Tag Archives: USA

Gateway to Tomorrowland

Posted on August 4th, 2014 by

Tomorrowland

I visited Walt Disney World last year and of course The Magic Kingdom was my favorite part. I am pretty partial to Tomorrowland. I love the 1950-60’s version of what tomorrow should look like. Walt was in many ways a visionary, not only in the field of entertainment, but also in the way he constantly pushed. We are talking a trip out to Anaheim and will visit Disneyland during our short stay. That park, that started a new empire, was put together on a shoestring budget. The company practically went broke building the park, and it could only operate at the behest of corporate sponsors, but despite the risk and despite near calamity, Disney saw what others would not. He accomplished what only he could. He built his own future.

Gateway to Tomorrowland
Gateway to Tomorrowland

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The Irish Hunger Memorial in New York City

Posted on July 28th, 2014 by

Finding Memorials

I sometimes think I am drawn to odd places. When I travel these days, I usually like to do only a bare amount of research. I of course have to make it to the BIG sights, but I leave a huge portion of my adventures entirely to serendipity. This was the case with today’s photo location. We were staying in NYC down by Battery Park and within is a 1/2 acre site dedicated to the remembrance of the Great Irish Famine. Outside of Ireland, we know this as the Irish Potato Famine and OF COURSE there is a memorial in NYC dedicated to this tragedy of the mid-1800’s! This is actually a very cool site and Pamela and I stopped by during the day and night to see it’s different sides. This is a close-up of one of the outer walls of the structure. The whole memorial is something to see…if you happen to be milling around lower Manhattan.

The Irish Hunger Memorial in New York City
The Irish Hunger Memorial in New York City

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Dawn Over Haleakala Maui, Hawaii

Posted on July 24th, 2014 by

Revisiting Previous Works

Photography for me, is about exploration, experimentation and finding that photo in my mind. It’s how I recall my life…as photos. Some of the more magical moments are often hard to express. What I see, and prehaps more importantly what I remember seeing is very different that what the camera sees. Saturation changes based on the exposure, for instance.

Our technology despite being marvelous, is a poor substitute for what nature can produce and what our brain can see and recall. I tend to not go back to images or scenes unless they are completely different, but today, I am making an exception. The last dawn over Haleakala photo I felt was too saturated and I used a variety of new techniques to product today’s version. Tell me what you think, which version do you like best and do you revisit photos to work on them again?

Dawn Over Haleakala Maui, Hawaii
Dawn Over Haleakala Maui, Hawaii

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The Dry Sierra Nevada Mountains, July 2014

Posted on July 21st, 2014 by

California Drought

I was really surprised by just how bad the drought is in California. During our visit to Fresno we took a picnic with some of Pamela’s family up to Grant’s Grove in King’s Canyon. It and the Sequoia National Monument are some of my favorite places on the planet. There is something powerful about those giant trees, something about their eternity. We are born, and we die, but it’s only a moment for them. They are ever living.

All things though, have weakness and as we drove towards King’s Canyon (away from Grant’s Grove and into the Sierra Nevada), it became apparent the rampant danger California faces with the years long drought (since nearly 2010). The entire landscape of California seemed scorched, ravaged by the unrelenting sun and the lack of precious water. Much of the produce we enjoy around the country is kept alive on irrigation and water rights. I worry for the farmers who make their living in California. I am sad and disgusted by the pollution we have created. Mostly I fear for my trees, if our wanton greed and destruction should damage the Sequoia Groves we not only lose one of our greatest National treasures, we lose part of eternity.

The Dry Sierra Nevada Mountains, July 2014
The Dry Sierra Nevada Mountains, July 2014

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Old Signs in Fresno, CA

Posted on July 14th, 2014 by

Finding Your Way

I found these old signs in Fresno, CA when visiting Pamela’s family. They took us to a place called Simonian Farms where there is a wonderful collection of random old stuff.

Perhaps it’s the raw amount I travel, but I have found myself fascinated with signs. I seem to photograph them all the time. When I was on my first trip, my Mom said, “Brian, just look up at the signs, follow them and you will be OK.”

That’s good advice for traveling and life in general really. Keep your head up. Be observant (read the signs). Everything will be OK.

I have always remembered that piece of advice and I have always seemed to find my way.

Old Signs in Fresno, CA
Old Signs in Fresno, CA

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Multnomah Falls in the Rain

Posted on July 10th, 2014 by

Another Kind of Work

I visited Washington and Oregon on a work trip for my day job. When I realized that Malthomah Falls was close by I was so excited I couldn’t hardly contain myself. I kept dropping hints to my co-worker Drew that we HAD to stop at some point (we drove by several times). Luckily we had time on one of the return trips and despite a pretty steady rain, I somehow convinced everyone to stop. The wind was very strong that day and was causing a huge amount of spray from the falls. I ended up cleaning my lens every shot to try to get something without smears. In the end, especially given the weather, I think I found something interesting.

Multnomah Falls in the Rain
Multnomah Falls in the Rain

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Curb Your Dog’s Enthusiasm

Posted on June 26th, 2014 by

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

I have to admit that I really love taking photos of odd things, and these oddities do occasionally make it onto the blog. From street art in Buenos Aires, to The Post Alley Gum Wall in Seattle, oddities that make me stop and go…hmmmm I wonder why someone did this…are some of my favorite travel finds. Technically, these street art masterpieces are graffiti or considered defacement by many. Enter this little sign…Curb Your Dog. I don’t know if this New York City sign is standard (it’s the only one I saw) around NYC, but someone had a clever idea to deface it.

Curb Your Dog's Enthusiasm
Curb Your Dog’s Enthusiasm

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Footprints in the Sand of Honokalani Black Sand Beach in Maui, Hawaii

Posted on June 23rd, 2014 by

Footprints in the Sand

Maui was the first Hawaiian island Pamela and I visited. We went before I started traveling heavily and it’s still easily one of my favorite places on Earth. Looking back, many of my favorite places have been one’s I discovered with Pamela. I love exploring on my own. I think it is a basal need for me, but when you share your journey with the right partner, it makes life better.

This particular beach in Maui, Honokalani Black Sand Beach is located near the town of Hana in the Wainapanapa State Park. We took the road to Hana that day and found this gem towards the end of a day of magical Hawaiian wonder. Easily, this beach was our favorite part, not only of the Road to Hana drive, but our entire trip! This place was pure joy the day we visited. Like footprints in the sand, so too are our lives. Enjoy those moments of bliss no matter if you find them on a black sand beach half-way around the globe or if they materialize in your own backyard.

Footprints on Honokalani Black Sand Beach in Maui, Hawaii
Footprints on Honokalani Black Sand Beach in Maui, Hawaii

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/2.8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 23 July, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Location: 20° 47.3383′ 0″ N 156° 0.2118′ 0″ W
  • Shutter speed: 1/3200s
  • Title: Footprints on Honokalani Black Sand Beach in Maui, Hawaii

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

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