Uploads from Michael :)

(insert top gun comment here)

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:46:32 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Wow. I always like to learn new things about photography, but I have to say that I was schooled by the talent at the Oregon Air Show this last weekend... and by talent I mean the extremely fast moving jets (like many, many shots with only parts of the objects in the frame). Also, please forgive me for taking some creative action on the photo above. It was very HOT Saturday and I think I might have fried my brain just a little bit. :)

The Pelican shuffle

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:27:02 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Back from the annual beach trip from Pacific City, and what a time. Lots of photos to work from, and this guy (girl?) became the instant fave.

You say tomato...

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 19:34:27 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Trying two new types of tomatoes this year (all 10 plant nicely budding) along with some regulars. One is the Black Prince (hopefully not relation to King Edward III son - pictured here looking nice & fruity), and the other is a Japanese Black Trifele. Funny thing about the second one: it's from Russia. "Why of course I'll take that Russian tomato with Japanese attached to its name."

It was a nice summer.

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:16:31 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

As usual, summer in the Pacific Northwest takes its time to arrive, but when it does the dramatic sky takes flight for a few months. One of the great thing about Cape Kiwanda is how its beauty is exposed in each season of the year. Hmmm... now I wanna go back. AND... this shot was HANDHELD. Very proud I might add. :)

the cape

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:54:51 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

...

Nice to Smell

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:18:07 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Yes they are.

Cats rule

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:52:18 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Life is so hard for cats. They sleep most of the day, and when they FINALLY get up they require your full attention by rubbing around your legs (only to attack you to start their play time). Cats also demand certain spots throughout the house to be their personal bed (you know... the chair you sit on when you're working at the computer). They also hound you when you don't feed them on time: their time. Yup, cats rule and dogs drool.

Storm at the cape

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:26:59 -0800

Michael :) posted a photo:

Experienced a wave crashing storm last weekend @ Pacific City. It wasn't easy as the sea spray kept getting my lens wet, and the wind was blowing hard enough to make my eyes water. Fun time regardless!

Big Wave

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:22:43 -0800

Michael :) posted a photo:

I would like everyone to know from the start that this photo is a bit photoshopped. I say "bit" because you can see two guys standing on the cliff as the wave rolls over, only in the real version they had to jump a few feet down the other side of the cliff as the oncoming wave completely soaked them (and fortunately not washing them off!). The first photo is of these guys just standing there and the second photo is of the wave coming over. My purpose for putting the two together was to give you perspective on how turbulent the ocean was this last weekend, and how big that cliff is @ Pacific City. So as much I want to say to the two fellas that being on the ridge wasn't too bright, it is a fact I was less than 50 ft. from them earlier that morning. ;)

LR4 screen

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:27:11 -0800

Michael :) posted a photo:

Yes, I do believe Adobe has nailed this one. I know many people are not totally sold on hdr, but this programs minor adjustments (if you haven't tried it yet, it's free) can make the world of a difference.

Ariel acrobatics

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:02:55 -0800

Michael :) posted a photo:

This is a recent project I've been doing for a family friend who wanted pictures of the kids for the grandparents. It is hard to imagine that someone can be 8 ft. up in the air... and do the splits. I have a new-found respect for what these girls can do, only because I would be crying like a little baby if it was me.

Alaska Moonlines

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:45:39 -0800

Michael :) posted a photo:

Since we've been having this (strange for the PacNW) clear weather in December, I've been looking for more oportunities to use my big lens. And look, the moon again! On Tuesday I saw this beast and set my up my equipment on the back deck, when I noticed the plane coming towards the moon. I rushed my settings and started firing away. This was the first shot taken, with no photoshop work involved (except for slight color and clarity). You can't see it here, but in the full size version you can zoom in and see the markings on the plane. With that I give you Alaska "Moonlines." :)

A storm is coming...

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:47:36 -0800

Michael :) posted a photo:

... and with a vengence! Photographed this client for quite a bit of his first football season, and had a lot of fun. This is my first attempt at a sports portrait which was interesting in itself since I really haven't learned a lot about composite photography... but I think I just might have to study up on! Very cool stuff. :)

the rose

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:49:27 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Went for a run here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (where it rains a lot) today and on the way I found this rose bush with lots of water droplets on it - begging me to come back to photograph it. I like to oblige. :)

sad day

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:45:55 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

It has been some sad days at work these days. While talking on the phone recently to my most awesome sister in law (important business mind you), I happened to leave one of my favorite hats on the tracks of a D4 Caterpillar. As I was talking, one of my guys moved the tractor forward and as I looked up after he moved a few feet there lie that infamous green, all trashed up lying in the dirt. My sis-in-law was startled as I shrieked. Yes, I shriek over important things. :) I'm gonna miss that hat.

Breaking Stride

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:58:06 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

A couple of months ago a friend asked me if I did animal portraits (after looking at some of my people portraits). I replied with a definite "Um mm, nope. But I'm willing to try!" This is one of the results of that shoot. When my wife looked at it she shrieked, "she looks like a Valkyrie!" When I brought the finals to the customer she just laughed. She's only about five feet tall. :)

The Twin Towers

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:16:02 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

I have only been to New York once in my life, and even then it was upper state. But last night a friend and I drove to Cannon Beach to see if we could catch a decent sunset but were foiled by the fog bank on the horizon. What to do when that glorious sunset was a no show? Make most of your circumstances, that's what! There was a light fog/mist in the air surrounding the twin towers, and as I was shooting them I got to thinking of their name and was immediately reminded of the anniversary of 9/11. I will never forget that morning as my wife and I sat glued to the tv, watching with anger-horror-fear as those buildings smoked like a ferocious beast until they collapsed with exhaustion, completing the task they were given. Take some time to reflect on the lives that were, have, and will be, given for us so that we may live with our freedoms.

Parting shot

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:22:01 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Dori Days @ Pacific City, only no Doris! They packed up for the evening, leaving everyone else to enjoy the sunset and surf. I love this place.

Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Center

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:19:46 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

Off of Main St. in downtown Hillsboro. Very nice architecture inside for those who like ornate buildings.

Crimson and Clover

nobody@flickr.com (Michael :)) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:30:31 -0700

Michael :) posted a photo:

If you're fortunate enough to have a farmer's permission to enter their field, do it! The gentleman who allowed me to go down his road that crossed between these two HUGE clover fields in full bloom, with minimum weeds, was spectacular. Most of the fields on the west side of Portland are just about to lose their color, but this one was still holding strong prompting me to get a few portrait shots in. When the wind blows it's like watching a wave of crimson all around you.