All Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. . .

August 23, 2019August 23, 2019 / Chuck Palmer / 21 Comments

Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver to Kamloops

All Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

I was a little apprehensive climbing on the charter bus on a warm June morning in Vancouver, Canada. My wife and I rarely travel in a tour group preferring to take our own path while traveling. . . planning our own days and arranging our own accommodations. Our bus was about to take us to a unique travel experience… especially for us. Just a few minutes away our driver would drop us off at the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station. For the next two days we would see the back-country sights of the Canadian Rockies from the legendary Rocky Mountaineer Train. Continue reading →

Exploring Eau Gallie Arts District Once Again – A photo walk with new eyes.

May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 / Chuck Palmer / 4 Comments

Keep Out – Eau Gallie Arts District

Marcel Proust, French novelist best known for his novel In Search of Lost Time once said, “The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Seeing new things in familiar places certainly takes having new eyes. Continue reading →

Exploring the Cyclades Islands aboard the Sea Cloud

January 30, 2019February 1, 2019 / Chuck Palmer / 4 Comments

The Sea Cloud – Piraeus, Greece

As my wife and I stepped off the shuttle bus dockside at the historic port of Piraeus, Greece, we were amazed to see her rich mahogany woodwork, and gleaming brass. We had read about the legendary Sea Cloud sailing ship but after seeing her for the first time we felt we were about to step back into history. Our early September 7-day sailing adventure was about to begin. . . Exploring the Greek Cyclades Islands aboard the historic square-rigger. As we boarded this magnificent ship, we were greeted by our expedition director and his staff from National Geographic and the ship’s capable crew.

Continue reading →

My 2018 Favorite Images and the Stories Behind Them

January 7, 2019 / Chuck Palmer / 10 Comments

Happy New Year. I hope your 2018 was filled with joy and happiness.

Every year I really enjoy reliving the past year through my photos. I find the process of selecting my favorite 10 from the previous year enlightening. 2018 was filled with travels to new places and many new experiences. One thing about photography that few people talk about is that you get to relive those experiences again and again. Many years ago, we put our favorite photos in family albums, so it was easy to relive those special moments. Today, it takes a little effort. Far too often our digital images are buried away in one of many disk drives. May I suggest you go find your 2018 photos. Take the time to select your favorite 10. Reflect on why they are your favorite. You will learn so much about where you have been and just maybe a little insight into where you are going.

So once again… in no particular order, here are my favorite images of 2018 and the stories behind them.

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Exploring Peggy’s Cove – A Coastal Playground in Nova Scotia, Canada

October 30, 2018 / Chuck Palmer / 3 Comments

Peggy’s Point Lighthouse – Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

As we turned off Hwy 333 on to Peggy’s Point Road, we were astonished to see such a quaint little fishing village that seemed to be frozen in time. Peggy’s Cove is certainly one of those bucket list destinations where you feel what life is like for the hard-working fishing families of Nova Scotia, Canada. Continue reading →

Creative Vision – Developing your Process

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 / Chuck Palmer / 3 Comments

In his book, Within the Frame, David duChemin suggests “the first thing to realize is that the creative process is not so simple that it can be reduced to a formula – go here, wait for muse, shoot brilliant image. It is not a reactive process depending on a magic fairy appearing and beating you with an inspiration stick. Creativity is something you can actively work at, and the more closely you know your own process, the more reliably the muse appears.” This got me to thinking. . . What is my own process for capturing a creative image? Continue reading →

My Favorite 2017 Images and the Stories behind them

December 30, 2017December 31, 2017 / Chuck Palmer / 9 Comments

I hope your 2017 was happy, healthy, and filled with remarkable photos.

Every new year I find selecting my favorite images from the past 12 months very enlightening. It is a great way to relive those special times and places you experienced, and the exercise helps me learn a few things about my work too. There are always a few photos to be proud of that were selected for ribbons or publication. But I find the process of selection helps me realize what I can do to improve my life, and my photography in the new year. Continue reading →

Exploring and Discovering Copenhagen

October 7, 2017October 7, 2017 / Chuck Palmer / 3 Comments

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital and most populous city, has been described as the gateway to Scandinavia. Indeed, this beautiful city is a perfect place to start exploring the Scandinavian countries. Copenhagen’s modern Danish architecture combined with some of the most interesting old town scenery in Europe is a perfect destination for photographers and tourist alike. Continue reading →

Capture Brevard 2017 – A look at the lifestyle on the East Coast of Florida

September 17, 2017September 17, 2017 / Chuck Palmer / 6 Comments

Cocoa Beach Pier – Cocoa Beach, FL

For the second year in a row, I participated in a project to “Capture Brevard”, highlighting the lifestyle of the place I call home along the Central East Coast of Florida. Brevard County, also known as the “Space Coast” is the 10^th largest county in Florida. Located halfway between Jacksonville and Miami, residents and visitors enjoy 72 miles of beaches, and vast inland waterway lagoons. Of course the Space Coast is known world-wide as the origin of space explorations and rocket launches. Continue reading →

Lessons Learned on the Road to Creativity

July 20, 2017 / Chuck Palmer / Leave a comment

I have learned many lessons on my road to being a more creative photographer. Probably the most important is studying other artists work and art design are critical to development. One of the best resources I have found is Extraordinary Vision Photography Magazine. Editor Angelo Ioanides does a phenomenal job compiling useful articles from professional and amateur photographers. The e-magazine format provides stunning images, and active links to videos and other internet content. With a remarkably low subscription rate, it also must be the best deal in photography education available anywhere. If you subscribe before August 1, you also get 10 free back issues in addition to the latest 3 issues. . . all this in a 30 day free trial subscription!

May I suggest you subscribe today. Read Angelo’s article series on composition design principles. One of the best references on the subject you will find anywhere. And make sure you check out my article in Issue 60 too! – Lessons Learned on the Road to Creativity.