Category Archives: USA

Amazing Photography of The United States of America

A Walk Above the Clouds in Maui

Posted on October 17th, 2016 by

Higher Then the Heavens

My parents are planning a trip to Hawaii which made me latch onto this photo of the first time Pamela and I went to Maui. One of the MUST do things is a sunrise atop Haleakala. After the light show, Pamela and I visited the visitors center. Then we set out for a hike around and into the volcano’s crater. There are periods up there when you are outside, the sun beating down on you and the clouds roll in and you realize, you are looking down on a part of the heavens.

A Walk Above the Clouds in Maui
A Walk Above the Clouds in Maui

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 22 July, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/500s
  • Title: A Walk Above the Clouds in Maui

Chicago Stock Exchange Building

Posted on September 12th, 2016 by

Troves of Treasure

It not an inexpensive prospect to visit The Art Institute of Chicago. One of the best options is Bank of America’s Museums on Us program (assuming you are an account holder and the museum is participating). This arch from the Chicago Stock Exchange Building is but one exquisite piece of history contained inside. If you do go plan on at LEAST a half day for a quick breeze through. If you love art and history, be prepared to spend as much time as you can!

Chicago Stock Exchange Building
Chicago Stock Exchange Building

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 12 October, 2012
  • Focal length: 25mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Chicago Stock Exchange Building

The NBC Rainbow Room

Posted on September 5th, 2016 by

Surreality

The first time you visit New York City, I think you can’t help but feel like you are in a television show (or movie). So much of film and television history is set in The Big Apple, it’s a bit like a world that is only in the fantasy box called the television is somehow magically brought to life. Spending most of the early 90’s watching SNL, I am always excited going to Rockefeller Center. First because of the amazing Art Deco archatecture and second because its the home of NBC studios! On one trip, the street was shutdown and Tracy Jordan was outside filming a scene for 30 Rock. Again, NYC is at time EXACTLY like a television show…because it is!

The NBC Rainbow Room
The NBC Rainbow Room

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 22 October, 2012
  • Focal length: 28mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/160s
  • Title: The NBC Rainbow Room

Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago

Posted on August 29th, 2016 by

Nautical Skies

I say it time and time again, look up! I was wondering Michigan Avenue in Chicago with Pamela on one of our first visits to Downtown Chicago together and we walked by Neiman Marcus and I thought…oooh swanky department store! I didnt really need anything, but I did as I often suggest and was rewarded by a quick look around. What a wonderful skylight!

Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago
Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/13
  • Camera: Canon EOS 20D
  • Taken: 6 August, 2008
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s
  • Title: Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago

Welcome to The Sears Tower

Posted on August 15th, 2016 by

DA BEARS

When I was in High School we (the band) took a trip to The Windy City. SNL was one of my favorite things back then so Chicago held a particular fascination simply for the accent people sometimes have in the home of da bears. I was to my disappointment that MOST people I encountered had not one iota of the accent…until I went to the Sears Tower. The lady who hosted the film on the building’s construction sounded like she WAS the original Super Fan! “Welcome to Da Sears Tower. Please watch your step,” she intoned. It stopped me dead in my tracks in the door of the theater. I looked at her opened mouthed and finally asked if she could please say “DA BEARS” for me. She didn’t skip a beat and in the same wonderful accent said, “No…Move along sir! Welcome to Da Sears Tower.” Somehow that was even better than I could have anticipated and something I will never forget.

P.S. To me, it will always be The Sears Tower!

Welcome to The Sears Tower
Welcome to The Sears Tower

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 October, 2011
  • Focal length: 50mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Welcome to The Sears Tower

Price Tower Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Posted on August 8th, 2016 by

Master Architects

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of those architects I would drive out of my way to see. Price Tower is an extremely unique in that it is to my knowledge the only “sky scraper” Wright ever created. On a trip to Oklahoma City for a basketball game, Pamela and I decided to make a detour to see this wonderful building. Sadly it was amazingly strong sun when we were there. Photos of the inside are off limits (BOO). Even in the strong sun, even denied interior photos, the building is still amazing. Everywhere you look you see more and more little details that on first inspection you miss. If you love architecture like I do, and you are even close to Bartlesville, OK stop by and take the tour (be sure to check for times)!

Price Tower Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Price Tower Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/640s
  • Title: Price Tower Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Funk!

Posted on July 14th, 2016 by

Eating at the Bar

When I solo travel (and other times with Pamela) I have found it super helpful when going to busy restaurants to get a seat at the bar. Most places serve their full menu at these easy to obtain seats, plus you get the benefit of all the goings on of the bar. Many restaurants soul flows through this hub and it’s a fun place to have a conversation and see what really happens in this place. This is one of the bar stools at Flatbread Company, one of my favorite places to eat in Maui. While you might find cheaper fare on the island, you will be hard presses to find better pizza most anywhere.

Funk!
Funk!

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 26 July, 2012
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/250s
  • Title: Funk!

Archives of The United States Of America

Posted on July 4th, 2016 by

Happy Birthday America!

Happy 4th of July everyone! This photo was taken on the same trip as the one I released last Thursday. I was meandering aimlessly around the mall. “What is that building?”, I thought to myself as I walked generally toward it. I did one of those stop in your tracks sort of moves when I realized it was the Archives of the United States of America! It was almost closing time and I only had about 15 minutes to go through. No photography is allowed because of the delicate nature of the documents held inside. It is quite a thing to see in person the founding documents of our Nation. Though I serendipitous discovered the archives, I would highly recommend not missing them!

Archives of The United States Of America
Archives of The United States Of America

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 22mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/1000s
  • Title: Archives of The United States Of America

Image of a Tree in the Sun

Posted on June 30th, 2016 by

Skeletal Tree

I almost missed the Washington D.C. Mall sculpture garden of the National Gallery of Art. I happened along it after visiting the National Archives and was headed at near the end of the day to the Metro station that pops out in the Mall. As I walked by I was immediately drawn in wondering how on Earth I had always missed this fantastic stroll! This tree sculpture is called “Graft” and it is by the artist Roxy Paine. It’s always interesting to see artists other works when they are this iconic. I noticed on my first visit, another of Paine’s sculptures adorns the entry to Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas. This D.C. trip I found the skeletal tree at just the right time of evening for a fun shot, playing off the sunset.

Image of a Tree in the Sun
Image of a Tree in the Sun

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/1250s
  • Title: Image of a Tree in the Sun

The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Posted on June 20th, 2016 by

Space Flight

The impressive Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the incomparable collection of the Smithsonian, has this beast as one of its central attractions. The are bigger planes, more historically significant flying machines, few hold the mystique of the space shuttle. This is the back end of Discovery, who’s history is chronicled through the display. Seeing a shuttle that close, seeing what are the scars of it battle on re-entry, is a truly a huge bit of awe that I hope anyone interested in flight gets to witness.

The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery
The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 29 May, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/100s
  • Title: The Back End of the Space Shuttle Discovery