Veteran's Day

Today is Veterans Day in the United States.  I am a US Navy Veteran and very proud of it.  I have seen and done things that many people could not imagine.  I've worked with some of the most of the brightest and most resourceful people in the World.  The motto for our group was "Perfectus Servitium" and that is what we did. This photo of me was during my years in the Submarine Force.  But really this post is for everyone else. The Veteran's that served "boots down" in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and six dozen other places we made presence over the years.  These guys were "In Country" so that you and I didn't have to.  You know a Vet somewhere...  Today- tell them THANK YOU!

Captain Kirk and the Beauty Queen

Today is the official release of Joel Port's solo debut album "Captain Kirk and the Beauty Queen."  I wore several hats on this project to include Art Director, Photographer, Executive Producer and a cameo backing vocal spot ;)  This project has hundreds of man-hours invested and we are very proud of our product.  It is a challenge sometimes to bring creative ideas to fruition.  A long time coming... this day feels great.

www.joelportrock.com

Power of One

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA.

The life of a photograph does not always live and breathe on the faces within.  The movement, excitement, life and energy can be portrayed by other content.  Power and message can be conveyed in many ways.  You can see the story the photograph tells.  Look for it.  Feel it.  Breathe it.  Some say it's worth one thousand words.

She Swings High!

Strawberry Park. Charlotte. North Carolina. USA

With a telephoto lens you can be far away from you subject.  That coupled with a wide f-stop will provide that shallow depth of field blurring the background.  This brings the attention into your subject and isolates the visual impact for the viewers.  Another great benefit from being far away from your subject...  you're far away.  They don't notice you. You are not in their space.  Especially with kids...  they relax and do their own thing.  That is when you can capture magic.

Sunset Kiss

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA.

Technicolor Wasp

Queen City

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

The Queen City crown lights up the nocturnal skyline.

Hardened Hydrangea

Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, USA.

The Oakleaf Hyndrangea blossoms have lost their lives for the season, but not their color.  The bush radiates in warmth and delicacy.  The fragile stems hold tight the tissue paper petals not willing to end the mission.

Fall Sunsets

We see things differently this time of year.  The days are shorter, the trees are barren and the scenery has changed.  We see things differently this time of year.  Wrapping up our business, preparing for holidays and already looking forward to the new year.  We see things differently this time of year.  Looking backward, looking forward and just looking round...  but look just the same.  It needs to be done.

Butterfly Ghost

Do you think she can make a rabbit too?

Shadow puppet fun.

Vin Faux Pas

Deerfield

The mountains of North Carolina are alive with animals year round.  The was just outside Blowing Rock, NC yesterday.  I was making the drive down Shulls Mill road is spotty fog.  I had my camera out thinking I may come across some deer feeding. Sure enough.  Setting up the tripod in these situations is risky so I went in hand-held.  It was evening light already and foggy- not ideal "hold your camera" conditions.  I have very little experience in wildlife photography.  These were fun to capture- I felt like the real deal.

retrosled

Queen Anne's Lace

More so in the wintertime... I love Queen Anne's Lace

Mill Pond

Mill Pond. Banner Elk, N. Carolina.

A late afternoon drive led into this area behind Lees-McRae College.  I am feeling better and needed to shake the post flu cabin fever off. Not much better than fresh air and the sounds of shutter repetition.  The air was cool and the cloud line was low.  The very typical foggy conditions were set in and I decided to shoot in B&W.  The late evening light and the fog were muting the leftovers of fall foliage.  This let me focus more on contrast than color.