Storm Over Cedar Point....

Before going out to dinner in Sandusky (my favorite pizza place!), we decided to stop over at the Sandusky Sailing Club to see if there might be a good view of Cedar Point.

Well, a neat storm was passing over Lake Erie, which made for a pretty dramatic scene.  I really like how the stormy clouds are contrasted by the bright clouds underneath and to the left.

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 40mm)

Thanks!

Brian

More Church Interiors....

About three weeks ago, I posted a blog showing Saint Paul's Episcopal Church.

During the same day that I photographed that church, I managed to photograph three others.....

Saint Paul's Catholic Church.  Norwalk, Ohio

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm)

Edison Memorial United Methodist Church.  Milan, Ohio

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm) 

First Baptist Church.  Norwalk, Ohio

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm) 

Thanks!

Brian

Huron River Greenway

The Huron River Greenway is a 6 mile trail going from Huron to Milan, Ohio.

My son and I took a nice hike along this trail not too long ago, but 6-year-old-legs only made it so far before we had to head back.  I came back with my camera last night to get the images below.  I'll be heading back again soon.  I checked on Google Earth, and there promises to be some pretty neat spots farther along this trail.

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 19mm)

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 27mm) 

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 27mm) 

Thanks!

Brian

Kenyon College

I really haven't done a lot with sunrise photos, and I'm not sure why.  I think that during the week, I just don't want to get up real early in addition to my normal routine.  And then on the weekends, I suppose I like to sleep in!   Or maybe I'm just as happy photographing sunsets.  Or maybe I've just been lazy about it.  :)

Regardless, during a visit to my parents, I woke up around 5:00 am, and couldn't get back to sleep.  So I decided to just head out to Gambier, where the Kenyon College Campus is located, and see what I could photograph.

Well, it was pretty cloudy.  I only ended up with one photo involving the sunrise, as the sun was mostly hidden by the clouds.  But the clouds were nice and dreamy, and the gentle light made for some decent photographs.

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 21mm)

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 23mm)

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 21mm)

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm)

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church

In a previous blog post, I had photographed the exterior of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Norwalk, OH.

Here is the photo that I had previously published...

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 10mm)

By the look of this church from the outside, I really wanted to get inside, as I was sure that the interior would be phenomenal.  I don't know when this church was built, but I'd like to do more homework.  I'm thinking that it's awfully old.  Well, back when I got this exterior shot, the doors were locked, so the interior would have to wait.

As a photographer, I have a strategy for getting church interior shots.  Saturdays are usually best.  Not only is this good for my schedule, but there are rarely members of the congregation in the church on that day, and there are usually employees or volunteers inside getting things ready for Sunday that I can chat with and get permission.  This particular Saturday was very important for me, as I anticipated that lots of churches would have their Easter flowers and decorations all set up, and they would have their presentation at it's very best.  I actually visited four churches today, so stay tuned for some other nice shots from this day in future posts.

I will always look for the church office first, and see if I can find someone.  I'm always super friendly, and explain that I'm a photographer.  I'll hand over my business card and kindly ask if I can photograph the interior of the church.  I've never been turned down, and in almost all cases, people are very very friendly.  If I don't find anyone, then I'll just do my thing and get out quickly.  If someone does come in while I'm photographing, I just explain that I looked around, but couldn't find anyone to ask permission, and kindly ask if what I'm doing is OK.  Again, I've never been told no. 

Today, some very nice ladies were prepping Saint Paul's for tomorrows big day when I came in.  They were awfully nice.  I did give them my business card, and mentioned that they should check out my website in the next few days for some photos.  So if the kind ladies from Saint Paul's are reading this-----Big Thanks!

Well, the interior of this church did not disappoint.....

 (5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 20mm)

 (5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm)

 (5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 21mm)

I did get some other great shots from about four other churches today, so expect to see some more church interior shots on future blog posts!

Thanks

Brian

Trey Ratcliff at Kent State

Trey Ratcliff is an amazing photographer.  He runs www.stuckincustoms.com.  I've always looked up to his work as well as his philosophies on art and life in general. 

I do my best to keep up with him through his blog, interviews, and any presentation of his that I can find to learn from him.  Anytime that he's speaking on photography or art, I always pay attention.

He offers a full nine-hour course on HDR photography.  I've taken the course.  The vast majority of my skills with HDR photography and photography in general has been a result of this course, and his teachings in general.

Well, when I heard that he was giving a talk at Kent State, I jumped in my car and made the 1.5 hour drive.

I got a chance to walk around the campus a bit and get a couple of shots, but the highlight was hearing Trey's talk regarding art in a digital age, and the meet-and-greet afterwards.

 

I did get my copy of his book signed, had a quick chat, and shook his hand.  Super-nice guy.

I did manage to get a shot of the auditorium before it got really packed...
(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm)

And also a decent shot of one of the campus buildings....

(5 Exposures at F11, ISO 100, 17mm)

If you are a photographer, and want to learn a bit about HDR photography, I highly recommend heading over to stuckincustoms.com.  He does offer a great free HDR tutorial.

Thanks!

Brian

Manhatten Beach Marriot

We recently had a business trip that took us to LA.

Unfortunately, these business trips rarely allow us to get much time to do other things such photography.

But I did manage to get some shots in and around the hotel.

(5 Exposures at F10, ISO 100, 16mm)

(5 Exposures at F10, ISO 100, 10mm)

(5 Exposures at F10, ISO 100, 16mm)

Thanks!

Brian