Davis Island Marina - Tampa, FL
Today's entry is a tribute to a few people who have really made a difference in my photography. I have mentions in here, in no particular order of importance, people who have along the way given me some really honest feedback, support, advice, and most of all, the encouragement to really keep me going at it. Delusional? Perhaps, but I think my photography is finally going somewhere.
Today was the kind of rare occurrence, much like the happenings of outer space, where I felt like the moons, stars, and planets aligned and all of the pictures came out just right. Or, maybe I finally picked a good day to get out and shoot.
Today was also the day our team photographer,
Matt May, finalized his employment and short tenure with the Buccaneers. I don't know what it was about the first time I expressed to him my interest in photography, but I think I came off a bit arrogant. It reminded me a lot of myself when I would meet people that "knew something about computers." I've worked the trenches to get to where I am and so has he. I guess I neglected that a bit when I first held a DSLR and "knew something about photography." He's a real professional and overall great person to have stuck it out with my constant nagging and questioning. I have come a long way since the first time I made the correlation between aperture, shutter speed, and an ISO setting. For that, I thank you Matt.
A few months ago I gave a rather big "thank you" to a guy named
David Pritchard. Dave was the photographer that I met at the 2005 Gala Corina local art show. I really only interacted with Dave one time in person, but he made a real impact on how I viewed photography. In one word - humble. Faded away are thoughts of money bags, but instead a life of humble art and photography. Not to be mistaken, he is a true professional and is passionate about breaking into the bigger scene, but humble is something that describes a person willing to slow down and get to know you on a personal level. Dave, we really should hook up and do some Holga shooting.
Influence is a very powerful thing. I am the very sentimental type. When I talk to someone about my photography it's because I have extended myself. Art to me is still a very personal thing and this blog is going a long way to slowly put it out there. My eyes and ears record the looks, words, sincerity, and overall abstract signals of how the people around me interact and offer me their support. I hear you and everything you have told me - or not.
To those of you that have ever offered me an ear and in return spoken a word of encouragement, I humbly thank you. Shanti, my family,
MaryAnn/Robb,
Wayne Pearce,
Stephanie B, J. Johnson, Gar, BW, Lauren, Russ & Family, Troy, Andres, J Dirt, Jay & Judy, the online world of
TC,
xForce, The Sunds, and a bunch of other people that I have somehow lost their names in my grey matter bit bucket. You people rock. I hope to continue producing enjoyable photography that will keep you coming here.
Thank you for your complaints and compliments.
Eugenio
Just a few short blog entries ago I slowly began delving into the discipline of stock photography and product highlighting. For this entry I finally encountered my first opportunity to flex my work in a commercial environment and bring you to the forefront of an old past time of mine. 
and finely tuned computer gaming unit (CGU) found at "xForce Gamez." Not only are they more than capable of handling the most intense games released on the market, but their perfect techno-artistic arrangement and presentation on the walls scream to be taken for a test drive. The environment at "xForce Gamez" embraces the energy of techno/club-like venue right smack in the middle of a top secret military location, but without the ear piercing distortion of stadium speakers. The gaming area is a constant hue of blue light featuring neat arrangement of individual gaming stations across a wall length desk. Each station features a comfortable high back leather chair, molded cupholder to secure your favorite gaming beverage, and individual headset/microphone combination for in-game communications with team members.
our own gear to a friend's house just so that we could have the chance to play head to head against one another. Yes folks - computer towers, 19" tube monitors, and peripherals lugged to a friend's house in order to enjoy a connected game play experience. Broadband internet connections were not yet affordable to just anyone, hyped computers were further out of reach, and frankly we were not all that interested in running our games through servers hosted someplace out on the world wide web. This new type of gaming center introduces all of the conveniences we used to crave. Sure, broadband internet is becoming much faster and computer components more affordable, but there's nothing like arriving on site and going straight for a headshot in your favorite first person shooter or fender bending in the hottest auto racing game without ever having to connect a single wire.
computer network gaming I could not find enough time to compete online. Meeting other people that shared the interest in network/LAN gaming started to become more prevalent. Often times we would meet at someone's house on the weekend to "frag" for more than 24 hours at a time. (Frag is a gaming word best defined as a "kill" - or points scored for eliminating opponents on the virtual battlefield.) We were no strangers to sleeping with our heads on the keyboards or draped across the floor under the desk. To keep sharp during long gaming sessions, the choice used to be limited to products like Jolt Cola, Mountain Dew, or coffee. The idea for energy long past the power of a cup of "joe" got into the minds of some beverage manfucturers and before you knew it you could practically get a boost of energy from a tiny can of some energy concoction. "xForce" not only has the gamer in 
mind with their offering of smokin' fast computer gear and gaming selection, but they also have your favorite booster drink in house to keep you playing long beyond your enemy has slumped in his chair.
Ah yes, the Florida seagull. I am no naturalist, but I can easily tell you that they have a steady diet of potato chips, peanuts, cheesy puffs, and any other finger food a tourist can throw at them. Their incessant screaming can be directly linked to their diet.
So when was the last time you went to the beach? If you are a local, then I would guess it was spring or summertime. In truth, the winter can be just as nice if not nicer. Visiting the beach in winter means that you don't have to sit in 3-5 hours of traffic while you try and make it to an overcrowded beach. Springtime is a gamble with the many intoxicated spring break crowd threatening the roads. There is something special about Honeymoon, however. Even in summer, this beach does not attract the crazies. Perhaps it's a lack of bars and gift shops, but
come in summer and all you will find are a handfull of local beachgoers. This evening's weather was very mild. It was a low of about 68 degrees and a slight breeze to make any Floridian shiver. Honeymoon Beach isn't necessarily for the swimmer, but as the title of this entry implies, it's perfect for sunsets and strolling. I also forgot to mention that in a separate part of the park there is a dog beach. I may introduce a segment of my blog dedicated to dog park visits, but for now let's stick to randomness. The park also has a ferry to Caladesi Island State Park - another treasure for the Florida local. I won't make mention of it just yet since I have a feeling I will be making a trip there again soon.
the same DVD play over and over. The dull rest was well deserved and needed for a promising week. The walk on the beach was very much like waking up from the long weekend. It was a real pleasure to tote a camera around and snap off a few shots. Hopefully I took a picture of something that you enjoyed. Hopefully next week I'll bring you something other than palmettos. If you have any special requests - heck, if you want me to photography you - just let me know. I'm game for anything. Hmmm...I may have to open up my blog for suggestions! Enjoy.
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