I like to move it, move it....

Recently, I found myself in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Malagasy people are very friendly and although the Island is just off the South African coast, they are considered French Polynesian. The culture is what you would expect from Polynesia and the food is great, I recommend the Zebu roast with pomme de' terre.

SIR, YES SIR!!!!!

During phojo school, my assignment was to create a picture story. I decided to create a "right way/wrong way" for military bearing.
I was fortunate to have willing members of the Air Force to help. Students assigned to Fort Meade, Md., studying a myriad of visual production careers, were more than happy to help me create my picture story, (I received an A). The center pic is every one's favorite and hangs in several military offices around the world. I came across a military training instructor during my last trip to Fort Meade, and he showed me it's prominent place of honor, behind his desk.
Picture stories are a way of reminding the photographer, and certainly this photographer, to look for the story as well as the "wow" picture.
If you want to learn more about photography, create a picture story with most every thing you shoot. Anyone can shoot a great picture, but telling a story, that is a completely different way of looking at the shot. A picture story is comprised of an establishing shot, wide angles, closeups and extreme closeups. This will help you see the the picture in a whole different light, and help you tell the picture's story even if you shoot only one pic.

Girl in the globe

I, like most photographers, use less than 10% of the capabilities in photoshop. I have, however, began to create graphics using CS2.

I came across the globes as part of a jewelry store display and the girl was a painting, after several frustrating hours, vol la - Girl in the Globe.

For those who don't believe

For those who don't believe that the last pic was actually taken in Las Vegas, besides the fact that the palm trees had snow.

This is the Red Rock Hotel and Casino. It is located on the 215 beltway and Charleston st.

Nice Place, you should visit.

What tha H#!!

This is Las Vegas, where the snow birds come to get away from the snow, (snow birds are people who live here in the winter and move back to their original homes for the summer). I have lived in Vegas for the better part of thirty years, that is enough to become a native Las Vegan. Every 5 or so years we get snow.

Yep that's right, the white stuff that falls from the sky, not the stuff snorted up the snozzola, although you can get that here as well, and it always surprises visitors as well as locals when it happens.

Now don't get me wrong, just outside of Las Vegas there is the ski resort, Mount Charleston. It is not like Tahoe, but more like bunny hills and small runs, some mogul and a great deal of boarding. When we do get snow, it is usually stays on the mountain, however, every now and then, around Jan to Feb,we have snow in the valley. Schools close, federal buildings are closed, and the airport people go into a tizzy trying to figure out how to de-ice the planes. It rarely does it snow before Christmas. This year they are planing for snow in the valley during Christmas.

There is an old saying in Las Vegas... With the right amount of money, you can get anything.

Apparently, Steve Wynn ordered Christmas snow.

Blues

During my trip to Nashville, TN., I met Guitar Gary. Guitar Gary moved from Las Vegas, NV., to Nashville to break into the music business.

He considers himself more of a drifter than homeless. He is an outstanding guitarist, unfortunately this is a common story for those trying to make it in the business.

Santa Baby

As I prepare for the evening festivities,  my dogs are taking advantage of the fact I am not looking, when I turned around, I had to reach for my camera. 

Dogs, gotta love them.

Le Digue, Seychelles

The Seychelle Islands are one of the most beautiful places on this planet, and on my bucket list.

I was given the opportunity to work on the islands as part of my military duties, I love the military.

Cowgirl's Closet

While I was walking around Nashville, I went into a boot store. They sold nothing but boots and mostly girl's boots.

This is what I imagine a cowgirl's closet looks like.

Honkytonk, badonkadonk

Nashville. There are only a few places in the United States that I have traveled to, and would go again, this is one of them. There is music on every street corner and in every alley.

Anyone, who is anyone in country music began right here, playing in the pubs and clubs. Most of them for free. The nightlife is outstanding, but anytime of day is a good time to hear potential music greats, and wanna be music greats perform.

Go and enjoy the music

Let's toss the froth off a few

There is no trip to the United Kingdom without a stop at Shannon International Airport, Ireland.

I say that because it is a must see. Not that the airport is fancy, full of history or even a great deal of shopping, like many other airports, however, it does have a great pub. Yep that is right, a pub, and it opens when international flights land. This is Sherry, she is poring me a Guinness, at 2am.

Not only was she working at 2am, she was actually happy to do it and there is nothing better than a pint of Guinness and a smile from the barmaid after a long trip.

I had just returned from my deployment, (military thing) and after such a long flight to get there, I really needed a pint.

So thank you Sherry, cheers.

Rockets Red Glare

This is Baltimore harbor. During my photography course, I took this picture from Fort McHenry to get a view of Baltimore's inner harbor. For those of you who don't know, Fort McHenry was the site where the Star Spangle Banner was written. During the battle, young composer, Francis Scott Keys watched the cannon fire coming from the ships as they fought for this harbor, (OK, enough with the history), I can see why.

The inner harbor of Baltimore has the best of both worlds, on one side, the side you are looking at, has the hustle of the city with it's shops, food, and financial district, on the other side, where I am standing, has the parks and the quiet that everyone goes to the harbor for.

I liked Baltimore, more people should visit

Vegas Baby

Most of you will recognize the landmark, however, this is the Paris Hotel and Casino on the Vegas Strip.

I was raised in Houston, Texas, a place that I probably will never go back to, although the rest of Texas is GREAT! My family moved to Vegas during my junior year in high school. Never, in my wildest dreams would I ever thought Vegas would grow like it did, nor could I have pictured the Eiffel Tower being rooted in the middle of town. Well here it is.

Other than gambling, the Paris Hotel and Casino has some great restaurants, there is even one near the second layer of the tower.

Gotta Love Vegas

Master Sergeant West

As with every team there is a leader, people lead by either "do as I say, not as I do" or by example. With this being the case, Air Force Master Sergeant Steve West exemplifies the latter.

Master Sgt. Steve West is the Flight Chief of the Official Drill Team for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. The Honor Guard performs at official military functions and has the distinct honor of attending and performing the flag ceremony at military funerals. I say this is an honor, but really they say it is an honor, because they get to honor the fallen hero as well as the sacrifice their family has made.

Thankfully, this day there were no flag draped hero's returning home, just some good ole Air Force fun.

But no matter what the occasion, they are always ready and very willing to perform.

Air Force Day

There is nothing more exciting than watching the best of the best perform. Every time I feel the need to be "re-blued", I get a chance to watch the Air Force Honor Guard perform.

On the end is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Martin. Staff Sgt. Martin is a member of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard member stationed at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. He is performing on March Air Force Base, for Air Force week. The U.S. Air Force Reserve turned 60 years that weekend and the Honor Guard was at March Air Reserve Base, California to perform during the celebration dinner. We were lucky enough to have them perform on the flight line for Air Force week.

These young men are very disciplined, professional and extremely focused. They come from any job the Air Force has and volunteer, tryout and hopefully are one of the few chosen to represent the U.S. Air Force during official functions. Jason said that they travel approximately 290 days a year to perform and the rest of the time they are practicing routines. "It is a lot of work, but well worth it" said Martin. I am just happy I get to watch them.

(Oh by the way, those rifles are real, and they weigh a lot)

AAAAHHHHH Finally a Holiday

As I have said before, everyone should visit Africa at least once in their life. I was on a holiday in Kenya, the Masai Mara, and saw this pic, thankfully, I had a camera, duh! It couldn't be any better of a day.
The Masai Mara is a huge game preserve in southern Kenya. I stayed in the park as part of the safari package. The safari included two game drives a day, all meals and lodging (drinks were extra).
Shoor travels is the safari company and they took care of everything. It was during the one of the last game drives that this picture came into view. After a full day of photographing, I was pretty well done, until I saw this.