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March 15, 2010

Photo Monday – 3/15/10

Happy Monday Everyone!

The island has seemed a bit crowded this week with many visitors, most welcome and a few… well, you get the picture, especially if you are trying to have a beach picnic!

St. John has so much to offer, it is worthwhile to get away from the beaches and everyone on them and head for the hills. Literally.

Take a hike, enjoy the views, and explore everything our little island has to offer. Bring your camera to take some photos. No matter how often you visit St. John, it’s likely there are a few spots still to explore. For us this week, it was the little Tektite Underwater Habitat Museum near Great Lameshure Bay.

The museum is located at VIERS (Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station) and is worth a visit any time. Visit the office while you are there and learn more about the remote eco-camp complex too and its ongoing mission.

For something more tame check out the little Nature Plant Garden in Fish Bay where markers have been staked next to each species for easy identification. Not your cup of tea?

Mongoose Junction is a great alternative to the beach for a few hours. Frozen drinks, lunch and lots of shopping – you just can’t go wrong.

When you’re done (with a designated driver, of course), head back to the beach. It’s still there, but by now all the day trippers will be gone!

Alone at last. This is a wonderful time of day to enjoy a little sea bath on a quiet beach. Don’t fuss over the pelicans.

They prefer the fish they find this time of day. Just another beautiful week in the Virgin Islands.

Until later,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: beach, camera, Mongoose Junction, photo, St. John, VIERS, Virgin Islands — Karin @ 10:25 pm

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March 8, 2010

Photo Monday 3/8/10

Happy Monday!

We start off this week with a photo of an idyllic beach morning on our little island.

Early morning on a St. John North Shore Beach

Visitors to the local resorts may not have realized that the Virgin Islands have been experiencing a drought because of their on-site desalinization plants. But island villa and cottage rental guests have been asked to conserve water more than normal for the past couple of months. The need was real.

We wonder if the drought was the reason someone left this offering tucked into a nook inside an island sugar mill ruin.

Goodness knows, we’ve been praying for rain like most islanders. Fresh water is hard to come by unless you know just where to hunt for it. It also helps to be a bird to spot the hidden oases of lush greenery when the rest of St. John is very dry.

Some island critters, even the very youngest ones, seem to have no problem finding lush tropical plants bearing yummy (to them) food to eat even in the scorching sun.

Other creatures are spoiled rotten by the kindness of humans and hardly need to hunt for nourisment. This little bananaquit isn’t just taking a sweet bath. It’s taking a SWEET bath washing it’s tail in a bowl of sugar water after a gluttonous feast. Now that’s a sugar bird!

Fresh drinking water is precious and most of us rely on rainy days to fill our cisterns with that liquid gold. Except for the water delivery guys, of course. But when there is a water shortage, even they can’t get enough and you can see the tankers lined up in early morning hoping for a turn at the community spigot.

Our prayers were answered this weekend. Ah – our cisterns are filled again. It gave us a day of cool weather too so we could dig out our socks and ancient sweaters and feel blessed; we do it so rarely. After all, the temperature went below 70 degrees last night!

Life is returning to normal now. And we can blessedly look forward to many late afternoons under the golden sun before the next rainy day.

: Maho Bay Turtles Play at Sunset

So this week, we hope to spend time taking sea baths under golden sunsets and floating with the turtles on sunny St. John. Isn’t life in the islands just wonderful?

Until next Monday - warm wishes to all.

- Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: island photographers, Maho Bay, photo, St. John — Karin @ 11:19 pm

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February 26, 2010

We Got So Mad We Turned Green

On our little island these days, we are very conscious of wasteful product packaging and its impact on our environment. All of our waste must be transferred off-island. Sadly, it took a fire in the landfill on St. Thomas on a picture-perfect day to motivate us to stop being a part of the problem ourselves.

Bovoni Landfill Fire

We got so mad, we posted this time-lapsed photo clip: Bovoni Landfill Fire on You Tube and committed ourselves to conscious consumption. Since then, small changes in our household habits have added up and our “dumpster drops” are now less than ¼ the size they were two years ago.

Our company, Tropical Focus is now doing its part too. The most basic products we produce and distribute to clients are the images we take, so that’s an important focus of our environmental efforts.

For Necessary Client Mailings:

We buy our discs, jewel cases and other materials in bulk. This eliminates excessive packaging that would be otherwise wasted and thrown out.
Our own packaging process attempts to be eco-sensitive. We reuse jewel cases and other materials provided they are in excellent condition. Recycled cardboard and bubble-wrap is used instead of new during the packaging process. The tissue paper we use is bio-degradable.
The pretty decorative cloth envelopes we send CD’s in for Family Portraits, Weddings, and Vow Rentals were chosen for their clean but simple design. They can be reused and repurposed by the client over and over again.
We only ship via the US Post Office because they are cradle to cradle certified:
- The US Post Office has the largest fleet of alternative fuel vehicles and we like that too.
- We also use their packaging when possible because they use a manufacturing process that results in no waste. When we must use alternative packaging, we use envelopes made of recycled materials.
- We limit shipments to twice per week, to minimize trips to the Post Office and all the ecological waste associated with travel.

Hand-Delivery Can Be A Viable Alternative:

When a client is on-island for a while and workflows permit, we hand-deliver their finished images or coordinate drop-off/pick-up of images before they leave island.
We do drop-offs in a way to coincide with other travel and on a 5×8 mile island that is a synch.

Our Newest Electronic Delivery:

We use a DSL link with the highest speed available to residents here on-island to upload photos to a place where clients can then download directly to their own PC’s or MAC’s.
This option eliminates the need for any physical packaging at all, which is a wonderful thing.
As a bonus to clients, it is often the fastest method possible to deliver their product. More often than not, our clients are requesting this newest option.

Nothing is perfect, but at Tropical Focus every little bit we do to keep our environment healthy is a sound business practice. Our islands are our studio and we want them to be pristine for generations of visitors to come. Thanks for doing your part too every day.

- Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General — Tags: environment, island photographers, packaging, photo, St. John — Karin @ 6:48 am

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February 19, 2010

Which Is Better – Morning or Afternoon Light?

We are often asked which is the best time for a photo shoot here in the Caribbean – in the morning or late afternoon. The answer depends on the makeup of your party and what you want your photos to look like in the natural tropical light.

In early morning, the light starts out cool and the contrast is low. Distant objects can appear hazy and soft or distant but crisp. Images of calm, contemplation, grace, and renewal are perfect for capturing during these moments. It is a serious time of day, but also a joyous one. As the sun rises above the horizon the light begins rapidly changing and warming. Think awakening, birth, new beginnings, and growth as concepts to capture.

Mid-Morning Sunbathing Light

Morning is a popular time for young couples having beach weddings. It is also a perfect time for families who want both formal portraits and picture-postcard fun-in-the-sun type photos. Sunbathers always look cooler in the morning sun. Just keep in mind the moods created by the fast-changing lighting, as the light moves from a calm peaceful glow to warm vibrant sunshine, plan your shots accordingly.

By mid-morning, the island’s blues and greens are becoming their most vibrant. As the bright Caribbean sun becomes sharp overhead, the light becomes hard. There are tricks to taking great photos mid-day – think diffusing the light and creative perspectives. Those photos can be difficult to capture, but spectacular when done well. (Hopefully we’ll cover this in another blog soon).

Mid-Afternoon Fun In The Sun

By mid-afternoon, the sunlight is very warm but lower in the sky, with the blues and greens more muted than the morning hours. The warm colors of the color spectrum have taken over. It is a perfect time for images of fun, family, friends, and high energy vacation portraits. With the sun moving closer to the horizon, the yellows, oranges, and reds of the light spectrum dominate. The mood changes as the day ends and the light softens even as the shadows grow. It is a time of gatherings, of happily ever after, of romance, and family bonding. Late afternoon is a time well suited for hiding fine wrinkles and age spots.

As the sun begins to set, the lighting changes quickly as reds give way to purples in preparation for nightfall. Tranquil reflections, intimate love, and timelessness are all easily captured in the waning light.

Here on St. John, every day is different. On one day a sunset might bring a fiery red sky, and the next evening might bring a pastel palette of tranquility. A crisp early morning with 50 mile view can be followed by one with a hazy start and distant islands gently receding out of vision.

Whatever your personal goals are in taking photos here in the Virgin Islands, there is always a perfect time to take them, or have them taken for you. At Tropical Focus, we love shooting photos every moment of every day.

Filed under: General, Weddings, portraits — Tags: beach wedding, Caribbean, natural light, photo, St. John, vacation portraits, Virgin Islands — Karin @ 10:02 pm

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January 29, 2010

The 4-Way Test for our Business

Rotary Brings Tele-medicine To St. John

At Tropical Focus, we ask ourselves the following questions in things we think, say or do:

- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Seriously. Some will recognize these questions as the 4-way test for Rotary International, recited at every meeting. As a secretary for the Rotary Club of St. John, Bob is very involved – & Karin is an active non-member volunteer. The overall mission for Rotary International is to provide service when/where needed, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its

Rotary Distributes School Materials on St. John

fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. They are also principles we believe in as a business.

Here are a few ways that our photography business applies the Rotarian 4-way test of ideals into our everyday lives and how you can too:

Is it the truth? Tropical Focus is committed to honest communications with clients, even if that truth means they will take their business elsewhere. We accept our limitations and don‘t try to be anyone else. Our clients count on our opinions and they deserve honesty.

Is it fair to all concerned? We strive to be flexible in our business policies and treat others they way we want to be treated at all times. No amount of liability insurance (although we have that) can give us the peace of mind that simply being fair does.

Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Our business began out of the desire to share our love of the islands while doing something we enjoy. When clients share moments in their lives or a slice of their business with us, they become a part of our family forever. We know that the smallest things we do can make a difference in peoples lives, so we try to do them well.

Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Creating a product that might be around for generations is a huge responsibility. We listen to our clients and often give back more than they thought to ask. Tropical Focus embraces environmentally sound business practices in consideration of all. And we gladly use our photo skills for humanitarian projects like our newest one – Operation Smile.

On St John, the local Rotary Club includes a 5th test that all members gladly recite at meetings and incorporate into their daily lives:

Operation Smile - Our Newest Cause

- On St. John, is it FUN?

At Tropical Focus, this is a no-brainer. Our islands are our studio, we love what we do and want everyone involved to have a good time. You can’t miss us at a photo shoot. Not because of our cameras, since some clients have surprisingly expensive gear. No – look for the couple with the hugest grins on their faces. That’s us, having a blast at what we do!

Note: Rotary International has 32,000 clubs worldwide in over 200 countries and is always open to new members. We’ll be glad to put you in touch with someone in your area if you’d like to check it out.

Filed under: General — Tags: communications, fun, photo, photography, Rotary club of St John, Rotary International, St. John — Karin @ 3:39 pm

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January 25, 2010

Photo Monday – 1/25/10

Happy Monday!

This week has flown past and we’ve barely had time to catch our breath. So it is fitting that this Photo Monday celebrate some fleeting moments caught on camera. We hope you agree they were all worth capturing and sharing:

Waterspout Over South Shore Of St. John

Our first photo is actually the last one taken, of a waterspout that tried to form over the south shore of St. John on Sunday in the only large cloud on the horizon. By the time Bob grabbed his camera to catch this image, the waterspout was visibly dissipating with warm air flowing into the vortex. Then it was back to the pool party to catch some sun and fleeting R&R.

: Adopted Kitten Peeks At the World

Earlier, we had spied this recent adoptee from the Animal Care Center of St. John. The shy guy was caught checking out his new world in late afternoon from the safety of his island new home.

Hummingbird in Motion

Bannanquits (sugarbirds) quickly moved out of the way for this little hummingbird, who rushed in to grab a sip before flying quickly away to safety and to the surprise of all. Only his beak remained motionless for the fraction of a second it took to snap this photo.

Flipping Over Big Maho Bay

Perfection in motion – that’s how we describe this photo of our friend Brian caught flipping on the beach at Big Maho Bay. We hope he never gets old. For the two of us, flipping is just a fleeting memory of our youth!

Goodby To Bachelorhood- Westin Resort on St john

Last, but not least, we leave you with this pre-wedding photo reflecting the moment in the grooms’s sunglasses. Yes, it’s seflishly promoting Bob in the camera lens, but, only in a fleeting way.

Until next Monday,

Karin and Bob Schlesinger
Virgin Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: Animal Care Center of St. John, camera, hummingbird, island photographer, Maho Bay, photo, photo monday, St. John, waterspout, wedding, Westin Resort — Karin @ 4:58 pm