Drive-Ins, Diners and Dives

A little late I know, but better than never.

I had the chance to hang out with the host and crew of DDD while they filmed on location at one of my favorite local restaurants, Southern Soul BBQ! It was a pretty awesome expierence.

Griffin, one of the co-owners, invited me to come and be an extra while they filmed. I've known him for a good while and his BBQ biz is one of our favorite and most loyal clients.

He told me they didn't want any photographers on set... like I listened! Below is the link to the photos I took (we did the web site too!). I don't know if I'll be in final video, but my Jeep definitely made the shot!!! And really, that's all that matters. I'll update y'all on when it airs.

http://southernsoulbbq.com/ddd/



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Haiti Relief Benefit

Art Can Help, a local organization that uses the arts to raise awareness about particular subjects, is planning a benefit for Haiti. I've gotten involved on both sides, with Art Can Help and with this actually event. It's a great idea and I'm happy to be donating my time and graphics to this cause.

It's an all-day event held in Redfern Village on St. Simons Island, on March 20. It'll be a progressive party of sorts... starting at one location with a band and specials, and heading to another one, than another, etc... each location will have special events, live music and proceeds made going to the benefit.

Check out the Facebook page for more info, or just email me and I'll get you an answer. Cheers and hope to see you there!

SNOW!

I know, I know... another damn post about snow. If you live anywhere in the southeast, that's all you're reading about on blogs, tweets and facebooks... so here, one more...

We just came back from our annual President's Day Weekend trip up to our family cabin in Blueridge, GA. Man what an awesome time we had! We made it OK up there, the roads were pretty icy past Elijay, GA... so it was pretty slow going from there. It snowed a total of about 4-5 inches, and it all stuck. Luckily the Jeep has 4wd and we had no problem getting around. There's gravel roads all around the cabin, and they were all frozen and when the ice melted on Monday, it got really muddy. But with 4-lo kicked in, we creeped up and around just fine!

We didn't do much, just hung around the cabin. Ate a ton. Cooked a beef tenderloin Sunday night... dry-rubbed with salt, red and black pepper, garlic and brown sugar, wrapped in bacon... pan-seared and finished with indirect heat, my all-time favorite way to cook my favorite piece of meat.

This week has just been a blur with work piled high. But it's all good, busy is good. I'm just trying to focus on knocking stuff off the list.

I'm going fishing tomorrow. Really excited. We're putting the boat in at Coozie's in the morning and are looking for whatever we can find... trout, reds, etc.

Here's two pics from the past weekend. The cabin, covered in snow, taken from the bank of the creek (right behind me) and Anson, with his girlfriend Leighton. I guess it's pretty apparent that Anson is quite used to the camera by now. HA!

lots of animation

One thing I've always really liked but never totally got into was video. I took the required video courses in college for my Visual Communications degree, but opted for all the photography course over the video ones... hell, Kelly actually took more video courses then me. With that being said, I think the same art applies to both. It's just a different technical hurdle to overcome. One that is very different than photography, and photo processing in MANY ways.

I've been doing a lot of video lately. From 3 minute audition clips, to HD b-roll for Jekyll Island. My newest project, while only partially video, has me real excited. Jekyll's requested a time-lapse video of a four month construction project. They are going to remodel the old indoor tennis court and turn it into a state of the art conference center. So, after doing a lot of research I've figured out my angle of approach. I looked into wildlife trail cameras, thinking they would be best... already set up to do that right out of the box, waterproof and can last for months on a single set of batteries. Problem there is the lens isn't wide enough. It's pretty much telephoto. After much research I stumbled on the Canon Hack Development Kit (CDHK). It's an open source firmware that you install on a canon digital camera that really unleashes the potential of it. You have to hack into the camera basically, but once it's all installed, there isn't much you can't do. You can use the camera's microphone to trigger a photo... say, when someone walks by and the sound is picked up.... snap! In my case, I'm using it to take a photo every 15 minutes for four months. Then, I'll string all the photos together and it will be an animated short film of the whole construction process... much akin to those flower-growing videos we all watched in BIO 101.

So I bought a Canon SD1000, a little point and shoot the smaller than a pack of cigarettes (used for a $100!), a wide-angle conversion lens (because I need a WIDE shot) and an AC power adapter. I'm going to work on the CDHK this weekend and will test the video out in a day-in-our-office setting the early part of next week. I'll be sure to post it.

So for now, stay tuned!

The Resurrection

...and I'm back. After nearly eight months of running behind the blogging wagon, the symptoms of withdrawal have cut too deep. I've pined for the cathartic relief of sharing my thoughts, stories and photographs here, of which I'm sure, no one really cares about anyway. Has eight months been too long I wonder? How many readers are still out there? I would have left myself for the younger, more beautiful blogess, so I don't blame you all.

So, instead of a giant post going through everything that's happened since June 09 - which would be like me, but who wants to read that? - I'll supply you with some bullet points and a promise; A promise to write more often. There. I've said it. An official public promise. Hold me to it.

Anson: Wow... where to begin? Well, I'll start with a link: Kelly's blog about Anson. Some good stuff there, and her english teacher status really comes out... not misspelling words but rather showing me up with words larger than three syllables.

But, it's been amazing. The single best thing is easily the look I get each day I come home... like more and more he's understanding who I am. I'm just waiting for the day he wants to ride in the Jeep... Here's my favorite picture of us. Bet you can't guess why? (hint: it ain't Bailey Boy's!)

Jeep: Oh the Scrambler, she's running great. I installed a choke about three months ago. I had originally taken it off when swapping out the stock Carter carb for a much better Ford MC2100. Wow what a difference a choke makes! It's amazing what a 125 year old invention does! Whodathunk?

Back in October I believe it was we added another Jeep to the family. Kelly got tired of turning the baby carrier sideways, watching Anson's head go parallel with the floor, as she tried to stuff is ever-growing belly into the back of her two-door Acura. We sold it locally and bought a 2004 Grand Cherokee. V8, 4wd of course... it's awesome. It was totally my choice in car, and that's no secret... although she does like it. I'll take that car over here soon, when we can afford something for her... at least that's the plan. I love that thing.

Work: Wow, another where-to-begin topic. I'm working more than I ever have in my life, and loving every minute of it. h2o creative group has morphed into a very respectable and capable full-service marketing firm, offering our clients everything from custom photography, fresh design, media placement, web sites in all flavors and so much more. We've taken on some very demanding clients and are loving the challenges presented every day. Our team has grown to eight people, which in my opinion, is the perfect number. We are big enough to handle our clients and growth and lean enough to keep it profitable and manageable. I've been knocking on wood since February and I will continue to do so for many days to come.

Friday Foto: Alas... the fabled Friday Foto. Here you are guys. I took this yesterday morning. I know, I know... eye porn as I like to call it.... a sunrise. I had a shoot scheduled all day at the new Hampton Inn on Jekyll Island (which might I add, is amazing!!) and I went over early to shoot some video for the Jekyll Island Authority, and passed by this shot and couldn't refuse. I shot this at f.11 to ensure sharpness in the trees, and spot-metered for the water to force the silhouette effect. The first shot was from eye-level, which was bland because you didn't see the bench. I lowered the tripod to about three feet off the ground to get the bench in the shot, and I think that makes all the difference.

So that's it. Hope you're glad to have me back. I'm sure glad to be back. I feel like a weight has been lifted... now time for more coffee.

Another wedding done, several in the works

Good morning folks! Just thought I'd share some pictures from one of the most recent weddings I shot. I just finished post process on all the images and the bride loves them! I'm very happy with the results from this shoot and thought I'd share the bride's comments as well. It's worth all the running around and tedious hours behind the computer when you get an email like this:

"BEN!...They are wonderful, fabulous, perfect, and beautiful. Absolutely terrific! I just sobbed through all the slideshows. Happy tears!! THANK YOU for being a fantastic photographer, I could not have asked for more"

I have a lot of new work coming out in some local magazines as well. As soon as they hit the shelves (or websites) I'll let you guys know. I'm REALLY excited about one of them particularly, it will be here by July.

Not much is new here. We have one of our best friends from college coming in town this weekend, along with some other friends for Anson's christening this Sunday. It should be a fun time. I can't believe he's 6 weeks old today!! Crazy!

I know, I know...

It's been over a month since my last post. Close to two months I guess really. I have one big excuse though, as I'm sure most of y'all ready know, I have a son. Behold, Anson Bradford Galland:

He was actually due yesterday, on the 11th. He came 4 weeks early, but everything is perfectly fine. He's a healthy little boy and he's wonderful. You'll notice (much to his mother's dismay) that he's sporting a nice new pea green Patagonia onsie. The first day he wore it was also the first day he went the whole day without peeing on his clothes. So, go ahead and complain if you want, but my boy knows not to pee on Patagonia! Today he is one month old. I can't believe it. 

So what's new other than that? A ton. I'm extremly busy at work, which is a great thing. H2O Creative Group is busting at the seems, we're getting more and more clients and have a lot of awesome things in the works. I'v been shooting a ton too. I just finished a three-day shoot for Elegant Island Living magazine, and I can't wait for you all to see the photos. I'm really proud of them. I got the cover shot too, which is my first cover for that magazine.... and the subjects of the shoot were awesome.... you'll see. Look for it in July. 

I also have shot two weddings since my last post, I have another one tomorrow, and then another next week. Tomorrow's will probably be one of the biggest of the season for me. I'm really excited, I know both bride and groom and a lot of the guests, which will always make for great pictures. 

Next weekend's wedding is going to be an amazing blast. My cousin (dad's twin brother's daughter) is getting married here on the island. Any excuse for my family to gather is abused, slaughtered and dragged through the mud to the point of blissful, chaotic confusion. It's great. Friday before the wedding we will have over 150 people in my childhood home for a party. I'm shooting the wedding, but will be having a blast as well (read: camera in one hand, beer in the other). Many of the family is already starting to arrive this weekend. I'll be taking next Friday off as well, in order to join the chaos. 

Speaking of next Friday, it's iPhone time again!!!! Man I can't wait. I've already pre-ordered my iPhone 3GS. It's going to be amazing. I can't tell if I'm more excited about the new iPhone, or the software that they are releasing next week as well. Finally, the phone is getting faster, better camera, picture/video messaging, cut and paste, and so much more. I can't wait. I'll be there bright and early, 7 a.m. along with half my family that is also getting one. I told you, abused and chaotic!

So, that's about if for now. I promise to get back on a continual blogging stream. I'm also thinking of getting into Twitter, more for a professional basis, but if I do it, I'll let you all know. 

Have a great day!

Friday Foto: new pix 4 u

Good morning folks! It's been a whirlwind of a couple weeks. I shot another wedding last weekend which was great and the new Golden Isles Magazine is hitting the shelves today. I'm very excited about this issue particularly. I shot a lot for this issue; the cover, several spreads and as always, my photo essay. This issue's essay is a compilation of photographs from my travels to Italy, both in 2001 and in 2oo8. I've always wanted to publish these photos and am very excited about it. 

The first photo posted here is featured in the Magazine. I wanted to post it here because I really liked it. I was assigned to shoot some photos of the "First Friday" event in downtown Brunswick. It's on the first Friday of every month, and shops stay open late encouraging folks to come on out. I really wanted to capture the nightlife feel and still make it distinctly downtown Brunswick. I really like the shot. 

The second photo is from the past wedding I shot. After the ceremony the bride and groom and I walked out to the beach to get a couple of beach shots. It's always tricky to get good shots on the beach during the middle of the day, and this was about 11:30 which is typically a horrible time to shoot because of the light. The shots came out great, but I really like this one the best. What do yall think?

So, not much planned this weekend. Have some honey-dos that I'm putting off till Sunday so I can go boating tomorrow. I'm putting in at 8 am and will be out all day. I'm so excited. Bringing a grill and brats... there really isn't anything better.

Everything else is going well. Business is booming and that is wonderful, we are very fortunate.

Anyway, yall have a great weekend. I sure will.  

Firday Foto: All a blur

What a blur of a week! Man, I really don't know where Saturday ended and Thursday morning began. 

Today's foto comes from a wedding I shot last week on Friday night. I love shots like this. They are great photos to tell a story. Standing alone, it doesn't say much other than a cool shot. But as part of the bigger story, perhaps shown in sequence in an album, it shows the bride chasing the groom around with a piece of cake. This shot was taken at 1/8 of a second at f5.6 which would have been completely blurry had I not fired some flash and panned the image as well. 

Saturday night we had another baby party, it was fun. Kelly and I got lots of good stuff for the baby. That kid has easily more clothes than her and I combined. I really need to up his game on camo and jeep themed clothing. Too many damn sailboats and bunnys are going to make this kid crazy (or at least me!).

This weekend I plan on getting away. Don't know exactly what we're doing, but I need a break. I think we are going to spend a night over on Jekyll Island somewhere. This is our last free weekend before baby. 

So I have a ton of friends getting blackberries. What the heck is wrong with them? The iPhone is such a better product. All the promoting I do doesn't seem to work. Oh well. They'll soon find out when they are complaining that it won't work. HA!

I have tons of other things I could write about, but I need to get some work done. So, I'll save it for another posting. Hope y'all have a great weekend!

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!