I Can See Clearly Now…
Fall
Thankful
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!
Skyline
“National parks and reserves are an integral aspect of intelligent use of natural resources. It is the course of wisdom to set aside an ample portion of our natural resources as national parks and reserves, thus ensuring that future generations may know the majesty of the earth as we know it today.”
President John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States
Flight
“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.
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.
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.
Due Diligence
Ok, now that I’ve done the “heavy lifting” to be allowed to fly a sUAS legally it should be as important for you (the consumer of photography and video) to complete your due diligence. Make sure the person/company you’ve just hired to shoot your video is also legally allowed to perform the sUAS work for hire. It concerns me that anybody can walk into Best Buy or Target or Wal-Mart or hop on Amazon or any number of other online retailers and purchase these flying machines. And young kids these days are seeing the proliferation of drone videos and YouTubers flying with reckless abandon that it seems glamorous and risk-free. It’s certainly not risk-free, but kids tend to simply plow forward without a second thought. It worries me to no end that a very young middle-schooler recently proudly announced to me that he just got a DJI Phantom 4 – a fairly expensive flying camera. Yeah, kids are amazing at video games and technology in general these days, but the decision-making skills are simply not there. It’s comparable to a drivers license. There are reasons that teens go through a process to earn a driver’s license which includes an age requirement. Decision-making skills folks. And I’m certainly not saying that you have to hire me – just make sure the person/company that you DO use is qualified and legally allowed.
Ok I’m done. Enjoy this image of Fall colors knocking on our door.
Fall colors are popping up quickly. My goal is to get this shot with much more Fall color in the next couple weeks.
I Lied
Alright, so at the very last minute I really got going and created a pretty horrifying scene apparently. It doesn’t hurt that I have a fairly professional lighting kit to dip into. Plenty of kids came up the walk and immediately turned around after seeing our greeting. I guess I’m still into Halloween.
This is what greeted the kids as they walked up the sidewalk to our house. It helps that the front door is somewhat removed from the street. Next year’s gonna be awesome!
Fall
I’m not as much about Halloween anymore as I am about the Fall colors. I read a blog post just now commenting on how Halloween is “an adieu to Fall.” Really?! Fall is 3 months you know and we’re only really 1 month in. Come on. Go outside, kick some leaves up and have fun today. Happy Halloween Fall!
1964
No, not the year of the British Invasion. It’s the year that D-Hall was built on JMU campus. I saw this picture and thought, this is probably not too far from what it looked like then especially the concrete tables built into the landscaping (perhaps didn’t have handicap ramps either). Love it.
The controversy over D-Hall was that it wasn’t consistent with the rest of campus. It was round and didn’t use bluestone in its construction.
The Soul
Everybody needs something in their life that’s stress-free. You know, that activity that satisfies the soul. I didn’t realize how much just shooting does that for me. I was able to get out the other day and just shoot for nothing more than the fun of it. That’s good stuff. For me at least
The dome of the Handley Regional Library in Winchester, VA. | Order a print of this image.
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D-Hall
What do you remember from college? I was on my alma mater’s campus today during the annual parade of champions marching band competition, but I was more focused on what I remember from my days at the school – D-Hall. I worked in food services throughout my entire college career and have some great memories – from farm parties, bowling leagues and overnight camping trips. What a blast! I wanted to capture a few images of the building I called “my office” before it’s demolished and replaced by a more up-to-date facility next year. Check out this page for an image of the construction of D-Hall.
D-Hall is the circular building with Bridgeforth Stadium top left and the iconic Wilson Hall (from behind) top right. | See more like this in my online gallery.
Character
I end up shooting almost as much of the location at cyclocross races as I do of the race itself. The Luray caverns cross race has some very cool buildings and old farm equipment on the property. Lots and lots of character and textures. Just really cool to shoot there.
-40
They say that -40ºC is equal to -40ºF. Not sure I want to find out first-hand. -4ºC is cold enough for me.
It’s apparently also been proven that -57.6ºF is twice as cold 0ºF. I just know it’s cold!
Almost
If you knew what you were looking at you could see almost the entire course of yesterday’s Battlefield Half Marathon.
This is the “view” from my house – well, at least from straight above my house.
81
So I was driving down the interstate highway and got the urge to take this photograph. So I did. Its pretty colorful along our section of 81.
Our colorful section of I-81 near mile marker 309.
Cedarmeade Studios 