Tag Archives: USA

Union Station Washington D.C.

Posted on September 6th, 2012 by

Trains

I love trains. The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of my Uncle Patrick. When I was a boy, my uncle had the most wonderful model railroading sets in the upstairs of my Grandparents home. They were always in a constant state of construction and I am not sure I ever saw one of these designs ever finished. To my 9 year old eyes, however, they were the most amazing creations in the world. As I grew up, I half created my own versions of these same mechanical marvels. I too never quite finished the complete design, but from youth I still carry the love of all things locomotive.

A New Life

What happens to these grand old buildings is a current fascination wrought from the same love of that 9 year old boy. It seems after the trains stop running and the buildings have served their original purpose, only one of a handful of lives are left for these depots. In Kansas City and Paris, both Union Station and d’Orsay respectively, have become Museums (the latter being one of the most celebrated in the world). In Washington D.C. a different fate has come to its Union Station, though you can still see its soul through all the shine. She IS still.

HDR Photography
Union Station Washington D.C. by W. Brian Duncan

Heart Shaped Rock

Posted on August 30th, 2012 by

Nature

Before taking our recent trip to Maui, I asked around on the Interwebs if people had any specific recommendations of places not to miss on the island. My friend Destination David suggested the Nakalele Blowhole. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when we decided to go. First we happened to be in Kahului (which I always called the airport town) and we logically approached the blowhole from the east. This is apparently a road only people who LIVE on the road actually attempt to drive on. It was largely one lane, with VERY steep drop offs…I LOVED IT! The hike to the blowhole is steep, dangerous, likely to cause injury and oh so worth it (Don’t be like me…heed the signs and turn back from certain death).

Crazy Formations

The blowhole is a site we will surely explore in another post, but in this one I wanted to highlight an interesting heart shaped rock you will see if you turn around from being awed by the force of the blowhole. I have been unable to find information about whether this rock is a result of the awesome power of the ocean, or if someone purposefully carved this into the rock. I would love to know, so if you have some supportable documentation please post it below in the comments!

HDR Photography
Heart Shaped Rock by W. Brian Duncan

Volcanic Sunrise

Posted on August 27th, 2012 by

Inferno in the Sky

It was the most glorious sunrise I have every witnessed. If you visit Maui, the Haleakalā National Park visit is at the top of my recommended list. It’s an extremely early trip. We were staying in Kihei, so it was about a two hour drive to the summit of the volcano. As we neared the time of sunrise, we continued to wind forever up, up the road. The sky continued to change ever more interesting colors and hues and I had a hard time not watching the specical, but rather keeping my eyes on the dangerous road.

Ranger Blocked

As we neared the top, a ranger stopped everyone saying the summit was full. Were were told we couldn’t go to the summit and instead would have to stop at the Kalahaku Overlook. I was terribly distraught by this at first, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The summit would have been terribly crowded and I would have been very restricted as to where I could put my tripod. At the overlook, no one seemed to care. I actually hiked way out to the rim of the volcano. This photo was at the very start of sunrise, from the official overlook. Get up even earlier then you think you need to, the sky changes wonderful colors WAY before the official sunrise time.

Technicals

This is a three shot bracket (-2, 0, +2) combined in Photomatix. I then did some exposure blending in Photoshop to really bring back in the blackness of the sky. I love sky gradients where there is a change in light (or an absence in this case). I then used the Nik Suite to add contract and clarity, and perform sharpening. The final exits were done in Lightroom.

HDR Photography
Volcanic Sunrise by W. Brian Duncan

The Gateway Arch

Posted on August 23rd, 2012 by

Less an Abstract Arch

The first photo I published from the St Louis Arch was a bit on the abstract side. I took a number of photos really close up on the arch, they still feel like the arch to me, but they also don’t scream out ARCH! With this photo I wanted to bring a more concrete feel, but still give a different perspective then we usually see. I tried to frame the arch so it feels different with a strong and different graphic flow. I have more of this series I would like to work on…the sky that day had a wonderful cloud system overhead and a deep blue feel.

Technicals

This is a three bracket (-2, 0, 2) shot on a Canon 5D Mark II with a Really Right Stuff Tripod, combined in Photomatix, processed quite a bit in Photoshop and the Nik suite, finished in Lightroom 4.

HDR Photography
The Gateway Arch by W. Brian Duncan

Dawn at the U.S. Capitol Building

Posted on August 20th, 2012 by

Impressing Sites

I love traveling and I find myself awake at some crazy times trying to get photos. Dawn at the U.S. Capitol was no different. For whatever reason Starbucks in D.C. didnt open at first light and I was down a coffee. I showed up to the Capitol Building grounds with my camera and tripod certain I would beat everyone and get in a bit of time with three legs of contraband camera support before I was shooed off. I was right about no one being around. With the exception of one or two joggers and a gaggle of Capitol Guard it was just me. I hate it when people cite safety as a concern when NO ONE is around, but that is exactly what happened. Sir, you cant use a tripod here, its not safe for the other guests. I think she even realized I pay her salary.

Technicals

This was a handheld 3 bracket (-2, 0, +2) combined in Photomatix, edited in Photoshop and Nik, finished in Lightroom 4.

HDR Photography
Dawn at the U.S. Capitol Building by W. Brian Duncan

Ocean Kayaks in Maui

Posted on August 9th, 2012 by

Colorful Ocean Vessels

One of “the shots” I wanted visiting Maui was one of a bunch of long boards lined up to dry. The only place I saw this was some dude’s (it had to be a dude) house along the Hana Highway who had made a fence out of old surf boards. I felt a bit funny stopping along the side of the busy road to take this photo so I “settled” for this shot. From a hotel in Kihei I found this little storage place where the kayaks stay at night. They were just oh so colorful and the early morning light was interesting to me. I hope you all enjoy!

Technicals

This is a three shot bracket (-2, 0, +2) combined in photomatix, exported to photoshop, enhanced with the Nik Suite and finished in Lightroom.

HDR Photography
Ocean Kayaks in Maui by W. Brian Duncan

Sunset in Maui

Posted on August 6th, 2012 by

Sun-Wow!

On the first day in Maui, we were treated to one of nature’s spectacular light shows. This is why I take pictures. Our first night was perhaps the best sunset of the week. From our vantage point in South Maui, you can see the western side of Maui to the right and the smaller island of Lana’i off in the distance to the left of the sunset. We happened to hit the beach our first day when the sun fell directly in between the two islands. Serendipity! Maui is a bit like Paris in that getting good photos is like shooting fish in a barrel. When beauty abounds how can you not succeed. I wonder if paradise becomes so commonplace for the general inhabitants of the islands that they don’t often stop and recognize how spectacular everything is around them…of course the same thing could be said of people in the Ozarks.

Technicals

This is a 9 shot bracket (-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3) combined in Photomatix. Edited in lightroom for some initial corrections, Photoshop, the Nik Suite, then back to Lightroom for finishup. Total processing time was around 2 hours.

HDR Photography
Sunset in Maui by W. Brian Duncan

The Hidden Church

Posted on July 30th, 2012 by

Where Are We?

Pamela and I went for a day-trip to Eureka Springs Arkansas just to mill around, shop and take photos. While visiting the Historic Crescent Hotel we noticed this little building behind the hotel. What in the world is that building? As it turns out, there is a small Catholic church nestled behind the old hotel dedicated to St. Elizabeth. Its a beautiful little stop if you happen to be in Eureka Springs. The grounds are fantastically manacured and the church, though less exciting when you compare it to some of the Gothic masterpieces like Notre Dame, is none-the-less beautiful.

Technicals

This is a 9 exposure bracket (-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) shot directly at the sun on a tripod. The bracket was combined on photomatix exported and cleaned up in Photoshop. Tonal contract and sharpening were applied with the Nik Suite. Final adjustments were done in Lightroom.

HDR Photography
The Hidden Church by W. Brian Duncan

Downtown St Louis at Dusk

Posted on July 26th, 2012 by

Pretty Light

I am a sucker for a good sunset (and a good sunrise really). We were by the St Louis Arch doing some photographing of the arch, when it turned all pink. I turned around when Pamela said…”Woah, look at that!” The sky over downtown St Louis had gone all…awesome! I and several other photographers setup shots quickly (you never know how long these things will last). I think I missed the peak color by a few minutes, but you wouldn’t know from the shot.

Technicals

This is a three shot HDR (-2, 0, +2) combined in Photomatix. It was edited in Photoshop, Nik Color EFX Pro, Sharpener Pro and Lightroom 4.

HDR Photography
Downtown St Louis at Dusk by W. Brian Duncan

Big Crosses

Posted on July 23rd, 2012 by

Jesus

While visiting Bentonville, Arkansas and one of the cooler American History Museums in the country Crystal Bridges we went down to eat pizza at this crazy place that had a mirrored ’70’s VW bug rotating on the ceiling like a disco ball (yes full sized). On the way we spotted this church with these CRAZY big crosses. They are much taller than the church. This was a photo meant to be taken. I am much more inclined to photograph Gothic and very old Roman Catholic Cathedrals, simply because I find them beautiful. I usually pay less attention to the things we build in the states, but they too are an interesting statement about the faith of people. Enjoy.

Technicals

This is a one shot photo edited entirely in Lightroom 4.

Photography
Big Crosses by W. Brian Duncan