#fluxphoto

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To say that these past few months or even this entire year have been a blur would be a monumental understatement. It is difficult to believe just how much has happened, how one decision has changed our entire lives. Yet here we are and after 13 years of vacationing here, of feeling at home here of feeling at peace, at rest, we are faced with an inescapable truth....this is now home. Our hearts as a family and as individuals are full and overflowing, not so much with giddy excitement but with unparalleled gratefulness. While the tasks are never ending, the daily grind is as real here as it was in California and the challenges present and the ones coming are many we are thankful. Thankful for this place, for dreams that have lived in our hearts for so long to now fulfilled, for God’s grace and wisdom to us, for nature it’s beauty in its subtleties and thunderous displays, for our kids who are living in awe and wonder everyday here....the list is as endless as our gratitude and bewilderment at the fact that we are actually here. One day I will write out our journey to share, for now I am still processing all of it and am just in awe of everything around me. Today after months of no shooting because other things took priority I ventured out with camera in hand. While the rain was constant and the light flat I knew that something would materialize. So while I waited I photographed enormous mountains of water,breathed in the salty air and enjoyed the falling rain. While the sun never broke through the sky did glow, an ethereal light falling upon a normally peaceful Hanalei bay now thunderous and menacing. The air hazy and atmospheric conveying a mood of beauty and power. I gladly waited for this moment, mountains upon mountains with a golden glow crowning the scene. What layered beauty both simple in composition but complex in its mechanics. I look forward to being reminded everyday just how blessed I am in all aspects of my life, I am glad to be away from the noise and being surrounded by so much beauty. Happy thanksgiving to all :) #hawaii #hawaiilife #kauai #hanaleibay #nature #waves #sunset #thankful #grateful #thegoodlife #luckywelivehawaii #fluxphoto #nikon

[fluxphoto33]

Coming in at #9 is this image of a lunar eclipse we had back in 2014. The weather looking like it wasn’t going to cooperate that night I opted to stay inland, about a mile from my house is lake calavera which part of it is own by the city of Carlsbad. This area is one of my favorite places in Carlsbad as it goes through some beautiful transformations, especially in the spring. Stellar events like eclipses are a challenge to photograph, there are vast ranges from dark to light and you either capture the moon by itself or you shoot landscape. The problem is that if only the moon then shot is boring, if you shoot a landscape the moon is so tiny and often overexposed that it loses impact. So I opted to do an in camera double exposure, since I’m a landscape shooter I shot the landscape first and with a telephoto lens shot the moon into the previously exposed landscape shot. I didn’t just want landscape and moon though, having anticipated that this would be my course of action before I even left the house I brought some flashlights with me. That blue streak of light going to through the photo is me running around for 20 minutes while I exposed the landscape shot. Just something to make the shot stand out, give it a little pop of color and add to the already mysterious nature of this amazing event. It remains a favorite of mine just because it was one of those instances where I really had to step back and think through all my options and pre-visualize before shooting. Strangely this is also one of those photos that doesn’t seem to have any middle ground with people, they either love it or hate it. #california #carlsbad #lakecalavera #moon #nightshots #longexposure #lunareclipse #natgeoyourshot #nature #nikonusa #doubleexposure #socal #cbadmag #explore #fluxphoto #fluxphotography

[fluxphoto33]

My days in California are quickly drawing to a close and it is truly bittersweet. While I am beyond excited for new adventures on Kauai I can’t help but look at the past 20yrs and be reminded of how incredible our time here has been. From now until I leave I’ll be posting my top 10 favorites from Carlsbad, encinitas and oceanside. I apologize in advance for all the postings. #10 shot back in 2013 in Carlsbad, this was the year that we had unbelievable water clarity in Socals waters. I, like so many millions fell into the whole shorebreak photo crowd after Clark Little came onto the scene. While there are many photos I am proud of this one is one of my favorites. Given the unusual water clarity for socal but more so because I managed to shoot this split view showing what is happening both above and below the surface as the wave crashes. There was such peacefulness and turbulence all in the same shot. It really drove home to me how little we see from our land based perspective and how complex nature’s scenes can be. There is always so much more to see and those unseen moments are what I have always strived to capture. Knowledge is not only power but a greater appreciation of just how blessed we are. #california #carlsbad #cbadmag #nature #ocean #shorebreak #waves #swell #overunder #fluxphotography #fluxphoto #nikonusa #nikond300 #2013 #clarity #socal

[fluxphoto33]

My last day of exploration in Hood River I was treated to this unbelievable view. Atop a high peak that allowed me to see the massiveness of this gorgeous landscape. Dagger like clouds streaking across the sky, the sun setting behind the mountains it's fiery glow lighting the horizon and saturating the clouds in color, the Columbia river winding its way down this beautiful valley and an seemingly endless sea of trees stretching as far as the eye can see. Experiencing such heart stopping sights are what make the job so worthwhile to me, the experience of getting there stumbling down steep trails and climbing back up trying to get to your spot before the light fades. The pain, the tiredness, the realization that you're way to out of shape, being covered in sweat and dirt. Crawling around narrow rock formations as the wind is gusting and praying that you don't die while you take your shot.....all these things are poured into an image. Because photography isn't about just taking the photo, it's about the journey to get there and earning the right to take the photo in the first place. #oregon #hoodriver #sunset #goldenhour #nature #pnw #columbiarivergorge #nature #explore #hiking #travel #roadtrip #nikonusa #natgeoyourshot #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #clouds

[fluxphoto33]

Why do I do what I do? Never has it been for riches nor do I pour my time and energy into my work for fame and glory. Odds are that few will ever know my name or my work. Yet the pursuit of the image is an unquenchable fire within me. Yet the question remains.....why? I could list a multitude of reasons from the love of the art to just being out there among nature. To be completely honest though, my biggest reason is to have the unparalleled privilege to inspire someone to go out there. There are very few experiences in this life that come close to knowing that you as a person doing what you love to do have influenced another human being. Pushed them to go further, helped them see the world differently.....what a feeling! Art is a voice that speaks louder than those who speak with hate. Art is love and love will not be conquered. I do this because I love the power and immense responsibility that photography brings. It is an honor and a privilege to be out there and all in the hopes that what I capture and share will push someone to go see it for themselves, to care for this beautiful world. Seeing this letter in the latest issue of @encinitasmag made my life. After 20 years of shooting if this is the only validation I ever get I would count it a life worth living and a career worth pursuing. It's all I have ever wanted...... #california #encinitas #encinitasmag #encinitascoastlife #sanelijoconservancy #sanelijolagoon #nature #wildlife #grateful #worthit #nikonusa #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #socal #conservation

[fluxphoto33]

Was shooting distant peaks and turquoise caves last night. Hawaii does nothing with subtlety, the ruggedness of its landscapes, the intensity of its colors. All of it overwhelming, echoes of the intensity of this magical place. So humbling to see these monstrous giants rise south of the water and crash onto the shoreline. The absolute raw power of the sea, the wind the roar.....all of it so huge and overwhelming! Every time I'm on these shores I am humbled and amazed at just how beautiful this tiny piece of land in the middle of the ocean really is. #hawaii #hawaiilife #hawaiinei #hawaiimagazine #discoverkauai #stressreliever #explore #adventures #travelphotography #travel #pauhanatime #sunset #goldenhour #gardenisle #offshorewind #waves #nature #natgeo #natgeotravel #nikonusa #d5 #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #fatalframes #ig_vision #agameoftones #poipu #southshore #600mmsniper #kauai #kauailife

[fluxphoto33]

Once the sun goes down and the tourist go home, the locals come out in force at the pier. Fires are built, fishing lines cast, keiki storm the pier carrying their little flashlights looking for fish. Passing cars streak along the beach during the long exposure and provides an abstract element to the scene as their lights reflect off the water. The moon bathes the scene in soft cool blue light bringing out little details in the scene that would otherwise go dark. Hawaiian cultures deep connection to the ocean is an amazing bond, these warm and clear waters are a playground, a teacher and a provider. I feel fortunate to get a glimpse into that world. #hawaii #kauai #hilife #kauailife #wideangle #hawaiimagazine #nightshots #nightphotography #longexposure #hanalei #hanaleipier #northshore #moonlight #nikonusa #d5 #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #natgeo #natgeotravel #nature #hawaiinei #fatalframes #ig_vision #agameoftones #jaw_dropping_shots (at Hanalei Bay)

[fluxphoto33]

Another beautiful Carlsbad sunset. Shot on my iPhone :) #california #cbadmag #carlsbad #sunset #iphone7plus #vscocam #fluxphoto #fluxphotography #clouds #nature #beach #outdoors #socal