Gettysburg Skylight

A day of experimenting with the settings on my digital camera. I bounced between photographing in color and B&W. I even did a bit of work in sepia tone. Not everything worked, but then it rarely does. Rolling clouds, good light, and natural backdrops (historical and otherwise) made for a great day of capturing images.

Touch and Go

Photography is full of Catch-22’s. A bit of “Should I stay or should I go” if I were to wax philosophic. Whether it’s Heller or The Clash you look to for reference, the answer remains the same “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”. I could cite you a dozen times easily that I captured some fabulous photographs because I was patient and waited for the shot…took the time to explore and discovered something I would have missed otherwise. By the same token, I may have missed other sights by doing so. So, the question one faces is how much time to spend at a location before moving on. You can’t be everywhere at once, so the best course of action is to make a choice and utilize that camera wherever you are.

A Pattern Full Circle

Regardless of how hard we may try to change, we are likely to repeat ourselves in one way or another. With regard to mistakes, I try my best not repeat them. Unfortunately, I do not always realize I am heading down the same path again until I’ve reached the same place. Other times I recognize the signs earlier on, but still find myself in an uncomfortable situation I must withdraw from. The question is how. There are often many paths leading to the same location, but for those things we want most from life it appears there is but one. Thus, it is much easier to take a wrong turn and end up right back where you started. Be vigilant.

To Scale

I’m talking about how massive this rock formation is. I tend to not want individuals in most of my photos -- unless of course I am specifically taking portraiture images. Sometimes in a case like this I will snap an extra shot of a person meandering around the base for personal reference later. Then I wait for the sightseers to move on so I can avoid any visual distractions from making an appearance in my photograph.

Line 'em up

Each beautiful in its own way, but together, so much more. Each offers something the other does not. Peel the onion. There are layers to be explored and beneath each, another.

On the Road

Today, many of us may take to the highways to have Thanksgiving supper with family, while others presently may be toiling tirelessly in the kitchen preparing delicious meal for those en route. Wherever you are today, my friends and family, know that I am taking this moment to think of you and give thanks for having you in my life.

The Year of the DeLorean

Before this year, I never saw a DeLorean in person. Then, starting with this one at a Blue Moon Cruisers “Cruise-In” gathering at the Haar‘s Drive-In, I saw eight: perhaps it had something to do with this being the 25th anniversary of the film Back to the Future. I got to see some visually mint condition like this one and a fairly beat looking one right next to it.

Lama in Dillsburg

There’s a sadness in the eyes.

The Wagner

With the best of intentions he took the pre-vintage motorcycle to rebuild. Given he only knew enough to keep his own up and running, but saw this as an opportunity to learn…and do something nice for the elderly gentlemen who treated him like a grandson. Procrastination, seasonal affective disorder, and more than a passing interest in the new girl in his history class all but benched the project.

Awaking from a restless sleep that Saturday morning, Kevin needed to occupy himself with an activity in an attempt to keep from doing too much thinking. He got enough of that the night before and he didn’t like where it led. Pulling on a pair of ratty old jeans from a pile on the floor of his bedroom and a grease stained old t-shirt from the hamper, Kevin went out to the garage at the back of his property. The large door was already rolled up and the cool November air never chilled him as he quickly got to work: at his feet, a few open books on motorcycle repair. An added benefit of putting the time in this morning -- that if he saw Valleri at the school’s football game that afternoon and she happened to ask what he’s been up to, he would have something more interesting than playing the latest shoot ’em up video game. Girls like guys who do things.

"Not just a hat rack."

The man stood at the counter of the corner store. He pushed the 45 cents across the glass top to the cashier and picked up his pack of fruit striped gum with the zebra on the cover. Mmm, fruit flavor goodness. A smile crossed his face as he stuffed a piece in his mouth and walked back out the door.

Cool Purple Glow

I looked for something bright and cheery. That said, it seems my mood had something else in mind during the decision process -- a reflection of me.

Fenced In

I’ve photographed both color and B&W exclusively over the years, but it’s the balance of allowing for the option that lends itself to best capturing the image that I opt for.

Beneath the Surface

Don’t just get closer to an object -- explore, examine, and discover. In this case it was moving about until the natural light source was behind it. There is an otherworldly feel about this to me.

In the Driver's Seat

Dozens of switches, controls, and gauges at your fingertips. You can have co-pilots, information officers, and support staff, but you are the one behind the wheel and in control of your life.

Fuzzy Dice

Background is important. Find what appeals to you. Get a feel for how to approach the focal point of your interest. Now, before you get tunnel vision, take into account what is going on in the background. The key is balance. If you can determine how to bring the two together, then the image will be stronger for it.

Equestrian Champion

Blue Coat Purple. What’s going on? I tweaked the settings on my digital camera, but nothing I did corrected what I was seeing through the viewfinder. Later, when I returned home and loaded the day’s images into my computer, the riding jacket was indeed the vivid blue I saw with my own eyes. My camera read what I saw correctly, it just did not translate to the preview screen. This illustrates one of the short comings of the digital view. Certain colors don’t translate properly during composition. This is one area where the SLR (single lens reflex) has the advantage, allowing the photographer to see directly through the lens. Of course, instantly being able to see depth of field or lighting shifts resulting from setting alterations in real time allows photographers to better know what results they are getting. As with different cameras, benefits vary. Still, there is no substitute for knowing how one’s camera performs under different lighting conditions and how it reacts to setting adjustments.

Red Berries Blue

In the mood for some blue skies with a hint of clouds, and I always liked the red berries in this shot. Lifts my spirits when I look at this.

Game Day

The 1st and 4th Subbuteo Club convenes for a day of title matches, PlayStation Battlefront activity, and Laserdome warfare where strategy only gets you so far -- it takes gutsy and reckless risks to win.

Delicate Demise

Trees in bright blaze throughout my neighborhood will soon join the others, which have already dropped their leaves. Like this one as it finishes drying out, the rest will be subject to the dangers of winds blowing them across traffic ridden streets and the shoes of individuals walking to work with no regard for them.

Veterans Day

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the Veterans for their service and the sacrifices they have made to protect our country and our freedoms. Thank you.

What Isn't

Charcoal drawing. Pick-up sticks. Tonal vs. color.

The Loveseat Accord

Vintage instruments and elegant fabrics
Gorgeous models draped in high fashion
Taylor made dresses: formal and flashy
Long legs atop high heels strappy

Lips pout, eyes sparkle, bright and blue
Body language -- clearly passion exudes
Space between disappears soon
Together sit in silent room

Alpaca

The question of animals penned in and on display at zoos. Injured and rehabilitated animals that would not survive in the wild -- it seems merciful and caring. I can get behind that. For the rest…. Extremely limited space, lack of real social interaction and freedom. Still, at the same time man continues to hunt, kill, and exterminate species for sport and profit. Then there are the scientists. Is discovering new species and rediscovering ones thought lost of benefit…to animals? Perhaps those acting in the name of science just accomplished what poachers had not. How can we be so inconsiderate and destructive towards those we share the Earth with?

Planetary Refrain

Travelers clad in black, backed by tracks
Climb and hike, note every sight
Ancient riddles found, clues elude and abound
Universe expanding, “Where are we going?”

Sun up sun down, never smile never frown
Night sky stars align, mapped out reveal a sign
Mystery of legend’s find, answers lost to time
Self-reflection begging, “Where are we going?”

Rocket's Red Glare

I spent nearly thirty minutes photographing this hood ornament. When I first came upon the car, I noticed what from that angle and position relative to the sun appeared to be a milky orange plastic. Apparently, my attention drew others, but they quickly moved on after give me a second look like “What are you looking at?” I tend to get a lot of those comments these days. At the same car show a guy came up to me after I spent twenty minutes on the front of single car, “You spent a lot of time taking that photo.” To which I responded, “I wanted to get it right.” Making my way around the front of the Hudson, I came to find the plastic’s density visually change and take on a much more striking presentation.

At the Movies

Mmmmm, candy. Nothing like the rush of picking something out at the concession stand as a kid…or in your Twenties. Growing up, I remember seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark at the Camp Hill Twin with my dad, then Return of the Jedi there two years later with my Uncle Dave. The Capital City Mall theater was frequented as well. That’s where I first saw one of my favorite John Cusack films Grosse Pointe Blank with Michelle. Army of Darkness with some friends, and even Titanic on a first date. Then there was the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace; I saw it seven times in the first week. Mock if you must, but lightsabers, Jedi, the podrace, and John Williams' stellar score makes it a lot of fun. My experiences ranged from the midnight showing opening night with some of my closest friends to a double-feature later in the week. And that was just on a whim. Tim and I drove to the Colonial Commons AMC to pick up tickets so we could see it with Will and his dad that evening. Bought the tickets, pocketed them, looked back up at the board and noticed a showing starting in five minutes, and looked at each other. Next thing you know we’re sitting in the front row -- not that we had to, but it’s Tim’s seating of choice. Later on we were back for the other showing. Listened to some kids naming every obscure creature on the screen, then go on to make a comment clearly illustrating they didn’t know Anakin was Vader. That’s Star Wars 101. That and “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”. Good times, good times.

The Double Decker

I stumbled upon this today. It appears the other 2/3 of the band is going solo: Dos Style. I’m not sure if the idea is to go all 80’s retro or if it’s a concept album. Either way, I’m not sure if it’s funny, disturbing, part of some inside joke I just don’t get. They’ve got the brains, lyrics, melody, front man singing chops in spades, and the guitars. I have…the ability to make a repetitive noise at a constant beat ‘til the end of time? Suddenly, I realize more than ever why I didn’t strike out on my own. Tap dancing, here I come. That’s still cool, right?

Talladega

Frustration can be a destructive force when allowed to fester. It can mentally sidetrack you from tasks or important matters. Assess the source of the frustration. Can you resolve the matter? If fixing it is not possible, can the matter be rescheduled, redone, or bypassed? Stay positive. No sense dwelling on the negative or you’ll be floating in a black abyss.

Election Day

Every time a November Election rolls around, I am reminded of the episode of Northern Exposure (a great television program from the 90's) which revolves around the town electing a new mayor. As you might expect, if you're familiar with the show, Joel and Maggie come down on different sides with regard to making a choice. She believes one should vote for the candidate they feel will do the least damage, while Joel says “you vote for a strong leader”. While everyone is looking at the outcome, debating now not who should win, but what it means for the town now that the winner has taken office, Chris in the Morning has a very different outlook. “The act of voting itself is the defining moment.“ Something about watching that episode helps to calm me with regard to the process. It felt good to watch it, again, last night.

Life's Rich Tapestry

I love to write, but I’m a slow reader, so it takes a lot to get me to sit down to read. As such, I’ve always leaned towards the visual, hence my love for television programs and films. That said, last night I read a FANTASTIC story my friend Tim just wrote. Once I started, I couldn't stop until I reached the end; and I plan on rereading it later this week. I look forward to seeing all of the illustrations for Tim’s book once he completes them -- I’ve seen one so far and it is an exciting new direction that is sure to have everyone clamoring for more. Can’t wait to see this book in print -- sign me up for the first copy. Who’s next?