About ten days ago I had the opportunity to make some photographs for designer Scott Portugal, whose exterior and interior design work is as tasteful as it is contemporary - his recent home's lines and contours were a delight to put before the lenses.

I had the pleasure to see the "before" album of photographs, as well as the construction shots. The home featured in the photos on this blog entry was taken down to its foundations, then raised, then rebuilt - it was hard to imagine all the work!

The back and deck area were as comfortable as they were functional, creating almost an oasis in the Fire Island dunes. The planking is seamless aside from stainless steel hardware that indicates a storage closet or outdoor shower, and the accent plants so perfect that a family of ducks is nesting in them.

All of the imagery was made with a steady tripod and multiple exposures so that the optimal exposure for each detail could be blended into the final photograph. This technique is perfect for wide-latitude scenes such as the house at sunset and its interiors, as it lets the final image render a look that's closer to what the human eye sees, as opposed to the dark-shadowed, blown-highlights of single capture limitations.

Scott is an absolute pleasure to work with, AND, he stocks Fresca soda in the fridge - perfect for when you're making photography on Long Island in June! Thanks, Scott! I owe you a case! If you're looking for any interior or exterior design work, don't hesitate to reach Scott at scottportugal@earthlink.net, where he works from his Park Ave. office in NYC.