Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

Walking the Roof of Il Duomo at Sunset

Posted on June 5th, 2014 by

Il Duomo at Sunset

I suppose it depends on the time of year you go, but I went to the room if Milan’s major Cathedral, I stayed up there for a long time. It neared sunset when the guards ran the last of us off and followed us out. It was peaceful up there and not terribly crowded. There is a something special about getting to wander the roof of such and old and central building like Il Duomo. The history of European cities can often be paralleled to the history of their main Church. This is perhaps the single most important structure in the entire city, and I spent the evening in the heavens.

Old Processes

At times I miss the darkroom. The smell of fixer is something you don’t forget. The chemistry one of the things that originally drew me to photography. I found never-ending joy in trying to find new and creative ways to splatter my chemicals to get an uneven result. Eyedroppers, spray bottles, tossing chemicals…I was manipulating WAY before I found Photoshop. I used quite a few processes to get this result today, but I was going for a modern day wet-plate look. How do you think I did?

Walking the Roof of Il Duomo at Sunset
Walking the Roof of Il Duomo at Sunset

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 5 April, 2014
  • Focal length: 32mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/250s
  • Title: Walking the Roof of Il Duomo at Sunset

Old Bank Vault Timer

Posted on June 2nd, 2014 by

Junk

I love mechanical things and rooms full of junk. There is a certain order one can find in chaos…it’s not something you can fully grasp, but little hints of order in the mess sometimes make you feel better about your own messes. I have also always loved taking things apart to see HOW they work.

Take the PHOTO!

When you stop and notice something, when you are drawn to look or look again, TAKE A PHOTO! Seriously. There is something there, if it keeps grabbing your attention. I probably looked at this old bank vault timer 10 times before I finally took a photo! Even it you just snap a quick shot with your mobile, get it…you never know when it will come in handy as inspiration!

Old Bank Vault Timer
Old Bank Vault Timer

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 6 March, 2014
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 4s
  • Title: Old Bank Vault TImer

The Grand Staircase of Teatro Colon

Posted on May 29th, 2014 by

Eclectic Styling

Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina is one eclectic place. It took many years and many architects to complete. Honestly from the stories I heard, either the BA of those times was very bohemian or the building levied some sort of curse on the architects responsible for its design. From this entrance, to the golden room to the exterior to the theater itself, you can see many different styles at work.

The Grand Staircase of Teatro Colon
The Grand Staircase of Teatro Colon

Photo Technical Info

Massive Supports at the Bangkok Airport

Posted on May 26th, 2014 by

Airport Trouble

I have never had trouble at an airport like I had at Bangkok Airport! SO many things went wrong for me here. I was denied access to the lounge inbound (I just wanted to take a shower after my very long business class flight). I couldn’t get a boarding pass for my next flight. I left the airport and waste some time on my 18 hour layover and on return there wasn’t anyone to check me back in. I got stuck outside the secure area for 6 hours. On checking in I got levied a tax for leaving the secure area! A thai airport cop nearly knocked me over because their entrance signs are poorly labeled. It goes on and on!

What to do when Stuck

I photograph! Sadly I was so upset and exhausted that I didn’t get as much decent work in as I should have, but after the sun went down and the airport lit up a strange blue color, the massive supports at the Bangkok Airport really impressed me!

Massive Supports at the Bangkok Airport
Massive Supports at the Bangkok Airport

Photo Technical Info

An Offering at Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong

Posted on May 22nd, 2014 by

Man Mo Alter

I have never professed to know exactly what is going on in Buddhist Temples. There is praying of course and offerings, but exactly what transpires is a bit of a mystery. Just after taking this photo of some kind of offering on one of the alters a woman started yelling at me and shooing me away. I think she thought I was taking photos of the worshipers (which I was not out of respect), but still, this was the last think I photographed in the very small Hong Kong temple!

An Offering at Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong
An Offering at Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong

Photo Technical Info

View of Lake Como from Villa Monastero

Posted on May 19th, 2014 by

Never a More Beautiful Place

I have been a good deal of places over the last few years, and I have to say the Lake Como region of Italy is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Perhaps it was the lucky weather or the magical smell of the blooming wisteria that seemed to be all around. I spent my time on the lake visiting small villages/towns and the villa’s that were located there. This particular place was called Villa Monastero and while it didn’t have the financing that Villa Balbianello had, its length with super impressive!

The grounds occupy a narrow strip of land that follows the coast of the city of Varenna. I walked for 45 minutes (slowly mind you) before I hit a gate and could go no further. I entered the gates only an hour before closing time and had to walk back at a VERY fast rate to make it there before getting locked in an Italian Villa for the night. On second thought, perhaps I had the wrong idea! This photo is of one of the multitude of awesome views of Lake Como in the city of Varenna, Italy.

View of Lake Como from Villa Monastero
View of Lake Como from Villa Monastero

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 6 April, 2014
  • Focal length: 32mm
  • ISO: 500
  • Location: 46° 0.455′ 0″ N 9° 17.269′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/2000s
  • Title: View of Lake Como from Villa Monastero

Entrance to the Crypts of Il Duomo

Posted on May 15th, 2014 by

Closed Entrance

This entrance to the lower levels of Il Duomo in Milan, Italy was closed. There seemed to be several entrances that were not open to the public. The main public stairs to the crypts of two Saints were around the corner and quite busy. I wondered if people visiting knew where they were headed and the stories of the men who’s tombs we visited. I wonder this because my particular knowledge of European Saints is a bit limited, but I tend to follow where groups of people are headed to see what I can see. I wonder how many people go with purpose and how many go with the flow, both in life and in visiting the dead.

Entrance to the Crypts of Il Duomo
Entrance to the Crypts of Il Duomo

Photo Technical Info

Female Stencil Street Art in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Posted on May 12th, 2014 by

Graffiti

I have a love-hate relationship with street art. Perhaps that statement is incorrect…I love street art. It can be poignant, providing essential social commentary. Though provoking, causing random passers-by to stop dead from their daily stupor and think. It can be beautiful, or make us question our paradigms of beauty. It can be biting, revealing, hilarious, even revolutionary! What I hate it tags and other mindless defacement of other beautiful works. The intent of these lawbreakers of both ilk sits squarely with me. In my mind, one a thug…the other an artist. I have seen some of the greatest artists of our day, unknown, who work in shadow, who’s artistic legacy will be swept away like a Tibetan Buddhist sand mandala; for now they will be briefly seen. I try and capture them while I can.

I found this simple beautiful stencil street art underneath a pedestrian underpass in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The underside of this bridge was painted a pinkish purple, with this one loan piece looking seductively at people walking down the sidewalk. I couldn’t help but share.

Female Stencil Street Art in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Female Stencil Street Art in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 24 May, 2013
  • Focal length: 23mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Location: 34° 35.0315′ 0″ S 58° 23.478′ 0″ W
  • Shutter speed: 1/125s
  • Title: Female Stencil Street Art in Buenos Aires, Argentina.psd

Neon Fresh Fish Sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA

Posted on May 8th, 2014 by

Fresh Fish

If you have been to Seattle’s Pike Place Market, you undoubtedly know this sign. I used a bit of creative license to make it my own. I did a similar thing for the Can Can Kitchen and Cabaret Sign also conveniently located in Pike Place Market. I wanted today’s photo to have a bit of an underwater, but out of place feel. It was shot during the day, but you would never know it. It is a bit whimsical, but then again I like such silliness.

Neon Fresh Fish Sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA
Neon Fresh Fish Sign at Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA

Photo Technical Info

Outside the Walls of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy

Posted on May 5th, 2014 by

Visiting The Last Supper

On my last visit to Milan, I went to Santa Maria della Grazie, the church where DaVinci painted The Last Supper. I was surprised by its impact, both historically and the almost wonderfully horrific deterioration it faces. I wonder if Leonardo knew people would be viewing this work for over 500 years. He was going for more detail and luminosity then can be achieved with normal wet fresco techniques and instead painted on a dry wall. It isn’t really a fresco, and given your perspective, the ages have not been kind. I have always wondered how much of this was intended and how much was simply an experiment in technique. Was Leonardo chuckling to himself the entire time I painted the last supper? Is there hidden meaning, in the fight to keep everything from falling apart…something part of a grander design?

The painting is on one wall of the dining hall of the monastery. You only get 15 minutes with the work (and the Crucifixion on the opposite wall by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano). Security is TIGHT…I have never been anywhere with multiple automatic man traps. At your allotted time, you enter and get locked in, then another door opens, you move to the next trap and get locked in. Eventually the dining hall is opened and your small group is allowed inside (no photography of course due to the delicate nature of the art). Fifteen minutes was not enough time for me…I could have stayed and stared and felt much longer.

Walking the parameter

Walking to the metro, I walked around the perimeter walls of the monastery. This shot is from the street outside one of the courtyards.

Outside the Walls of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy
Outside the Walls of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 5 April, 2014
  • Focal length: 19mm
  • ISO: 500
  • Location: 45° 27.9857′ 0″ N 9° 10.2992′ 0″ E
  • Shutter speed: 1/2000s
  • Title: Outside the walls of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy