Tag Archives: USA

Lanai Lookout Oahu

Posted on October 28th, 2013 by

Pulling off the Highway

I kept thinking…don’t make me stop this car…while driving around Ohau. The problem isn’t screaming kids in the back, but rather gorgeous views that are ALL over the island. Driving around the coast (or anywhere really) there always seems to be a new terrain, some new rock formation, a different type of beach to take in. It takes me FOREVER to get anywhere, but them again, on island time I don’t much care!

Lookout

This particular location is called Lanai Lookout. If you hop over the fence (normal in Hawaii for me) you are presented with a really wonderful rock formation where you can see the ocean eating away a layers of ancient, now cooled but once molten rock. Someone had spent a good deal of time in this spot and took the time to carve some sort of sun sigil in the stone formation.

Lanai Lookout Oahu
Lanai Lookout Oahu by W. Brian Duncan

Gritty Times Square

Posted on October 24th, 2013 by

Bright Lights, Big City

Oh Times Square. I visited in the early 90’s with my Mother and a friend…it was a much different place then. Mayor Giuliani in the mid-90’s decided to clean up all the adult novelty shops and strip clubs. When walked through we had previously visited Saks Fifth Avenue. We each had purchased something from the iconic store to say we had. A man in Time Square started yelling and following us.

“Ain’t nobody sleeping up on Fifth Avenue is they ladies!”

The whole time I was thinking…hey I’m not a lady! Anyway, Times Square is a very nice place to go at night these days as it’s almost as bright as day with all the signs. I tried to get some grit into the scene though as NYC seems like it should be a bit gritty.

Gritty Times Square
Gritty Times Square by W. Brian Duncan

Waikiki Lifeguard Stand

Posted on October 17th, 2013 by

Baywatch

I couldn’t help but think of David Hasselhoff when I came across the occasional lifeguard stand on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. I caught the 2E stand at sunset before following my monk friends down an ocean walkway. It really Waikiki is a wonderful place for a sunset if you can get over the cheesy beach vibe and overlook the throngs of tourists. It’s a great place to spend a bit of down time!

Waikiki Lifeguard Stand
Waikiki Lifeguard Stand by W. Brian Duncan

Overlooking Congress

Posted on October 7th, 2013 by

Oversight

I was looking back through photos this weekend and came across this one. I have a collection in Lightroom called “Needs More Work” and this photo from the Lincoln Memorial has been sitting there for some time. I have always been unhappy with the color in the original image. It was always a bit lifeless, but I immediately knew what needed to happen this week. I think it has been waiting patiently, but the shutdown finally made it clear to me.

I don’t often talk about the why of my images…I will be vague here, but here are some thoughts. This photo is shot from the side of the Lincoln Memorial. The reflecting pool is drained and work is being done to repair it from a freak earthquake. Lincoln has a wonderful view and looks to the statue of another man who had to fight to keep his country. Both overlook the Congress of the United States. which is slightly out of focus.

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

Abraham Lincoln
1st Inaugural Address
March 4, 1861

Overlooking Congress
Overlooking Congress by W. Brian Duncan

Waikiki Sunset

Posted on September 30th, 2013 by

Mahalo Sunset

One of my favorite things about Hawaii is watching the sunset over the water on a isolated beach. Now while you can’t really call Waikiki isolated, it is one fantastic spot to watch the sun sink below the ocean. And somehow when I walked down this little strip, I felt right with the world.

I should also mention that when I walked to the end I did so with a group of Buddhist monks visiting from Asia. I felt a bit awkward as I wasn’t quite sure the exact decorum. They seemed to not speak much English and they had a guide translating to English. I went all the way to the end to get some photos when a big wave came up and completely splashed me. I was done taking pictures as I walked by sopping wet, I said to the guide, “It’s much the same with life.”

HDR Photography
Waikiki Sunset by W. Brian Duncan

The Best Sunset in Honolulu

Posted on September 2nd, 2013 by

Awesome Sunsets

Happy Labor Day everyone! I hope everyone gets to get out and spend time in the sun one last time before the official end of summer. This photo was taken in Oahu at Puu Ualakaa State Park. There is a great overlook and not too many people. The trees were a bit tall for my liking, but you get a decent view regardless. I shot this as an HDR with multiple frames stitched together. I am afraid, because of its width, it displays smaller on the site. Click the photo below to get a slightly bigger version!

HDR Photography
The Best Sunset in Honolulu by W. Brian Duncan

The Rookery Elevators

Posted on August 22nd, 2013 by

Chicago Landmarks

Today’s photo comes from the Rookery Building in the heart of downtown Chicago. I was a bit surprised that they invited me in to photograph, I think from the general attitude they are used to patrons gawking. How can you not with all that marble and gold leaf. I was originally drawn to the site because it was refurbished at one point by Frank Lloyd Wright. The style isn’t prairie, but it sure it spectacular. My only regret was that so much of the building was off limits. Maybe one day I can coordinate some special access.

Sharing

Today Ken Kaminensky shared a posted called The Exact Dimensions for All Your Social Media Photos and Graphics. It was so useful that I felt it best to give him a tip of my hat! Enjoy.

HDR Photography
The Rookery Elevators by W. Brian Duncan

Rockefeller Center Wisdom

Posted on August 19th, 2013 by

Wisdom and Knowledge

At 30 Rockefeller Center you will find some of the great New York Art Deco Architectural Masterpieces. Outside the entrance to perhaps the most famous building in the center is a wonderful saying taken from Isaiah. If to only hope for one, but two…I think our time (like most) could use a bit of both.

HDR Photography
Rockefeller Center Wisdom by W. Brian Duncan

Hawaiian Sunflower

Posted on August 8th, 2013 by

Sunshine

A simple photo for today, but sometimes the most potent beauty can be discovered in simplicity. This simple sunflower was in a bucket at the O’ahu Saturday Farmers’ Market at Kapiolani Community College. There wasn’t any fanfare. It’s just a simple flower, but, there is also an exquisite beauty in its form. Just look at it. No. Really look at it. How can a thing be more perfect. A sunflower in the Hawaiian sun.

HDR Photography
Hawaiian Sunflower by W. Brian Duncan

Swiss Family Treehouse

Posted on August 5th, 2013 by

Disney Contrasts

I had a great time at Disney, but oddly one of the most exciting things for me (besides feeling a bit like a kid) was the contrasts at the Magic Kingdom. There were contrasts in families with some enveloped by exuberant excitement while others just seemed angry (“I am SICK of looking at you” I heard one mother yell at her toddler as she slammed down the stroller shade). There was the contrast in young and old, the contrast of groups and single people visiting the park like myself (though I think I was one of a few). I also loved seeing contrasts in the old and new rides. Some like its a small world seem ancient while Winnie the Pooh’s Adventure was really new and a bit trippy. These differences made the price of admission well worth it for me!

This is one of the older attractions at The Magic Kingdom, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. It was opened in 1971 not too old, not too new, but a good bit of stairway fun!

Travel Photography
Swiss Family Treehouse by W. Brian Duncan