travel

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.

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.

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.

Rumble

Loads of images to go through.  Long weekend.  Very little sleep.  Horrific road conditions on the way home.  Still had a good time.  Thank goodness for that ingenious invention – the rumble strip.

For the last 40 miles of my trip the rumble strip was the only way I could tell where I was. This is I-66 in VA. Average speed was about 30 miles an hour from Richmond to Winchester!

For the last 40 miles of my trip the rumble strip was the only way I could tell where I was. This is I-66 in VA. Average speed was about 30 miles an hour from Richmond to Winchester!