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June 7, 2010

Photo Monday 6/7/10

Happy Monday!

This week’s photos are all photos our readers have requested. So, if you have a favorite slice of St. John life you’d like to see pictured here, just -e-mail us and we’ll include it in an upcoming Photo Monday.

First up this week is Caneel Bay. We were asked to capture the Ruins, the Equator Room, Turtle Point,  and the boat dock all in one photo.

Yes – Caneel Bay Resort is a beautiful sight even on a hazy day. Notice how the island has gotten so green lately! 

The flamboyant treese are coming into full bloom and we admit this photo is just a little teaser with more photos to come. But we didn’t want to disappoint those who’ve asked about them recently because Flamboyants are the harbinger of summer here in the islands.

  

Someone pointed out to us that no one ever takes a photo of Maho Bay showing the old building and picnic area. It is rumored that the VI Nationatl Park will be making improvements here in the future, so archive this photo for fond memories.

Yes, you can catch a photo of a mongoose standing still.  They are cute little devils, aren’t they? 

We admit, we almost didn’t include this last photo this week. But, who are we to ignore our fans?  

 

Yes, this is the beautiful villa on St. John where the Housewifes of New York stayed during their recent vacation, taken from a relatively new well-marked overlook on the North Shore Road.  

Hmm… what would you like to see photos of?

Until later,

 Bob and karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: Photo Mondays — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Karin @ 9:39 pm

June 4, 2010

Voted Best Photographer on St. John for 2010

Thanks to all of our friends and fans who voted for us in this year’s Virgin Island Daily News Best of the USVI contest.

Because we’re not yet well-known on St. Croix, the fact that we didn’t win the territory-wide accolades after the thousands of votes were counted didn’t surprise us.  (Congratulations to Ashley Armitage for that honor).  

On the other hand… we’re pleased to announce Tropical Focus was voted:

       The Best Photographer
of the Virgin Islands on St. John
                   for 2010

Yes – we just heard the good news this week! 

 As most of you know, the island of St. John is our primary studio and we love it dearly and are only one of  over 20 photographers shooting regularly on the island of St. John. Since our fist ad in the VI Daily news doesn’t even come out until this month, this reader-voted award is  especially sweet.  Wow!     

Our special thanks to everyone who has let us take their photographs this year on the beach, at their resort, villa, in plantation ruins, and at many of our island’s bars and restaurants. Without you, none of this would have been possible. 

We promise to keep earning your vote of confidence every single day and with every single photo we take.

Sincerely,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Owners – Tropical Focus Photography

Filed under: General — Tags: , — Karin @ 7:29 pm

May 31, 2010

Photo Monday 5/31/10

Happy Monday!

While the thought of another Trunk Bay photo may make you yawn, this one taken a couple of evenings ago makes us want to take a walk on the beach.

The air is still heavy with mist from the heavy downpour that just passed by at sunset. 

All those showers have turned our island an emerald green.   Jason and Amber got married two years ago at Hawksnest in the rain and wanted to come back for photos when it was not wet.  

They certainly got vibrant color this week. After all, it doesn’t shower here in Paradise all the time.  When showers come, they can be fierce this time of year, but rather refreshing too. 

  

Visitors often comment that our raindrops are warm. But, don’t run for cover (unless it’s a thunderstorm).  Go ahead and get wet – it’s great time for a sea bath or some snorkeling. … or to get married.   Folklore has it that if it showers during your ceremony on St. John, you’ll be coming back to visit again.  

It happened to Lisa and Reid,  pictured here a year ago on their wedding day. They have just arrived back on St. John to celebrate their anniversary with a baby on the way.   Congratulations!  And congratulations to all the lovely couples who have braved a shower in the name of love. We look forward to visiting with all of you again!

Until later,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: Photo Mondays — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Karin @ 9:23 pm

May 28, 2010

St John Rentals – On A Budget

Memorial Day weekend is a traditional one for spending time with family and friends, and we wish you’d all come down for a visit. Even if you have a tiny budget.

Surprisingly, few people realize that a short visit to the Virgin Islands can be a very reasonably priced get-away, especially if you can snag last-minute airline bargains. American Airlines and Spirit Airlines are just two of the companies where we’ve seen fantastic deals for summer getaways.

Yes – it is possible to stay in the islands for $100-$150/night, and no – you don’t need to bring your own tent or camp out to get those kind of rates.  Websites like www.vrbo.com, www.craiglist.org and www.ebay.com are great starting places to connect directly with homeowners. Some will even rent for just 3 nights! Here is some of the lingo to help you sort out the options for your cheap island getaway:

  • Suite: this usually means a bedroom/sitting room combination,  possibly with a coffee maker, small fridge and microwave. Often a great choice for active vacationers looking for a reasonably priced place to sleep.   
  • Efficiency: Somewhere between a suite and an apartment lies the efficiency unit which come with cooktops along with the fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Think small urban studio.
  • Apartment:  many apartments in the VI are located on the lower level of a residential home, often in front of the enclosed water cistern. Screened in porches or decks are a plus. When the owner lives upstairs, the apartment is often a real bargain, but watch the late night partying!
  • Guest Houses: think of these as bed and breakfast type placed, but without the breakfast included (in most cases). Usually a small number of rooms that are big on style, whether it be shabby chic, antique, or down-island comfort. 

At rock bottom rates, you may need to share a pool or skip it all together.  But, aren’t the pools at 5-star resorts shared with a lot of other people anyway? Look for introductory rates offered when a rental is new to the vacation market and owners need to get their rental calendar filled. Be sure to ask what’s included – beach towels and coolers are normally included, but toiletries may not be.

For our Service Veterans, Sugarbird Nest Villa of St. John offers 7 nights for the price of 2;  a well deserved bargain for our soldiers and their families. 

Some of our other favorites to check our are Mirabella Suites, and  the Crystal Palace  – both on St. Thomas; Star Villas, Century Hill Estate efficiencies, Hillcrest Guest House, Island Rentals – all on St. John.  Last minute specials, over-5o discounts, book 3 nights and get the 4th free… there are bargains regularly, so look around – and ask for them.  With reasonable expectations, you may just discover some beauties worth visiting again and again!

Of course, if you are travelling with a another couple or group of friends, you also have the option of many more upscale properties – sweet condos & full-fledged villas. Because, once you split the cost up per person, you will be pleasantly surprised at how far any Virgin Island  vacation rental budget will take you.

Until Later,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger

Your island photographers

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Bob @ 11:04 pm

May 17, 2010

Photo Monday 5/17/10

Happy Monday!

This week’s inspiration came when I spied the antics of a very frisky seagull on the beach at Caneel Bay, while enjoying a little island time of my own. Was he trying to playfully catch a free ride or was he just being naughty?  

If it weren’t for being on island time, I would have missed seeing the fun. These days, with sensory overload, it’s important to take time out once in a while. And when we do, it’s amazing the things we see right under our noses. 

 In a not so distant past, it was a bit different here on St. John.

This used to be the only sign to let you know you were in Fish Bay. I’ll bet most people don’t even know where this sign is, because to notice things like this, you need to slow down and get on island time.

  

Almost any little quiet corner of the island will do.  Go ahead and try it, even if only in your imagination.  Close your eyes and think warm Caribbean thoughts.  That sudden clarity in your mind and slowing of your heart rate? That’s island time. 

Now you’re in the right frame of mind to catch an inquisitive gecko peaking out at you, or a frolicking seagull on the wet sand.  Wherever you live, you can still feel the magic.

 

Island time will bring you back to a very special time when life was simple and full of amazement. It’s not a bad place to be once in a while!

Until later,

Karin and Bob Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

p.s. – a special thanks to young Carolyn and her family who let us use this photo of her this week to illustrate our point!

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: , , , — Karin @ 11:20 pm

May 14, 2010

For The Animals

 The 10th Annual St. John Wagapalooza – a crazy and fun dog show – will be held on May 22nd and it’s an island event not to be missed. With everyone on-island talking about their dogs and getting their cameras ready for the festivities, it seems like a good time to talk about pet portraiture.   

A Very Long Tongue - Time to Stop For A While!

 Great pet portraits require simple backgrounds, good lighting and strong photo composition – just like people portraits. Like young children, even the best behaved domesticated animals are tough to pose, have short attention spans, and can change temperament very quickly. So shoot the way you would with a toddler. Get down on to their level, be patient and let them do what they do best, whether it be playing or sleeping.   

 There are some important nuances to consider when working with animals:

  •  Safety and Welfare  – Be aware of you environment at all times and be prepared. Most people are cautious with feral donkeys, but don’t forget this important concept with a household pet. Photographing a dog on a beach can mean a soaked puppy, a dusty and spotty camera sensor, and hurt feet from a barefoot misstep within just seconds. And, remember, little kittens have big claws! 
  •  Fur is different than skin to a camera lens. When we photograph skin, the ideal is to create a diffused effect that and softens and smoothes, removing blemishes and imperfections. With a furry animal, the goal is the opposite. The ideal is to see the fur come alive with depth and texture. In that case bright reflectors, directional lighting and natural lighting techniques are used to improve shadowing and contrast.
  •  Timing depends on the animal and your goals. Have you ever noticed how a dog’s tongue gets longer and longer as they play? Unless you want an inordinately long and funny tongue like the photos to the right, keep play activity short and towards the end of a dog session.  Kittens are shockingly fast when they play so have your camera settings ready for fast action and limit where they can run. Don’t worry, they’ll roll up in a ball and be asleep just minutes later.       �

    Our grumpy but loveable old Maggie

 

 For instantly stunning effects, completely fill the camera frame with the animals face, or go for an extremely low depth of field so only a small portion of the animal is crystal clear. Think wet nose, or elegant whiskers. And an animals eyes always tell a story.   

Camera adjustments for depth of field will be different for a dog with a long protruding nose than it is with a human to achieve the same results. Once you understand the concepts, break the rules… after all, it’s your pet portrait.  

Most importantly – have fun with you animal friends. We’ll be at Wapalooza and hope to see you there.

 Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, portraits — Tags: , , , , — Karin @ 10:04 pm

May 10, 2010

Photo Monday 5/10/10

Happy Monday!

It’s good to be back home to St. John. Our past week in Kingston, Jamaica was packed so full with activities we had little time to get homesick or even enjoy a quiet sunset. So this Monday, we’re treating ourselves as much as we’re treating you!

We built our little house facing west so we could enjoy the sun setting over Pillsbury Sound and St. Thomas. Even during the day, St. Thomas is beautiful when seen from our island. This particular shot was taken on Gifft Hill. But our daily sunsets - those are always magical events.

This photo was taken at water’s edge. When the sun kisses the horizon of the open sea, there is a split second of golden reflection which makes all our daily stresses disappear. 

As the sun dips below the horizon some days, the evening turns quietly into nighttime darkness.  Sometimes there are clouds that completely mask the sunset itself and day moves colorlesly into evening. But at other times, the sunset itself was only the beginning of a spectacular evening show.   

 From behind the clouds come a glorious display in a rainbow of colors. The pinks and yellows soon give way to vivid reds and stop us in our tracks.

Our island home is always close to our hears. Is it any surprise that we’ve been looking forward to getting back here?

 

At least when we’re away for a weekend on Jost Van Dyke, we can see our island home and its surrounding cays all day and all night. Oh, yeah! Here’s an idea… take us with you on your next excursion there and we’ll take a photo of you with this view as your backdrop! 

Until later,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: , , , , , , — Karin @ 11:02 pm

May 3, 2010

Photo Monday 5/3/10

Happy Monday!

Cruz Bay is the big town on St John, so to speak. While it is often photographed, we feel it sometimes misses the respect it deserves.

While Sunday was overcast and drizzly, this perspective of our little town deserved a photo. Cruz Bay Park is such a green gem, just to the right of the ferry dock in this photo. We need to protect all our green spaces.

It doesn’t matter whether you arrive on the passenger ferry dock  to the south of the Battery or via the Customs area to the North. This historic compound and its beautiful landscape is the first thing most people gaze at when arriving to St. John.

And, the VI National Park Visitors Center, just a short walk away along the area known as The Creek, is the first place they want to visit. 

  

Unless you are a boater. Looking at town from Gallows Point at waters edge gives a completely different perspective of our little town that is all about the boats.  Most of our Cruz Bay perspectives make us smile. But this one made us very sad.

The Cruz Bay dock at 6:00AM photographed from our departing ferry. We were headed off-island and that always puts a little weight upon our hearts. We’ll be home again soon, God willing. And we hope you’ll be there for at least a little visit too.

Until later,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: , , — Karin @ 11:18 pm

April 30, 2010

Beach Dining – There’s Nothing Better

“We’re thinking of having a barbeque on the beach.” Our clients say this often, whether it’s for a family reunion, wedding reception, birthday party or just a nice long day with friends to be topped off with a vacation portrait. It’s always a great idea here on an island where long days on the beach are common. And for those of you who just take sandwiches to a St. John beach every day on vacation – pay attention. These personally tested suggestions may just make your day!

 -         Feast On A Beach: How about an entire Thanksgiving style turkey dinner on the beach? We did it by cooking the turkey until ‘almost done, then steaming it the rest of the way in a huge pot at the beach. No pot? Cut a turkey into quarters (or smaller pieces) and cook the pieces on a grill at the beach. Assemble on a large platter before serving. Don’t forget the cranberries and stuffing! Lay down a big sheet or two and line up extra towels as a tablecloth. Cut some local flowers and put in an empty water bottle for a nice touch.    

-         Pizza Float: Perfect for a birthday party or other celebration, this one requires just two pool floats, placed one on top of the other to make a ‘table’ in the water that rises at least 3-4 inches above the water line. Bring pizza to the beach, or better yet – have it delivered (even on St. John!) and get into the water to enjoy. It’s a perfect way to enjoy birthday cake too. Skip the utensils and napkins – just dig in and have some fun with your food! This is one of our favorite evening (yes EVENING) activities with friends in summer months.

-         Catered Luxury: We have so many wonderful caterers and private chefs on the island that it is worth considering for any group dining at the beach and surprisingly affordable. Barbeque ribs, classic fish fry, or even sushi – whatever your style. If you can’t decide, just call a caterer – they are full of fun suggestions and ideas for every price range. And yes, some offer lunch packages for just two people!  

-         French Fries & Rum Punch: Okay, this one is really cheating, but the opportunity to have French Fries and a Rum Punch on the sand at Trunk Bay is just too good to pass up without mentioning. You can have a classic backyard barbeque with hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken and salads too from the concession stand. Don’t forget the drinks, but watch out for the gulls – they can mischievous trying to get those French fries. 

 Keep in mind that you may need an inexpensive permit to hold your larger event on a VI National Park beach or to reserve a covered barbeque space, so contact the Visitors Center for more information.

 Some reminders: Don’t feed the gulls, the donkeys, or the mongoose . And never, ever bring glass of any kind to the beach, please. Use the recycle and trash bins provided and leave only your footprints in the sand.  We like those.

 We hope to see you soon on the beach and in the water. We’ll bring the drinks – you bring the turkey.

 Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Karin @ 9:26 pm

April 26, 2010

Photo Monday 4/26/10 –

Happy Monday!

This week, we’re paying homage to the little coves on St. John.  Each one is a little gem, with no two alike. They are an important facet of our beautiful island and worth sharing.

We’re talking about beaches where a dozen people on a short stretch of sand would make them crowded places. But sand can sometimes be overrated.

This pebble beach near the end of the road on the East End may not have much sand, but the snorkeling is absolutely wonderful and the only neighbors you’ll ever see are pelicans and the occasional curious gecko. 

Some sweet little coves are tricky to reach unless you have a kayak or like to swim because there is no path, or the cove is surrounded by private property. We’ve been known to put our lunch and towels on a float and use the float as a kickboard to reach a few that beckoned us on a sunny day. But, oh, it has always been worth the effort.

If that sounds like too much work, there are other options.

Take Miss Vie’s Beach and little cove in Hanson Bay. Sure, you pay an access fee to crosss her land, but you won’t risk wet towels on a pool float. Heck – skip that float all together. There are beach chairs here!

But for the easiest, sweetest little cove on St. John, just go to our favorite little north shore cove in the VI National Park. The parking lot across the street can only hold 5 or 6 vehicles at best and that says it all. You’ll have to walk a little. 

But the stroll to the cove is an easy one and carefully groomed. It’s a gentle slope down from road and past a little bridge to this often passed over cove.

Awaiting at the end of the short trail, lays Jumbie Beach – an idyllic little cove. When a storm front comes through, it can be a bit rough. And if there are 5 carloads of people, the beach can be darned full. But it is a wonderfully romantic and tranquil spot if you catch it at the right time.

And despite the number of visitors this year, it’s surprisingly pristine. On Sunday members of the local Rotary Club of St John performed a beach clean-up here and even they were surprised by the lack of litter they were able to pick up.

Little Jumbie certainly is a beauty. Thanks to everyone whose been remembering to keep our beaches and little coves cleaner this year. Good Jumbies to you all.

Until next time,

Bob and Karin Schlesinger
Your Island Photographers

Filed under: General, Photo Mondays — Tags: , , , , , , , — Karin @ 10:57 pm
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Bob Schlesinger | Bob@TropicalFocus.com | 340-642-9696 | PO Box 1559, St John VI 00830


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