In Memoriam

Last weekend, I came across the St. James Reformed Cemetery near Lovettsville, VA. This old cemetery was in use from 1700 until 1947. There are some very old headstones from the 1700s still clearly visible. It was interesting to see how the styles have changed over time as well.

Being a Dad, I could not help to be drawn to the many headstones for the small children who died at such a young age. It is hard not to feel a close connection to them and their parents. Certainly it was a different time when childhood diseases took many before they got out of infancy. Still I am sure the pain was not less for those parents than it would be for parents today.

This headstone in particular was quite touching. A small child, possibly a cherub, hugging a little lamb, Jesus. The inscription read "Katie Loudell Daughter of C.F. & M.J. Eamich Died July 11 [?] 1878 Aged 7 Mon [?] Ds." Her parents were buried next to her many years later.

Geese over Point of Rocks

Ok, enough of the boot. This is from the same trip at Point of Rocks along the Potomac River. I happened to hear these geese just as they were coming over the bridge. I managed to get only about 4 shots before they were gone, and I liked this one the best. Luckily I was already shooting this part of the bridge working on some abstracts but was zoomed in close so I had to back it off to get them in frame. Thanks for stopping by.

Waterproof Boot II

Another view of the abandoned boot. I like this one too since it shows a more expansive view, though the river is missing. Gotta go find that boot again. Thanks for stopping by.

Waterproof Boot

Sometimes you find the oddest things just walking around and looking at what is around you. I was out get one of my photo driving tours of Loundon County this Sunday (needed to get out and shoot some since the past few months have been pretty dry creatively). I was at the Point of Rocks Bridge over the Potomac and happened up on this boot sitting on the shore. It is a beautiful spot and is pretty free of trash, except for this boot. Got me thinking again (I know a boot is just a boot, it is trash). Still, why is this boot here? Where is the other one (I always think that when I see a shoe on the side of the road).

Then I thought "how should I shoot this?" I could just take a picture looking down at the boot but that would be too mundane. That would be me looking at the boot. So I decided to try a few different angles of the area from the boot's point of view. I opted not to lay down in the mud so I put my camera down in the leaves and played around with the angles, orientation, framing, etc. A bit of guess work, but I liked the results. I have a few others I like that I will probably post. The one thing I would do differently upon reflection would have been to pull out my flash a pop a bit of light on the boot, just to help bring it out a bit more.

Anyway, it was good to get the ol' juices flowing again. I found a neat old cemetery too that I will be posting about a bit later. Thanks for stopping by, and sorry about the delay in postings.

(Where was this taken?)

Happy Veterans Day

Best wishes to all of you who have served or are serving in the military.

Flags along the Wall

Happy Armistice Day.

Carnations at the Wall II

A variation of yesterday's post. Have a great weekend everyone.

Carnations at the Wall

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I am going to post some of my favorite images from the Wall. I tend to go to the Wall either early in the morning or late in the evening, so I don't usually have other visitors with me. I like that though as the Wall is such a powerful memorial. Even though there is no one else there, you get a sense of not being truely alone.

Rusting Packard

Today is a follow up to yesterday's post. This image is of the same Packard rusting on the farm, but is of the side panel. I like the colors and how they blend together along with the chrome arrow leading you into the picture.

Swan in the Sunrise

I found this 53/4 Packard rusting behind an old barn at an inn my wife and I stayed at outside of Charlottesville, VA. Got up at dawn and wandered around the property and found this cool old beat up car. I like how the sun was just catching the hood ornament. Thanks for stopping by.

Fall Wheat

Ok, so I don't know for sure that this is wheat, but it looks like to me. I caught this dew covered grass/wheat/grain at Manassas Battlefield early one fall morning back in 2005. It is one of my favorites.