Hardened Hydrangea

Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, USA.

The Oakleaf Hyndrangea blossoms have lost their lives for the season, but not their color.  The bush radiates in warmth and delicacy.  The fragile stems hold tight the tissue paper petals not willing to end the mission.

Fall Sunsets

We see things differently this time of year.  The days are shorter, the trees are barren and the scenery has changed.  We see things differently this time of year.  Wrapping up our business, preparing for holidays and already looking forward to the new year.  We see things differently this time of year.  Looking backward, looking forward and just looking round...  but look just the same.  It needs to be done.

Butterfly Ghost

Do you think she can make a rabbit too?

Shadow puppet fun.

Vin Faux Pas

Deerfield

The mountains of North Carolina are alive with animals year round.  The was just outside Blowing Rock, NC yesterday.  I was making the drive down Shulls Mill road is spotty fog.  I had my camera out thinking I may come across some deer feeding. Sure enough.  Setting up the tripod in these situations is risky so I went in hand-held.  It was evening light already and foggy- not ideal "hold your camera" conditions.  I have very little experience in wildlife photography.  These were fun to capture- I felt like the real deal.

retrosled

Queen Anne's Lace

More so in the wintertime... I love Queen Anne's Lace

Mill Pond

Mill Pond. Banner Elk, N. Carolina.

A late afternoon drive led into this area behind Lees-McRae College.  I am feeling better and needed to shake the post flu cabin fever off. Not much better than fresh air and the sounds of shutter repetition.  The air was cool and the cloud line was low.  The very typical foggy conditions were set in and I decided to shoot in B&W.  The late evening light and the fog were muting the leftovers of fall foliage.  This let me focus more on contrast than color.

the bug

I've been down and out for the last three days with a flu.  maybe swine. maybe bovine. maybe avian.  and maybe...  just maybe- regular people flu.  I'm on the upswing.  Back on online real soon.

Federal Hill Protects

Federal Hill. Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

This hillside community park overlooks Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  The canon placements provided defense and protection dating back into the 1700's.  The tall building in the distance in Baltimore World Trade Center.  to the right on it with the blue neon lines is The National Aquarium.  The center of nightlife in Baltimore is a must see for any touring visit.

The Reel Deal II

These are the colored originals for "The Reel Deal."  Someone asked to see them.  I think sharing them for examples of what can be done fits nicely.  See it in your mind.  Capture the images.  Then create it.

The Reel Deal

Shenandoah Sunset

Wrong place: right time.  I was driving South on I-81 though the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.  I could tell the clouded sky was going to POP when the sun dropped below the ridge line.  For 20 minutes I raced down the hwy try to get near a Civil War battlefield location I know about.  There just was not enough time.  I had to pull over and snap up these frames from the roadside.  It was magnificent... except for the high speed vehicles whipping past at 84 mph.

a maple tree

CKBQ: ALT Considerations

"Captain Kirk", a Navy Pilot, is who the kid wants to grow up to be.  That's what the title track refers too.  My  photo shoot with "KIRKBALL" yielded some great lessons in studio portraits and working with models.  He for the most part was responsive and cordial, but had his moments just the same.  We were looking to capture his expression of reckless abandon for life and excitement and everyday goodtimes.  Through several days in a makeshift studio we heard sea stories of his Navy adventures.  His character defined itself and we captured it.  These are some strong alternative to the album cover we ultimately settled on.  Captain Kirk was pleased.  The Beauty Queen was not.  She after all, only got a token nod on an inside panel.

www.joelportrock.com for the song.