Author Archives: Bri Duncan

The Golden Room of Teatro Colon

Posted on August 12th, 2013 by

Hodgepodge

One of the things I really loved about Teatro Colon in Buenos Aries was how eclectic the style was. In fact a number of architects worked on the project over its construction. Those stories are pretty interesting in themselves, bordering on scandal. Since a number of people were involved, there is a collection of styles from around the world. Salon Dorado or Golden Room totally reminded me of the Palace of Versailles.

Britain or Bust

My next trip is to London. Pamela and I have been watching several BBC shows including Misfits and Downton Abby. I just love the Dowager Countess! I think at this point Maggie Smith is one of my favorite British Actresses.

HDR Photography
The Golden Room of Teatro Colon by W. Brian Duncan

Hawaiian Sunflower

Posted on August 8th, 2013 by

Sunshine

A simple photo for today, but sometimes the most potent beauty can be discovered in simplicity. This simple sunflower was in a bucket at the O’ahu Saturday Farmers’ Market at Kapiolani Community College. There wasn’t any fanfare. It’s just a simple flower, but, there is also an exquisite beauty in its form. Just look at it. No. Really look at it. How can a thing be more perfect. A sunflower in the Hawaiian sun.

HDR Photography
Hawaiian Sunflower by W. Brian Duncan

Swiss Family Treehouse

Posted on August 5th, 2013 by

Disney Contrasts

I had a great time at Disney, but oddly one of the most exciting things for me (besides feeling a bit like a kid) was the contrasts at the Magic Kingdom. There were contrasts in families with some enveloped by exuberant excitement while others just seemed angry (“I am SICK of looking at you” I heard one mother yell at her toddler as she slammed down the stroller shade). There was the contrast in young and old, the contrast of groups and single people visiting the park like myself (though I think I was one of a few). I also loved seeing contrasts in the old and new rides. Some like its a small world seem ancient while Winnie the Pooh’s Adventure was really new and a bit trippy. These differences made the price of admission well worth it for me!

This is one of the older attractions at The Magic Kingdom, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. It was opened in 1971 not too old, not too new, but a good bit of stairway fun!

Travel Photography
Swiss Family Treehouse by W. Brian Duncan

The Chicago River

Posted on August 1st, 2013 by

Walking Downtown

One of my favorite things about Chicago, which I often fly through, is how easy it is to get downtown from O’Hare. Just hop on the train, ride for a bit…BAM you are in downtown Chicago. There is a lot to see and do, but I just love wandering the streets around Millennium Park. I was on one of these walks when I caught this photo of Trump International Hotel & Tower and the Wrigley Building with the Chicago River in the foreground.

HDR Photography
The Chicago River by W. Brian Duncan

Can Can Kitchen and Cabaret

Posted on July 29th, 2013 by

Red Lights and Old Neon Signs

In the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market is a little sign for the Can Can. I didn’t visit, in fact I have no idea what they do here. What I do know is I immediately fell in love with this sign. It’s rough and not well maintained, the walls around it were in need of paint, but there was a character that stood out amongst all the tourists and fish. I am forever saying I need to get better at shooting details, those little elements I love and remember long after I have left a place. This little sign falls squarely in that category.

HDR Photography
Can Can Kitchen and Cabaret by W. Brian Duncan

Honolulu Memorial Park

Posted on July 25th, 2013 by

Cemetery

On the drive back to Waikiki Beach from visiting the Pali Lookout, I saw a roadside turn off that I immediately pulled over on. I love these scenic overlook as they are most often great places to shoot landscapes from. There is a strong Japanese influence on Oahu which can plainly be seen in Honolulu Memorial Park also know as Kyoto Gardens. It is both a garden park and an adjoining cemetery for Buddhists…I didn’t get a change to visit while I was there, but I have this on my stop list for a visit next year.

HDR Photography
Honolulu Memorial Park by W. Brian Duncan

Fierce Seattle Totem

Posted on July 22nd, 2013 by

Totem Poles

I find the carvings of totem poles at the same time interesting and slightly terrifying. Perhaps it’s because I don’t fully understand their purpose, largely because each has a different meaning. This is effectively much like other forms of art or artful forms of history telling. This part of a totem is in a Victor Steinbrueck Park near Pike Place Market in Seattle Washington. I found myself just staring into his eyes a bit lost in wondering. I think he needed to be on the blog so today here he is.

Travel Photography
Fierce Seattle Totem by W. Brian Duncan

Big Thunder Mountain

Posted on July 18th, 2013 by

Silver Dollar City Surprise

Living in the Ozarks you grow up going to Silver Dollar City. It’s out version of Disney…well if you only count Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom then its our Disney. Also you would need to replace the giant scary mouse with a hairy and equally scary hillbilly…maybe they are a bit different. Anyway, I haven’t been to SDC in a number of year (probably 5) and I haven’t been to Disney World since High School.

It was impossible for me not to notice similarities and differences. For instance there is the roller coaster Big Thunder Mountain. At SDC this is called Thunderation…the colors seem similar in my recollection (maybe I am just crossing theme parks in my head). Both are train motifs. Big Thunder Mountain at Disney was opened in 1979, Thunderation was opened in Silver Dollar City in 1993. I am not saying there is any relationship, but simply that it’s interesting. Here is a fun shot I took while the train was roaring by…I felt it needed to look old.

Travel Photography
Big Thunder Mountain by W. Brian Duncan

Mount Rainier

Posted on July 15th, 2013 by

Traveling Lucky

Pamela and I have been really lucky this year in our travels. I am not referring to how extremely lucky we feel to GET to travel (this applies triple for me), but moreover I am referring to how lucky we have been with weather. It hasn’t all been fantastic, but our trip to Seattle this year is a shining example. Normally when you fly into Seattle, you are doing good to see Mount Rainier…much less the other mountains. We had a ridiculously clear view of everything! When the captain announced we were flying by, I was also lucky enough to find myself on the left side of the plane. I snapped this photo of Rainier on a virtually unheard of nearly cloud free day in Seattle, Washington!

Travel Photography
Mount Rainier by W. Brian Duncan

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Posted on July 11th, 2013 by

Tomorrow Land

I always feel like I need more time at the Magic Kingdom. I got there an hour before the park opened at 8pm and I stayed till after 11pm. I think I had some 15 or 16 hours in the park, but there was still more to do. I never feel like that at EPCOT, but then perhaps I am just a big kid at heart. This is Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe on the outskirts of Tomorrow Land as seen from one of the bridges in the Magic Kingdom. Its funny, because I always think tomorrow land looks like a 1960’s vision of the future. This diner makes me think of Edward Hooper’s painting Nighthawks even though I know they look nothing alike.

HDR Photography
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe by W. Brian Duncan