Month: April 2015

Low Light

Just out testing the low light capabilities of this aerial rig.  So far – I like it a lot (spoken in the best Lloyd Christmas voice possible).  I also had my first (and most likely NOT my last) encounter with law enforcement.  It was a really quick response (guess it makes sense if you look closely in the bottom left of the frame).  I hadn’t even depleted one battery yet.  It was a positive experience and I’m hoping that goes a long way in my efforts to represent this new technology.

The results of my late-night low-light endeavor. Well worth it all in my opinion.

The results of my late-night low-light endeavor. Well worth it all in my opinion.

Tipsy

I’m requiring my Beginning Photography students at Shenandoah University to recreate this image.  I had to create it so they had a reference.  I finished it and thought “well now that’s a blog photo.”  It’s not a difficult technique to pull off, but it’s slightly different than what we did in class – same technique just applied in a very creative manner.  Can’t wait to see the results.

Feeling a little tipsy - I wasn't even drinking!

Feeling a little tipsy – I wasn’t even drinking!

Prep

I wanted to get some “before” images and the sunset was perfect today.  Can’t wait to really test out the low-light performance of this rig.  The video is gonna be off-the-chart awesome!

The beginning stages of set-up and prep for the carnival at this year's Apple Blossom Festival.

The beginning stages of set-up and prep for the carnival at this year’s Apple Blossom Festival.

Walls

These walls could talk about the Civil War and burning of the bridge right outside that south-facing window.  I suppose they could also talk about all the furry little mammals running/flying around in this room.  Kinda gross, but this is the kind of Urbex stuff I’d love to start doing.

Walls

First Question

“How far can you go with that thing?”

It’s inevitable – people want to know how far this thing goes.  And I was bitten by that bug when I first started using these aerial cameras last year.  My answer has shifted now and is more in line with being creative and practicing common sense and a lot of safety.  It’s no longer about how far it goes, but more about what kind of imagery can I get from it?  Where can I put it to shoot totally different perspectives?  How can I differentiate myself from every other photographer out there?

By the way, it goes pretty far!

I'm standing on the front steps of Handley. Line of sight becomes an issue this far out so I didn't go any farther (but I wanted to).

I’m standing on the front steps of Handley. Line of sight becomes an issue this far out so I didn’t go any farther (but I wanted to).

Free

I don’t know if it’s writer’s block or what, but sometimes I struggle with my posts.  Or even figuring out what to write.  I’m sitting here staring at this image and am coming up short.  Maybe I have nothing to say or maybe there’s too much to say.  All I know is that I truly enjoy finding new images to make.  There is an endless number of possibilities and I’m constantly drawn to this place.

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I love how art is so subjective. I see what I see. You see what you see. It’s all up to the viewer. | Order a print of this image.

Graduation

Just over 50 days until we’re done with high school as a family.  Wow, that’s going to be a big piece of the puzzle that’s missing.  Moving on to act II and getting ever so close to that empty nest!

How many different ways can I shoot this iconic cupola? I'm determined to find out.

How many different ways can I shoot this iconic cupola? I’m determined to find out.

Memories

So now I have the freakin’ “Memories” song going through my head because I was trying to think of something profound to write about memories!  Ah well.

All day. That song's gonna be bouncing around in my head all day!

All day. That song’s gonna be bouncing around in my head all day!

The Attic

There’s a light on in the attic.
Thought the house is dark and shuttered,
I can see a flickerin’ flutter,
And I know what it’s about.
There’s a light on in the attic.
I can see it from the outside.
And I know you’re on the inside… lookin’ out.

– Shel Silverstein

Spent some time in my parents' attic this afternoon. Hadn't been in there since high school. That was pretty cool.

Spent some time in my parents’ attic this afternoon. Hadn’t been in there since high school. That was pretty cool.

Kite Fest

It was quite a day to fly a kite today.  Thought I’d check out the FCPRD Kite Festival today in Sherando Park.  A little nerve-wracking to fly it around all those kit strings!

The aerial camera is definitely a people magnet.

The aerial camera is definitely a people magnet.

Wicked

Gotta get back into shooting every day.  Slacker!  <— Spoken in the best Principal Strickland voice you can muster.

I haven’t been consistent with my shooting these days and since I’m pretty much back to normal here at Cedarmeade Studios, I’m making that my goal moving forward.  I may not post every day, but I’m going to shoot every day which will inevitably lead to posting more.  At least that’s what I’m hoping.

Is that the "something wicked" that's coming this way?

Is that the “something wicked” that’s coming this way? | Order a print of this image.