Honorable mention in 2011 international competition

Today, I got an email letting me know that one of my images received an honorable mention in International Competition. While competitions of this type are subjective in nature it is very rewarding to know ones work is well received by other professionals. Check out all the winning images at http://underwatercompetition.com/Competitions/deep-indonesia.2011

This image is called Living Art and was created in Fiji last year while on a weeks cruise on the Naia' one of the worlds finest live aboard dive boats. http://www.naia.com.fj/

To see more images go to www.douglasjhoffman.com

Photography exhibit at Honua Kai Resort and Spa in Kaanapali Maui

My photography exhibit has four more days at the Honua Kai Resort & Spa in Kaanapali, Maui. I introduced 14 new portraits on aluminum and the response has been very positive. There is a sunset, waterfall, and a few whale portraits that will make your jaw drop. Please come by to see the photography and say hello. The show is in the Molokai room at the resort, & the hours are 5-9 daily. This saturday I will also be there from 9 am - noon.

My work is also featured at Gallery Oceanica at 780 front st. Lahaina, and on my website at www.douglasjhoffman.com

making a difference

This week the Humane Society International asked if they could use my shark images for two projects next month. www.hsi.org

First is for the Jane Goodall Institute China project web site in which the Humane Society Internationals shark education project will have its own sub-site under http://www.genyuya.org.cn/ JGI China is currently revamping this website and the new one will include interactive features attractive to young students. Inaddition the images will appear in a one-page leaflet and 500 posters.

Second, is an Earth Day event: The Humane Society International will be displaying photos of sharks (24’ x 34’ or 15’ x 25’ ) at the Beijing Zoo on April 23, Saturday. The Beijing Zoo attracts tens of thousands visitors a day. We’ll have a table with No Shark Fin brochures & photos of sharks.

Its an honor to have my images used in these campaigns. I hope they evoke an emotional response that leads to positive change in terms of the shameless killing sharks just for their fins.

Those interested in shark diving in Fiji , please check out my trips page.

www.douglasjhoffman.com

Chef James picking beets

Last week I had the opportunity to create a portrait of Chef James from Io', pacific'O, and Feast of Lele. The chef is a firm subscriber to the point of view food should come from the farm and go right on the plate. Here is the chef picking beets at O'o farm.

I hope to include this image in a exhibition on Maui chefs later in the year. Details when available will be posted on www.mauiphotography.net

Photo by www.douglasjhoffman.com

Portraits of Maui Chefs

Aloha,

I recently got a request for images from Douglas Peoples the photography editor for the next edition of the coffee table book "Maui on My Mind". This book is famous and has been an iconic symbol of Maui for as long as I can remember and I have lived here since the early 80's.

In addition to submitting scenic and underwater images of Maui, for some reason I decided to contact some of our islands most famous chefs. I offered to come to the location of their choice and create a portrait for consideration.

In the process I became inspired to do a public exhibition of the chefs portraits.

So, I am looking for venues and for a few more chefs.

This image is of Chef Sheldon Simeon from the restaurant Star Noodle in Lahaina.

http://www.starnoodle.com

survivor pulls out of Tonga

Traveling to Tonga has always been an adventure and perhaps the main reason it has stayed off the grid in terms of mass eco-tourism. This year a television show called Survivor made plans to do a show in Vavau' Tonga. While in the long run this might have helped bring tourists to Tonga in the short term it it preempted it.

The local hotels blocked hotel rooms, motels, and B&B's in order to accommodate the show's 300 crew. As a result there were no accommodations left for the normal tourists coming to Tonga to sail, scuba dive, and swim with whales.

The big news today is that the show decided to go to Samoa. Now accommodations in Tonga are open and local businesses are hopeful tourists will book. Since I am offering a photography workshop Sept 12-19th in Vavau' Tonga this news is fantastic. I have secured the necessary rooms in the most convenient hotel and am looking forward to a great season in Tonga.

If anyone is interested in submerging themselves into a week of whale swimming and photography please go to my web site http://www.douglasjhoffman.com/DH/trips.htm#Tonga_Whale_Expedition,_Land_Based_-_September_12_-_19,_2011