Robert La Follette | Photography

All Bark & No Bite

2008-08-19T10:49:00.003-04:00

Tropical Storm Fay limped ashore around 5am just south of Marco Island, Florida. Here in Tampa Bay, all of the warnings and watches have been dropped since we will see nothing but a few showers and perhaps a bit of a breeze.

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View A Photo Of TS Fay's Effects At Ponce Inlet Beach
(Photo Taken From Our Friend Tammy At The Marine Science Center)
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Turned out to be more hype then anything, for the forecasts had it coming to the bay area and it was going to be the end of the world. Amazing what difference a day makes.

Calm Before The Storm

2008-08-18T10:30:00.012-04:00

It's about 36 hours before Fay comes this way, and so far, it has been very quiet. Not much going on, as Downtown Clearwater is sunny with light clouds.

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Morning: View A HDR Photo Of Downtown Clearwater (JPG - 260KB)

Evening: View A HDR Photo Of The Dunedin Causeway (JPG - 260KB)
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The latest forecast has it coming in around Cape Coral, however it not for certain as the path keeps shifting east and west with each update.

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9PM UPDATE:

I made my way up to Honeymoon Island, however, due to the risk of storm surge, they closed the park. I ended up taking some shots from the Dunedin Causeway while dodging some raindrops. It was also low tide, and it seemed the shorebirds didn't have a care in the world, for they went about their usual business.

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5PM UPDATE:

Still no rain, but we can see it in the distance out over the Gulf of Mexico. The cloud formations however are very wicked.

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3PM UPDATE:

The first cloud bands have made their way into Clearwater. No winds or rain, but the cloud formations are impressive looking.

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Seems from the latest advisory Tampa Bay has once again missed the bullet. Won't know for certain until tomorrow, but it looks as if all we will get is some rain. Stay tuned...

Under The Gun

2008-08-17T19:06:00.001-04:00

Currently, Tropical Storm Fay is making its way over Cuba and is expected to make it's turn into the Gulf of Mexico and head towards Florida. I have been watching the computer models on the storms projected path, and this one no one knows quite where it is headed. It was going towards Ft. Myers, then to Tampa, up to the panhandle and now back at Tampa.

Wherever it goes, Fay will certainly become a category one hurricane, for the entire bay area and south is now under a hurricane watch. It is predicted to pass here Tuesday around 8pm, and already there are lines forming for gasoline, and for supplies at local grocery and hardware stores.

I will be blogging live starting late Monday, first from Clearwater Beach, then from Honeymoon Island with photos and video of the approaching storm. Tuesday's plan is still questionable due to where it goes. Stay tuned...

Lazy Day At The Beach

2008-08-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

It was an easy day on Saturday, as there wasn't much going on. I got a call from an old friend, Blake, who I met on a workshop I conducted in Oregon and Montreal last year. He just moved to the Tampa area from Houston, so I invited him to explore my favorite place, Honeymoon Island.

It was great seeing Blake again, and we spent the entire afternoon just bumming around, doing lots of High Dynamic Range photos when we found something of interest. When we made our way to the beach, we found a bonus of an Oystercatcher sifting through the sand looking for an evening snack.

We had hoped for a great sunset, however some low lying clouds moved in just before it reached the horizon, however we did get some great shots of it before it disappeared. Since it was low tide, lots of interesting tidal pools made for some interesting foregrounds. All in all it was a great day hanging out at the beach, which is always a good thing.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

In The Crosshairs?

2008-08-15T23:22:00.001-04:00

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. With a very quite hurricane season so far, Tropical Storm Fay is gathering strength in the Caribbean, and this weekend will be crucial to what happens next. Current models have it sweeping by Tampa Bay Tuesday evening (why do all these storms come in the dark?).

It's still way too early to tell where this storm is going, or if it will form into a Category 1 Hurricane by the time it reaches the bay area. Needless to say I will be ready to take photos and videos of it if Fay comes along our beaches. Stay tuned...

What's At Stake For Florida

2008-08-14T12:04:00.002-04:00

A few months ago, I was invited by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to participate in their new campaign, "Wildlife 2060: What's At Stake For Florida". It is a study on the impact of development in the state of Florida, and our impact on the wildlife and natural resources around us.

Florida's natural lands and waters are at the core of our state's prosperity, bringing billions of dollars in economic benefits to our state every year. Our forests, rivers and creeks, and coastal waters are invaluable to fish and wildlife, and to our own quality of life.

But recent predictions indicate that our state's human population may double to 36 million in the next 50 years. If that happens, as a study published by 1000 Friends of Florida suggests, about 7 million acres of land could be converted from rural and natural to urban uses. If we develop as we have in the past, roads, shopping malls and subdivisions will replace the rich diversity our landscape currently offers. Development also will impact our coastal waters and coral reefs.

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Read The Report "Wildlife 2060: What's At Stake For Florida" (PDF - 3.2MB)

View The New Web Site "Wildlife 2060: What's At Stake For Florida"
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Several of my photographs were used in the development of the program, and I am especially proud to help contribute to this project. It certainly is an eye opening report, for I can attest to the amount of beauty we have here in Florida, one that cannot be replaced if we loose it. What does the future hold for Florida's fish and wildlife? That's up to all of us.

HDR Sunset Colors

2008-08-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

On my way back home from spending the afternoon with the Black Skimmers on the beach on Sunday, I stopped at the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge to capture the amazing colors of the sunset as it set behind Clearwater Beach in the distance.

Even though I have photographed this bridge several times in the past, I decided to do some High Dynamic Range (HDR) images of the bridge. HDR is quickly becoming my favorite tool of choice when shooting architecture.

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View A HDR Photo Of The Clearwater Memorial Causeway (JPG - 132KB)
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It still amazes me just how detailed HDR images are if you know how to set them up right when capturing them. If you look closely, you can see a Night Heron as he stands motionless looking for an evening snack in the bridge base!

Beach Babies

2008-08-11T01:31:00.002-04:00

Sunday was about as perfect as you could ask for. Light winds, low humidity, no rain and lots of blue skies and sunshine. Since it's been a while since I have been down to Reddington Beach, I decided to get out of the house and take a break and spend the afternoon enjoying the beach.

I was hoping to see if the colony of Black Skimmers was still there, although it is really late in the year for any babies. As luck would have it, not only were there babies, but lots of them. I ran into a volunteer from the St. Petersburg Audubon who said when they did this years baby count, the number was over 150, three times more than last year.

They were running all over the place, some tiny, some already as big as their parents, although they don't quite have their adult plumage yet. I ended up spending about five hours with them, and enjoyed every minute of it. Just watching them run around, sleeping and playing in the surf made for a great Sunday afternoon.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

Summer Waterspout

2008-08-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

My brother-in-law, Todd Bemak who is a movie producer and director in Cleveland, Ohio made the prime time newscast back home on the local NBC affiliate. Todd captured a waterspout that was forming over Lake Erie near his home in Willowick, Ohio. Needless to say he was excited to not only see one, since it was the first in his life, but to also capture it on film and make it on television.

Here along the Florida Gulf Coast we see them occasionally, especially during the heat of the summer months. As a matter of fact, late Friday evening, I spotted on that was forming on the north end of Clearwater Beach. It never made it all the way down, but it still is an impressive sight to see.

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View The WKYC Weathercast With Waterspout Over Willowick
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Way to go Todd on not only capturing the waterspout, but to make it on the local Cleveland news!

Da Ballers

2008-08-09T02:45:00.001-04:00

All things must come to an end. Sadly, that is the co-ed softball team I play on with my friend John on Friday nights. With only two games left in the season, John decided to bring his camera to capture some photos of the action, and since he was lucky enough to get to be the designated hitter, he had plenty of time on his hands.

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View The Ballers Softball Photo Gallery
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Even though it was a lot of fun, the pinnacle was when we won the cup last season and I made a lot of friends in the meantime. Long live Da Ballers!

Wildlife Photography 101

2008-08-08T09:56:00.003-04:00

When we hear the words "Wildlife Photography", we may immediately see a vast, open plain in Africa, where herds of wild elephants, zebras and big cats roam free. We may also have visions of a soaring and majestic bald eagle or perhaps polar bears in the far north of Alaska. Maybe some will see monkeys swinging overhead in the remote jungles of South America. Whatever comes to your mind, being a wildlife photographer is a richly rewarding and greatly educational experience, whether you plan to do it professionally or as a weekend hobby.

Starting on September 12, 2008, join me at the Perfect Picture School of Photography for an exciting new course titled "Wildlife Photography 101". Each week for the next four weeks, I will take you on a journey like no other as you will explore how to capture some of life's most beautiful creatures, from the birds of prey, songbirds and shorebirds, as well as many of our common and not so common animals, reptiles and amphibians that you can find right in your own backyard. Think you don't have lots of wildlife around you? Then be prepared as I will help you seek out that wildlife, as well how to photograph exotic birds and animals that you can find at your local zoo!

Every lesson is jammed packed with information, tips, and tricks on how to capture award winning images, from the camera to the digital darkroom. We will also explore some very interesting techniques that take the ordinary and turn it into a piece of art that will give you the tools to see the world around from a whole new perspective. For those who may have pets at home, we also cover just how to make your beloved best friend look as cute as they can be. When you are ready to take that wildlife photography safari or workshop, this course will get you prepared when you arrive and have that split second decision to capture the moment flawlessly each and every time.

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Learn More About Wildlife Photography 101 At The Perfect Picture School of Photography
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Wildlife Photography 101 is based in part on the article I wrote that appeared in Florida Wildlife Magazine as well as a very popular lecture series I teach in the Tampa, Florida area, but takes that article and information much deeper and in-depth. It is considered the "how-to" blueprint on wildlife photography, and this course will give you the insight and information like no other available today. Each week as we explore these invaluable subjects, you will be given an assignment and critiqued on how to improve your shot which will begin your journey on enjoying the world and nature around you.

Florida Wildlife Magazine

2008-08-07T21:54:00.001-04:00

I received an email from the editor at Florida Wildlife Magazine today. Recently, I submitted an in-depth and one of the most comprehensive articles I have ever written, and it is on the nature and beauty of one of Florida's most delicate ecosystem, the Florida Mangroves.

Along with the extensive article, there will also be numerous photographs that I shot while spending a month of Saturdays in the mangroves at Honeymoon Island. It contains some of the most interesting images I captured of all of the creatures that can be found there, most of which few realize even exist.

Florida Wildlife Magazine also will be publishing lots of other photographs as well, most of which were taken in one of my favorite places, the beautiful Everglades. All of these photographs, as well as the article will be appearing in the September-October issue. If you are into the wildlife in Florida, this is a MUST read magazine, for it is the best I have ever seen.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

Catching Up

2008-08-05T19:34:00.001-04:00

This summer is going by fast. It has certainly been the craziest, with lots going on project-wise. First a recap and then some some exciting news of things to come. One of my largest projects lately was photographing the entire catalog of gift shop items for the Tampa Bay & Company. That was a great project, and I have finally finished it!

Next is the launch of my new project with my good friend John Jacobsen, is the new PhotoHelp 101 web site. If you haven't seen this site yet, stop by for a look, and I can honestly say this is only the beginning. We have lots in store coming, but I won't let the cat out of the bag. You'll have to see it to believe it. Also recently launched was the Fundamentals of Composition site for an extensive online photography course in composition at the Perfect Picture School of Photography.

My book, Tampa Bay: A Photographic Portrait is flying off the shelves here in Tampa Bay, and I gotta admit, it's a little weird to see you own book when you walk into Barnes & Noble. So I bought a copy online! I even got a nice review of the book which was awesome.

I also recently had a real large turnout for a Nature & Bird Photography lecture on my favorite place, Honeymoon Island. I met some great people, and the lecture was a huge success. I am also co-leading a workshop titled "Stunning Sunsets" in September. This should be lots of fun to say the least, for I can never take enough sunset pictures here in Tampa.

Now onto some new developments. I received a copy of a new book titled "By Design". The cover is a photograph of an Arctic Tern I shot last year on Honeymoon Island while standing out in the surf as they were feeding on the little fish along the shoreline. The designer who put together the cover did a fantastic job, and it is cool to see that little tern looking so good!

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View The Cover Of The Book "By Design" (JPG - 48KB)
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Lastly but most importantly, I will be developing a new and extensive 4-week online photography course in bird and wildlife photography that will be exclusively available at the Perfect Picture School of Photography. I am really excited about this new course offering, and will be posting more details in the coming week when it is officially announced at the school.

That about wraps things up and gets me caught up, so look for these new announcements soon, so stay tuned!

Back Into The Studio

2008-08-03T19:20:00.001-04:00

I headed back into the studio on Sunday to work on the rest of the items that needed to be photographed for the Tampa Bay & Company online catalog. This time, I had more of the larger items to photograph, including ones that were tall and lots of the clothing items.

I had to make adjustments to the studio backdrop to accommodate these larger items, which took a little ingenuity to get it all to line up. I only have a few more pieces to photograph, and should have the entire project wrapped up tomorrow. It was a great project, and I can't wait to see the new online store when it launches.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

Stunning Sunsets Workshop

2008-08-01T10:45:00.002-04:00

Mark your calendar for September 20, 2008 and make sure to sign-up if you are in the Tampa area and want to learn how to get a stunning sunset image from the pros.

The first of a series of upcoming workshops, this workshop to be held on Honeymoon Island is sure to give you some great tips and tricks on how to create some amazing images no matter your skill level.

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Check Out The Stunning Sunsets Workshop For More Information
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Enrollment is limited, and this workshop is expected to fill-up quickly, so jump on over and take a look and I hope to see you out on location!

PhotoHelp 101

2008-07-31T16:28:00.003-04:00

PhotoHelp 101 is a labor of love for Robert La Follette and John Jacobsen. Web 2.0 has been very good to both Robert and John and they decided to give back to the community in the form of something they are both very good at - teaching photography fundamentals.

As a result of their instructing experience at the Perfect Picture School of Photography, Robert and John both have the unique ability to connect with students and relay even the most complex photography subjects in terms that are easily understandable. After doing some research, they quickly found that there are very few online resources available to photographers. Realizing the need, Robert and John set to work creating PhotoHelp 101.

We also will be launching our new "Fundamentals Of Composition" website this week where we teach an amazing online course on composition. With other famous photographers such as Bryan Peterson, Chris Hurtt, Charlie Borland, David Nightingale, Bobbi Lane and many others, the Perfect Picture School of Photography is "the" place to learn photography.

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Check Out The New PhotoHelp 101 Website

Check Out The New Fundamentals Of Composition Website
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Whether you are a seasoned pro or have just purchased your first camera, we're confident that you will find something that can help you learn how to take better pictures at PhotoHelp 101 and at PPSOP.

So Long Spyglass

2008-07-30T17:33:00.003-04:00

The old Clearwater Beach hotel, the Spyglass Resort is loaded up with more than 500 sticks of dynamite. Criss Angel, the popular illusionist and star of "Mind Freak" will have less than three and half minutes to escape before that dynamite goes off.

As another historic beach landmark bites the dust, the city of Clearwater is making a spectacle of it and tonight on A&E Television, and it will be broadcast live as it is imploded and Angel will attempt to escape from a fiery death.

It's kinda sad to see this piece of history gone, however, if this stunt doesn't go as planned, Clearwater Beach may become famous for something else. This guy better be fast!

In The Studio

2008-07-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I heard a knock on the door, and it was the delivery guy. He had two large boxes for me, and I have been waiting for them so I was excited to get them. Inside the boxes was the entire inventory of the gifts that are sold at Tampa Bay & Company, and I was hired to shoot their entire catalog that is available at their downtown Tampa store for their new web site.

Since Sunday was a rainout, I took time and set up my studio to shoot the smaller items, such as the stuffed animals, cups, glasses, golf balls, picture frames, magnets, piggy banks, cases, pens and lots of other merchandise. I still have the clothing and bigger items to shoot this week, some of which I will be shooting on location.

It was a blast to set up the studio and try out some different techniques. Tampa Bay & Company will be launching their online store in the coming weeks, and it will be great to see all of the hard work payoff and they really have some cool and unique items they will be selling.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

Flying Off The Shelf

2008-07-25T13:48:00.004-04:00

A good friend of mine stopped me yesterday to tell me he walked into the Borders Bookstore at Clearwater Mall and was surprised to see my book, Tampa Bay: A Photographic Portrait on prominent display at the front of the store.

I took a drive up to Borders to check it out but by the time I got up there, it was already gone. They constantly rotate out promoted books in the stores, but turns out they sold all of the copies but two. Its' really a cool feeling to walk into a local bookstore and see your work for sale amongst all of the other thousands of titles.

On a separate note, I took some time to redesign the blog. There are still a few bugs to squash, but overall it looks much cleaner and easier to find information.

A Roaring Success

2008-07-23T09:48:00.008-04:00

There was a buzz in the air at the Honeymoon Island Nature Center on Tuesday evening, as one of the largest crowds ever to come out for their monthly lecture series where a guest speaker would come to give a talk to guests of the Friends of the Island Parks.

This month, I was that guest speaker and gave an one hour lecture on bird and nature photography that included a slideshow and numerous examples of the beautiful wildlife and landscapes that can be photographed on this little slice of paradise.

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View A HDR Photo Of The Nature Center (JPG - 324KB)
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The lecture covered some of my insight and tips on photographing nature, including how to really get some award winning photographs. After the lecture, we ended with a very informative question & answer session, and from the roar of the crowd, it was a great success.

The guests arrive and check out the some
of the great exhibits at the Nature Center

There was some great information given by the
Friends of The Island Parks about Honeymoon Island

The house was packed with one of the largest turnouts ever
at the Nature Center with over 55 people in attendance

After the workshop, I met many great people, including
Walt from Palm Harbor and signed copies of my book

(Photos courtesy of John Jacobsen)

With the feedback of many of the guests that attended, I am making plans to develop a workshop and lecture series that will cover a variety of subjects in-depth, including lectures and out in the field workshops. Stay tuned for more details and future announcements!

Three Rooker Island

2008-07-20T12:00:00.001-04:00

There is a little known island out the in Pacific Ocean called "Tern Island" which is the main island in the atoll of French Frigate Shoals, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. A National Geographic special once highlighted this island, and it is just full of all kinds of shorebirds, including home to thousands of Terns. It is one of the largest islands in the world where these birds nest.

Closer to home here in Tampa Bay, we too have a special place where literally thousands of birds nest. That place is called Three Rooker Island. This tiny strip of sand lies out in the Gulf of Mexico that is only about ten years old. It is a sand bar that is now completely exposed, and the shorebirds have taken it over.

I was invited by my friend Walt who has a boat, and wanted to know if I would like to go there and shoot the nesting birds early Saturday morning. I have heard about this place for a long time now, but it is only accessible by boat, so I jumped at the offer.

We met up at the marina in Ozona bright and early for several hours of fun. The morning was about as perfect as we could ask for, with light winds and beautiful blue skies. We loaded up the boat and set a course for Three Rooker. On our way out, we stopped by another special island, Bird Island.

Bird Island is a federally protected island in the Gulf of Mexico where it is home to many of our larger waterbirds, including Cormorants, White Egrets, Anhingas and the ever so secretive Magnificent Frigatebirds. No one is allowed to anchor or walk on the island, but the view from the boat provided some cool views as the birds were just waking up for the day.

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View A Panorama Of Bird Island (JPG - 160KB)
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We finally made it to Three Rooker Island, and we weren't alone. While there was not a human in sight, there was however lots of birds. Thousands of them. All over the place. It was a scene right out of a National Geographic special, for after we anchored and walked onto the beach, we saw all kinds of birds as far as the eye can see.

On the beach, in the grasses, the water and in the air, it was a sight I have never seen before. Black Skimmers, Terns of all kinds as well as Laughing Gulls now call this island home, and there must of been at least a few thousand babies running all over the place and taking to the air.

At first, it was sensory overload, and there was just so many subjects, where does one begin. We walked up and down the beach and snapped off hundreds of frames of the action, and this certainly was one of my highlights to date. After a while, I just sat in the warm water and waited for the action to come to me and captured some incredible flight shots.

We stayed on the island for a few hours, and around noon took back towards the mainland and call it day. I was kinda sad to leave, but the heat of the day was setting in, so we left the noise and chaos of the birds on their little slice of heaven.

After getting back home and dumping my cards onto the computer and relaxing for a bit, I decided to head up to Fred Howard Beach to catch the sunset and enjoy the warm summer breezes at the beach. I wasn't disappointed as usual as mother nature put on a spectacular light show of color over the Gulf of Mexico. What a long day, but one that had me thinking about getting a boat!

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

Friends Of The Island Parks

2008-07-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Are you enjoying the Dog Days of Summer? Taking any photos? At the next "Friends of the Island Parks" monthly membership meeting this coming Tuesday, July 22nd at the Nature Center on Honeymoon Island, I will be conducting an exciting and informative nature photography workshop.

The lecture and workshop will share a few of my "secrets" and display some of the numerous nature and landscape photographs that I have shot on Honeymoon Island.

I will also be signing copies of my latest book, "Tampa Bay, A Photographic Portrait". A brief business meeting, which precedes the program, there will also be a information that will bring you up-to-date on park happenings and Friends' news. Refreshments will be served.

This promises to be a great event -- another FREE meeting you won't want to miss! Mark your calendar, and join us next Tuesday at the Nature Center at 7PM on Honeymoon Island!

So Long Old Friend

2008-07-14T12:00:00.001-04:00

It was eight years ago that I walked into the holy grail of sports. On a cold November afternoon, I caught my first glimpse of Yankee Stadium when I went to New York City for my first time ever. Even though there wasn't a game being played that afternoon, just being in the presence of this historic stadium was good enough for me.

In the following summer, I got my chance to go inside the House that Ruth built, and I felt like a five year old kid getting my first bike for Christmas. This place was a nirvana, and my life long dream of going to Yankee Stadium had come true.

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View A Quicktime VR Of Yankee Stadium (QuickTime VR Format)
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On Tuesday, the last and final All-Star Game will be played at Yankee Stadium, and the countdown begins that this amazing piece of american history will be lost forever. It conjured up some of my memories of my many visits in the years that followed. Even though I only had a small digital camera with me when I went, and the photos aren't all that good, the memories will last a lifetime.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo)

Apple iPhone Rocks

2008-07-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

Now that the new and improved Apple iPhone software is available, I finally took a deep breath and loaded up the new 2.0 firmware on my original iPhone. With the release of the new iPhone 3G worldwide, there were some issues activating the phones with the new update, so I waited a day later until everything was ironed out.

The one thing I was looking forward to was the new App Store and check out the the applications that users can install now. While it is still early and the selection is limited, there is going to be some great potential and some amazing apps I am sure. One category that caught my eye was for Photography, and already there are a few to check out, including:

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Exposure: Share, browse and locate Flickr photos taken near you.

Mobile Flickr: Upload, browse and view your Flickr photos.

Smug Shot: Upload, browse, share and view your SmugMug photos.
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Hopefully new applications will start making their way into the App Store, and the best smartphone on the market just took a huge step forward and I can honestly say without hesitation this is by far the best phone on the market today. Bar none.

The Boys Of Summer

2008-07-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Here it is a week away from the mid-summer classic, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and what do we have here? The local boys, the Tampa Bay Rays are in first place in the American League East. You read that right. The lowly Rays are in first.

This is a team, that since it has come into the league in 1998, has finished dead last and was the laughing stock of baseball. They had ugly uniforms, a ugly stadium, and players that wouldn't of even made for a good minor league team. Well, how times have changed.

Going into the last week before the All-Star Game, the Rays have built up a commanding lead over the Red Sox and Yankees, who are automatics it seems year after year. With the lowest payroll in baseball, it's been an amazing feat and the excitement in the bay area is building.

	W	L	PCT.	GB

Tampa Bay Rays	55	32	.632	-

Boston Red Sox	52	39	.571	5.0

New York Yankees	47	42	.528	9.0

Baltimore Orioles	44	43	.506	11.0

Toronto Blue Jays	42	47	.472	14.0

We'll have to see how far they can go and if they can actually make it into the post-season, for this is uncharted territory for this team. However, it has been fun to watch this little team of unknowns make a big splash and could turn the baseball world upside down if they win it all. Go Rays!