Hawaii: Lava and Sea

Possibly the heaviest event I've ever witnessed in nature. It will be awhile before I have words to describe the magnitude of what occurred last night. (exposures: 0.05-1.0 sec @f/4-f/9, ISO 250-800)

Hawaii: Black Sand Beach

Woke this morning to a sunrise over graphite-black sand. Black sand beaches are a unique geological occurrence along the Big Island's volcanic southern coast. Looking closer into the surf, I noticed several flippers and heads bobbing beneath the whitewash. A few moments later, I threw on the snorkel mask, and I was out swimming among a dozen endangered green sea turtles.

Hawaii: Trek to the Wettest Place on Earth

Sunrise near the top of the "wettest place on earth." We trekked all the way up to the summit ridge in the dark using headlamps and some sketchy ropes. The view over distant mountain ranges was stunning. On the way down, I ate an entire rainforest full of grape-apples for sustenance. So sweet!

Hawaii: Farming in Paradise

Fields of Hawaii's widespread crop, Taro. Its root is harvested and made into all sorts of foods including Taro burgers that can be purchased here at McDonalds. (click images for larger view).

Hawaii: by Moonlight

Just one moon ago, we were at the bottom of the Grand Canyon along the CO River.

Last night, I was out on the beaches of Kauai, HI as the full moon rose again. I really can't say enough about my newfound passion for this natural light source. Before these last two moons, I had never even studied this possibility. The opportunities are endless, but last night I chose to observe and photograph a freshwater creek flowing into the Pacific beneath the moon's light. The intricate sand patterns and slivers of light were gorgeous. (exposures: approx... 30 sec @ f/8, ISO 160)

Hawaii: Surfin' USA

The morning commute...

Hawaii: Kauai Sunsets

Hawaii: Crashing Waves and Secret Caves

Woke before sunrise to sit before these thunderous waves of the remote Napali Coast (exposure: 1/6 sec @ f/32).

Tonight, a local led us into a secret cave with a wade-through-the-water-only entrance. Here's who we found napping inside. Sacred. Speechless. Unforgettable. (exposure: 15 sec @ f/22, two ext 580ex II flashes and a personal headlamp for lightly painting the interior of the cave).

Hawaii: ALOHA!

Just after landing in Kauai tonight, the sky basically caught fire over Hanalei Bay.

I'm extremely thankful to be here for the first time. It's going to be a fabulous adventure.

I'll be shooting portraits Wednesday and a wedding Friday here on Kauai. Then, I'll be off to the Big Island to shoot the volcanoes. Hoping for some lava flow into the sea. Stay tuned.

California: Big Sur - dream comes true!

I've literally dreamed of this night happening someday. It just happened.

As sunset approached along the Cali coast tonight, a sea of clouds moved in across the surface of the deep. Major Genesis Chapter 1 action was underway.

It was like we were in an airplane looking down over the cloud layer. Though invisible to the eye, the violent surf crashed on and on beneath the clouds. As the ocean sang its unending song and the sun set to a florescent band of amber and orange, I was an emotional reck. Light like this changes me from the inside.

I consider it the highest honor to share this experience with you.

California: Big Sur

This morning two dolphins played in the surf just down the steep cliff from us.

California: Giant Sequoias

Pre-dawn light painting in the forest of giants.

California: High Sierra

14,000 ft mountains feathered in the distance. Mt Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, is just beyond view.