Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

Sunrise on Ponte dell’Accademia, Venice, Italy

Posted on October 30th, 2014 by

Venice

To encapsulate my feelings of Venice would be impossible. Perhaps this discription from one of the must read books before any trip to Venice, Watermark (by Joseph Brodsky), helps in one sense:

A reflection cannot possibly care for a reflection. The city is narcissistc enough to turn your mind into an amalgam, unburdening it of its depths. With their similar effect on your purse, hotels and pensiones therefore feel very congenial. After a two-week stay—even at off-season rates—you become both broke and selfless, like a Buddhist monk.

This quote from the same text, however, gives another glimpse of the more wonderful feel of the city:

You fling the window open and the room is instantly flooded with this outer, pearl-laden haze, which is part damp oxygen, part coffee and prayers.

Despite its flaws, Venice in two quick days became one of my favorite destinations in the world. There is something wonderfully artistic, dark and oppressive all at the same time. It is though you stand at a precipice to another world in Venice, one that perhaps you don’t want to enter, but it exciting just to be there.

Sunrise on Ponte dell’Accademia, Venice, Italy
Sunrise on Ponte dell’Accademia, Venice, Italy

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A History of Fighter Planes at Pearl Harbor

Posted on October 27th, 2014 by

Fighter Planes at Pearl Harbor

It’s no secret I love planes. I have always known I was not cut out for a military life, but many of the men in my family have served. My father in particular was in the U.S. Air Force and might be much of the genesis of my love of flying machine. For me planes are all about transportation. Hop aboard and as if by magic you are transported half the world away. There is of course another line of work these machines are employed by and during my visit to Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, I visited the Pacific Aviation Museum. They have a wonderfully and lovingly restored collection of military flying machines through the ages. This particularly awesome specimen is an F-111.

A History of Fighter Planes at Pearl Harbor
A History of Fighter Planes at Pearl Harbor

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Fire Cauldron in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Posted on October 23rd, 2014 by

Form and Function

Beauty has its place. Function is evident all around us. Perhaps that is why I so enjoy the ideas of Pop Art (sometimes the execution was lacking). Finding beauty in the form and function of every day items. Perhaps this giant cauldron in the Forbidden City of Beijing, China isn’t exactly an every day item (they are gold guided after all) but they are an expression of both ideals.

This process is an experimental combination of things. The idea isn’t original, but then all art is derivative right? The execution is all my own. Enjoy the beauty in the world, it is all around, just waiting to be explored! Perhaps if you but look, you too can find a whimsical joy in the world.

Fire Cauldron in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Fire Cauldron in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/3.5
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 21 September, 2014
  • Focal length: 28mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Location: 39° 54.941′ 0″ N 116° 23.4213′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Fire Cauldron in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Sunset on a Lava Rock Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Posted on October 20th, 2014 by

After Glow

After the sun sets with its magical rays and the light starts to fade, some photographers pack it in. The sunset watching crowd, all the time complaining that the people and their electronics don’t really SEE the sunset behind those gadgets, start to wander home. I tend to stay around and see what’s left very often there is a surprising calm or a last burst of light that makes your trip. Maybe that’s another of those good life mottos, stick around you never know what you will find.

Sunset on a Lava Rock Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
Sunset on a Lava Rock Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

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Awe in a Fur Coat, St Marks, Venice Italy

Posted on October 16th, 2014 by

Characters

I don’t focus enough in my travel work on people. I always think I will offend, even though someone is lounging in the sun in public. There are, occasionally, characters who’s draw is too powerful for even me to resist. This woman was one of them. She seemed like she belonged in Venice, and was decked in an outfit most queer. It was not her attire that drew my attention, but the way in which she viewed her world.

She walked hurriedly as if unaware of anything or anyone, then suddenly would stop, and stare intently at some part of the Basilica di San Marco. She would stand for an eternity staring at one tiny facet of the ocean of art that IS the Basilica as if drinking in only one mosaic at a time was all her soul could stand. Today she would KNOW another piece of one of the most beautiful churches in the entire world world and perhaps in a lifetime, she would be able to piece together in her heart one of our greatest human triumphs.

I don’t know if this story is true, I never spoke to her, but I felt it when I saw her and I admire her awe.

Awe in a Fur Coat, St Marks, Venice Italy
Awe in a Fur Coat, St Marks, Venice Italy

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Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii

Posted on October 13th, 2014 by

A Grand Canyon

Waimea Canyon in Kauai, Hawaii has been called by some (people say Mark Twain, but he never actually visited the island of Kauai) The Grand Canyon of Hawaii. I always hate it when that happens because to me it seems to insinuate this is a lesser version of something better. I have never seen The Grand Canyon (possibly next year), but it I have never seen color like Waimea in a similar landscape. It was, like all of Kauai, impossibly lush, even in its barrenness. This place is special and unlike anything I have ever seen and deserves to be know by its own merits.

Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii
Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii

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Forbidden City Artwork

Posted on October 9th, 2014 by

Ancient Outdoor Artwork

The thing that struck me while wandering The Forbidden City (after ALL THE PEOPLE) was the vast amount of ancient artwork with was around the palace exposed to the elements. This slab is one of those amazing examples. They do have it carefully blocked off so tourists don’t walk down the delicate stairs, but I found myself wondering about the preservation of truly priceless cultural and artistic treasures that were designed to live outdoors. Does it effect the beauty of something when it is removed from its purpose and placed in a museum? Does its purpose inform it’s value to society? I’m not sure I know that answer. What I do know is these carvings in The Forbidden City are wonderful.

Forbidden City Artwork
Forbidden City Artwork

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Waikiki Beach Pier Sunset

Posted on October 6th, 2014 by

I have visited pier on Waikiki Beach many times in the past. It’s not the main crowded pier, but one to the East that hardly gets any attention. This location always looks different to me and in much the same way my photos look different each time I sit down to work on them. The previous was bright and colorful, this one dark and moody. Perhaps my current temperament effects my processing decisions more than I think or perhaps I am drawn to darker images in the first place when I am feeling less than chipper. Despite the duality, I love both images and it’s a great reminder how different days create totally different moods, both in photography and in life.

Waikiki Beach Pier Sunset
Waikiki Beach Pier Sunset

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Traditional Chinese Dress in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Posted on October 2nd, 2014 by

People on Vacation

I almost never include people in my photos. I tend to focus on the history of a place, it’s details and what it feels like, but I generally exclude people. I couldn’t help myself on this one. This girl was having a really fun time playing dress-up in The Forbidden City costume shop, and got completely decked out in a traditional costume. She only posed for a second, but I caught the most wonderful hand gesture she made while in full regalia.

Traditional Chinese Dress in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Traditional Chinese Dress in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 21 September, 2014
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Location: 39° 55.0093′ 0″ N 116° 23.3948′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/640s
  • Title: Traditional Chinese Dress in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Door Latch in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Posted on September 29th, 2014 by

What to Say about China

China is difficult to describe to those who haven’t been. I have a bit of trouble describing it to myself and I have been many times now. It is a vibrant place…there is an energy there and you immediately feel you are where IT is happening RIGHT NOW. I spent my time visiting the ancient sites (some of them) in Beijing. This is a latch on a door screen leading to one of the buildings inside The Forbidden City. The entire site is very well preserved with many of the buildings undergoing restoration currently (and I think continuously). Much as modern construction moves forward, so to does it allow the Chinese to remember their heritage.

Door Latch in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China
Door Latch in The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

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