United States 2008 2009 Galleries

Williamsburg : Making History Beautiful: I have never wanted to make history. Making history is messy. And I like my world neat. Making history is about struggle, triumph, overcoming great adversity. In short, history is messy because of the mud, the blood, and the gore. And I'm not talking simply about the physical. It is intellectually messy. Those who make history via intellectual achievement are often not balanced people. Often their achievement requires a focus and dedication that leads to madness. I like my history safe, sane and beautiful. In November 2006, we visited Colonial Williamsburg. It is one of the oldest new-world settlements in North America. The company "Colonial Williamsburg" is working to make this part of American history beautiful. And they are succeeding. Working with original and restored buildings, they are creating a Williamsburg better than any real Williamsburg at any single point in time, yet strangely authentic. Let me explain. In your town, there are new buildings that are perfect, old buildings needing major repair or replacement, and everything in between. Imagine a time, say 300 years from now, when every building was brought up to "like new" condition. Your restored town would be authentic because every building would be authentic. But it would be better than any real time in your town's history because everything would be like new. Not a mix of the old, the young and the in between. Now you've got the idea of Colonial Williamsburg. Our visit over the Thanksgiving Holiday was punctuated by beautiful, clear, crisp, fall weather. By day, it showed off this historic site wonderfully. And by night, it leant a sense of mystery and ghostliness that was just plain fun! If you have not been, and get the chance, a visit to Colonial Williamsburg is highly recommended.

Williamsburg

Making History Beautiful: I have never wanted to make history. Making ...

Updated: Aug 29, 2009 5:53pm PST

Washington DC : In the Spring of 2008, we traveled to Washington DC. I have worked in the city previously, but have never really had time to play tourist. So now was the time. We camped out at a hotel just off the Mall and did the sites. One site was the Department of Printing and Engraving (sorry no pictures allowed) where they "make" about $700 Million a day ... and truly sorry ... no samples at the end of the tour. We visited our Senator's office, sat in the gallery of the House and Senate which were in session, had lunch in the cafeteria of the Supreme Court. Did the monuments. In general, it was a hoot! One of the highlights of our visit was a Seqway Tour of the city. What a ball! Here's the tour website: http://www.capitalsegway.com/tours. And see www.segway.com for for Segway's site. If you EVER have a chance to ride one of these ... TAKE IT! Working in DC: Okay, a digression but it will be short. At work, guys (mostly) stand around he water cooler and Monday-Morning-Quarterback the big game. "How about that Red Zone Production?!?" Or, "Man, the defense sure shut down the offence!" Many years ago, the US Navy was my client. When you work for the Navy, during the Falkland’s war, you Monday-Morning-Quarterback a different competition. "How about the Exocet?!?" Or, "Man, those missiles sure shut down the offensive!" These photos were taken in May 2008 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Washington DC

In the Spring of 2008, we traveled to Washington DC. I have worked in ...

Updated: May 16, 2008 7:23pm PST

Orcas Island : Orcas Island is in Puget Sound northwest of Seattle. Part of the San Juan Island group, it is arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth. These pictures illustrate the tranquility that draws people. Do Not Adjust Your Set: These pictures were taken in between 1998 and 1999 with a first generation digital camera. They are as big and as good as they'll ever get.

Orcas Island

Orcas Island is in Puget Sound northwest of Seattle. Part of the San J ...

Updated: Aug 29, 2009 3:33pm PST

Hawaii - Highlights : In January 2009, we made another pilgrimage to the Island of Maui, Hawaii. We've been there many times and know the island and its waters very well. With the economy being what it is, the Island was relatively calm. You could park on the street in Lahaina. Shops were uncrowded. There were great "deals" on everything. You could walk into most restaurants without reservations and eat without delay. Traffic was far less than we have become accustomed to. At least for us, there was a bright side to the down economy. While there we spent about half our days diving. The surf was up ... 10 to 20 foot waves on the North Shore ... so we had a chance to watch surfers, and more excitingly, windsurfers at the top of their game. We drove to Hana (first time, actually) and back to the summit of Haleakala. The weather was good. It was a relaxing vacation, one we'll remember for quite some time. This gallery has the highlights. There are separate galleries for diving, surfing, windsurfing and so on. Check 'em out. I'm pretty happy with the photos. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Highlights

In January 2009, we made another pilgrimage to the Island of Maui, Haw ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 12:59pm PST

Hawaii - Diving : Nancy has a Canon Powershot G-7 and a waterproof housing for it. All the photos here were taken by her and this camera. She’s the master in this realm. I tried my hand at it and it's hard. What could be hard? Firstly, almost anything you want to photograph is moving and pretty fast. Secondly, whether snorkeling or diving, you're moving, too. Some is wave-induced, some current-induced, and some of it you do yourself (chasing what you want to photograph.) So you have to point and shoot quickly or you'll miss your subject. Thirdly, as you descend, the water filters out the sunlight. The deeper you go, the darker it gets. It's plenty light enough to see, but the camera doesn't know it's underwater and wants to slow down the shutter ... potentially yielding blurry photos. Fourthly, there is plankton in the water, and grains of sand, and lots of little bits that reflect back your flash and turn things all sparkly (unless you turn it off - refer to thirdly.) But diving is fun and trying to photograph what you see is fun too. One of the photos I missed "trying my hand at it" was of a whale and her baby that swam right behind me. By the time I got turned around, pointed, and shot ... they were barely visible in the photo. Drat! These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Canon G-7.

Hawaii - Diving

Nancy has a Canon Powershot G-7 and a waterproof housing for it. All t ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 3:48pm PST

Hawaii - Surfing Highlights : I wasn't always a good swimmer. I remember struggling with swimming lesson as a kid and I guess I got good at it and never looked back. I am very comfortable in the water whether it's a pool, a lake or the open ocean. But I've NEVER been surfing. Even after this trip, my record is intact. But I am fascinated by surfing. During our trip the north swells were "up" creating surfing waves from 10 - 20 feet depending on where you were. So I spent about 8 hours over two days photographing surfers. This was really fun. This is the surfing highlights gallery. There is also a gallery showing one full ride by a beautiful surfer girl ... and if your taste runs the other way, another gallery with a full ride by a surfer dude that ends badly. Check 'em out. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Surfing Highlights

I wasn't always a good swimmer. I remember struggling with swimming le ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 1:16pm PST

Hawaii - Surfer Girl Series : This single run lasted maybe 30 seconds, maybe less. Of all the runs i watched during the two days I filmed, this seemed the best example of poetry in motion. Clearly this surfer girl had mastered every element of the sport and made it look easy. I loved watching it IRL and I like the way the photos turned out. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Surfer Girl Series

This single run lasted maybe 30 seconds, maybe less. Of all the runs i ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 1:30pm PST

Hawaii - Surfer Dude Series : This, too, is a single run that lasted for almost a minute and ended catastrophically. No one was hurt but it was a spectacular finish! These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Surfer Dude Series

This, too, is a single run that lasted for almost a minute and ended c ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 1:39pm PST

Hawaii - Windsurfing Highlights : One of the days we were here the winds were up and the surf was up. We spent a few hours on the north shore watching windsurfers. These guys and gals were fabulous in their athleticism. Here are the highlights and in two other galleries, I have a couple of runs from start to finish. Have a look at these as the windsurfers go airborne, do loops, and in general fly the sail. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Windsurfing Highlights

One of the days we were here the winds were up and the surf was up. We ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 1:21pm PST

Hawaii - Windsurfing Solo Series : In this series, a single windsurfer makes a single run. I like the pictures individually and I like the series. Hope you enjoy it. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Windsurfing Solo Series

In this series, a single windsurfer makes a single run. I like the pic ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 1:51pm PST

Hawaii - Windsurfing Duo Series : In this series, a a pair of windsurfers makes a single run. It seems like they're playing with the waves and with each other. Fantastic! I like the pictures individually and I like the series. Hope you enjoy it. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Windsurfing Duo Series

In this series, a a pair of windsurfers makes a single run. It seems l ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 2:04pm PST

Hawaii - Haleakala : 10,000 feet above sea level (more or less) is the summit of Mt Haleakala. whenever we're on Maui, we make the pilgrimage. I always go with the notion of hiking half a day down into the crater and always chicken out in the face of strong, vry cold wind. Did it again this time. but the view is terrific. These photos were taken in January 2009 mostly with a Nikon D3.

Hawaii - Haleakala

10,000 feet above sea level (more or less) is the summit of Mt Haleaka ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2009 2:10pm PST