a thousand words

Another Heurich, Another Award
At the Awards Banquet at the Maryland Professional Photographers Annual Convention, I was proud to be in the audience while the Cinnamon Girl assisted with the presentation of awards and trophies to deserving photographer. I was even prouder, as was she, to witness the awarding in his absence of the Electronic Imaging Photographer of the Year 1st Runner Up to our son Colter. Shortly after our return from Florida, he hightailed it to California to live the next phase of his life in the Santa Cruz area, a new resident of the Great State of Caulifohrnehah, as its Governator would say.

And no, this isn't the funny drinks talking.

This weekend saw the Maryland Professional Photographers Annual Convention take place in Columbia, Maryland. Very good programs for a State affiliate of the national PPA and good people in attendance. At the trade show, my favorite printer was present, represented by this wonderful young woman, who bravely mugged for this posed image - with the cooperation of some _NOT_ irate photographer-attendees. I sent this image to her boss - who responded without the batting of a single digital eyelash. He knows the caliber of the people who go out on the road, representin'. His company is the kind where the employees actually look forward to going to work every day.

Snow gently falls. I feel a sense of comfort with this kind of snowfall, it engenders a contemplative, tranquil, peaceful sense of appreciation for the moment and the gifts proffered which make it all possible.

Devil bug evolving into a respiratory torment. My mom has been suffering a malady not entirely dissimilar, yet more concerning given her age and the nature of these things. Visiting her is not an option for me, being the carrier of this nasty devil bug as it were. Got to keep the big wheel turning - even when it's not attached to a paddle steamer.

One more play day in Florida begins with an atmospheric sunrise. I feel a devil bug approaching. It feel's as though I've been dropped from a height onto concrete.

Included in our travels today was a trip to the local Apple Store to acquire a case to better protect my iPhone than my pocket can by itself - seein' as how I intend to hang onto it for a while. The photo tells the tale of where my head spends a lot of its time... inside and Apple (computer).

A stop at a beachfront restaurant for its genuine, authentic, original, homemade Key Lime Pie and then finding the light of one more Florida sunset shining on the Cinnamon Girl.

Packing and preparing for the flight north on the morrow. Then head to the pillow.

a day for exploring after ImagingUSA wraps. We headed to barrier island beaches south of Tampa, down the Gulf coast of Florida.

park different

Seafood is big in these parts

It won't be long 'til he has the chance to stand with the sunset to his back on beaches 3000 miles to the west!

Stopping for victuals on the way back to Tampa, the light outside this strip mall was markedly different from the natural light captured in camera just a short while before on the beach. What caught my eye about this scene of a person on the phone outside a restaurant was the painterly quality of the light and textures.

Talk about an exclusive casa. In amongst the insurance company and banking buildings, with the other commercial structures in downtown Tampa, This home sits high atop on of the more prominent buildings.

The wrap party was held at the Tampa Aquarium, a short pleasant walk from our hotel. This was a cool place to have a party - even if they wouldn't let me in the tanks with the real life at the party.

A long day at ImagingUSA - rising at 4:20 to help my friend Rod Evans set up for his program. He's a great photographer, instructor, general hummin bean and good guy. Brunch and conversation followed, then more speakers programs and conversations with people on the trade show floor.

Evening in Tampa is illuminated by a potpourrie of light sources, making for interesting lighting.

Escalator at the Tampa Convention Center or boarding ramp for an intergalactic cruise liner - You be the judge.

I have a growing folio of chandelier and ceiling light fixtures. This chandelier was in the room containing the Super Program, aka keynote presentation at ImagingUSA. It featured Howard Schatz. His work is amazing, in no small part to his work ethic. He was not on my radar prior to this trip. Synchronistically, we both are drawn to similar subjects and mediums. It's a water thing.

The circus is in town, for Ringling Bros. it's a local hop from where they prep and rehearse to the venue in Tampa. Be careful where you traipse, the sidewalk is downhill and downstream of the elephants' holding area. You had to walk past here to get to the party hosted by my print lab White House Custom Colour. They make my professional life easier and their parties are not to be missed.

Two lovely - our friend Neia and the Cinnamon Girl at the WHCC fête. The party was at a place with games of all sorts and manner. We bowled and miracle of miracles, no one was killed or maimed by errant bowling balls!

Imaging USA is the annual PPA (Professional Photographers of America) conference. Each year the location and venue changes. This year it's in Tampa, Florida. Sunny, but not so far south as to guarantee tropical heat - at least at this time of the year. Still, it's quite alright by me, a large North American mammal with a preference for more temperate climes. Today is a day for settling in and a bit of local exploration.

a quiet beginning of the day for Cinnamon Girl

Even without windows, every room has a view. Fortunately, in as much as windows are preferred, this room affords an acceptable view.

the winding steps to the Tampa Convention Center where the majority of the associated events occur

Conveniently, our hotel for the duration is just across the street from the Convention Center.

at a very good organic raw food vegan restaurant, which merits the Cinnamon Girl's seal or approval, we met another satisfied customer and her mom

riding the shanks mare our exploration revealed not all fish are in the sea - a land shark

In the evening the PPA Charities Celebration raised awareness and funds for Operation Smile - a good time was had by all.