We started Saturday with a dash to Bombay National Wildlife Sanctuary to capture sunrise and the snow geese. Next, we drove down to Cambridge MD and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge where we were treated to some amazing reflections along the scenic drive. We then set our sites on St Michaels for a brief scout of the Maritime Museum and then headed out to Tilghman Island where we watched the sun set out on Black Walnut Point. Thanks to Don and Greg for joining me on this enjoyable journey - it is always a pleasure to shoot with you guys. (Also thanks for the great advice on the puppy.)

This shot was taken at Dogwood Harbor looking across the water at the skip jack Reliance.

Cheers.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to spend Sunday at Blackwater Falls State Park scouting for an upcoming shoot this winter. It was a marathon of a day, one in which I left the house at 2:30 AM to make the sunrise, shot all day, stayed for sunset and then drove home. I love marathon shooting days - they leave me with nothing but joy in my heart.

This evening I was blessed with the news that one of my friends is feeling a lot better and even though he has a long way to go I am encouraged by his positive attitude and the strength in his words. I thought nothing could top how I felt last weekend, but truly this news has done it. We are all planning a trip next fall to do some shooting and I can't wait to see him again and look forward to spending time with our extended family.

Thoughts, prayers, love and peace to all - Here's to keeping the faith.

Cheers.

太陽に手を伸ばす translated to english is Reach for the Sun and that is what I thought of when I saw how the sun was framed by the tiny branches of this tree. The beautiful soft sun was rising behind the fog with the water and rocks hidden by a heavy mist. This image reminded me of one of those pastel Japanese paintings and thus the title for this image.

Cheers.

This weekends shoot was short but sweet and did not provide enough luminance to produce any deep colors so I decided to work on an artistic approach to post processing and started to dabble in B&W. My favorite photographer of all time is Ansel and I have spent many hours reading his books and studying his images. His autobiography is a great read and very enlightening.

In any case, I have decided that as part of my studies, I am one day going to master the zone system (not today though) and learn to see in black and white. I remember the first time that I read The Negative I was totally lost (nothing new) but I am getting a basic under standing of the concept.

I am rambling because I am sitting here on a parked train, already 50 minutes late with no relief in site. I am sure glad my wife bought me a new Mac with a 7 hour battery life...

Cheers.