Architecture

Hidden Mickey

It’s a real thing.  At least as far as the public goes.  Disney has yet to officially acknowledge the Hidden Mickey phenomenon, although they do sell Hidden Mickey books in their gift shops.  hmmm….

Apparently it all started when EPCOT was being planned as more of an adult-targeted park including the sale of alcohol.  Since Disney characters and alcohol were taboo together it was established that none of the characters, especially Mickey, would ever be seen inside that park.  Well, the Imagineers took it as a challenge and started incorporating them into everything they could.  Voila!  Hidden Mickeys.

The general rule is that if it’s not associated with Disney then it’s not really an “official” Hidden Mickey.  It’s still fun though.

Not so hidden, but it makes for a great image. | Order a print of this image.

Not so hidden, but it makes for a great image. | Order a print of this image.

Pride

pride
/prīd/
noun
1. a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
  • “the team was bursting with pride after recording a sensational victory”
    • synonyms: pleasure, joy, delight, gratification, fulfillment, satisfaction, a sense of achievement; “take pride in a good job well done”

 How is Handley Different?  by Dr. V. Doug Joyner

From letter jackets to lunch lines, Handley isn’t outwardly intriguing, nothing differentiates us from any other high school across the nation-but step inside the checkered hallway; have a seat in the auditorium; cheer for the football players at a game and you will find there’s something else that lingers in the hallways.  It’s an unfettered force that the community refers to as “Handley Pride”.  It’s the one thing that sets us apart from the rest.
It’s embedded into the glistening marble hall, woven into the upholstery of the auditorium, and saturates the Handley Bowl on a sparkling autumn afternoon.  The fundamentals associate us with every other school, but pride fractures the concord, and keeps the student reputation from being slandered into uniformity.
As a profile is examined and its features begin to tell a story, the inner thoughts come to the surface.  Even though the picture hasn’t told its story with words the wrinkle of a brow and a shy smile tell more eloquently than words the sorrows of the character.
Most important to the piecing together of a person are the eyes.  Are they quick and alert?  Do they search for something beyond the four walls of the picture?
When a teacher watches many profiles agonize over a test or listens to one lone profile struggling over an oral presentation, they see focus in their student’s eyes.  Focus and motive to achieve, to be known, to excel outside of the four walls of a classroom.
As we live our daily lives, our personalities become exposed, and we expose those of others.  Each situation, whether within the walls of Handley high or experienced elsewhere, defines us. Our surroundings mold us emotionally- no two of us are the same.  We are who we are; our appearance is unique, our mindsets are one of a kind, our experiences differ.
Through our activities, we have revealed ourselves to the school.  As the school year has progressed, the definition of our individual profiles has become sharp, and we have placed our profiles along the halls among all other Handley attendees-past, present, and future.  Our profiles, representing our lives – stay – waiting to expose our experiences for those who follow.

I disagree on that part about Handley not being outwardly intriguing.

I disagree on that part about Handley not being outwardly intriguing.

 

Look, Up In The Sky…

So today I had somebody actually follow the camera to where it landed just to find out more about it.  I was just flying over Shenandoah University and demonstrating it for a couple of friends and a guy drives into the lot, runs over and said that he followed it from the main campus because he wanted to know more about it.  I gave him my card.  Cool.

DJI01856

The almost-complete Health and Life Sciences building on Shenandoah University’s campus in Winchester, VA

UAV

As it is with any government agency, the FAA has a “crap ton” of regulations and the hottest topic these days is UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.  There are huge numbers of differing opinions about their use and with them becoming much more accessible and affordable it’s gonna get really crazy really quickly very soon (already in some instances).  There are no-fly zone maps, advisory circulars from 1981, COA application procedures, and so on, and so on and so on.  It’s dizzying to say the least.  So here are some simple pieces of advise from me to other/future “droners:”

  1. Be respectful of anyone who approaches you about anything to do about your drone.  Whether it’s simply to find out more about what you’re doing and to watch or someone who’s got an issue with you flying it.  Doesn’t matter – be respectful in your conversations.  If it really gets heated just don’t fly there.
  2. Know your craft – EVERYTHING about it.  Not just how to get it up in the air, but what to do if you encounter an issue while it’s up there.  Know how to troubleshoot what’s going on from the batteries to the blinking lights to the regular maintenance.  Know its limitations and don’t push them just for the sake of pushing them.
  3. Be aware that there are regulations out there for UAV.  They may not be specifically  for this new category of aerial drone per se, but they are for UAV which technically includes your new DJI Phantom (or whatever you’re flying).
    1. Here’s a link to the current FAA set of regulations for UAV
    2. The National Park System has also issued its own policy on UAV within their parks.
  4. Know the regulations or at least be learning about the regulations.  I know there are pockets of rebellious “droners” out there who are going to put up the good fight for their rights, but the FAA’s ultimate goal for its airspace is the safety of everybody involved – in the air or on the ground.
  5. Use some good ol’ common sense folks.  Don’t be stupid about this.  We’re privileged to be part of a new group of enthusiasts that may very well affect the way the FAA leans when it comes to that 9/30/2015 deadline for integration of UAV in the NAS.  If we’re stupid about it now, guess what’s gonna happen when it comes time to develop new/updated regulations.
  6. Be safe.

This post was initially going to be a rant about a confrontation I had with an individual this evening who wanted to make me aware of all the regulations that prompted his company to “ground” their drone and that I shouldn’t be flying if they can’t.  I was initially ticked off, but after careful thought, I decided to go this route to help promote awareness for common sense when it comes to this extremely touchy subject.  I began to realize that I’m just as guilty of not following these tidbits of advice at one point or another so I want to make sure that I ultimately keep myself in check, too.

All I wanted to do was take some pictures of my elementary school…

DJI01836-Edit

My elementary school, which is no longer a public elementary school. This one’s for all those who attended Bridgewater Elementary School when it was located in “downtown” Bridgewater.

Bacon’s Castle

No this isn’t Kevin Bacon’s house.  No, they don’t store bacon here.  It was a trip that really started with “let’s ride the ferry today.”

side note:  I had participated in a ride back in 1988 that’s now part of Bike Virginia.  The very first edition was called “The Colonial Williamsburg Bike Trek” and it was a first for me.  First really big, organized ride and my first one on my own.  Big deal as a junior in high school.  No parents.  No siblings.  Lots of responsibility.

Anyway, I remember part of that ride back in ’88 had us hop the ferry over to Surry and ride near all the crop fields and I thought it was a very cool place.  So I convinced my wife to hop the ferry and we explored Surry for a day.  If you’re into history, I highly recommend it.

One of the many Jacobean-style rooms at Bacon's Castle. | Order a print of this image.

One of the many Jacobean-style rooms at Bacon’s Castle. | Order a print of this image.

DOG Street

I’m always concerned about what the reaction will be when I send my camera soaring into the air.  I was especially concerned while visiting WIlliamsburg this weekend.  I don’t know specifically why, but it just felt weird to me to be flying over Duke of Gloucester Street.  It just seems like such a proper place and I didn’t want to distract or disturb.  I ended up launching from the fields behind the Wren Building and flying to just over the Wren Building.  So, for all the Tribe alumni – enjoy.

Campus

It’s sometimes difficult for some folks to make it back to their alma mater to visit.  Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.  I graduated 21 years ago this year and JMU is such a different school (physically – I won’t get into the politics of all that’s been in the news lately).  I know I enjoyed my time there and hopefully this video will spark some memories if you’re also an alumnus.  Before I did the video of Handley I actually had this one started, but I didn’t have enough footage yet.  I’ve finally collected enough footage – enjoy.

Madison, James Madison
We’ll Be Forever True
Our Loyalty Will Always Be To JMU
While Friends Remain Within Our Hearts
And Knowledge Guides Our Way
James Madison Will Lead Us On
To Conquer Each New Day

Model

I know that a lot of apps and cameras and software will emulate the Tilt & Shift effect these days – it became really popular really quickly.  I experimented with it, but never really got into it because it was hard to get the camera into the right position to accomplish one of the primary requirements of the effect – shoot from an overhead angle.  Well, I think I have that covered now.  This effect was done entirely in Lightroom, by the way.

DCIM100MEDIA

Handley High School in miniature.

Hard-To-Reach Spots

So now that the novelty of “how high does that thing go” has worn off, I’m concentrating on shooting unique images.  Images of scenes that people see every day, but they’re unique because I can’t normally get a camera into that position.  No crazy 900-foot high photos (although that still is fun) – mostly 150 feet or less.  Just enough to get over all the hustle and bustle at street level and it’s a totally different image.  Bet you can’t find me in this image (I am in it by the way).

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

First Friday

Happy Friday everyone!  I just finished a shoot for a local architect that designed the rooftop for the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum.  If you haven’t been, you should really check it out.  And if you’re traveling through the Shenandoah Valley, check it out.  It’s a major upgrade from their location on the Old Town Mall and it’s really only one short block from the mall anyway (there’s even a parking lot situated right beside it).  If you need an excuse to go, it’s free tonight from 5-7:30 as part of First Friday in Old Town Winchester.

The new, very colorful rooftop of the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Old Town Winchester

The new, very colorful rooftop of the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Old Town Winchester.  See more images of the museum.

The Buzz

Are you tired of the aerial stuff?  I’m not and won’t be for a long while.  I think subconsciously I decided to shoot the race this weekend to make sure I still knew how to use my DSLR!  Along with so many things, another cool thing about the aerial viewpoint is that I can be in the images and not draw a lot of attention.  It’s kinda like “Where’s Waldo.”  Maybe I should make a cameo in the aerial images and make you try to find me.

I was shooting for a job today and, although I know this is very novel to many people right now, sometimes I just want to get my shots and move on.  I enjoyed talking to a lot of people today though about my work and this new perspective.  It’s quite the buzz around town – literally!

Can you see me now?

Can you see me now?  I started with an easy one.

Historic District

Every city has one.  Ours just got a major facelift over the past couple years and it’s really been revitalized.  Lots of stuff going on down there.  Only thing it’s missing is the view from up here.

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Architecture

I’m so amazed at the new perspective of architecture that I can get with this new technology.  Some things look much more majestic from above and others tend to lose a little something with the elevated perspective.  I think the Handley Library actually loses that majestic edge when it’s shot from above.  Maybe I’m too high.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing building, but it’s just not the same from above.  Certain things are meant to be shot from below, specifically subjects that you want to appear more powerful.  I’ve posted images of this building from the ground (and, of course, from inside) on this blog.  What do you think?

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Sneak Peek

A little hint of what’s coming next…

Sneek Peek

Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.

Happiness

“Doing what you like is freedom.  Liking what you do is Happiness.”

I’m liking what I’m doing and, somewhat more importantly, I’m liking who I’m doing it for.  Horrible grammar, I know, but you get it.

I've said it before, it's the little things that people walk by every day that can really be eye-catching.

I’ve said it before, it’s the little things that people walk by every day that can really be eye-catching.

Up

After a while, it becomes difficult to tell what’s up and what’s down. 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

See a bigger version of this image.

See a bigger version of this image.

Augustine Light

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

– Aristotle Onassis

So I’ve had this urge to photograph lighthouses for a while now so it’s always awesome when I get to visit a new one.  Now, apparently, I need to get this same image at every lighthouse I visit.  Be sure to check out my other lighthouse images (and more to come from St. Augustine).

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is St. Augustine's oldest surviving brick structure. | Order a print of this image.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure. | Order a print of this image.

 

Museum

“I went to the museum where they had all the heads and arms from the statues that are in all the other museums.”

– Steven Wright

MSV

I shot some images for a local hotel’s website and they wanted me to shoot some “local flair” images. With all the images I shot, I completely forgot to shoot this one. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. | Order a print of this image.

Always Stop and Take The Picture

These days I don’t turn down many opportunities to shoot.  It was a nice day and the clouds were just right and, like always, I had my cameras with me.

Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester, VA.

Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester, VA.

364

That would be how many days until our last high school graduation, but who’s counting?  Oh, that’s right, our daughter is.

There's only one time that you can get a photo of the front of Handley High School - graduation. So I got plenty just to have them.

There’s only one time that you can get a photo of the front of Handley High School without the football goal posts in the shot – graduation. So I got plenty just to have them.