Architecture

Happy Accidents

There’s a lot of value in the various “accidents” that are made while editing.  Whether it’s photos or videos, it happens all the time.  The trick to editing, after all, is the feel or the rhythm that you get into while it’s happening.  And as you’re in the zone, you can easily make creative choices on the fly that you didn’t really intend to pursue, but then you sit back and think “Wow, that could really work.”  This happened to me as I was editing today’s image so I figured I’d post both the intended version and the “Happy Accident.”  So play around with your edits and make all those mistakes.  Some of the best products happened from crazy, unintended creative choices.

The main sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, Winchester. Order a print of this image.

The main sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, Winchester. Order a print of this image.

The "Happy Accident." Order a print of this image.

The “Happy Accident.” Order a print of this image.

Open Air Fruit Market

There’s just something about New York City that I love.  I’m not really sure what it is and it may just be a novelty because I don’t actually live there.  But I do enjoy it.  While I was there for a conference last Fall it was a mission of mine to make it to Grand Central Terminal.  And not because of anything else but to simply visit the Apple Store that’s housed inside.  I just think it’s cool that the Apple Store sits on the platform above the largest rail station in the world.  Very clever Apple.

The biggest of the 5 Apple stores in Manhattan wraps around the upper concourse of Grand Central Terminal. Order a print of this image.

The biggest of the 5 Apple stores in Manhattan wraps around the upper concourse of Grand Central Terminal.
Order a print of this image.

“The Bridges of Lancaster County”

We took an impromptu weekend trip to Lancaster County in PA a couple of years ago just to see the covered bridges.  Aside from jumping back in history, it’s fun to just do something spontaneous every once in a while.

One of the 29 covered bridges in Lancaster County, PA. Order a print of this image.

One of the 29 covered bridges in Lancaster County, PA.
Order a print of this image.

Worship

“Worship is one of the odder things the Christian community does…

But, with worship there is the very real potential and possibility that, by God’s Spirit, I will be enlivened, nourished, purified, opened, surrendered and so will you.”

– The Rev. Dr. Dan McCoig

The very elegant communion table in the Boyd Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, Winchester. Order a print of this image.

The very elegant communion table in the Boyd Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, Winchester.
Order a print of this image.

Wall Drug

Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota.  If you’ve never been, put it on your list (at least if you’re anywhere near).  It’s one of those places that you have to visit multiple times because you WILL miss stuff.  It’s a treasure trove for kids, families, travelers and people who just like the unique.  There’s stuff tucked everywhere – it’s amazing they fit that much stuff in one place.  As we drove across South Dakota (and even when we were in Minnesota), we drove past all sorts of marketing billboards.  It’s very similar to all the hype about and marketing for South of The Border as your travel into South Carolina from the north.  But Wall Drug has that unique western flair to it.  We loved it.

There's something unique around every corner at Wall Drug Store. I poked my head into one of the doors and saw this. | Order a print of this image.

There’s something unique around every corner at Wall Drug Store. I poked my head into one of the doors and saw this. | Order a print of this image.

Higher Ed

Shot this one a while back, but I’m only just now getting around to processing it.  I’m heading to Charlottesville next week for a bike race so maybe this begins my next collection – Higher Ed.

Higher Ed

The main entrance to Cole Hall on Bridgewater College’s campus in Bridgewater, VA.

Discovery

It probably seems random to go back to posting images from Udvar Hazy Air & Space Center, but that’s just me right now – random.  Just whatever pops into my head as I look through my huge library of images.  This is, after all, a photography blog (I feel like I’ve said that before).

A perfect vantage point for photos of the Space Shuttle Discovery. | Order a print of this image.

A perfect vantage point for photos of the Space Shuttle Discovery. | Order a print of this image.

The Wee Hours

Aside from all the obvious benefits of cycling all these years, I’ve also become conditioned to being awake for the wee hours of the morning.  It also comes in handy as a photographer.

Like I said, spend the rest of the weekend shooting the good stuff. | Order a print of this image.

Like I said, spend the rest of the weekend shooting the good stuff. | Order a print of this image.

Postcard

The current Cape Henry Lighthouse from inside the stairwell of the original. | Order a print of this image.

The current Cape Henry Lighthouse from inside the stairwell of the original.
Order a print of this image.

I’ve had plenty of people tell me that my photos remind them of postcards.  To be honest (and absolutely no offense intended), that’s more of an insult than a compliment – and here’s why (at least from a photographer’s perspective).  One of the main goals of any professional photographer is to be different, to separate their work from all others.  A postcard is a tourist souvenir that simply showcases where you are.  You can share it with others or keep it for your scrapbook.  Point is, it’s usually a simple image of the surrounding area – nothing incredibly creative (keep in mind I’m strictly talking about the image postcards, not the creatively designed ones).  So even though I wouldn’t mind if my images landed on postcards some day, a significant part of me lashes out inside when I hear “your photo belongs on a postcard.”

Now here’s the disclaimer…

In my early days I actually used to go straight to the postcard racks to see if I could recreate the images I found there and I usually could.  Fast forward to today and you’ll still find me looking at the racks, but now I look to make sure I’m NOT shooting the same stuff.  Sure, everybody wants to take the pretty images of any locale.  So once you’re done shooting like everybody else, take the tourist hat off and BURN IT.  Then spend the next 15 minutes or day or weekend shooting unique images.

Travel

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.

– G.K. Chesterton

The symbolic passing of the torch.  The original Cape Henry Lighthouse (1792) stands in the foreground and the current (and fully automated) lighthouse (1881) stands behind it.

The two Cape Henry Lighthouses standing side by side in VA Beach.

The two Cape Henry Lighthouses standing side by side in VA Beach.

Patuxent

After leaving DC, I ventured into Maryland before heading down to VA Beach.  It’s always fun discovering new places.  I even drove through Hollywood and California on my way to the lighthouse featured a couple of days ago.

Drove over this bridge to the lighthouse, but had to photograph it before leaving. | Order a print of this image.

Drove over this bridge to the lighthouse, but had to photograph it before leaving. | Order a print of this image.

Lemonade

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”

So after a botched attempt to shoot a marathon this morning in DC, I figured I’d take the time and go on a proper photo shoot – and apparently it revolved around lighthouses.

My Lemonade…

The Drum Point Lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland. Order a print of this image.

The Drum Point Lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland | Order a print of this image.

The staircase (190 steps) of the original Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach. Order a print of this image.

The staircase (190 steps) of the original Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach | Order a print of this image.

Air & Space

While everybody was taking photos inside, I figured I’d be different and shoot the outside, which is just as photogenic.  I really wanted to shoot the sunset from the tower, but it closed at 4:30 so this was a decent consolation.  I’ve got so many more images to work my way through, but this one really caught my eye as I looked through my library.

This is the Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. Order a print of this image.

The Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. Order a print of this image.

Flight

This image certainly conjures up many different emotions with so many different people, but one thing is for certain – it will forever be a part of our nation’s history.  It certainly is an impressive piece of machinery and takes up a sizable portion of the floor!

On 6 August 1945, during the final stages of World War II, The Enola Gay became the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb.

Didn't really like having to shoot through the glass, but this thing is so picturesque! Order a print of this image.

Didn’t really like to have to shoot through the glass, but this thing is so picturesque! Order a print of this image.

Sanctuary

As I make my way through some new interior church shoots I wanted to apply some of my new-found techniques to an older photo of my church.  I discovered it’s not ALL about techniques and post-processing (actually I knew this going in).  This is in direct response to that pocket of folks who believe that all the post-processing work that’s all the rage now is cheating.  I’m here to say that the post-processing will certainly bring out the best in an image, but if you don’t start with a decent image (tack-sharp, great composition, interesting subject matter, etc.) you’re not going to get very far.  I’m satisfied with the edit of this image, but I wish I had a better image to begin with.

The main sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, Winchester. Order a print of this image.

The main sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, Winchester. Order a print of this image.

Recital

I must have some inner urge to photograph the interior of buildings these days.  And there’s certainly a huge opportunity for that when you live in an historic town like I do.  Granted, Shenandoah University isn’t a really old university, but it does have some great buildings.

Goodson Chapel Recital Hall

Goodson Chapel Recital Hall. Order a print of this image.

Reading Room

I’ve always loved the novelty of this floor and figured I’d shoot some images while I was there last week.

Winchester has gone through many changes, but a lot of the current city has been the way it is ever since I moved here.  For instance, I don’t remember Handley High School before the current renovations (I think I went into the school one time – not enough to remember what it was like).  I also don’t know what the Handley Library looked like before it’s most current round of updates in 2001.  But I do know that this room is the coolest in the library – if I were a kid now, I’d be hanging out in here.

This is the "Teen" section of the Handley regional Library in Winchester. I love all the textures in here.

This is the “Teen” section of the Handley regional Library in Winchester. I love all the textures in here.  Order a print of this image.

Chapel

I’m slowly making my way through the downtown buildings in Winchester and I’m diggin’ all the shoots and fascinating architecture I’m seeing.  I really wish I’d known how to shoot back when we went to England.  Anyway…

I usually don’t engage in altering an image’s content, but this time I did.  Various things in the original image just seemed distracting so I went ahead and removed them (things like thermostat controls, light switches and literature racks).  I’d have to put them back in if I were to submit this image for any major contest, though.

Enjoy.

The Boyd Chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Winchester, VA. Among other gatherings, this space lends itself to the 7:30 am worship service each Sunday. Order a print of this image.

The Boyd Chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Winchester, VA. Among other gatherings, this space lends itself to the 7:30 am worship service each Sunday. Order a print of this image.

Stacks

The word “stacks” just reminds me of a library.  I literally could have spent another couple hours in this building (and will probably go back just to shoot).  I’m having fun going all “Right-Brain” on these images!

Learning…

I now know what people are talking about when they say they get lost in their work.  I’ve just been playing around with more images and it’s all-of-a-sudden 1 in the morning!  Anyway, I’m really digging this Lightroom workflow and am just grabbing any and every image to see what I can do with it.

Here’s one I did a couple years ago…

Handley Library

And here’s the revisit…