Category Archives: Travel

Amazing travel photography told one picture at a time.

Ghosts of Gondolas in Venice

Posted on May 22nd, 2017 by

Ghosts

You know that feeling you get…only sometimes, in the absence of the light. I have tried to explain how Venice changes once the sun goes down. I never explain it right. I always make it seem sinister, or like some corny spook house. Boo! That’s not it at all. It is more like the veil between realms is…more delicate there. Maybe it’s just the history. Often the oldest of places have more…personality. I love taking these long exposures at night. Despite my near von Aschenbach respiratory malady I stayed out past sunset. Even the January cold (and rain) could not keep me from the Venetian Night.

Ghosts of Gondolas in Venice
Ghosts of Gondolas in Venice

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/3.5
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 25 January, 2014
  • Focal length: 23mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 10s
  • Title: Ghosts of Gondolas in Venice

Trains and Jules Verne in Paris, France

Posted on May 15th, 2017 by

Missing Jules

The month of photo experimentation continues! I have been to Paris, France a number of times and I always seem to miss the Arts et Metires station. It’s a steampunk revival seemingly dedicated to Jules Verne. I have been in a number of really cool Subway and train stations around the globe, but this one pretty much takes the cake!

Trains and Jules Verne in Paris, France
Trains and Jules Verne in Paris, France

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 27 January, 2017
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 5s
  • Title: Trains and Jules Verne in Paris, France

Dark Canal in Amsterdam

Posted on May 8th, 2017 by

Stepping Out of the Conventional

People who know me would likely never call me conventional. It’s almost a laughable notion, one in which I happily participate. I have been reminded of this over and over again trying to “find myself” (as if I really went anywhere other than where I am currently). In honor of these notions, I decided to dedicate the month of May to experimental work. The odd stuff I assume nobody but me with enjoy. I always seem drawn to the mistakes of the world. Somehow there is an purity most miss when all that can be seen is the difference. This photo is out of focus. It’s too highly contrasted. It lacks color. These are things you could say…but I see honest feeling, beauty and hope.

Dark Canal in Amsterdam
Dark Canal in Amsterdam

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 17 February, 2017
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1s
  • Title: Dark Canal in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Canals at Sunset

Posted on May 1st, 2017 by

Sunsetting

This is one of the last trips I have planned this year. It’s sad really. I’ve been trying to wrap myself around the notion of traveling fewer places, but for longer trips…I’m having a hard time adjusting. Regardless, Amsterdam is a beautiful city. Not just physically, but the people here are so kind and accepting. Amsterdam quickly hit the top of my favorite places list. To get an idea of the beauty, I give you a sunset.

Amsterdam Canals at Sunset
Amsterdam Canals at Sunset

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 18 February, 2017
  • Focal length: 20mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/30s
  • Title: Amsterdam Canals at Sunset

Ancient Armaments

Posted on April 24th, 2017 by

War

I often find the fascination with the tools of war sort of morose. To me, war is the worst of humanity. Even in conflict of purpose or humanitarian resolve, that genesis is to battle some horror, some Inhumanity. Art, and again this is to me, is the exact opposite. Art, and I mean art very broadly, is the greatest of our achievements. I am very often acutely aware of these feelings when visiting a museum like Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam which houses relics of many themes. Perhaps, this is a more balanced view, the best of worst of what we do as a species. Reminders that humans can disembowel someone they don’t know for an unknown reason, or paint “Night Watch”.

Ancient Armaments
Ancient Armaments

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 17 February, 2017
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/60s
  • Title: Ancient Armaments

Technological Armageddon

Posted on April 17th, 2017 by

Such a Mess

I am a big fan of recycling when I can. Sometimes the powers that be, just make it TOO HARD! Other times I miss opportunities right in front of my eyes, like when I started to throw away my Starbucks cup and one of my relatives from California said, maybe you want to write your name on that cup so you know it’s yours. No, Ill just get another if I want something (into the trash). This was a recycling day in my home town a few years ago for electronic “junk”. Its sort of amazing how much waste we make. Out with the old and in with the new. The problem is, what do you do with all that we discard?

Technological Armageddon
Technological Armageddon

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: iPhone 4
  • Taken: 23 October, 2010
  • Focal length: 3.85mm
  • ISO: 80
  • Shutter speed: 1/180s
  • Title: Technological Armageddon

Instagram Favorites February – March 2017

Posted on April 10th, 2017 by

Instagram Favorites

GENERALLY, I do Instagram Favorites by 1/4 or 1/3 year. I decided to break up January by itself last week because I went so many palaces on my Round the World Journey! Most all of this post is from my trip to Amsterdam. It was a special place for me. I have a strong affinity for Europe in general, but I can’t say I have ever been a place as open and accepting (maybe SF), nor perhaps as happy as Amsterdam. There are a number of black and white shots…it just seemed to fit the city.

The smell that anyone will immediately know as books beautifully envelops you when you enter the #library. #museum #Amsterdam

A post shared by W Brian Duncan 🌎 Going Places (@ipbrian) on

Never underestimate the power of a person with a story to tell, no matter their age. #amsterdam

A post shared by W Brian Duncan 🌎 Going Places (@ipbrian) on

Instagram Favorites January 2017

Posted on April 3rd, 2017 by

Instagram Favorites

Near catastrophe has struck! On the advice of a few travelers I decided to switch to T-Mobile for my provider. I don’t currently have any international trips planned, but I feel like I need to get one on the books in the next month or two just to try out the international roaming!

My catastrophe is sort of a perfect storm really. I moved to iCloud backup recently, and didn’t have my new photos syncing to iCloud correctly. When I moved to the new phone, I did a backup with the intent of restoring it. Low and behold, the backup was corrupt so I ended up starting over completely with my new phone (never a bad idea), but I am MISSING all my photos from Dec of last year! These of course include a round the world trip AND a separate journey to Amsterdam. Luckily I HAVE the backups and am trying to find software that will read these properly. It’s not been easy. Anyway, these photos were loaded to Instagram so go CLOUD!

Exploring Angkor Wat

Posted on March 27th, 2017 by

Tomb Raider

Technically Tomb Raider was shot at Ta Prohm and this is Angkor Wat temple, but being American, I can’t help but tell you how much I felt like I was in a movie! Sure there were hoards of tourists and guides, but there is something amazing (and terrible) being able to freely explore this ancient temple complex!

Exploring Angkor Wat
Exploring Angkor Wat

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 21 January, 2017
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Exploring Angkor Wat

Inside Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, France

Posted on March 20th, 2017 by

Parisian Opulence

A quick photo today from Paris. Pamela and I made a rendezvous while I was on a trip around the world. She didn’t want to go on the entire jaunt, but when I said I was ending in Paris, she cashed in some award miles (January in Europe tends to be cheap as mileage awards go)! This is one of the many museums in Paris and is housed in a gorgeous mansion. I absolutely LOVE opulent home tours and this was absolutely beautiful!

Inside Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, France
Inside Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, France

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 26 January, 2017
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s
  • Title: Inside Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, France