I didn't find the Easter bunny but I did find these amazing compositions.

Ringwood State Park, NJ on Easter morning.  Flowers blooming, dew on the grass & birds chirping.  Peaceful morning.

HDR & Black & White

Went yesterday morning to Harriman & Ringwood State Parks to shoot but the conditions weren't the greatest. I decided this would be a good opportunity to play around with some HDR & black & white photography. I'm not a big fan of the HDR process but feel it's a great tool when used to enhance the natural look of a photo.

Man Made Eco System

Shot these at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. I really loved seeing all of the school field trips there and listening to the teachers explaining to the kids about the eco systems that each hot house contained to made the perfect environment for all the plants.  What concerns me is if the kids are grasping that what they are experiencing and do they understand that this is what really happens in nature when it's not disrupted by pollution and over population. Without these eco systems in place we, quite frankly, will die. I just hope our younger generations understand how important it is to respect and not exploit the place we call home.

Some fast moving water runs through Harriman

Feeling the need to get outside when I saw the sun pock through I headed up to Harriman State Park with my camera. Witnessed some fast running water due to all the rain and winter run off this year.

Extreme Desert Training Photo Shoot

A quick video of some action photography I did for Robert Finlay of Kayak Lake Mead during their one Extreme Desert Training sessions. The stuff these athletes were doing was insane! What an honor to be able to shoot them in action during all hours of the day and night in some of the most extreme conditions.  Click below for a better quality video on youtube.


Extreme Desert Training video on youtube click here.

Winter Blues

It's almost over, get through February and part of March and we're in the clear!  Don't forget this winter when June rolls around and you're about to complain how hot it is outside.  Let's all be thankful for each day and try our hardest to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and make the most of every sunrise.  Here are a couple of photos from Kauai to help push you a little closer to that warm sunshine.  ENJOY!!!!

It's the simple things in life that bring happiness

The word quantity is what most strive for, but it's quality that makes the difference in life. It's not how much you have or are worth, it's what you do with you have. Happiness comes from within and not from a possession. Quality is what makes one smile from within when one becomes content and finds happiness in the simple things in life. I met many people this past week on the beautiful island of Kauai who truly love their lives that consist of very little. For me experiencing what I photoed below is what brings true happiness for me. Take away what little money I have and what little I own I will still find joy in what I experience when I do something as simple as hiking in nature.

The photo is a I look into the wettest spot in the world "The Blue Hole". Sue & I Hiked 60 plus minutes through a slippery stream bed, bamboo forest and mud that was knee deep to get this shot. Our guide was Eric from Hike Kauai with me who is a hiking guide and expert on Kauai's terrain and landscape. I'm obsessed with this spot and next time will be planning and overnight trip all the way in which puts you right at the wall and under 3000 foot plus waterfalls. I think i'm a pretty good photographer but this shot can't begin to explain what I was looking at or experiencing.

If you plan on visiting Kauai, want to experience the Islands back country and some of the most pristine spots that most will never experience give Eric Rohliffs a call. Not only is his knowledge of the island second to none but he's also a great guy with a love and passion for Kauai that shows through in his stories.  

Back to the Rain Forest

This coming Friday, Sue and I are escaping to the Islands of Maui and Kauai.  Heading to Maui first to run the Maui Half Marathon and then on to Kauai.  Kauai is one of my favorite places it's populated with down to earth people who move on island time living in the moment and not rushing through the day just to make it to the next day just to start all over again.  While on this trip I plan to get a substantial body of work for an island exclusive gallery showing this spring.  One of our main hikes on Kauai we will be doing is to the wettest spot on earth, Mt. Wai'ale'ale.  We have hooked up with a hiking guide that will guide us through the lush canyon and into the base of the Blue Hole which is home to hundreds of waterfalls 3000 plus feet high.  I can only imagine what it's going to feel like to stand inside such a magical and for me spiritual place. 

I'll be updating some of our adventures around the island on FB while we're there and will also be posting many new photographs when we get back.  I also have a new toy called the GOPRO Video Cam so I'll be able to get some video footage of the amazing places we will journey to.  Thank you once again for all your support.  Stay tuned for some magical and breathtaking photos soon to come.

 

Old School Italian neighborhood and the Botanical Gardens

Sue and I spent the day at the NY Botanical Gardens and then made our way over to Arthur Ave. for some old school Italian food I haven't had since my mom was alive. This brought back some amazing memories that had me smiling all day. The best place we experienced was Mike's Deli at the Arthur Ave. Market. David runs the deli and has not only been on Bobby Flay's TV show but also grew up with a good friend on mine Jon Haber here in Rockland County ,NY. We got to talking and next thing I know he's feeding me food and giving me a history lesson. As Jon would say, "GOOD TIMES" :)

Snow drifts and flowing Ice

I lied here is another pot for 2010.  Feeling cabin fever setting in I felt the need to get outside to breathe some fresh air and be away from our fast paced society, so I grabbed my camera and headed up to Harriman St. Park in NY. The fresh air was cold but felt good on my face as I headed into Reeves Meadow along the Stony Brook. I headed out on the trail and followed some snowshoers packed down trail, Having snow shoes would of been the smart move but my hiking boots would have to do for today. I hiked about a mile along the creek shooting in snow drifts that were well above my knees and even deeper. It's amazing how being outside in such a pristine, quite and natural setting can clear the mind and rejuvenate the soul. Hope you enjoy the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Last post of 2010

Well,  2010 is coming to a close and 2011 will be arriving soon.  This will be my last Blog post for the old year.  Here are a couple of shots I took on one of our trips out in the Southwest back in 2007. I'm going to be using some of these shots in a video i'm putting together for Kayak Lake Mead as a promo for their Extreme Desert Adventure Training Expeditions.  Thank you everyone for all our support.  Have a great New Years Eve and an Awesome 2011.  I'll be announcing some real cool stuff I'm excited about for the coming year in the next couple of week.  

Falls End

I can't believe Fall 2010 is falling away and winter is rushing in.  I've been so busy with the preparations for my October show at Sanctuary in Nyack, NY that I didn't find much time to get out and shoot when I wanted to.  I was able to get out late this season and capture what was left of nature's work.  With the winter moving in I have to keep my mind active, stay focused and keep pushing forward toward my Hawaii trip planned for January.