Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

The Snail that Said Slow Down

Posted on March 7th, 2016 by

Finding Meaning

I think, if you listen, the universe sends you messages. I was hiking Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto, Japan. The day was grey and rainy, but I had arrived early before the truly overwhelming mass of people. I also knew the physical toll the Kyoto mountains would take on many tourists and the further I hiked, the fewer people I would find. Furiously I climbed, passing people, stopping only for photos, perhaps I missed some things. All of a sudden, I came upon a lake surrounded by this fence, it was a welcome serene sight and a respite for the ever upward climb.

It was then I noticed the snail, alone on the fence. People hurried by all to involved to notice the snail. In a flash, the Sun broke gloriously through the clouds and reflected power from the surface of the still water. The snail continued all the same, but I heard the message. The snail was saying, “slow down”.

The rest of my hike was alive with light, that danced off the rain drops still clinging to the endless Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha. I did slow down, people came and went, but my speed now allowed them to pass by with ease, and me to linger to find things hidden in the Japanese wood. I took some of the best photos of my trip, because I listened.

The Snail that Said Slow Down
The Snail that Said Slow Down

Photo Technical Info

Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan

Posted on March 3rd, 2016 by

Turning Japanese

If it seems like I have Japan on the brain lately it’s because I DO! I am headed to Japan in a few months for the Cherry Blossom season! I have wanted to be in Japan during this time for a long time and only missed it by a few weeks in 2015. Hopefully this year I will get lucky since the time from bloom to fall is VERY short!

This is a collection of tools used by the caretakers of Meiji Jingu. I love how there is a mix of traditional brooms and modern tools as well.

Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan
Traditional and Modern Tools in Japan

Photo Technical Info

Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine

Posted on February 28th, 2016 by

Finding History

There is an old adage in Hollywood traditional ascribed to W.C. Fields, but universally known, “Never work with animals or children”. To those not acting however, they are like gold! What could be more adorable than two small children all dressed up in traditional garb to visit Meiji Jingu in Tokyo.

I am always looking for some elements of time or even timelessness, contrasts between the old and new. Does this work in that sense?

Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine
Traditionally Dressed Japanese Kids at Meiji Shrine

Photo Technical Info

White Japanese Chrysanthemum

Posted on February 25th, 2016 by

Huge Flowers

My mother is the gardener in the family. I realized very quickly after moving into my own home, some years ago that I prefer to see gardens rather than participate in their cultivation. Visiting the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, something I most always do when visiting Tokyo I found these Chrysanthemums. This particular white was much bigger than a softball or my hand. I imagine it takes a great deal of patience to grow a flower this large and beautiful.

White Japanese Chrysanthemum
White Japanese Chrysanthemum

Photo Technical Info

Perfect Beaches in Kauai

Posted on February 22nd, 2016 by

Finding Your Place

It’s no secret that I LOVE Hawaii. It’s not the sun exactly, or the beach, it’s not beautiful people or some island style. It is all of these things, but rolled together and a calm that you rarely see on the mainland. This beach in Kauai is one of my perfect spots. Both times I have come here were early and I had the place all to myself. I don’t think it’s probably every really busy, but I love the way the forest grove shades my pale skin from the strong Hawaiian sun. I can sit here and think, be with myself, be with the ocean. In the world, it is one of my perfect spots just to be.

Perfect Beaches in Kauai
Perfect Beaches in Kauai

Photo Technical Info

Porta Magica Rome, Italy

Posted on February 18th, 2016 by

Alchemy Gate

This door was built in the late 1600’s by the Marquis Massimiliano Palombara. There are numerous stories of the doors origins, but this is the only door of 5 on the estate that remain today. Surrounding the door are inscriptions used by alchemists in their attempts at transmutation.

There are many, but I was most struck by the words on the doorway’s steps:

SI NON SEDES IS

This semi-palondrome roughly means, “If you sit, you do not proceed”.

When read right to left:

SI SEDES NON IS

It’s hidden meaning becomes, “If you do not sit, you proceed”.

Porta Magica Rome, Italy
Porta Magica Rome, Italy

Photo Technical Info

Capitol Iron Work

Posted on February 15th, 2016 by

US Capitol Detail

There are so many wonderful works of art that function as every day objects. This handrail support on the back stairs of the U.S. Capitol Building is a great example. It just there to support people, but it has a stateliness, something that reminds me of an abstract eagle soaring above the swirls below. It shows us the ebb, the balance of moderate discourse. It’s just some old thing, that some designer thought long about. Some old thing that some craftsman poured sweat and life into. It spends its days in the elements largely unnoticed, but there some will see and be in awe of its functional beauty.

Capitol Iron Work
Capitol Iron Work

Photo Technical Info

Opulence Within Galleria degli Uffizi

Posted on February 11th, 2016 by

Over the Top Wealth

Most of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is understated…as far as former mansions of UBER-wealthy Renaissance loving Italians go. I have a feeling this is to highlight the collocation of masterpieces housed in this former Palace/Administrative complex. This room, however, was another story…the wealth and opulence displayed is a bit more in the character of what I would expect the original display might have felt like.

Opulence Within Galleria degli Uffizi
Opulence Within Galleria degli Uffizi

Photo Technical Info

The Library of Congress Skylight

Posted on February 8th, 2016 by

Color Troubles

I took this photo of the grandiose skylight at the U.S. Library of Congress years ago, but because of the difficult lighting conditions, its been in a folder on my computer called “Needs More Work”. Inside and outside color temperature ends up with a mess of tones, so as I was looking around this weekend I finally figured I should do what I almost always do in these situations and work in black and white! Amazing!

The Library of Congress Skylight
The Library of Congress Skylight

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/50s

Gold Votive Holder at Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy

Posted on February 1st, 2016 by

In the Great Church

The greater insides of Santa Maria del Fiore is a bit on the sparse side…boring even. The facade and the dome are really the highlight while the nave is completely open and drab. One very interesting exception was the votive holders. Often in Catholic churches these are quite beautiful when lit, but a generally boring affair, but at Santa Maria del Fiore, they are a golden flowering plant bringing light to a drab world.

Gold Votive Holder at Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy
Gold Votive Holder at Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 14 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 21mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Location: 43° 46.3822′ 0″ N 11° 15.369′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/125s
  • Title: Gold Votive Holder at Duomo in Florence, Italy