Friday Foto: Just a blur

It's been a crazy week. Saturday through today is one big blur and I'm sure the next two months will follow closely the same pattern. It's OK. I have a lot of fun things planned and many great things to look forward to, one of which is this weekend. I have a lot of family coming in town for another Baby "Party", as I like to call it, that will be held on Saturday. I'm excited. And Sunday is Easter, which means Peeps, Cadburry eggs and not one, but TWO huge meals. I'm excited. 

I've been shooting a ton lately, and I'm really excited about that. Today's photo comes from a serious of shoots that I did for the folks at The Vine. I had the opportunity to photograph some of their work for a nationally published book in which they will be featured. This is one of my favorites. They designed these containers and planted them.  This house is on Ocean Forrest, on Sea Island.

First wedding of the season is tonight. I'll be shooting an outdoor wedding and reception down at the Village. I'm looking forward to wedding season, I really enjoy shooting them. 

My Saturday plans consist of rolling out of bed at the break of dawn and dragging myself to the beach and passing out all day. I'm looking forward to it. Should be a very nice beach day.

Friday Foto: A Spoonful of this and that

And hello there, finally, it's Friday again. As always, this week has been crazing, leaving me wondering where Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday went. The rain didn't help, which lasted from Tuesday night until last night. Back in the '50s, Glynn Haven (my neighborhood) was a thriving lake community. If you don't believe that, come look at my front yard. I came home from work on Wednesday to find the neighborhood kids splashing and riding bikes through my newly installed lap pool. Yeah, I'm hoping to get a little pool-side-ala-front-yard-puddle swimming in this weekend myself. If anybody wants in, swing on over, I'll provide the towels and beer.... ring worms are provided at no charge.

So this shot comes from a shoot I just wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. I waited to post it here until it was published, and now that the April issue of Elegant Island Living is on the stands, here you are folks. This was part of a fashion series I shot for them on island-casual fashion. The models were great to work with and so was the editor. I enjoy shooting shots like this, it's some of my favorite type of photography. This photo was shot as close to dusk as I could get and I used an off-camera flash hidden in the tree on camera right to fill in the faces of the models a little. If anything, I use as little flash as possible. The flash was set to 2 stops under exposure, shot through a soft box to just barely lighten the face. I'm very happy with the results. The setting is also superb, thanks to the generosity of the ladies at The Vine, for letting us use their backyard. The other shots, at different locations, all came out great, but this was my favorite. It was the last shot and you always get better shots, with more relaxed models I feel. But we all hit it off right away. Be sure to grab the latest issue.

So now I feel it's my duty to share with you my new favorite artist. Jason Spooner.  From Maine, he's a singer/songwriter with a recipe consisting of a little John Mayer, Randall Bramblett, Jason Mraz and hints of various Union Station, Talking Heads and Counting Crows. I have fallen in love, for sure. As perfectly described to me, his latest album The Flame You Follow (2007), is like the perfect mix CD. Starting with a sure, radio-ready song, taking a path down hard-beat acoustic guitar-driven tracks that are musical reminiscent of early Dave Matthews and ending with one of the best covers I've ever heard. I love his take on The Talking Head's "Slippery People". It's slowed down slightly, and heavy on some awesome acoustic-fueled rhythm. The whole CD has been playing non-stop in my life for the past four days. I could easily lay in bed and watch the rain fall to it, and in the same track, get up and dance wildly. I love it. 

Anyway, not much else is new. I'm excited about this weekend. We have our first baby party (I refuse to use the word 'shower'). This is the one all of our friends have gotten together to throw for us. I'm pretty excited about partying and seeing everybody. We're going to drag it out as long as possible (at least I am) with a cookout to follow at my house. After all, I am drinking for two now right? HAHA. Have a great, non-rainy day today.

Friday Foto: Slappin good music

A little late on the posting, I know. I try to get this published early for you readers, but I had a late night last night and slept in a little. 

I was hired by Rafter's Blues and Raw Bar to shoot Amy LaVere's performance last night. She's an unbelievable musician, playing the upright bass and accompanied by drums and lead guitar. Her vocals add a soothing contradiction, with her sweet high-pitched-Norah Jones-meets-Amy Winehouse sound. I highly recommend checking her site out and listening to some of her tunes. I love shooting live performances, and Rafter's is a great place to do this. 

So last weekend I drove up to Blue Ridge, GA and picked up my Tahoe. It's nice having an inclosed vehicle again. I forgot how nice it is to lock something in the car, to not get rained on. But, I'm already starting to miss the Jeep. As soon as I finish up some maintenance on the Jeep, I'll be back behind the wheel. Can't wait. 

Life has been busy, my business is doing very well now, we have a ton of work and it keeps coming in. It's great, I feel very fortunate to say that. With that said, I am looking very forward to a relaxing weekend. I WILL be spending time at the beach if weather permits. This will be one of the last "non-busy" weekends I will have for a very long time I fear, with weddings, showers, and, oh yeah, the baby. 

Anyway, yall have a great weekend. 

Friday Foto: Round and Round

That title about sums it up for me. Round and round. My head, my schedule. Crazy, to say the least. This shot has been in the works for a long time. I've been thinking about this shot since my good friends at Southern Soul BBQ took over the old Gisco Seafood location, which is adjacent to the the new roundabout on St. Simons Island. They let me in and allowed me to climb up on the roof too get this shot. I waited to get it when we had  full moon, to add to the ambiance. I really like the shot. The panoramic version came out cool too. You'll have to click on these images to see the larger version.

So, I've been busy. Work has been really good, lots going on. Our office renovations are coming to a close, with fresh paint on the walls, new rearrangement, and some really nice plant arrangements. I've got some minor things to still do, and once that is done, I'll give you a little walk-through tour of our new place.

My trip to the mountains to pick up my Tahoe has been postponed to next weekend, which is fine. I'm looking forward to getting it, and starting another project, but waiting one more week won't kill me. Patience is a virtue, Ben.

Last weekend we pretty much wrapped up my building project on my house. We have a couple more things to tidy up and then I need to get the tabby guy to come over, but for all accounts, it's finished. I'm so happy. It's giving us so much more space to store all of our junk. This weekend will find me finishing up those loose ends, and most definitely drinking some beer on the beach at some point. I feel like I perpetually need a break, and that any break I get isn't long enough. Well, welcome to life I guess. It's all good. Y'all have a great weekend. I will. 

Friday Foto: Lot's of shooting

FINALLY! Finally I can write again that I'm shooting a lot. I've been so busy with the rearrangement of our office, the startings of a new business and the slow drone of a working-to-late headache that I haven't been focusing on photography (pun intended). But not anymore, the past couple of days and the weeks to come have me where I love to be... behind the camera. 

Today's photo is from the Cloister at Sea Island. I was hired to shoot the door hardware by the manufacturer. I've done a couple different shoots like this in the past and really enjoy it. It gives me a chance to walk all around the grounds and fine interesting shots. I like being able to show the product in it's surroundings, not just a close up of a knob you know? Anyway, hope you like. 

This weekend I'll be finishing my downstairs construction project; the enclosure of the back half of our house. I'm extremely excited about this. It will provide so much more storage for us. I am convinced a bomb has gone off in our garage, scattering jeep parts, old books, clothes and used jeep fluids everywhere. Once complete, I plan on actually being able to park two cars in my two-car garage (although, I think I could easily build a second car from the parts that are in there currently).

What are you doing Sunday Ben? Well, thanks for asking my dear reader. BEACH!!!! That's right. I'm waking my butt up at the crack of dawn (used butt and crack in same sentence, hehe) and sitting on the beach all day. At least, that's the plan. We'll see... 

Last but not least, the new Golden Isles Magazine is out. I think it looks great. You can find it here. Be sure to check out my spread on porches, starting on page 48. Well folks, that's it! 

Friday Foto: Peace

So I thought about posting this photo along with another one, but I really think this photo deserves a place of it's own. Not only is it the first published photo of my son, it's also a pretty damn cool photo. I would usually never post sonogram photos of a baby, because while they are cool to family, the freak some people out. But this one I think everyone will enjoy. I swear this is real, not photochopped. I personally like how he's throwing up the fingers gangster style, not hippie-peace-love-and-happiness style. He's my little thug. This was taken Wednesday by the way.

Anyway, this week has flown by. The next issue of The Golden Isles Magazine is supposed to come out today. I'm excited about this one, I really liked the photo spread I did for this one on porches. Grab one if you see it out there.

This weekend is going to be great. Why? Because I'm not doing a thing. I'm going to the beach tomorrow come hell or high water. I'm going to walk the dogs. We're having some friends over for dinner Saturday night. Sunday I think I'm going to skip down to Jacksonville and buy some used tires from a guy to install on my free Tahoe that I don't even have yet. Yup, I've acquired another car. Another project that will more than likely leave me on the wrong side of the car. But, all kidding aside, I'm pumped. I love cars. This one doesn't need anything really and will give me a reliable ride for when the lil thug gets here. I'm picking it up in March. 

It's gorgeous out today, and with that comes another post about how much I love the weather. I'm wearing shorts today. First shorts day of the year. I don't know if I can go back now. This weather brings a mad craving to go topless in my Jeep. With the hardtop on, it's harder to easily make the transition. I'm trying to hold out until I get this Tahoe that way in case it rains I'll have a second option. But, I don't know if I can hold out... seriously thinking about removing it tomorrow... I can always use a rain jacket. 

So, that's it. That's all I got. I need to get back to my pork pops.... cheers readers!

Friday Foto: Hodgepodge

What a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. Yes, I know, I didn't post at all last week. I'm sorry. I'll try to make it up today with a little bit of this and that. 

First of all, last weekend I was up at our family cabin in Blue Ridge, GA. It was a much needed relaxing weekend. It was nice to just sit and relax. I drank beer, ate food and kept the fire going the whole weekend. That's all I did. It was soooo nice.

We just "finished" the living room up there. I brought up a photo I had taken of the cabin in full snow and hung it up on the wall. I think it came out really nice. I'm really happy with the way the whole place looks now. The rock fireplace is amazing (hand built by my dad and uncle). Above is the living room and below a copy of the photo hanging there. 

Of course, when I'm up there I like to shoot some pictures as well. I shot this one of a little hump of moss. I like that stuff a lot. It's so green and makes me just want to make an entire bed out of it and pass out.

Our new business, H2O Creative Group is in full swing. Here's our logo. It was a collaborative effort by me and my two partners. I really like it. It's got a lot going on. We have a lot going on too right now. Tons of work (thankfully) and we are busy trying to remodel our space as well. 

Not much else is new. I plan on trying to relax a little this weekend. I'm searching for some much needed Ben time as Kelly goes to Jacksonville again for baby stuff, this time with out me... I'm going to spend some time at work I'm sure, but hope to get under my hood at some point and play with my Jeep... ahhhh the perfect past time, being covered in grease from head to toe.  Yall have a great weekend.

Friday Foto: Great mood and a rando pic

I love this photo. It's pretty random, I know. It was taken out in Colorado last April. I went out there to fly-fish with my dad and his brothers. I want to use this shot in an ad somewhere, but most ads I do are regional and this certainly doesn't look like here. So, oh well. Speaking of CO though, this is one of my fav shots from there... 

And so, what else is new? Well, I'm in a fantastic mood. Maybe it's the weather (it's been freezing all week), maybe it's the fact that now I'm officially an owner of this business, H2o Creative Group, maybe it's cause it's Friday, or maybe it's just life's little things... well, whatever it is, I'm grateful. I love being happy... and smelling good, I know random. Today is random day.

So, not much is new. I chopped a ton of wood this past weekend, which is one of my fav things to do. My friend chopped three Pecan trees in his back yard and we spent the better part of last weekend chopping it up. It's one of the best woods to burn. I love wood. 

I'm going to Jacksonville this Saturday. I'm excited. Kelly wants to do some shopping and I get to go to two of my favorite stores. The Apple Store and Total Wine. I always buy something at both. I have to. I love them. that's about all i have going on right now... that and a lot of work. just busy, busy, busy... with lots of work and business stuff.

yall have a great weekend. 

Friday Foto: Can I have $75,000?

I took this photo of this jewelry ensemble for an ad in a local publication. It has blue star sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds all set in 18kt gold. This was hand made in Greece. What's interesting about this piece is that the main sapphire was the only one the owner originally had, the stone by itself. She had a very gaudy taste (as you can tell) and needed more flare. She contacted Tiffany & Co. and had them search high and low for matching star sapphires. It took them four years. A star sapphire is a rare version in the sapphire family, because when the light hits it just right a star can me seen in the center of the stone. This particular one, being corn-flower blue as they call it, is even rarer. The ring itself is $37,000. The other two pieces can be added to the package for a total of $75k. Would I wear this if I was a girl. Hell no. But one has to appreciate the uniqueness of this piece. It's amazing. The blue drapping the jewelry is sitting on is the inside of a woman's jacket. I shot this with all natural lighting from a nearby window, taking two exposures and merging them selectively to get the highlights and shadows I wanted. 

So what else is new? Not much. This week has flown by. I have three shoots this weekend, all my favorite kind. Live-action happy hour shoots. I love shooting stuff like that... so much more exciting than shooting non-moving rings and such. I'll be at Catch 228, Bennies and then Delaney's Bar. Of course, it'll be happy hour and I will have to partake... the photos will only get better!

Other than that, I'm cleaning around the house this weekend. Plan on starting to create a babyland in our house. Watch out.

Sunday is the Super Bowl and I plan on stuffing my face with Bacon Explosion.... so the cook better come through. I'm dying to try it. I'm making some of my killer chicken wings as well. Can't wait. Go 'dores, I hope they win. 

Friday Foto: No, don't go.

I'm pleading with the cold weather here. Sure, I'll be the first one to bring up how cold it is outside. My Jeep isn't exactly an air-tight vehicle, so I really feel the cold. But, for the weather to get this cold for a couple of days, teasing us, and warming back up five days later just isn't fair. I want a solid month of it at least. I want to enjoy my fireplace and fleece jacket. Maybe we haven't seen the last of it.

This week went by very quickly. Even working on Monday I feel like it was a short week. It's nice. Today's foto is very basic. It's Hazel's Cafe, an old no-longer-in-use restaurant located on Demere Road on St. Simons. I think it is actually used for private parties. I've always loved this place, just for the old nostalgia of it. I caught wind from someone that it is for sale, which prompted me to go take a couple of photos sooner rather than later. My bet is some developer buys it, tears it down and builds six houses in it's place. Oh well. 

So, I have a couple of things planned for this weekend, but not much. I will be spending sometime under my Jeep, replacing the driveshaft. Hearing it fall off of the car while driving is sort of a disconcerting sound and feeling. It's not a big project, just a pain that's all. Hopefully before too long I'll be looking for a new car...

So that's about it. I know it's a short post, but I really don't have much to report on yet. Hopefully next week I can give you guys more info on all sorts of cool things. Have a great weekend. 

Friday Foto: New year, still alive

I know, I know, it's been awhile since I last posted. I've been so busy, with the holidays, work, vacation... It's been great!

First thing's first; it's cold. Very cold outside, and I love it. I actually put the hard doors on my Jeep yesterday to combat the 30 degree chill in the morning. It's supposed to be 19 tonight, and that'll be great!

Today's Friday Foto comes from a shoot I just wrapped up before the holidays. I shoot for the Golden Isles Magazine and the past issue's theme was a bridal one. For the feature, we shot several different models dress in themed bridal outfits. We had everything from Barbie to Cinderella. My choice, half way through the planning, was to shoot a Goth Bride. I though this would be a great juxtaposition and I had it just in my mind how I wanted to shot it. I'm very happy with the end results, I love this photo. This isn't actually the shot they ran, the one below is.... they needed to show the whole outfit for the magazine. I think the shots came out very nice. I'm happy with them.

And, I got another foto for you. We're doing all the marketing for a new development here on St. Simons that's located just down the road from my favorite place on the Island, Coozies. This shot is cool because it's the first HDR image I've taken with my new Canon 5D M2. Man, I love this camera. I took five exposures, all at f.11, and generated the image in Photomatix Pro. The detail and sharpness in this image is unreal.... hard to tell from this smaller version. I'm not a big fan of creating HDR images for landscapes, I think it's kind of cheating sometimes, but for this project it works... I was going for that surreal look. I've still yet to really even scratch the surface with this camera. But, I did play with some of the HD video functions... more to come on that later.

So, what's new with me? Well, lots actually. I have partnered with my former boss and associate and we three have created H20 Creative Group, a design, marketing and advertising, and photography firm. We basically are doing the exact same things we have been doing all along, but offering full advertising and marketing and I'm bringing in all my photography. I could not be more excited about this new venture. It will allow me to manage my life so much easier now. No more two different jobs, it's all under one roof. Despite the current state of the economy, we are slammed right now; busier than I have ever been in 4 years of being with this company. As we progress more and more with this venture, I'll fill yall in on all that's going on. 

So, lots going on this weekend too. I have close to 35 family members gathering from all over the US this weekend to celebrate my Grandmother's birthday (86, I think). We are having a big cookout Saturday night. We are also currently in the process of inclosing the downstairs part of our house. This will ultimately be another bed/bath and play room, but for the current time being, will act as storage so we can move stuff around upstairs and get ready to create babyland.

Speaking of babies, Kelly's doing great. About 18 weeks along now and looking more beautiful everyday. I'm so excited and having a hard time controlling my urge to buy little camo jackets, baby Patagonia fleeces, Jeep tshirts and 3-inch long flipflops.... I don't really know how long I can hold out. Yall have a great weekend!

Friday Foto: Canon 5DMII OMG

What a whirlwind week since my last post. Let's just start by saying how happy I am I have insurance. 

So, long story short, my camera was standing up on my tripod in my office. It was knocked over and the lens, flash and (later discovered) camera were broken. I called Allstate and, thanks to my extra insurance that I have taken out on my camera gear, it was all covered. Here's the beauty of it all though, instead of getting the same camera, I was able to get the newer and improved version... and improved it is. The Canon 5D Mark II (the one I blogged about a couple of months ago, that does HD video if you recall), is amazing... and VERY hard to find. I was actually worried because I needed a new camera and that was the most likely choice for me to get, but you couldn't find them anywhere. Sold out everywhere. Well as luck has it, the little consumer Ritz camera store in Jacksonville received the one and only one they were slated to get for the whole holiday season, just moments before I walked in last Saturday. I bought it without thinking twice. After having two major shoots this week so far, I can safely say this camera is incredible. 

Today's foto comes from a shoot I had up around Baxley, GA where a development is underway and we are doing all the marketing for. The piece of property, Eagle's Point, is amazing. All lots have river front views (Altamaha River). And, driving my Jeep up there was awesome too....

So, yesterday was my wife and I's four year anniversary. Pretty crazy to think that we've been married for four years. I'm very blessed. 

This weekend will be very relaxing, something I'm really looking forward to. A little last minute christmas shopping, a little work, a little getting ready for our Soiree and a lot of christmas music... I'm so ready for next week!

Stay tuned, because I'll post here again soon. Hope yall have a great weekend! 

Friday Foto: Almost here

What's almost here? Christmas. The weekend. The new year. The Music City Bowl in Nashville that Kelly's brother is playing in for Vandy and we are going to. Our annual Christmas Soiree that is going to be bigger and better than ever. My new business. What's that? A new business you ask? I'll elaborate more on that in future posts, but to put in a few words, I just sealed the deal on a partnership in which we are creating a new business that focuses on photography, design, marketing and advertising. We're basically taking what we have now, honing it and developing it into a much more polished enterprise. I'm extremely excited. 

Today's foto comes from a recent engagement photo session I had. I really enjoy shooting photos like this, because it gives me the time to really interact with the people, which I love to do. I love the intimacy that this photo gives off. It's simple, but beautiful. Great couple too, really sweet and you could really tell they were in love. 

I just finished the last photos for the upcoming issue of Golden Isles Magazine, which now frees up a lot of my time, until the next issue of course. So what am I going to do this weekend? Well, nothing. Might do a little Christmas shopping, although I did most of mine online this year. Might work on the house or the Jeep... OK, who am I kidding, of course I'll work on my Jeep. 

That's about it folks. Stay tuned for more info and more posts. I hope to be posting more in the future, as part of my new business plan, so bookmark me! Happy Friday. 

Friday Foto: Hello, I'm still alive

Yes, yes, yes... it's been too long since my last post. I am sorry. I've been so busy since the week before Thanksgiving that I'm just now coming up for air. First thing's first, Kelly and I went to her second check-up this week and found out the sex of our baby... let's just say it'll be Tonka truck time soon!!! It's a boy! We are so excited. Kelly said she felt it was a boy all along, and was really hoping it was. I was too, so we are so excited. 

Today's foto comes from my front yard. We had a sheet covering some plants one night when it got cold, and I was letting the dog out in the morning and saw this tiny little leaf laying on the sheet, with the drop of water just like that. I often see little things like that and say to myself, that would make a nice photo, but never actually take the shot. Too much hassle, etc. Not this morning. I got my stuff out, set up the tripod, attached the macro lens, enabled mirror lockup and dialed in a nice small aperture for maximum sharpness. Other than minor spot removal and dodging and burning in photochop, this is a pretty true shoot. Time spent from concept to completion? 20 minutes. It was fun. 

So this weekend we are getting our Christmas tree. It is easily one of mine and Kelly's favorite things to do in the entire world. Seriously. Decorate the tree, listen to christmas music, and then partake once again in the best christmas movie ever, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. After all, "It's all part of the experience." This photo came from Webster's Christmas tree farm, located north of Darien, GA in The Ridge. This is a cut-your-own tree farm and it's so much fun. We are planning on getting our tree there this year, but we'll see how the weekend folds out. This shot was part of a photo essay I did in The Golden Isle's Magazine titled "My Favorite Things."

I do have lots of other stuff going on right now. Lot's of change in my professional life, but I'm going to save that for another post, once I iron out all the details. So for now, that's all I have folks. Sit back and enjoy Friday and the weekend. If you are not yet listening to christmas music, you know who you are, get on it. I've had it blasting since November 1st.... I may not stop this year. I may continue listening well into May. We'll see. 

Friday Foto: Fire

Good morning folks. Well this week has sure flown by. I'm so busy, days and weeks just seem to be one big blur. I live for the weekends, to give my body, eyes and brain a break, but lately the weekends have been consumed as well. Last weekend alone I had five different shoots. I'm not complaining though, I'm thankful for being busy.

I did get to relax a little last weekend. A group of our friends got together and partied under the stars on Saturday night. We had a big bonfire, roasted marshmallows, listened to some football on XM radio and drank a little beer. I'm actually doing the marketing on the development this fire pit is located at, Wildlife Preserve, so I took a couple of photos while out there for possible marketing pieces... If anything else, I like the photos. This is the kind of stuff I really like to shoot.

So, this weekend will be much like last weekend. I have a wedding tonight, shoots all morning tomorrow and then hours of processing that needs to get done on the computer. It's OK though, I promise you I'll still find time to relax a little... that's never a problem I assure you.

Next weekend I'm heading up to Nashville to go to the Vandy/Tenn game. I'm really excited about that. I'm actually leaving Thursday, swinging by and calling on a client in Elijay, GA on Friday, and then heading up to Nashville. I'm excited because it will be a relaxing weekend, which I need. 

So, that's all folks. Oh, I'm working on a whole new way to display wedding proofs online. I'm really excited about it. It should be leaps and bounds better than what I'm currently doing, and loads easier on the user end. Can't wait, I'll keep ya posted. Cheers!

Friday Foto: Fabbing it up

One of our new clients is Boykin Steel and Crane, a steel fabrication (and much more) company located in good ole' Jesup, Georgia. I drove up there this week to get photos of the facility and such to use in their marketing material. They do amazing work, constructing everything from handrails to entire schools. It's amazing. Anyway, here's a couple of my favorites. I really like the group shot, it's exactly what I was trying to get... you really need to click on it to see it larger, I love how raw it is, goes just with the whole mood I was trying for. 

So, not much else is new. This week went by fast, lots of work. This weekend should be a fun-filled, fast weekend. I have an engagement photo shoot Saturday morning, going to a football party after that and then doing a chill fire and s'more making session later that night. Sunday finds me shooting again, three different shoots that afternoon. Nothing like staying busy, I'm fortunate.

The latest edition of the magazine I shoot for, Golden Isles Magazine, is on the shelves now. It looks really good, I'm proud of it. It hasn't been updated on their site yet, but as soon as it is I'll post the link. 

Oh, and no, I'm not going to comment at all on what happened Tuesday. 

Friday Foto: New fav

Good morning folks. Today's photo is one of my new favorites. Going along with last week's post, this shot has been photoshopped a little, just to give it a more dramatic effect. I really like this photo. It was a candid, un-posed shot. I happened to walk out on the balcony of the ocean house the bride was staying out and saw her reflecting before the wedding. This was literelly minutes before the wedding. I'll be finishing up this bride's wedding photos this weekend. They are great. 

So today is Halloween. It's also Georgia vs. Florida weekend. I'm really looking forward to it. Tonight we are going to a costume party, tomorrow an early morning book sale and then all you can eat and drink football party, so needless to say, I'm really excited. Not to mention the weather, it is wonderful, absolutely outstanding. 

So with nice weather, you want to know how I'm liking it in the Scrambler? Well.... yeah. With the help of my friend Joe I got the transmission back in over the weekend. I tidied everything up and took it for a test drive. It drove perfectly. I was so happy. Then I noticed the oil leak. I filled it up with oil on Sunday and it was completely drained by Wednesday... yeah, not good. Frankly, I don't have time to trace the leak, tear the jeep down again and fix it, so i took it to a trusted mechanic who I know will do it quicker than I can. It's just a gasket, so it's not that bad, just a PITA you know?

So, that's all I got folks. Have a great halloween. I might post a photo up later of some of our costumes, so be checking back...

Friday Foto: Quick Photoshop Fix

I love photoshop. I've had this conversation several times with numerous different people. A lot of photographers and people believe that photoshop is a crutch and that it's popularity makes us question whether a photograph is really good or if it's been enhanced in photoshop to give it that 'wow' factor. It's true you can make an ordinary photo extraordinary within photoshop. When it comes to the validity argument of whether or not the photo is still a photo (in the truest sense), I offer this. Any photo that I showcase that I call a photo will not be largely enhanced. Sure, every photo I take goes through a editing program... just like every photo taken in film needs to be developed (and can be manipulated there, just so you know). But photos that have been greatly enhanced past their point of being true, I will let you know... it's just not right to try to pass off a sunset photo that was composed of three different images. 

Anyway, that leads me to today's foto. I needed a quick image of someone shooting a gun from a profile view. Really quick actually. I ran over to Brunswick the other morning, took the shoot and was done with the brochure I was making that afternoon. Here's a before and after of the photo... representing, in my opinion, how photoshop can really be useful in enhancing images. Sure, I could have gotten close to the same effect (although not exactly) with proper lighting, exposure, white balance, etc, but I didn't have time for that. The client loved the shot, and my favorite comment so far on it has been, "Wow, that looks like something you'd see in Atlanta or somewhere." HA HA HA HA

Anyway, so not much else is new. I have a couple of things planned this weekend, first and foremost is to get my Jeep all back together. I'm so close, with the transmission already positioned in place, I just need to bolt it on. I need to repack the front bearings as well and then refill all the fluids and cross my fingers that I did everything correctly. 

I also have a video project to shoot. But, most importantly, I have some time to spend with Kelly. I've been so busy this whole week, either at the office or under the Jeep, I don't think I've actually seen her in close to 3 days. 

So that's it folks. Hope yall have a great weekend and quick Friday. Cheers.

Friday Foto: Foggy, outside and in

Whew...what a busy week. I'm glad it's Friday and I'm glad Im leaving for Athens this afternoon. I'm heading up to see Kelly's brother who plays for Vandy whoop some Dawg butt... hopefully. Should be a great game.

Today's photo was taken over next to the Lodge at Sea Island.

So, I'm getting into video. I purchased an HD video camera for a couple of jobs and can't wait to play with it. I'm really excited about making little movies. When I get my first one done, i'll post it up here so you guys can check it out.

Have a great weekend, I will.

Latest wedding

Here's some pictures from one of the latest weddings I shot. As always, I do a little "photographer's favorites" section. Enjoy!

The photos are here!