In My Town

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.

Marching Band

Thought I’d pop on over and take some preliminary images of the John Handley Marching Band during their band camp.  I dove right in and edited a couple images and thought “it’s just weird that I can shoot like this.”

Marching Band

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.

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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.

New Series?

I think I should try my hand at a “series.”  What do you think?

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Annie Lisle

I’ve posted “One-A-Day” since January 1 and have yet to actually post a video.  It’s about time I did.  I’ve been collecting plenty of video footage over the past couple weeks with this new drone and had an idea to create some school videos for various local high schools and universities.  What better school to start with than the school that both my kids and my wife attended – John Handley High School.  And what better music to accompany than the alma mater. I wonder how many people really know the origin of this tune.  The original lyrics don’t really paint a pretty picture, but I’ll leave that up to you to research.

You may know it as “the ubiquitous alma mater song used by almost every school in the universe.”  – +oldwhtman

I looked all over for this song and all I could really find was the Kellerman’s Anthem from Dirty Dancing.  Or a university glee club singing their own lyrics.  Thank goodness for YouTube!  And thank you +oldwhtman for allowing me to use your performance of it.

400 Feet

So, this is what the sunset looks like at an altitude of 400 ft.  I’m dying to try 1,000 now.

400 Feet

The sunset over Sherando Park in Stephens City, VA

Above All

You know when you look out your back window and you see those colors of the sunset and think “wow, that’s an awesome sunset?”  Well, you’re right, it is an awesome sunset.

Order a print of this image.

Order a print of this image.

Recipe For Easy

Sunsets have never been easier.  Granted, it’s not the highest quality sunset image that I could take, but it gets me above the power lines and mess of the city and gives me a clear shot at one of the best parts of the day.

Was able to grab the gear and catch the sun setting over Winchester. That's the elementary school where both my kids attended.

Was able to grab the gear and catch the sun setting over Winchester. That’s the elementary school (bottom) where both my kids attended.

A Whole New World

“Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

– Douglas Adams

Yep.  Guess who got a new toy?  Look out world, here I come!

A Whole New World

 

Tri It

What a great day for a triathlon!  The FCPRD hosted the second annual youth triathlon this morning and I think it was a big success.  I figured, at the beginning of the year, that if I wasn’t going to race this year that I would at least remain as connected to the sport as possible.  And shooting all sorts of races from Ironman distance to local youth tri’s is how I’m doing it.  Many more images to follow (and video at some point).

UPDATE:  Photo gallery

The pool was actually inviting once the kids realized that the water temp was warmer than the air.

The pool was actually inviting once the kids realized that the water temp was warmer than the air.

Peacock Road

AKA Valley Mill Road in Winchester.  My wife actually drives this road every day and suggested we stop on the way back from a shoot today.  Glad we did.  Gonna make a point of going back to see if I can get a fully fanned out peacock image.  BTW, Have you ever heard a peacock’s call?  I thought it was a cat in some major distress.  It caught me completely off guard.  But now I know.  My wife says it sounds like they’re screaming “help!”

IMG_3982

One of the many peacocks roaming free just past the one-lane bridge on Valley Mill Road near Winchester. | See a larger version here.

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.

Parks & Recreation

It’s cool when life comes full circle.  I worked at Frederick County Parks and Recreation when I moved to Winchester about 14 years ago, but moved on to a new career.  Now I get to bring that new career back to FCPRD as I create some new media content for them.  It’s gonna be a fun summer.

Clearbrook Park is just north of Winchester, VA and, along with some awesome walking trails, boasts a vintage caboose.

Clearbrook Park is just north of Winchester, VA and, along with some awesome walking trails, boasts a vintage caboose. | Order a print of this image.

Hansom Cab

Cab is a shortening of cabriolet, reflecting the design of the carriage. It replaced the hackney carriage as a vehicle for hire; with the introduction of clockwork mechanical taximeters to measure fares, the name became taxicab.

You’re gonna use this piece of information in a conversation some day.  Winning!

The Hansom Cab - designed and patented in 1834 by Joseph Hansom, an architect from York. Now you know.

The Hansom Cab – designed and patented in 1834 by Joseph Hansom, an architect from York. Now you know.

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.

Sharp

“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success.”

– Robert Orben

I’m certainly in a position where the saying “use it or lose it” plays a huge factor.  This blog, if anything, is helping me stay sharp and practice my craft.  Every once in a while I get the urge to do something a little “wonky” with my images – just for fun.  Enjoy.

In honor of all the graduates from Handley this weekend. | Order a print of this image.

In honor of all the graduates from Handley this weekend. | Order a print of this image.