Hand-colored seascape made from a B&W film negative using magnetic ND filters; wind, crashing waves, and quiet remembrance shaped this tribute image.
behind the lens
Portrait of a Young Artist
A nostalgic reflection on an early Canon AE-1 self-portrait on Scotch Chrome 1000, marking the artist’s lifelong pursuit of light, meaning, and beauty.
The Last Laugh: A Story of Memory and Photography
A haunting reflection on memory, photography, and the strange power of an old Atlantic City clown—where nostalgia turns to mystery under morning light.
A Sunset and a Sigma at the Old Gulf Station
Capturing the Old Gulf Station in Quincy, Florida, with the Sigma SD1 Merrill—a reflection on fading Americana, small-town charm, and evening light.
Desert Sands and the Quiet Marvels of the Sigma Merrill
Exploring minimalism and memory through Desert Sands, photographed with a Sigma DP Merrill — a quiet marvel that shaped my love for light and stillness.
Broad & Fourth Avenue, Small Town America
Small Town America in Buena Vista, Georgia — Broad & Fourth Avenue captured in 2016, a portrait of fading storefronts and the quiet rhythm of rural streets.
Is Photography Fake—or Is It Art?
Is photography fake? A farmhouse photo shaped by memory and imagination explores truth, art, and the line between real and illustrative.
The Post Shoot: Classic Pet Portraits on Film
Classic pet portraiture on film: Hasselblad 501CM, TMAX 100, and 510 Pyro developer, with Joey the Tiger showing his regal personality in the studio.
The Shoot: Candid Cat & Joey’s Portrait Session
Step inside the studio as Joey the tiger cat takes the spotlight. From gear prep to candid antics, here’s how a Hasselblad session turned playful and fun.
Creative Photography: Giving Old Images a Second Life
Photography inspiration from a found leaf transformed in Lightroom and Photoshop, pairing an old image with a haiku about love, change, and letting go.
The Painted Landscape: Orange You Glad I Came Back?
A return to Black Horse Pike reveals a neon-orange building, frozen in time and memory, bringing back laughter, mischief, and teenage snapshots of youth.
A Jersey Girl Remembers: Twilight on Batsto Lake
A quiet image, a farewell, and a tribute to friendship. At Batsto Lake, memory and meaning surfaced through stillness, story, and warm summer light.
The Difference Is Creative Intent
Creativity isn’t about shooting randomly — it’s about seeing intentionally. Same setup, two different results. The difference? Creative intent.
Stillness and Sky: The Old Tobacco Barn
Once vital to a Southern way of life, this weathered tobacco barn now leans into memory. A portrait in light, silence, and the beauty of what remains.
Cambo Wide Meets Tabletop Photography
A panoramic camera, a close-up filter, and a batch of fake tulips walk into a studio… here’s what happened when I broke all the rules.
The Beauty Beneath: Photographing the Underside of Grace
Exploring the quiet beauty found beneath the surface—where patience, perception, and the art of photography reveal grace in overlooked places.
Shooting Panatomic-X from 1966: One Roll, One Storm, One Orchid
How I shot 1966-expired Kodak Panatomic-X in a stormy studio session, capturing printable frames, vintage charm, and a soft-focus orchid I adore.
Rediscovering Art Through the Viewfinder
A personal reflection on rediscovering creative purpose through photography and writing — learning to see, feel, and create again beyond commercial work.
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: 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.
A Leap into Digital: My First Nikon D200 Adventure
My first steps into digital photography with the Nikon D200 began in the Galápagos—an unforgettable mix of learning curves, beauty, and creative discovery.
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.
Autumn Sunset at St. George Island
St. George Island, FL, behind-the-scenes photography. 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
A quiet study in light and reflection — merging film’s grace with digital precision at the marshes of North Florida.
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.
Chrome and Color: The Mercury Classic
A brilliant orange Mercury Classic captured in Quincy, FL with the Sigma SD1 Merrill—chrome, curves, and Foveon color from a bygone automotive era.
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.
Under the Unmerciful Sun: A Journey Through White Sands
A reflective journey through White Sands, where heat, exhaustion, and light reveal how endurance and emotion shape the art of seeing and creating.
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 — Petals in Silver Light
A portrait of resilience: tulips photographed in a half-rebuilt studio after storm damage, revealing beauty, strength, and creativity through adversity.
Oyster Boats of Apalachicola
Apalachicola, a quaint town on the Florida Panhandle, has long been renowned for rich oyster beds, where generations of families have made their livelihoods.
Snapshot: The Beauty of Small Moments
A vivid memory turned into art—narrative photography meets haiku, where a single moment of color and light becomes a lasting impression of family and time.
St. George Island Bridge: A Fine Art Study in Light and Form
A fine art black-and-white study of the St. George Island Bridge—where architecture, light, and nature meet in perfect rhythm and quiet reflection.
The Custard Castle: Nostalgic Memories and Neon Lights
Experience the warm glow of the Custard Castle at sunset, a nostalgic beacon of sweet memories and timeless charm.
Adult Day Care Center Open
A slice of small-town Florida humor and color—an orange façade, laughter, and life at the High Five Dive Bar, where street photography meets pure discovery.