Five days of ocean sailing, long night watches with unimaginable starry skies, breaching whales, large waves, thunderstorms, calm sunset dinner cruises and great friends all have a way of clearing the mind and soul of the accumulated cobwebs of daily busyness. When you are just a speck floating on a huge ocean, the past and future are not what hold your attention. It is the present…the now. Are the sails trimmed? Is my course correct? Am I on a collision course with anything? I could go on and on with sailing analogies, but suffice it to say…this trip has helped me refocus on the moment. Leave the regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow behind. Today, this moment, is where I need to concentrate.
P.S. Technical note: Many of you know that my wife and I produce stock photography for Getty. It is this relationship with Getty that has made many of the NGO/non-profit shoots possible. (See this interview on the Scott Kelby Blog for further info) I carry a camera everywhere I go. There are always opportunities to shoot stock, and this sailing trip was no different. I did not go with many preconceived ideas of what I wanted to shoot. The photos just came as I experienced what was happening around me.
All Photo ©Copyright Gary S. Chapman 2010
That is one awesome lighthouse picture Gary…
Thanks, Nate…but realize…this was done for stock and not photojournalism…so there is some Photoshop going on here!
this is very nice
gives a very different feeling 
unique work, keep it up
Great pictures, Gary. Feel free to ask me to carry your life preserver next trip out
Cool pics, Gary. Sometimes it’s good to combine a little business with pleasure (especially when it allows you to pursue your passion!)
I just HAVE to take pictures, business or pleasure! Thanks for reading Tod.
Whether there’s some Photoshop going on or not these are beautiful images that capture a great amount of the feeling I imagine it was like on the sea.
Ed…being a photojournalist at heart…I always have to make excuses when I use Photoshop! Thanks for looking.
Beautiful images, Gary, and loved the Kelby interview. I noted to you on his blog: “One of these days we’ll shake hands…and I’m so looking forward to the day. Wonderful words/images!”
Many thanks Lou…and I look forward to shaking your hand!
Hi Gary!
Just dropping in on your blog, & as usual, great stuff!! Thanks for posting! You have me excited about shooting stock now.
Matt, Thanks for commenting. Stock has kept us going for a long time, but times in the stock market are changing…