We were staying in a small boutique hotel in Amalfi overlooking the Mediterranean.  Each night, the hotel's owners prepared a "happy hour" snack plate and we were enjoying the evening's treat before heading out to dinner.  We happened to meet another couple and were visiting with them when the storm clouds rolled in.  I saw some lightning in the distance and had to excuse myself from the conversation.

We had a balcony that was bigger than the room itself.  I set up my tripod and hoped the rain stayed far enough away to get a shot.  In order to shoot the lightning without a special "lightning tripper" attachment, you need to have some good timing and luck.  I left the camera shutter open for each shot about 30 seconds.  This means that I had a 30 second window and hoped that lightning struck somewhere in that half of a minute.  Most of my shots ended up to be pretty...but no lightning.  I was shooting film back then so I had no idea how the shots looked.  It is so much easier now with a digital camera.

When I returned home and had a chance to develop the rolls I found this shot.  It was one of the last pictures I snapped...right before I had to take cover due to the rain storm hitting the balcony.

We don't get a lot of fall color in Texas.  I wanted to add some bright colored leaves to my portfolio and set out to shoot one fall weekend.  I flew to Virginia and then drove north until I found orange.  The states are so close in this area that I crossed at least four states in one day. 

The morning was blanketed with fog.  So thick it felt like rain.  I was pretty disappointed about the low cloud cover and just started driving around.  I turned on what was basically a one lane road that looked to be headed up a small mountain.  The mountain, or large hill, was called Spruce Knob.  As I climbed and saw the curve of the road in my rear view mirror I knew I had a shot.  The subdued light being diffused through the fog was perfect to bring out the fall color.

All beaches in Hawaii are public beaches.  Well, most all of them.  I do know of one on Kauai that is controlled by the government.  They have some missiles or something close by.  It is one beach that I don't really want to be on.

This particular beach is one of those public beaches of Maui.  It is called Polo Beach Park...thus the creative name of the photo.   We parked on the side of a road in a neighborhood.  This was a pretty upscale place and once we made it to the beach we knew why.  What a pretty chunk of sand.

I set up the tripod and started shooting.  Directly behind me was a fence connected to one of those nice homes near the water.  The gate opened up and out came the home owner to check out his view.  Wine glass in hand, he shared how he enjoyed the view I was capturing most every night.  I felt a little awkward...like I had intruded into his space.  He assured me that he enjoyed neighbors and made us feel at home.

I love our flag.  Don't you?

I don't care what country you are from...we all love our nation's flag.  It is just a piece of cloth...some threads with three colors.  Not really.  It is the history behind it, the lives that were lost, the creative minds that built our country, the events that the colors have witnessed.  That is why I love our flag.

Whenever I see the stripes I have to shoot them.  Here is a tip: it is hard to take a bad flag photo.  The next time you see one, shoot it.  Let the flag fill the frame and you will have a good shot.

This flag was hanging from a residence in Boston near the old North Church.  Wow, what kind of history could this fabric have witnessed?  It doesn't get much more patriotic than a flag hanging along the path of Paul Revere.

If you own your own business or have clients or customers, sending out a hand signed July 4th card is a great way to help yourself stand out.  Everyone loves America and patriotism is huge.  Email me for a special patriotic discount for orders over $300.  Feel free to pass this on!

Hawaii is one of my favorite places to go.  In fact, I just returned from the islands two days ago.  If you like sunsets, this is the place.  I have blogged before about my less than desirable thoughts about Oahu.  Don't get me wrong, the place is drop dead pretty.  I just don't want to fight traffic while on holiday.

I have never been to Cuba but I believe that Valpriaso, Chile is a lot like Cuba...maybe prettier.  This place is painted up like easter and has more award winning art painted on walls and doors than Harlem.  The reason I think Cuba is a lot like this place is that when you walk the streets it is like time was frozen several decades ago.  Everything looks old except for the pastel colors that have been used to paint the houses.  

Talk about a photographers paradise.  The deed restrictions are light which leads to some pretty funky cars sitting on the streets.  This one was a work of art that no one had driven for years.

On a personal note, I am headed to Hawaii to add to the portfolio.  You may not see an official blog post until I return.  Another way to keep up is on my Facebook page.  Are you a fan yet?  If not, click here to check it out and then like it!

Always be prepared.  Isn't that the Boy Scout motto?  The day I shot this lighthouse I have to admit that I was not prepared.  We will get to that in a bit. 

I will say it again.  Venice is the most romantic city in the world.

This is another shot taken close to home in our community of The Woodlands, TX.  Back in the 70's, a couple of visionaries drew a picture on the back of a napkin that would one day turn into Lake Woodlands with homes, shops, office buildings, and entertainment lining the shore.  This bridge is the most picturesque entrance into our community.