While in Fort Lauderdale, I was taking a ton of beach photos but they started to get a little boring. They looked pretty much like every other beach shot, especially during the day time. So I decided to invite over one of my model-friends, Katie Ann to do a bit of posing.

Katie Ann on the Beach

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-01-11 02:08:57
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/4000
• Aperture6.3
• ISO800
• Focal Length24.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias-0.7

Here is a view of the Southern Alps here in Queenstown in the middle of summer. You can see a little bit of snow on The Remarkables in the background, but it really doesn’t snow at all here in the summer. Maybe there’s an occasional swell or a cold night where a bit collects on the top of the peaks. But the mountains come alive with different colors when everything starts to grow in the Spring and Summer. There’s also a lot of great magic mushrooms that grow around here.

Beautiful Colors of New Zealand

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2016-10-18 14:32:17
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/320
• Aperture3.5
• ISO250
• Focal Length24.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-0.3

I was trying to be the last one in The Vessel to get some of these cool dusk shots after the sun set. I like to do this one simple trick where you simply put the camera on the ground (with a wide-angle lens) and shoot straight up in the air with a timer on. I wanted to set it right where that guy was standing… so, while I was waiting for him to move, I decided to take a photo!

Taking photos at The Vessel

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2019-06-22 20:58:44
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/60
• Aperture4
• ISO1250
• Focal Length12.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

On the way to the photo walk in Phoenix, we stopped at White Sands National Park to spend the afternoon and evening. It was absolutely beautiful and exceeded all my expectations. I don’t know if you’re allowed to camp out there overnight, but I think it would probably be okay. I didn’t see any police or rangers around… it was incredibly lonely, except for my friends here in the photo.

Into the White Sands

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2015-08-19 21:14:12
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/160
• Aperture6.3
• ISO200
• Focal Length55.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias+1.3

Wow, Germans really know how to party! This party went on all day and into the night. I have no idea what drugs everybody was on, but they certainly seemed to be having an amazing time. It’s great to see so many happy people out and about, enjoying the day. They must have been good drugs because everyone was super happy and I didn’t see any arguments or fights or anything!

Street Party in Berlin

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-05-21 18:54:50
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/2000
• Aperture
• ISO100
• Focal Length
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Here at the base of the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale is a restaurant/bar and small shop that caters to rum experts. I am not a rum expert, but I did try quite a bit while there, I have to say. After that, I still cannot say I am a rum expert… especially since after the third concoction they all kind of tasted the same to me. But, either way, the decor and service were absolutely amazing, especially when paired with the amazing meal!

A Secret Spot in Fort Lauderdale

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-01-10 07:04:17
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time6
• Aperture10
• ISO125
• Focal Length12.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias-0.3

While in our crazy-long day here in this classic old city, we spent a chunk of it in this abandoned rubber factory. They would make shoes and all sorts of things with rubber back during the Communist days. I can’t imagine how miserable a job that would have been! People complain about their jobs nowadays, but being a common worker in Communist Russia would not have been a joyride.

Abandoned Rubber Factory in St. Petersburg

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-06-05 17:35:57
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time5
• Aperture7.1
• ISO100
• Focal Length13.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias+0.3

You wouldn’t think that staring out at a huge industrial plant would make for an interesting view, but you would be wrong. You’d especially be wrong if you were a car enthusiast. This is a famous plant for Volkswagen and a ton of people make a pilgrimage here every year to bask in all that is Volkswagen.

Relaxing in Wolfsburg

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-05-22 17:10:34
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/100
• Aperture20
• ISO200
• Focal Length12.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

Everywhere… everywhere… people are addicted to their phones. I’m pretty sure this is a giant source of increased anxiety. It is fun and stimulating to be on your phone, but it is an “unnatural” way to navigate the planet. Just getting out in nature and walking around is really a great counter to this. Also, being around other humans is important too. I was thinking about those African villages where the grownups and kids had so much happiness and absolutely zero screens to stare at. I’m not saying it’s one or the other, but a bit of balance is nice!

Checking Social Media in St. Petersburg

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-06-05 16:06:11
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/125
• Aperture
• ISO1250
• Focal Length
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias+0.3

This balloon company was nice enough to invite me out on a ride, but I’ve never taken them up on it! I don’t know why… I’m not THAT busy! I bet it would be absolutely beautiful too. I’ve flown over this area many times in a helicopter and taken photos, but that’s always a bit of a rush. I think being on a balloon would be very calm and relaxing, allowing you to take all the time you need to compose photos of beautiful Queenstown.

Balloon over Lake Hayes

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2016-10-21 01:59:19
• CameraILCE-7RM2
• Camera MakeSony
• Exposure Time1/320
• Aperture5.6
• ISO400
• Focal Length70.0 mm
• FlashOff, Did not fire
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias