“Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter.”
– Ansel Adams
Storms always provide some great image opportunities. Of course, they present a good deal of danger as well.
Right Place/Right Time
Images
Memorial
A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers and woods, it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.
– George William Curtis
One of the many flags that adorn the Shenandoah Memorial Park near Winchester on Memorial Day.
OG Winchester
“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”
– Robert Frost
Apparently my family is very fond of The Olive Garden these days. It’s not uncommon for us to be there late at night even after they’re closing down. It’s nice feeling when you can, occasionally, just let loose and be stupid. And we get stupid. But it’s now been twice this week. I’m sure the wait staff cringe when they see us coming now.
Last ones out.
Mall
It’s was an awesome day for a Kidz Fest on the Old Town Walking Mall in Winchester. After shooting an event at my church, I headed out and walked right into this. After all the rain and flooding over the past week, it was good to see blue sky again. As I walked up the alley to leave the mall, the smell coming from the new Cajun restaurant in the Taylor Hotel made me want to go in. I will be back to dine. Yum!
The Old Town Mall in Winchester, VA featuring the newly-renovated Taylor Hotel.
Alpendorf
Found another image from our trip to Austria. On our last day, we took a hike up into Alpendorf and we were glad we did. Just look at that view! There are no words to describe it.
What a site for an awesome pool party. That ski lift goes to the Alpendorf Ski area in Austria.
Long Branch
So this place is really tucked away in Clarke County, VA. I ride by this place just before riding by the Millwood Mill on Tuesday nights. I’ve been here once before when I was shooting weddings and haven’t been back since. Now I want to go inside because apparently there’s an amazing staircase just inside the front entrance (it’s now a goal of mine to shoot it).
Order a print of this image.
1861
I’ll have to admit, I’ve never really been into history. But I sure do find it fascinating there are still so many reenactments of various battles all throughout this area. I’m actually determined to attend some of the larger ones later this year – mainly for the awesome photographic opportunities (but perhaps I’ll learn something new along the way). The oldest one in the nation is actually this weekend at New Market Battlefield in Virginia.
Anyway, since I was in Leesburg today I figured I’d take a little side trip to Ball’s Bluff to get the Civil War “juices’ flowing.
The Battle of Ball’s Bluff – 10/21/1861. | Order a print of this image.
Millwood Mill
Another edition of “In My Town.” This one’s not technically in my town, but it’s close enough. I go on a group ride on Tuesdays that rides right past this Mill. Wonderful scenery in Clarke County, VA.
Some wonderful scenery in Clarke County, VA including the Burwell Morgan Mill.
Booth
Well, that was just fun.
Lots more images to come, but picked one of my favorites of the evening. Not too often that I’m on this side of the lens.
Man’s (and Woman’s) Best Friend
A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life.
– Bob Barker
I had to take their picture because they have the same taste in colors.
Light Session
Alright, gearing up for the senior portraits in the next year. Took some test shots this afternoon and am pretty happy with them. I certainly have some improving to do, but this was a good start – I really need a hair light to make this image really pop. I got a new light diffuser kit just before Apple Blossom – I knew I’d be using it everywhere. I’ve tried plenty of light diffusers in the past, but none have had very pleasing results. I’ve made them work for me, but have always known I could do better. Along comes Gary Fong. Granted, he’s been around for a while, but I’m just now trying his stuff. And I’m loving it. It’s not just the products themselves, but the techniques that I’m learning along with them. I’m kinda digging portraits and am looking forward to doing more.
Any takers…?
I’m learning so much about light and how to control every bit of it. This was shot in the heat of the day at about 4 o’clock outside with an ugly-looking background. The cover photo is how bright it was outside. You’d never guess from the final result.
Tubas!
Love me some tuba shots. Yeah, it’s a weird obsession of mine. It could make for a really cool band poster…
…hmmmm.
Disco Fever
I’ve been in Winchester now for 14 years and have “attended” Apple Blossom each year. I say “attended” because I’ve really only gone to the parades and the carnival/midway when the kids were younger. I’ve really never been one for the crowds and all that goes with them, but after tonight I can see why some people go overboard and nuts for all the events. This doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to start attending more, but I can appreciate why some people do. I’ve got so many more photos to rummage through before it’s all said and done, but this one summed up my evening.
Miss Apple Blossom & Miss Virginia on stage with the “Right On Band.”
Concrete Jungle
One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.
– Tom Wolfe
Enough said.
On a brisk morning walk in New York City. I think this was the morning that I was on my way to the Apple Store at Grand Central.
Milestone
I hit a pretty cool milestone this week – 100K miles on my car. I realize in the whole grand scheme of things that it’s not THAT big of a deal, but it’s cool. Yeah, I’ve had cars with over 100,000 miles on them, but I hadn’t put all of them on it. See, this is my first new car. I’ve been the only owner since I bought it in 2005. I didn’t actually think it was going to last as long as it has because in the first year alone I racked up about 35,000 of these miles. Anyway, here’s to another 100 grand!
Just hit 100K on my first new car!
Grace, The Iron Girl
I can honestly say that I did not know this series existed. It was a very cool experience to see all the different things that this race could represent for so many different people. It really honored all kinds of different aspects of women. It was really cool to see that the organizers celebrated every last finisher (even spreading the finishing tape for the actual last finisher).
I also learned that the Iron Girl logo is named Grace and stands for the grace that woman demonstrate when they compete in this type of event. Really neat day.
The finishing chute of the Iron Girl 1/2 marathon in Columbia, MD.
Sure Sign
I know most people try to avoid having them in their yards. I leave them so I know for sure that Spring is here. Yeah, that’s my story…
A sure sign that Spring has “sprung”
Library
I was near the Handley Library as the sun was setting and as luck (or design) would have it, I had my camera with me. I just wish there was a more interesting cloud cover this evening. Ah, well. Not bad for an impromptu shoot.
The Handley Library was constructed in 1913 with a major renovation in 2001. It’s apparently also featured in a photography book about libraries that was just published, but I’m unsure of the title.
Almost There…
It’s pretty awesome how quickly and timely (for the Apple Blossom Festival) all the flowers and trees just pop around here.
