Atlantic Current: The Photo Issue - May/June 2024

The Photo Issue

5.1 LA TRIBU ROYALE AND INNA VISION 7PM

5.3 SIERRA LANE 4PM

5.3 ERIC CULBERSON 9PM

5.4 GORDON DANIELS 4PM

5.4 UNLIMITED DEVOTION 9PM

5.5 RICHIE DICKIE SOLE FOOL PICKIN’ 3PM

5.8 THE MORE BETTER BAND 9PM

5.9 THE HEAVY PETS 9PM

5.10 GUAVA DUO 4PM

5.10 DRUM AND COMPANY 9PM

5.11 TOM MACKELL 4PM

5.11 EAST HARBOR 9PM

5.12 SEASIDE SWING BAND 3PM

5.15 NYF (GUEST JAM NIGHT) 9PM

5.17 CHEYENNE LEAH 4PM

5.17 JON ZEEMAN 9PM

5.18 DUBBLE JAMES 4PM

5.18 SOULAM 9PM

5.19 SPIDER CHERRY DUO 3PM

5.22 LEMON CITY TRIO 9PM

5.24 BRETT STASKA 4PM

5.24 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT BAND 9PM

5.25 THE LEAFY GREENS 4PM

5.25 JOHN LEE WYATT 9PM

5.26 NOUVEAUX HONKIES 3PM

5.29 THE LOT KIDS 4PM

5.31 VICTORIA CARDONA 4PM

5.31 DAY LILY WITH EASY HONEY 9PM

6.1 TASTY VIBRATIONS TRIO 4PM

6.1 TRU PHONIC 9PM

6.2 VICTORIA LEIGH 3PM

6.5 NYF (GUEST JAME NIGHT) 9PM

6.7 DUBBLE JAMES 4PM

6.7 FUNKIN’ GRATEFUL 9PM

6.8 JOEY TENUTO TRIO 4PM

6.8 GREEN BUDDHA 9PM

6.9 VICTORIA CARDONA 4PM

6.12 ELECTRIC KIF 9PM

6.14 TRI TONE TRIO 4PM

6.14 GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL (SILENT DISCO) 9PM

6.15 NOUVEAUX HONKIES 4PM

6.15 UPROOT HOOTENANNY 9PM

6.16 THE MOONSHINERS 3PM

6.19  FAT SPLIFFS 9PM

6.21 JORDAN RICHARDS OF TAND 4PM

6.21 HOT SAUCE MOON 9PM

6.22 JUSTIN SHAPIRO 4PM

6.22 JUKE 9PM

6.23 SAMANTHA RUSSELL 3PM

6.26 ROOTS SHAKEDOWN 9PM

6.28 SIERRA LANE 4PM

6.28 TASTY VIBRATIONS 9PM

6.29 CHEYENNE LEAH & MIKE GARULLI 4PM

6.29 THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS 9PM

6.30 BEN CHILDS 3PM

3

FIRST FRIDAY CELEBRATION @ Centennial Park – Boynton (5:00)

SIERRA LANE @ Guanabanas – Jupiter (4:00)

3-5

SUNFEST @ Downtown WPB

4

UNLIMITED DEVOTION 12 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW @ Guanabanas – Jupiter (9:00)

SKATE JEDI – MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU SKATE JAM & ART WALK @ The Peach – WPB (5:00-10:00)

GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

THE MTVVJ’S @ Crazy Uncle Mikes – Boca (8:30)

5

RUTHIE FOSTER @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (7:00)

TREVOR PARRY @ Golden Juicery – Jupiter (10:00 am)

THE LEGAL ROOTS FEAT. YVAD @ Arts Garage – Delray (7:00)

8

MORE BETTER BAND @ Guanabanas – Jupiter (9:00)

BRIAN DEAN @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (5:00)

9 ARTIKAL SOUND SYSTEM @ Seminole Hard Rock – Hollywood (8:00)

THE HEAVY PETS @ Guanabanas – Jupiter (9:00)

CHRIS STAPLETON @ iThink Financial Amp – WPB (7:00)

10

DAVE MATHEWS TRIBUTE @ Mathews Brewing Co. – Lake Worth

THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS @ Bamboo Room – Lake Worth

JACIN PAUL @ The Cove Brewery – Deerfield

ART AFTER DARK W/ JM & THE SWEETS @ Norton – WPB

THE BLUNATICS @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter

HOZIER @ iThink Financial Amp – WPB (8:00)

11

BRIDGE THE GAP II 2024 BENEFITTING THE REEF INSTITUTE FEAT. THE RESOLVERS, MISHKA, SIERRA LANE @ Constitution Park – Tequesta (4:00 - 9:00)

BLINK-180 DEUX, TIME BOMBED, SUBLIMINAL DOUBT @ Respectables – WPB (8:00)

INDIGO DREAMERS @ Stormhouse Brewing – NPB (6:00)

THE CRAVENS @ Northwood Art & Music Warehouse – WPB

JUSTIN ENCO DUO @ Cove Brewery – Deerfield

12

DOUG SHAPPELL @ Sticky Bun – Deerfield (10:00 am)

OPEN FIRE @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (4:00)

14

ALL ARTS OPEN MIC @ Arts Garage – Delray (8:00)

16

THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS

@ The Taste of Boynton—Boynton Amphitheater

PHD BAND @ Crazy Uncle Mikes – Boca (8:00)

KENNY CHESNEY @ Hard Rock Live (8:00)

17

THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (6:00)

CRAZY FINGERS @ Northwood Art & Music Warehouse – WPB

PALM BEACH RIBS WINGS AND ROCK FESTIVAL @ SoFlo Fairgrounds (4:00)

18-19

PALM BEACH COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS @ Arts Warehouse – Delray (noon - 5:00)

18

MOONSHINERS @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

TASTY VIBRATIONS @ The Cove Brewery – Deerfield

NIRVANA & LINKIN PARK TRIBUTES @ Mathews Brewing Co. – Lake Worth

GUAVATRON @ Banana Boat – Boynton (8:00)

RACE THE TIDE PADDLE RELAY RACE @ Blueline Surf and Paddle – Jupiter

FJB FOOD AND WINE FEST @ Harbourside – Jupiter

19

REVEREND HORTON HEAT & THE SURFRAJETTES @ Respectables – WPB (7:00)

FASTBALL 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (7:00)

BRIAN & BRIAN @ The Sticky Bun – Deerfield (10:00 am)

BETHANY LYNN @ Golden Juicery – Jupiter (10:00 am)

24-25

DAVE MATHEWS BAND @ iThink Financial Amp – WPB

24

BRYANT DUO @ The Cove Brewery – Deerfield

THE BOSS PROJECT @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (9:00)

PEACE OF WOODSTOCK @ Arts Garage – Delray (8:00)

COMEDY AFTER DARK @ Grandview Public Market – WPB (8:00)

25

STILL ALIVE @ Crazy Uncle Mikes – Boca (8:30)

MAMA FUMA @ The Cove Brewery – Deerfield

AFTER IMAGE (RUSH TRIBUTE) @ Mathews Brewing Co. – Lake Worth

TUE-THUR 3:30PM-10PM FRIDAY 3:30PM-12AM

12PM-12AM

12PM-8:30PM

UPROOT HOOTENANNY @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (6:00)

ROCK THE PLAZA @ Ocean Plaza – Boynton Beach (1:00 – 4:00)

26

MAKING WAVES OF CHANGE (BENEFITING BOCA AND DEERFIELD BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETIES) W/ LIVE MUSIC, GIVEAWAYS, AND GREAT VIBES

@ The Cove Brewery – Deerfield (noon - 4:00)

SUMMER GILL @ Golden Juicery – Jupiter (10:00 am)

27

MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT @ Mizner Park Amp – Boca (7:00)

31

ART AFTER DARK W/ HAITIAN HERITAGE NIGHT @ Norton – WPB

THE FUTURE BUDS @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

ADAM DAVID DUO @ Cove Brewery – Deerfield

JUNE 1

SUMMER GREEN MARKET @ Old School Square – Delray (every Saturday through July 27, 9:00 am -1:00 pm)

FIRST SATURDAY ART WALK @ The Peach – WPB (5:00 – 10:00)

SOUL OF MOTOWN @ Crazy Uncle Mikes – Boca (8:30)

FLOYD NATION: EXPERIENCE PINK FLOYD @ Kravis – WPB (8:00)

SONS OF A TRADESMAN @ Mathews Brewing Co. – Lake Worth

LIVE AT GRANDVIEW PUBLIC MARKET: FACE TIME – WPB (7:00)

THE LONG RUN @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (7:00)

ROCK THE MARINA @ Boynton Harbor Marina (noon – 4:00) 2

JERRY LEEMAN @ Sticky Bun – Deerfield (10:00 am) 4

COMEDY OPEN MIC @ Arts Garage – Delray (8:00) 7

SUPER BREAK @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

FIRST FRIDAY CELEBRATION @ Centennial Park – Boynton (5:00)

JOEY CALDERAIO @ Bayboro Brewing Co. – St. Petersburg

8

IN-A-NUTSHELL (ALICE IN CHAINS TRIBUTE) @ Mathews Brewing Co. –Lake Worth

FUNKIN GRATEFUL @ Crazy Uncle Mikes – Boca (8:30)

CACTUS ALBUM RELEASE TOUR @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (7:00)

HOT SAUCE MOON @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (6:00)

SAMANTHA RUSSEL @ Banana Boat – Boynton (7:00)

BRIAN & BRIAN @ The Sticky Bun – Deerfield (10:00 am)

CASEY LUDEN @ Golden Juicery – Jupiter (10:00 am)

14

SUMMER SERIES: CARIBBEAN CHILLERS @ Mizner Park Amp – Boca (8:00)

CHARLIE WILSON @ Pompano Beach Amp (8:00)

JAY VALOR @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (6:00)

THE HAPPINESS CLUB @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

SANTANA + COUNTING CROWS @ Hard Rock Live (7:00)

COLLIE BUDDZ “TAKE IT EASY TOUR” W/ KASH’D OUT & CLOUD9 VIBES @ Abacoa Amp – Jupiter (6:00)

GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL (SILENT DISCO) @ Guanabanas – Jupiter (9:00)

15

DEADPHISH ORCHESTRA @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (7:00)

HAVOC 305 @ Crazy Uncle Mikes – Boca (8:30)

16

ADONIS F @ Golden Juicery – Jupiter (10:00 am)

SPIDER CHERRY @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (4:00)

18

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: UNLIMITED LOVE TOUR @ iThink Financial Amp – WPB (7:00)

22

THE KINECTED @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

BUC STOPS HERE @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (6:00)

SMOKIN’ RENEGADE (STYX/BOSTON TRIBUTE) @ Mathews Brewing Co. – Lake Worth

23

MAKING WAVES OF CHANGE (BENEFITTING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY) W/ LIVE MUSIC, GIVEAWAYS, AND GOOD VIBES @ The Cove Brewery – Deerfield (noon - 4:00)

JOHN LEONARD @ Sticky Bun – Deerfield (10:00 am) 26

PAM & DAVE @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00) 27

ROCK THE MARINA @ One Boynton – Boynton Beach (6:00 - 9:00)

28

LARRY CARLTON @ Funky Biscuit – Boca (6:00 + 9:00)

NOUVEAUX HONKIES @ Maxi’s Lineup – Jupiter (9:00)

29

THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS @ Guanabanas – Jupiter

CRYSTAL SHAWANDA @ Arts Garage – Delray (8:00)

METAL MILITIA (METALLICA TRIBUTE) @ Mathews Brewing Co. –Lake Worth

RELENTLESS @ Old Key Lime House – Lantana (6:00)

PUBLISHER

Dustin Wright

MANAGING EDITOR

Ava Bourbeau

EDITOR

Darien Davies

DESIGN

Richard Vergez

WRITERS

Ava Bourbeau

Darien Davies

David Rolland

EVENTS

Danny Wright

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dustin Wright

The Photo Issue

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY

Ben Hicks

Sherry Ferrante

Fujifilm

Ben Horton

Caleb Jimenez

Anthony J. Rayburn

Darin Back

Chris Burkard

Peak Design

Brian Hall

Greg Panas

Matt Bucelli

Natalia Gomez

Rachel Fleischman

Zach Guinta

Ashley Richardson

John Cherup

Jake Leach

Daniel Alavi

Jakob Takos

Daniel Miles

Jeff Biege

Jesse Glendinning

Brianna Fournier

Anthony Plesca

Kyle Soto

THE

COVER : Brian Hall

ADVERTISING 561-449-2263 info@theatlanticcurrent.com

THANKS

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Please support us by supporting them.

Copyright 2024 by the Atlantic Current LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Atlantic Current is a registered trademark of The Atlantic Current LLC.

Welcome to The Photo Issue

RACHEL FLEISCHMAN @RAYYLAUREN

BLACK & WHITE

BRIAN HALL @IRISOUTDOORSCO

GREG PANAS @GREGPANAS

MATT BUCELLI @BUCELLIPHOTOGRAPHY

ZACH GUINTA @ZACH_GUINTA

BLACK & WHITE

NATALIA GOMEZ

MODEL: QUINN KNAPP

RACHEL FLEISCHMAN @RAYYLAUREN MODEL: CATHERINE GIRARD

MATT BUCELLI @BUCELLIPHOTOGRAPHY

LANDMARKS

ASHLEY RICHARDSON @CAMOCAMEO

JOHN CHERUP @BUKSHOTS

ANTHONY PLESCA @LQQK_SEE

JAKE LEACH @JAKEWUB

LANDMARKS

ASHLEY RICHARDSON @CAMOCAMEO

JOHN CHERUP @BUKSHOTS

NATALIA GOMEZ

STACEY BAKER

JAKE LEACH @JAKEWUB

JAKOB TAKOS @JAKOBTAKOS

DANIEL ALAVI @MAN_THE_DANALOG MODEL: BRETT STASKA

DANIEL MILES @DANIELMILESPHOTOGRAPHY

JEFF BIEGE @JEFFBIEGEPHOTOGRAPHY

MOTION

GREG PANAS @GREGPANAS MODEL: OLIVER KURTZ

GREG PANAS @GREGPANAS

MOTION

BRIAN HALL @IRISOUTDOORSCO

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JESSE GLENDINNING @__JESSE

MOTION

ZACH GUINTA @ZACH_GUINTA

Kyle Soto Capturing the Sea for Others to See

BY DARIEN DAVIES

Most of us aren’t fortunate enough to witness the beauty of the ocean’s depths. Even living near the beach, if you’re not trained to spot the magical moments, you’re almost guaranteed to miss them. Photographer Kyle Soto is here to change that. For him, photography is not only a passion for his own eyes, but a passion for helping people fall in love with the sea and its inhabitants by allowing them to see what he sees.

“From a young age I loved the ocean and its endless diversity. The animals in the ocean always drove me to explore it more. I am obsessed with finding new subjects to photograph and the feeling of entering another world that’s so alien from land,” said Kyle, 25, who’s a Florida native. “When I was a kid, I collected trading cards of different ocean animals. As an adult I collect photos of different ocean animals. So, the obsession has always kind of been a part of me.”

It became an even bigger part of him after he beat cancer. Diagnosed at 15 years old with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is a type of blood cancer, he spent a year in and out of the hospital undergoing week-long rounds of chemotherapy. Not only was this a painful, uncomfortable and scary experience for him, he was also ripped from typical teenager activities. He lost his normalcy in life, diving deep into procedures instead of diving deep into the ocean.

PHOTO BY KYLE SOTO

“Honestly my passion for photography came after beating cancer. I was always obsessed with exploring the ocean and seeing animals, and photography was my way of taking what I saw in nature and bringing that feeling home with me,” said Kyle, who is still cancer free. “I realized that there are tons of people in the world that are stuck in a hospital bed or unable to see the underwater world for themselves, as I was in that position. It drove me to grab a camera, take photos and share them with others so they could experience the magic of the ocean.”

Another turning point in Kyle’s life was a fortunate stroke of serendipity, which happened when he met underwater photographer Ben Hicks who gave a presentation to his high school photography class. Kyle immediately recognized him from social media and skipped his next class just to talk with Ben. Kyle tried to absorb as much wisdom as possible in a short chat because Ben was a photographer he looked up to.

“I started bugging Ben every chance I got, I sent him DMs, I saw him at art shows, and I always reminded him that I was available to help in any way I could,” Kyle said. “Eventually he invited me out on a dive out in the ocean and the rest is history! He started asking for assistance and offering to teach me more and more. I spent all of my college years assisting Ben on shoots in and out of the water all over Florida. I helped him construct his fine art

PHOTO BY SHERRY FERRANTE

BY

PHOTO

KYLE SOTO

prints, and I learned an insane amount from him. He’s done so much for me as a mentor and a friend, and we have plenty of adventures that we’ve embarked on.”

Those adventures have helped Kyle to capture his photography angle. While he appreciates all aspects of the ocean and its inhabitants, he always shoots for the difficult opportunities, such as witnessing and capturing sea turtle hatchlings or leatherback hatchlings. To experience a rare and special moment is not just a celebration for him, it’s a shared celebration for those who see and feel the image. Taking the perfect picture isn’t easy, and that’s okay with Kyle.

“I am heavily influenced by finding subjects that I love and then trying to place myself in unique lighting conditions with those animals to create an atmosphere that the audience can feel. I try to place myself in situations that are challenging, such as diving with turtles before the sun comes up or shooting waves in the dark with a flash. These situations are not commonly experienced by most people, and I think it’s what makes an image feel special,” Kyle said. “I want to capture not only the subject but

also a glimpse into their surroundings. The goal with my photography is not only to bring the ocean into people’s lives, but it’s also to inspire people to take action towards conservation. Our ocean and its inhabitants are delicate, and I hope I can convey the beauty and value of nature through each photo.”

Capturing the delicate and wondrous ebb and flow of the ocean and the life in it isn’t just for Kyle, it is Kyle.

“Nowadays my cancer story reminds me that it’s always worth doing what makes you happy. Take risks, and do what you’re passionate about because life can truly change in an instant,” Kyle said. “God has a plan, and I don’t know if I would be pursuing my passion to the fullest if it wasn’t for that experience. So now I try to look at the positives that time in my life brought me, and I look for ways to bring light to people who are struggling today.”

kylesotophotography.com @kylesoto

PHOTO BY KYLE SOTO

PHOTO BY BEN HICKS

Fujifilm X100VI

BY AVA BOURBEAU

A new investment opportunity has just hit the market. Put options are too confusing, TSLA’s low is still too high, and we’re still waiting for the next crypto bear market luckily this is none of the above. For a small one-time payment of only $1,599, you can own the new Fujifilm X100VI. Well, assuming it ever gets off backorder. If this camera follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the X100V which is still being sold second-hand for way more than its original value then this is an appreciating asset that will pad your pockets with just enough cash (upon resale) that you might be able to afford the next iteration that comes out.

Of course, we’re joking. You shouldn’t take financial advice from us we’re in the print media industry, after all and pushing people to buy things unnecessarily isn’t really our jam. However, we have been itching to get into the intrigue, popularity and now scarcity of the Fujifilm X100V and the new X100VI. So read on, as we take a closer look at one of the most hyped cameras in the history of, well, cameras.

The Drop and Flop…?

When the X100 series was first released to the market, it was a pretty quiet affair. We’re not insinuating that Fujifilm is some underground company that quietly debuted an inconsequential camera, but it is shadowed in comparison to how modern photographers are treating a release in the series more than a decade later. The whole X100 collection is well-loved as a whole, and in 2011, the X100 was a well-enough-liked, but not hyped, release. It won some awards, but also received its fair share of criticism.

The large sensor compact fixed lens makeup of the original X100 was new for Fujifilm but was overall comparable to other point-and-shoots on the market at the time. What made it unique, however, was the nostalgia it inspired. The X100 camera body is reminiscent of gear that would fit in a motif of the ’60s or ’70s. With each new release on an annual schedule give or take improvements were made and technological capabilities were upgraded, but the vintage look remained.

Even more to that point, the camera came loaded with film simulations or “recipes” as Fujifilm calls them that mimic the effects of a film camera, in a digital body. No post processing or developing were necessary. This added to the ease of use for X100 photographers and made it even more convenient to make the X100 an always-on-you, everyday camera. It also helps that it’s small enough to fit in most pockets. Fujifilm is a film titan, and all of the recipes preloaded in the X100 line are digital renditions of the originals that were created by Fujifilm for film cameras. There are 20 modes on the newest model Reala Ace, Provia, Velvia, etc. that encompass 90 years of color science by Fujifilm. In an era where people are constantly craving the past, the X100 iterations appealed to hobbyists, professionals and old souls alike.

Rise to Fame

In early 2020, the X100V became the newest of the X100 line with updates like a jump in resolution to 26.1 megapixels, the redesign of the optical viewfinder, the addition of a touch screen and new OLED display technology. It was originally priced at $1,399.

That is, until social media got wind of this retro gem.

Long story short, someone made a video touting the X100V and as the views racked up, the surplus product quickly dried up. Countless influencers in the photography space poured on the positive reviews and clamor for the camera grew. Eventually, Fujifilm released a statement that they couldn’t handle the influx of demand and would be forced to temporarily stop accepting orders.

A reality that’s often attached to this series is that it’s the camera that supporters reach for the most often and carry on their person almost constantly. It’s technologically versatile, pocket-sized, doesn’t require a lengthy post-production workflow, and, simply, it looks cool. The popularity might have been catalyzed by social media, but within the storm of virality, was a genuine sentiment of how the camera had reignited a love for the art. Many professional photographers who find themselves a cog in the never-ending machinations of needing camera gear to up their game or to get the shot were drawn to the X100V. Sure, that was in part due to the aforementioned points and its presence all over social media, but it was also a perfect fit for a creative niche that photographers didn’t realize they had let widen. It’s been said that the best camera is the camera you actually use. In that sense, we think the X100 series is definitely among the contenders.

With the announcement of the impending release of the X100VI, the X100V was again possible to get your hands on, but you’re still paying more than its original price. While we’re not happy about the increase, we’re of the opinion that the Fujifilm X100 line is actually worth the hype. Please save your gasps for the end.

Revenge of the Sixth

As probably the most significant jump in innovation to the X100 series, the X100VI may have inspired some animosity in anyone who got the predecessor rather than waiting for the new release. Enough to turn to the dark side? Let’s discuss.

The X100VI has 1.5x the resolution of the X100V (40 megapixels) at nearly twice the speed. Something else that’s fast AF? The autofocus. Okay, maybe not fast AF but the joke fits, and it’s definitely improved from the X100V. The autofocus also includes more ingrained subject-tracking options to automatically detect pets, cars, trains, bikes and more. What’s probably our favorite upgrade is the up to six stops of in-body image stabilization (IBIS). It added a few grams to the weight, but it’s a sacrifice that allows even more control in low-light situations (and for those of us with a shaky shutter finger).

We’d love to be able to give you a first-hand review put a pin in that but we’re still just a name on the waitlist. As it stands at the time of writing this article (midMarch), no one we know IRL has received their X100VI and only a few had the X100V to begin with.

Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, we’re not still waiting for our X100VI to be delivered.

fujifilm-x.com/en-us @fujifilmx_us

THE HACIENDA

Delray Camera Shop

Longtime Local Business Develops at New Location

BY DAVID ROLLAND

elray Camera Shop has been in three locations over decades. Most recently, two locations at once as they maneuvered a transition from an old to a new location while keeping both open. Their newest location, which opened in November 2020, came filled with challenges.

“To move a business that was in one location for 53 years took a lot of work. We had to renovate the current location, which was formerly a warehouse. We stripped it back and built a bigger more accessible studio,” said owner James Greene.

James went from a longtime employee to the owner of Delray Camera Shop at the most difficult possible time, January 2020, right before the pandemic shut everything down. “We were officially closed for one day. Then they had it where I could sell to customers, but they weren’t allowed inside the store. At the old location we had a drive-thru window,” James said.

The solo time gave him the chance to refurbish the new location into the photography store of his dreams, offering just about any merchandise and service you can imagine related to the art of photography.

“We carry Leica, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Canon. We carry Sigma lenses, Godox flashes, strobes, video lights, background paper, recording equipment, and tripods. We process and print anything from four by six inches to 40 by 60 inches,” James said. “We scan, digitize, and transfer VHS or 8 mm film to DVDs or USB drives. We do passports for 17 countries, and we rent studio space to photographers.”

Beyond working at Delray Camera Shop since 1987, James has worked as a professional photographer at all kinds of events in 22 states across the country. “My background is with people. Headshots, bar mitzvahs, weddings,” said James, who always advises anyone hoping to capture a big event to always be ready. “Live behind the lens. Pay attention to the bride or the bar mitzvah boy because timing is everything.”

His personal photos that he has on display in the shop deal with cities and nature, to protect the privacy of people. “I have an

image I took during an ad for KFC from Brickell Island looking at Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami at midnight. I have a couple from the Keys. One is of a sunrise another is a picture of seagulls,” James said.

When newbies ask his great local spots to take pictures, he recommends places where birds congregate like Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray or Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach. “If you want to capture nightlife you can go to Atlantic Avenue in Delray. South Beach also has good nightlife pics,” James said.

Though asking a photographer what his favorite camera is might be like asking a parent which is their favorite child, James shared which brands are in his personal collection. “I originally started with a Nikon back in 1984. Now I shoot with Sony and Leica. I have a Fuji GFX digital camera, which is a 102-megapixel camera giving it the most definition.”

As grateful as James is for the technological advances in photography, he has even more gratitude for the employees and customers who enter Delray Camera Shop. “Tom Craig works here, and he helped lay out the store so it looks presentable when he’s not photographing bands at Hard Rock Casino. We really enjoy our customers. They keep returning and help make this store what it is,” James said. “I’m grateful for all these talented photographers.”

TOM CRAIG AND JAMES GREENE

How I Got the Shot

Ben Horton, Caleb Jimenez, Brian Hall and Anthony J. Rayburn

Every photo has a story. You know that saying. Well, we didn’t have the real estate for 1,000 words so let’s say these photos are worth about 500 really, really quality words written by the photographers themselves.

On a more serious note, we so enjoyed hearing about the patience, persistence and adventurous nature of these photographers. They’ve captured some truly breathtaking images in their careers and have agreed to share the tale behind these. A lot more goes into it than you might think. Whether it’s a multi-mile walk to the shoot destination or sitting and waiting for hours for a pod of dolphins, these photographers got the shot.

Baja Bait Ball

By Ben Horton

The long and solitary drive through the Baja California peninsula has become a pilgrimage for surfers, motorheads, divers, and those who seek easy access to true exploration. I’ve been driving this peninsula for 12 years, and every time I put the tires on the road, I find something new.

On this repetition of the drive, I heard that the sardine run had begun near Magdalena Bay, and there was a possibility of encountering large bait balls where I could photograph animals predating on the sardines. I had one day to accomplish this, but it seemed like a sure thing, so I pulled into the town of San Carlos and hopped aboard a panga for a pre-dawn exit into the open ocean beyond the protection of the Bay with a few other visitors.

We motored across the open ocean for 40 miles along the side of a mountain range that separates the Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Pushing against the swell was a slow process, but eventually, we began to see signs of life that are surprisingly rare in the ocean’s vastness.

Birds were circling above something, diving repeatedly into the water. As we got closer, we saw the surface of the water frothing with action, and dozens of sea lions were dipping in and out of the turbulence. We’d found the sardines.

There really is no such thing as a dedicated underwater camera, to capture these photos I put my professional camera inside of a housing that protects it from the water. If I am diving deep, I have to use supplementary lighting to add the color red back into the image since deep down, the red is all absorbed by the water it has traveled through. But here, at the surface, it’s not necessary. I prefer the natural look provided by the sun.

The hardest part is figuring out what to focus on, and there seems to be something happening in every direction I look. To my left, sea lions, to my right, dorado, below me a whale passes by, and in front of me the sardines are approaching fast. I don’t really want to let them surround me with all these predators diving in and out of the bait ball.

I spend a few hours in the water, attempting to capture elements of what is happening. It’s hard to focus on the details but to me it’s the details that really tell the story. Once I’ve had a chance to “capture” the scene, I get to start trying to be artistic. I slow the shutter speed down so there’s a bit of motion blur. I move around to the silhouetted side of the action to see what it looks like from there. It’s these unique images that stand out to me.

Motoring back to San Carlos, everyone is exhausted and happy. I mentioned that I was curious why we didn’t look for other bait balls to try to see other species, and a group of three visitors exclaimed, “We’ve been here for a week! This is the first one we’ve seen!” I had no idea that I’d been so lucky.

@benhortonphoto

The Great Hammerhead

By Caleb Jimenez

I’ve been flying drones for about eight years now and I try to go out at least five days a week to see what amazing things nature has to offer. But on the morning of June 29, 2023 I saw something with my drone I had never seen before.

I woke up early because the water had been exceptionally clear around that time, and I was hoping to capture some blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, dolphins, turtles or eagle rays. I was really hoping to capture a hammerhead shark that I heard was

roaming these same waters in the weeks prior. I was flying my drone, on my third battery, when I couldn’t stop thinking about seeing a hammerhead. Not even five seconds later, BOOM, right in the middle of my screen was a great hammerhead shark! I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know it at the time, but these are listed as critically endangered. It was such an amazing feeling seeing this beautiful shark grace my screen. I was only able to snap a few photos of it because it swam so fast but was fortunately able to capture several videos of it. Since this day I’ve seen a hammerhead once or twice.

Tarpon Twister

By Brian Hall

Right place, right time. As we pushed off the dock from Islamorada in search of tarpon, our run across Florida Bay was quickly interrupted as we turned our heads north to witness this wild scene.

These tarpon anglers didn’t even flinch, just remained steady on the push pole as they glided across a flat in search of the silver king. I quickly reached for my camera as all of these stars

aligned, only to find the lens fogged up from the humid morning at hand, which would lead to the texture on the final image. But I didn’t care. This image is the epitome of how I feel about photography. That ability to truly capture something so wildly unique and rare, and let it live on forever. Needless to say, it’s a brief second of life that I’ll truly never forget.

Catana Catamarans

By Anthony J. Rayburn

I’ve come to the conclusion that photographers fall in one of two buckets. Those driven by tech and those driven by experiences. One thing we do all have in common though is we’re all a little nuts, in a good kind of way, and are motivated by the shots we’re left with. A camera has allowed me to have experiences and meet incredible humans that I would have never been able to without one.

I’ve always been attracted to the lifestyle of sailing and all difficult things that come along with it. I have no idea why, it’s mostly miserable. There is just so much that goes into sailing and so much that goes wrong, stuff is always breaking, everything is expensive and everything that needs to be done is grueling to do, and 90 percent of your time is spent doing these things. Then there’s the weather and all the things out of our control.

But there’s something just so sexy about it to me, it’s how we discovered new worlds, the remoteness, the self-dependency, the calculated risks, and everything that has to come together to get that feeling of just traveling by your own means with no sound of an engine.

You’re very limited on where you can go on a boat and limited to what you can bring with you, anticipating what’s going to happen next, staying out of the crew’s way, contributing to all the tasks that need to be done, everything can hurt you seriously. Then you can start thinking about the photograph, the client’s requirements, the product or brand, all with one eye open and one eye on your lens finder trying not to get seasick. Forget about sunglasses... It’s a bit self-sabotaging, intentionally doing these things, but it makes getting a great shot that much more rewarding, especially something commercially viable that would make someone sane want to do the same things.

At the time of this shoot, Catana Catamarans released its new and first Ocean Class catamaran in it’s lineup. Something worthy of crossing oceans at a competitive level but with all the luxuries of a recreational catamaran available to the public. I think the boat had just crossed the Atlantic Ocean from France for the boat show here in Fort Lauderdale. Catamaran Guru, a local dealer and sailing school, was gracious enough to have me out one afternoon to show her off. Everything went our way, the weather was great, we had some great views of the Fort Lauderdale coastline and it was a simple reminder of the joys that come with sailing.

@anthonyjrayburn

PHOTO BOOKS

Chris Burkard

“The Oceans”

$80 “High Tide: A Surf Odyssey”

$60 chrisburkardshop.com

Coast Surfers: Women’s Edition”

$1,599.95

fujifilm-x.com/en-us (good luck schmuck)

Instax Mini 99

$199.95 (projected price) instaxus.com

Photos Courtesy of Fujifilm