National Geographic Grant Approval

Today I was informed by the National Geographic that my project proposal Caves in the Heart of Darkness was approved. Now the real work begins, including finishing the full application and acquiring additional sponsorship! Should be an exciting road!

Project Conservation through Exploration

I wanted to update everyone on an exciting development. I have decided to start a group/society/business associated with my photography called Project Conservation through Exploration. The idea is that new places and new discoveries drive conservation efforts around the world and that expeditions (explorations) provide the perfect medium for going to new places and making new discoveries. When people are awed by something they are typically motivated to want to protect it. So Project Conservation through Explorations aim is to organize expeditions with groups like National Geographic to wild places that need to be protected and document their secrets and splendor so that people will want to protect them and hopefully one day see them!

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin"-William Shakespeare

Some Eastern States

On November 16, 2007 a traveling buddy (South America Travels) from Australia came to visit me for a 8 day road trip through Virginia and surrounding states. All in all we drove 2,000 miles, spent way too much money, and saw a couple cool things along the way. A brilliant break!



I took this photo on the Blue Ridge Parkway as the sun was setting. It was very cloudy and foggy and this helped diffuse the strong sunlight. By using a tungsten white balance I achieved the blue setting of the photo.

Photography-Adventures-Exploration

I have a few exciting projects beginning in 2008 to detail.

First, in February I am flying to Turkey where I will spend a few weeks photographing a place rarely visited in winter. After Turkey I will travel south through Syria and Jordan to Egypt. From Egypt I will fly to Greece and then return to Turkey. Along the way I hope to visit Istanbul, Petra, the Dead Sea, and the Pyramids, should be a historical trip!

After I return from the middle east I will spend 2 months in Richmond working to pay for all of my expensive camera equipment and planning/fund-raising for my expedition in July.

In June I will fly to Gabon (West Central Africa) and spend a few weeks helping the Wildlife Conservation Society with conservation studies before meeting with friends/teammates from Scotland, Gabon, the USA, and France for a 6 week caving-whitewater kayaking-scientific expedition deep in the rainforests of Gabon. And hopefully we will get National Geographic sponsorship on this!

I have a few more things up my sleeve that I will announce when they become more of a reality!