Hmmm. I am still trying to figure out the new brush tools in Photoshop CS5 . I have to admit, this is a real fun challenge! Techniques like this will evolve nicely into the portrait industry, I think.

I still have two spots left in my June 14th-20th Boot Camp!

After months of planning, it is finally time to announce my June photography workshop!

The workshop will be officially announced tomorrow morning to several thousand people on my email list. I expect it to sell out to all ten lucky students pretty quickly. This workshop is unique from all the others, as we will be living together, “boot camp” style, in a dormitory. This intensive 6 day, 6 night adventure will be all-inclusive! I have arranged for accomodations, meals, and all ground transportation!!!

To top this off, I have partnered up with the incredible Photoshop Evangelist Dr. Russell Brown from Adobe! Yes, this is the Emmy Award winning, Photoshop Hall-of-Fame inductee, world-famous mad scientist himself!

Maui Pro shooter Aubrey Hord will be our assistant. Her job is to keep us on track, and on schedule for the duration of the week.

Please download the brochure by clicking HERE.

~randy

I am exploring the Lake Tahoe area and practicing my photography while trying to relax a bit, as well. Tahoe is a magical place — as is my home on Maui.

Sadly, my new Nikon D700 has a serious electrical malfunction and so I am using a much lower model camera as a backup during this photo excursion. I am really missing the D700!

It looks like a thunderstorm is moving in again this afternoon. Perhaps I’ll find a location to capture the ominous-looking clouds over the lake. Also, this afternoon, I plan to visit one of my all-time favorite photographers, Elizabeth Carmel, in her new Carmel Gallery in Truckee, California.

A hui hou!

Kumu hula Napua Greig married her lon-time boyfriend Andy Makua on the Forth of July. This was not a typical wedding by any means. The pa’ina finally ended at about 2am — which is understandable because it seemed as though nearly guest in attendance had won a Grammy, or Hokuhanahano music award!

Changing the topic…. our gallery packing and shipping department will take its annual haiatus for the next two weeks. Web and gallery orders will not ship within our usual 48 hour time frame. If you have any questions, please call Rachael at the gallery at 1-800-967-HULA for her legendary customer service.

Appropriately, I selected a photo of one of America’s heros to post for this Independence Day. I have followed Willie Nelson for about 30 years now.

I tell my kids that I have been in professional baseball and football stadiums - sold out - in major cities, just to hear his message and his sweet voice. My kids don’t believe me.  He lives more than half the year on Maui, so Willie has become a familiar sight to local folks, who treat and trust him as a friend. Because he is a neighbor to all Mauians, I have had the pleasure, in recent years, of witnessing live concerts in tiny gatherings, and seeing him in restaurants, and on the golf course. Last week at the Maui FIlm Festival I thanked him for all he has done for America, looking him straight in the eye. Then I had a few minutes to photograph him up close and personal. It was one of the greatest moments in my life.

Willie Nelson is not a “pop culture” icon. He is so much more for the good people of this great country.

Happy Independence Day. Relax, Enjoy.

(more…)

Yesterday I was in Lahaina making my normal rounds of deliveries to the Front Street retail stores. There is a stand of coconut trees which have alwave captured my curiosity over the years, but I never really took the time to get my camera out and make an effort to photograph them.  Typically, Lahaina is too hot and sticky for me to actually walk with my camera bag, and set up a tripod. Yesterday I made the time and, yes, ended up sweating profusely. The image is cool, though. Sort of avant garde. Any thoughts?
~r

Boy, there was a really long recovery period for me after Merrie Monarch hula festival this year. The event itself is totally draining — emotionally, I mean. There are 4 days of constant ups and down, and deadines, and meetings, and appointments, and …

During Merrie Monarch Hula Festival you see so many old friends, and make many new, as well. It is an experience that can bond people for life. This was my sixth straight year to photograph the event, and my tenth year overall to attend. Man, this one drained me.

Following the week in Hilo, I headed to Hana. I go to Hana frequently to re-charge my soul and get my feet back on the ground. In Hana, I hung with dozens of people whom are my friends, my hanai ohana, and my cultural kumus. Whew, the energy out there was strong — something I rarely say, or think, but it was.

I spent a night in my timy tent in Oheo.  How wonderfully freeing that can be to wake up in a lightweight tent that is little more than a mosquito net; next to the crashing waves, with the sun gently rising directly from the ocean between the cliffs of Kipahulu and the Big Island.

I have fallen way behind with my normal daily tasks such as attending to my retail stores, and writing blogs, and sending newsletters. My mind is becoming more occupied with a few books I hope to publish. I finally met with one of my card publishers (Island Heritage, and the Madden Corporation) and had a great meeting about the prospects of making my first jump into authoring. This is really exciting for me,  I have to admit.

Also, I am gearing up to present 3 or 4 classes at the first annual Maui Photo Festival in September. i am already starting  to work on my class outlines and can’t wait for this event. So much is happening. Oh, if you are interested in more information about this event, just go to www.mauiphotofestival.com.

Wow, summer is nearly upon us. The gallery has survived the down period (April & May) and we are looking forward to a fantastic summer vacation period on Maui. The airline prices are at an all-time low, at least what I see on Travelocity.com, so try to take a break and come visit us in person!

Also this month, a very important family on Maui — the Kaina ‘Ohana — had to say farewell to soon to Hokulani, their beautiful, young, shining star. Not to be forgotten.

Okay, I have to admit, I felt sort of special when I drove into the parking lot at my new publisher’s office on O’ahu looking for a spot, and I nearly passed this one right by. It was nice to find that customer service is still alive and well in Hawai’i. I will be creating a new line of products with these folks very shortly.

Lately, I have been producing a few eCards for my own clients (like YOU) to send out on the internet for free. The marketing is wonderful for me as an artist. Click on this card to eMail a Valentine’s Day card to your Sweetie!. Just click on this card and try it. I promise that this new website, called www.ArtiSend.com has no ads, or spam. If you are an artist, you may want to consider signing up.

Finally, the First annual Maui Photo Festival is beginning to take shape for this September (2009). Take a look at this link to learn more. http://mauiphotofestival.com/.

Christmas Eve on Maui…..

This afternoon was fantastic. I found my creative “zone” for a good hour, or more. Christmas Eve afternoon is sort of like the 2 hours before Thanksgiving dinner. There is anticipation, relaxation, and a sense of care-free-ness.

Today the wind was strong and steadily blowing the north shore mist around the mountains to the leeward side. From 7am till 6pm there was a rainbow; not just a rainbow, but a rainbow of legendary brilliance. It was there like a rock, all day long.

So at 4pm i finally heard the voice in my mind to out and shoot photos! I hiked up into the cow pasture behind my house and filled a 4 gig card completely.

As a professional, I need to grab my camera and got shoot as much as I can. But to tell your family that you are heading out to go “look for rainbows” sounds lame. Chasing rainbows for a living?

It works for me! Merry Christmas!

Oh, by the way! Santa made his way throught makawao town this weekend. The town was mobbed with shoppers. Makawao is such a cool boutique town. Even Opra herself is known to wander about through the shops under heavy disguise…..  no need to disguise in Makawao though, we’re not known to make a big fuss over our celebrity visitors.