A Most Beautiful Day

Good Morning Everybody,

I know I've been offline for the last few days but crossing the Atlantic will do that to you;~). After eight days at sea. The cruise, with the exception of bad weather the first few days, was soon forgotten as we sailed into the warmer waters of the Caribbean seas. 

Our first day of full and glorious sunshine was coupled with the calmest seas and most beautiful skies you could only imagine.  I spent a good deal of the day just photographing the changing seascape - it was an exciting visual experience many times throughout the day.

A Most Beautiful Day

Let me share a few of these beautiful views, from somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, of November 10, 2013 with you.

Photo 1.  This image was captured the morning about 6:30 a.m. just after sunrise and shows how the day first presented itself to all the passengers aboard the Celebrity Eclipse.  The soft warm colors of the new day was an early promise of even better views to come. 

Photo 2.   A few hours later about 8:00 a.m. a glance at the horizon showed the calming seas with the first of many beautiful white clouds against the rich blue skies. After a pretty stormy first few days there was something about those very soft waves that carried the mode of the entire day.

Photos 3 & 4. By 11:00 a.m. the waves had settled into an even more gentle nature.  That coupled with the clouds breaking up into even smaller versions of their previous selves made for a hauntingly provocative view of the sea. Here are a few views of that late morning beauty.

Photo 5. Two and a half hours later about 1:30 p.m. the sky took on a completely different look.  The light was doing something different with how the rays hit the particles of moisture hanging in the air.  This is probably my favorite view of the day. 

The seas were so calm they mirrored the white clouds of the sky in a very unusual and almost eerie way. The almost monochromatic view was just as it appeared – no post production of any kind was done to this photograph. 

Looking out over the watery vista seemed to be a view into an almost surreal world of water and sky.  I, for one, was transfixed with its tranquility, beauty, and mystery.

Photos 6, 7, 8, & 9. The day continued with it’s constant visual surprises well into the early evening climaxing into a spectacular sunset that LaDawn and I would soon not be forget.  I bet most of the passengers,  equipped with any camera at hand we're shooting away.  The others just looked on in inspired amazement of the spectacular beauty ending one of the most visually exciting days any of us had ever experienced at sea.   Please enjoy the following series of sunset images which transpired over a very short 12 minute time span. 

5:41:17 p.m.

5:45:27 p.m.

5:45:39 p.m.

5:53:13 p.m.

The cinematic display of light and color was without equal most places in the world on November 10, 2013.  What a joy it was to be part of the pallet of colors, shapes, and form painted by the best artist of all.

Afterthoughts:

Cruising memories are mostly the result of fabulous on board entertainment, exciting shore excursions, good food, and making new friends.  But the unfolding of the day of November 10, 2013 from sun up to sundown was the best and most exciting visual feast for the eyes, heart, and soul many of us will never forget. These images capture a small part of that excitement but the real experience is etched in our hearts and souls for that day will not soon be forgotten.

David

"Good Morning Sunshine"

"Good Morning Sunshine"
©David A. Ziser

Everyday since we arrived in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico almost two weeks ago, I have photographed the sunrise from our second floor balcony.  The morning sun presents itself from about between 6:00 – 6:30 a.m.  Every morning is different.  Some morning are more spectacular than others, but all are a beautiful beginning on a joyous day in this part of the world.

This is today’s morning sunrise.  I spent about 30 minutes shooting several variations of the landscape as the sun slowing welcomed itself into the day.  I think this image is my favorite.  I’m a big fan of the rich, vibrant colors many of these sunrises exhibit.  This one was no exception.

As I’m framing up the photograph, I strive to pick up other elements like the palm frawns in the scene that I think contribute to the overall composition. 

If your sunrise was not so nice, let me offer our sunrise as a suitable replacement to the start of your day ;~)

Camera specs:  Canon 7D fitted with 18-200mm IS lens at 32mm, F4.0 @ 1/50 second, ISO 100.  Enjoy!  -David

The Top Sales Team Ever! & A Few Apologies

Good Afternoon Everybody,

Sorry for the late post today.  We got back from Indy about 12:45  a.m. this morning - - a pretty long day yesterday.

PASS Premiere Last Night

Nevertheless we had a great time visiting my buddy, David Jay, and hear the line up of speakers at the PASS Premiere tour [link].  Turns out last night was the 2nd to last stop with the your going on to Nashville tonight. Nashville readers – try to stop by!

The setting was quite eclectic – an old renovated theater in the newly restored Fountain Square area near the city.  Hey, what better place to have a premiere ;~)

The program kicked off around 6:15 p.m. and wrapped about 10:45 p.m.  The cool thing about the program was that food was served at one of the breaks – YES, real food was served.  That’s the first time I have seen that at ANY seminar series.  DJ is such a first class guy.

Promise Tangeman [link], a marking consultant from Phoenix gave a great program on branding and offered some solid insights on how to begin building your brand.

Here are a few quick hit tip from her energetic program:

A Photographer needs to -

Focus - Identify your strengths. 

Define a Style – Identify your personal profile - what you like, quirks, how you feel. Brand yourself in how you dress. 

Have and Show Confidence - Need to display your confidence on your website and blog.

The highlight of the evening was meeting and visiting with Zach and Jody Gray [link].  I got to tell you flat out, these two energetic, creative, successful wedding photographers out of Nashville, TN brought the house down for LaDawn and I.  It was the first time in a long time I heard someone talking about business success and not bokeh, F-Stops, or shutter speeds - no technique, all sales and marketing!  It’s what today’s photographer needs to hear too.

The secret of their success is relationship building with their clients and continuing that relationship long after the wedding.  In four words – they had it nailed!  Engage - Connect - Court – Continue: these four touch points make up the secret of their business success.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll share with you what they had to say – very important stuff here.

They’ve scheduled a few workshops for the Fall to so check out their website right here for more details. Also, check out their blog.  They post a brand new tip or technique every Tuesday – here is the link.

Good to meet you guys, Safe Travels.

Finally, DJ wrapped the program with a preview of the new PASS system – a very innovative way to show and share your images on-line.  I’ll tell ya’, I love the social marketing aspects of this new methodology.  I see it as an easy add on to my wedding coverages.  More details here.

A Few Apologies Are In Order

Hey gang, yesterday I did a Business day Thursday blog post that really ruffled a few feathers over in England.  I had mentioned that I saw this great idea over at LoveMyDress.net [link] about hiring a wedding reporting for your wedding and mentioned that this might be a great service photographers could offer their clients. 

Annabelle, Leah, and Liz, friends of Emma Woodhouse, were quick to respond to my post with comments.  They thought maybe the tone of my post was in some way diminishing this great idea inspired and conceived by Emma who offers the service in England.

Let me say right now that I apologize to these three persons personally, Emma and anyone else who thought I was in anyway less than respectful to Ms. Woodhouse or diminishing her very original idea in any way.  In fact I love the idea and think it is one of the most original new ideas I’ve head for weddings!  And yes, I do believe it adds richness and texture to the wedding memories as well.

I think the point where I might have miss-stepped was in my somewhat casual disregard of hiring a pro (writer) for this service and offering the service yourself.  Putting on their shoes for a moment, I can see why they would be upset with my post.  That was not my intent.

I’m first one one to agree that hiring a pro is the best way to go with any of your wedding plans.  I was mostly just blown away with the “wedding reporter” idea in the first place and thought it would be a good idea for a bride to consider if she could find the service offered by anyone. 

The problem, at least here in the states, is that I know of NO ONE offering this service at all.  My motivation was to make the service available to brides. My first thought was that wedding photographers might be the ones closest to offing that service because of the fact that we are story tellers to begin with.

I personally would like to hear more about the idea from Ms. Woodhouse and have a conversation (maybe even a webcast) with her about it.  I would also welcome Annabelle as author of LoveMyDress.net, as a panelist too if we all thought we could pull this off considering major time zone differences and all.  I think it would be a fascinating discussion about weddings and very informative for the listeners. 

Again, my apologies to Annabelle, Leah, Liz, and Emma for consternation I caused with yesterday’s post.  That was not the intent.

_______________________________________________________

Hey gang, that’s it for today.  We’re looking forward to the long weekend spending time with family and friends.  I hope you do to in your part of the world.  Everybody have a great weekend and may your pixels be shining as bright as possible this holiday weekend ;~)

See ya’ next week,  David

Marvelous, Marvelous Monday

Good Morning Everyone,
What a weekend - we finally got out of the door on Friday, and after a little traffic heading north we hit Dayton, Ohio - not quite the center of the universe, but still a nice Midwestern city. I actually went to college - the University of Dayton - just a few years ago. That's where I received my Engineering degree which has been so helpful in the brave new digital world of ours.

Anyway, we landed just in time to catch up with my buddy, David Jay. We had a wonderful meal, great conversation, and some laughs. We headed back to the Marriott for a early evening as David had an 8:00 A.M. program. If you have never heard DJ speak, make it a top priority if he ever comes to a city near your. His presentation was super informative, inspirational, thought provoking, and packed with good marketing info. What a joy it was to be in the audience - I think everyone felt the same way.

You can get more info on David over at his web site right here. Also check out his forum - it's not a bunch of "crank" postings - nearly all are from really nice people - worth the visit. David was heading over to Germany for a program on Sunday - he is one busy guy and great wedding photographer.