Working in Hawaii…

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Photo by Michael LoBiondo

Working in Hawaii at the American Farm Bureau Convention

Yes, I did go to Hawaii and, yes, it was beautiful.  We were shooting a group of 50 or so folks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and when climbing up the ladder, I turned around to see this image.  This is the only photo of me (really) from the trip but it proves the point that sometimes the most interesting images are behind you.  It also reminds me of something we don’t have here in my neighborhood.  Palm Trees.  There are some here in Charlotte, but I have never seen them.

Photo by Michael LoBiondo

Mokolii-Chinaman’s Hat

I had the opportunity to travel with Mike Danna and his video crew from Louisiana, to Kualoa Regional Beach Park off the North Shore of Oahu to view the island of Mokolii, also known as the Chinaman’s Hat.  At low tide, you walk right over to this smallest of Hawaiian islands (1477 ft) or just take a canoe or kayak.  A storm was brewing so we only had a short amount of time to get the video needed and for me to take a few shots. When I turned around to leave, here’s what we saw…

Photo by Michael LoBiondo

View into Kahana Valley State Park on Oahu, Hawaii

Back home in Charlotte, ready to tackle 2012.  Couldn’t have started any better.

More later…

ML

Walkabout in Cape May NJ

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Photo by Michael LoBiondo

Quiet booth in Cape May New Jersey

On the day after Christmas, I was on our family trek to Cape May NJ.  My sisters started this tradition many years ago to get the kids out of the house and away from their new electronic gizmos for at least a day.  Last year we didn’t get to go because of the “big” snow that hit the east coast so I was especially excited about the trip.  Usually, it’s very cold, overcast and dreary.  This year, it was cold and windy but very sunny.

I love the beach and beach towns in the winter.  They’re quiet and don’t have a lot of folks wandering around.  The beaches are desolate but you can hear the ocean in a way you can’t in the summer.

This image combines many things about photography that I love:  the quietness of a place, the ability to see something differently than you normally would, and the ability to shoot spontaneously.  Walking to the beach, we passed this restaurant that was closed.  I put my camera next to the window as close as I could and used my body to block out reflection in the glass.  Canon G5 (ancient, I know) set at aperture priority with the flash forced off.  Some photoshop post to reduce noise.

Happy New Year.  More later….

ML

 

“Do you hear what I hear?”

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Happy Holidays to you and your family.

I love the line from Dr. Suess’s Welcome Christmas song ” Christmas day will always be, Just so long as we have we…”  We will spend our days with family and grateful for all the trials and tribulations the year has brought us.  As the new year hurtles quickly at us, please enjoy this image of snow and light.  I don’t know if we will see ANY snow this holiday season, so here is a snowman to remind you in case you forgot.

Many thanks to my daughter Angelica for being the model and fashion consultant.

And thanks to all the folks we have worked with and worked for this year.  As I look at the images produced this year, I am grateful for all the people that allowed me to be creative and follow my passion for photography.  Your invited to follow along…

More later…ML

Photos before Adelai…

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heather and jesse

Heather and Jesse at 37 weeks

Heather is one of my great assistants and gave me permission to photograph her with her husband while she was pregnant.  I shoot a lot of things as a professional photographer, but this was one of the most exciting projects.  Heather worked with me into her 7th month and I was able to see her progress during those months.  We worked out where and when to eat, that she shouldn’t lift anything heavier than a baby, when to take her vitamins, and where the closest bathroom was.  It was truly an honor to watch.  My question is, where does the belly-button go??!!

By the way, Adelai Emerson Fink (great name for a girl) was born on August 10th @ 1:12 am weighing 7lbs and 21 inches.  Another Leo.  Welcome to the world.

More later…ML

Shooting with a 50mm standard lens

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Photo by Michael LoBiondo

Bank Annual Report

We did a recent annual report and decided to use the 50mm lens for whatever shots we could.  I really loved the thin depth of field (1.8) and in this shot it worked very well.  I got used to using zooms and I think there’s something about using prime lenses that allows you to see differently.  Check out more on www.mlobiondo.com