Blue Ridge View

Week 42

Blue Ridge View

October 19, 2010

This view was my reward for a pre-dawn hike last week up Sharp Top, one of the Peaks of Otter off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest Virginia. I spent 8 years living in the Shenandoah Valley, and minutes away from country like this, just a bit north in fact of this very spot. If there are any regrets of that time it is that I didn't spend enough time in these beautiful mountains.

I love this sunrise shot for several reasons; the muted fall color, the still-hidden sky and low-lying cloud blanketing the ridge beyond all play into this interesting intersection of lines, curves and color that is the well-worn Appalachian range.

Image taken with Canon 5D MII, 100-400mm 4.5L lens, 1/160 sec @ f16, ISO 400

Anywhere, USA

Week 41

Anywhere, USA

October 11, 2010

I feel fortunate to be able to travel. I've said it before I'm sure, but the traveling part of my profession is pretty cool. I get to visit with friends and family, make new friends, see new and beautiful places, and be exposed to the many, many subtle subcultures out there....

The image above was taken on the Georgetown Waterfront in Washington, DC at sunset as I was finishing up a shoot with some dear friends there in the capital city. DC is definitely one of those places I could see myself living if I were not in the Bay Area. In fact I have lived there, and it's an amazing area. I've also lived in Maryland, Virginia (all over), North Carolina, Michigan, and of course California. My prior career moved me around a lot, and I had a chance to experience living in some different environments than that in which I was raised, and I think that has been valuable. You gain perspective that way.

Another thing I've realized is that of the many places I've traveled, I can't think of any of them in which I wouldn't enjoy spending more time... even making my home there. There are so many things about the places we go and see to love and appreciate. As a general statement, there is beauty and culture anywhere you go. We may have to shift our outlook a little, but if we can move beyond the grass is greener syndrome, we really can be awestruck by what is right around us, regardless of where we are. It's a choice. Whether it is where you are living, or what life is giving you, you have a choice to look around you and see beauty, culture and uniqueness, experiencing it all and appreciating what it is teaching you; or you can constantly be looking to the next thing, what someone else has where they live or in their life and miss what is right in front of you. What will you choose?


Image taken with Canon 5D MII, 100-400mm 4.5L lens, 1/6000 sec @f5, ISO 400

Kid Power!

Week 40

KID POWER!

October 6, 2010

ABLE TO SCALE LARGE PLAY CASTLES IN A SINGLE BOUND! UNCONSTRAINED BY THE UN-TIED SHOE! UN-SHAKEN BY THE GRASS STAINED KNEE AND FILLED DAILY WITH SUPER-HUMAN ENERGY! IT'S THE BOLD...THE FEARLESS...THE SOME-TIMES SASSY...

... KID!

Kids are pretty cool. I mean, as humans go, they are generally straight-forward, tell-it-like-it-is kinda folks that harbor few suspicions, subscribe to few stereotypes, and if encouraged and cheered on, are for the most part self confident, generous little people. I suppose the idea is front of mind for me as I've spent a fair amount of time with friends and clients in the past week that have kids of their own. The image above is from one of the shoots I had, and I thought the pose represented the topic this week pretty well.



image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/125 sec @ f8, ISO 400

Good Morning Seattle

Week 39

Good Morning Seattle

October 1, 2010

I'm finding that much of photography is simply being at the right place at the right time on the right day in the right conditions... etc, etc, etc. Some of that is skill, knowledge and experience... some of that is just plain luck. You are best served by thorough planning - knowing the anticipated weather conditions, lighting and subject matter as best you can before heading out to try and capture a shot. This does not give any guarantees that what you are hoping for will manifest. It tips the odds in your favor, however. Seattle is one of those places that you want every advantage you can get. It's not everyday that you are privileged to see the scene above, with Mt. Rainier posing as a backdrop for the city's skyline. More often than not, it's shrouded in clouds, and fog or misty rain in the city makes the landmark disappear. A little bit of planning and paying attention to forcasts, etc. helped me out here, and I was thrilled to get a series of images at dawn last week - including the one you see above. Enjoy.


image taken with Canon 5D MII, 24-70 2.8L lens, 1/15 sec @ f/22, ISO 100