I honestly couldn’t remember which city this was form unit I zoomed in on the bus. Either I’m getting too old or there have been too many trips. It has to be age because you can never have too many trips.
G Wagon
Last weekend, @teamshutterrush (minus one of our members, who will remain unnamed…..Jake!!!!) was in Pittsburgh filming the third episode for our Shutter Rush series on Amazon Prime. If you haven’t watched the first two episodes, please do and while you’re at it, please rate it a “5”.
Anyway, we conducted an urban vehicle shoot with this G Wagon and a bright red Ford 150. I thought the red Ford was ugly, but I know some people will love it and I have to admit, it really popped in the photos. In addition, we completed some cityscape photography, urban exploration and a special photo shoot that is a top-secret surprise we’ll save for the film. Good stuff!!!! It was great to get out with the team and capture some photos since our last Shutter Rush location was photographed/filmed in early March right before the COVID lock downs.
This was my first professional vehicle photo shoot, which was good fun. I’m not super happy with my edits on the photo below, but it was nice learning how to setup the vehicle, lighting and other vehicle photo tips from @jasonpohuski and I look forward to trying this again….
To view a larger version, click HERE
Luminar AI
Ready, set, go! Yesterday we entered a new era of photo editing. Skylum officially announced the next big leap in photo editing, which is Luminar AI. This huge advancement in photo editing will not only speed up the boring process, but make your images look great.
Skylum is accepting preorders with Early Bird pricing for the first 30,000 photographers worldwide. It’ll be $59 with loyalty discount (for those who have purchased any previous version of Luminar or Aurora HDR) and it will include access to Luminar AI Insiders community. It is priced at $69 for new customers, who also get access to the Luminar AI Insiders community.
After the first 30,000 copies are sold, Luminar AI will cost $74 for new customers and $64 with the Loyalty customers.
You can preorder Luminar AI HERE. Have fun and enjoy improved photo editing!!!
You learn and see the software, watch the video below.
Shutter Rush
As some of you know, I covered the Steelers’ last game of the season in Baltimore (along with most of their home games). I can’t believe I’ve been photographing the Steelers from the sidelines for 8 years now.
Anyway, I traveled with two other great sports photographers @jasonpohuski and @jakemysliwczykphoto. We made a weekend out of it…traveled together, photographed many cool spots in the city and covered the game together. As part of that adventure, we photographed of course, but we also captured much of it via video. All that was put together by Jason into a feature film called “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition”. Jason even got @underarmour to sponsor this project. Big thanks to them for all their support and gear. I don’t know when, but it sounds like this film will be released on Amazon Prime and other major streaming services in the near future. Once that happens, I’ll give you an update. In the meantime, we’re actively planning our next trip to have fun and capture photos and video for the next Shutter Rush edition… More to come.
Castle Lager
Here is another South Africa photo for you, but not probably what you expected. This is Castle beer which is sold everywhere in South Africa. Based on what I saw, it has to be the bestselling beer in the country. Castle Brewery (@castlelagersa) was founded in Johannesburg South Africa in 1894. Today it is part of South African Breweries (SAB), which is owned by Anheuser-Busch. My opinion…. it’s pretty good beer
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
Myers
The Steelers got their butts kicked yesterday by the Jacksonville Jaguars. No doubt about it. They just lost to a team that was better than them on that day for whatever reason. Tonight’s photo is Jason Myers (#2), who is the placekicker for the Jaguars. He’s in his third season and seems to be having a good career (so far).
Most of the football photos I share are action shots. So from time to time, I try to throw in some candid photos of the “action” off the field.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
Valhalla Ranch
Here is another photo from my time at Valhalla Ranch near Grayling Michigan. This 650-acre hunting resort is a wonderful place. If you’re a deer hunter, you won’t be disappointed with the number and size of the white tail deer. I took this photo behind the lodge which sits next to the West Branch Big Creek. I loved the composition of the river, the forest and the ranch road.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
Fair Fun
Okay, tonight’s post is from the county fair. I haven’t been to a fair in over ten years. Heck, maybe 15 years ago…. I’m not really sure. Blair and I went only to photograph some of the rides at night. Here is one from the ferris wheel.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
GW Statue
Blair and I got out yesterday for some adventure. I’ve been wanting to get this photo for a long time. Based on where this sits on top of the dome above the Washington County Court House. My new toy, helped me capture it.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
My Current Project
My Current Project
One of the local country clubs has used me over the last few years for capturing photos of their amazing course. They called me again recently to have me photograph a few of their greens before they take them off line as they remodel their course. Here is a seek peek at one photo from this assignment.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Bee
As you can tell, I’ve been playing with Macro Photography lately. I took this photo today in my back yard trying to capture this bee has it buzzed around these flowers. It wouldn’t hold still, imagine that, so getting a good photo wasn’t easy.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Focus Stacking
I’ve been playing with my macro lens recently in my yard. I haven’t used this lens much over the years and I sort of forgot how narrow the depth of field is with it. Which means that you can’t get the entire flower in focus, unless you use the magic of focus stacking. So that’s what I did. This photo is made from 7 photos focused at different spots and then I blended them together for this complete in focus photo of these flower buds. This Focus Stacking technique creates some amazing detail. Take a look at all the detail on the buds and the plant
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Brooklyn Light Trails
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I know I did. It was a nice relaxing weekend. With that in mind, I’m going to keep this post short. I’ll let the photo speak for itself.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Traffic light trails in Brooklyn
2nd Yard Flower
Here is another photo from our yard. I posted a flower photo from the yard a couple days ago. We have a few rose bushes in our yard and therefore we have some great roses (this year) to go along with all the other flowers. Last year (our first in this house), I trimmed them too short in the spring, thus we didn’t get any roses. This spring, I left them alone (lesson learned).
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Manhattan Bridge
I like NYC a lot. Do I love it??? Maybe. But I think I’d need a few more visits on top of the past visits, before I could claim to love it. Regardless, I enjoyed by time in the Big Apple and would like to go back.
During my last visit, I spent some time alone at night photographing the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. This was one of the first photos I took that evening as I walked across the bridge to Brooklyn.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Yard Flower
We did some work in our yard the last few weekends, including yesterday. So today of course, we didn’t work in the yard…. We cleaned the screen porch instead. After cleaning that area and the deck, Blair and I took some macro flower photos around the yard. This was one of the first ones I captured. I have no idea what type of flower this is….. so we’ll just call it Yard Flower
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Flatiron Building
During our last visit to NYC, MJ and I walked all over Manhattan. Honestly, we covered a lot of ground and hit up some great spots. The Flatiron Building is one of my favorite buildings in the city. I’ve captured it from numerous angles and have visited it a couple of different times. I don’t think it gets enough credit among the world’s greatest buildings.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I recently updated them.
Flatiron Building
My First Photography Exhibit
Big News!!!
Washington County Chamber of Commerce is going to feature my photography in an upcoming fundraiser for the Washington Health System. The event (called “Beer, Brats and Brook”) will be held at Noble Energy in Southpointe just south of Pittsburgh. Noble Energy recently moved into their brand new world headquarters, so it will be cool to combine this event with their new beautiful location.
The event will feature 20 photos from my collections, which will all either be framed or printed on metal. The photos just arrived at my place yesterday and they look great. I can’t wait to see them displayed in Noble Energy’s large lobby. Since the event is being held in October, it will be catered with local beers, brats and hors d’oeuvres. If you’re interested in having a beer, socializing, wandering around some great art, and helping to raise money for the Washington Health System, click the link below to register for the event.
https://www.washcochamber.com/events_calendar/event_desc.php?eid=315
I look forward to seeing you there!!
Milky Way From Peru
During our trip to Peru, I had a chance to take some photos of the night sky. Luckily, the timing was right….meaning the moon cycle was perfect and it wasn’t cloudy. On top of that, the Milky Way is about 70% bigger in the southern hemisphere….but don’t ask me why.
This photo shows you about 30% of the Milky Way that was visible that night. You could see the entire arch (like a full rainbow). It was an amazing sight. Sorry I couldn’t get the entire Milky Way in my shot. It was just way to big.
By the way, the orange glow at the bottom is the city of Puno Peru in the distance, which created light pollution in my photo.
To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
Me in 3D
Peru was full of extremely cool locations, people, events, geography, and experiences. One of them was my chance meeting of Antonio Mocciola. At one point, we pulled off the side of the road to stop at this scenic overlook. Per normal, I was taking a ton of photos while we were standing there. Right before we left, Anotonio showed up with this travel group. Antonio is from Milan Italy and loves photography as well. He wanted to take my picture with this cool dual camera setup that he uses to take 3D photos (see a photo of him and the dual camera setup below). Of course I agreed….. He had me stand next to my camera setup with the Andes Mountains behind me. You can also see Michael’s tripod next to me on the right. Anyway, I thought it was cool and I am sharing it here with you. So get your 3D glasses out and take a look below.
Since returning from Peru, Antonio and I have communicated a few times. And of course he sent me the photo. If you want to check out more of Antonio’s work, please visit his website. (www.laborart.it)
Kris: Note the Cubs hat I wore in your honor. It didn’t come home from South America.
Me in 3D....get your 3D glasses out
Antonio with his dual 3D camera setup.