Surfing

Some mornings I'm lucky and the surfers turn up to entertain me as I walk. I'll admit, I'm a bit jealous of their skill and bravery. I don't see me taking up surfing while I'm here, but I do admire those who do it and who love it enough to get up crazy early every morning.

I'm not going to take up a new career as an action photographer any time soon, but trying to get clear shots of them actually standing up is a challenge that keeps me pushing my skill lever. So far it is more about luck than skill, but I'm improving.

A friend looked at this photo and asked how I got his perfectly lined up with the horizon, I wish I could say that was planned and carefully composed...but the truth is it just happened.

I'm actually starting to think there are some similarities to surfing and photography. I watch the surfers spend time out in the water, watching for that perfect wave. They try and set up for it to hit it and the right exact moment. Sometimes they fail and sometimes they don't and get a spectacular ride. The secret to both seems to be keep trying.

"Speak your mind, just be bold."
Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again Pin It

Vienna's Museum Quarter

I'm starting this post on a Saturday morning, knowing I only have a few minutes before I have to leave from the office and I realize that the last time I had a weekend where I didn't work it was on this trip to Vienna. I think I keep posting the photos of the trip because it takes me back to a fun, relaxing time. Something that has been a bit in short supply lately.

The project I'm working on has been brutal - full of impossible timelines and pressure, and yet I find it oddly invigorating and empowering, I'm not quite sure what that says about my sanity!

I have started counting down days until I'm headed home for the holidays, ok, to be honest I'm nearly to the point of counting hours! It will be so amazing to see my family and to have a few days of down time.

Any one else out there traveling home for the holidays? Any tips for making the trip home more sane? I spend a lot of time on planes and at airports, but this time of year it is even crazier than usual.

Michael Kiwanuka - Rest

"Rest your soul, live in peace."

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Idaho

I was on vacation last week with my family in Sun Valley Idaho (the picture above is from Twin Falls, ID, where we stopped for lunch on the way up.) All 9 of us (7 adults and 2 kids) crowded into a condo for a week and had a great time - I suspect the fact that the condo came with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms probably made all that together time a little more pleasant!

My family has spent some time in Sun Valley in the past but it had been at least 20 years since I'd been there and it was fun to see that some of the things we remembered were still there and to realize it had only gotten more beautiful with time.


In other news, I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a mirror-less/compact system camera (Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1.) I've loved my Canon dslr, but I finally admitted to myself that with as much travel as I do, it just isn't practical. I'd been relying more and more on my Canon point and shoot, which is great, but didn't give me as much control. I'm still working my way through the owners manual - but so far I'm loving the Panasonic. Has anyone else out there switched to a mirror-less camera? Have any tips for a new user?

I've also joined the rest of the world and have upgraded my life with an iPhone. Like everyone before me, I've fallen in love with the camera and Instagram. My username is jamieshaw_lj if you want to follow along, or you can see my photos on the web here.  Now that I've finally joined the cool kids on Instagram, let me know your username so I can follow you too.

I can't get enough of Michael Kiwanuka's voice, here's his beautiful cover of Hendrix's May this be Love (Waterfall).

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