Life among the ruins…

 

I’ve been overwhelmed in recent months with a variety of photographic pursuits–all of them interesting, exciting, and some involving new skills and adventures–so my blog has been a tad quiet, comparatively speaking. But with the new year upon us now, I am refreshed and ready to get back on track. To inaugurate 2014, I have been dipped back into a wealth of images that I created earlier this year during a visit to Philadelphia.

For many people, both in the U.S. and worldwide, Philly conjures up such things as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and other iconic Americana. And yes, that’s all there. But artistically speaking, there is so much more. This image is one of my favorites from a series shot at Eastern State Penitentiary. Yes, an abandoned federal prison, with a history as rich with stories and flavor as any you’ll find in the U.S. criminal justice system. Al Capone made his residence here, along with a thousands of others from its inception as a model prison in 1829 to the day it’s doors were finally closed in 1971. It’s an eerie place, to be sure–all cells have sat untouched for the last four decades, the ghosts of those inhabitants somehow still inside. This photo is taken inside the front central wall of the prison yard and to me, is a testament of the idea that life goes on; this small tree, somehow rooting and taking a foothold at the very top of the wall, where it can breathe in life on the other side.

The photograph below, shows the same wall from a slightly different perspective. In color, one can truly see the vestiges of life, moss, weeds, and the little tree, ekeing out existence among the ruins. One can only hope a few of the previous residents at Eastern State, were as lucky. Hope you enjoy…

 

If a tree falls…

 

So regarding the age-old philosophical question: “If a tree falls and no one is there, does it make a sound?” Well, if you are in the nearby vicinity, the answer is “yes!” An ear-splitting crack, actually. Last night, we had the spookiest weather imaginable for Halloween night, with 20-30 mile wind gusts that shook the foundations of the homes and… apparently some longstanding oaks as well. It’s easy to see how this one could not withstand the buffeting of the wind, which went on for several hours on end. Nature sure had fun welcoming in November around here!

Passages…

 

I’ve always found solace in trees. Their steadfast nature helps me feel grounded and strong, especially during times of transitions in my life. If I ever feel troubled, all I have to do is gaze at the lovely upward curving branches of a tree. I can’t help but absorb their hopeful optimism, as they stretch and grow, perennially reaching for the sky, while staying firmly rooted on the earth. Hope you enjoy…

New year, new vision…

 

The new year is perennially cause for reflection as well as celebration, as many of us take stock of where we’ve been, our accomplishments, milestones,  joys and sorrows, and with indomitable spirit, try to look optimistically at the  potential for the year ahead. No matter what happens in my life, one constant is my love for my family, and my passion for photography. Those two things are my emotional anchors–one force completely selfless; the other, admittedly, entirely self-absorbed. Luckily my family understands my creative drive, fuels it, supports it, and helps me celebrate it when I create something I am proud of. It’s the perfect balance to my life.

This year I am committed to continue pushing myself technically and creatively, to challenge myself with new places, subjects, and tools, as I embrace my passion for communicating thought, feeling, and emotion through photography.  It’s a never-ending quest; one that poses infinite possibilities with a new door ready to walk through, every day. Welcome 2013, and Happy New Year!

Winter’s WOW factor…

 

Autumn seems to be all about color. Once those green tones of summer begin to evolve into shades of orange, red, rust, and yellow, photographers (me included) leap to our feet, run about madly and try to soak up the color like a sponge–often shooting hue, instead of true composition. You can’t help it, and I am as guilty as the rest. But then December kicks in, and those remaining leaves are dull brown, the skies often turn blustery or gray, and we are left wondering where it all went.

Luckily, the onset of winter brings another dazzling subject–those dusky winter skies. I am no meteorologist, but I assume the tilt of the earth’s axis as we enter the winter solstice gives the sun’s rays that searing ability to blaze through the clouds and offer some of the most gorgeous, breathtaking sunsets of the year. No matter what the scientific reason, I am literally gasping for breath every time a scene like the one above explodes on the landscape, making even an ordinary setting like my backyard look like a scene-stealing broadway star. Now, that’s WOW factor! Hope you enjoy…

Hollywood’s earthly delights…

 

This is a post that harkens a theme I draw upon quite a lot–inspiration is everywhere. This beautiful eucalyptus tree was captured on a recent sightseeing trip in a city more famous for its concrete jungle than its natural scenic beauty: Los Angeles. In fact, this was not even taken at one of the state or national parks near the city, but rather it was smack in the middle of the Hollywood Bowl, a stone’s throw away from the tangle of interstates and byways that envelop LA’s urban landscape. The majority of our six-day visit had been spent inside movie studios, pounding the pavement at tourist sites and otherwise exploring the city life of one of the country’s great cities, and one of our last stops was to see in person the structure that has for more than 70 years, been home to some of the best musical concerts on earth. While wandering down to the stage area to take a look around, I couldn’t help but gaze upward at these magnificent natural wonders. This one, in particular, had the wow factor that took me aback–a true Hollywood star. Hope you enjoy…

Days all aglow…

 

Scrumptious color, everywhere I look these past weeks. We’ve had a particularly long, beautiful run of color this autumn in Middle Tennessee, which has drawn me outside, camera in hand, like a bee to honey. It’s truly irresistible. I love it when a tree like this maple is bursting with warm reds and golds, which creates a canopy of brilliant warm tones below. Even the trunk is glowing. As I was standing underneath, shooting upward, leaf after leaf dropped down around me, reminding me that these days are fleeting. Time to savor, appreciate, and shoot. Hope you enjoy…

Nature at her best…

 

I was recently perusing some of the photographs I tool while on a walk through Muir Woods last year, and just the sight of those giant, lumbering trunks, the shafts of sunlight pushing their way through the thick foliage to offer twinkling beams in between the branches, made me wish I could close my eyes and teleport back there for just one more look. I was there on a family trip and it was a relatively quick walk through the forest, but certainly enough time to drink it in, and take a few shots I am thankful for. Interestingly, while the shots of the towering giants are probably the ones that capture the most iconic memories, the one above perhaps captures the essence of Muir best for me. While the striking Sequoia may be the stars, the rest of the forest was to me, equally delightful. The lush ferns, thick with morning dew and spiderwebs, the sprouting young Sequoia, pushing through the undergrowth to begin a life that will surely last longer than several generations of my own, and the fuzzy moss that provides a moist blanket on every living surface–these also resonate in my mind, and refresh my soul like a long, cool drink. Hope you also enjoy…

Looking up…waaay up…

 

I took a trip recently to the amazing Sedona area and was not disappointed in the gorgeous landscape and scenery of the desert Southwest! With only  a day trip’s worth of time to shoot, my subjects were fairly well known but I still tried my best to capture some creative images. This shot was taken at the popular tourist spot known as Montezuma’s Castle–an ancient cliff dwelling of the Sinagua Indians carved into the sandstone. While the dwelling is indeed impressive from a historic and cultural basis, what captured my attention photographically were the giant white sycamores that populated the ground below, their stature and gleaming albino bark making a sizzling contrast to the deep azure sky above. I was tantalized with so many image possibilities! I could have remained here for hours but in my 30 minute stay, managed to come away with at least a few photographs that recall this unique beauty and experience. This composition captures the dizzying perspective of looking from the base of one of the white giants to the cliffs above. I hope this translates to others as well! Hope you enjoy…

Evening repose…

Winter skies… gotta love them. This is another shot from my backyard in suburbia. Nothing profound; however, it’s just nice to be able to step outside my back door and know that nature’s wonders are bountiful and ever-present, if you just stop, look, and shoot. Hope you enjoy…