I’m pleased announce that after all this time, I have finally migrated the Cocktail Hour blog onto one of my own hosted websites, BergenStudios.com. It will now be treated as a part of the Bergen Studios | Photography entity.

The biggest improvement are larger photographs for viewing. It’s a photoblog! We should see photos on a larger scale and as the main focus.

I’ve also expanded my Blogroll to include not only my favorite photographers, but also photography and camera resources, links, books and more.

Please update your bookmarks, and take a moment to re-subscribe via email if you want to see Cocktail Hour in your inbox first thing in the morning — because, who doesn’t want a cocktail then .

In addition, I am so very excited to announce that I have published a book of Cocktail Hour to Blurb.com. It includes 175 of the 800+ photos that I have blogged about from 2007-2009.

I had a lot of fun designing the book, and encourage you to look at the book preview and perhaps order one for yourself or as a gift. I am currently selling them at cost — in the future I would like to sell for a little bit more and donate all proceeds to benefit an organization for kids & photography or perhaps to the Aperture Foundation. First, I’d like to gauge interest level and figure out how I could drive the proceeds.

I thank you so much for your support, whether you’ve been reading for years, months or just days. I look forward to sharing more with you in 2010!

A very spur-of-the-moment photograph of Keystone’s Torch Light Parade down the mountain. Caught it at the tail end — wish I knew earlier so that I could set up a better long-exposure shot. Next time I suppose.

Have a very safe and happy new year!

How many of you have made or have had a Flat Stanley visit before?

This is actually our second, and we always have fun taking them up and down and around the Denver and the Rocky Mountain area.

Because of all the snow and weather this season, he is wearing a “snowsuit” (aka ziplock bag).

He came to visit just before Christmas, just in time for all the snow in Denver… the snow came up to his head.

Stanley said he wanted to go skiing tomorrow… we’ll see which resort gets the most snow!

Supposed to be powder days from today until after the new year… hope you have your gear!

Building near Montview and Oneida in Denver.

Hello! Took an unexpected break from the blog, and I am here to welcome you back on this Monday morning.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday break, as did I (didn’t go near a computer for almost five days!). Now, I’m ready to get back down to business as well as continue our cocktail hour.

This was taken on a walk near our home last weekend, late afternoon.

By now I really have forgotten when, how and why I discovered this type of camera. But, ever since I did, I was smitten and have been in search of one. More than to collect, but to actually use.

I mean, look at the results they produce! Two almost-identical photographs, when put together just so, will create a 3-D image. To see what I mean, you have to cross your eyes so the two images make a middle image – sort of like the Magic Eye posters (see a quick how-to). Don’t worry if you can’t do it, that is what Stereoscope viewers are for.

Sure, there are digital photography hacks that you can do in Photoshop – and I’ve tried and failed – but there is certainly nothing better than the real thing, with slide film. This new addition to my collection is a 3.5 lens, with a serial number of A32246 (it was produced between 1950-1951).

It is in working condition, and I intend to pick up some 35mm slide film (perhaps Thursday, when I pick up two rolls of film I recently took with the Holga!).

Can’t wait to show you some results after the new year.

In addition to the very beautiful camera and case, the seller also included a manual, flash and three unused bulbs… so the camera looks exactly like this when put together.

Thanks again to my friend John Milleker for finding this camera, and taking the time to offer up his advice on this unique type of camera.

What the heck is this? The plant was found at the local University up the street.

The weather has been unseasonably warm down here in Denver. Which, I don’t mind at all. Keep all the snow in the mountains… (well, unfortunately, that hasn’t been happening, either).

I took Mr. Cub on a walk today around the neighborhood, this squirrel followed us for about a solid two blocks.

Part I