Aerial Photography

Be Careful. Be Patient.

Buc-ee’s, a popular Texas-based travel center chain, is slated to open its first location in Virginia at Exit 240 on I-81, near Mount Crawford around July 4th. This will be the northernmost Buc-ee’s ever built.

Yes, I know.  Buc-ee’s is coming.  I have mixed feelings about this.  Please, please, please hear me out.

On the one hand, I like Buc-ee’s.  I’m not bashing Buc-ee’s.  On the other?  I know what happened here.  There’s a very specific reason that Friedens Church Road (the main road leading to I-81) is the way it is.  It’s the 4-lane road that goes from left to right in the image.  If you grew up near here (long enough ago, that is) you may also know what happened here.  More in a sec…

If you’ve traveled up and down 81 near this exit (240 if you didn’t know), you may have just zipped right by it without a second thought.  There’s not much here – at least, there wasn’t much here.  I’m about to sound like that old guy who reminisces about days gone by, but most, if not all, of the developments you see in this image didn’t exist when I was growing up here back in the 70’s, 80’s and even into the 90’s.  For those of you waiting for it – “farmland as far as the eye could see.”  There.  Happy?

I grew up less than 4 miles to the west of this location in a town that literally had one stop light.  Geez, I sound old.  Well…. I’ve seen the area grow.  Enough said.  Sure the infrastructure has grown along with it, to a certain degree.  Back to the road.  You see that little road at the bottom of the image with the small bridge that abruptly stops right before the big gas station in the middle of the image?  That’s the road I remember.  That’s the little, barely two-lane road, that I drove to get to and from I-81 in high school.  That’s the little curvy country road with lots of blind spots where the accident happened.

I’m not getting into any kind of details here – that’s not what this is.  Just know this, the infrastructure may have changed to accommodate all the expansions, but new and bigger expansions are about to make their mark and this area will be forever changed because of it.  In good ways and in not so good ways.  The area will definitely see a growth in job opportunities, tourism, etc.  That’s great for the area.  It’s also going to see its fair share of traffic congestion and everything that goes along with it.  I’m glad I don’t live nearby anymore, but I’m now concerned about my 83-year old mother who still lives less than 4 miles from this location.

I want to believe that it’ll settle down at some point, but have you been to Buc-ee’s?  IYKYK. So, if you’re one of those folks who can’t wait for this location to officially open, please be careful.  Be patient.

Oh, and hey, pick up some sea salted caramel beaver nuggets (it’s the blue bag) – my personal favorite!

This Place

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Quiet streets hum low,
familiar paths call me back,
my heart walks them still.

Will definitely miss this place when we move on.

Seeing Double

Brilliant double rainbow over Winchester, VA | Order a print here

My home has windows on both the east and west sides, big windows. The kind of windows that allow me to see what’s happening outside (in terms of weather) fairly well. I really enjoy seeing the brilliant colors of sunset and sunrises and most often just experience it. No photos. No scrambling to get gear from the office. Frequently, it’s because I’ll most definitely miss the moment. By the time I grab the correct equipment for the current scene, it’s gone. And not only have I missed the moment (photo op), I’ve also missed the moment. Does that make sense?

But this time…this time. I don’t know what it was that compelled me to scramble and grab my gear. I’m glad I did. I think it waited for me.

I Can See Clearly Now…

Finally! Feels like a heavy blanket’s been lifted.

2021

John Handley High School’s graduating class of 2021. | Order prints

Congratulations Handley class of 2021 – there’s no way you’ll forget this one!

Impressive

Both what it stands for and the actual memorial – IMPRESSIVE.

Thankful

The Trails at The MSV are opening to the public on November 25.

As we gear up for the holidays, there is certainly a mixed bag of emotions coming to the table this year.

Wow, I actually had to pause and really think about what everybody must be going through. All the different situations we all, as Americans, are facing right now.

I have many things to be thankful for this year and every year and I think that sometimes I have to take a step back and really think – think about the things I might take for granted. Those are the things that I should be thankful for – the things that I rarely think about actually BEING thankful for. The things that aren’t always front of mind. The things that, if they were removed from my life, would make a serious impact, but I just never think of them so…no impact.

I live within walking distance of a major cultural center in my city and region. I never thought too much of it before I became involved professionally, but I did become involved and I’m pretty thankful I did. I’ve met some really awesome people and experienced some pretty awesome events and exhibits. I took it for granted and I’m guessing I’m not the only one who did.

Next Wednesday (11/25/2020) marks over 3 1/2 years since I produced the first video in a series to promote and begin the fund raising task to bring a brand new experience to the residents of this region – The Trails at The MSV. They open to the public a day before Thanksgiving. It’s an outdoor venue that anybody can enjoy at their own leisure. Yup, the’re FREE.

By the way, I just joined The MSV – no excuse for why it took me this long. You should, too. See you on the trails!

Flight

Winchester Regional Airport (aka OKV) with Winchester and the Allegheny Mountains in the distance. | Order a print here.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

I was, without a doubt, a bit nervous before my flight today. It essentially went against all my protocols up to now. Got some pretty epic footage though. Be on the lookout for the marketing videos coming out from the airport soon.

Time

Daggone it – just make time for the things you enjoy!

As Good As It Gets?

Sunset in Woodville, VA

Don’t settle. Never settle. You can always improve, even if it’s only by just a little.

Worth It

Somewhere deep into West Virginia.

Sometimes you drive an hour for a shoot. Totally worth it.

Eye Candy

Well, just because.

Eagle Rock sunset. | Order a print of this image.

Why Do I Even Bother?

Drones.  Drones!  DRONES!!  Seems like they’re everywhere.  And, of course, anybody can just walk right in to most big box retailers and get one.  Everybody’s a “drone pilot” now then, right.  NO!!!  Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.  I try to follow the rules and regulations.  Why?  Because it’s the law.  I’m not trying to be a goody-goody.  I just don’t have the money to pay any potential fines that could come with breaking any of the current laws.  That’s why it just chaps my a** when others around me blatantly break the rules.  Or when others around me disseminate inaccurate information.

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is a big deal in my town.  When I first began shooting photography for the festival, I used a drone.  Drone (UAS) regulations didn’t exist back then.  People (certain specific people as part of a bigger group of people) got bent out of shape and actually posted disclaimers that they were not affiliated with me.  I actually got reported and the police shut me down.  I have a letter of investigation from the FAA!  I should frame it.  Just to be clear, this was before any drone regulations existed!  I wasn’t endangering anybody and was being as safe as I could be.  It was too new, people got freaked out.  Oh no, there’s this flying thingy.  It’s spying on me!  It’s invading my privacy!  IT WAS A PUBLIC VENUE DAMMIT!

Fast forward 4 years and now there ARE regulations in place, but it seems that most people just don’t care.  Should I give them the benefit of the doubt?  Perhaps.  But there are channels to check if folks are legit.  Most are not.  Or at least major parts of their operations are not.

I was told this year that I would be too close to an airport to fly a drone during the Apple Blossom Festival.  Nope.  Incredibly inaccurate.  I fly here all the time and have a working relationship with the airport.  It’s class E airspace.  We’re not too close to an airport to fly a drone.  It’s one thing if a local city/town declares an area a drone-free zone.  Localities do that and I would comply.  I have before.  Laguna Beach in CA has such a declaration so I wasn’t able to fly there.  I get it.  There is no declaration in Winchester at Apple Blossom.  But I was instructed not to fly.  Fine, I wasn’t going to fly anyway.

Then I see multiple images from drone flights over the festival.  At night!  Flights at night are NOT covered by the new Drone certification (license) – Part 107, which is technically CFR 14 Part 107 for folks who don’t know.  Flights over people aren’t covered either.  You have to get specific permission (a waiver) from the FAA to do those flights.  There’s an application process where you have to justify the operations and explain how you’d mitigate the risks involved.  The FAA has a website that lists all waivers granted.  Guess what, no such waivers exist in this area (at least for the folks who shot the images I saw).

The exception here is if you’re flying for recreation.  I never understood this and have never agreed with it.  It’s the same airspace – all drones should follow the same rules.  All cars follow the same traffic laws.  How is this different?!?!?!

WHY DO I EVEN BOTHER?!?!?!?!?!

Rant over, as you were.

Part 107

Just to be clear, this image was shot back in 2015 when NO regulations existed for drone flight. This is the image that started it all.

My Corner

My little “corner of the world.”  Stay safe everybody.

corner

Change (aka I’m Old)

So I’ve arrived at that point in life where I can remember growing up with things and experiences and an entirely new generation can’t relate.  Sure there are those people who talk about certain things/experiences like they know.  They don’t know.  You’ve seen those lists and probably videos of products that millenials didn’t grow up with like cassette tapes, rotary home phones, home phones, the “pound sign,” 8-track casettes, Mickey butters, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, dial-up modems, floppy discs, Nick from Family Ties, Family Ties, console TVs, answering machines, Kodak disc cameras – good grief, the list goes on and on.  Now, I’m not saying kids these days don’t know about these things – they just didn’t grow up with them.  There’s a difference.  I was reminded recently when my sister got an air popcorn popper and had no idea how to use it.  It was fascinating to watch all her friends taking pictures and video (from their new-fangled smart phones no less!).

Good grief I feel old.  Now, get off my lawn!

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James Madison Univeristy’s new D-Hall replaces the previous round building that was my work home during my 4.5 years at the school. | See more images including some of the previous D-Hall.

Sunset

So my app told me there was a 47% chance of a decent sunset.  If this is 47% I can’t imagine what 100% looks like.

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The sun setting over Shenandoah Univeristy in Winchester, VA | Order a print of this image

Scene

Simply felt like a scene out of the movies.  I’m in a big, overgrown field (alone), photographing the landscape and out of nowehere the massive lightning storm erupts before me.  And just like in the movies, I’m telling myself “I gotta shoot this.  Just 5 more minutes.”  Have I not watched enought TV and movies to know better!!!

Scene

I got the shot. | Order a print.

Commence

It’s that time of year and I got to be a part of Shenandoah Univeristy’s version of it.  Always a pleasure.

Commence

Old Jake

I don’t get to shoot for myself much anymore so I have to grab any opportunity to get creative.  I’ve always wanted to shoot “Old Jake” so after a recent flight for a client, I did just that.  The original “Old Jake” weathervane is on display at The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA.

OLD JAKE

Old Jake perched on top of Rouss Fire Hall in Winchester, VA | Order a print of this image.

Travel

Apparently this has been the summer of travel and I’ve really got to work on the whole travel photography thing. I tend to overpack for any trip when it comes to my gear. About a third of my carry-on luggage was devoted to the overflow from my gear bag!  Anyway, from NYC to LA (yep coast-to-coast) I got some decent images.  Maybe it’s time to flip over to the whole mirrorless thing…

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Very other-worldly out there in the desert – the heat was making me see things.