Fort DeSoto "Finale"

Kites & Canoeing - Ft. DeSoto Park, FL - 3.27.06

If you have not carefully read my previous posts or perhaps not associated with my network of friends and family, you will now know that Florida will soon be a view that I will get to experience one last time through the rearview mirrors in my tiny Sentra. Given the fact that I will take every opportunity to come back home, this time I leave Florida in pursuit of a new employment opportunity and a new home. With only a few hours and counting until I depart the state I grew up in, I thought I would take this moment to share with you the last wishes of a simple Florida boy like myself.

To date, this weblog has been dedicated solely to the pursuit of photography and the pure enjoyment of the sights offered by new places. This last entry is no different except the equipment I used to photograph my outing is not something that made my "arsenal" of camera gear nor a camera I might recommend for the serious avid photographer. The camera used on this particular outing was a simple $9.99 single use Kodak camera preloaded with ISO 800 speed film and featuring an exclusive "Ektakron" lens. (I think that is how you spell it.) For the conditions we were to experience, this camera is absolute excrement. I give it credit though - we captured some memories. With the help of post production histogram adjustments, sharpness filtering, and a little hue/saturation tweaking, I think the image quality is acceptable for my oh-so-picky weblog of image quality.

If after 27 years of growing up in a state, give or take a few years for military service, how would you choose to spend your last day of entertainment and relaxation in your hometown? Kites. A beach. Mangroves and canoeing. Yes - that is correct. I spent a day with a great friend of mine, Jason Toft, flying kites and doing things this Florida boy will miss.

Just a couple of weeks ago I started to realize that my time in Florida was going to become very limited. The demands of packing, corresponding with a new employer, finishing tasks with a former employer, and making commitments to spend time with friends and family "one last time" started to pile on. Just this past weekend a last minute attempt at a family BBQ - hosted by my wonderful father - proved to be a great way to assemble the clan and distribute hugs all around all in one place. Just weeks ago though I knew I had to reserve one day to just hang out with a friend and do the things that I remember enjoying the most as a kid.


If you ask my friend Jason what he would have thought my last day hanging out would have been like, he might have told you that we would have spent a day at the local flying field launching rockets and reminiscing on our days as full time rocketeers. It was not to be. Partly because of packing and mostly because of time constraints, I suggest to Jason that we do something different. Instead of lugging launch pads, rockets, and other ground support equipment across an empty field, I figured for the sake of simplicity we should shelf the rockets and grab some air with stunt kites instead.

I think for once in my life I have finally understood the meaning of "go fly a kite" or why it is that people desire to be on the water. Somewhere between recovering Jason's kite as he plowed it into the beach sand, hoping to God our canoe didn't flip in the Ft. DeSoto bayou, and sensing that I was slowly getting a sunburn, I realized that harnessing the wind's power and paddling along that the last thought on my mind was what my first day of work would be like or how I should carefully document every expenditure from my travels for tax purposes. Living in Florida - for the most part - has largely given me the opportunity to feel just like that one moment when all I heard was the small beach waves slapping the shore. I guess I just woke up one day and realized that every day is not like feeling the breeze and just enjoying the sunshine. I need a house. I need a place to live. I need to chase opportunities and hopefully somewhere out there I can find my serenity. There is someplace out there that will afford me the peace of mind where I can just forget when the car payment is due or how I will increase my salary. Somewhere down the road I will find another Boca Ciega Millenium Park or a charming evening of photography in Upper Tampa Bay Park. Quality of life is out there. Sometimes you just have to leave your home to find it. .

It has been my sincerest hope that this blog has shown you a piece of what I have learned to be "quality of life." If you ever forget why it is that you work so hard day in and day out, call your buddy and do something you enjoyed as a kid. I promise the day's experience will put life into perspective and remind you what it is that makes life so enjoyable and working for it so worthwhile.

Please check back next week when I will be blogging from a new state and a new life.

All the best,

Eugenio

Egmont Key Exploration (Cont'd)

Egmont Key Exploration

Paradise is right in your own backyard and you may not have even know it existed. There is a place about 30 minutes south of Tampa where Florida's history, wildlife, and beaches converge on one location in grand fashion. Egmont Key, an island unknown to most locals, has a rich history and fascinating past. Aside from the ruins of previous buildings, roads, and forts, Egmont Key offers one of the best locations in Florida to experience one of the most incredible beaches. The waters are blue, the sands soft and sugary, and the crowds nearly non-existant. Access to the island is limited by a private vessel or ferry and access fee. Shanti and I were fortunate to make a day trip and capture some exciting photographs. Information on visiting Egmont Key can be found at the Florida State Parks website. Egmont Key Website

Enjoy.

Tiny "ManU", Giant Champions

Ballast Point Youth Soccer - Tampa, FL 3.18.06

Early Saturday morning I returned to Ballast Point Elementary as an invited guest to photograph a soccer match-up of tiny proportions. Sponsored in part by generous people in high places, a miniature version of the UK's Manchester United took to the "pitch" to play in championship form and honor the team whose name their miniature jerseys bear. ManU ownership would be proud after the team showed skill and determination in their dominating win over their opponents with a final score of 14-2.

Youth soccer is a sport closely related to any other sport involving a youth group and intensity filled adults. Generally speaking, the parents add the intensity and strategy while the kids run around enjoying themselves regardless of the outcome.

Earlier in the season I had the opportunity to see these youngsters develop their talent firsthand. By way of a special request from a gentleman at my workplace that I hold a great deal of respect for, myself and a few co-workers volunteered our services to assist with running the kids through drills and reinforcing core soccer concepts. Having a firsthand look at team develop through routine practices was personally rewarding for me come game time. For most of the kids on the team, soccer is a great way to go out and have fun participating in a game with friends they have made on and off the field. As adults, and for some of the parents, winning seems to be a vital part of enjoying watching these kids play. Soccer drills, strategy, and discipline are all integral components to forming a winning team. Much like education, parent participation is a must in order to achieve success. By the looks of this team, one could easily attest to the commitment the parents of these kids have made to building a fun and competitive group. With youth soccer, success cannot only be measured by the final scores of their games. Just look at their faces when they are done playing and you will have your answer. For the 2006 season I was grateful to have contributed my time to help these kids succeed.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of providing photographic coverage of the game. Telling the story is integral to successful photography, but my personal satisfaction on this particular weekend was in capturing some smiles, excitement, and the nature of being a youth soccer league player. Most of the pictures I have of myself when I used to play little league T-ball generally depicted a baseball diamond of scattered kids all chasing the same ball. My aim was to relive those moments through these kids. From their first goal to their post game wrap up, being a part of their day truly made my job as a photographer much more rewarding.

Congratulations to the Ballast Point Youth Soccer group and the Manchester United team. Best of luck for the remainder of 2006.

"Some Fun Now" - Sailboat Racing

Davis Island Yacht Club (DIYC) - Tampa, FL 03.11.06

eu·pho·ri·a - n.

1. A feeling of great happiness or well-being.


sen·sa·tion - n.

1. A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition
2. A state of heightened interest or emotion:




az·ure - n.

1. The blue sky.






in·ten·si·ty - n.

1. Exceptionally great concentration, power, or force.


con·tent·ment - n.

1. The state of being contented; satisfaction.
2. A source of satisfaction:








strength - n.

1. Degree of intensity, force, or effectiveness







team·work - n.

1. Cooperative effort by the members of a group or team to achieve a common goal.






con·fu·sion - n.
1. The act of confusing or the state of being confused

(Just kidding!)

prep·a·ra·tion - n.
1. The act or process of preparing.
2. The state of having been made ready beforehand; readiness.



race - n.

1. A competition of speed



Vessel: "Some Fun Now"
Characteristics: 31 foot sloop, 1 mast, 2 sails
Skipper: "Radar"

I would like to extend a personal "thank you" to the owner and crew of "Some Fun Now" for the opportunity to sail and race for my first time ever. As a Floridian and aspiring photographer I feel as if my life here is now complete. In a few short weeks I will leave Florida behind in pursuit of a new home, new career, and a new life. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to sail along with your group and photograph your day on the water. The experience and memories shall be everlasting. To "Radar", Wayne, Robin, Ken, and Jim - my sincerest appreciation.

Sincerely,

Eugenio Cebollero

For more information on the Davis Island Yacht Club (DIYC), please visit their website: http://www.diyc.org/

More photographs from this event can be found at my online photo album: http://eugenio.shutterfly.com

US Amateur Golf Tour Coverage

Plantation Palms (2.25.06) & Bloomingdale Golf (3.11.06)

If you have been a loyal fan of my weblog, then you might agree that up through today this blog has served as an outstanding chronicle of my experiences with photography. Today's entry is no exception. This entry adds another dimension in my quest to experience anything and everything that photography has to offer.

Most of my acquaintances are not aware that yours truly was once an avid novice at golf. Not even those that know me personally have a clue that I ever spent a dime at a driving range. Before I draw you into a story about how good of a golfer I became I will go ahead and issue the spoiler. Admission #1: I am not going to lie to you - I sucked. Now that this declaration is out of the way allow me to proceed.

The most intriguing aspect of the sport for me was the simple fact that I used to downplay its complexity. I had the common misperception of the non-golfer: "It's a big waste of open space and you have to chase a little white ball around." Admission #2: I have a profound respect for the par golfer. The first time I ever played a round of golf I presumed the experience was right up there with a challenging game of putt-putt where a shot at par was more common than a 10 pin strike at the bowling alley. All I can do is look back and laugh. I sure learned my lesson after 18 holes. My interest was piqued. I wanted to know how the pros did it.

Whether the experience is in athletics or in a trade such as roller hockey, soccer, auto mechanics, or photography, if I have the slightest interest or ounce of curiosity, that is generally all it takes for me to lose control and dive into the abyss of learning. Not knowing enough about something and having a small interest was all it took for me. Try I did. Before I ever took a another swing (pardon the pun) at a golf ball seated atop a tee, I diligently spent my lunch hours and evenings reading websites chock full of tips, watching the pros on television, and even riding along on someone else's cart for another firsthand look. It only took somewhere close to 15 months for me to realize a mastery of the game required more than just a lesson or golf magazine subscription. I was probably 15 years too late to start pursuing a career as a PGA Tour hopeful.


My brush with golf was short lived but it brought me closer to understanding why those sucked in spent so much time, money, and energy pursuing that perfect game. There is a fine line in golf where you either maintain your sanity or straight up teeter on lunacy. Golf is truly a gentleman's game and one that I have a profound respect for. Invite me along for a round of golf and I am liable to join you. Just as long as we can pack a cooler full of beer and toss the score card, I will be your golf buddy any day.

Just last month I finally had the opportunity to merge a former interest in golf with a current passion for photography. A fellow co-worker of mine, affectionately known around the office as "Joe Dirt", introduced me to the gentleman here in Tampa that runs the show for the local USAGT chapter. There were no formal terms and conditions nor any promises of financial gain. All he could offer me was unlimited access to photograph and have free reign over covering his events. Incentive? The experience. For me it has always been about the experience. I have not proclaimed professionalism and may never do so, but the opportunity to cover such an event and have access to a course full of pro hopefuls certainly offers me more brick to pave my path towards success. Perhaps a few of the golf enthusiasts that spent their day sulking or celebrating their performances might gratuitously request to purchase an image of themselves.


I would like to thank the US Amateur Golf Tour Tampa for allowing me to spend a couple of afternoons chasing them with my camera. I would also like to extend a HUGE thank you to "Joe Dirt" for making the phone call and getting me connected.

"Holgallage" - Davis Island Marina

Does the camera subliminally cheapen the subject matter? Or does it reveal a hidden truth about the art in this medium? Enter blog post dated 3/1 and a simple observation unfolds regarding my choice in subjects on the scene of an identical shoot. What difference should any of it make? I suppose predictability in the final print is the simplest explanation, but why would I not choose to shoot what I did with the Holga than with the DSLR?



Every shutter actuation is a forced thought when you have only 12 clicks. This is the essential difference between film/print exposures versus an endless spool of digital film. Shooting with the Holga is a labor that has thus far offered me endless reward and lessons far beyond what I might stumble across with any digital. Plastic is truly fantastic.

Holga Photography
ISO400 Ilford XP2 b/w
Davis Island Marina - Tampa, FL

"Grounded"

Holga Photography
ISO400 Ilford XP2 b/w
Davis Island Marina - Tampa, FL

Old Salem, NC (Continued)

Here are the rest of the "chosen" photos for your enjoyment.

Old Salem, NC

Over the weekend Shanti and I made an impromptu visit to North Carolina to wrap up some official business. While we were there we spend a day in Old Salem to find some photography opportunities. Pictures were plentiful in this historic town. For more information on Old Salem, visit their website: http://www.oldsalem.org/

Enjoy some of my pictures from our visit.