New Blog & New Site

Thanks for stopping by. This Blog is no longer active and this will be the last post at this address. All new posts will be at marksweeney.net
You can also visit me at my portfolio site which is also under construction at this time at marksweeneyphoto.com

Thank you for taking the time to stop by, it's been a good run here on Blogger but it's time to move on.

Mark

New Website

I'm working on a new website and it is up in working, but not completed. There are going to be many changes made over the days and weeks ahead. I was using a company called Blu Domain. Blu has been one of the worst business experiences I've had. They have little to no customer service and endless problems with the website. You will read similar reviews all over the net. I am now with PhotoBiz and I couldn't be happier. Their customer service kicks @ss and the site management tools are incredibly easy to use. The publishing is easy allowing to instant changes as often as I like. I am really looking forward to working with PhotoBiz.

You can see my site in the making here. It should have full functionality.

Thanks for stopping by, there will be a few updates coming this week. I've been up to a lot and very busy...

Ron & Amanda

I work with Ron at the fire department. He and his fiancé Amanda will be getting married in the Monterey area on September 4, 2010. They are a great couple and a ton of fun to hang out with, I can't wait for the wedding. I know it's going to be a memorable one. We had an engagement session way back in December. I think this one fell through the cracks as far as getting it posted. Well, here are a couple...enjoy!

Around the Station

I needed to get some photos of details around the station the other day for a banner we will use for recruitments, open houses, and other city functions. I started roaming around looking for the details in all the things I look at on a daily basis. It challenging to take an area you see all the time and look at it in a new light with new eyes. Do you ever get tired of shooting in the same area or in the same town over and over? You have to learn to not take it for granted and learn to look at your surroundings through new eyes. Many things can get the inspirational juices flowing. New lenses always work for me or a new camera body, but these can be pricy. An out of town visitor works wonders too because they always see things we aren't used to looking at. What works for you?

Mesmerized

Lately on my hikes around were I live, I've been in awe of the trees I've been surrounded by my whole life. The enormous oaks surrounding the are mesmerizing to me. Can't tell you why, they're just great looking trees. Again I went out today hiking with my camera and just my 24-70 2.8 and was drawn to the trees. They were amazing up against the winter sky carrying a new storm due in tomorrow.

These are not all meant to be beautiful photos, more a study of the shape and silhouettes.

Walk in the park

You can't beat the winter light for landscape photography. The days are short which means the golden hours of light are closer together and even the mid day sun isn't overwhelming because it is so far south.

Growing up in the Monterey County I've always loved the huge majestic oaks we have.

In my opinion, next to the Redwoods these are the most amazing trees around.

I'm Back

It been far too long since I've put up any work. Life has been a bit crazy with the new house and all. I've been shooting, just haven't had time to do much editing. It's been an interesting couple of months of workshops, a home purchase (with major renovations going on), taking care of mom, and having family and friends visit.

I've been working on some portrait photos lately and adding in some lighting as I experiment. It's opening up a new world. I'll post more photos very soon, but for now here is a bit I've been working on lately.

My Brother Matt:

A few of my little sister:

Jordan

love that hair!

I really like this series of my dad.

Thanks for taking a look. More work coming soon