For the first time in my life I saw newly hatched loggerhead turtles emerge on a Florida beach. What a privilege to see those wonderful creatures on their first day of life. The babies are so small they fit in the palm of your hand and grow to be bigger than you could lift. Here is the picture we made using the inexpensive zoom lens camera we keep in the car. No tripod or add on lenses. It is not too sharp focus because the baby turtle was covered with sand. We did not see if the turtle made it out into the Gulf of Mexico. It had a lot of beach to cover and there was a lot of wave action. 
December 19, 2008
Loggerhead turtles
December 10, 2008
Mexican Pictures
On a trip to Veracruz, Mexico, we photographed local people at work. A mask maker invited us into his home where his workbench had the rough beginnings of a face mask. Bracing up against the bench with an old Leica camera Derk squeezed off a few shots. Then another mask maker posed holding some of the wood masks that would be used in Mexican festivals.
In the blacksmith shop we looked through the open door where the smithy was working. Our photograph caught sparks flying off the hammer as a glowing iron rod was beaten. The hot furnace can be seen in the background.
The most unusual work we encountered in Veracruz was a man who chiseled salsa bowls out of rock. He proudly lifted a finished bowl. We photographed it through his barred window.
In the cities people walking the streets all became photo ops. We photographed a meat market, shoe store, churches and more. It was surprising to see a Nintendo store. And homes with barred windows close to the sidewalk gave glimpses of daily life. All are available on ImageKind as posters, prints or framed prints.
October 16, 2008
ImageKind Update
We had a nice sale last week at ImageKind. Eight pictures in all bought by an unknown buyer. The picture above is one of the two pictures purchased. The buyer took 4 each of 2 water pictures. The images were made in San Diego harbor. An artist friend suggested the images are so peaceful and soothing they will probably be hung in a spa. The order was originally made for framed and matted prints, but two days later changed to only the prints, no frames or mats. With frames it would have cost 5x more than only prints. Shipping would have cost more too due to the weight of wood frames. We are doing well at ImageKind with 804 fans, too. Unfortunately, although I made the first cut for their last contest, I did not win it.. But, you can’t have everything, can you?
October 1, 2008
Photographing tropical fish
Recently we worked at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. They have large, clean aquariums with many species of tropical fish. Tripods, which are essential when using slow 100 ISO film, are allowed. Only fish in sharp focus will be considered for publication, so, we always check before traveling to a photo location and make sure tripods are allowed. Here is a lionfish now on sale at Cafe Press.
August 4, 2008
Current Work
We have been busy busy busy working CafePress lately. There are several new products: embroidery patch on jackets, polo shirts, denim shirt, and hats; ceramic pet food dishes, and a ceramic travel mug. With over 1,200 sections in 4 Premium shops and a dozen basic shops, resizing designs on all products takes TIME.
Here’s a sample of the new travel mug.
July 10, 2008
Photographing Florida
We just returned from several days in and around Pine Island, Florida. While there, we stayed at the Bokeelia Tarpon Inn, a friendly bed and breakfast. We hired Captain Jim Welch and the “Lady Bokeelia” a 25 foot boat to take us on a hunt for dolphins and water birds.
Our inventory is now full of fresh Florida images including anhinga, ibis, sea hawks, dolphin, boats, and palm trees.
June 4, 2008
Photographing Animals
We have been busy photographing animal pets.
A cat show was quite interesting. The prizes were just baskets of cat care products. One cat breeder said she traveled across the state to attend the show, just for the pride of winning. She also said it does not help stud fees much even if you have a blue ribbon winner.
I went to lunch in Punta Gorda, Florida, with some friends and stumbled upon a great shop featuring every imaginable product with dog designs. There were night lights, floor mats, key rings, socks, t-shirts, and more. A bakery counter held treats for dogs. The owner allowed photography so I came home with increased picture inventory. Never leave home without your camera!
We drove to Lakeland, Florida, to work in a reptile store and in a store selling birds and tropical fish. Both store owners were present and both were very cooperative. We made hard to get pictures of birds being hand fed from what looked like a baster.
We spent a week working in Tucson, Arizona, too. While there we photographed in 2 large pet stores with all kinds of animals, an aquarium store with large zero edge tanks, and a reptile shop. Birds and lizards were also photographed at Tohono Chul Park, Saguro West National Park, and at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
March 29, 2008
AKC Dog Show
We made lots of great pictures at the AKC dog show today. It was held indoors, but the area was well lit. Derk made digital pictures and I used a fill-flash for pictures on ISO 100 35mm slide film. We also photographed dogs in the exercise area outside.
No photography was allowed inside the show ring. That is understandable because it certainly would distract the dogs, handlers and judges. The show, itself, had 1 photographer with a digital set-up who photographed the winning dog at each judging.
The yorkshire terrier below was photographed with Derk’s digital Nikon.
March 28, 2008
AKC Dog Show
If you are a photo buyer looking for dog pictures, please let us know. We are going to Palmetto, Florida, this Saturday and Sunday to photograph an AKC event.
Last month we photographed at a non-AKC event at LakeWood Ranch, the Annual Pug Parade. We made some cute pug dog pictures and will upload one below. The dog has been dressed up like a rabbit.
February 23, 2008
Animal Pictures
We have been making pictures of animal pets at a local Petland store for several of our photobuyers. Pictures were made using hand held Nikon F5 with flash. There were just too many customers with small children to use a tripod.
Good pictures were made of lizards, birds, turtles, hamsters, and gerbils. The African Grey Timneh is one of the parrots photographed.
