What an exceptional week we have had in the Tennessee Valley and with the chill in the air, I think you can say we have hit our fall stride. If that is not enough, the leaves are beginning to change.

Last week I had the pleasure to go to Knoxville for a few days and help one of my dear friends and fellow photographer, BA (Bryan Allen – blog.bryanallenphoto.com) with a workshop he was hosting. One of the location shoots took us to the Rice Grist Mill in the Norris Dam State Park.

Visiting the Knoxville grist mill got me to thinking about one of my favorite day trip locations, Falls Mill in Winchester, Tn. (www.fallsmill.com). With Sunday turning out to be one of those exceptionally beautiful fall days, I thought … Road Trip!!! I arrived just in time to catch up with my good friends and owners, John and Jane Lovett. I met them many years ago when I shot the mill for the cover story of a magazine. The fully operational grist mill was built in 1873 and has a 32′ waterwheel, one of the largest in the country and two beautiful cascading waterfalls within the adjacent creek.

This photograph shows the lower falls in all of its autumn glory!!!!!

Another week in Sweet Home Alabama!!!

Best regards
~ dK ~

They say that people loose their shirts in Las Vegas but coming home this week to the fall like weather of North Alabama, I felt like I must have lost my jacket.

With all the digital and internet distractions kids have today one could wonder whether that are ever challenged socially, mentally or physically – like the “good ole days”. They chat with their friends by text, they play video games against a machine, they become rockstars with PS II without ever learning a chord and they participate in “fantasy” sports not ever knowing what a football feels like. What has happened to the good ole board or card games or the mud and grass stained pig skin afternoons?

Recently I had the opportunity to do a catalog shoot for one of the largest manufacturer’s and supplier’s in the world of Chess products and they are right here in the Tennessee valley – The House of Staunton. They have the official distinction of being the exclusive equipment provider of the United States Chess Championship and official supplier to the United States Chess Federation. The goal of the shoot was to shoot images with a more current theme … wanting to make Chess a little more “mainstream and hip” if you will. Course I would be remiss if I did not tell you I was on the chess team when I was in middle school and … pretty good. Go figure!

During the shoot one young gentleman caught my eye with his look, his enthusiasm and his infectious smile and laugh. I had an image in mind that I wanted to capture and asked the art director if we could try something. I said to her ,”there is nothing like a winner.” We gathered up the largest trophy we could find and asked Samuel just to try and hold it. As he struggled with the weight of the trophy his personality shined through and the attached image is all Samuel. The image has “CHECKMATE” written all over it.

Back at home and loving every minute of it.!!! If you are looking for stock images, corporate or residential art, contact me … with all of my recent travels you just never know what I might have in store for you.

Best regards
~ dK ~

I hope this note finds you doing well and for me, it is a few days out on the road.

Other than the sign over Hollywood, there is probably no more recognizable sign than the one welcoming you to Las Vegas. It is the beginning statement to the city of sparkling bling and big city lights. I out am in Las Vegas as an instructor for a photographic workshop and it is hard not to get caught up by the allure of the city. When they say it is a city that never sleeps, I am not all sure about that but I do need to go to bed.

So they say, “What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas” ….. except for photographs.

On the road again but no further away than an email or a phone call!!!

Best regards
~ dK ~

What a great week I had jumping from roof top to roof top capturing the beauty of the Huntsville city skyline. To top it off I had a bird’s eye view, from the Airport tower, of a Russian Antonov 124-100 aircraft offloading Atlas V Rocket fuel tanks at the Panalpina Complex. To the casual observer, you could say that most of my work last week was … Up in the air!!

But the best part of the week was yet to come. Saturday evening, under a full moon and side by side with 55,000 + adoring fans, I had the rare opportunity to check off one of the items on my “Bucket List” … getting to see the Irish mega band – U2 – live and in concert. A request from my girlfriend for “my birthday list” led to two tickets and a trip to Raleigh, NC. I have seen and photographed my fair share of huge bands during my lifetime but few compare to U2 led by lead singer Bono and guitarist Dave “the edge” Evans. Even in my wildest dreams, I could never have imagined just how magical the experience would be live ….. how mesmerizing Bono is live … how musically gifted the band is – LIVE. No one sat during the entire 2 1/2 hour show. It could very well have been … the concert experience of a lifetime for me.

Under the stars, a full moon, a very special lady by my side and U2 ….. Check One off My Bucket List!!!

As Bono might sing … Have a “Beautiful Day”!
Best regards
~ dK ~