So I went to "Star Trailing"...

I met with a group from Meetup.com on Sandy Beach.  We were there to take pictures of the stars during the absence of the moon.  As the weather is what it is, we were subject to it.  In this case, that meant we were unable to see the stars as the clouds were developing at the very position we were forming up at.  This is were we initiated our backup plan.  

The first picture shows a kite flying high with a light on it.  It was a long 62 second exposure that brought out the extended capture.  You can see the in the light trail between the red blinking light and the always on white light.  Just a small, neat detail.  

Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm set to 26mm, f/11 for 62 sec at ISO 200.

 Although the kite with lights was cool, I needed another focus for my attention.  Pictured next is the light painting I created with the help of a video light and a small little car as a model.  There is a lot going on here, but I learned so much in those quick 45 seconds.  I learned that you have to be pretty precise when calling your shots when it comes to light painting.  

Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm set to 40mm, f/11 for 45 sec at ISO 200.

Both of these images were taken straight from the camera.  I only reduced the size of the image for the sake of uploading them to the internet.  I did not change or alter any of the colors.  Now to get some more models and really give this light painting technique a dedicated effort...

So I got a new camera...

It's a Canon G12.  Two generations newer than my previous point and shoot.  This picture was taken near my house.  Two shots, merged with Photoshop CS5.  Yes, it's the old version, I can't afford the new version, new camera remember?

-Cheers

So I dove the Mahi...

Canon G10 & underwater housing still working good at 80 feet!

This eel was hanging out in a an old port hole on the side of the Mahi. 

Almost too big for my little camera, but not quite.

So I dove the Mahi, with a few friends on Sunday.  It was a great experience.  I really wish I could get out more and do more dives like this.  Calm seas (for the most part) and excellent sea life.  We even saw a few Sting Rays.  (Their picture didn't turn out well, and I wasn't about to chase them down for another picture.)

Thanks again John for dragging me along with your crew, there were a blast to hang out with even if they didn't like my iced tea...

-Cheers!

So I went hiking...

I went on a hike with the wife to an old pill box.  This was an outpost from the '50s used to keep an eye out for bad guys coming in from over the horizon.  As you can see here, it has _not_ been preserved with the original paint scheme.  Perhaps a bit edgy for some, I like it.

-Cheers

Camera Stuff:  Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm L set to 17mm f/5.6 at ISO 100 for 1/45 sec.

So I went to a car show...

I tried to avoid getting the typical shots that show up everywhere.  I wanted to get more shots of the details, and those little moments that took time.  The detailing of the trim, the clean rims, the polished blue paint and the funny name I couldn't pronounce.  (De Tomaso, an Italian car company that made some very sexy cars!)

Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mark II w/ 100mm 2.8L Macro.

On another note, I played with the 5D Mark III for a minute.  I have since decided that I need a new camera.  It's the 5D Mark III.

With just a camera phone...

I was at the beach for a BBQ this weekend.  This was the view.  I took the picture with my Android phone.  After becoming familiar with the Instagram App, I started messing with the modifications available within  my own phone (as I can't get Instagram on Android Market yet).    It was a windy afternoon.  It kept knocking out the fire in my grill.  But the view was worth it.

-Cheers!

It's been raining. A lot.

Canon 5d Mark II w/ 50mm at f/1.2, 1/180 sec, ISO 160 while driving down the side of the highway...

It's been raining a lot here on the island.  As seen here with one of the many waterfalls not usually visible from the H3.  On the right you can see the stairs.  Fun fact from this shot is that it was taken while driving down the highway.  Through the side window.  Of a car.