There’s Something About Penguins – Life and Love amongst Antarctica’s Adelies.

A Gentoo Penguin scurries past a sweetly sleeping seal. One of Liz Alvey's photos from her days of observing penguins and their rituals during her time in Antartica.

There’s Something About Penguins – Life and Love amongst Antarctica’s Adelies.

by Liz Alvey

Now I’m an urban type, living by choice in cities since the age of 19. I went to Antarctica for the spectacle, the dramatic landscapes and the adventure (and to get as far away as possible from anyone I knew for my 50th birthday!).

But I came back with an abiding affection and admiration for penguins.  Blessed with the specialist knowledge of an eccentric Uruguayan professor, I acquired just enough insight to interpret some of their behaviour.

Penguin watch a cruise ship pass in Antarctica.
Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly

Of course it’s not all good. I have to tell you, penguins stink.  A lot. Especially when you find yourself amongst 100,000 Adelies. Not to put too fine a point on it, they live on their own shit. Which, on the plus side is pink. This is due to their consumption of krill, a small prawn-like sea creature that also provides sustenance for other Antarctica natives like whales and seals.

Our expedition guides properly impressed upon us the importance of not interfering with penguin lifestyle and routines. This included stepping off the penguin highways (tamped down pathway in the deep snow) if in use and not approaching closer than a couple of metres. However, no one told the penguins.  The Adelies in particular appeared to have a bemused curiosity about their temporary visitors, seeming to regard us as larger and more colourful versions of themselves.

My favorite episode (helpfully interpreted by our onboard expert) was observing a group of juvenile Adelies. Without wanting to be too anthropomorphic, it was like watching a gaggle of teenagers on a suburban street corner.

Penguin gather to observe their observers. Antarctica
Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly

Girl penguins huddled together. Boy penguins clustered separately, keeping a covert eye on them. And showing off, trying to attract female attention. Finally one bold character made his move. He approached the object of his affection, who deigned to allow herself to be separated from her cohort. He began to pay court; she responded coyly but with increasing interest until both became fully engaged in the head-bobbing courtship behavior our expert described.

Thus emboldened, he began to try and move things to the next level. Withdrawing slightly he searched and found a suitable love token for his amour – a pebble, the currency of love amongst penguins. Pebble in beak, he offered it to his lady love. She paused, considered.....took her time then turned her back and returned to her mates. Hopes dashed and feathers ruffled, her rejected suitor was left high and dry, before he too, scuttled back to the safety of his gang. Who probably took the mickey out of him or whatever the penguin equivalent is.

And there’s a life lesson to be learned by us all – women like stones but they have to be rare and valuable or it’s not going to pique our interest! Even amongst penguins.

Liz Alvey:

Having spent many childhood holidays on the Isle of Wight, Liz has a natural affinity for islands. A trip to Greece almost 20 years ago, sparked a passion for the country and Liz has returned to explore new and favourite places almost every year since. Her most memorable trip outside Greece was to Antarctica - she's currently plotting how to get back there!

Other articles on Travel Boldly by Liz


Greece: A Kefalonia Love Affair
Greece: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Wobbly. The bar of the Matadors. A boat ride back to El CID. Lost in Mazatlán again.‏

A beautiful young woman peeks from behind her mask during Carnival celebrations in Mazatlan, Mexico. I am on three year mission to visit the three largest Carnival celebrations in the world. Last year I was in Mazatlan, this year I am in New Orleans and next I am going to blame it on Rio. Photos Jerome Shaw

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Wobbly.
 

The bar of the Matadors. A boat ride back to El CID. Lost in Mazatlán again.‏

by Jerome Shaw

Last year during Carnival I was in the midst of week long siege in Mazatlán. This year I am in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.  I am in year two of a three year binge, working my way up from the third largest Carnival celebration to the number two this year and next year I take on the granddaddy of them all. No not the Rose Bowl, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

More on New Orleans later but right now I am in a reflective mood. I am thinking back to last year and a couple of all nighters in Mazatlán. In the intervening year the days have melted together into one elongated Carnival parade featuring a unique cast of characters, hours of walking and dozens of beers and margaritas. 

Sax Player Machado Square Carnival 

Mazatlan, Mexico.

Many late night events have no photos of them. On a couple of the nights after the officially sanctioned events end and our guides and minders leave us to our own devices to find our way back to our hotels. I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and I sent my camera equipment back to the hotel with our driver. While Mazatlán may be safe during Carnival, putting several thousand dollars of equipment in the hands of a drunk didn't seem prudent. 

So now liberated from the constraints of keeping track of cameras and phones I could get my party on. 

And that we did. Mike Fisher, a travel writer and humorist from Calgary, and Craig Zabransky, a blogger from New York and I set out to truly experience Carnival. Not sanctioned events from VIP enclaves but from the man on the street vantage of the allnight block parties and open all night bars. 

I have to say it was not a preplanned, forgone conclusion that I would forsake the safe and easy van ride back to El Cid with the tour guide Adolpho and the PR representative Ashley. It was a spur of the moment decision egged on by Mike and Craig and further fueled by a generous amount of alcohol. I have no doubt that they'd say the exact opposite. That it was all my idea and if I hadn't have been so gung-ho for the adventure of experiencing Carnival they'd never thought to do it. Such it the nature of male peer pressure. No one wants to wimp out. 

So it was after much food and wine at the wonderfully situated VIP party and having watched a grand fireworks display over the bay looking out from the Pedro Infante memorial overlook, that the three caballeros set out for ... we knew not where. 

Fireworks over Olas Altas recreating 

the naval battle with the French during 

Carnival in Mazatlan, Mexico.

I can't speak for the others but I'd already had a considerable amount of alcohol. On a normal night I'm sure I'd have been content to slip snugly into bed and slide quickly into a deep sleep. 

Tonight was not an ordinary night.

Once we made our way out of the security of the VIP party we are swept up in wave of people flowing down the street. About all I knew was we were headed back in the direction of the Shrimp Bucket where we had had dinner earlier in the evening. This much I knew but just exactly where we are or where we are going I have no idea. 

We are looking for a party but also trying not to lose each other. More alcohol seemed the first order of business. We spied a beer tent with girls clad in blue and silver spandex advertising Pacifico beer. We were stopping for beer whether we needed it or not. I tried to make small talk with the tall brunette beer goddess. I don't think she even noticed. Now beers in hand we looked for a stage to stand near. We were enthused by the vitality of the crowd. It was difficult to find a place to stand still, there were two currents of people flowing by us as we watched the band and occasionally broke into dance. Craig decided to go for more beer or the bathroom or both. Mike and I agreed to stay put until Craig returned. Mike and I shout-talked at each other above the music and everyone else’s shout-talking. I don't know why we felt so invigorated but we did. 

The currents of the crowds on Olas Altas sweep down the street  

during Carnival in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Further proof that this was not a well planned assault on Mazatlán Carnival was that none of had that much cash. I had a credit card but only few Pesos and maybe $30US. Mike not much more with Craig being the high roller of the group. So there we were partying like Rock Stars, albeit broke rock stars. 

I can't recall if the music ended or changed at the stage we were near but we moved on down Olas Altas beach again in the direction of The Shrimp Bucket, my Northstar for the night. 

Much of the reason for the decisions that were made this night remain a mystery to me and most probably they were a mystery to me that night as well. 

The burning of bad humor in front of the 

Shrimp Bucket on Olas Altas. Carnival  

Mazatlan, Mexico.

I remember we listened to a lot of music - stopped by many bars - sat on two or three patios - drank more beer.

At some point we decided to seek the refuge of another of our home bases Pedro Y Lola’s in Machado Square. It was not a direct beeline we made for Pedro Y Lola’s but ambling wander. We were dead reckoning our way to Machado Plaza with Mike, Craig and I all providing varying coordinates for the trip. We were furthered hindered in our journey by encountering more block parties, more beer and more dancing. I might be exaggerating about the dancing, I can't remember but there was most definitely more beer.  Mike and my debt to Craig was increasing block party by block party.

Eventually we staggered into Machado Square at the far end from Pedro Y Lola. We made our way through the people-filled plaza and onto the patio of Pedro Y Lola. We were definitely hoping we see El Flaco AKA Alfredo, the owner of Pedro Y Lola.  We were not disappointed Alfredo greeted us as long lost friends.  He was right about the lost part.  

The hour was getting late and it is safe to say we were all beginning to think about how we were going to navigate the nearly 5 miles from Historico Centro Mazatlán to our hotel in Zona Dorada. We asked El Flaco hoping he had a secret stash of taxis at the back of Pedro y Lola but no such luck.  He did recommend that we walk away from the Machado Square and towards the Malecon. He assured us we'd have a better chance of finding a taxi if we got 8-10 blocks from the Machado Square.  

He wasn't exactly right.

The soft shadows of the palm fronds on

the balcony above Pedro y Lola in 

Machado Square. Carnival Mazatlan, 

Mexico.

Again we were dead reckoning. In retrospect perhaps it was a mistake to abandon my phone but finding a cell signal or wifi would have probably been just as unlikely as finding a taxi. Appropriately we wandered down Avenida Carnaval in what to my way of thinking was toward the Malecon and Avenida del Mar. Mike and Craig were not nearly as certain. Unfortunately we were wandering and taxi hunting with a few dozen other tired Carnival revelers.

To the astonishment of Craig and Mike I led us to the Malecon.  I have to admit I was slightly surprised myself. No empty taxis insight. Things were looking desperate. And, as we all know desperation breeds creativity. It was now only an hour or less in front of sunrise. We had joined the water near the Monumento al Pescador.  The translation, for gringo's like me, is Fishermen's Monument. Fishing boats are scattered along the beach. Mike or Craig - I am not sure which decided our best plan of attack at this point was to wait for sunrise and see if we could hire a fishing boat to take us to El Cid Marina Hotel, which for Mike and I was home. Craig was staying even further north but at least he’d be closer to home at El Cid. While Mike and Craig scoured the shore for fisherman and a boat to hire I sat down to rest and took off my shoes to soothe my aching feet under a fiberglass statue of Marilyn Monroe. I wasn't very confident in the fishing boat plan but didn’t have a better idea myself. Then suddenly I saw a pulmonia and there was no one in it. It was going the wrong direction but even so I shrieked at the driver and started running barefoot, shoes in hand, waving and flailing at the now stopped and startled driver. Mike and Craig must have heard my shouts and abandoned their fishing boat search. Craig, with his superior Spanish took over negotiations and we soon piled in and were feeling the fresh air of a open ride back to Zona Dorada. It seemed to take a long, long time to reach El Cid but about all I could think was how glad I was that I wasn't walking. Mike and I swapped stories on the ride back while Craig upfront chatted with driver. There were we heading home from a long night of partying as the colors of sunrise seeped into the sky, relieved to live to party another day.

We took a couple of days of the all night party scene but the aching feet and memories of too much alcohol faded and there we were again stepping off the PR bandwagon and searching for a taste of the real Carnival again.

My last night of Carnival at  Pedro y Lola in Machado Square. 

Carnival Mazatlan, Mexico.

I remember far less about our last night during Carnival except that it also lead to Pedro y Lola, included even more participation from El Flaco and featured a mariachi band and a electrical jolt machine (read more about that in Mike's article "Life is a Carnaval in Mazatlan - Pushing the limits with food, drink and fun" in WestJet’s UP Magazine.) 

At some point during the night the three musketeers found our way to the bar of the Matadors, where we met one of the forcados, from the bullfight we had attended earlier in the day. You'll have to rely on Wikipedia for an explanation of what forcados do but suffice to say these guys are absolutely crazy. All that stuck with me from this alcohol addled conversation with the diminutive madman was that the bull ears, that had been shorn off and given to him by the matador (for being such a courageous and helpful forcado) were in back of the bar immersed in salt. That image remains with me to this day as one of those non-digital images forever impressed upon the capture device in my brain. I can't seem to find the delete button for that image.

Things went even hazier from there.  I do recall we eventually wound at El Flaco’s home a few blocks from Pedro y Lola. There we learned a lot of history about old Mazatlán and Alfredo’s family and of course we had a few more beers and drinks. 

Somewhere about that time my memory shut off completely and I was lost in Mazatlán again and hoping to locate a fishing boat to take me home.

~~~

My trip to Mazatlán was sponsored in part by GoMazatlanNow.com and VisitMexico.com

One Day in St. Croix is Never Enough

Colorful Carnival characters are only one of the many reasons to visit the Caribbean island of St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Whether you'd like to snorkel in the clear warm waters off Buck Island or tramp through the historical ruins of St George Village Botanical Gardens or loll on a sugar sand beach, St. Croix gives you plenty of options. Photos by Joe Tolley for TravelBoldly.com

One Day in St. Croix is Never Enough 

Guest Post by Kristy Tolley

“Oh, my gosh! Did you see that nurse shark?” My daughter squealed in delight. “That was so cool!”

I never would have expected my kids (at the time, ages eight and five) to be so thrilled about learning about marine life. However, that was just one of several pleasant surprises we experienced during our family’s visit to St. Croix.

A stretch of empty beach beckons on Buck Island St. Croix

As a port of call for our seven-day cruise, St. Croix’s bucolic landscape beckoned us to come explore. Being the unconventional cruisers we are, we opted to plan our own excursions for the day. Our goal: pack as much in as we possibly could before the ship left the port!

Our first diversion was snorkeling on Buck Island. Located off St. Croix’s northeast shore, it was declared a National Monument in 1961. A number of local companies specialize in half or full day tours, yet the trail is protected by the park system so it’s never over crowded. We snorkeled with Big Beard’s Adventure Tours, and had a remarkable experience.

Ready for snorkeling off Buck Island, St. Croix

Although my kids were great swimmers, I was a little apprehensive how they would fare in open (and somewhat choppy) waters with little prior practice. My fears were quickly abated thanks to knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides. We spotted coral fish, angelfish, and a nurse shark while floating above stunning brain and elk horn coral. I believe my oldest daughter’s passion to pursue a career in marine science was fueled by this early encounter.

Our next stop was the St. George Village Botanical Garden in Frederiksted. What an unexpected gem! The garden is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is situated on the remains of a 19th century Danish sugar cane plantation. The gardens are alive with more than 1,500 native and exotic species of flora. A tour here reveals ornamental ferns, bromeliads, heritage gardens, a naturalized forest, and other treasures.

Cactus in St. George Village Botanical Gardens St. Croix

As cool as the ghostly remains of buildings looked, I honestly thought the girls would lose interest quickly. Once again, I was proven wrong. David Hamada, the garden’s Horticultural Director, was well versed and engaging – pointing out countless natural wonders. The Stapelia plant especially intrigued them. This low growing succulent resembles a cactus and hails from Africa. Its scent, that resembling rotting flesh, attracts different kinds of pollinators (and apparently my kids).

Historical treasures in the garden include artifacts ranging from pre-Columbus through the plantation era. A few of the restored buildings to see are the Blacksmith Shop, the Overseer’s House and the Great Hall, among others.

View of  Christiansted from the water,  St. Croix. 

Had our visit landed on a second Saturday, we could have enjoyed the special kids’ programs from 9 am until noon. Workshops like cooking (finding ingredients throughout the gardens), chocolate making and the like are offered. Oh well - just another reason to book a return trip to St. Croix!

While this brood certainly enjoys outdoor action and soaking up some history, we do appreciate a little “chillaxing time” as much as the next folks. Chenay Beach and Rainbow Beach are perfect family hangouts. Chenay provides shallow water and lots of shells to hunt. Its palm-lined shore offers ample shade. The kids can even go nuts on the play set. Rainbow Beach is like hanging out at a friend’s house for a barbecue. Volleyball, swimming and snorkeling are on hand on this white sand beach. Often, you can enjoy live music as well.

Although our time on land was waning, refueling with local cuisine was a “must do”. Our group

View from Rum Runners' deck in Christiansted, St. Croix.

enjoyed the casual fare and excellent view at Rum Runners in Christiansted. Voted best for just about everything by tourists and locals, Rum Runners serves up a mean fish taco and sumptuous conch fritters. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and given more time, I would have sampled all three. Live steel pan music added to the island vibe, and made us sad to realize our day on St. Croix had come to an end.

I wasn’t surprised how quickly my family fell in love with the island. I got bit by the St. Croix bug years ago, and was excited to finally share it with them. After we boarded the ship and watched St. Croix fade into the distance from our cabin balcony, I asked my daughters when they wanted to go back. Their response was a resounding “Now!” Ditto, girls.

~~~

Kristy Tolley, from Tega Cay, South Carolina, is a freelance travel copywriter with a soft spot for the Caribbean. Her blog reflects that love - and other amusements. She's no stranger to traveling boldly. She's traveled with children, and has forgotten to pack deodorant on occasion. You can follow her on Twitter @KristyTolley to share ideas on what she should write about next - or share packing tips.

Belly Dancer Sadie Sizzles while performing at a Denver NIghtclub

Sadie Sizzles”

Sadie belly dances at Lotus Nightclub in Denver’s Union Station.

Sadie and Kaya perform at many of the area clubs and during fashion shows and other events. In this case I was there to cover the fashion show for a local magazine and found out my friend Sadie was performing prior to the fashion show. It was a great chance to make some high intensity images. Photographing in club conditions is always filled with obstacles but freezing Sadie’s many motions is a special challenge.

Travel Writing & Photography Workshop and Tour 

Santa Fe, NM  May 29 – June 1, 2014

I have photographed Sadie in the studio on several occasions both in her many costumes and in less.  A Break from Travel - Sadie Glance and Shadow Nude are two of my favorites.

Sadie and Kaya put on a great show... when you are in Denver make certain to catch their act.. http://www.kayaandsadie.com/

The photo was taken with a Nikon D100 digital camera using a 80-200 mm f 2.8 Nikkor lens. The ISO setting was 800 with an approximate exposure of f 5.6 @ 1/500th second.


These images are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced without direct written permission. For usage information please contact Jerome on Twitter or on Facebook

“ Why Is That Guy Taking My Photo?” Horse cart Jardim Redentor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Why Is That Guy Taking My Photo?”

The movement of goods by horse power is quite common in Jardim Redentor and other parts of Brazil. While I cannot recall seeing horses drawn delivery vehicles in Copacabana or Ipanema I did see many bicycle and motorcycle delivery vehicles. Perhaps this method of travel will reinvent itself in the US now that gas prices are rising toward international levels. Perhaps the US economy will truly have to join the rest of the world with what some might call a step backwards but what I’'d call progress... economic and environmentally friendly delivery methods.

A horse cart whizzes down the street in the Northwestern suburb of Rio de Janeiro moving at a surprisingly quick clip.  I swing in a panning motion to capture this moment. The driver of this cart ponders what could be so interesting about a passing horse cart that it would merit such an overt action and a photograph. His expression tells a lot about the cultural divide that exists from one part of the world to another. I hope this divide never fully closes.

The photo was taken with a Nikon F100 film camera using a 400mm f 4.5 Nikkor lens. The film used for this image is FujiPress 800. The approximate exposure is f 8 @ 1/250th second.

These images are copyrighted and may not be used, reposted, or reproduced without direct written permission.

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 

Copyright Jerome Shaw 2005 / www.JeromeShaw.com 

Pedro y Lola on Machado Plaza Mazatlan Mexico

Alfredo (left) the owner of Pedro y Lola joins us for drinks after dinner and we are serenaded by passing musicians on Plaza Machado.  An outside table at Pedro y Lola is a ring side seat for people watching and the Carnival circus on the plaza.

Pedro y Lola Restaurant on Machado Plaza Mazatlan, Mexico

Pedro y Lola quickly became our base of operations in Mazatlan.  We stopped here our first night in Mazatlan for dessert and drinks. We were hooked.  The flan was good and margaritas were better. We certainly could have done without dessert but the opportunity to grab an outside table at one of the best people watching patios on Plazuela Machado was too good to pass up.

 Lunch at Pedro y Lola's  Mazatlan. 
Grilled Arranchera / skirt steak with Charro beans. 

I don't think more than one day passed during my week in Mazatlan where I did not set foot in Pedro y Lola.  Machado Plaza and Pedro y Lola became our haunt.  We came here after the formal Carnival festivities died down. We came here late at night. We stopped for a beer in the afternoon after a food tasting event with the Carnival Princesses. We ate lunch here our second day and dinner at Pedro y Lola on our last night in town.  I tried the house special "Pedro y Lola Shrimp" prepared with fresh orange and Cointreau. It was superb and a memorable shrimp dish in a week filled with shrimp dishes. Pedro y Lola was our home away from home in Mazatlan. For lunch I had the Grilled Arranchera / skirt steak with Charro beans but the highlight of lunch was the tortilla soup.

Alfredo, the owner of Pedro y Lola, became our friend and protector.  When we couldn't locate a cab because of the throngs of people in the Historico Centro we consulted El Flaco, as Alfredo was affectionately known. He told us if we walked to the Malecon we could catch a pulmonías (open air taxi) there with far less competition. He also taught us a thing or two about how to party in Mazatlan during Carnival. 

His family has lived in "Old Mazatlan" for several generations.  While the Historico Centro district has always been the lively heart of Mazatlan it has seen some tough times too.  At one point central Mazatlan lost favor with tourists as the new beach resorts sprang up further north and provided safe new restaurants and night life. 

Pedro y Lola is one of Mazatlan's most
popular places to eat, drink and watch
people as they stroll Machado Plaza

Alfredo's family never gave up on old Mazatlan and kept there family home, real estate holdings and business there even though his father was offered land north of Mazatlan that eventually became the new, rich resorts of Zona Dorada.  Now, Alfredo is being rewarded for his faith in historic center of the city as the pendulum swings back and Plaza Machado and Historico Centro become the hip place to be in Mazatlan all over again.

Pedro y Lola is named after legendary ranchero singers Pedro Infante and Lola Beltran. The restaurant is housed in the beautifully restored 19th-century Juárez building that has long served as the social center of Mazatlan. The building was home to the first projected motion pictures near the turn of the century. 

You feel the history of Mazatlan as you walk the streets near Machado Plaza in what is the only coastal colonial city in Mexico.  It was probably in the Juárez building that the news was first whispered that the legendary singer, Angela Peralta, was coming to this music-loving city to perform.  But the woman known as the "Mexican Nightingale" would never sing in Mazatlan.  She and Yellow Fever arrived on the same ship and she died before ever giving a performance in Mazatlan.

Pedro y Lola's colorful patio before the
rush.  Get here early for the best spots.

The historic restaurant/bar sits on the corner of the Constitucion and Carnaval Avenue  The interior of the restaurant is relatively small and decorated with local artwork. Even when it is not Carnival, weekends are filled with live music and performances on the square. On weekends (and during Carnival) the street that runs in front of Pedro y Lola is closed, the tables move out to the street, the patio expands and Pedro y Lola becomes part of Plazuela Machado. 

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 

copyright Jerome Shaw 2013 / www.jeromeshaw.com

My travels to Mazatlan were sponsored by Mexico Tourism, GoMazatlan and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Portrait of a young woman - San Angel Market, Mexico City

A young woman mans a fruit stand in the market of San Angel. At one time it was a small town outside
of Mexico City, San Angel has now been absorbed by the staggering sprawl of the capital city Mexico.

 Portrait of a young woman - San Angel Market, Mexico City

The market in San Angel, though indoors, has a good quality of light for photography and an excellent variety goods for purchase. It has everything from windows of fish packed in ice to hanging rows of freshly butchered chickens. There dozens of kinds fruit and vegetables.  There are peanuts, piñatas and pumpkins, fabric and flowers, shrimp and spices, and coconuts, crabs and cactus inside the two block market. There are many places to grab a bite to eat.  It is a lively place to spend time and a great place to make photographs.  

I had to coax a smile out of this young woman at the San Angel market.  I mimed that I wanted to take a photo of her but at first she did not respond.  I looked into the camera to set up my shot and expected her expression to indicate whether I had her permission, but she was deadpan. I took one shot of her with a flat, stolid expression. I peeked around the camera and smiled at her. She smiled back and after one more exposure I knew I had my shot.  

I had lined up the composition to include the stack of oranges at the front of the stand to contrast with a background of bright yellow bananas. Light from an exterior doorway was coming from behind me.  I was shooting with a 180mm f 2.8 lens so I knew the minimal depth of field would isolate my subject. All I needed was a smile, a moment, to create a photograph.

Do you like to photograph people or would you rather photograph subjects that don't talk back?  How do you handle photographing people in public environments?  Do you ask before you shoot or beg forgiveness if the subject objects? Share you methods in the comments below.


Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 

copyright Jerome Shaw 2007 / www.jeromeshaw.com

“Sharpness is a bourgeois concept.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson - Machedo Plaza Balcony - Mazatlan

The shadows from the palm trees in Machado Plaza sway on the textured wall of the balcony above
Pedro y Lola Restaurant during the reverie of Carnival in Mazatlan, Mexico.

 “Sharpness is a bourgeois concept.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

This is one of the first photos that caught my eye when I looked through my photos after a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico for Carnival earlier this year.  I liked the tonality of the image and the composition.
I felt it conveyed a sense of what the Machedo Plaza looked and felt like during my time there.

The photo was shot hand-held at night. It is not tack sharp but in this case I felt the slight softness created by the "too-long-for hand-held" exposure time helped create a desirable quality in the photo.  It added to a painterly quality that the shadows of the moving palm trees created as I observed the scene.

I have always liked the Cartier-Bresson quote "Sharpness is bourgeois concept" and it certainly jumped into my head as I prepared this photo for publication.

Now don't get me wrong, I like a razor sharp image as much as the next guy.  I spent the better part of my career as a commercial photographer creating images full of detail and sharpness with perfectly smooth surfaces.  Yet, there has always been a part of me that loved to drag the shutter, capture movement in my subjects, blur the sharpness and create impressions rather than present precise detail.  I like to violate the sanctity of the smooth, shiny, reflective surfaces of perfectly printed photographs. When I print this photo it calls out for a textured surface to enhance the textures of the wall and the shadows.

“It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera, they are made with the eye, heart & head.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

A photo like this one is more about projecting the impression of the event than it is about documenting the experience.  I find that often, a small area of the overall scene often does a better job of expressing the feeling of being there than an over-reaching photo of the entirety of the scene.  A small detail of the overall setting can stand in stead for the whole scene and give the viewer keener sense of what being there was like.

“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.” – Peter Adams

Do you feel that only photos that are tack sharp are worthy of publication?  Do you have images, though they are less than perfectly sharp, convey the feeling you intended to express?  Do you agree with Cartier-Bresson's sharpness quote? What about Cartier-Bresson's quote about how photos are made?  Please share your thoughts below in the comments, I'd like to know what you think?

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 

copyright Jerome Shaw 2013 / www.jeromeshaw.com

My travels to Mazatlan were sponsored by Mexico Tourism, GoMazatlan and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

"Trekking Andes Mountains" Urubamba River Valley, Peru

"Trekking Andes Mountains" Urubamba River Valley, Peru

New Rules for visiting Machu Picchu Peru

The porters and trekkers wind their way up the trail as we climb out of the Urabumaba River valley and begin our trek to the once Lost Incan enclave of Machu Picchu. We will be on the trail for the next three days to reach our destination. We will cross 15,000 foot passes here in the Andes on our journey.

These images are copyrighted and may not be used, re-posted or reproduced without direct written permission.

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 

More post on Peru here on Travel Boldly

New Rules for visiting Machu Picchu Peru

After Slow Travel in Tanzania - We Went Poco y Poco in Peru. You are never too old to travel. 

The King of the Incas. Inti Raymi / The Festival of the Sun at Sacsayhuamán in Cusco, Peru

Peru: Machu Picchu, Iquitos and the Amazon River. Unusual choices for a honeymoon? 

Peru: Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Unusual choices for a honeymoon? 

Inca Princess - Cusco, Peru  

Trekking Andes Mountains - Urubamba River Valley, Peru 

Me and My Llama - Peru 

Happy Guy - Wedding Guest in Urubamaba, Peru  

Trekking to Machu Picchu - Peru 

Inti Raymi Fireworks Celebration - Urabamba, Peru 

copyright Jerome Shaw 1984 / www.jeromeshaw.com

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"Foxtail Grass Triptych" Kantishna. Alaska USA

The soft, swaying grass glows as the sun filters through it in a field near the Roadhouse in Kantishna, Alaska outside Denali National Park. 

"Foxtail Grass Triptych" Kantishna. Alaska USA

The late evening light filters through foxtail grass in Kantishna, Alaska near Denali National Park. I was in Alaska working of a segment for the television series Sir Edmund Hilary's World of Adventure. for the Discovery Channel.   During some down time out in the field I found this patch of grass and began to photograph. I was drawn but the textures and the many soft shades of green that existed in this small patch of grass. The backlighting of the sun added another visual element to image.

I chose to display 3 separate vertical images as a horizontal triptych.

This image was featured in my one man show in Denver as 3 -24" x 36" / 60 cm x 90 cm digital prints and now graces the wall of my own home.  Prints available for purchase in a variety of sizes.

These images are copyrighted and may not be used, re-posted or reproduced without direct written permission.

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 

copyright Jerome Shaw 1985 / www.jeromeshaw.com

"Circle Garden" Costa Rica

A porthole in the stairwell of the hotel frames a beautiful garden landscape in Costa Rica

 "Circle Garden" Costa Rica

A tropical garden photographed through the porthole window in the garden wall.

I like to get up early for a walk around the hotel property where I am staying. Occasionally you are rewarded with a beautiful scene.  Such was the case in Costa Rica when I was on a travel photography assignment from hell.  I was acting as the photographer portion of a writer/photographer team on 5-day tour that was a mixture of journalists and travel agents.  No disrespect towards travel agents intended but travel journalist and travel agents are a combustible mix.  The two groups are almost always at cross purposes. (PR pros take note) The travel agents need to tour properties, see hotel rooms, hear about vacancy rates and seasonal specials.  Travel writers may have modest interest in this information if the they write for trade publications.  Travel photographers have no interest in the information and in most cases no needs to endure it.

This particular tour was a combination fam tour and press trip.  In retrospect it felt like we were shot through Costa Rica on an arrow glancing around the country from one attraction to the next.  The truth was we lumbered around Costa Rica, 16 people stuffed into a 15 passenger van.  We bumped and thumped on rough roads into the mountains to visit places like Monteverde and Poás Volcano, changing hotels every night.

As I mentioned before I like to get up early and walk around the property and that was a good thing because had I not I wouldn't have had any photographs of the hotels we stayed at during this Costa Rican road rally.  We often arrived at our next destination after dark and too often were back in the van not long after first light.

If my memory serves me well this photo was actually made en route from my room back to the van to start another day on the road.  I probably kept the travel agents waiting for me in the van but to me that seemed justified for all the times I had to endure one more hotel room tour.

This image was featured in my one man show as a 24" x 24" / 60cm x 60cm digital print. Prints available for purchase.

These images are copyrighted and may not be used, re-posted or reproduced without direct written permission.

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 


copyright Jerome Shaw 1993  / www.jeromeshaw.com

Lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

The lighthouse at Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia wrapped in blue & magenta during the afterglow of sunset.

"Lighthouse" Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

The lighthouse at Peggy's Cove is one of the most dramatic and recognizable seascapes in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. I was in Nova Scotia for a travel assignment for a travel & tour company. I was between tours and spending a few day in Halifax. I had been out to Peggy's Cove on numerous occasions already but the weather was always bleak. There is a reason they put a lighthouse in this location... it is foggy much of the time. I took photos anyway because I knew I had to have this iconic image or my client would not be happy.

I was set to leave for Newfoundland the next morning. I set out early on a drive down the coast. Again, Peggy's Cove was grey and grim. I decided to travel on down the coast to Lunnenberg where I hoped the light would be better. The light was much better in Lunnenberg so I spent the day photographing in that area.

Late in the afternoon I began the drive back to Halifax in a round about way. I was taking the windy road around Mahone Bay. I could see that there had been a general improvement in the weather. I began think that it might be worth another drive out to Peggy's Cove but I was on the peninsula directly across St. Margrets Bay from this famous lighthouse. I began to pick up the pace. I had been fooled 4-6 times before, driving all the way out in sunshine, passing through Glen Margaret and Hacketts Cove with high expectations. Then suddenly I was enveloped in white grey light as I rounded the bend towards Peggy's Cove and the lighthouse.

This afternoon I arrived at the lighthouse just at sunset. I had time to set up and shoot. The fog had lifted and the subtle colors of last light slid down the rocky shore to the pounding surf.

This image was featured in my one man show in Denver as a 18" x 24" / 45 cm x 60 cm digital print. Prints available for purchase


These images are copyrighted and may not be used, re-posted or reproduced without direct written permission.

Contact me at @JeromeShaw  or Facebook 


copyright Jerome Shaw 2006 / www.jeromeshaw.com