Travelogue

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)

Coronado Kayak Does the full color Coronado Kayak fit the bill for you, or do you prefer the infrared-styled Coronado Kayak? Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Coronado Fishing Does the full color Coronado Kayak fit the bill for you, or do you prefer the infrared-styled Coronado Kayak? Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Bergen On The Dock Of The Bay In hopes to catch the last licks of light emitted by the lingering, but slowly falling sun, my friend and I frantically checked into our hostel and ran out the door with our camera kits in tow. I captured several pleasing images with sunlight after midnight, but this photograph has so much character. This derelict warehouse can be found about two miles out from Bergen's main waterfront attractions. The soft blue morning light helps the rough graffiti and hard exposed brick nicely leap from the image. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Soft Pyramid, Last Light Simply stated, this photograph was taken in Paris right before the sky turned fully to black. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Green Door, Green Panels, Stone Wall Walking through a backstreet of Tallinn, Estonia brought me to this interesting stone wall and green door. While lining up to snap this photograph with my Nikon D3 and 17-35mm, my friend noticed a woman with a point-and-shoot walk right next to me and snap a similar photograph. (This was not the first time this occurred with obscure compositions.) As she walked away we caught a glimpse of her looking back, a little perplexed as to what she just 'wasted' her film on. In any case, this interesting Estonian encounter has a memorable back-story. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Gentle Rockscape Lapping waves and rocky shore - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a sight to behold. Such diverse terrains are present within the Reserve: jagged cliffs, gnarled Cypress, turquoise waters, white sand and rocky beaches. Take your boots, camera, partner, and a sense of wonderment. You will be pleasantly surprised. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Stairway to Heaven While on a leisurely hike up Ulrikin in Bergen, Norway, I came across this steep stone outcropping. Just after I "snapped" this photograph, by hand-holding a neutral density filter in front of the lens, a family popped up and walked down the face of this stone stairway. A stairway to heaven? I think not, but the hike up Ulrikin was one of the most enjoyable, and scenic, outings I have ever been on. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Schloß Charlottenburg Schloß Charlottenburg is a baroque castle that was built for Queen Sophie Charlotte in 1695 by King Friedrich Wilhelm I, her husband. The castle weathered WWII bombing and has been restored to its full gilded glory. Although some travel websites state that admission to Schloss Charlottenburg is free, please be prepared to spend at least 20 euro per person for admission, including an audio guide. If you are traveling on a tight budget, Schloss Charlottenburg is not worth breaking the bank, but walking around the outside of the castle is worth the trip! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Doge's Gondola Happy Valentine's Day! This image of a passing gondola in Venice, Italy is fitting for today. In the background you can make out the domes of Chisea di Santa Maria della Salute (at right) and Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore (at left). Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Yellow Baltic Bicycles Across Latvia I found bicycles painted yellow and locked to street signs and lamp poles. This was interesting on the first run-in. I became more curious on the second time. Then these bicycle encounters became even more interesting due to the volume of yellow bicycles in the city. I have my theories about this occurrence, but I am still unsure as to the true reasoning for having yellow bicycles strewn across Riga, Latvia. If you have any input, please share. Thank you! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Gliders: Keep OUT On a clear day in La Jolla, California the paragliders soared overhead while I composed this westerly exposure on a November evening. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

San Francisco Skyline A view of San Francisco and the Transamerica building from Alcatraz. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Mossy Tree Tips Converting this RAW image into black and white really makes the moss and tree branches stand out against the dark sky. This tree is another beauty from the California coast. Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Small Venetian Door In 2008 I stumbled across this tiny door in a small courtyard while exploring Venice, Italy. I am still struck with curiosity when I look at this photograph. Why was that door installed? Where would the door take me? What is the special locking mechanism's story? It is the little things in life... Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Tattered Fishing Boat I walked off the powdery white sand beach of Isla Saona, Dominican Republic and into the warm Caribbean Sea. The marine life below the surface were spectacular to interact with. Schools of "angel fish" were by far the most captivating to swim with. Thankfully this well preserved island is a national park and will remain intact for future generations to enjoy! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)

Prague Pattern On a literally freezing day in Prague, Czech Republic my buddies and I walked through the streets, wandering, and searching for the city's secrets. The old world charm of Prague is striking. The cobblestones (pictured above) are just one of the many reminders of days gone by in this central European nation. The narrow streets and dilapidated, yet well preserved edifices keep Prague in a semi-preserved state. By the end of our visit to Prague I vowed to return, just in a warmer season! Ago vita vos somnium (live the life you dream)