LOCATION :: The Olds on Ocean

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Oldsmobile on Miami Beach by Chip Bunnell PhotographySoBe (South Beach) is an area with a seriously split personality. The nights are filled with thumping music, adult beverages and toned people wearing the most trendy threads you could find in any fashion magazine. Sunrise, well, that’s a whole different vibe. The streets are quiet and those same fit people are on the beach for a run or early morning yoga. What a difference just a few hours can make.

Regardless of the time, the one constant is the sighting of seriously flashy cars. At night, Ocean Drive is lined with Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the like.  Here, Porches are as common as Chevys. Even in the early morning you will find pretty much the same assortment. While I have always fancied myself a Ferrari man, the classics are equally appealing…especially one completed restored and detailed to perfection.

Enter the owner of the Avalon Hotel. Few things get attention like a shiny, 4 wheeled classic proudly displayed in front of a swanky boutique hotel. Knowing this, he purchased and parked just a such ride just outside the front door. The hotel was white, trimmed in a very south Florida yellow. The Oldsmobile…a matching white trimmed in a similar pastel yellow. Eye catching? It caught mine, especially on this particular morning.

The sidewalks had just been cleaned which left a wonderful wetness to the street. I used a distant headlight to pull the viewer’s eye further into the frame. The passenger headlight was intentionally cropped off to focus on the flowing lines of the hood and the rich, glossy paint of the side panels as you move down the street. A slight reflection can be seen in the wet pavement below. Majestic palm trees flowing in the background complete the scene. The Olds on Ocean Drive marks the spot!

3 Frame HDR, Processed in LR, PS and Topaz Clarity

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NATURE :: Waves of Power

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Sunrise Waves by Chip Bunnell PhotographyEven though I had roughly another hour, my body decided it was ready to awaken…mostly. This morning was to be a rare treat – a wonderful sunrise to practice my craft and my beautiful bride sharing it by my side. As I thought of our adventure, I had no specific destination in mind. Like Luke in 1977, I would use “The Force” and was confident we would find something amazing!

As we approached the pre-dawn highway, I asked my bride if we should go to Miami or Jupiter? She quickly said Jupiter…North it was! Looking to the sky, a thick cloud blanket made me question the wisdom of our trek. Having faith we would find something to fill the frame, we began our journey. A rain shower along the way made us again question our plan, but we pressed onward with the confidence there would be a reward.

As we approached our target, we could see the outline of patchy clouds in the darkness. We had found a hole in the low hanging blanket. Visions of spectacular sunrises were now filling my head. A number of fellow photographers where already at this beach when we arrived. A friendly nod to each and I went to work.

The easterly wind created a constant stream of waves. One by one, they crashed on the resolute rocks. Ironically, the greatest waves rolling in did not make the greatest impact. Instead, it was the quiet ones that had the greatest strength. They seemed to approach with natural stealth and then explode with incredible force just feet in front of us.  Water sprayed from all sides of the rigid coral formations creating a spectacular show.

This caused me to reflect on the upcoming week. Will we approach it with loud intentions, but give out before completion? Or will we have a quiet, determined focus while embracing opportunities with great force and resolve? Ultimately, that is a decision for each of us to make….  Like the example of these powerful waves, here’s to an eye on the goal as we meet new challenges head on, with strength and enthusiasm.

Single exposure, Processed in LR and Topaz Clarity

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