went out to the beach and watched the sunset (did he bring his camera you ask?... of course!). I had a little Ben time. It's sunlight for Superman, it rejuvenates my soul. We all need a little personal time. So, this shot is derived from that. I hope you like it.

Our good ole friend Goat is leaving us today. I guess though, for all you who read and don't live here, that doesn't effect you. She's moving to Miami (welcome to Miami...). I'll miss her, as I know we all will. She's the kind of person that you can't help but love, laugh at and get mad with all at the same time. To sum her up in one poetic line from the Barenaked Ladies, "(She has) a history of taking off her shirt." We'll miss you Goat.

Friday Foto

This is a quickie, I know it. I took this shot driving to work last week. Some mornings (most mornings) are simply gorgeous here on St. Simons. I pulled off the road and took this picture over looking Silver Lake. I used to Bass fish here as a young lad. It's an OK shot, not my favorite.

I'm leaving this afternoon to go camping in Augusta. I'm excited, I'll hopefully get some good shots too.

How about those Cardinals? Shout out to our boy Adam. Congrats.

Next week is GA/FLA... I promise to have a good post for you then.

Friday Foto: First Fall installment

Good morning, and what a good morning it really is! I love the weather. Usually, when the fall comes I get one good weekend to go play up in the mountains and really enjoy the leaves changing and brisk temperature. I'm excited, because already this fall I've got two, working on three. I just got back from our cabin in the mountains (seen above) and next weekend we're going camping north of Augusta and I'm working on something for the first weekend of November too. I'm so bleesed (purposely misspelled 'blessed' in an attempt to make fun of one of Kelly's student's tattoos that is misspelled... the kids these days.)

So, today's fotos are both from my last trip up to the mountains. One is our cabin, taken at about 9:45 at night. The exposure was 10 minutes long. I have figured out that that is about the minimum you can have to get decent star trails (the streaks across the night sky are the starts moving). The other one was taken pulled right off a little country road. I love the perspective. The rock wall was so curved already, by shooting it like that I think it really accentuates it. What do you think?

Got a busy weekend. Another cheerleader shoot on Saturday morning (Middle Schoolers this time) and an engagement party Saturday night. I might try a little redfish fishing and shrimping if I can fit it in, it's supposed to be great.

That's all I got folks. Yall have a great day.

Friday Foto: Going up Country

Good Morning. A little late start for me, I usually have the Friday Foto up by 8 a.m. for all you early readers out there.

Today's Foto is pulled from archives for a nice little treat. Fall is just around the corner and guess who is going to the mountains this weekend to capture the beauty of drying leaves? ME! I'm so excited. I'm going to shoot like crazy. This shot was actually taken up in Blueridge, GA, where our cabin is, where I'll be this weekend. This shot, is actually nine different shots. Believe it or not. I'll be back on Monday afternoon and will have lot's of good stuff to share with you guys in the way of fotos, so check back in soon.

This past Wednesday I went shrimp seining. Man oh man, did we clean up! After three hours of pulling we had 5.5 pounds of de-headed Georgia Whites to show for it! That's about $65 worth of shrimp. They are huge, averaging 5" long. I'll be going again this coming week, this time, with my camera too. It was so gorgeous out there.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I know I will. Mountain biking, fly-fishing, eating, drinking and shooting... my dream.

Friday Foto: it's getting colder...

Ahh, it's in the air. I know it before even getting out of bed. Fall is knocking on the door. Fall on St. Simons is probably my favorite time of year. The colder it gets, the happier I get. It puts me in a great mood really. I'm in such a good mood. If you see me, ask me to buy you a beer and I will... that's how good of a mood I'm in (limit one (1) per friend). I can hear Kelly now... BEN!!!

So September is over. I know, not really until Sunday, but let's be realistic here, it's over. October is a great month. Lot's of football and GA/FLA weekend. But you know what else I like about October/cooler weather? The sky. Since the earth is turning farther from the sun, the sky is bluer. It's a great time to take photographs. The sky always comes out so blue and saturated. Throw a couple big puffy white clouds in there, and you have some great photos.

Speaking of photos, today I have a fresh one for you. Excited? Let me tell you the story behind it. A couple of weeks ago my computer screen cracked. I bought a new screen off eBay and, yep, tried to install it myself. So, Monday I wound up leaving early to drive up to Savannah to take my, now not working computer, to the repair shop. Savannah because it's a Mac, it was the closest place. Anyway... I haven't heard back yet. So I left Savannah and took the scenic route home, traveling east on US 17. If you've never done that, I encourage it. It's a great little drive. I stopped in Darien at the Shrimp docks and took this picture. I literally got molested by mosquitoes, but it's worth it. Hope you like it.

I'm shooting another wedding this weekend and more cheerleaders on Sunday (BHS this time). So my weekend is pretty much booked. I'm gonna find a time to seal my deck and drink some beer though, so don't worry about me. Hope y'all have a great day.

P.S. All you fanboys of the Christmas Soiree we throw, this year we have a great deal in the making. A WHOLE pig to bury and cook!!!

Friday Foto: flyin' by.

It never ceases to amaze me how fast the weeks fly by. So last night I started the process of repairing my deck in preparation for the next soiree (coming up the Friday after Thanksgiving, mark your calendars!). What's wrong the deck you may ask... Oh nothing, just a little hole that somehow was burned into the back of the deck. Anyway, I'm fixing it and refinishing the deck this weekend. It is going to look mucho nice when I am done.

Today's foto comes to you straight off the beach this very morning. I know how last week I pulled one out of archives for you, so I had to give you something a little fresh this week. This is a horseshoe crab, for all that don't know, that was washed up on the incoming tide.

I know this is short this morning, but that's all I got. Have a great weekend!

Friday Foto: Archive edition

Yeah, so I've been so busy this week, I didn't get to shoot anything. Last weekend was the Cheerleader shoot, and that went very well. The other High School has me for the last weekend in September, the same day as my next wedding. I might post one of those pics on here when I have them all processed.

This photo was taken towards the beginning of the summer on Jekyll. I love Jekyll Island, it is so peaceful and untouched. I really like this photo. It has encouraged me to strive for more B/Ws and duotones. A duotone is simply a photo with two colors. Since White is the absence of color, it's black and one other color. For example, sepia is a duotone, black mixed with a little light brown/yellow color. I made this one with a hint more red in it. Why? Because Kelly said that if it was going to be over our fireplace, it had to match the couch. I like this idea. "Come to Ben for all of your custom color photographic needs."

So tonight, another night filled with Friday-night football. To actually tell you the truth, I really enjoy going to the games. I watch the games now, instead of throw things at the cheerleaders and band.

I'm trying to work out a new show. I'm trying to get a show up at Rafter's here on the island. They have that back room where I can hang my art. We're talking about it right now, but I don't know what weekend to do it. I was thinking either opening reception on Thursday before GA/FLA or opening reception Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Which one do y'all think is better? I want to try and maximize all the people being down here. I could hang the photos without glass, so it wouldn't be too dangerous or something. I'm thinking GA/FLA, but I don't know. I know the last guy that had an art show there didn't want people in that room at night. I don't think I would say that. People buy stuff when they are drunk. It's like drunk downloading. You wake up in the morning and can't figure out why "Baby Beluga" is on your computer.... oh wait, is that just me?


Speaking of music... John Mayer has a new CD out. Before you go sizing me up as a Starbucks-sippin' yuppy, listen up... I used to HATE John Mayer. Why? Because I really liked him when the material for his first CD, "Room For Squares," was floating around the internet. It was raw and uncut, acoustic and smooth. When it busted out on the CD it was, simply put, popified. I turned my eyes/ears from him. However, his new CD "Continuum," which came out this week, is different. I heard he covered a Hendrix tune, so I had to pick it up. His tribute to Hendrix in "Bold As Love" is right on. Mayer is an amazing guitarist, and while it still has a couple of "made-for-radio" tunes (read, poppy) on there, the music itself is very good. Check it out.

Y'all have a great day.

Friday Foto

You know, maybe I should turn this blog into more of a Friday Foto thing, that's all it is right now. I apologize to all you out there who actually come here more than once a week on Friday morning looking for something do while you sit at your desk and procrastinate. I wish I could better accommodate you, really I do.

Today's foto was actually intended for last week, but when I got that foto of the docks on Thursday evening, it was bumped back. Thanks for the name suggestions, however I don't think "Pink Surprise" is going to really work. I do like "Sailor's Delight" though, I'm going to use that. A beer to whoever came up with that name. This Friday Foto is of a fountain in Vernon Square in Darien, GA. The square is located across from the St. Andrew's Episcopal church. The square is very nice, lots of plush green grass and park benches. I like Darien... it has taken me a long time to say that.

So tomorrow I get to shoot the cheerleaders, weather permitting. We are all meeting at the beach bright and early to do group and portrait shots. It should be fun. They are bunch of good, crazy girls. I tend to forget how young they are. You want to level with them because you remember being in HS like it was yesterday, but in reality, it was close to seven years ago. Ouch.

Now, I'm not one of these crazy-about-Facebook-and-MySpace-people, but I have noticed that a lot of things have changed with them, Facebook in particular. I really don't care. The only thing I want to comment on is this. If you are reading my blog through the "Notes" section of Facebook, you are not doing yourself justice. Go to the actually link, this way you can see the Fotos I refer to each week and read and post comments. It's so much more interactive. The link is: www.islandprofiling.blogspot.com.

Yeah, so that's about it for me today. You all have a good weekend. UGA's at SC huh. I'd be there if I could afford the gas, beer and ticket. My couch will be just fine.

Friday Foto

Another Friday has passed, and I really can't believe it is September 1st. I had a great birthday the other day. Thanks to all those who wished it to me. If you didn't, shame on you.

Last night I was out, in the storm, trying to peddle my photographs to a local store. I have a couple of friends that are opening up a maternity clothing store here on St. Simons. They want some local art to hang in there, and I'm helping them out. The store is great though. If you get a chance to stop by, it's "Fit for Two" in the shopping center across from the Ace Hardware. Tell them Ben sent you, you might get a discount on one of their famous breast-feeding bras.

Anyway, after leaving there last night, the light in the sky was perfect. I got in my car and drove towards the causeway hoping to find a spot to capture the yellows and reds that were being burned into the evening sky. I pulled over into the docks just before the causeway, where they keep the Sea Tow boats. It was perfect. I hope you like this shot. I haven't figured out what to call it yet. Any suggestions?