James Maciariello Photography

Best of Nature-Natural History Museum

2012-02-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

I'm honored to be included in the Best of Nature photography installation on display at the Natural History Museum in San Diego for the third straight year. 72 images were chosen for display out of 1000 entries. To atone for my notable absence of late on my blog, I've decided to have another print giveaway. One of the following ten images, counting left to right, top to bottom was the jurors selection. I'll print an 8x10 or 8x12 for the person to correctly guess the chosen one first. You can email your guess or post it below.

Filler

2011-10-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

Had a nice shoot for Nutrilite Corporation the other day. Luckily it was indoors because it rained for the first time in months. I took this while waiting for images to download afterward in my car.

Senior Toad

2011-09-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

We were graced by the handsome Mr. Toad awhile back, dog-sitting for friends of ours for the day. Despite his perceived reluctance, he was actually quite the willing model- as long as he got his food afterward! Probably could have given him a bigger bowl, but where's the fun in that?

Details, details

2011-09-06T16:15:00.001-07:00

A few detail shots of the unbelievably beautiful and diverse terrain found in Coyote Buttes South, AZ.

"Hell of a place to loose a cow"

2011-08-07T17:29:00.001-07:00

The astute quote above is credited to Ebenezer Bryce, long time resident of the area and for whom the canyon is named. Bryce Canyon is truly a delight- teeming with wildlife, sights to see and miles of trails to hike. Unfortunately, we had only 12 hours there, just enough to catch a sunset and sunrise before making our trek back to Las Vegas international. The contrast between the solitude below and the City of Lights- in such a short distance, always kinda trips me out too.

Pioneer Pro DJ- ArtMix 2011

2011-08-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

I recently wrapped a fun project for Pioneer Pro DJ. Pioneer sent several artists and celebrities a CDJ-2000 and tasked them with 'pimping' it out however they saw fit. The end result, ArtMix 2011 and a glossy 44 page catalog documenting all the pieces. Below are a few excerpts. Also, I didn't take the profile images (upper left).

The cover and CDJ-2000, the blank canvas

Arizona!

2011-07-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

Couple more images from my June road trip. On the left is Upper Antelope Canyon outside Page, AZ and South Coyote Buttes on the right.

Headshots and Portfolio work

2011-07-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

Another quick shoot. Thanks to Naureen Zaim (model) and Kimberly Carlson (kacartistry.com) for hair and makeup.

Ocean Conservancy

2011-07-07T13:47:00.001-07:00

I got word my image of Ecola SP was selected as an honorable mention in the Ocean Conservancy's annual photo contest yesterday. It will also be February in their 2012 calendar. I'm honored to be part of such a fantastic organization!

The Southwest at its best

2011-07-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

I've found a lot of cool things, but this seasoned scull is up there with the best of 'em. I'm guessing it's a horse. I found it in South Coyote Buttes, AZ and photographed it above at Pink Coral Sand Dunes, Utah.

282 feet below sea level- Death Valley, CA

Monument Valley

2011-06-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

On the border of AZ and Utah, my buddy Jeremey and I, along with my Mom, brother and sister, all got to see Monument Valley for the first time earlier this month. Completely dependent of the weather, we hung around just long enough on a cloud covered day for the sun to break through at sunset for all of five minutes, giving us some good light on the 'Mittens.'

This is the view just North of MV on the 163 looking South. Interestingly, it's where Forest Gump decided to stop running in the movie and, where my buddy Jeremey left his tripod on the side of the road. Very generous of him...

Captivating

2011-06-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

I may get some flack for combining the images below along with the quote by John and Stasi Eldridge from their book Captivating, but as an image maker, recording beauty is generally my goal. Obviously humanity is intrinsically attracted to beauty, be it a landscape, art or within another person and the study of this phenomena I believe, reveals much about who we are and how we were created.

I place this post in-between the beauty of sprawling landscapes on purpose as the pursuit of capturing beauty in still imagery permeates across genres for me as an artist. Beauty is beauty and for me as a very visual person, it’s undeniable in its many forms. That being said and to clarify, I’m merely speaking of physical beauty here and as we all (should) know, there are many more layers of it than simply what we see. The quote below delves a bit deeper into that, but includes the two dimensional kind as well. I've had the blessing of learning this difference first, from a Mother who helped define multi-layered beauty so well that I managed to find the ultimate source of this blessing in my life, my wife. Who also happens to be physically beautiful, but truly does fulfill the heart, spirit and life portion of the quote below as well.

To be sure, ‘beauty is, without question, the most essential and the most misunderstood of all God’s qualities-of all feminine qualities, too.’ Just as the words we speak, food, alcohol or anything else God created, beauty can be used inappropriately and therein lies a great confusion over what to do with it. Personally, guidelines and limitations ensure my work, hopefully and if done successfully, is defined by a tasteful elegance, timelessness and....classic beauty : )

"Beauty is transcendent. It is our most immediate experience of the eternal. Think of what it's like to behold a gorgeous sunset or the ocean at dawn. Remember the ending of a great story. We yearn to linger, to experience it all our days. Sometimes the beauty is so deep it pierces us with longing. For what? For life as it was meant to be. Beauty reminds us of an Eden we have never known, but somehow know our hearts were created for. Beauty speaks of heaven to come, when all shall be beautiful. It haunts us with eternity. Beauty says, There is a glory calling to you. And if there is glory, there is a source of glory. What great goodness could have possibly created this? Beauty draws us to God.

All these things are true for any experience of beauty. But they are especially true when we experience the beauty of a woman- her eyes, her form, her voice, her heart, her spirit, her life. She speaks all of this far more profoundly than anything else in all creation, because she is incarnate; she is personal. It flows to us from an immortal being. She is beauty through and through.

Beauty is, without question, the most essential and most misunderstood of all God's qualities- of all feminine qualities, too. We know it has caused untold pain in the lives of women. But even there something is speaking. Why so much heartache over beauty? We don't ache over being geniuses, or fabulous hockey players. Women ache over the issue of beauty-they ache to be beautiful, to believe they are beautiful, and they worry over keeping it if ever they can find it.

A woman knows, down in her soul, that she longs to bring beauty to the world. She might be mistaken on how (something every woman struggles with), but she longs for a beauty to unveil. This is not just culture, or the need to 'get a man.' This is in her heart, part of her design."

-John and Stasi Eldridge, Captivating

-Imagery made for Leilani Dowding (model)

-Hair and makeup by the über talented, Dehx Star

Somewhere South of the middle of nowwhere...

2011-06-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

For me, there are certain places in the wild I recall with sentimentality, reverence and other terms typically reserved for the likes of an old friend. Oftentimes my first visit, like to South Coyote Buttes below, feels more like a homecoming or a reunion. The unique features I see for the first time, but the fingerprints of the great designer are distinctly familiar. I'm at home, in a place God made knowing I would show up on this day, with a talent He gave me...and it would blow my mind! I'm not saying my imagery is all that, I'm simply saying I enjoyed it that much! God gives good gifts. (Ps.19:1)

Navajo sandstone with criss-crossing color patterns

Seven Days in the Southwest

2011-06-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, I haven't posted for a LONG time! Between buying a house and moving, getting bronchitis, guests visiting, a good run of assignments recently and a road trip, it's fallen between the cracks and I truly apologize!

I just returned from my longest landscape shoot to date, seven days through CA, AZ and Utah and got so many photos I could start another landscape portfolio. I put together a preview below, but I'll post a couple larger versions every few days to try and make up for my absence of late : )

Kreativ

2011-04-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

Quick shoot for a music leaning, lifestyle based t-shirt startup.

One pimped CDJ-2000

2011-04-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

This was a fun shoot for Pioneer Pro DJ. This digital turntable was embedded with graphics that where only visible under a black light. So not only where these shots created utilizing a strobe pop followed by a five second shutter lag to pick up the screen and other ambient lights on the unit, but within that five seconds I had to find the right amount of black light to bring out the 'hidden' design.

The beach and other luxuries...

2011-04-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

It may seem an odd pairing, a serene beachscape next to two tanks. Taken on the same beach, this contrast is why I enjoy visiting Del Mar beach on Camp Pendleton whenever my family camps there on vacation. The military presence is what affords us the luxury of words like serenity, peace and...freedom.

My little bro, Chhay, age nine and one of my favorite persons to hang out with!

I took 56 shots before I got this one. I was shooting and at the same time throwing and sometimes faking to throw handfuls of spaghetti in the air, haha. I was pretty popular, until the spaghetti ran out.

My Mom found a shark that had passed and washed up on the beach. Don't know what kind it was or why it died, but was only about 3 1/2 feet long. Ever the explorer, upon dissected it, she found it was carrying three, perfectly formed babies about 7 inches long each.

Here's to the SECOND most beautiful state in the union!

2011-03-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how happy the image of my Mom walking among pinyon pines on red rock makes me. Her spirit matching the beauty and adventurous nature of the land and her fortitude equaled only by the trees ability to thrive growing straight out of rock. We had a long journey out of Alaska, but both settled in states where the weather and amenities are more conducive to our overall well being.

The following are a few images from our recent trip to Arizona.

Jeans strong enough to stand on their own--when frozen solid!

Caribbean dreamin' on such a winter's day

2011-03-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

My wife and I recently found time to escape to the Caribbean on holiday. Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Miami. While in Miami we took the opportunity to explore Key Biscayne. Perfect weather in March and biking the key is a perfect pace.

Among many, one of the highlights for me was the Mayan ruins of Tulum. I've heard it's best to avoid during the hotter months, but if you ever have the option while visiting Cozumel, I highly recommend it.

I'm going with 'Handle With Care,' or 'Dangerous Curves.' Feel free to chime in.

A beauty revisited

2011-02-23T23:08:00.001-08:00

I finally had some time to work a few more images from a shoot I had two years ago. I'll take busy anytime though, over the alternative. In my free time I work on images in photoshop, which makes defining the line between profession and hobby impossible. Good thing it's both to me!

Land of Migrating Rocks- Death Valley, CA

2011-02-19T07:39:00.000-08:00

Having been born and raised in Alaska, I've come to realize my understanding of the desert from an early age has been skewed. Until fairly recently, I thought of it as a wasteland or no man's land--a place you only find yourself if you're running from the law, an impression no doubt obtained by watching old Westerns in which the character's horse had expired and water was no where to be found. Death Valley epitomized this destitute and maybe because of which, became one of the last National Parks within proximity to me I had not visited.

Death Valley, for all its ominously named features (above is the Devil's Golf Course), is anything but in the wintertime. Admittedly, since moving from Alaska, I've realized anything below 75 seems cold to me, so it was to my surprise when the main challenges during our trip turned out to be distance and sub-freezing temperatures at night. Death Valley is the largest National park in the U.S. so, after packing all remaining warm layered clothing I still owned, we got a map and were on our way.

We only had two days, or more importantly, two sunsets, as the terrain most definitely benefits from light at lower angles. Very long story short, I was running on 10 hrs of sleep in a 68 hr span, so there was going to be no sunrise photos this trip!

We arrived at Racetrack Playa at 11pm. It's called Racetrack Playa because the rocks on the playa move on their own and leave trails behind. The track is three miles long and has only a 1/2 inch elevation difference from end to end. With only the moon as a light source, we supplemented with a flashlight to highlight this migration. We shot until 2:30am, with only a brief visit from a curious kit fox as a disruption. Most nature lovers know the feeling, no one else, in a place that special. Pure solitude, communion and exhilaration.

Zabriskie Point during a truly enveloping warm pink-ish sunset.

No one has actually seen a rock moving. Scientists have done extensive studies on the phenomena and have their theories. I too, have a theory and being a photographer, have outlined it above, visually : )

I can see the allure of bringing the kids, but DV is really a photographers paradise. Its unique geological features make for striking oddities. I didn't get to photograph the dunes and the salt formations at Badwater were covered by a shallow pond. So much to see, DV could take a lifetime to canvas.

'Tis the season...

2011-02-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

Robbie and Beth's engagement shoot

Balboa Park

San Diego, CA

The Yngwie

2011-01-23T21:52:00.000-08:00

Had the pleasure of covering Roland's 2011 Loop Station International finals recently, followed by a performance from Yngwie Malmsteen. The consummate performer, Yngwie knows how to put on a show. It was loud...even with earplugs. Rock on.

Shlomo, the beat boxin' madman and loop station finals winner from the UK. This performance isn't posted yet, but check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqCM36DDyI8 to see him in action. Pretty cool stuff!

Cannon Beach

2011-01-12T00:02:00.000-08:00

The Canyon

2011-01-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

Upon planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon over the phone, my Mom, an Arizona resident, kindly informed me that it's simply referred to as 'The Canyon' by those in the know. The 'Grand' part apparently, is understood.

Photographically, The Canyon is an impossible spectacle to capture. I say that because I didn't have the remainder of 2011 to stay and do it justice. A combination of time, talent, patience, physicality, warm clothes and luck is required, but mostly time. The Canyon is a living testament to the smallness of man.

"In 1910 George Collingwood, a young forest ranger, traveled with friends to the South rim. 'All we could do was to look,' he wrote home, 'and then we all swore sort of softly, and in between the curses we would speak of the wonders of God.'"

--The Incredible Grand Canyon, by Scott Thybony

Happy New Year to all!

Happy Holidays 2010

2010-12-16T22:53:00.000-08:00

The cards are out and we're heading toward that holiday home stretch! Many of you will be receiving a card in the mail, but I didn't want to leave anyone out. Thanks for sharing your experiences, both here and via email, and for checking in with my photographic meanderings throughout the year. I appreciate you all and wish the best for you and yours this holiday season!

Pause for God's station identification

2010-12-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

Some photographers have an aversion to sunset pictures. I should clarify, not pictures of something AT sunset, but rather straight-up pictures of sunsets. I imagine the rationale may be they are fairly commonplace and overdone or potentially the novelty has simply worn off for them. After 26 years in Alaska, I don't believe the lure of warm sand at my feet and one of nature's best shows will ever get old for me! My wife and I try to catch it as often as we can and every once in awhile, I bring my camera. Oftentimes, it's perfection in an imperfect world. The crisp lines, unreal colors and seamless gradation in tones are elements any camera would be jealous of. For me, the beauty of creation and in particular sunsets, are a glimpse of the reality beyond the present and future one in which we live. God's fingerprints are all over, but like many caught in the rat race, a daily reminder is precisely what I need.

Itchin' and scratchin' to get backpackin'

2010-12-01T13:57:00.001-08:00

It's safe to say my hobby is landscape photography. Much of my downtime is spent on Google Earth, Google image searches and mapquest. My friend and I had our own harrowing experience a year and a half ago in Coyote Buttes detailed here,http://masterworkimage.blogspot.com/2009/07/wave.html, but we went on a whim, hadn't researched much and only had two hours there before dark. Turns out there are actually two buttes, North and South, adding more to an already overwhelming experience of natural beauty. During winter, freezing temperatures apparently deter visitors = ) and the BLM website actually has available permits (albeit attained via lottery) on their website in the near future. Admittedly, a permit may make the visit a bit less adventuresome, but it would be legal.

For perspective on the bowl image above, I'm leaning against the far wall toward the center in the image below.

Below is a snapshot of the surrounding terrain.

Progression

2010-11-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

I've had a couple shoots lately photographing speakers for Pioneer Pro DJ that I'm not allowed to post, so here's a bit of filler.

I'm often asked if the image below is photoshopped, so I thought I'd post the succession of images in which it was created, untouched in post. By seeing the original, you can see exactly what was done in photoshop to create the final.

My family and I spotted two eagle's off the side of the road just outside of Portage Glacier near Anchorage Alaska. I grabbed my camera and slowly started wading through 3-5 feet of snow (don't know how deep it was because I couldn't feel the ground!) towards the birds, shooting as I went because you never know which photo will be your last, once they decide to fly away. The only lens I had with me was a 24-70 so I knew I needed to get pretty close to get anything worthwhile. To my surprise, I got really close before one of them flew away and I was able to get even closer before the other began to get antsy. At that point, I set my focus, turned off auto focus, and waiting to pan with her as she flew away.

This is the only opportunity I've had to photograph an eagle and I most certainly know I got lucky with her placement between the trees along with a full wing spread. Speaking frankly however, I couldn't tell you how many times I've done everything I could to botch up an image or shoot and God has provided 'luck' at that precise moment my technical and/or artistic abilities failed, just to help me along my way. I really should be writing them down! It is now.....absolutely.....way beyond coincidence!

11/5/10

2010-11-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

R & R

2010-10-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

My wife and I recently stole away for our first cruise experience. We had a great time on the boat and visiting Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. From a photographer's perspective, my only complaint is that we had to be back on board when I'd usually be preparing for the golden hour. Lesson learned though--it's vacation! It's so hard for me to put the camera down though!

San Diego Magazine-November 2010

2010-10-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

Last week I finished another project for San Diego Magazine. A feature and cover entitled 'Made in San Diego,' highlighting several companies headquartered out of San Diego county. 11 shoots in as many days! Always a pleasure to work with, the magazine's great about pushing the artistic envelope. Our challenge was to break away from the typical CEO portrait and create imagery that is a little more eye catching and fun. Be sure to check out the entire issue on news stands later this month! Special thanks to Alyssa for the opportunity and input, as well as Laurie, Erin and Adam!

On the right, co-owners of Matuse, producers of high end wetsuits and all around cool guys.

On the left, co-owners of Prana, which produces yoga apparel and accessories. Interestingly, this image was only dodged and burned in post. After getting the shots we thought we'd use while it rained outside, the storm broke and we caught about a minute of spectacular light on those rocks before it disappeared behind a building. We don't get rainbows often in SD and the image proved too good to resist.

On the right, the CEO of Stone Brewery in Escondido, CA. was kind enough to put up with me photographing him four different times within the same image! Assembled all together later in photoshop.

Oftentimes, you don't get much time to photograph busy CEO's. To break these images up, we infused a bit of movement. A couple racks of guitars in a longer exposure of co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug of Taylor guitars and a bottle in the portrait of Optimer pharmaceutical's CEO, Pedro Lichtinger.

On the left, Northrop Grumman's CEO in front of their unmanned Global Hawk. On the right, the CEO of ViaSat Inc. Mr. Dankberg was photographed separately and the building, shot at night, and star trails added later in post.

I was a bit nervous to ask the CEO of WD40 to get down on his knees for a photo shoot! Luckily, he was one of the nicest guys one would have the pleasure to meet. Here he demonstrates the many uses of their product.

On the right, the CEO and facility director of Callaway Golf.

Kashi prides themselves on the fact that their company is very much a group effort of everyone involved. Photographed here are everyone they could round up for a shoot!

Portfolio work

2010-09-29T22:27:00.000-07:00

Had a great shoot for Caroline, www.carolineamiguet.com, last week. Apparently summer was just late here this year and we were able to have fun shooting at night, enjoying the warmer weather. Thanks to Kimberly Carlson, www.kacartistry.com, for amazing hair and makeup work!

Quick trip to Atascadero

2010-09-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

With stops at Morro Bay, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara on the way back. Beautiful drive, great food and wine, there's a lot to be said about the general pace of things up there.

Live music portfolio

2010-09-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

This blog has been an efficient way of displaying portfolios or images I don't have room for on my main site. My live music port. would fall under that category. Working for high profile music companies has allowed me close access to many musicians. I thoroughly enjoy creating portraits of talented artists, whether they be actors, models or musicians, in their element. The creative fusion always yields something special.

Free print contest

2010-08-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

I did this last year, masterworkimage.blogspot.com/2009/06/fun-with-blogs.html, and again submitted images for the 'Best of Nature' show this year. Out of 2000 plus entrees, 70 were selected to be displayed in the Natural History Museum at Balboa Park, San Diego. I submitted the following ten images and one of them was chosen. As I did last year, I'll send an 8x10 or 8x12 print to whomever guesses the correct one. My buddy Toby Coughron won last year and posted about it here, tobycphoto.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-got-mail.html.

For those near SD, the show runs 11/13/10 through 1/30/11, was spectacular last year and should be well worth a visit again this year.

1 (left), 2 (right)

3 (l), 4 (r)
5 (l), 6 (r)
7 (l), 8 (r)
9 (l), 10 (r)

Land of Gigantic Trees-Sequoia NP

2010-08-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

We made our way to Sequoia NP for 4th of July weekend. Yea, that's about how far behind I am on posts! We've been to Redwood NP so I think I underestimated how impressed I'd be. Not quite as tall, but massive in diameter! Once considered the largest organism on earth, they've now found underground moss that may be larger as well as the banyan trees in HI that appear to be separate, but are all connected. Nevertheless, General Sherman as well as many others are something to experience. And it was by far the best smelling NP I've been to, haha! On a hot summer day, it's simply exquisite!

View looking West toward the San Joaquin Valley and Lucy the pug sun bathing...or meditating, not sure.

The deepest gorge in the U.S., King's Canyon, reflecting off King's river at the bottom. We saw plenty of bears, luckily most during the day. I startled one (actually that went both ways) one night on my way to the restroom. 20 feet is WAY too close to be to a running bear! If it was so inclined, I could've been a snack in seconds, but fortunately, they are more scared of us than we are of them. I think.

Grizzly falls and a timed exposure of about an hour 15 or so, directly above our campsite. The red in the trees is from our campfire.

Lucy 'helping' us pack. Mosquito spray, beef jerky and the latest camping fashions at a local store, what more could you want?! Ritz crackers? We got those too! The traffic was actually on the way up. LA's got keep up the rep, you know?

Scientist portraits

2010-08-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

I was asked to make portraits of Nutrilite scientists involved in their expert speaker program. Among the many hats a photographer wears, this time I got to play set designer as well, as we didn't have a lab to work with. I picked up everything except the beakers at Lowes along with some additional rigging to secure it all in place at Samy's Camera. Thanks to Kimberly Carlson, www.kacartistry.com, for hair and makeup and Johnny from Rouge Artists for styling.

Guild guitar ad

2010-08-18T15:13:00.001-07:00

The flurry that was the last seven weeks for me is drawing to a close. Can not BELIEVE how fast this summer's going! Many posts to catch up on, so to get started, here is a Guild ad we shot yesterday.

The perfect husband

2010-07-28T00:30:00.001-07:00

'Sure honey, I'd love to go shopping with you!' Here's an outtake from the Tahoe trip, it really doesn't require explanation!

My apologies for the lag in posts, been busy, but that's a good thing.

Air and Space Museum

2010-07-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

We shot promotional material for the Air and Space Museum San Diego last weekend, advertising it's facilities as a wedding venue. Here are a couple fun shots.

Very cute miniature person

2010-07-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

This is sort of embarrassing, but I recently calibrated my monitor for the first time---ever. Turns out my monitor was very warm toned and bright, which would make everything I produced look somewhat unsaturated and dark, everywhere except on my screen. Hopefully, from now on the images you see will look more the way they were intended to be viewed. For those who haven't done it, I highly recommend calibration. This, in conjunction with the correct color profiles for image output, makes a world of difference!

Lake Tahoe-Part two

2010-06-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

From Mono Lake we continued on to Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is a photographic gem, deserving at least a full year to document the full spectrum of seasons and moods the lake can take on. We unfortunately, had two days, two sunsets, not nearly enough. The beautiful weather made shooting comfortable, but left ours skies a bit subjectless. We'll just have to go back!

Portrait of Lucy the pug copyright Jeremey Tripp

Lake Tahoe-Part one

2010-06-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

My wife, two of our best friends and Lucy the pug got away for a long weekend to Lake Tahoe. We hit Mono Lake right at sunset on the way up. Fortunately for the patiently waiting girls, it WAS right at sunset, because Jeremey and I could have been there for hours otherwise. As with many things within the photographic realm, a seemingly unattractive lake to those passing by on the 395 becomes very interesting upon closer inspection. Especially at sunset, it has a majestic presence with a dash of creepy coolness, not unlike the Salton Sea.

The cloud image is one-click art, (under expose the image by a stop or so depending on how much white's in the frame, then auto levels did the rest in photoshop) but we don't get many cool clouds in San Diego, so when I see them I'm like a magpie attracted to something shiny. It makes driving very interesting.

We have the technology...we will rebuild it, faster, with less clicking

2010-06-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

I just aged myself. I actually do remember watching the Six Million Dollar Man as a kid!

The new site's now live! Some new imagery, less clicking. Hope you like it!

www.masterworkimage.com

A few more

2010-06-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Model Portfolio

2010-05-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

We got a good range of images as Ashley needed a fresh start to her (CA) portfolio. Thanks to Philip of Aqua Models and Kimberly Carlson,kacartistry.com, for her ever masterful hair and makeup work!

World's worst models

2010-05-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yes they're beautiful, but can they stay awake?! And where's hair and makeup? We got an ear flipped!

The rocks are back

2010-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not the most observant person in the world, but have noticed, from almost three years of living in San Diego, that rocks show up on our beaches in numbers once (maybe twice?) a year. I shot this last night on a tripod, f/10 and a 15 second shutter with a split-neutral density filter and had to set the rocks back up three times after waves knocked them over.

Cedar Creek Falls

2010-05-03T23:39:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a perfect day hike, Cedar Creek Falls in Cleveland National Forest will not disappoint and now is the time to go! The falls are running high and it's not too hot yet. All downhill on the way to the falls, a jump into the pool at it's base will cool you off before the all uphill hike out. Fortunately, I shot there for San Diego Magazine after our winter rains, but the falls slow and everything turns very un-green as June/July approaches. Then again, if you're in to rattlesnakes...

Hang Gliding off Torrey Pines

2010-04-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

Another shot for SD magazine. The one of the right was printed, but I really like the first one as well.

San Diego Magazine

2010-04-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

I'm officially allowed to post the images I took for San Diego Magazine now : ) May's gone to print and is already on some news stands I've seen. The article details the many outdoor activities at your fingertips here in SD county. It's a great time to get out too as it's not too hot in the desert areas and the crowds haven't discovered the beaches yet! I'll post additional images from the article in subsequent posts. I know most of my friends who keep track of this blog are out of state, but if you'd like additional info. on any of these locations, don't hesitate to ask!

Jazzed about the cover, that was a bonus! Cycling in Ramona.

After a couple attempts, I was finally able to schedule everyone on a day when the sea was calm in La Jolla. Taking my big camera out on a kayak kinda gives me the willies. You pretty much know you're gonna get wet and trying to keep cameras dry is always a challenge. This kayaking/snorkeling image is parts of five or six shots, but essentially two main ones; one on the water's surface and one below using the D10, meshed together in photoshop. Big thanks to San Diego Bike and Kayak there in La Jolla, http://www.sandiegobikeandkayaktours.com.

Running in Torrey Pines State Park.

These two were taken in Penasquitos Canyon. My love for mountain biking was stoked going there a couple times. The second shot is actually taken partially underwater. I got a waterproof point and shoot, Canon's D10, for some upcoming shoots. Needless to say, after last summer's trek up the Virgin River in Zion, http://masterworkimage.blogspot.com/2009/11/hiking-in-zion.html, trying so hard to keep the camera ABOVE water, it was against all of my instincts to submerge one!

Vegas!

2010-04-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

Spent last weekend relaxing in Vegas. Had the best time walking through hotels with my lovely wife, back pockets full of beers, taking funny photos!

Whoops!

2010-04-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

I was just informed that I'm not supposed to divulge any of the San Diego Magazine images before the issue is distributed! If you saw them, then you got a good preview. Be on the lookout for May's issue. In the meantime, here's an image I can publish, RZA of the Wu Tang Clan shot for Roland Corp., stating the obvious!

Daffodils are in bloom in Julian...

2010-03-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

What better reason is there to head over to Julian for the day? Ok, apple pie and wineries too. Julian, http://www.julianca.com, is a quaint escape. These photos really aren't complete however without the faint smell of warm dry dirt (one of my favorite) and the rhythmic clicking of horse hooves traveling down main street.

Portrait Work

2010-03-13T02:27:00.000-08:00

Fun with photoshop!

2010-02-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

An old photograph I came across recently. It's dorky I know, but I can't help but smile! Me and my gal in Redwood National Forest.

A very peculiar place...

2010-02-09T23:04:00.000-08:00

You never know what you'll find at the Salton Sea. It's one of the reasons I really like going there, it's full of oddities. I don't know what it is, but I've gotten very strange colors when I shoot there too and oftentimes the horizon line is so hazy you can't tell where the sky ends and the water begins. Adding to the weirdness factor are the tens of thousands of fish skeletons lining the shore and the sea 'burping' due to geothermal activity. It's creepy at night.

Pioneer DJ banner

2010-02-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

This image was shot, dropped into a template and outputted 8 x 12 foot last Monday! Having started in film, I'm still amazed how digital has expedited this entire process, start to finish.

The best way to get free photography...

2010-02-02T23:36:00.000-08:00

is to move next door to a photographer and be a good neighbor. So it was with our buddies the Youngs who, to date have given me a camera bag, mostly new basketball shoes, dinner and smiles every time we see them. They're a blessing to us and we hope to be the same for them!

Four generations

Art is an investment...

2010-01-27T00:15:00.000-08:00

better than property, ok, but cows too?! I found this in a publication advertising the arts in South Carolina.

For my buddy Simon...

2010-01-23T00:14:00.000-08:00

Hope your birthday was this much fun--except for the looking at ladies part! You're not allowed to do that! Sorry we couldn't make it. Have a glass of grog for me or, whatever he's having!

One for the ladies!

2010-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

This photo's awesome! Only in Hollyweird! I took this a couple years ago for Mr. Suave who needed a character image for a play he was in. I came across it recently while gathering images for an acting portfolio at the same time the Bee Gees were playing (don't ask) on itunes. I felt like I went back in time!

Art du portrait éternel

2010-01-14T23:20:00.000-08:00

I 'm thinking of doing more portraiture like this. I love the timeless, romantic tone. I'm kinda stunned by its beauty myself and I made it! I love the depth created by layers as well as the warm, soft black and white.

Degenerate Pug Punk

2010-01-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

This is wrong really, Lucy's the sweetest pet and would never knowingly break the law. So I admit, I planted the sidewalk chalk on her.

Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee in a week

2010-01-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts." Mark Twain

Mele Kalikimaka

2009-12-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

On a day many areas on the East coast received 16 inches of snow, we felt a little guilty enjoying all 81 degrees at the beach in San Diego. Then again, my wife and I are from Alaska, we've done our time!

December storm

2009-12-14T23:27:00.000-08:00

After half a tree fell outside my window, when I had to run to the post office, I grabbed my camera just in case I saw something on the ride there. As is normally the case with the ocean, it's difficult to capture its enormity, but below is an outtake of the trip.

Arizona, the photographic wonderland

2009-12-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

My fascination with Arizona increases with each visit. It's beauty is, quite simply, breathtaking! Here are a few random images from a past trip.

My buddy Jeremey and I goofing off at our 'found' campsite outside of Grand Canyon National Park. Full moon, 32 second shutter, a couple flashes and the ultimate road trip dashboard make for an interesting self (ves?) portrait.

Slot canyons, Page AZ

Technically, I think this was Utah. Very close to the border.

Take 34!

2009-12-07T23:58:00.000-08:00

This was a fun personal project. I had this setup in the bathtub! All in all, 34 takes. It was really hard to get the wine to barely catch the inside edge of the glass!

Elixir Strings

2009-12-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

A couple shots from a shoot last friday for Elixir guitar strings.

Somewhere between summer and winter

2009-12-02T00:15:00.000-08:00

It cooled down today. It reminded me of the chill I knew so well growing up in Alaska. Then again, it was 65 degrees--I think I'm spoiled.

'Bad Day' in a good way!

2009-11-29T00:08:00.000-08:00

A recent comp. of another Pioneer ad and a promotional image for Roland of Daniel Powter, www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/danielpowterx21x07x05.

Picturesque Scotland

2009-11-24T23:41:00.000-08:00

I didn't have nearly enough time in Edinburgh when I was there several years ago. In fact, all these images, except for the red door, were taken off the top of the same open air bus tour through the city. It's history is staggering and it's beauty breathtaking!

This scene has always looked fake to me! So I added a little blur to exaggerate the feel.

The bus paused enough at a stop sign for me to take five or so photos of this square. Exaggerated layers and some deliberately sloppy photoshop creates a curious look. The red door is the coolest church door I've ever seen! The Scottish have some serious style.

No caption needed!

Rock Americana

2009-11-23T23:27:00.000-08:00

I had a cool experience today. Fender corporation is replicating Eddie Cochran's Gretsch guitar and will have a limited number made for sale. For those unfamiliar with Eddie, you can get caught up here, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cochran. I was commissioned to organize and photograph some of his personal effects to be included on a DVD. We poured over some truly priceless items owned by this incredibly talented young man who's life and potential ended far too soon. I've attached a collage of images, including some never before seen taken by his mom.

Hiking in Zion

2009-11-19T17:54:00.000-08:00

Back in July we forded up the Virgin River in Zion, http://www.masterworkimage.blogspot.com/2009/08/zion-remix.html. It got pretty deep in some spots and it was everything I could do to keep my camera dry ; )

Revamp

2009-11-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

Considering my last post, I should explain I haven't gone off the abstract deep end! My tv made this fascinating portrait of Pat Sajak this evening and I figured it was as good an image as any to test out larger images on the ol' blog.

London at night

2009-11-16T13:53:00.001-08:00

Rangefinder Spread

2009-11-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

I haven't received the magazine yet, but I did get a PDF of the spread today. The images below are clickable if you'd like to read the interview questions. Thanks again to all who made this possible by voting during the final cut! Thanks as well, to Rangefinder magazine for the opportunity!

Masterworkweddings.com

2009-11-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

I had a good run of weddings recently, three in three weeks last month. A sampling of them is below. Most know of my main site, www.masterworkimage.com, but not my wedding site, www.masterworkweddings.com. More can be viewed there. I never could shoot just one thing, much to the chagrin of my photography teachers. I like to think the same emotions and sensibilities run through all my work, from the five different portfolios on my main site to my wedding imagery. I think of it as photographic cross-training. Besides, it's really hard to put the camera down when it's connected to my hand!

Portfolio work

2009-10-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Images from a recent portfolio shoot. Thanks to Kimberly for an outstanding job with hair and makeup.

Pioneer

2009-10-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

Comp. of Pioneer Pro DJ ad shot last week.

Thank you!

2009-10-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

I want to sincerely thank everyone who voted for my work in the Rangefinder Magazine contest! I'm overwhelmed by the support received via emails and voting from clients, family and friends alike! My work was chosen to the top five and will be featured in next month's issue of Rangefinder! The initial ten were chosen from over 3,200 websites submitted and the top five via online voting, which can be tricky, as it's a bit of a popularity contest and I'm a hermit! So I must truly thank everyone who voted and passed the link along! Not sure, but there may some images next month on their site, www.rangefindermag.com. I'll also scan and post the spread here, once I receive it.

Thank you, thank you!

I need your help!

2009-10-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

Rangefinder Magazine recently chose ten artists for their contest 'Unsung Heroes,' and I was one of them! Although hero I am not, I could definitely use your votes! From the ten, five will be chosen via online voting and those artists will be featured in the magazine! As the self professed 'worst marketer in the world' of my own work, being featured in Rangefinder would do more in that regard than anything I could ever come up with, haha! The voting link is www.rangefindermag.com/storage/contest/unsung_voting.html. Vote as often as you like, every vote is much appreciated! Thank you in advance!!

The Mother Road

2009-09-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

As a young boy growing up in Alaska, I played in my grandparents broken down 1968 Ford Mustang. The doors didn't open (or at least I preferred the windows), the tires were flat and the grass that never seemed to get trimmed had secured the car's somewhat permanent spot in the yard. During the summer months, the sun would warm the aged leather interior and I would climb in, push a bunch of buttons and was off cruising any road my imagination could muster! I'm now in California and during one road trip down a stretch of the Mother Road, Route 66, I came upon this scene. The leather smelt familiar --even the thinness of the wheel and not least of all, the freedom of the open road.

Book 'em Dan-o! (Ok, that's lame, but I couldn't think of anything else!)

2009-09-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

Got my hands on an advanced copy of a book I shot back in January for acclaimed fitness guru Sean Foy. Over three days the author, two models, makeup artist, art director, photo editor and I came together to produce imagery that would normally have been a week's shoot! And for once, I wasn't the only one getting a workout! I used to wake up the day after shooting wondering why I was so sore. Eventually I realized, photographing is fantastic exercise! Thanks to Workman Publishing, the layout looks great and the end product is very user friendly.

Fly me to the Moon

2009-09-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

My uncle is the president of the Air and Space Museum in San Diego, so I was hired to shoot Race to the Moon, the museum's tribute to NASA, recognizing the 40th anniversary of the first moon walk. Had the honor of meeting a dozen or so astronauts ranging from Apollo 7 to Apollo 16 as well as the new director of NASA, Charles Bolden. Held topside on the USS Midway under a full moon last weekend, it truly was an enchanted evening.

The Marine band parting, presenting the astronauts lined up behind the fireworks.

Fish eye view including the USS Midway, downtown San Diego, Coronado bridge and the bay.

This was another events fireworks going off behind us. By the way, I've had a couple people email regarding what settings or equipment I use to get some of my shots, and I don't mind those questions at all. I don't put much tech. info. in my posts because I know it would bore most people, but if you ever have a question, feel free to comment or email me!

Zed work

2009-09-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

Had a great shoot last week with Leilani, updating her portfolio. Thanks to Dehx who did a fantastic job with hair and makeup!

Our last shot we did just for fun! Loosely based on the Stuff Magazine cover with the doberman's. In our take however, we replaced the doberman's with ferocious puggle's (I have no idea how to spell puggle). If you're male, you'd be forgiven if you didn't even notice!

'Best of' San Diego Magazine photo contest

2009-08-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

San Diego Magazine has a popular feature once a year where the 'Best of,' everything from restaurants to doctors, are chosen and highlighted by the magazine. I entered their photo competition and out of the two finalists chosen for each of four categories, 'First Things First' was chosen for the portrait category and 'Oceanside Pier' for the nature category. At the Best of San Diego party this past Friday, 'First Things First' was announced the Best of the Best winner! I'm doubly humbled in that, there were many great images to choose from and the prize is the opportunity to shoot an upcoming feature for the magazine! Thanks, so much, San Diego Magazine for the honor and the great opportunity!

'First Things First'

'Oceanside Pier'

Moody blues, oranges and greens

2009-08-24T00:44:00.000-07:00

Trying to find anything quickly in my archives never happens! While looking for another image, I came across these, a few that didn't make the portfolio but are interesting nonetheless.

The main grocery mart in Cannon Beach makes THE BEST fried burritos at their deli! If I had my choice of restaurants in Oregon, I would go there. My wife would tell you that that says a lot about me, and I do believe she's right.

Seal Rock, Central Oregon coast shortly after sunset. Of all the great times to be there, this is one of the best. When everyone else is gone and communion with nature is uninterrupted.

Taken well after sunset, exposure on this was running about six minutes. The light in the middle was produced by a couple at the end of the beach with a flashlight.

Quick thought on Photoshop

2009-08-17T00:07:00.000-07:00

The subject of Photoshop and its implications is one that’s close to my heart. I have a twelve-year-old sister who, along with men and women of every age, are inundated by images of perfection from magazines, movie posters, the internet to advertising that is continually finding new ways of popping up everywhere we look. Photoshop is the darkroom of today, but unlike the traditional darkroom, digital manipulation is limitless. To those that desire it, the path to physical perfection now has a viable virtual shortcut, in the realm of imagery. I use Photoshop, every professional (that shoots digitally) does. The defining factor is to what degree and where each artist draws his or her line. When I was in school I remember watching a video of Ansel Adams’ master printers cutting negatives with surgical precision to create composites. The techniques have changed, but the pursuit of perfection and the morality of what you do, remains the same.

I won’t write a dissertation, but the issue has far reaching socio and psychological ramifications. Suffice to say, I make sure that everyone, but especially the women, in my life know that 99% of the images portraying physical beauty nowadays, are not real.

On the scale of Photoshop extremes, the image below is very minor, but it will illustrate the point.

The key light in the image did not catch the eye on the left, so that was recreated. Minor skin flaws were removed, lipstick color toned down and overall color temperature adjusted.

Click the image above for a closer look at alterations. Dove made a fantastic video compilation on an entire 'beauty' shoot that's worth watching and passing on. It can be viewed here, www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U.

Zion remix

2009-08-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

Had the pleasure of visiting Zion National Park again recently. The park is gorgeous, an absolute photographic wonderland and this trip did nothing but deepen my fondness for it. Again accompanied by my buddy Jeremey, we had two days of fun in the 100+ degree sun! I think my Alaskan bones are finally beginning to thaw out!

Big horned sheep, amazingly powerful and agile and just as curious of me as I of them.

The arrow sign is just begging for a caption! I think Jeremey said it should be titled 'One Way.' Anyway, it's nice to see a sign that gets to the point!

Ok, the two funny portraits had to go together to save space, but I wouldn't suggest actually giving horses beer. In my experience, they're crazy enough.

'The narrows' in Zion is widely considered the best hike in America and I can see why, it's breathtaking! Because of recent rain, it got pretty deep in some spots and I'm sure people got a kick out of watching me and Jeremey try and keep our cameras dry!

Noticed the sign on the way out. It's nice they put it up, we kept wondering why we didn't see many people in the water!

The Wave

2009-07-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

My best bud and fellow photographer Jeremey Tripp and I always seem to get ourselves into ridiculous situations on our photo safaris. Photographing in the wild certainly has its dangers and we’re beginning to amass quite a collection of stories that so far, we’re both able to laugh about now. Over the 4^th of July weekend, we decided to photograph ‘The Wave,’ inside Vermillion National Park. Calling it a park however is deceiving, for me, that congers a feeling of innocuousness. The wave is in the middle of nowhere, AZ accessed by a 12-mile dirt road that starts in Utah off route 89, then a trail-less hour and a half hike through and around mountains. Normal people would have a topographical map provided by the state upon obtaining a required permit. How could I say this inconspicuously…we didn’t have a map? 20 people are allowed into the wave per day worldwide and most of the permits are snapped up online months in advance. So, we had to hike over a mountain on the south end to avoid seeing anyone. When the sun started to set, we decided to leave the way you’re supposed to enter (knowing the way we came in was impossible in the dark), except we had no idea where that was. We did have a GPS and knew exactly where our truck was, but unfortunately the GPS could not tell us how to circumnavigate the huge ravine separating us. We hiked and bouldered lost in the dark for 3 1/2 hrs, out of water and with the warnings in the parking lot to ‘beware of rattlesnakes and mountain lions’ securely etched in our minds. We armed ourselves with camera flashes for defense against mountain lions and resigned ourselves to the fact that, if bit by a snake, we were pretty much up a creek. Entirely our own fault I realize, and at some point I think God just shook His head and decided to bail out a couple boneheads—again! A couple highlights:

-Don’t ever take a Bureau of Land Management road in Arizona, no matter how good a shortcut it looks like unless you too would like $779 of damage to the underside of your vehicle!

-The wind would pick up intermittently and one gust blew over Jeremey’s tripod and cracked his $6,000 camera down the middle.

-Jeremey slipped while bouldering and fell on a cactus.

-Total time of strenuous hiking without water, 5 1/2 hours. Yes, bring more water than you think you need to the desert!

-We didn’t see a single soul the entire time! A wondrous place and absolute shooting paradise!

Team effort

2009-07-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

Like I've said before, I love working with other talented creatives, the union always yields something special! In this case Kimberly, makeup and hair (and reflector holding ninja), BK, wardrobe stylist (who's like 6' 7'' and can hold gobos higher than anyone else!) and Ashley from Aqua Models who is really, really ridiculously good-looking (insert blue steel here). Also thank you to the Brady's for the fantastic venue! Great job everyone!

I'm absolutely loving the new camera and all 21 mmp! Click the above image for a closer look at detail. Until I win the lottery and can afford a $40,000 medium format, it will have to do!

I utilized my Profoto strobes for many of these images. It was nice having that power, I could retain detail in the sky and we were blessed with some interesting clouds--not always a given in the summer in Southern California.

Redford revisited

2009-07-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

If ever you get the chance to photograph Robert Redford in his 40's, you should jump on it and so it was with Gary, who's a spitting image of the man! One good lookin' dude--uncanny really. My Grandma really likes these photos!

$174 for a piece of glass?!!

2009-06-24T23:50:00.001-07:00

My buddy and fellow photographer Toby Caughron was the only one who correctly guessed #8, the image chosen for the show. Toby's a fantastic photographer and his website can be viewed at www.tobycphoto.com.

The final stage in the creation of an image is very fulfilling. To see a moment in time that you alone captured, finally framed is the culmination of a long journey. But it's EXPENSIVE! Darker images are particularly difficult to see if there's any glare off of the glass. The show required acrylic so my options ultimately ended at Optium, the only non-glare acrylic that doesn't unacceptably blur the image, at $174 for a 24'' by 30'' piece. I won't even start with the frame. Suffice to say, I'm in the wrong business. After I stopped the hemorrhaging of my wallet, I assembled the image and upon turning it in was informed that my piece was the last to be delivered. Considering this was a group of artists, makes that even MORE impressive! Procrastinators UNITE!........tomorrow.

If you're interested in the show, it's on display from July 29th until Sept. 13th at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego. Southern California is a hot bed for many super talented nature photographers so I'm sure it'll be impressive.

ISO 100, f8, 17 minute exposure in almost total darkness. I tried to focus during a couple strikes, but that didn't work. In the end I just went to infinity, backed it up a bit and I think I said a prayer.

Footlong! Who ordered the footlong?!

2009-06-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours wanted some portraits of her dog. When I heard Buffy was a dachshund, I knew exactly where I wanted to go!

I had this idea in mind during the shoot so we shot for it, clipped Buffy out, removed her owners hand from underneath her and then found a map I liked for the background. It wasn't until I had it printed I noticed the map said 'Parsot of Bark Shire' at the top. It was easy enough to swap the name to make it Buffy of Bark Shire!

The 'hotdog man' peeking over the top of the menu makes this photo!

Fun with blogs

2009-06-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

The Ordover gallery recently had a call for entries; those chosen would be displayed in the 'Best of Nature' show in the Natural History Museum at Balboa Park, San Diego. They received 2000 plus images and chose 70 for the show. I submitted the ten images below and had one of them chosen. If you'd like to guess the one you think it was, feel free to post your choice as a comment or email me. I think you need a google or blogger account to comment, but that’s easy enough to get. I'll send the winner an 8x10 or 8x12 print of their choice. If there's more than one correct guess, I’ll employ highly scientific methods to randomly select one, or maybe just close my eyes and point. I'll announce the winner in two weeks.

1 (top), 2 (bottom)

3 (t), 4 (b)

5 (l), 6 (r)

7 (t), 8 (b)

9 (t), 10 (b)

Expert photo taking

2009-06-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

Roland recently sent me to New York to photograph a gentleman named Joey Raia. He’s a remixing and sound design guru. A little bit of work and a little bit of play, in a very short time frame. As a photographer, or anyone I’d imagine, having so little free time in New York is a bit like that game show where they give you ten seconds to grab as much money floating around as you can, but then place you ten seconds away from the box!

Notice the LaGuardia arrival and JFK departure? Good, 'cause I DIDN'T!

Chrysler building reflection. In camera capture, black and white conversion and 'real' side (left side) darkened in photoshop.

This photo is just begging for a caption! When I saw this, I immediately felt better about all of my advertising efforts. I’ve created a couple snazzy promos in my seven years at this, but in 51 years, this is the best they could come up with?! Then I got to thinking, 51 years is a long time! They must be doing something right. After several minutes, I concluded this sign is absolute genius and if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And so....

it is with very high hopes, I present to you the new Maciariello Photography ad campaign!

Comp. of one of the resulting Raia ads.

Whenever I remember, I try and take a picture of my feet that includes something of my surroundings when I travel. I’m not sure when I started doing this, but I know it’s been awhile. It may make an interesting compilation someday.

I know, it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it

2009-06-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Working for high profile music corporations has granted me up-close access to many talented musicians, both one-on-one and live. I decided I ought to start putting some of the live photos together for another portfolio. I thoroughly enjoy creating portraits of talented artists, whether they be actors, models or musicians, in their element. The creative fusion always yields something special.