This is what 24ºC looks like to me in Febraury. Come on, how could I not?!
Not Political
I swear it wasn’t political when I started. And it’s not really now, but given the general political vibe these days my intentions really wouldn’t have mattered – somebody would interpret this differently that what was ever intended. Yeah, yeah – the first amendment is right there so I suppose it is a little political. I just thought it would be a cool idea and I’ve drawn inspiration for the image from several sources that have done it previously. I actually had some political elements in it that I decided were not appropriate – just didn’t want them “junking up” the image.
My inspiration was the M4 carbine. I know nothing about weapon itself – this is simply the model I could recreate with some of the gear I own. See the image on 500px.
Differences
Put aside your political views/opinions for about 45 minutes each day. Enjoy the fact that there’s always this to look forward to.
It’s been a while since I shot anything and I know this is a similar composition, but it’s never really the same. | Order a print of this image.
Part 107
So I just posted a response (quoted below) to a video that showed up in my Facebook feed, but then I removed it. Something about the time and placement of the response didn’t feel right to me, but I still feel that it needs to be said.
As more and more people earn their sUAS remote pilot certificate, the skies are becoming more and more saturated with “legal” drone pilots. And when I say “legal” I mean drone pilots who are allowed to be paid for their craft. Those flying for recreational purposes do still have rules to follow as well. And for the most part, those rules are essentially the same rules as the ones for licensed remote pilots (of course, licensed piltots have the added CFR 14 part 107).
I’ve gotten on my soapbox before and I’ll keep getting on it because I feel strongly about these rules and the safety of everybody involved. I’d also like to continue with my craft and grow it into a more successful piece of my studio, but it becomes increasingly hard to do with such blatant disregard for the rules and regulations happening all around me.
As I mention in the post, I’m not perfect and don’t claim to be perfect. Granted, you can get some amazing imagery with drones these days, but that doesn’t mean “get the shot at all cost.” I don’t have the additional cash on hand for potential fines from the FAA. For me, I’ll continue to follow the rules as best I can. And I’ll keep plugging away on my little soapbox when I see fit.
On the one hand I enjoy watching well-done video and this is certainly well-done. On the other hand he, being an FAA sUAS remote pilot, should know better than to fly in some of the conditions depicted in this video. Completely against part 107 regulations. Granted, I’m not perfect, but it burns me up that FAA remote pilots are not really following the rules they agreed to when applying for the license. Of course, my rant is negated if waivers were granted.
This is the photo that got the attention of the FAA back in the Spring of 2015. They never saw the photo, but did receive a report from the local police about my flight . This incident is why I’m so very careful these days and advocate for safe, law-abiding flying.
Snow Haiku
I don’t like the cold
The sun looks great in Winter
I want some bacon
I really like the juxtaposition of the cool tones and the warm tones. | Order a print of this image.
Sneak Preview
Alright folks – set your DVRs and TiVos and whatever else you high-techy techies use. Next Thursday 8-9pm EST – “Saving Place, Saving Grace.” Cedarmeade Studios’ debut on PBS. Well, it’s not MY debut, but it kinda is for my aerials except that I did just win an award for aerial cinematography. Anyway…it’ll be cool to watch it. You can get a sneak preview of it and meet the filmmakers this Saturday (1/7) at The Barns of Rose Hill. I’m going.
Here’s every link I could find about the film:
- Picture Farmer Films (this is the production company)
- Holy Cross Abbey (this is what the film is all about)
- Indiegogo (you can support the film)
- Sneak Preview (another link to get tickets for the sneak preview)
One of the few still images I took while filming near the river. | Order a print of this image or others like it.
Last Sunrise
I made it up for the last sunrise of 2016. This is a photography blog so that’s enough words.
The scenic Colonial Parkway runs along the James River. | Order a print of this image.
Always Go Back…If You Can.
It pays to scout out a new shooting location. Then you can go back and get the good shots. I’m glad I still had time on our little trip or I wouldn’t have discovered this awesome angle of yesterday’s shoot.
Almost all 1,561 acres of Jamestown Island. | Order a print of this image.
Jamestown Island
I’ve found that some of the best sunrises are during the winter months. It’s tough, though, to get motivated to get out of a warm bed and subject myself to frozen hands, but the end result is usually well worth it.
Sunrise over Jamestown Island. | Order a print of this image.
Winter Wonderland
Most definitely the most enjoyable attraction (IMHO) at Frederick County’s Winter Wonderland event was the well-placed fire pit. How about a July version of the event- just a suggestion.
If you haven’t been, you should check it out. I recommend the fire pit attraction.
At Least He Cleaned Up His Mess
It’s not every day that an opportunity lands in your front yard and says “photograph me while I rid Old Town Winchester of a black squirrel.” This is what makes me envious of those people who have fields and forests in their back yards. But it was cool and weird when it happened on a main street in town. At least he cleaned up his mess.
Unfortunately I had to shoot these images through double-paned glass so they’re not as sharp as they could be.
Maiden Voyage
Well, So far so good. I took the new Mavic Pro out for its first flight this morning and was impressed with everything about it. It’s easy to set up, unassuming and is incredibly easy to fly (as I expected having used DJI products for almost 3 years now). Its image quality is incredible for as unassuming as it is. It’s ultra portable and the battery lasts forever. It doesn’t take the place of my Inspire 1, but is simply another tool in the toolbox for this massive gear head.
Sunrise over Winchester (processed from a single RAW photo). | Order a print of this image.
Stubborn
Through some pretty intense back pain I still managed to get out on Saturday to shoot the Battlefield Half Marathon. Although I wasn’t as mobile as I was the previoius two years, I still got some great Fall colors and an awesome sunrise. I suppose I should have taken it easy, but I’m just stubborn that way I guess. After all, I got the shot!
Hidden Gem
This place is magnificent and it’s right in our “back yard.” Hopefully soon it won’t be as “hidden” when the documentary is released. It’s also a wonderful place to fly – I wasn’t the only drone there this time.
“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Fall colors are peaking along the Shenandoah River at the Holy Cross Abbey. | Order a print of this image.
KOKV 291515Z AUTO 21007KT 10SM CLR 17/07 A3013 RMK A02
Great day to fly – yeah, I’m a geek, so.
The weather finally cooperated with me – just wish the foliage would, too. | Order a print of this image.
Painterly
It’s certainly not for everybody and I’ve seen it done with great success, but the “painterly” style is definitely different.
Shenaodah University’s Halpin-Harrison Hall as the Fall foliage sets in. | Order a print of this image.
Fairy Tale
Makes you completely disregard the fact that this is actually a cemetery, right?
The gatehouse entryway to Mt Hebron cemetery in Winchester, VA. | Order a print of this image.
Challenge
It’s funny how you can quickly become distracted by something so little and then it quickly grows into something else. At a certain point it becomes the principle of being challenged. It’s how I do some of my best work (completely unintentionally).
This began as a simple Veteran’s Day request for a photo and then ate up my morning. | In anticipation of Veterans Day, here’s a preemptive thanks to all our veterans.
Organic Creativity
Photography is one of those things that can truly have an organic component to it. I often venture out with a specific shooting goal in mind and almost always become inspired on site to be creative based on whatever situation presents itself to me. It’s simply part of the creative process. I gotta figure out how to teach that in the classroom.
I was there to shoot Fall foliage.
Tuscarora
I always wondered what BFE looked like – now I know. What an awesome place. A bit of a hike to get there, but so worth it in the end. Look for more images like this hitting the marketing material of visitwinchesterva.com.
Sunset from Eagle Rock along the Tuscarora Trail right here in Frederick County, VA just west of Winchester. | See more like this here.
Cedarmeade Studios 