Slippahs - Hawi, Hawaii.  March, 2008

In Hawai'i, don't even think about entering someone's house without taking off your slippahs. I have learned the hard way that it is forbidden, kapu, to walk barefoot out of someone's home, hale, with the idea of reentering without slipping on your slippahs on the way out. Tracking in any kind of foreign material into someone's hale is, in many cases, punishable by banishment to a place of refuge which, if you are a guest, might be your rental car.

Future

A few years ago, when I decided to explore photography from a more serious perspective, one of my ambitions for the future was to meet other artists. I wanted to interact with, exchange ideas, and hopefully become friends with creative, talented, inspirational people. My hope was to meet individuals who looked at the world with an inquisitive mind and critical eye. 

This morning, as I was setting up to photograph the work of a recent acquaintance, Chiyo Sanada, it occurred to me that my vision was beginning to take shape. Chiyo, is a talented artist, who has been passionately exploring traditional and experimental calligraphy. I enjoy her work and I am fortunate to be able to call her my friend. (more...)

Hotel Manago

It’s difficult to turn the camera away from all the natural beauty of Hawaii. But the night offers alternatives and here we have a small slice of history and an opportunity to reflect on old Hawaii.

On the front end of a three day, two night road trip around The Big Island we spent the first night at the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook Town, South of Kailua-Kona. I could talk about the view overlooking Kealakekua Bay or the reasonable rates, but I’d prefer to share the treat of an old Hawaii experience – right down to the fried pork chops.

Chalk on Sidewalk

From time to time I stumble onto a photo opportunity so unexpected that the end result winds up on my list of personal favorites. You are probably thinking I’ve finally flipped out with this one. But as usual, it’s the story behind the photo that, for me, makes it special.

I found this image on a sidewalk during Da Vinci Days in Corvallis, Oregon. I spent a good hour photographing the chalk art and the kids creating the art. The light was excellent, the kids were covered from head to toe in chalk, and their work was really extraordinary. With each shot, I was thinking “keeper, keeper another keeper!”

The Procession of Species, held each spring near Earth Day in Olympia Washington, is a celebration of our "relationship to the natural world and one another." The Procession celebrates the natural world and encourages the celebration of diversity. It's a wonderful cultural exchange featuring costumes, dance, art, puppets, and music. It's a parade, a party, a pageant and a joyous time for everyone to dance in the street and show their creative side. It's well supported, well attended and simply a good time. I happen to think it's one of Olympia's defining institutions.

The winter months in Washington State can be long, wet, dull, and grey. It's a bit like living in a bad, black and white time exposure. The good news though, at least for me, is that the winter months have forced me to look for subjects and opportunities that are outside my comfort zone. This photo, taken during a weekend holiday in Seattle was one of several where I was experimenting with long exposures of neon and night lights.

Looking across Lake Union at the Seattle skyline, from Gas Works Park, this photo was another adventure with long exposures. Fortunately, the evening was exceptionally warm, and my wife and I were able to enjoy the view, take a few photos, and celebrate my birthday with a '99 Malbec. I really like the color shifts of the light reflecting from the lake. It was kind of romantic don't you think?

Here is a photo that is worth a thousand words. Everyone who views it seems to have something to say that originates from their own childhood. Can you imagine pulling this photo out when these guys get together to celebrate their 50th birthday? The photo was taken at Olympia's Heritage Park Fountain on a hot summer afternoon.

When I first became interested in digital photography, a good friend suggested I visit www.fredmiranda.com which is an excellent site to view other photographers work and learn about digital photography. One of Fred's forums that I keep track of, because it makes you think outside of the box, is the Weekly Assignment. Each week a specific theme is posted and people can submit their interpretation of the theme. One weekend, after noticing the week's assignment was the color red, I recalled an interesting pair of red boots on display above the grill at Ramblin' Jacks. When I had finished the assignment, I decided to print, matte and frame the photo and offer it as a gift to the owner. I mean, it's one of my favorite watering holes after all. After seeing the photo, he insisted on paying me for my efforts, and hired me to photograph their wonderful neon sign. My first commercial job!