Angles
Sometimes trying a different angle can make things interesting.
Federal Reserve Bank in New York City.
Airplanes
One of my favorite subjects to shoot. I would always look forward to the air shows at Langley AFB and Oceana Naval Air Station. Unfortunately, most shows have been cancelled this year. I hope they return next year.
Color/Depth of Field
Sometimes finding the right background with shallow depth of field can make the subject more interesting.
The Dog Days of Summer
Summer is here. Turn off the television. Get out of the house and take some photos. Enjoy your time with friends and family. There is so much to do and see in Hampton Roads. You don't have to go far and don't have to go through the HRBT. Take a walk, explore. We have great parks and there is far more to do then what you think.
Photo Opportunities
Opportunities and chances for photo ops happen all the time. Sometimes all you have to do is turn around and look.
Historic Hilton Village
The neighborhood was built between 1918 and 1921. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Hilton Village in Newport News, Virginia
Day 365 of 365
Day 365 of 365. Started Last year in July 2012 and today was the last day. For me that is now two years of Project 365. I completed my first 365 in December 2011. The first one was from Jan 2011 to December 31, 2011. I took a 7 month break and started again last July 2012. The project for me has been about staying consistent. I took a photo everyday and posted it the same day. I had nothing to prove to anyone except myself. So what's next? I'll still shoot everyday. I'm making it a goal to post everyday, however I'll be searching my archives and re-processing some photos in addition to new work. Thanks to my wife, kids, friends, well-wishers and admirers for helping me along the journey. So proud of the folks here that have jumped on the project. I'll be cheering you on.
Barrier Islands Center
On Saturday June 29th visited the Barrier Islands Center on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Night Photography and Light Painting
Day 358
I haven't written much about it but after completing my Project 365 in 2011, I took the first part of 2012 to work on some projects. I missed it so much that I started again in July 2012. As you can see.....almost done.
Sunset in the James River on June 28, 2013
Supermoon
On Sunday June 23, 2013 this is what I saw during the moonrise. Not as spectacular as I hoped but I took advantage of the opportunity. Some things only happen every once in awhile make sure you record those moments.
June 23, 2013
With texture added
Early Morning Light
This picture was taken June 9, 2013 at College Creek in Williamsburg, VA . The light was awesome and I'm always amazed at the great colors in the sky. Chasing the light. I have promised myself to get up early more often and take advantage to the great light.
College Creek Sunrise
Chase the Light
If you stay with photography any length of time you will hear the phrase "chasing the light". I see and talk with a lot of photographers who want to know how do improve their photography. They buy gear, they worry about settings and software. The key is learn how to chase the light. The best light of the day is at the beginning and end of the day. Make a commitment today to learn about light. The picture below is a familiar picture to those who are local to Hampton Roads, Virginia. This is a picture of the Coleman Bridge just before sunrise.
Memorial Day
On this Memorial Day I give thanks to all the men and women who died while serving our country. Please take the time out of your day to remember, honor and reflect those who gave their all in service to their country.
Tidewater Veterans Memorial
You Must Try New Things
I recently participated in a workshop with Jason Odell and Deborah Sandidge. The seminar was entitled "Creative Digital Techniques in Colonial Williamsburg. One of the goals of this workshop was learning to look at subjects from a different point of view. Since I live near Colonial Williamsburg and have the opportunity to shoot there often it was a challenge to look at things differently. Here are a few tips that I learned.
- Isolate your subject
- You don't have to show the entire subject
- Don't be afraid to experiment
- Use the lenses you have
- 50mm is a great lens
More to follow soon
Happy Mother's Day
Wishing all a Happy Mother's Day
Do you really need that new.....
We all know that photographers lust after gear. Some photographers change equipment like they change underwear. Today's message is let's learn to use the stuff we have. I have always advocated that people should buy the type of gear that they can afford. When I was a young photographer all I had was a f/2.8 50mm lens. It was cheap and I knew it but I did not care. I took pictures and learned to create images. If I wasn't close enough I moved closer. I learned to fill the frame. I learned angles, lines and circles. Most importantly I studied light. I paid attention to the color and shape of light. I looked at how the light changed with the seasons. Gear will not make you a better photographer.
Virginia Beach Convention Center
Just do it....
I know you have heard or saw that phrase before. It's from Nike's well documented and trademarked campaign. I'm borrowing the phrase to tell you a little story. When I got my first 35mm film camera I got to spend the day with my teacher and mentor Henry Crump. It was a Saturday and we walked the streets of New York City looking for things to photograph. I remember we came across some very interesting things and people that day. I was so excited to be moving up (from Polaroid) and looked forward to developing my first roll of black and white film. To my shock and surprise the film did not load. OMG...the professional photographer did not load my film properly. So what did I do? I figured out how to load my own film and take my own light meter reading. Sorry, but my first camera did not have a built-in exposure meter. I decided I could not wait and figured it out on my own. I learned how to do it all on my own.
My message today is simple. Some of you have a great desire to learn. That's great but don't wait. Learn it on your own. Practice until you get it right. But don't ever be afraid to try.
City Center in Newport News, Virginia
Happy Easter to all. This is a project is one that I hope many of you participate in. The project involves capturing the everyday events and happenings of our lives. There will be a day when this center will no longer exist or will change. Will we have a visual record of what it looked like at this particular date and time? We may think that its someone else's job to record history. I believe we all have a responsibility. I truly wish I had photos of what this place looked like when it first opened but sadly I don't. I hope that someone does. Life happens and it happens quickly. Don't be afraid to capture the people, places and things we interact with. More later.....
