Cayman Today

Cayman Today 3/25/2011 "Lip Service" It must have been a challenge to paint this. I could swear shw blinked at me. This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels.

Fishing for a Rainbow

Cayman Today 3-24-2011 Hello, Michael Orhelein, “The Portrait Artist”, here. It’s NOT another beautiful day in Grand Cayman. Very overcast and a light rain, but that could mean a rainbow! I have learned that if you take the time to see, you will always find something of interest. This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. I am fascinated with the world around me.

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 2/20/2011
"The Crooked Man" by:
Michael Orhelein,
“The Portrait Artist”.

It is with affection and admiration that this photograph is titled "The Crooked Man". Before I got to know him I noticed how he fished and the dexterity and balance he possessed out on the treacherous iron shore. It was more amazing as he stood for hours bent arm and crooked back and seemingly very content. His name is Clinton. He is an old Cayman native, still fishing the way of old Cayman. He is old, missing teeth and very happy to catch a few fish every day for his dinner.

I have learned that if you take the time to see, you will always find something of interest. This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the world around me.

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 2/15/2011
Michael Orhelein, “The Portrait Artist”

I have learned that if you take the time to see, you will always find something of interest. This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the world around me.

"The wisdom of the Owl"
I didn't know that the Barn Owl was a rock dweller. My guide TJ knew just where to find this bird, and I doubt that anyone else could. The hike to get to this location reminded my of the climbing I did in my mid twenties.

Cayman Today 2/14/2011


Happy St. Valentines Day
From: Michael Orhelein, “The Portrait Artist”

I have learned that if you take the time to see, you will always find something of interest. This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the world around me.

“3 days on the Brac”

Cayman Brac is one of the 3 Cayman Islands, about 80 miles from the largest island of Grand Cayman and only about 11 miles from the smallest island, Little Cayman. I took a short vacation there last week and felt I just had to share my experiences with the rest of the world.

My main purpose in going was to explore the possibilities of doing some great photography and therefore, it was for me, a working vacation. I did not expect, however to have enjoyed the island so much.

The airport is as you may have guessed is on the small side and quite a nice change from the hassle of the big city airports. While waiting for a cab to the Hotel Alexander I met a man from Cuba and for the short time spent in conversation I was taken with the friendliness of a complete stranger, just minutes before. Should the U.S. ever amend their policies on visiting Cuba, I’ll have a friend there to show me around.

Friendliness is a good word to describe my experience with everyone I met on the Brac.

The people at The Hotel Alexander were no exception. The cheerful and lovely manager Karen is involved in all aspects of the hotel and seems to be everywhere. She is genuinely interested in providing her guests with an excellent experience in their travels.

Chef Errol is incredible in every aspect of food preparation, great taste being the most important. I’ve never really enjoyed a wrap until I had one from his kitchen. I had to have another and yet another. The Friday seafood buffet was also incredible! Stone crab claws, shrimp penne pasta with big shrimp, the most incredible red conch chowder, the best lobster thermidor I’ve ever had, and so much more. The desserts looked wonderful, but I was too full from second helpings of chowder and lobster. Matthew the bartender makes a magnificent rum drink that is all his own. I wonder why, I can’t seem to remember what he called it. He’s another one of the friendly staff so I’m sure he’ll make one or two for you as well. While visiting the bar I engaged a local in some good conversation. He told me about the island and some of the great places I should see. We had a few drinks and swapped a few stories. I’m sure you’ll meet Cleveland, he owns the hotel. The restaurant hostess, Dannette was also wonderful. She kept an attentive eye on all her diners and never left you feeling abandoned as can sometimes happen in the restaurant business. Even the housekeeping staffs were cheerful! It is safe to say I will return and indeed look forward to staying there again.

Apparently the 3 islands differ greatly from each other. The Brac is somewhat rugged and thanks to my guide TJ Seveck, I experienced more of it than I could possibly have hoped for when I landed there. TJ has lived on the Brac all his life and knows the landscape intimately. We met early in the morning and proceeded to the eastern bluff. There I was able to photograph the sun rising above the jagged iron shore. Iron shore is a very sharp and jagged rock which surrounds much of the island. Being the strong rugged type myself, I hiked paths and climbed the cliffs to get some great photographs. I have to tell the truth though, TJ was quick to carry much of my gear and I even had to grab his arm to steady myself at times. He knew where the owls and the boobie birds nested. He knew where to find a fluffy white boobie chick, and he knew the islands caves like the back of his hand. I could never have created the photographs I did with out his assistance. For all his time he only charged $35, but I’d appreciate it if you’d tip him ten extra.

I was totally worn out after my time spent exploring with TJ. I never got the chance to dive the beautiful reefs, maybe next trip. Speaking of diving, TJ free dives, going as deep as 90 feet on a breath of air.

Some contact information:

The Hotel Alexander – 345-948-8222

TJ – 345-927-4835

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 4/24/09

Hello, Michael Orhelein, “The Portrait Artist”, here. It’s another beautiful day in Grand Cayman.

Kids seem to like the same things everywhere. What I see as annoying speed bump, they see as an opportunity.
Sharing with you, people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels.

Grand Cayman Today:
Kids at play1: Image 102-8983
Technical info: Camera-Canon 5D Lens: 70-200 IS
Focal length: 200mm Exposure:1/800@ F3.2

I photograph beautiful people. If you're one of them, click here.

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 4/23/09

It's quite cloudy and a bit windy today. http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/MWCR.html But it's nothing to complain about for sure. It’s another beautiful day in Grand Cayman.

Rum point offers a beautiful beach with many palm trees providing shade for those not wanting too much sun. The water is clear and pretty shallow. For about 200 yards you can stand on a sandy bottom, it is only 4-5 feet. It is especially nice for the timid or beginner snorkeler.
Like many beaches it is less crowded on the weekends. Try the banana or chocolate smoothie.

Grand Cayman Today 4/23/09

Keegan & I: Image 102-1267
Technical info: Camera: Canon 5D Lens: 70-200 IS L

Check out the links provided top right.

This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the world around me.

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 4/21/09

It’s another beautiful day in Grand Cayman. Take the time to see and you will always find something of interest. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the world around me.

Grand Cayman Today:
Cleaning Catch: Image 102-1402B

This local gentleman is cleaning a barracuda he caught this morning, while birds swoop for an easy meal. Many locals catch their dinner as they know the sea well. Barracuda is said to be poisonous, although I've talked to a lot of Caymanians who love it and say it has never given them any problems. The smaller ones are generally the safest. An old wives tale says that if you put a small piece of the fish on an ant mound and the ants don't eat it, then neither should you. Now that sounds like good advice!
Technical info: Camera: Canon 5D Lens: 70-200 IS L
Focal length: 200mm Exposure: 1/125@F/18

This blog is meant to share with you photographs and stories of those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels.

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 4/17/09

Dolphin Discovery

One of the newest attractions on Grand Cayman is Dolphin Discovery at Boatswains Beach in West Bay.

http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/

For all 3 of my children it was a big hit.

To achieve the best photographs for the 3:00pm swim, take up a position on the ocean side of the tank (aka pool). The sun will be behind you as you face toward the center area where the dolphin will meet with each participant for a short ride. Use a fast shutter speed to insure against blur because the dolphins tend to move fast.

There have been some critics of the attraction objecting the domestication of wild animals. I suppose every point of view has two sides, maybe more if you could ask the dolphin. I don't see any harm in it. I feel the opportunity to interact with these wonderful animals benefits all with a better understanding of the world around us.

Technical info:

Camera: Canon 5D

Lens: 70-200 IS L

Focal length: 200mm

ISO 400

Exposure: 1/10000@F/7.1

To view my portrait collection, visit www.caymanislandportraits.com

This blog is meant to share with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the world around me.

Cayman Today

Cayman Today 4/12/09

The Son Rises.
Happy Easter.


Hello, Michael Orhelein, “The Portrait Artist”. Blessings to you and your family, Happy Easter.

Sharing with you those people, places, and things that I have found in my daily travels. Although portrait photography is my passion I am fascinated with the beauty in the world around me.

Technical info: Photograph by my associate and friend Natasha Wight.