Semester At Sea - David Mathre Photography

Seven-Years Ago (31-July-2012) — Pensylvania

Last Day at Merck.

I’ve now been retired from Merck for seven years. I worked at Merck in Rahway, New Jersey; Boulder, Colorado; and West Point, Pennsylvania for over 27 years. In the seven years since retiring I have visited six continents, 43 different countries (several more than once) and 44 states. I have been at sea for over nine months (four Semester at Sea Spring Enrichment Voyages; three Semester at Sea Semester Voyages (Spring, Summer, Fall); and two Hurtigruten voyages (one in Norway, and one to Antarctica). I returned to Argentina and Chile for a photography trip with Thom Hogan, and did two Iceland photography safari’s (one summer, one winter) with Mike Hagen. More recently, I attended photography workshops with Steve Simon in Cuba, Japan, and Portugal. Last summer, I visited Germany with my Brother and Parents. During this time I have taken over 1.6MM images. Not all of the images have made it into my posts yet… When at home, I’ve completed several renovation projects including a new roof, solar panels and a Geothermal HVAC system (replacing an oil-fired furnace and water heater, and an electric central AC system). With the solar panels and elimination of the oil furnace I am essentially carbon neutral since the Geothermal system requires less energy to heat and cool the house. I’ve also planted several wildflower meadows in the yard that are attracting birds, bees, and butterflies. I did have two down periods due to Lyme disease which slowed me down the end of 2016 and 2017. Now trying to decide on my next trip.

Kathy, my administrative assistant in my empty office on my last day of work at Merck. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera. (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (27-July-2014) — Russia

Gone to See Europe 2014. Day 57: Semester at Sea, Summer 2014 Semester Voyage. Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Lauren and Julie behind a glass of Vodka – Pop Up Dinner at “Taste and Eat” in St Petersburg, Russia. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CC.

Pop-up Dinner in Saint Petersburg. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 sec) (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (27-June-2014) — Spain

Gone to See Europe 2014. Day 27: Semester at Sea, Summer 2014 Semester Voyage. Getxo, Spain.

Sidewalk Skaters in Getxo Spain. Images taken with a Leica X2 camera. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, and Photoshop CC 2014.

Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow at my Photoshelter Gallery.

Eight-Years Ago (15-May-2011) — Caribbean Sea

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 19: At Sea.

Sunrise Aboard the MV Explorer. Composite of three images taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 24 mm lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro.

One thing we learned the hard way during the voyage was the need to take the camera and lens out on deck at least 30 minutes before taking any images to prevent fogging due to moisture condensing on the lens. The best way to do this is have the camera and lens in a sealed plastic bag during the temperature equilibration. Otherwise, you need to wait until the condensation evaporates.

Sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. Composite of three images taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 24 mm lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec. Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro (David J Mathre) — Sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. (David J Mathre)

Eight-Years Ago (14-May-2011) — Belize

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 18: Belize.

Pair of Black Vultures in Flight in Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec).

Black Vultures in Flight in Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre) — Black Vultures in Flight in Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)