How untimely is it that the first drop of rain today fell at the exact moment the band officially took the field. At least I snapped off a few images before then.
Click for more images from today.
Images
Subtle Movement
We all know that the clouds are moving, but it’s incredibly subtle movement. At least to the naked eye. I was driving home this afternoon and that cloud formation was just screaming for me to grab my camera. I shot some video with the aerial camera, but I’ll have to play with the stabilization a bit before I post it (if I post it). I didn’t really stabilize this one (as you might be able to tell) because the algorithm was getting confused by all the cloud movement – there’s no real reference point.
Crazy
The big downside to landscape photography is the incredibly early start times for the day, especially for shooting the sunrise. On a good day I could be up as early as 3 and as late as 9 that same evening just to shoot the sun. Am I dedicated or crazy?
I’m pretty excited to be heading into that time of year when the sunrise isn’t at some ridiculously early hour of the morning! | Order a print of this image.
Griffith Park
The whole time I was here I kept thinking how cool it would be to fly the drone over it.
That’s the Hollywood sign at the very top right of the image.
Viewing Size
Every once in a while I’ll post an image that’s just not meant to be viewed on a mobile device. Realistically, I’d love for these types of photos to be viewed on a large HD screen of some sort where you can get in close and see the whole range and all the detail. This image is a prime example, but unfortunately it’s too big.
I’m wrapping up a whirlwind weekend in California that literally began back in February when I registered and began stressing about having to run (everything went well, btw), and I’m sitting in the airport a whopping 5 hours early for my flight. So I need to kill some time.
I shot a series of images of LA and the surrounding area today while in Griffith Park so I decided to try something – a mega/super/ultra, or whatever you want to call it, panorama image of LA. It turned out great, but it’s going to be sized to fit your screen so it’ll appear really thin. I posted it on Flickr (500px has a limit of 15,000 pixels on the longest side!), but it’s still sized to fit. Bummer. I wonder if I can get it printed full-size…
16 individual images. File size is 2.82 GB. Dimensions – 30926 X 3121 or 128.9″ X 13″ or 3.273 M X .33 M! It’s 10.6 feet long!
The “World” Has Spoiled Me
There’s obviously a lot that’s different between the two parks. After the location (obviously) the biggest difference is simply the size. There’s just more real estate in Florida. But after today’s adventures, the biggest difference for me now is the Disney experience. You get more of it in Florida. I’m not knocking the parks in California – don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed my first day in Disneyland. It’s fascinating to pick out the similarities and differences between all the rides. For instance, in Florida it’s the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House. In California it’s Tarzan’s Tree House. Neat. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, right smack in the middle of Anaheim. That’s the biggest difference for me – the fact that you’re navigating through a city as well as the parks in California. The public transportation is Anaheim’s. In Florida, you’re completely immersed in all things Disney (that is, of course, if you stay “on campus”). The public transportation is Disney’s. Walt Disney World has a sprawling 43 square miles (or 27,258 acres) of real estate whereas Disneyland operates on about 160 acres. So you see, the “World” has spoiled me.
The nightly fireworks show at Disneyland Park.
New Chapter
Started my next chapter last night teaching Broadcast Video Production in the building I called “home” for seven years. Can you see me? Not a lot of time to get out and shoot today as I pack for California. Hopefully I’ll have some great images to post along the way.
Floaters
So do you call the people who “float” the river “floaters?” Or “tubists.” Or “tubers?” Not sure I’d want to be referred to as a floater. Gross.
“So did you go to the river?”
“Yeah, but it was really dirty”
“How do you know?”
“It was full of floaters”
Gross.
It’s late – what do you want from me?
Since I’m not allowed to launch inside a national park I had to hike down to the river edge from the road and launch from there. That’s Harpers Ferry in the distance on the left.
UAV
As it is with any government agency, the FAA has a “crap ton” of regulations and the hottest topic these days is UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. There are huge numbers of differing opinions about their use and with them becoming much more accessible and affordable it’s gonna get really crazy really quickly very soon (already in some instances). There are no-fly zone maps, advisory circulars from 1981, COA application procedures, and so on, and so on and so on. It’s dizzying to say the least. So here are some simple pieces of advise from me to other/future “droners:”
- Be respectful of anyone who approaches you about anything to do about your drone. Whether it’s simply to find out more about what you’re doing and to watch or someone who’s got an issue with you flying it. Doesn’t matter – be respectful in your conversations. If it really gets heated just don’t fly there.
- Know your craft – EVERYTHING about it. Not just how to get it up in the air, but what to do if you encounter an issue while it’s up there. Know how to troubleshoot what’s going on from the batteries to the blinking lights to the regular maintenance. Know its limitations and don’t push them just for the sake of pushing them.
- Be aware that there are regulations out there for UAV. They may not be specifically for this new category of aerial drone per se, but they are for UAV which technically includes your new DJI Phantom (or whatever you’re flying).
- Here’s a link to the current FAA set of regulations for UAV
- The National Park System has also issued its own policy on UAV within their parks.
- Know the regulations or at least be learning about the regulations. I know there are pockets of rebellious “droners” out there who are going to put up the good fight for their rights, but the FAA’s ultimate goal for its airspace is the safety of everybody involved – in the air or on the ground.
- Use some good ol’ common sense folks. Don’t be stupid about this. We’re privileged to be part of a new group of enthusiasts that may very well affect the way the FAA leans when it comes to that 9/30/2015 deadline for integration of UAV in the NAS. If we’re stupid about it now, guess what’s gonna happen when it comes time to develop new/updated regulations.
- Be safe.
This post was initially going to be a rant about a confrontation I had with an individual this evening who wanted to make me aware of all the regulations that prompted his company to “ground” their drone and that I shouldn’t be flying if they can’t. I was initially ticked off, but after careful thought, I decided to go this route to help promote awareness for common sense when it comes to this extremely touchy subject. I began to realize that I’m just as guilty of not following these tidbits of advice at one point or another so I want to make sure that I ultimately keep myself in check, too.
All I wanted to do was take some pictures of my elementary school…
My elementary school, which is no longer a public elementary school. This one’s for all those who attended Bridgewater Elementary School when it was located in “downtown” Bridgewater.
The James
How appropriate was it that we’d take the Williamsburg back across the James?!
Not sure what it is about Williamsburg, but we really love it.
Golf
Aerial images of a golf course – no-brainer.
Rock Harbor Golf Course in Winchester, VA
Turn Around
Every sunset and every sunrise is different to me, which is why shooting them will never get old. But if you’re wondering “how can I shoot them differently?” Simple answer…turn around. You’d be amazed at what it sometimes looks like behind you.
I’m surprised none of the birds that were attacking the drone showed up in this image. | Check out my other sunset/sunrise images.
DOG Street
I’m always concerned about what the reaction will be when I send my camera soaring into the air. I was especially concerned while visiting WIlliamsburg this weekend. I don’t know specifically why, but it just felt weird to me to be flying over Duke of Gloucester Street. It just seems like such a proper place and I didn’t want to distract or disturb. I ended up launching from the fields behind the Wren Building and flying to just over the Wren Building. So, for all the Tribe alumni – enjoy.
37°16’15” N 76°42’41” W. | Order a print of this image.
Weekend Getaway
“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.”
– Robert Orben
Our weekend home. | 37°16’5″ N 76°47’35” W
Scenic View
Those scenic view overlooks along the highway take on a whole new look when you bring a drone to the party!
Mini Me
That’s me on my roof with my son. Turns out there’s no difference in flight distance from my roof compared to the ground. Might as well have launched from the driveway. Oh well, it was fun anyway.
I can do your house, too – just contact me.
Campus
It’s sometimes difficult for some folks to make it back to their alma mater to visit. Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes. I graduated 21 years ago this year and JMU is such a different school (physically – I won’t get into the politics of all that’s been in the news lately). I know I enjoyed my time there and hopefully this video will spark some memories if you’re also an alumnus. Before I did the video of Handley I actually had this one started, but I didn’t have enough footage yet. I’ve finally collected enough footage – enjoy.
Madison, James Madison
We’ll Be Forever True
Our Loyalty Will Always Be To JMU
While Friends Remain Within Our Hearts
And Knowledge Guides Our Way
James Madison Will Lead Us On
To Conquer Each New Day
Catching The Train
I’ve wanted to shoot aerial images of a train. I just think it would be cool, but I just haven’t been in the right place at the right time so far. Today I heard the train, but I was at home when I did. I figured I’d try to catch it. And I did. The image isn’t that impressive, but in capturing this image, I was at the limits of both distances (altitude and distance from transmitter). I have to fly it higher if I want to go further from me to maintain a solid signal between transmitter and receiver. It’s more than a little unnerving when you’ve lost sight of the craft and you’re just about to lose visuals and geo-location in the monitor. It doesn’t look very far on a map, but it’s a good 500-600 meters away from me.
It’s pretty cool that the geo-location of the image includes the altitude – 389.2 feet by the way.
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.
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. See more images of the museum.
