A FAVORITE ST MAARTEN SHOT

Well, I've been able to stay home from work for an extra day, so in keeping with something "good" like enjoying another day at home, I've decided to post one of my more popular photos. I took this shot in St. Maarten (SXM), while standing on Maho Beach. This is the plane I'll be flying back to Newark (EWR), about an hour from when I took this shot. The water is incredible, the sites are wonderful, and the island life is to die for. Now you know why I want to retire in SXM! Back in a few days.

SAFETY AS AN AFTER THOUGHT

Apparently their is going to be quite a big "beach" concert in conjunction with the Super Bowl in Miami in a few weeks. One problem though, is that they didn't leave the required distance from the lifeguard shack to the fence (15 feet) where the concert is going to be held. So, the city fathers decided to go ahead with the concert preparations and forgo the "safety" aspects needed by the lifeguards. I guess "safety" isn't that important at one of the most visited beaches in the world. You'd think with a beach the size of South Beach, they'd be able to find the "15' ", but they didn't. Go figure..................

ST ELMO'S FIRE........or LIGHTENING ON THE WINDSCREEN

Well, home for just ONE DAY, and then back to work tomorrow. I have a nice little video clip that I shot yesterday during our flight from Newark (EWR), to Cleveland (CLE). Every once in a while we pass through some precipitation (rain or snow), which is at the exact temperature and flight level to cause a small "lightening storm" on our windscreen. St Elmo's Fire doesn't last long, but I was able to get my camera up and running long enough to get this nice clip for your viewing. I have to head back to work again tomorrow for FIVE LONG days, and then I'll be home for a few days. I promise I'll get more stuff up. Thanks for checking in.

HMMMM.......WHAT SHOULD I TAKE A PHOTO OF?

A lot of people ask me where I get my "inspiration" to take photos from. I guess it's a "natural" thing for me. I tend to see things in a different perspective, and it just so happens that "my" perspective is one a lot of folks seem to like. I've never considered myself a "professional", but since my work has now been published in a few magazines, some books, and even a nationwide newspaper, I guess I can now call myself a "professional". Here's a "future professional" photographer at work (I think)............... Not sure where she got her inspiration from, but it is an interesting subject to say the least. Off to work for a week AGAIN, so I'll post when I get the first opportunity.

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

I know, it's a "cliche" saying, but sometimes when I'm taking photos, something catches my eye that appears "beautiful" to me. So...........here's a "beautiful" photo I took (at least to me), of one of Continental's new B-737-900ER engines. It seems so crisp and clean, and the symmetry is incredible. Hard to believe an "engine" can be so photogenic, doesn't it? ;-) Off to work for a few days, so I'll post more when I get back.

YOUR LUCKY DAY TO FLY!

Here's a shot I took a while back that has a bit of "magic" in it. I guess you could say that this was a "lucky" airplane......;-) It's always neat to get shots with rainbows in them. Sometimes they are so intense and colorful, other times, dull and bland. But......they are ALWAYS beautiful and help to make for some interesting shots.

REAL Pictures!!!

Since I started taking photos as a little kid, one goal I had was to take the best possible pictures. Sure, I might take 200 shots and only get ONE good one, but it will be good, and it will be REAL, and it will be something I took, and I'll be proud to call it one of my photographs. I'm amazed at the number of photographers who do so much image "rework" and then call it an "orginal" photo. Sorry, but we part ways once the "magical reworking" starts. So, that being said, I just want everyone to know that my photos are EXACTLY what the camera saw. If ANY image work is done, it's only to sharpen (focus), or clarify the image (gets rid of the haze and I only do this maybe 2% of the time). You won't see "fake" colors, strange looking objects, or anything that can be done with the latest and greatest "photo shop technology". I hope you enjoy my work. Here's a sunset in St. Maarten. Beautiful, isn't it? And it's REAL too.

WATER CANNON SALUTE

The other day upon our arrival in Houston (IAH), I noticed two fire trucks parking on both sides of a jet way. I knew a "retirement flight" was going to be coming at any minute, so I got my camera ready for the event. Here's a shot of a "water cannon salute" honoring the pilot retiring on this flight. I met up with the happy camper a few minutes later and he was certainly excited to know someone had "captured" this special event for him. He told me he'd have the pictures framed and hanging as soon as I sent them to him. Hopefully they're on his wall by now. Pretty neat!!! Okay......off to Newark for the next week, so I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to post here or not. Keep checking back and I'll see what I can do. karl

SUNSET FROM OUR NEW HOME

Yesterday we were blessed with an incredible sunset. As Maria and I were leaving to go get something to eat, we noticed how brilliant the sky looked. I ran in and got my camera and here's what we saw! Even though we're a bit further from the beach, we still have some phenomenal sights! When you see the sky like this you just have to know there's a GOD!