A personal story about photography, writing, and finding emotional clarity — where the viewfinder becomes a path back to the creative soul.
behind the lens
The Stream That Remains
A poetic reflection on a fading stream, mirroring life’s quiet seasons and the unseen imprint left behind, even as the world moves forward.
The Glamour of Shooting Film
Capturing the quiet mystery of a moonlit beach with 4×5 film—where craft, memory, and midnight tones come together in a soulful creative process.
The House They Left Behind: A Story of Florida’s Fading Past
A quiet farmhouse in rural Florida stands as a fading reminder of lives once rooted to the land. A story of small towns, memory, and time’s slow passing.
Worldwide Pinhole Day 2025: Tempus Fugit
A 4×5 pinhole photograph celebrating Worldwide Pinhole Day 2025 — capturing the quiet drift of light, time, and memory in a kitchen bathed in afternoon glow.
Sea Grass & Beach: The Art of Balancing Light
Balancing sky and sand at sunset using classic film techniques and digital bracketing—why dragging the shutter still has a place in today’s toolkit.
A Gobo, a Snoot, and a Sandwich
Learn how I used an optical snoot, a few gobos, and a budget lens to create moody, window-style light for a tomato still life. Sandwiches included.
A Photo Project Is Born: I Mourn In Their Place
A photo series born from storm and sorrow—using images and haiku to mourn, reflect, and heal after Hurricane Helene took down eleven beloved trees.
The Last Watch: A fictional tale inspired by a real photograph
A ghostly encounter at Fort Clinch inspires a haunting fictional tale, connecting a Civil War watchman, memory, and a modern photographer’s lens.
Stargazer: A Reflection on Light, Stillness, and Craft
A reflection on creating Stargazer, a still life made with one light, a mirror, and intention—rooted in the early lessons of light, craft, and simplicity.
Laugh Lines and Light Leaks: Humor Behind the Lens
A break from the technical—three humorous photos with a playful twist, inspired by roadside scenes, lucky timing, and a sense of humor.
Finding Inspiration in Simple Things: Overcoming Creative Slumps
Inspiration isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about finding magic in the ordinary. Embrace small spaces, favorite subjects, and light to reignite creativity.
Infrared Photography at Big Talbot Island: Magic in Monochrome
Discover the surreal beauty of Big Talbot Island through infrared photography. Explore Boneyard Beach and uncover a world unseen by the naked eye.
Why Pet Portraits Matter: Rusty Rocket
A timeless pet portrait captured on Polaroid Type 55 film—a story of trust, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a photographer and her rescue dog.
Same Scene, Different Vision: Study in Film & Digital Photography
Explore the unique visual stories behind two images of a bouquet in a purple vase, captured with different cameras and processing techniques. #photography
Hand-Coloring 4×5 Film: Capturing Micanopy’s Timeless Charm
Hand-coloring 4×5 film brings Micanopy’s charm to life. From large-format photography to Photoshop colorization, discover the art behind the image.
Geometry of Film Fragments: The Art of Letting Go
Explore the unexpected beauty of abstraction in photography with “Geometry of Film Fragments,” captured using a Fujifilm X-Pro3 and Zeiss Touit lens.
What Darwin Saw: My First Steps into Digital Photography
My Nikon D200 debut in the Galápagos taught me invaluable lessons: prepare before traveling with new gear. Mistakes can lead to exceptional images like What Darwin Saw.
Capturing Ethereal Glow with Extension Tubes
Discover photography with extension tubes! Learn how I captured the beauty of a flower using stacked tubes, an X-Pro2, and studio techniques.
Moving On: A Creative Journey Toward 2025
A reflective look at the past year in photography, creativity, and personal growth—embracing change, dodging negativity, and preparing for a year of artistic exploration.
St. George Island Autumn
Behind the scenes photography taken on St. George Island, FL. Shot with a Hasselblad 907x 50c, this image captures the beauty of the island’s unique terrain at sunset.
Simplicity in Macro Photography: Capturing a Moving Subject
Learn how handheld shooting, high ISO, and creative adaptability led to an image full of life and detail—no tripod or complex gear required.
Mastering Digital Black-and-White: At The Water’s Edge
Discover the challenges and joys of blending film aesthetics with digital precision in black-and-white photography.
FOCUS: A Study In Creative Vision
In a winter photography excursion armed with a Sigma SD1 camera and a challenging 500mm lens, the goal was to create an image that combined precision, abstraction, and the artistic potential of the Foveon sensor.
Mercury Classic
I share images of classic cars made with the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art Lens from a trip to an antique car show in Gadsden County, Florida.
Beauty After The Storm: St. Marks NWR After Hurricane Helene
After Hurricane Helene passed through Tallahassee, Florida, photographer Darlene Almeda returned to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge to capture its beauty.
Old Church School
Discover the eerie charm of an abandoned Old Church School in Madison County, Florida, captured through my lens while exploring the remnants of a rural past.
Unmerciful Sun
Explore the journey as I battled exhaustion and personal challenges to capture the beauty of White Sands National Park.
Along Route 40, Reykjavik
A photographic journey through Reykjavik, where I capture the linguistic challenges of Icelandic street signs and transforms them into bold, graphic snapshots.
Twelve Plus Two
What a curious title, “Twelve Plus Two,” for this image, wouldn’t you agree? Learn how I turned a 4×5 black & white negative into a unique colored palette of my choosing.
Curtsy: A Story of Resilience, Photography, and the Power of Art
In 2023, a devastating weather event hit, leaving a photographer’s studio in ruins. Despite the chaos, creativity bloomed, resulting in a powerful image.
Oyster Boats of Apalachicola
Apalachicola, a quaint town on the Florida Panhandle, has long been renowned for its rich oyster beds, where generations of families have made their livelihoods.
Snapshot
As I sat on the sailboat’s deck, my eyes fixed on the horizon where the ocean’s deep blue met the sky.
St. George Island Bridge
Discover the captivating experience of capturing a the beauty of the St. George Island bridge.
The Custard Castle: A Tale of Time and Memories
The golden hour cast a warm, amber glow over the Custard Castle, its neon signs flickering to life as dusk approached.
Adult Day Care Center Open
Exploring a Florida tourist town, I wandered past historic packinghouses turned shops, capturing street scenes with my camera despite my usual hesitation.