I experimented with Ansel Adam's zone system, where you expose for shadows and develop for highlights. In order to get the necessary dynamic range, I bracketed all of my exposures by a couple of stops in either direction.
Many of the photos are HDR tonemapped, using Photomatix.
Some of the photos are taken a mile underground in a lava tube, and painted by Coleman lanterns and flashlights.
Some of the photos are just cute.