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.”
Images
Target Practice
Alright, so the consensus is that it would NOT, in fact, be a good thing to use a pellet/BB gun to shoot the squirrels off the bird feeder in the back yard. I think I’d be a good shot, though, considering I’m a halfway-decent photo shooter. I’m considering this my target practice…
Cemetery
I wasn’t initially going to post this one, but once it all came together I changed my mind. I just like the perspective this one gives to the landscape. By the way, this is the big cemetery in Winchester – Mt. Hebron Cemetery. They advertise that they have space available for the next century! Yeah, it’s huge.
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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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?
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Horseshoe Bend
Free photo contest! When I first started, I joined any and every photo contest out there. Not so much anymore. It just seems to me that photography is so very subjective (as is any art) and it really depends on how the “judge” is feeling that day. Sure, anybody can evaluate an image based on a set of established criteria (framing, composition, use of leading lines and so on and so forth), but that removes all beauty from the work and it becomes sterile. Anyway…
But this contest is totally random. You submit an image to be eligible for a random drawing. The photos aren’t really “judged” at all. They’re there for the viewing pleasure of all – minus all “objective” judging criteria. I’m in. You should be, too. Enter the contest here and support Virginia State Parks.
The Shenandoah Valley’s very own version of the Horseshoe Bend (like the one in the Grand Canyon).
Driver’s Ed
“Pick a spot and park – it’s an empty parking lot” I tell her. Any spot. I suppose it could be worse. Better here than for real, I suppose.
New Series?
I think I should try my hand at a “series.” What do you think?
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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.
The sunset over Sherando Park in Stephens City, VA
Band Camp
“This one time, at band camp…”
Well, this was the last JMU Summer band camp that either of our kids will attend. What a great opportunity for any band student. This camp not only teaches marching band fundamentals, but it also teaches leadership and teamwork. Great opportunity if you’re thinking about a band camp.
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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!
Sneak Peek
A little hint of what’s coming next…
Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
Photo Blog
Can I just post a picture? No writing. This is, after all, a photo blog. Can I just post an image that has no worldly significance other than to portray the subject in my viewfinder? Is that acceptable?
Yes.
My mother inherited an enormous yard of flowers from my grandmother and is enjoying all the different colors these days. I seem to remember, when I was much younger, my grandmother cross-pollinating various iris species to get a new one with crazy color schemes. Am I not remembering that correctly? Anyway, here’s one of the many irises in the yard these days. More images coming soon to my newest gallery here.
Happiness
“Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is Happiness.”
I’m liking what I’m doing and, somewhat more importantly, I’m liking who I’m doing it for. Horrible grammar, I know, but you get it.
I’ve said it before, it’s the little things that people walk by every day that can really be eye-catching.
Last Look
So after this two-week vacation, our next 1-week vacation is going to feel way too short – OR – all our vacations from now on will have to be at least 2 weeks long!
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Up
After a while, it becomes difficult to tell what’s up and what’s down. 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
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Augustine Light
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
– Aristotle Onassis
So I’ve had this urge to photograph lighthouses for a while now so it’s always awesome when I get to visit a new one. Now, apparently, I need to get this same image at every lighthouse I visit. Be sure to check out my other lighthouse images (and more to come from St. Augustine).
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure. | Order a print of this image.
The Sun Also Sets
Yeah, I know that’s not the title, but that’s not what I’m going for here. With so much attention to the sunRISES lately, I needed to turn around and give some time to the sunSET.
This Sucker’s Electrical!
“No, no, no, no, no, this sucker’s electrical, but I need a nuclear reaction to generate the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity I need.”
– Dr. Emmett Brown
I think Doc Brown would have been all set for a few more trips in his time machine after last night’s storms! I wonder how many gigawatts were generated from this one.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you 1.21 gigawatts! | Order a print of this image.
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