Author Archives: Bri Duncan

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Posted on June 3rd, 2013 by

New Views

I recently returned from South America. It still strikes me funny when I say that as it’s amazing to me that I can say something like that at all…who just GOES to South America. Buenos Aries, Argentina is a very strange place and I have a bunch of mixed feelings about my time there. Not because I didn’t like it…its a wonderful city full of interesting things to see and do. The people I encountered were amazingly polite and helpful. I think, however, this is the first time i had to confront the reality that the western world is not the rest of the world. The closest was a trip I took long ago to Jamaica, but then I spent all my time on a resort. I don’t think I have yet wrapped my head around all of this, but I am sure this education is one of the core reasons I am called to travel.

New Purpose

Today’s photo is of a book store in Buenos Aires called El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It is…hands down…the coolest bookstore I have EVER seen. It is built in an old theater, the stage is the cafe. The boxes are for reading. The seating areas hold the books. Under the stage has been converted to the children’s books area. I wish this would happen everywhere! I hate to see old marvelous structures falling to ruin. Isn’t it much better to breath new life into them, to redefine their purpose.

HDR Photography
El Ateneo Grand Splendid by W. Brian Duncan

Union Station Seattle Washington

Posted on May 30th, 2013 by

Rambling Man

I just got back from Buenos Aries, Argentina earlier this week. I really enjoyed myself, but South America is a very different part of the world. I don’t mean that in a bad way, simply different. I also passed a certain milestone…I have so far this year flown in excess of 50,000 miles. I don’t talk much on here about my other hobby of frequent flying, but I am well on my way to finish the year as an American Airlines Executive Platinum member (over 100,000 miles flown in a single year). It was a goal of mine at the beginning of the year that seemed almost impossible. It just goes to show, with proper planning, a great support team and a bit of perseverance, anything is possible!

More Trains!

If you have visited my blog in the past you know my love of trains. I usually end up at the train station when I visit cities all over the world. Whether subway stations, or Union Station, I just cant help but love trains!

HDR Photography
Union Station Seattle Washington by W. Brian Duncan

King’s Hardware Beer Wall

Posted on May 27th, 2013 by

Pubs

I am not one to generally hang out in pubs, but my friend Justin, who moved to Seattle said very clearly, “There are two things people in Seattle take seriously…coffee and beers”. To a pub we went for lunch after hiking around a few of Seattle’s wonderful outdoor spaces. I was really hungry and thirsty and the dark beer I had was perfect. I asked the bartender if I could take a few photos just because the place was so cool looking. He agreed and I went straight to this wall of beer. Part practical and part art, it seemed to me the best representation of how I felt about Seattle as a whole. If you happen to be in Seattle check out King’s Hardware.

HDR Photography
King’s Hardware Beer Wall by W. Brian Duncan

Practice Makes Perfect

Posted on May 23rd, 2013 by

Practice, Practice

There is an old saying regarding Carnegie Hall…How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Well you get the idea. It’s funny really because I heard the same line in Barcelona regarding the Palau de la Música Catalana. Perhaps it was said by another tourist from the states, or maybe that sentiment is ubiquitous in all the great concert halls of the world. Everyone needs their 10,000 hours. Truly the worlds greatest performers are, not surprisingly, some of the worlds greatest practitioners of practice. Below is the practice hall of the Orfeó Català. The practice hall is the same size and shape of the main hall, though one has to wonder with a hall as beautiful as the Palau, why would you ever want to practice anywhere else.

Travel Photography
Practice Makes Perfect by W. Brian Duncan

Kerry Park Overlook Seattle

Posted on May 20th, 2013 by

Textures

I have been a fan of Brooke Shaden’s work for some time. If you are not familiar with her, absolutely check our her work as it is a bit dark, dreamlike and always wonderfully imaginative. Last week she taught a Creative Live course oddly enough in Seattle (pictured in the photo below). I was lucky to get to catch a little of her teaching online and it got me to thinking about (among other things) textures. I rarely use them to enhance what is going on in my images and I don’t know why. They seem to be all the rage and I love the boost of interesting they add to a flat image so long as the texture is added to enhance what is going on in the photo, not just used in a cool Instagram way. What do you think about textures and did anyone else see Brook’s class? This was created from a single image.

Travel Photography
Kerry Park Overlook Seattle by W. Brian Duncan

Top of the Palau

Posted on May 16th, 2013 by

Trying Times

This has been a rough week. A number of things have happened, none of them dire, but together they amass to something greater…more trying. Several nights this week I have been ready to pack it in and declare defeat. I too often let these things begin to over take over my demeanor replacing it with a negative attitude that only seeks to tear down the good things that are still around.

It’s at these times I have to remember change is perhaps the only constant in the universe. Nothing is permanent, neither the good nor the bad. Be as the river Brian.

HDR Photography
Top of the Palau by W. Brian Duncan

The Mughal Garden of Shangri La

Posted on May 13th, 2013 by

Old Mansions

There is, for me, something fascinating about touring old mansions. In part it is the history of the place. Fantastic stories of visitors and deals made under a roof as powerful men and women visit a person’s home. I also love old building techniques. There is an impersonal nature to sheetrock and modern building techniques. I simply love seeing the works of master craftsmen and artists. Then a good portion I think has to do with all the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous I saw as a kid. Who doesn’t like to think of actually living in one of these palaces.

On my most recent trip to Hawaii I visited Doris Duke’s Shangri La. I was on the regular tour as sadly the person who helps with special access was away. There is little you are allowed to photograph, but I was allowed to handhold a shot in the fantastic Mugal Garden. The cypress tress are a sort of oddity for Hawaii, but they somehow seem to thrive here. If you happen to be on Oahu, definitely put this on your list. They have one of the finest Islamic Art collections in the western world! On my next trip, I hope to get to photograph inside the estate as well as bring my tripod!

Travel Photography
The Mughal Garden of Shangri La by W. Brian Duncan

Pali Lookout Sunrise

Posted on May 9th, 2013 by

Lookout

I have a hard time getting up before dawn, but it almost never fails that I wake up when I should. I have this strange built in alarm clock that rarely lets me sleep in these days. I always expect jet lag to throw it off, but somehow, I always wake up about the right time. One of the great things about Hawaii is that you can stay up really late and you end up waking up REALLY early. Since I am up I usually can talk myself into a sunrise or two…after all, photography is why I travel. This was one of the many wonderful weather days I had while on Oahu and sunrise was a sight to see!

HDR Photography
Pali Lookout Sunrise by W. Brian Duncan

Spine of the Beast

Posted on May 6th, 2013 by

A Home of the Sea

In Barcelona there is a house called Casa Batlló. It is without a doubt, the most wondrous piece of architecture I have ever seen. I tend to love architectural tours and museums and will frequent as many as I can while in a new city. It gives you a wonderful idea of the past of a place and it also tells you a bit about what has shaped these people. Casa Batlló is an undulating work of genius…or perhaps madness as the two are so close. I can’t imagine the skill of the craftsmen that made this home a reality. Even the doors are curved. Not rounded at the top, but they roll, the whole home reminded me of the ocean. My only regret was that I had to shoot everything handheld. This is the entryway staircase.

HDR Photography
Spine of the Beast by W. Brian Duncan

Iao Valley

Posted on May 2nd, 2013 by

Other Views

If you look up Iao Valley, you will will see one view over and over again. Its a spectacular view after all, The Needle is an amazing peak. Sadly the day we happened to visit the park, the needle was enshrouded in clouds and mist. It rained on us trying to get a photo. We fought tourists for position. While I was waiting, I noticed the clouds were AMAZING on the other side of the valley! I grabbed this shot in a location no one else was looking at.

Travel Photography
Iao Valley by W. Brian Duncan