Brick Gate

Frederiksberg Alle No. 40

In Port at Nyhaven

Deep Blue Fort

Stockholm No. 49

Stormy Pebble

San Fran. Sparks

Concentric Granite Circles

Corona Moonburst

Skagit Rainy Rows

Peaceful Paris As dusk washed over Europe, the crowds of tourists seemingly vanished from the Louvre grounds, leaving the square serenely silent. If only this photograph could fully convey the experience! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

St. Giles Cathedral Reflection is a necessary action for the psyche to fully integrate experiences. This perspective of the kneeling angel (St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh) exudes a sense of reflection. Upon starting graduate school in 2010, my beloved photography gear were all thrown in the closet in lieu of crisp new textbooks and a financial calculator. As my studies are nearing completion, more photographs and reflections of travels will be shared. I hope you enjoy the photos I continue to share. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Lit Palm Path (Pseudo HDR) After experimenting with my new (at the time) Canon S90 in Balboa Park I used software to bring out many details otherwise lost on the viewer. This pseudo HDR (high dynamic range) image uses incredibly boosted contrast, a touch of white balance, sharpening and shadow adjustment. In all, the effect is as intended, unrealistic, for a point-and-shoot that is! Enjoy. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Timeless Trevi Digital cameras and rushing crowds are interestingly juxtaposed against the everlasting Trevi Fountain in Rome. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Northwest Corner of Canal & Canal Dancing lights. Smooth clouds. A long exposure, neutral density filter and perfect scenery enabled this Dutch photograph to be pleasing. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

California Spires Quintessential Southern California. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Top of the Bergen to You! The vistas in every direction were remarkable. Thankfully after a long hike, my neutral density filters were enough to bring out the clouds' detail and provide a backdrop to preserve wonderful memories! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Lonely Louvre In the fading light a solitary chair rests from a bustling summer day supporting tourists and Parisians alike. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

First Velvia Graduate school is a great time to have gear repaired. While my Nikon D3 was in the "shop" for a deep cleaning, I cracked open my father-in-law's old Nikon F4 for my very first shoot on film. The entire experience was marked by firsts. First time loading film into a camera since my tricked out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles point-and-shoot of 1990. First time hoping each frame was perfect due solely to the cost associated with a missed exposure. First time a passerby was stumped by the camera I had propped up on a sturdy tripod. "What are you shooting," a passerby asked. Normally I say Nikon and the passerby would ask the model and pepper me with photo related comments. Yay. This time however, I responded with, "Nikon F4." The look of puzzlement on the questioner was priceless. Then again, a camera manufactured in March 1989 can have that effect. Stumped. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Skagit Tulip Every year the Skagit Valley's family flower farms are bestowed with countless tulips just like Holland. This photograph was taken in April, I suggest you pack a few raincoats and take your family to stroll through these beautiful farms. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Venetian Giant? Is this a tall man and regular doorway, or an average person walking through tiny doorway? Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Soft Del Mar Dog A long exposure softened the waves that crashed over Dog Beach in Del Mar, California. The exposure time allowed the fog to casually waft over the scene and diffuse the ambient light. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Docked in Bergen Glowing sky. Smooth reflecting water. This photograph was taken approximately at midnight in Bergen, Norway. What a fantastic way to first glimpse the beauty of Bergen! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Stalin's Birthday Cake While on tour in Riga, Latvia our tour guide described some of the struggles that Latvians endured under the rule of the Soviets. Once the Soviet occupation ended, the Latvians removed a likeness of Stalin that was constructed on the building. Hence, 'Stalin's Birthday Cake'. This building looked entirely out of place in Riga. The high-rise stone or brick edifice rose high above the surrounding buildings. Interestingly, this is one of the more 'ornate' Soviet-era buildings that I encountered. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Wall Tied A simple anonymous canal in Venice, Italy highlights the everyday lives of those living out in the lagoon. The bright yellow vessel directs one's attention down the line of other boats moored to the aging building and to the clothes hanging out to dry above the waterway. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Tian Tan Vista This photograph was taken at the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. What a serene setting! This sepia-converted image from a Canon S90 leaves a timeless imprint. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

McWay Cove This stormy afternoon set the scene at McWay Falls. Using a long exposure helped bring enough detail out of the dark rocks and also nicely captured the waves. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Ha Long Harbour Mist This snapshot was enhanced with some computer generated filters to convey the magical harbour that our tour boat docked in. The photograph is almost as good as the view in person. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Solidarity Rushing water, shifting sand, and a stable granite rock. Walking the beach in Del Mar, California proved fruitful on this stormy day. The clouds rolled in and provided a dramatic backdrop for this composition. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Stepping Stones Exposing this photograph was interesting considering the soft sand underfoot was incessantly shifting and my tripod would slowly sink. Managing the neutral density filters, camera, and tripod proved to be a challenge that could be overcome. You will notice that there are two red algae covered 'stepping stones' that line up with the lage seastack in the distance. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Out on the Range While on my way to the Carlsburg Brewery in Copenhagen, Denmark I found this Range Rover that was overtaken by the overgrowth lining this driveway. Such instances of vehicles becoming part of their surroundings are so interesting! If you have any photographs or tips where to find scenes similar to this, please share! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

d'Or(Seine) The heavy humid air gave way as the sun fell below the horizon and cool breezes lapped up the banks of the Seine. The serenity of this Parisian evening was overwhelming. Pictured above: Musee d'Orsay - Paris Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)