Everyone should have their own special place. Even though Patti and I have done a fair amount of traveling Kauai is ours. It is where we go to refresh our bodies, physically and mentally. During the year we get caught up in the rat race, the day to day reality. Pressure to perform, meet goals and expectations slowly build up and affect who we are. Time for a break. You don’t need to run off to Hawaii, but we do.
MAHALO:
Being on the island helps us refocus, relax and regain clarity. There is a feeling of the beauty that nature is sharing through the lush tropical landscape, cascading waterfalls, the myriad of hidden beaches and the power of nature as the north swell arrives increasing the waves from 1-3 feet to often over 10 feet. Kauai has been our home away from home for over twenty year. We always find or have a new experience. I return to San Diego more centered ready to share my refreshed vision. Mahalo Kauai.
techy stuff: Nikon D810 camera with a 14-24, 24-70 and a 70-200 lens with a 1.4 convertor. Images processed in Adobe Lightroom 5.
Portrait of Ken Caminiti. Concept was to show his toughness and grit.
I used to be a sports photographer. Then reality set in….. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I grew up in a small Kansas farm town, Macksville, and I loved sports. I don’t ever remember sports not being a part of my life. My two oldest brothers excelled in whatever they did. My next oldest brother Mark was a pretty good pitcher, my sister, Debbie, was just as talented as my older siblings and my youngest brother was probably the best of us all. The only problem was he was ten years younger than me. I only learned his exploits from Mark’s writings in the local newspaper. But what about me? I was short changed in the talent department. As hard as I worked and studied sports, the reality was I didn’t “have” it. But boy it sure took me a long time to accept it.
I played on the high school team and then was the backup place kicker on the Mesa College football team. Looking back I think it was only because Coach Smorin didn’t cut those that wanted to be there. I wanted it bad. So I stayed. During the offseason I was in the first car accident of my life and as a result had to quit playing. That was one of the best events that ever happened.
During the offseason I had gotten married and my sister-in-law, Carole had loaned me her 35mm Yashica to play with. I was quickly hooked and soon photographing sports for the school paper at Mesa College which allow me to stay in touch with my team mates. An obsession to learn followed and within four years I was working in the newspaper realm, covering news and the sports I loved.
After eight years as a staff photographer at the San Diego Union Tribune I started my own business and became immersed in the sports photography profession. I worked for the wire services, trading card companies, San Diego State University and then got my dream job. Along with a former Sports Illustrated photographer we started an in-house full service photography department for the owner of the San Diego Padres. It was a sports photographer’s ideal job. We were on the inside documenting the team and the franchise, the players and the owners. We were given access that few photographer ever are given.
During the six year stint we lived a great life. I photographed hundreds of games and saw a rare insight into what some people call the Greatest Game. The Padres had a good team and even better marketing. Their quest to expand their brand took us to Mexico several times, once to play the Mets, to Hawaii to play the St. Louis Cardinals and then the winning began. We went to the playoff and then the World Series. I saw Tony Gwynn at his prime, I saw him injured and I saw him retire. On his final game he personally gave me an autographed bat which I have to this day.
But times change. Due to internal politics I was not renewed. And to add insult to injury I was replaced by the mailroom clerk…. the timing was terrible. They waited until ten days prior to spring training which precluded me from working with another company.
Losing that contract was the best event that happened. I’m now an architectural photographer. I miss sports but I love my new challenge. But that’s another story. Check out my website, www.zwink.com
About the photo: This was a portrait of Ken Caminiti done for the Padres Magazine. Camy was one of the most intense, dedicated hard working people I ever met. He loved baseball. Padre fans loved him.
I don’t know what the attraction is but cemeteries draw me to them. Is it curiosity, a little macabre or the photographer in me. Believe me, I’m in no hurry and definitely not looking for a resting place. That, will be someone else’s problem. I won’t be around… lol. Sometimes I’m alone, sometimes Patti my wife will go with me. I’ve never asked her why, we just do. Often we start out together exploring but often separate. And then quietly call the other when there is a perceived story to share. We don’t do this at home, only when we’re traveling. Maybe it the anthropologist in us that looks for clues about the past and the culture we’re invading. I could write more on my thoughts, but I’ll hold onto them. Maybe for an addendum if there’s enough curiosity.
TECHY STUFF: The above images were taken at a abandoned, unattended graveyard we came across at Port Allen near Glass Beach on Kaua’i. What was interesting was all the writing on the markers and headstones in one area were all Japanese or Chinese, the middle part to young Hawaiian children that died within the first couple years and then the other side to a small section of Hawaiian families. We don’t know their stories, but we sure speculated for a while.
Lumihana Beach in Kauai. My wife’s favorite beach. Last Thursday it was mine. Lumihana as the beach Hollywood used for the old WWII movie the South Pacific featuring Lana Turner. Normally there is a gentle surge in the beach area but this day a western swell hit creating 12 – 20 feet waves. As we were walking about 100 yards down a secluded path we could increasingly hear the roar and pounding of the waves on the volcanic rock ledge surrounding the beach. I’ve never heard anything so intimidating and violent at the beach. We sat down in our beach chairs and just watched the show nature played out for us. Needless to say we didn’t go into the water.
techy stuff: shot with the Iphone5 on the regular camera mode and processed in the Snapseed app.
We all need that special place. Be it close by or halfway around the world we all need a place that has a hold on us. The place that feels good, has the mojo to help recharge us, that make you feel safe, that you don’t forget and often return to.
Kauai, the northern most Hawaiian island, is our special place. We’ve been coming here on and off for 24 years, since our honeymoon. We have experienced the island go through many changes, a hurricane, an abundance of water, a drought, the effect of the economic collapse, the death of a beloved local surfer and the resiliency to survive, never forget and move on. We’ve also seen a kind, compassionate, caring culture of the people that love their home. The “aloha” factor.
This is our special place, it is a part of us. No matter the situation we alway have a unique experience. I try to share what we love about Kauai with our friends through my photography of our travels and adventures. Every person has to find their own “special place” . Kauai, just saying it warms my heart, it will always be our special place that keeps calling to come back. What does it for you?
techy stuff: all images shot with the new Nikon D600 and processed in Adobe Lightroom 4. My website is www.zwink.com
ALOHA:
