church

RC

I have so much more respect for the RC community now that I’ve had a chance to fly with some of them.  And I’m talking strictly RC, not the new wave of folks who’ve purchased drones and are flying them around referring to themselves as RC folks.  I’m talking about the RC enthusiasts that go way back to flying with gas-powered craft.  I’ll equate it to talking with photographers who used to shoot on film and develop their own images.  These RC guys (and gals) were around long before we started slapping FPV cameras on the bottom of multi-rotors.  I only spent about 45 minutes around this group in Florida and gained a lot of respect.  It was really cool to watch and listen as they literally flew circles around me (I asked them to – made for better images).  For the record I am NOT an RC guy.  I’m just a photographer that uses an aerial platform.  I have so much to learn.

The RC field in Satellite Beach where I met some really cool RC folks.

The RC field in Satellite Beach where I met some really cool RC folks.  That’s an RC plane (top right) and that was as close as I was willing to get.

The Last Supper

No.  Not that last supper.  I know that’s the end of this season.

I’m talking about the meals that we’ve been receiving for the last couple weeks since I came home from the hospital.  What an awesome outreach from my church.  We’ve enjoyed some really great meals compliments of the Guardian Angels at First Presbyterian Church.

Last night was the last one and we’re so thankful to all those who brought us a meal in this frigid weather.  Thank you.

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In My Name?

The flowers in church last Sunday were in my name.  It’s was a crazy overwhelming feeling.  I’ve always heard them mention that the flowers were in other names, but this time it was me!  Thank you.

On another note, it’s weird to hear what people are saying in terms of my recent surgery.  On some levels it’s become a bit over-exaggerated.  I think, in some circles, I almost died.  It’s a bit Ferris Beuller-ish.

I can say, without hesitation, that the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.

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Split Tone

Ever wonder what the split toning can do in Lightroom?  Scroll down to see the “before” image.

DCIM@GOPROGOPR1881.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR1879.

Pretty boring “before” image

 

Composition

“How do they know what they want when they haven’t even seen it?”

– Steve Jobs

Frame your next photograph with this thought in mind – only show them what you want them to see.  It always amazes me to see what goes on behind the scenes of any video shoot.  Any that I’ve done.  Any that I’ve seen.  I can’t watch any video anymore without the production gears in my head spinning out of control.  It’s just fascinating.  The lights, the flags, the reflectors, the people, the gadgets and doodads – all just out of the frame.  But all there to make what is in the frame that much better.  Just fascinating.  And that’s just it – only show them what you want them to see.  So grab a camera and start shooting those extraordinary scenes that may just be smack dab in the middle of a bunch of chaos.  But once you frame all that junk out, you’re left with insanely great images!

This doorknob just stood out to me as unique, but I had to look past all the distractions to really see it.

This doorknob just stood out to me as unique, but I had to look past all the distractions to really see it.

Work The Scene

I’ve mentioned before that I try to shoot various angles of any scene I’m photographing (unique angles).  But I keep thinking that for every individual image that I post here, I’ve got close to 5-10 other decent images that may get pushed aside and forgotten about.  This also helps me out on those days where I haven’t shot at all.  I shot today, but am having a tough time nailing down the part of the image I want to feature.  So while I figure out how to proceed with that one I thought I’d post another one from the day I shot in my church’s sanctuary.

I've always found it difficult to shoot in this sanctuary due to the hot spot at the altar.

I’ve always found it difficult to shoot in this sanctuary due to the hot spot at the altar.  The HDR post-processing technique certainly helps.

Detour

It’s a good thing I take my camera everywhere nowadays.  After day 1 of 2 at a freelance job in Fishersville, the interstate was completely backed up so as any good photographer would do, I took an immediate detour into the nearby town –  Staunton.  It had been nasty, wet weather all day so I looked for interesting places to shoot inside (and I’m into churches right now apparently – namely the sanctuaries and stairwells).  I really wanted to get to the top of this one, but couldn’t quite figure it out…

Detours can take you to some great places. I really wanted to shoot from that landing up there. The rope was to the church bell.

Detours can take you to some great places. I really wanted to shoot from that landing up there (looks like remnants from what the church used to be). The rope was for the church bell.

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.

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.

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.