"Special Light"

"A Currituck Morning"

Wow! what a Christmas with all the family and eight inches of fresh powder to blanket the yard and trees highlighting the beautiful colored lights of celebration. Sure going to miss them all as one by one they head back to their homes and busy schedules. Returning back from the Norfolk Airport before sunrise my oldest son and I stopped for a few moments with nature, along the Currituck sound. Here a single Swan sails in to land with the rest of the flock as the morning sun radiates his under belly and wings awarding me with one of the greatest pleasures I get to do. God bless all of you this season and I hope you have taken a moment to give Him thanks for the wonderful gift we all share, LIFE.

Enjoy

Snow OBX style

"The Whalehead Club"

Ha ! Global warming has arrived on the Outer Banks and for the first time I can remember before Christmas week. Short lived as it will be it sure gave me a couple of fun hours behind the glass of my 24-70 mm along with my Canon 5D MarkII. Then the rain came with slush and muck following close behind. Well Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy your families and check back soon.

Enjoy

"A Change in Diet"

"In the Wild"

What can I say about this image. I honestly thought Blue Herons were fish eaters only, wrong again. It's not everyday shooting wildlife that you get to see nature in it's rawlest state. I was shooting some Pintail ducks when this large blue heron came in and started pounding the bank at the waters edge. I have to say nothing unusual about that, I was content that he was stabbing at small fish when I saw a larger meal fighting for it's life. Turns out I quess they have a stomach for water rats. To make a long story short I shot 29 images as this bird tried but than gave up on a meal that was just to large to swallow.

I quess the moral of this story is ! It's not what you eat but the quanity of each meal. So as the holidays are filled with tons of tasty treats (lighten the load) before it's another New Years resolution to lose weight.

Enjoy

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

"CARDS"

Every year at this time we all receive many Christmas and Holiday cards from friends, businesses, and most of all family. I have to be honest I really stuggled this year with my card style, but finally I am sticking with this one. So to all that read my blog I wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and hope the love of Christ fills you hearts as well as your homes. This small flock of Mallards stand on the morning icey shallow waters of Macky Island in upper Currituck county.

Enjoy

"OBX Snow"

"Our Snow"

Well no dought this is not the northern states were snow white blankets contrast the landscapes of barns on farm fields, but this is my home and this is a rare time having our first

snow well before the end of year. The old wooden fence kinda helps me hope for a white Christmas and warm memories with family and friends.

Enjoy

"2010 Christmas Tree"

"Oh Christmas Tree"

Just returned home from the end of this weeks photo assignment for the Virginian Pilot. This photo will be the next NC Coast cover shot on Dec 10th. This was the annual Christmas Tree lighting and celebration on the water front in Manteo. Here we still call it a Christmas tree as well as we give thanks to God for His son Jesus, with all the crazyness in this world these days I for one am glad I live here, but I do pray for sanity to return again to this country as no doubt we have been robed of so much heritage.

"Jesus is the only reason for the Season"

Blessings

J

"Battle of the Banks"

"Barrels and Air"

Today was the 3rd Annual Battle of the Banks, and there was plenty of photos being snapped off by many surf photographers. This event if your not up to speed is a local rivalry between the OBX surfers and the Va Beach surfers, of course you have to be invited to rip in this event. The whole contest is centered around the best tube rides but when the conditions soften a little "rare air" is the next best thing. Today had both barrels and air to keep the judges counting.

This image is of Matt Beacham a local who grew up here but now resides in Califorinia but no one here counts that against him.

Enjoy

"ALONE"

"Stormy Weather"

There is a sayng in the Bible about building your house on sand, sort of fits the picture here. This house is one of a few in south Nags Head waiting on it's final days to be taken away to the Graveyard of the Atlantic once reserved only for sailing vessels and other sea going craft along with it's crew. For the past 31 years I've seen this picture played out numerous times along the shores of the Outer Banks, still it draws me everytime with feelings of excitment, mystery, peril, as well as sadness.

Enjoy

"A Fall Bride"

"Joy in the Morning - Joy in the Evening"

Soon to be married I had the pleasure of shooting Joy's bridal portraits today at the Currituck Club. Nothing compares to natural lighting to enhance a woman's beauty. This image was taken on the benches near the lighthouse in the soft afternoons light as it filtered thru the trees.

Enjoy

"Good Night"

"Sweet Peace"

After a long day on the computer it was so nice to go outside in my enviroment. We had quiet the amount of rain and systems moving through as fall has come and tonight was another sky full of clouds with nice opennings to let the light filter down. This image was captured on the mainland westside.

Enjoy

"Life Style"

"It's Time To Girl Up"

The more time a photographer spends behind the lens the more chances of a very cool photo. No matter what the subject or style of photography is your cup of tea. While out shooting some images for an upcoming cover shot I captured this image of a woman biker on a really cool looking bike and as she turned to leave I snaped this image full frame catching of course her licence plate but also a short section of her pig tail over her back shoulder anchoring the story of this photo.

Enjoy

Editing Time CS4

Editing with CS4

From color to B/W with a twist. There are different ways of making High Key images. One of couse is using an over exposed image to begin with. Here is an example of taking a normal exposure and ending with the same result. Change to B/W, crop for effect size, dodge, dodge, dodge, highlight the details (eyes and lips), add a slight color adjustment or leave it B/W. Add a frame or logo and it's a wrap.

Enjoy

"Harvest Moon"

"Flashlight in the Sky"

Tonight I decided to shoot the moon as the moon itself, don't get me wrong I have shot this spear in all kinds of landscapes thru out the years but tonight I wanted to high light it's on glory to itself. So after getting my exposures set to capture the rich burnt orange hues I took three images on a tripod of course with different f/stops but the same shutter speed and ISO giving me a somewhat HDR effect and went to blending them to capture my final result.

Enjoy

"Stunning"

"Where Beauty Meets the Beach"

Starting editing the images from wednesday's wedding and had to give this one blog time. I love the setting and the light hitting the pier making an interesting background. Of course Lisa is stunning to say the least and I'm sure Chris is one happy groom as this couple celebrated thier wedding here on the OBX. Congrats you two.

Enjoy

" OLD SCHOOL "

"Cannonball Endurance Run"

Once again another first here on the OBX. The first running of the Pre 1916 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run from Coast to Coast. No were more fitting a site than the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills the brothers were bike builders you know!!, to start off the 16 day treck across the good old USA to finish on the west coast of Califorinia in Santa Monica. I got the photography assignment from the Virginian-Pilot to document the event for the Sunday paper. Now I'm working on a few images for prints and note cards so if you like check them out on my website.

Enjoy

Calm Before the Storm

" Morning Solitude "

Thrusday morning I decided to snap off a few frames under the Kitty Hawk Pier just in case things might change as Hurricane Earl makes it's way up the coast. Once again our shores were spared again as Earl moved eastward into the Atlantic allowing for many more shots of this image.

Enjoy

Hurricane Earl - The Beginning

"Morning Perfection"

Well here we go as Hurricane Earl shows his first sign moving the Atlantic swells upon our shores. With calm west winds and a very nice ground swell surfers took to what they do best here on the OBX a day off work and surfing all day.

Enjoy

Hurricane Danielle 08.30.10

"Season Opener"

Day one of Hurricane Season 2010 came rolling in and the action was hot. Shot taken of Jesse Hines local pro surfer from top the Avon Pier on Hatteras Island. Check out my website for other shots of today's swell in a couple of days as I labor thru the images.

Enjoy

"PROMO SHOT"

"The PR Project"

Everyday is a new day and a new adventure here on the shores of the OBX. I shot some opening promo shots and working on a CD cover idea for Paul Rowlen's new band and release coming soon. I think were on the right track here.

Enjoy

"A Treasure Of Life"

"PaPa's Pal"

I could not stand it any longer. I took a trip north to Cleveland, OH., for two reasons. One I was shooting a wedding south of there but most of all for my Grandson's "First Birthday". Since that time a little over a week I've been doing the red eye on this computer with hundreds of wedding photos to edit. It's 1:00 AM and I can't wait any longer so I uploaded one CF card of images from the day before his birthday. I wont't boar you with family traditions but I brought along for him this little Chicago Cubs Teddy Bear and of course had to give it to him a day early, along with a photo shoot. That's what Grandpaw's do !! Here is the birthday boy and his mother and his bear (Dad's at work so he didn't know about the bear yet). Oh ya he walked his first solo steps (that was his gift to me); Thank You Isaac. :)

"Ohio Wedding"

"Tieing the Knot"

Thanks Robin & Sam, I had a great time shooting your wedding photography in Penninsula, Ohio. The lodge was a great location and your wedding was awesome. Your images are coming along so hang in there a few more days. Looking forward to seeing you guys again next year at Erin's & Tim's wedding.

Enjoy

"Young Guns"

"RIP CURL GROM SEARCH SURF CONTEST"

Nothing is like the OBX when the Atlantic Ocean begins to stir from miles out, and Sunday's contest was nothing less than perfect for the young and up coming shreaders to show their skills. These guys and girls came from both coast as well as far down as Barados. The ground swell keep the action pumping for the whole day as heat after heat narrowed down the finals.

Enjoy

For more photos check out my "Buy Online" icon on my website @

jaywickens.com

** Hey I also met up with Chris McQuiston he owns and runs the " Local Sessions"

magizine, check it out in the surf shops, it's worth the look. **

"A New Birth"

"Baby Loggerheads"

I was able to capture a nice little treat while on an assingnment with the NC Coast last night. It's the beginning of Sea Turtle season along our shores. This year we have eight nest from the northern beaches of Currituck down to Kill Devil Hills. Just after arriving to the sight these two little loggerheads popped out at the same time and made a bee line to the Atlantic with about fifty onlookers. Loggerheads are and endangered species so they are closely managed and protected during these times. Most are born during the night hours so photos are rare to get along with a no flash rule. Hope these make it to the Gulf Stream, the odds are not in their favor with a 1/1000 kill ratio.

Enjoy

"Enjoying the OBX Beaches"

"The Beach Life"

I love my job! I get to meet great couples and their wonderful children almost everyday and this family is one of the best. I'm just starting to look thru their photo session from yesterday evening and wanted to post before I pack up my gear and head off to todays wedding shoot.

Enjoy

"Family Fun"

"Fun at the Beach"

Sunday evening was windy and warm but this family from Kansas City was great to work with and enjoyed the beaches of the OBX.

Enjoy

"Sunset"

" Summer Set "

The thermometor readings have been off the charts here for the last two months, and last nights sunset showed signs of burning the skies. This image taken on Jockey's Ridge one of the largest shifting sand dunes on the planet. As the sun is on it's northern most axis I choose this lower angle down from the peak to give a more sinking look to the photo.

Enjoy

"Good Night OBX"

A few minutes after the sun went down and the skies cooled a bit I saw this group of kids saying their good byes to this day and one day closer to the end of their vacation before it's back to school. Kind of puts a nice feeling to an alwsome sunset.

Enjoy

"Live"

"Mojo Live"

If your visiting the OBX this summer or your a local check out Mojo Collins and his band playing around town. This is old style blues in the raw format. Give his website a look also and grab up one of his CD's.

Enjoy

Naval Bombing Range Show

" F-18 Hornets"

The Outer Banks is just not a tourist destination for beach lovers and summer events, it also has one of the largest bombing training sites for the US Navy. Jets soar in from all over the east coast and east of the Mississippi River to test their skills before deployment overseas. Each year they open the area up for anyone who wants to see these guys in action up close and personal, today they hosted around 400 guest as jets, helo's, and other planes came in to show why the US Navy pilots dominate the skies. I wish all our service men and women God's protection as they do the hard work so we can play at home.

Enjoy

Landscapes

"Oregon Inlet Station"

Last night came with some much needed rain and as the sun began to rise Carolina Blue skies once again chased the night skies away. I'm looking forward to this time of year as storms begin to swing thruough giving our scenery that special touch and the sea oats change into golden pods.

Enjoy

"OBX has another Artist"

"New Artist"

Here is a poster I put together with some photos taken last night of Esther Faith Molnar as she performed with a few local friends and her producer Nick Baumhardt from Nashville, TN. You can check her music out at www.estherfaith.com, she's worth the look and listen.

Enjoy

"A Night of Music"

"Ester Faith"

Living in a somewhat tight community here on the Outer Banks it's been a joy watching our children and friends children grow and become young men and young women seeking out their nitch in this world. Tonight was yet another one of these kids coming into her own releaseing her first CD and giving us all a taste of what's to come. Ah to be young again, on second thought I would'nt trade these times for a pot of gold! Best wishes Ester as you seek your dreams.

Enjoy

"HDR with a Twist"

"The Docks"

This evening shot was taken at the boat slips in Cape Hatteras. From time to time I like to shot images in HDR just to see how wild they can become. Believe me the color image is off the chart in vibrance but it was this image that grabed me the most. I converted it to a sepia high contrast color scheme and wah - la the final look.

Enjoy

"The Set"

"2010 Fourth of July"

Here is a three pack put together for framing, the photo on the right is the original of the first post I did last night so you can see how different the feel is when changed in photoshop.

Enjoy

"Celebrating"

"Manteo's Light Show"

Well another 4th of July has come and gone with great weather, warm beaches, and a firework show. This year due to some new code rules we only had two sites for fireworks instead of the normal five, so my wife and I headed towards Manteo for our annual gazing of the lights. I choose a site across from Roanoke Island to capture a little scenery as well as the light burst. The above shot I changed into a sepia tone then tweaked it a bit and brought back the colors of the firework bust for a different look and feel to the image.

Enjoy

"The Good Things in Life"

"Hey"

With all the hussle and bussle and down right political "crap" that is stressing us all out each day there is still out there if you are willing to look for it the simple and most pleaseing sights on this God's green earth. Yesterday I came across this Moma brown bear and her three little

ones munching down on some fresh soybeans. Now I feel relaxed again and ready to take on yet more of our daily dose of human garbage. I thank God that he stll let's me see the good parts of life from time to time.

Enjoy

"Three Peas an a Pod"

"Flower in the Rain"

"Rebirth"

Yesterday started out at 5:00 AM waking up to a frantic wife screaming I needed to take her to work due to the fact she left her keys in the ignition for the last 30 hours, and even better it was pouring down rain in buckets. Now not complaining mind you about the rain since we have been under an extreme heat wave with all vegetation as well as human life forms digging their roots down deep for any sign of mositure I managed to get my wife under control ha ha and I drove her to work then stopping for coffee, for one must be able to see as driving under auto pilot only works 50% of the time. Well as the rain let up and I was checking out the car battery I noticed all the flowers my wife has planted and has tried to keep somewhat alive during this stretch of time. Don't ask me what the species is but this bright yellow flower pictured above

summed up the essence of life as it found a "rebirth" with a much needed water supply and cooler weather only God can provide us all.

Enjoy

Smiles of Love

"Smiles of Love"

The old saying that a picture paints a thousand words is oh so true in this image. Some things just fit tight as a glove and I believe these two fit that saying. This is the fifth wedding couple from Ohio that I've had the pleasure to document their special day this year here on the Outer Banks, and I'm looking forward to August heading to Cleveland to shoot number six. Thanks

to all you brides from Ohio.

Enjoy

"Newly Weds"

"Casual OBX Style"

Thank God for evening weddings after todays temps, somewhere between hot and hot. We spent about and hour and a half shooting inside the house's air conditioner then hit the beach for the ceremony. After down loading from my camera card I saw this image and was very much intriged by the non beach access look. It almost has a simple oriental feel to it all though it's only a few more steps to the dune line and ocean. Becky and Jim I hope you have a great honeymoon this week.

Enjoy

"Hot Summer Days"

"Just Another Day at the Beach"

Yesterday's temp reached 98 deg, so far the hottest day of the year. I was shooting an assignment up on the northern beaches when I came across this small family of wild horses with their newest member of just a few weeks old. The lighting was so intense with that hazy feel to it that I decided to give this image a more high key look.

Enjoy

SUNSET with ELEGANCE

" OBX Light "

Even though the beaches draw thousands of visitors and newly weds to the Outer Banks its that special light that takes place after the sun goes down that paints love and elegance in a memory that will never pass. Congrats Jessica & Jimmie as you relive your special day.

Enjoy

Photoshop

"Blurring it Out"

Sometimes you just can't sleep, this morning is one of those days. I tried a little TV (boring), a little reading (way to early to focus my eyes) so I decided to play around with PS- CS4 and a photo from a recent wedding. It was a far away shot with beautiful blue skies and ocean waves in the background when I first started but decided on this tighter crop after some surface blurring. Well maybe now I'll try to sleep again before I head out for some sunrise shooting.

Enjoy

The Proposal

" Soon To Be Wed "

Had the pleasure of not only meeting this couple but shooting the actual proposal and engagement images this past Saturday. Hiding up on the dunes with a telephoto lens as Paul went to his knees and asked Maggie to be his wife as they stood along the shore line of Coquina Beach. A few more shots on the beach and then finished up around Manteo's scenic sites with the last shot as they sailed off toasting their moment with wine and cheese. Congratulations !

Enjoy

"Fun in the Sun"

"Heads Up"

Going semi crazy editing hundreds & hundreds of wedding photos. Looking forward to catching up with work and sleep. Just wanted to give this one a pre post.

Enjoy

Wedding Day

"The Line UP"

Woke up got out of bed ran a comb across my head --- whatever!! I think I got about 3 hours of sleep and jumped right back on yesterdays photos. I came across this one and converted it into B/W with a red filter effect and a little tweeking. I guess I'm too much old school because I love the intensity that B/W gives a photo. Well I'm heading for the shower and packing up my gear

"It's Wedding Day" for these two.

Enjoy