The Beauty of Florida - Year In Review 2016

The Beauty of the Treasure Coast

Last year I vowed to get out more and photograph the beauty of my new home here in Florida. Unfortunately, most of my travel plans which included a trip to St. Augustine, Florida and a return trip home to California were postponed because of health issues with my dog Logan. (He's making great progress but he is getting older).

The year started off with a trip down to Fort Lauderdale for a couple nights. While I was visiting I had the opportunity to check out Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Pampano Beach. Both have terrific piers. One of my highlights was dining at Casa Fida Mexican Cuisine. If you haven't checked it out, it's worth a visit. Very good eats and vibe.

Most of the year was spent photographing local area locations that I've found along the Treasure Coast since relocating from California. Some of my favorite go-to spots are in Sebastian (Sebastian Inlet State Park), Wabasso (Rock City Gardens), Vero Beach (McKee Botanical Garden), Fort. Pierce (Fort Pierce Inlet State Park), and Stuart (House of Refuge & Bathtub Reef Beach). Below is a round up of images taken this year that I haven't added to the portfolio page plus a couple newly processed images. Hope you enjoy!

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

Intentional Camera Movement Photography - Ocean Wave Series

Earlier this year I started experimenting with a technique that I wasn't too familiar with. The technique is called "Intentional Camera Movement Photography" or ICM. The idea is to introduce blur into the photograph using a slow shutter speed (Somewhere between 1/4 of a second up to a few seconds) while moving the camera vertically or horizontally.

Ocean Seascape - 0.4 seconds at F8

Intentional camera movement photography is different from long exposure and camera panning photography. Generally, long exposure photography involves the use of a tripod to avoid shake while producing a sharp, in-focus image of fixed structures. Night shots, car headlights, fishing docks, etc. Camera panning photography uses a low shutter speed while following a moving car, bicycle or surfer.

Some photographers may frown on ICM as they do at HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography but I find it quite fun to do and pleasing to the eye. I've only experimented with ocean seascapes but look forward to trying it on other subjects. My philosophy is to try something new, experiment, learn, have fun, repeat.

Ocean Art Wave Photography Series -

This morning I went to the beach and tried a slight variation of the intentional camera movement photography technique. Rather than moving the camera vertically or horizontally, the lens is either zoomed in or out while the shutter is open. While this is nothing new, I had yet to try it. Interesting results. Let me know your thoughts.

Beach Seascape Abstract - 0.6 seconds at F22