Summer, still.

Labor Day 2008 has come and gone.  As always this time of year the buzz is that summer is over.  What?!  Summer is NEVER over until mid-September, so there’s another few weeks.  (September 22 is the official start of autumn this year.)  This is late summer, arguably one of the most beautiful times of the year.  So, the beach, yes, the pool, definitely, bbq, of course…be outdoors and enjoy every remaining moment of summertime.  Once it’s really over, then it’s a long, impatient (for me) wait until the glorious warm weather returns.

Lazing by the pool at Fire Island

Summer

Standing at the water’s edge looking out at the sea, sunshine and ocean breeze caressing you.  That’s summer, and that’s what I live for during the other three seasons, nice as they all are in their own way.  Nothing beats summer time for me.  From June through September, whether I’m on a corporate location photo shoot in midtown Manhattan, or at my computer knee deep in post-processing, my mind and my spirit are where the woman in this photo is…on a beautiful beach soaking up my favorite season.

Soaking up the summer along the beach at Fire Island

“The Birds!”

Pacific Coast Highway, Sonoma County, driving south to San Francisco.  Along with all the gorgeous, dramatic scenery you pass, you pass right through Bodega Bay.  That would be Alfred Hitchcock’s Bodega Bay, the location of all those angry and vicious birds pecking people to bits.  The famous schoolhouse and church seen in the movie are still standing, and stopping by is a must-do.  Taking a few hokey snapshots is, too.  Here are a couple of mine from my recent trip out that way.  A little departure from corporate photography and stock photography.

It’s All About the Wine

Just took a little break from corporate photography and visited Napa and Sonoma in California Wine Country. Even if you don’t imbibe (and I do), there is so much there to fill you with joy.  Perfect weather, gorgeous scenery, exquisite dining, happy people (with or without the wine!).  It’s a wine lover’s heaven, and a photographer’s paradise.

The Growing…miles and miles of rolling hills and vineyards.

The Tending…migrant workers are seen throughout wine country working the vineyards.

The Fermenting…large metal vats where the juice-to-wine transformation takes place.

The Swirling…“opening up” the wine, a must-do before tasting.

The Tasting…a Merlot, a Pinot Noir, and a Cabernet Sauvignon are poured for a tasting.

Flags at Half-Mast at Mondavi Winery…Robert Mondavi, a California wine country icon, passed away on May 16, 2008, at the age of 94, just two weeks before my visit.  Flags at his winery in Napa fly at half-mast.

Cool travel

Even though I like it best where the weather is hot and dry, I just like traveling and experiencing different places and people. So, when I’m not on assignment as a corporate photographer in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Tri-State area, I get in as much travel as I can. Sometimes on assignment as a professional photographer, but as often as possible for pleasure as well as personal and stock photography.

Maine…now there’s a place that’s not hot and dry, for sure! But the lobsters, the sea, the marine life. Maine is pristine and beautiful, and nobody can teach you more about lobsters, and a host of everything and anything about the sea and seafaring, than a Mainer. It can be cool there, even in summer. But a gorgeous day in Maine is like nothing else anywhere.

A couple of Maine shots, returning lobster shells to the sea, and marine life in Casco Bay–

Hot travel

If you like it hot like I do, the American Southwest is a must-see/must-be.  Monument Valley in Arizona-Utah is…well, you really got to just be there.  Defies description.  Gonna’ be in Las Vegas, take the quick 17 mile trip west of the strip to Red Rock Canyon.  Hot as hell, interesting, fabulous.  Not Monument Valley, but not bad.  Must brings both places, or anywhere in the desert, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat!