Author Archives: Bri Duncan

Mission Space

Posted on July 8th, 2013 by

Confessions of a Space Cadet

I didn’t ride Mission Space at Disney’s EPCOT Center. I made it to the ride VERY early in the day. It was my second stop after Sorin’. When you enter they ask if you want a green or orange card (less intense or more intense…in that order). I chose orange and anyone my age would. I got into line and started wondering what sort of ride this was. I am not a scared sort of amusement park rider, but I can sometimes get sick. There are pretty much two things that are out; inversion and spinning. While I was waiting in the line I looked on my phone to see what I had signed up for. The first review was of a person much like me who rode early and was queasy the rest of the day. I turned around and left. I tried to come back and ride the green card later in the day, the wait time was 100 minutes. No thanks! Has anyone rode this? Is it fun?

HDR Photography
Mission Space by W. Brian Duncan

Palais des Nations

Posted on July 4th, 2013 by

High Level Meetings

While I was in Geneva, Switzerland I visited the Palais des Nations. This is one of those amazing buildings history buffs will LOVE as it was originally built in the late 1920’s to house the League of Nations. It has been added onto multiple times as you can tell this portion is from a more modern addition. The site is a fantastic time to tour, especially the old art deco portions of the complex. This is one of the general assembly rooms where nations meet to discuss world matters.

Happy Independence Day to everyone in the United States!

HDR Photography
Palais des Nations by W. Brian Duncan

Invitation to Palacio Duhau

Posted on July 1st, 2013 by

Spoiled

Ok…I admit it. Sometimes, in this crazy world of world travel I have engineered for myself, I get TOTALLY spoiled. Some people frequent hostels. Others couch surf. I stay in mansions. Truthfully I tend to stay in Hyatt’s and THIS particular Hyatt was formally a mansion. I sadly didn’t get to stay in the Mansion portion of the Palacio Duhau in Buenos Aires, Argentina (I was in the awesome tower). Honestly when I was encouraged to visit the Palacio by the impeccable staff of the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires I felt a bit out of place. Not out of place because anyone treated me so…in fact BA was one of the most camera accommodating places I have ever visited. I just felt under dressed (who is that jeans wearing American?). This is the upstairs hall leading to one of the dining location and the library. I am sure more of the Palace will show up on the blog at a future time.

HDR Photography
Invitation to Palacio Duhau by W. Brian Duncan

Stone Spiral Stairs

Posted on June 27th, 2013 by

Golden Ratio

I love a spiral. Throughout history humans have been enthralled with the golden ratio and to me this particular expression is one of the best. This particular spiral staircase is one of the ultra narrow towers of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain. The last spiral staircase I shot was in Paris and people seem to love the Arc de Tripmphe staircase photo. Personally I think I hit the expression of the golden ratio more dead on with this photo and I particularly like the texture. Which do you like best?

HDR Photography
Stone Spiral Stairs by W. Brian Duncan

Teatro Colón

Posted on June 24th, 2013 by

Opera

I tend to gravitate to these sorts of places. Places of cultural significant that hold a solid place in the history of a city. This is the wonderful Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires Argentina. Some of the greatest opera singers the world has known have graced this stage. This is a view from the lower orchestra pit looking back at the magnificent house. I also sort of love the oldness of places like this. There is a charm…a nuance to places with age. They have seen so much and continue to thrive. I sadly ran out of time to attend a performance I had tickets to…one of the hazards of only spending a few days in a place.

HDR Photography
Teatro Colón by W. Brian Duncan

Byodo-In Temple Offering

Posted on June 20th, 2013 by

Peaceful Offering

Honolulu is a city of hustle and bustle. I hope to ho back and explore some more next year, but in a big city, sometimes you want to get away from all the movement. You want some peace from all the go. You drive to The Valley of the Temples and visit Byodo-In Temple. This is a replica of a Buddhist Temple in Kyoto Japan. This particular temple is non-denominational and everyone is invited to visit. I sat quietly for some time beneath the 9 foot tall wooden Buddha. People came and went. It is a lovely location.

Tiny Buddha

This little Buddha statue was collecting offerings in the gardens in front of Byodo-In Temple. I almost missed him if not for another photographer lying on the ground to take his picture. Sir, I say thank you.

HDR Photography
Byodo-In Temple Offering by W. Brian Duncan

Floralis Generica

Posted on June 17th, 2013 by

Big Robots

This was a treat for me. One of the main reasons I went to Buenos Aires was to see the sculpture Floralis Genérica. That sounds a bit odd and it wasn’t the ONLY reason I went. When you see the photos of where I stayed you will see some of the other reasons. It was, well, a mansion! That is a subject for another post. I saw a photo of Floralis Genérica and knew I wanted to see it in person as soon as someone explained it moved with the sun. Yes, it is a massive robot, that opens and closes like a real flower. It follows the sun during the day a and opens and closes its petals. AMAZING!

End of an Era

Last Thrusday Pamela and I had to say goodbye to our beloved cat Kennedy. He was a character. Among other things Mr. Kennedy T. Cat was CCO (Chief Cat Officer) in our businesses, a position that will be nearly impossible to replace. Pamela and I have been doing ok with now only sporadic bouts of sadness. We have both really appreciated everyone’s thoughts and prayers. I think Pamela told Kennedy’s last story better than I ever could. Kennedy would have wanted to either eat or poop on the flower below…perhaps both.

HDR Photography
Floralis Generica by W. Brian Duncan

Post Alley Gum Wall

Posted on June 13th, 2013 by

It’s NOT Free Candy!

There are a few things that are really odd about Post Alley in Seattle, Washington. First it’s an alleyway with lots of people coming and going. Generally that is a bad sign, but in this case okay. Second it smell STRONGLY of gum…there is a reason for this as it seems visitors deposit used chewing gum along the brick walls of Post Alley. I was unsure why or how exactly all of this came about, but to me…it is a work of minty art. Portions of the sticky mess reminded me so of Jackson Pollock I expected to see people flinging paint. I didn’t add to the mess myself, but the next time you are at Pike Place Market, give Post Alley a quick stop…its mesmerizing.

HDR Photography
Post Alley Gum Wall by W. Brian Duncan

Doorway to La Sagrada Familia

Posted on June 10th, 2013 by

Details

I have said it here before, but I have the hardest time shooting details. On my more recent trips around the globe, I have really been working to remember this small, but significant mindset. Details make for some stunning photos, as evidenced by this detail. I was struck upon entering the door of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain (as I am sure many are) by the door. The entire minor basilica is a bit of a surreal explosion…too much is happening all over. The main door I entered was no different in its busy-ness, but there is a obvious focal point in the mass of words. Maybe it doesn’t work the same for tall people, but for someone my height, there was no doubting the purpose.

HDR Photography
Doorway to La Sagrada Familia by W. Brian Duncan

Puente de la Mujer

Posted on June 6th, 2013 by

Bridges

Today’s images is a bit on the abstract side. Some wires and a big white thing on a brilliant blue sky. This is the Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I still haven’t figured out what this structure has to do with women, but it was a neat site. I will leave it there. Enjoy.

Travel Photography
Puente de la Mujer by W. Brian Duncan