Category: Photography

  • Voices Beneath the Waves

    Voices Beneath the Waves

    Project Overview: Voices Beneath the Waves

    Amplifying the Voices of Humpback Whales

    In February 2024, aboard my 41-foot bluewater sailboat Cambio, I will embark on a mission to celebrate and protect one of nature’s most majestic creatures: humpback whales. Through photography, videography, and the haunting songs of these ocean giants, Voices Beneath the Waves aims to inspire a deeper connection with the natural world and raise awareness about marine conservation.

    This multimedia project will blend adventure, art, and technology to tell the story of humpback whales in a way that captivates hearts and minds. With your support, Voices Beneath the Waves will deliver breathtaking visuals and soundscapes, sparking a global conversation about preserving our oceans.


    About the Project

    The Journey

    The project begins with a 500-mile sail through the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. We’ll explore the migration paths and breeding grounds of humpback whales near the Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas, capturing their beauty and essence through multiple mediums.

    What We’re Creating

    1. Stunning Photography:
      • Billboard-sized prints for exhibitions, NGO campaigns, and installations.
      • Dramatic shots of humpback whales, the ocean, and the journey itself.
    2. Documentary Shorts:
      • Immersive video clips that highlight the life of humpback whales and the threats they face.
    3. Soundscapes:
      • Recordings of humpback whale songs, blended with music to create emotional and inspiring audio experiences.

    Project Plan

    Phases and Timing

    1. Preparation (Now–February 2024):
      • Finalizing team members and equipment.
      • Securing permits and partnerships.
      • Pre-production, including research and logistics planning.
    2. Fieldwork and Data Collection (February–March 2024):
      • Filming, photography, and sound recording on-site near Samana, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas.
      • Collecting visual and audio assets while working with local experts and communities.
    3. Production and Collaboration (April–December 2024):
      • Editing and producing documentary shorts, soundscapes, and photography collections.
      • Collaborating with NGOs and stakeholders to finalize deliverables.
    4. Exhibitions and Outreach (2025):
      • Showcasing the results through exhibitions, screenings, and digital campaigns.
      • Partnering with organizations to maximize global reach and impact.

    Budget Overview

    Total Budget: $190,000

    • Travel and Operations: $40,000
      • Sailing 500 miles to the project site.
      • Crew expenses and transportation costs.
    • Equipment and Supplies: $30,000
      • Cameras, drones, underwater recording gear.
      • Backup systems for data storage.
    • Production Costs: $50,000
      • Editing, post-production, and music blending for soundscapes.
    • Community Engagement and Workshops: $20,000
      • Hosting events with local experts and communities.
    • Marketing and Distribution: $25,000
      • Exhibitions, social media campaigns, and PR materials.
    • Miscellaneous and Contingency: $25,000
      • Unforeseen costs, additional permits, and safety measures.

    Get Involved

    Your support can amplify the voices of humpback whales and inspire global conservation. Here’s how you can help:

    • Share: Spread the word about this project on social media and with your networks.
    • Donate: Contribute through our Kickstarter campaign (launching soon).
    • Collaborate: Partner with us to expand the reach and impact of this initiative.

    Glowing Introduction

    The ocean’s song is eternal, yet so many of its voices go unheard. In Voices Beneath the Waves, we aim to change that. This isn’t just a project—it’s a call to reconnect with the natural world through wonder and exploration.

    From my years of sailing adventures to my passion for storytelling and conservation, this project represents the culmination of everything I hold dear. Together, we can amplify the voices of humpback whales and create a legacy that resonates far beyond the shorelines.

    Join me aboard Cambio as we turn the tides for our oceans and their most hauntingly beautiful inhabitants.

  • Model Shoots Coming UP!!

    Model Shoots Coming UP!!

    I am inspired to write tonight but don’t seem to have inspiring things to write. lets see if that changes

    I bent on the main today. I was about to slip it into the boom track and then realized that I had forgotten it was a loose footed main. Doh!

    Since the double knee replacement 9 weeks ago, my knees have improved, but they are still a worry. I worry that I’ll jump down into the cockpit and it will hurt a lot. In reality it only hurts somewhat but I know it is gonna hurt and the it has me walking like a tenderfoot all around the deck. I think it will be another 8 weeks or so before I’m anything more than the fat boy at the wheel. Except..

    This week I’m starting to promote some glamour photography on the boat. By June the temperatures will be wonderful and I’ll take glamourous models and fit athletes for a sunset sail and photograph them on the boat. I did it last year and the models were thrilled with the pictures and the pics turned out stunning. Stay tuned for some of the pics to be posted here. Or look back at last year’s images in this log.

    That is all for tonight. I guess I found something cool to talk about anyway!! Have a great night !!

  • Photographing the 2022 Canada Games Sailing competition

    Photographing the 2022 Canada Games Sailing competition

    August 16-August 21, 2022, Niagara on the Lake Sailing Club

    This may not be about Cambio, but it is about my involvement with sailing life.  I really enjoyed photographing the 2022 Canada Games Sailing competitions.   The kids were a great group of competitors and the organization was fabuous, even though the organizers, who shielded us from anything that went wrong by simply sorting it out first, made it an amazing event.

    I was taken by Ontario’s Siobhan MacDonald who got 8 bullets in the Para Mix division.  The boats they use were mini 12 meters, called 2.4 class.  She is incredibly nice and I got some good pictures on land and on the start line.  

    The other two photos I am really happy with are the 29ers and the Lasers at the start. 

  • Photoshoot with Stephanie

    Photoshoot with Stephanie

    Stephanie dropped by for a sunset photoshoot the other day. She has modeled with me for about 7 years and we always click nicely. Here are a few of our images.

  • Mark and Tessa

    Mark and Tessa

    This was a great chance to meet fellow photographer Mark Wong ( https://www.instagram.com/yaamon/ ) and spend some time with a fantastic model, Tessa.

  • We did a few more photoshoots and I’m learning new tricks.  Every sunset shoot is different.

    We did a few more photoshoots and I’m learning new tricks.  Every sunset shoot is different.

    Sunday July 3, 2022  Port Dalhousie

    I can’t tell you how demotivating it is to have nonexistent wifi when keeping this log up to date.  Apparently there are many complaints and the owners are shuffing them (is shuffing a word?) off.  After the last conversation they made me feel like it was my fault that their wifi did not work.   Well, if you are reading this, thanks for listening.

    We did a few more shoots and I’m learning new tricks.  Every sunset shoot is different.

    I ran out of water the other day.  This was bad.  Filled it up yesterday and the pump doesn’t run.  I checked the breakers, the ball cocks, hoses and bilges and all seem normal.  Nothing gets the tap to run.  This is also bad. I’m wondering if there is a need to prime the pump but I’m not sure how.   This is the current state of the bilge, pump, ball cocks, and infrastructure.  The bilge pump turns on ok, but not the water pressure pump.

    If you are gonna buy a boat, buy it from Al and Linda.  Before I could finish the above description of the problem, Al had sent me back a note that describes a solution.   Tomorrow I’ll follow it religiously because in an hour I have a lovely photoshoot with Ashley who has just driven 2.5 hours for the shoot.  

    But now back to the water solution.  As Al wrote:  

    “  Hi Phil,

    Linda said you called about no water coming out of the taps?

    First, is the pump on?

    If you hear it then it is on. Don’t let it run dry a long time.

    If you don’t hear it check that the breaker is on, first on the left I think.

    If the breaker is on, check the wiring at the pump, follow it to see if a wire is loose.

    If everything looks good but the pump doesn’t work, I connect it to a small 12v battery to make sure the pump is good.

    If the pump is running and there is no water, check that the ball valves for the tanks are open.

    There are two filters on the water line in the bilge by the pump, it the tanks are dirty they can get clogged. That shouldn’t happen, as I cleaned the tanks last year. But you can unscrew the filter and check it. 

    Last, if the pump is running and the tanks are open but there is no or little water coming out the taps, listen for water running somewhere in the boat.  A pipe may have come loose. That usually only happens when you commission the system in the spring, but it can happen. If there is water running into the bilge, then follow the water back to the leak.

    Hope this helps.

    The water system is pretty easy, some connections are hard to reach, but otherwise straight forward. I put a new pump in last year? It was during covid, so it has not been used much and should be good. 

    Cheer, Al

  • Photoshoot with Ashley on Cambio

    Photoshoot with Ashley on Cambio

    Ashley is a dedicated fitness guru from the Peterborough area. She drove a couple of hours to visit me for a photoshoot on Cambio. She has shot with me a couple of times, all from a fitness context and today it was a pleasure to shoot her obviously fit bikini body, her infectious smile and general all around good nature.

  • Photoshoot with Tiana

    Photoshoot with Tiana

    I’ve shot Tiana more than anyone else I know so it was a treat to invite her on board Cambio for a sunset photoshoot.

  • I’ve been photographing fitness models on the boat for the last 4 days.

    Sunday June 26, 2022, Port Dalhousie

    A picture containing sky, outdoor, water, sunset

Description automatically generatedI’ve been photographing fitness models on the boat for the last 4 days. Thursday was Katie, Friday Charlene, Saturday Leslie and Cassie, and today I left the boat and shot the torch run for the 2022 Canada Games.   That was all fun but I’m in muscle pain from dancing around the boat.  The boat is an amazing platform to shoot models and sunsets on. 

    I took the sitting box off the bow.  While I liked the idea of a quiet morning at anchor with a piping hot coffee, it blocked a lot of my view and I think it was a hazard.   Docking was much better last night without it.  As a result I only have two granny bars, one on either side of the mast, since the forward one is gone.

  • Tempus Fugit

    And Tempus Fugit  Friday June 24, 2022, Port Dalhousie

    Why is it what should be simple and is promised by the marina doesn’t work?   And why does it take more time than boat maintenance to try to fix it.  I’m talking about the wifi signals.  The signal is intermittent and when it does shine, it doesn’t work.  The management is not exactly working on the problem and it isn’t worth putting my footyfoot down … yet.  Not that my stomp will solve anything, IMHO.

    Seizing wire on the topping lift, job complete.  

    I start 5 days of photoshoots on the boat tonight and I’m looking forward to a meeting of sailing and photography.   I have some great models coming and now it’s all up to me. 

    I’ve docked Cambio twice single handed.  Both were good dockings, now that I’m able to walk the boat to the starboard using the prop walk phenomenon.