Smoke on the Water

Well in fact it is fog over Lake Louisa at sunset. I was going to pick up the kids from my parents' who leave near the lake and saw this scene. My wife slammed on the brakes, and I went running for the water's edge as I pull off the lens cover and tweaked the camera settings. Full action landscape photography, who knew? Anyway, I managed to get a handful of shots before the light changed completely, and it was gone. Sometimes you plan these things; sometimes you just get damned lucky.

These Colors Don't Run...

But they can fade. I debated with myself about putting up this image. To me when I shot this old flag tied up in a tree in the forest near an old campsite used by the homeless, I thought about how it was out of place. Then I thought about the way it looked and made interesting shapes in the wind. I noticed how it was getting thread-bare and see through. When I started processing the images and thinking more about them, I began to debate if I should even post it. What would people think? Should I have taken it down and disposed of the flag properly and respectfully? Was I trying to make a political statement about the state of the nation? I don't really know right now. Maybe all those things, maybe not. Your thoughts?

Oil-bow

My neighbor walked over as I was shooting this oil-bow to see what was going on. He thought there was something odd going on as he had never seen anyone take a picture of oil on the road before. Sometimes these things are just in the eye of the beholder and everyone else thinks you are a bit nuts. Nutty is often the more creative.

Stonewall Jackson at Sunset

On Friday evening, I chased a storm front and setting sun out to Manassas National Battlefield Park and managed to get some silhouettes of the Stonewall Jackson Memorial against the orange light of early evening. Thanks for stopping by.

Double Doors and Shadows

While taking the Fiona for a walk the other day, I saw this garage on one of the McMansions around the corner and liked the look of the doors. They are different from so many others, kinda retro looking. I was also drawn to the shadows, especially of the light fixture and the tree on the drive.

Chesapeake Bay Panorama

Hard to believe the weather this week. It reminds me of spring or fall. So I decided to go back to the sailing trip this fall and post another one of those. For those who might be new this was taken on a field trip with my camera club to the Chesapeake Bay. Sorry about the small size on the main page, I hope you click through to see the larger image behind. Thanks for stopping by.

Ice Guard

On this warm 70 degree day in mid January in DC, I thought I would post something to remind us of winter, ice on the Potomac River. I have a few versions of this with the Coast Guard helicopter in different places and in different orientations. You just never know what will work in some cases.

For the People?

Wandering the streets of DC one cold December morning, I saw this juxtaposition and thought it clearly represented how I felt about our government. I don't spend much time pointing fingers or gnashing teeth, and I am certainly more than willing to pay my taxes. Still, at times, it feels like someone has locked the doors, put up a fence and is sitting on a rocking chair with a shotgun. Y'all aint welcome here. I have hopes for 2008.

Beavers of Reston

Looks like we have beavers in Reston, VA. Very interesting to see the evidence of wildlife right across the path from a row of McMansions. But it does appear as though there are beavers in Sugarland Run. They have been improving a natural dam, though I did not see an obvious den. A number of trees had been felled recently. We see deer and such, but beaver is something different. Of course they have coyotes in DC so I guess nature will find a way. (Sorry about the sky on this one, it was with the point and shoot so I cleaned up what I could. Not every picture has to be a work of art.) Have a great weekend.

A Playground Moment

For me, photographing my kids is very exciting. I just never know what I am going to get. They are young but a bit jaded at times when it comes to letting me take their picture. So I try not to make a big deal of it. Anyway, we were at our favorite playground this weekend (trying to get them to burn off some energy), Clemyjontri Park. I was following them around with my wife's point and shoot Nikon Coolpix trying to be unobtrusive with my kids and also not freak out all the other parents with a big camera. Rowan climbed onto this tire and was playing around a bit. Initially I did not think much of it. But then I saw this other kid (not one of mine) come running down the colored lanes from my left. I thought I could get a moment with him running past, so I just lowered the camera to my waist (trying to get a more kid-friendly view point) and waited about a second then hit the shutter. I was hoping to catch him in mid-stride, which worked (though I wish I had caught him when I hit the shutter as he was moving between the blue and red posts, but oh well). When I reviewed the image, what I had not seen was Rowan looking into the wind with her hair getting tossed around. Two moments in one captured together. For me these are the pictures that make photography interesting and fun. Sometimes no matter what you plan, see, think you know, you can be surprised and rewarded.

New Year's Resolution: take 1 picture every day (does not have to be great, does not have to be a keeper, just pick up a camera every day and take at least 1 picture). So far I am 3 for 3. :-)

Thanks for stopping by.

Sundog over Banshee Reeks

This weekend I went hiking at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Loudon County. It is a very cool place. I thought I went all over but when I finally saw a map I realized I had only hike over about 10% of the paths. I plan on making this place a regular visit. As I was heading out late in the day, a pair of sundogs appeared. This one was the one to the south (left) of the Sun. The image was formed by combining 3 different exposures into a single high dynamic range image using the techniques described by Bettina + Uwe Steinmueller of Digital Outback Photo (I am reading 2 of Uwe's books).

(Where was this taken?)

I Saw Three Ships

Decided to put up an image from this summer's sailing trip that I did not upload previously. This was one of the regattas we passed during the day out on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis.

Double Tower and Happy New Year

The south bell tower and the Cathedral sign topper mirror each other well. Happy New Year to all of you who have stopped by, left comments or sent me words of encouragement. I very much appreciate it from all of you. I wish you the best for 2008.