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Thank you for entrusting me to capture the special moments of your most important day.
- Eugenio
Friday, June 22, 2007
Congratulations Robyn & Todd
Congratulations Robyn & Todd
Thank you for entrusting me to capture the special moments of your most important day.
- Eugenio
Thank you for entrusting me to capture the special moments of your most important day.
- Eugenio
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Somewhere in Paradise - No Camera?! No Worries!
Somewhere in Paradise - No Camera?! No Worries!
This is the first summer Shanti and I have spent away from Florida since moving north. Living in North Carolina has been a real treat, honestly, but the accessibility to beautiful Florida white sand beaches we once had sure has a way of tugging at those home sickness heart strings. Ask me how many times I went to the beach in the few years we lived in Florida and admittedly, the figure would be in the low numbers. 
However, the escape from NC to FL was a wakeup call, if not for me, then for those of you that still live close to those beloved places only a tourist would love. I am all for promoting the place I once lived, but what is living if you are not participating? I can honestly say that my quality of life has improved greatly over the last year, but finding a place in my new home that competes with the cool waters, sounds of palm tree breezes, "exotic" beach wildlife, and a sun tan souvenir has not yet revealed itself. I just need to make it through summer and report back next year. Until then, get out and go to the beach (or whatever it is that makes your home "home")!
If you have gotten ahead of my typing and clicked through the photos and wondered "Sheesh...those look like pictures from a family vacation taken back in the 70s", then you would not be all that off on your assumption except that these photos were taken this past Friday (6/15) by yours truly with a camera built in the late 70s. (See inset photo.) So why the crappy 35mm film photos? Simply stated, I didn't feel like toting a DSLR home. It took about 10 steps off of the plane for my dad to ask "Did you bring your camera?" Regret, pain, panic, and all of those feelings an addict has quickly set in. I had the shakes. We were going to go to the beach the next day. WHAT was I thinking?! As luck would have it, I happened to give my dad a vintage camera for his birthday last year - the same one we were all photographed with as kids. A trip to the "Wonderful World of Sam Walton", a 4-pack of cheap Fuji film, and an old camera in hand I had all I needed to get my fix.
So I wanted a shot of the boats, condos, water, and bridge railing. Instead I luckily got a picture of an Aston Martin Jaguar beautifully reflecting a whispy clouded sky. Luck - it happens and I will be the first to admit it. Come to think of it, the previously described scene would have been incredibly boring. What you don't see in this picture is the obnoxious telephone pole obscuring a block of condos in the backdrop. Don't look for it. Just enjoy the cheap 35mm photo hacked into a digital format. :)
What is not to love about a shady place from which one can take in the hypnotic sounds of the ocean? These brought back some great memories of a falling asleep with Shanti on the beach on an early Sunday morning after breakfast at the Clearwater Beach IHOP. There were no tourists and the cabana merchant had not yet opened shop to collect rental fees.
This is the clever work of an 8 to 9 year old boy and his dad over the course of their weeklong Florida vacation. Admitting that I was no longer a Florida resident and that I had given up that life for another up north was a tough one. The change of perspective from that of a once Florida native to tourist was a difficult moment to accept. Nonetheless, it made my appreciation of this sandcastle much greater.
So after a small weekend getaway to a place that I could chalk up to the arrogance of "been there, done that" I confirmed something about my life in photography. Much like a chef who does not travel without his recipe book or secret spices, or the drummer with his drumsticks, I should never again leave home without a camera - any camera regardless of the destination. Thankfully, the camera that both my dad and I share in our collections came in handy. Shooting a manual focus prime lens camera really made me work much harder for those shots. Instead of 400 photos I only had 36 to pick from. Sounds like a good time to me. No camera in paradise? No problem! Any will do. Until next time....
This is the first summer Shanti and I have spent away from Florida since moving north. Living in North Carolina has been a real treat, honestly, but the accessibility to beautiful Florida white sand beaches we once had sure has a way of tugging at those home sickness heart strings. Ask me how many times I went to the beach in the few years we lived in Florida and admittedly, the figure would be in the low numbers. 
However, the escape from NC to FL was a wakeup call, if not for me, then for those of you that still live close to those beloved places only a tourist would love. I am all for promoting the place I once lived, but what is living if you are not participating? I can honestly say that my quality of life has improved greatly over the last year, but finding a place in my new home that competes with the cool waters, sounds of palm tree breezes, "exotic" beach wildlife, and a sun tan souvenir has not yet revealed itself. I just need to make it through summer and report back next year. Until then, get out and go to the beach (or whatever it is that makes your home "home")!
If you have gotten ahead of my typing and clicked through the photos and wondered "Sheesh...those look like pictures from a family vacation taken back in the 70s", then you would not be all that off on your assumption except that these photos were taken this past Friday (6/15) by yours truly with a camera built in the late 70s. (See inset photo.) So why the crappy 35mm film photos? Simply stated, I didn't feel like toting a DSLR home. It took about 10 steps off of the plane for my dad to ask "Did you bring your camera?" Regret, pain, panic, and all of those feelings an addict has quickly set in. I had the shakes. We were going to go to the beach the next day. WHAT was I thinking?! As luck would have it, I happened to give my dad a vintage camera for his birthday last year - the same one we were all photographed with as kids. A trip to the "Wonderful World of Sam Walton", a 4-pack of cheap Fuji film, and an old camera in hand I had all I needed to get my fix. 
So I wanted a shot of the boats, condos, water, and bridge railing. Instead I luckily got a picture of an Aston Martin Jaguar beautifully reflecting a whispy clouded sky. Luck - it happens and I will be the first to admit it. Come to think of it, the previously described scene would have been incredibly boring. What you don't see in this picture is the obnoxious telephone pole obscuring a block of condos in the backdrop. Don't look for it. Just enjoy the cheap 35mm photo hacked into a digital format. :)
What is not to love about a shady place from which one can take in the hypnotic sounds of the ocean? These brought back some great memories of a falling asleep with Shanti on the beach on an early Sunday morning after breakfast at the Clearwater Beach IHOP. There were no tourists and the cabana merchant had not yet opened shop to collect rental fees.
This is the clever work of an 8 to 9 year old boy and his dad over the course of their weeklong Florida vacation. Admitting that I was no longer a Florida resident and that I had given up that life for another up north was a tough one. The change of perspective from that of a once Florida native to tourist was a difficult moment to accept. Nonetheless, it made my appreciation of this sandcastle much greater. 
So after a small weekend getaway to a place that I could chalk up to the arrogance of "been there, done that" I confirmed something about my life in photography. Much like a chef who does not travel without his recipe book or secret spices, or the drummer with his drumsticks, I should never again leave home without a camera - any camera regardless of the destination. Thankfully, the camera that both my dad and I share in our collections came in handy. Shooting a manual focus prime lens camera really made me work much harder for those shots. Instead of 400 photos I only had 36 to pick from. Sounds like a good time to me. No camera in paradise? No problem! Any will do. Until next time....
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Vineyard Views - Yadkin Valley
Vineyard Views - Yadkin Valley
In late May to early June I had the opportunity to seek out a great wine country landscape view for a July edition of the Winston Salem Monthly Magazine. Within 35 minutes of Winston-Salem is a string of wineries offering beautiful views and wine tasting rooms outfitted from former horse stables and vintage homes. On a Sunday afternoon Shanti and I headed north on Highway 421 straight to the heart of Yadkin Valley seeking out some great vistas. The sun was already fairly low in the sky at about 6:30pm and the tasting rooms had long been closed, so being picky was not an option if I did not want to have to make a return visit.
Our first stop was at RagApple Lassie Vineyards which probably offered one of the most picturesque opportunities to net my shot. I wasted no time pulling the car over on the sides of country roads and was even treated to some horn blowing by the locals. I cannot imagine what I looked like with the camera strap around my neck acting like a panicked paparazzi. My first thought is that I was more than likely some lost tourist stopping off the side of the road for a photo op. Surely enough, a photo op I had with the great skies and views of Pilot Mountain.
Little did I know, but I did not have to go much further than RagApple Lassie. One of my best shots selected for the magazine came from this particular vineyard. The view of the winery offers winding rows of grapes with a dusk view of Pilot Mountain far in the distance. The images was taken from the same vantage point as the one just above, but inclusive of the rows of grapes and recently tilled soil. Regardless, Shanti and I scurried along from vineyard to vineyard until the sun offered little light or little hope of another print worthy view. Overall, we visited four vineyards in a one hour stretch. Getting lost proved to add a little humor to the stress of having to get "that one shot." All is well that ends well and surely enough I will have something to smile about when the July edition lands in my mailbox. I sure wish I could have all of these images put to print, but alas only one lucky one gets the honor. The others are here for your enjoyment. Wine anyone? Cheers. Come visit Yadkin Valley sometime. You will not be disappointed.
For the ride home I elected to sit in the passenger's seat with Shanti at the wheel. The vantage point offered a unique glimpse of a moon rising and sun setting.
In late May to early June I had the opportunity to seek out a great wine country landscape view for a July edition of the Winston Salem Monthly Magazine. Within 35 minutes of Winston-Salem is a string of wineries offering beautiful views and wine tasting rooms outfitted from former horse stables and vintage homes. On a Sunday afternoon Shanti and I headed north on Highway 421 straight to the heart of Yadkin Valley seeking out some great vistas. The sun was already fairly low in the sky at about 6:30pm and the tasting rooms had long been closed, so being picky was not an option if I did not want to have to make a return visit. 
Our first stop was at RagApple Lassie Vineyards which probably offered one of the most picturesque opportunities to net my shot. I wasted no time pulling the car over on the sides of country roads and was even treated to some horn blowing by the locals. I cannot imagine what I looked like with the camera strap around my neck acting like a panicked paparazzi. My first thought is that I was more than likely some lost tourist stopping off the side of the road for a photo op. Surely enough, a photo op I had with the great skies and views of Pilot Mountain.
Little did I know, but I did not have to go much further than RagApple Lassie. One of my best shots selected for the magazine came from this particular vineyard. The view of the winery offers winding rows of grapes with a dusk view of Pilot Mountain far in the distance. The images was taken from the same vantage point as the one just above, but inclusive of the rows of grapes and recently tilled soil. Regardless, Shanti and I scurried along from vineyard to vineyard until the sun offered little light or little hope of another print worthy view. Overall, we visited four vineyards in a one hour stretch. Getting lost proved to add a little humor to the stress of having to get "that one shot." All is well that ends well and surely enough I will have something to smile about when the July edition lands in my mailbox. I sure wish I could have all of these images put to print, but alas only one lucky one gets the honor. The others are here for your enjoyment. Wine anyone? Cheers. Come visit Yadkin Valley sometime. You will not be disappointed. 
For the ride home I elected to sit in the passenger's seat with Shanti at the wheel. The vantage point offered a unique glimpse of a moon rising and sun setting.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
At the Feeder
At the Feeder
For me, watching birds at the feeder is the equivalent to watching the waves at the beach or enjoying a sunset. If not the same, then at least a chance to be distracted by something nature provides. It's entertaining to watch these flapping and hopping finches dine at the Cebollero household at almost all hours of the day. Relaxation is not far away my friends.
For me, watching birds at the feeder is the equivalent to watching the waves at the beach or enjoying a sunset. If not the same, then at least a chance to be distracted by something nature provides. It's entertaining to watch these flapping and hopping finches dine at the Cebollero household at almost all hours of the day. Relaxation is not far away my friends.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Happy Colors, Happy Place
Happy Colors, Happy Place
If I had to make one admission about color selections regarding decisions to purchase almost any personal accessory, it would be that I am typically not fond of most brightly colored objects. I am your typical conservative navy blue, hunter's green, tan, or grey kind of guy. That is not saying much for a photographer with an artistic intuition I suppose. However, when I saw this umbrella on the beach I then quickly realized that being at the beach had nothing to do with color choice or being conservative. What is not to love about a brightly colored homes, bicycles, snow cones, beach balls, or maybe even an umbrella when you are AT THE BEACH? After all, aside from Disney World, the beach has got to be one of the happiest places on Earth that I could ever find myself in place of, say, a desk and a cubicle. So Mr. Conservative colors guy, "Leave you bland grey beach chair at home and trade up for something a little more cheerful."
If I had to make one admission about color selections regarding decisions to purchase almost any personal accessory, it would be that I am typically not fond of most brightly colored objects. I am your typical conservative navy blue, hunter's green, tan, or grey kind of guy. That is not saying much for a photographer with an artistic intuition I suppose. However, when I saw this umbrella on the beach I then quickly realized that being at the beach had nothing to do with color choice or being conservative. What is not to love about a brightly colored homes, bicycles, snow cones, beach balls, or maybe even an umbrella when you are AT THE BEACH? After all, aside from Disney World, the beach has got to be one of the happiest places on Earth that I could ever find myself in place of, say, a desk and a cubicle. So Mr. Conservative colors guy, "Leave you bland grey beach chair at home and trade up for something a little more cheerful."
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