Been I'd say a good while since I've last wrote a journal on here but I must say, this one could be the last. Been thinking about it for a little over a month now that I might close things up and say goodbye to dA. Haven't had much time really to post any of the last shoots or shows I've been to over the past few months either due to work or getting around to because I'm out enjoying life. The last few months have been a change for me and so far its been going fairly good. Got a new position at work painting airplanes now with what has to be the greatest schedule ever too. And been able to spend more time with some of my closet friends that I was getting to see as much and hoping that things change here soon and continue on to the next chapter in my life. But who knows, still a ways to go. I'll probably post a few more small things here and there before I officially part ways. To everyone that I've met and has enjoyed my work on here, I greatly appreciate it and hope the best to everyone.

If you're interested in keeping in touch with me, look me up on Facebook either on my photography page (become a fan!) just look up Grounded Images and you'll see coverage and all from shows and whatever else I get into around the automotive world. Or my personal page www.facebook.com/brain.skully

Will say this before signing off of here. Did get a once in a life time opportunity, got to work on a P-51D that we had come in to work towards the end of last year over the past 2-3 months that I've been in my new job. I'll post a few pictures from it when we finished it and it was leaving for its flight back to home base just south of Atlanta. Quite the feeling to know I got a chance to work on something rare and to know when I see it at an airshow, that I can say that I was a part of that.


Ok, think that's it for now.


- Paul

Sorry but this has been bugging the HELL out of me for the last few weeks. I know we all have our own definition of art for submissions here on dA, but one thing I'm getting tired of seeing a ton of is screen shots from games and people calling it art. Did you design the game, no, then on a technicality, you could be stealing someones work. Yes I know some games allow you to customize things but still, not what I want to see blowing up my messages. And another thing.... what the hell is with people uploading pictures of hotwheels!?!?! Yes you have a cool little toy but I'm tired of seeing them all the time!

Ok, I think I'm done ranting for now.....


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'm back!

Well I'm hoping to work my way into a couple magazines soon. Did a shoot back at the beginning of the year of my buddies 4Runner and submitted it to Mini Truckin' Magazine and haven't heard if it made it in or not. Do know they liked what I sent in so I'm curious to see what becomes of it.

Been trying to get back into updating this and uploading but work schedule keeps changing and trying to hit some more shows this year now that I have my weekends back. But got a few features and a little small show coverage going up.

Bout it for now I guess.... Til next time.

Peace!

Getting ready for World of Wheels 2011 in a couple weeks, wish my car would've been done awhile back to be in it but there's always next year. But on a positive note, I've got a full weekend Press Pass to the show!! Taking every advantage of that I can get, shooting all day Thursday without the crowds and probably be back Saturday and maybe Sunday to meet some of the celebrities that will be present, especially Chip Foose!

So be on the look out for those soon, got another shoot set up for tomorrow with some more mini trucks so see how that goes. Happy New Years everyone!

Well I'm updating when I can. The Fall Grand Rod Run was a blast as always. Not sure how much of those photos I'll upload but I'll try to pick out some of the best ones and share them with y'all. Just a little after I got back from there I flew up to Minneapolis to do some work, fun trip, a little cold but fun. Ready to go back actually and might get the chance too.

Doing a bunch of mini shoots here lately with my Grounded Images page on Facebook. Just uploaded a couple from a recent shoot over the weekend, first attempt at a rolling shoot which I'm fairly pleased with. Going to set up another one soon and find a cool place to shoot some trucks as well. Lots going on, so if I don't get to thank everyone for the 's and the 's bare with me lol.

But I'll wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Merry Christmas (if I don't get on before then). Hope everyone has a safe and fun holidays with friends and family. Take care and keep coming back!

Oh yeah, Trans Siberian Orchestra Dec. 10th in Atlanta, its gonna be awesome as always. If you get a chance, check them out!

- Paul
Grounded Images
XCustomz Photography

Well its hard to believe that in just over a month we will be heading to Pigeon Forge, Tn for the Grand Fall Rod Run. This trip almost seemed to come up quick. But this weekend I'll be headed to the beach for a short but much needed vacation. Going to do a short run of some aviation photography from the Spring Race at Tara Field.

Got some new info on my new job that I should be starting next month. Have training at the end of August so can't wait to see what's in store. Ready for some out of town trips for work too. And have I ever mentioned how much I love my job, being around some heavy metal.

Thanks again for all the 's and 's if I don't get the chance to thank everyone!

Tryin to play catch up with everything. Workin like crazy and in the middle of show season so bare with me. Want to apologize for the massive upload that's probably about to take place. I'm almost done with the Fall Rod Run 2009 group so I plan on uploading a lot to get that out of the way. Afterwards its going to be who knows what.

Deciding some trips in the future, one is def the beach cause I've got to get away from some things. Waiting to start my new position at work, still waiting on training though. And back to working on my car, even after I hit a good pothole the other day that did some damage. More of that later.

If I don't get the chance to say to any new 's or 's, thank you!

Well been busy here the past few weeks. Spring Rod Run was a blast as always, and even better that it was an all guys weekend. Got lots of pictures from the show that are on my list to edit and upload. The trip to Arkansas on the other hand wasn't so great. Had to cut it short 2 days from getting sick the day after I got there. Do have plans to go back out soon though.

On the other side of things. I started a new page on Facebook called "Grounded Images" which is a page dedicated to all my photography from all sorts of shows. On that note, I have decided whether or not I'm going to start a new page on here or continue to upload show pictures to this one. But I'm hoping that having this new page that I can expand my following of photography and hopefully one day get a feature or two in some magazines. That is my goal right now, especially after getting to shoot with Cambered Videos at a show a while back. Taking it to the next level and can't wait! So if you have a Facebook page, be sure to check out my new page and let me know what you think!

Hope to hear from some of y'all and even see some of y'all on Facebook soon! As always, take care and hope to catch some of y'all at a show sometime!

- Paul
Grounded Images

Ok so I couldn't think of a better thing to call this entry....

Getting ready to head to Tennessee this weekend for a guys trip to the Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, Tn! Leaving Thursday morning for the weekend and coming home Sunday. Plenty of time to put the new camera through some photos. Then at the end of the month, I'm off to Arkansas to go see a friend of mine who I flew out here about 2 years ago. Can't wait for that trip as well.

On another note. Just started my new page on Facebook for those of y'all who have one. Its called "Grounded Images", and is a collaboration of all my pictures from different shows I've been to in the past 2 years roughly. You'll see some from here as well as new ones from new shows that I haven't had time to post just yet, but I'm getting there soon. So if you have a Facebook page, go check it out and tell me what ya think, and if you want to become a fan. Only if you want to .

And on a side note.... people who steal photos from others and call it their own, really piss me off ..... Not speaking from experience, just have seen a few photos lately like that.

But off to Tennessee, so til next time.

Yup, woohoo! I am now a proud owner of a brand new Nikon D90 SLR. Came in today and can't wait to get out there and start shooting. Only set back, no lens just yet. But hoping to have one before too long.

Still working on the Fall Grand Rod Run 2009 series and should be done with those before to long. Not going to upload to much from that group. A combination of bad weather and only having on lens, Johns 10-17mm Fish eye, is partially the reason I'm not going to upload all of them.

Been staying busy here lately so trying to get some uploads in when possible. Started a new shift at work now I'm working 2nd shift instead of 3rd shift. Didn't have much a choice when it came to picking where I wanted to go, being second from the bottom, not that I'm complaining. Only downside, keep missing the nice afternoons but I'll get some to enjoy before too long.

Ready for show season to get cranked up. Spring Rod Run is coming up next month and I'm sure there are some smaller shows before then I'm going to try and hit up. Lots to come!

And if I don't get the chance, thanks to everyone for all the 's!

Time to get back to uploading more photos again. Starting the next series which is from the Fall Grand Rod Run 2009. Not going to upload to much from that group. A combination of bad weather and only having on lens, Johns 10-17mm Fish eye, is partially the reason I'm not going to upload all of them.

Getting into show season again and I'm hoping to get to some more shows this year ranging from muscle cars to mini trucks. Also at the same time working on my car to get it done and take it to some shows.

Have a few trips coming up in the near future as well. Spring Rod Run 2010, a trip to Hawaii at some point and hopefully back to Seattle again. Which I will post a couple pictures from there as well.

And if I don't get the chance, thanks to everyone for all the 's!

Well made it to Seattle the other morning after getting off work the night before. Wasn't to bad, just made for a long day. And sleeping on the plane wasn't easy cause I was to busy checking out the scenery when I could actually see the ground. Ended up landing 45 mins early which was cool. Got some video of the take of from Atlanta and the landing into Seattle up on youtube. The trip was fun and can't wait to go back up again and for a longer stay. Did get to see the 787 while I was there, thank you John for giving me the updates on it. Also have video of it taking off on youtube as well. Great looking and sounding airplane, props to Boeing on a job well done. Cut the trip a day short cause flights back weren't looking good then I barely made it on the one that I changed too. Talk about a full 767! But back home, caught up on sleep and everything else. I'll post some pics up some after I get myself caught up from the other things I have lined up. Next trip on the list... not really sure but I'm thinking Tennessee for Spring Rod Run again unless something else comes up in between.

Later!

That's right. I leave Thursday morning for my flight to Seattle Washington. This is gonna be my first trip to the west coast and I can't wait. Going up to go hang out with a friend I haven't seen in a long time and for her birthday as well. Only a weekend trip but its still going to be a good one. Won't have my Nikon D70 with me cause I sold it back at Christmas but still have my smaller Nikon to get some pictures with. I'll try to post some pictures from the trip when I get back and then have to jump back in with posting stuff from other shows.

Once I get back I'll be looking for another Nikon DSLR camera to shoot with. Had some issues with the D70 when I had it but I do miss shooting with something big. Then also looking at what could be my next project. Getting rid of the my Civic that I have pictures on here of. Going to go look at a 2001 Ford Ranger thats bagged, if that doesn't go good then its back on the hunt for a Mustang.

Anyways, til next time!

- Paul

Want to wish everyone here on dA a safe and warm Merry Christmas. Hope everyone enjoys time with family and friends and has a great year ahead for 2010.

Finished up the Ground Level show photos and will be working on uploading some more soon if not til the beginning of the year. Going to be planning a trip to Seattle at the first of the year so looking forward to that and will be getting pictures as well. It will be my first trip to the west coast so I can't wait! Oh and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert was awesome, we didn't get to fly cause flights changed over night so we drove the 6 hrs down and back. Once again it was well worth it!

Will post a few pictures I did last night, made an attempt at making some HDR photos in Photoshop without tutorials and I'm happy with what came out.

But to all here, once again, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

- Paul

Well the next few weeks should be fun filled. The holiday season is here and so the madness begins. Next week Me, Josh, and Ray are flying to Orlando, Fl. to go see the Trans Siberian Orchestra (3rd year in a row for me and Josh) since they aren't coming to Atlanta this year. So hopefully in the next couple days I'm going to be editing more photos from out second trip to see the Blue Angels practice. This time less people and we got to stand off to the side in our own area past the crowd line to get better pictures. Sometimes it pays to have a big camera and lens (thank you John and Josh for loaning me a long lens for that bit).

Next on the list of uploads is a few pictures from a benefits show we (Ground Level)put on for two members who lost their son just before he turned two. Only had Johns 10-17mm lens so don't  plan on uploading a ton fish eye photos. After that will be the photos from the second Blue Angels trip, and then Rod Run 2009, of which also wont be a lot from either. One cause the weather sucked and cause only had Johns 10-17mm again.

But I am in the market for another camera again. Selling/trading my Nikon D70 for a new laptop. Little faster then the one I have now, but loaded with some sweet graphics software . Looking for a Nikon D80 or a D90. The D70 had a few issues I wasn't happy with so time for an upgrade.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas if I don't get a chance to update before then! Time to put up some Christmas lights and rock out to some Christmas music!

Time to take a sidetrack from the usual car show photos that I have a lot of to upload. Working on finishing up on some editing of photos from Pensacola NAS back in August and our side trip over to Eglin AFB. Went to Pensacola to go catch the Blue Angels practice early in the morning as well as check out the museum on base. Got ready to head home, then got a call that we should check out Eglin AFB and the museum there as well. Ended up going back down again a couple weeks later, this time we brought Josh along for the ride. After this batch from Florida I'll get back on with the car show photos.

In the groove of posting pictures again. I was doing good there for a little while then hit a wall and just didn't feel like it. So I'm in the market for a few things here lately. Need to find me a lens for my D70 that works, for some reason my camera doesn't like some lenses, keeps flashing -F- or something like that. Maybe its firmware or something. Anyways, decided Sunday night that I was going to go on a driving adventure if you will. John and Josh were in New York for a wedding so I was on my own. But took my ZX2 up to Blue Ridge, Ga through the mountains to see the view of the leafs and stuff up there and for a little fun. Ignored my GPS a couple times and went by my iPhone (which I finally got one, had to get rid of my G1 before I destroyed it, long story). But I'm glad I went the way I did, took me through part of the Chattahoochee National Forest up there and man that was fun. Had the car running through gears and taking corners like crazy. All in all it was an awesome ride and I plan on going back and this time taking the other camera to get better pictures.

Next trip, Orlando, Fl to go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in December since they aren't coming to Atlanta this year. See how that goes!

Back from a very wet vacation at the Grand Fall Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, TN. Rained everyday we were there but managed to catch a couple breaks to get some walking and cruising in. Just went through my photos and realized I've got some editing to do, almost every picture I took of Friday has a spot or two in the photo, time to edit at least 300 pictures, joy.

Woke up to find the river behind the campground where were had risen a good little bit from a lot of rain running down from the mountains. Didn't help with steady and sometimes pouring rain both on the way up and back. But the return trip brought some serious flooding to south Tennessee and north Georgia. More on that later.

I'll be back to posting more pictures soon. Later!

Getting ready to hit the road for Tennessee with Josh () John () Ray and the Aunt and Uncle. Got everything loaded up for except for a few small things. Time for vacation in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and for the Fall Grand Rod Run! Be back Monday. So expect a lot of pictures to come in the coming weeks after we get back.

Just finished the last group of photos from Motorsport Nationals 2008, sorry if I overloaded anyone with a big run of deviations. Thats out of the way now and just in time for our trip next week to Tennessee for the Fall Grand Rod Run! Hitting the road a week from today with Ray, Josh, John, and the Aunt and Uncle for a fun vacation! And looked at the date this morning, today marks my one year anniversary of working at Delta Air Lines. Doesn't quite seem like a year has gone by!

Other things, been building on a Tamiya Knight Hauler just like what John and Josh have and just finished it up about a week ago. So its ready for the trip to Tennessee as well. I'll be posting a few pics of it on here in the next day or so as well. Had a few small issues but thankfully got those fixed before we leave. Well think thats about it for now. Got a busy week to get ready for the trip so not sure how much I'll be on this week. So til then, later!