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.

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.

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."

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend







Summer is officially here. We celebrated by taking a long drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway in search of meager accommodations (aka camping). Finding a single tent site proved to be a difficult task as everyone across America had the same idea as we did. After about 2 hours of driving from site to site, we eventually came across a public park with one or two open spots. We parked, unpacked, and settled in for a great Saturday evening overnight camp.

There is something to be said about camping in the mountains. The breeze is all you need to keep cool and there is a never a shortage of fresh air for those moments when the last thing on your mind is a day at work.

Homes on Kure Beach, NC

Homes on Kure Beach, NC


Trapped between a real life Skittles commerical and the end of a colorful rainbow is a small coastal community in the town of Kure Beach, NC. If ever there was a place to paint a house using colors only a child's crayon box could contain, then choose any coastline, Carribean community, or some South American home to do it. Perhaps a fishing village tucked away someplace in Europe inspired this Carolinian coastline development to paint vibrant colors in this community, but in truth, the real inspiration behind this brightly color palette has mostly to do with one thing: relaxation. If you have the need to get away and own a beachfront home, then perhaps the only "cure" is Kure Beach.

Stone Mountain Sunday

Stone Mountain Sunday

In exchange for Florida beaches are North Carolinian mountains full of hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, climbing, you-nameit-ING and it's here. Sure, there is no replacing the sound of waves and seagulls, but the hypnotic sounds of waterfalls, flowing creeks, and the wind blowing through the trees sure gives me that same feeling of just being relaxed. I have yet to decide which I prefer, whether the mountains or the beaches, but I am in no hurry to abandon either. I figure a few years in the deserts of Arizona or New Mexico might be another future quest for tranquility. Maybe someday I will pursue life in a big city filled with sky scrapers and subway systems.

Shanti, Marley, and I hiked a nice 6.5 mile "Stone Mountain Loop" trail that takes hikers to the summit of Stone Mountain. The view at the top was spectacular and so was the nice breeze that cooled us off after a near vertical climb to the top. We had been here before a few years ago with our good friends Russell and Becca, but for some reason I do not recall the hike being this painful.


Stone Mountain offers many trails varying in degrees of difficulty. The trail guide for the hike we took was labeled as "Very Strenuous." At some parts of the hike you nearly have to lean down and place a hand on the rock face just to keep your balance. The incline becomes near vertical, and in some places, the exhaustion could make one dizzy and susceptible to tumbling down the stone face. Most of the trails are littered with broken stones, gravel, and other loose debris. Without exercising care, one could easily twist an ankle on the exposed roots.
Carrying my camera became quite the chore after the first rigorous hour of hiking - so was anything else in my pockets. The day was cool and the wind was constant, but the sun was on overdrive making my clothes feel like it came out of the dryer.
The views were worthwhile and the photos perfect souvenirs of a day of exercise. I absolutely enjoy every minute of being outdoors. I look forward to some rugged trail riding on my new mountain bike and many more adventures with a camera strapped around my neck. Hopefully you'll keep dropping in to see what is new and what life in North Carolina has been like for this Floridian.

Washington DC - Holga Photography

Washington DC - Holga Photography

"Dinner at Union Station"

"Shanti's Starbucks for Starters"

"Gravel Path to the Capitol"

"Washington Monument by Moonlight"

"White House Lawn"

"Leaving Rosslyn Station"

Right This Way

Right This Way

*This painting in the National Gallery of Art is used to assist the gallery patron in locating the restroom.

"Family Outing"

"A Room of Gentlemen"

*Ok, so that's as funny as I get on April 1st. See you soon. :)

World War II Memorial - Washington DC

World War II Memorial - Washington DC



This particular memorial had far too many features to capture. So, instead I decided to take a series of about six photos and stitch them together and present them as one photo. If I lived remotely close to DC (i.e. within a rail's ride) I would be there quite often just to photograph and seek unique opportunities to capture life. But, I live in North Carolina. Perhaps I should get back out into the mountains more often. Enjoy.

Kids at Play - Washington Monument

Kids at Play - Washington Monument


At the base of the Washington National Monument is a series of vents that release steam from below the surface. I had no idea what the source of the steam was from, but it made me wonder if I would allow my child to play on top of the grates. It made me remember how boring I thought DC was when I first visited. If I were their age I would have been doing the exact same thing. Now, whether or not my parents would have allowed me to play on there is a different story.

Hello Mr. President....(sort of)

Hello Mr. President....(sort of)



We spent Sunday walking the National Mall and surrounding monuments just taking in the awesome weather and walking up to some of the monuments and memorials. Sometime in the early afternoon while we were at the base of the Washington Monument we had seen a horse mounted officer directing anyone with an airborne kite to bring them down. Now, I know in the post 9/11 world there is plenty of room for paranoia, but this seemed a bit odd. After all, it was a beautiful day and there were plenty of kids with their parents enjoying their day. Well, sure enough not but a few moments later we heard Marine One just over the horizon. Luckily for us, we were in the right place at the right time. I watched Marine One fly right over head and land on the White House lawn just like I had seen on TV all of those times on the news. It was an interesting moment. I have a feeling that is the closest I will ever be to meeting the President.

A Weekend in Washington DC

A Weekend in Washington DC


In my previous post Shanti and I ventured out to a local part to revisit and relearn some history. We were supposed to head back to the Guilford Courthouse for the annual battle re-enactment, but unfortunately the task of tearing up our yard and starting over in the hopes of growing grass took precedence. This weekend, however, we took advantage of the short 5 hour drive to Washington DC. For Shanti, this was her first visit to our nation's most important city. When I was younger my family took a trip, but of course that particular visit felt like it took place in another lifetime. My recollections are far and few.

DAY 1: Find the hotel, get our bearings, and figure out the public transit system. As luck would have it, I happened to choose a hotel with a "Metro" rail station just across the street. Previously, I anticipated days of driving and fighting for parking with other tourists. The Metro system proved to be a huge convenience and relief. Riding subway trains are just another part of the experience.

Our first "day 1" did not actually take place until Saturday (3/24) when we woke up early and headed out to see the sites. The weather forecast called for clouds and rain. Luckily, all we got were the clouds and the occasional mist. We spent 90% of the day walking into museums. On our first day out we visited the National Air & Space Museum, National Art Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History. I can tell you with a great degree of certainty that I could have easily spent an entire day exploring each of these museums. We did the best we could with the time we had and walked briskly and attentively. One of the attractions that caught our attention in the Nat'l Air/Space Museum was a Japanese kite festival. Inside of the museum were kite flying demos, kites for kids build sessions, and many other wings on display.


On the occasion to where it did not appear to be raining Shanti and I walked throughout the National Mall taking a moment every now and again to make a photo of anything in sight. The overcast sky made for a great black and white image of the Capitol Building.



A good friend of mine from a model rocketry forum suggested we spend the evening riding the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour that operates just outside of Union Station. This was exactly what we needed - a quick way to get around town, see the sights, and have someone narrarate the history behind all of it. One of our first stops was at the FDR Memorial. Across the river was a stunning view of the Washington Monument.



One of our final stops of the evening was at the Iwo Jima Memorial. I had no idea how big this statue was nor did I ever really reflect on the significance of the event that this memorial represents. It was truly moving to stand beneath this larger than life statue and reflect on the sacrifices made by US Marines at the Japanese island.



I have many more photos to upload and share. Please check back later in the week when I have more photos from our weekend trip to DC posted. See you soon.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park




I cannot believe I have been away from Florida nearly 1 year! The last weekend of March marks my first week living in North Carolina. Exploring this state - mostly the surrounding areas - has been a lot of fun and a large part of what consumes my weekends. I enjoy the simplicity of toting my camera and capturing bits and pieces of my new experiences.

This week also marks a much more significant anniversary. Nearly 226 years ago a major Revolutionary War battle was fought not only 25 minutes from where I live! Rather than repeat the history found all over the web, why not check out their website and do a little reading? ;) http://www.nps.gov/guco - Lucky for me, this weekend is the annual re-enactment of the war. As a kid this kind of stuff would have bored me to tears. Many many years later and it still does. I am kidding of course although I look forward to photographing the event and bringing to my weblog some new images from the event.



Guilford Courthouse Park does not offer all that much for the eyes to enjoy. Rather, the park is host to many walking and biking trails for anyone looking to enjoy the kind of weather we are having this spring. Along the trails are markers with informational panels describing what major event took place at each site. Every so often there is a statue to commemorate some other historical figure that had some major involvement. I would probably prefer to have some book reader narrarate through a headset as I envision a battle or some other event. I just have a hard time reading something and then looking into an open field. My imagination is not as vivid as it was when I was a kid. For those without an imagination, the park developers did a great job of putting together a museum chock full of artifacts, displays, mini-movies, and plenty of reading material. They even have a small gift shop for the thrilled tourist.



I am not a history buff nor do I know anything about nature. Perhaps some day I might take the time to learn a little bit of both seeing how much I enjoy capturing their images. Next weekend promises to have a lot of activity at the park. I look forward to the mock encampments, gun battles, and demonstrations for us non-history folk. I may even make a mental note or two.

This mini-history visit is just the warm-up for our visit to Washington DC in the next couple of weekends. I truly look forward to seeing history through the eyes of an adult. I can't even remember my last visit to DC. I'll be taking plenty of photos. Who knows what I will remember in another 20 years!



Above: A park patrons enjoys life by sitting on a park bench, enjoying the weather, and admiring the statue of Nathanael Greene at the end of the field.

Upper Cascades - Hanging Rock Park, NC

Upper Cascades - Hanging Rock Park, NC

Wow - it has been forever and a day since I got out and just took pictures for the fun of it. Most of what has been delaying my blog content for the past few months has been somewhat tied to work. I'm not complaining - photographing for a magazine has been fun, but getting out to shoot without any strings attached is just plain relaxing. Shanti and I decided to get out and enjoy the early spring weather on this Sunday. We visited one of our favorite local parks just outside of Winston Salem.

I have mentioned Hanging Rock probably two other times in previous posts. Each visit is unique and always enjoyable. Today's weather was quite deceptive since we measured how things would feel based on how it felt on the doorstep. We probably experienced temperatures somewhere in the mid 60s. However, upon arriving at the park in higher altitudes we both realized that it was more like low 40s. The hike kept us warm and Marley sure enjoyed being out of the house.

Every visit to Hanging Rock means that we will hike a different trail. We have probably only hit 3 of more than a dozen trails scattered throughout the park and around the small mountains. This particular trail led us down 1/3 of a mile to a very peaceful cascade where we spent a good 45 minutes or longer just enjoying the sound. As you can see by the above black and white image, some of the icicles were still holding on for dear life. I found several detached pieces on the floor beneath the small ledge where I was setting up to photograph. Those icicles quickly reminded us that it was cold and that staying out for a sunset was not going to happen unless a hot chocolate vendor happened to be wandering through the woods.

To those that are coming by to check on this blog, I assure you it will soon have more content. The weather is getting warmer and let's just say that I "skipped" winter entirely. Thanks for stopping by.


Shanti and Marley find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the sounds of the falls.

This Close

"This Close"

A conversation to be had 30 years from now - "Well son, I came 'this close' to making it to the pros."

Where are the pictures?

Where are the pictures?

I saw the list below posted on a photography forum by member "BigRed450" recently. The post date was actually in June of 2005, but the comments resonated with my current situation.

Progression of a Photographer

1. You start out with very little knowledge
2. You start doing research and realize it is much more difficult than you imagined.
3. You begin to pick up knowledge, the technical side of things.
4. You begin to use the technical knowledge and it works.
5. You start to feel as if you are mastering the technical
6. You begin to feel you know a LOT.
7. You start posting images that you are proud of.
8. You KNOW your images are better than much of what you see.
9. Family and friends start to oooo and aaaahhh at your images
10. Pro's don't seem to acknowledge you.
11. You think it's jealousy.
12. You reach a valley in your photography. You are starting to notice that your images aren't quite what you thought they would be.
13. You start to notice that, in your images, the models hands, the composition, the depth...isn't quite what you wanted.
14. Even your very favorite photograph isn't as good as you once thought. "I should have . . . "
15. You are now completely dissatisfied with everything you have ever shot.
16. You begin to realize that your photography is NOTHING compared to the masters.
17. You begin to see the differences in your photography compared to what you see published.
18. Now you are beginning to learn.

So I am at a crossroads. I am somewhere between burned out and curious as to what is next. This is truly a learning process more painful than anything I would have previously imagined.

Somewhere after item #18 is something I came up with called "The Rule of 1000." Basically, I have purchased every piece of starter equipment that I can afford for under $1000 and I have done a decent job at what I've done with that equipment. Those purchases have gotten me to where I am now. But, where do I go from here? "The Rule of 1000" now says that any piece of equipment I buy from this point forward will cost me a minimum of $1,000 dollars. Example - An Entry Level Pro Lighting Kit: $1,600; A new camera body: $4,999; A Pro Printer: $1,200; A competent computer with storage for processing hundreds of digital images: $2,400; Lens (any kind - wide angle, portrait, telephoto): $1,200 - $8,000+; A professionally designed website outsourced to a designer: $2,600+

The rub here is that I have found a level of competance that can no longer "make do" with prosumer equipment. I have also found myself at a crossroads of actual cost versus creative fees. I'm stuck. Without a formal education in photography or the accessibility of a "master" willing to take on an "apprentice" I will soon have to make a distinction between hobby and profession.

I have been very fortunate to have experienced so much in such a little amount of time. Memories are many and experiences unique from anything else. #18 is prevalent - I'm beginning to learn.

Pictures will eventually find their way back on this website. Some day.