triple play

Third times the charm!!

This is one of those waterfalls that alluded me. Given the right weather conditions and water conditions, waterfall shooting is pretty basic. Give me clouds and lots of water and I'll have a field day. However, if you don't have the right conditions waterfall shooting is really difficult or impossible.

My first trip to Triple Falls was cloudy, but there was very little water. The second trip had tons of water but tons of sun. I was starting to think I would never be lucky enough to catch this place during high waters and on a cloudy day.

My third trip out involved taking my car down the muddy, steep forest roads. This road is not meant for cars. By the time I maneuvered the roads all the clouds were gone. I was pretty upset about it, but liked the waterfall enough to stay and soak in the view. After about 30 minutes of splashing around in the creek checking out butterflies and rocks, clouds appeared! I was so happy I nearly tipped over my tripod setting it up. (No camera attached!)

I was able to snap a bunch of shots in short window of time the clouds allowed. This was my favorite one and as taken as the clouds were moving out. The water isn't nearly as smooth as I'd like, but I still think it's a good shot.

...and there were fireworks

This is the second time I've tried to shoot fireworks. The first time was at the Arkansas State Capitol. It was much easier shooting them close-up. I found it really easy to overexpose the fireworks being further away.

It was just a weird night though. I was also having issues with my camera remote, so I missed a lot of pops or had camera shake. I still had a blast though. It's hard to not have fun watching fireworks, even if you didn't get decent shots out of it.

when one door closes

...another one opens.

This shot has a lot of meaning for me. I doubt I could explain it, so I'll just say...live the life you want while you still have life to live. Life kicks the crap out of me, but instead of giving in I just keep seeking out a path that will work better.

inspired

Here's a slightly different view of the Glory Hole. This place is really amazing.

scars

Arkansas was part of the Civil War and being South of the Mason-Dixon we were on a side I don't particularly agree with. Arkansas isn't really saturated with Civil War history. So visiting states that had a lot more fighting it's weird to realize how recent it was.

When I was at the Colonial Park Cemetery I didn't really understand all the tombstones along the back walls. At first I just assumed they were stones that broke over the years. It didn't make much sense to me though. I mean if you take the time to collect broken stones and build holders into the brick wall for them, why not just repair and replace them where they should be? I googled it when I got a chance and found the real reason.

During the Civil War Union troops camped in the cemetery for a while. They broke stones to make room for their tents. I guess after the war either there wasn't records of where the stones should go or it was too large of a task to replace them. The stones were placed along the back wall. They remain as scars from a war with ourselves.

silver lining

Big Dam Bridge is a cool place. Not only is it good for exercise and people watching, you can also get some pretty cool shots of the bridge lit up at night. They change the colors just often enough to keep it interesting. Another bonus is there's a pretty awesome view of Pinnacle Mountain. If you happen to be there during the right time, you can take in an amazing sunset over Pinnacle Mountain and the Arkansas River.

I headed out there with my friend, Joseph. It was a hot day with a few clouds. I expected the clouds to be gone by sunset, which is what usually happens on hot days. Much to my surprise the clouds doubled. There were so many clouds I couldn't get a true sunset picture. The sun dipped below the cloud line and didn't return again.

weathered

I like that a Holga can turn ordinary life into something more interesting. This was the side of a very old, weathered laundromat. I'm sure the folks inside wondered what the heck I was up to.

This was actually one of my favorite shots from vacation.

it's a good day for baseball

I get the tingles every time I visit a Major League Ballpark. (Okay it's really any ballpark, but the scale of MLB is something else.)

don't fence me in

Locks are tempting...

forgotten

I visit a lot of cemeteries now. They are peaceful. They are our history. They are photogenic. I'm used to weathered cemeteries. It's fairly common to see tombstones that are worn down to markers one forth the original size. It's impossible to fight nature.

This place was different though. These tombstones weren't battling nature; they were battling mankind. The back of the cemetery had recently been leveled. It looked like someone was able to start a construction project right over the broken markers. It's just sad to me. Heartbreaking. Even if the land was that valuable, there wasn't anything they could do to preserve the markers? Seriously?

I mean, the Colonial Park Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia had stones broken during the Civil War. The Union troops decided to set up camp there, and broke stones to make room for tents. After the war, it wasn't clear where the stones belonged so they were lined up along the walls of the cemetery.



It is possible to still respect the dead. I'm just saying. There has to be a better solution than bulldozing a cemetery.

labeling

This house was really interesting. Everything was painted with obvious labels - fireplace, floor, door, window, etc. I'm all for interesting/artistic graffiti but this definitely fell into the delinquency category. Of course, who am I to judge? Also what harm is done to a place that is left to slow be reclaimed by nature?

the stories these walls could tell

This church still has life. It's weird to say that about abandoned buildings. (Okay it isn't completely abandoned. For what I understand they still have service here on occasion.)

I believe Mt. Zion has touched many lives. The note above is probably a good example of this. I read through a notebook full of notes similar to this one.

sights and sounds

I'm not the type to suggest places as "everyone should see that place before they die". I mean we all have different tastes. I'm sure there's tons of people who do not want to hike the woods after a waterfall, or roam around city streets, or other things I really love. I will say if there is one place you should visit before you die New Orleans is probably it. There's just so much to see and do, and no matter what type of person you are it's almost certain you will turn a corner and be blindsided by someone completely different from you. Then you can walk a few more feet and see things familiar.

It's a shock to the senses and a constant party. There's so much hospitality, history, and culture. I doubt there's anything I can say about New Orleans that hasn't been said, and even if i were able to repeat it all...it's just different when you experience it. What can I say? I heart NOLA.

let light in

Shooting with a Holga is completely different than any other camera I've used. This roll managed to have a few light leaks. I don't get those very often, and it's always a bit of a surprised how the light managed to find it's way in. Regardless I thought that it worked well on this shot.

it was all a dream

Sometimes it does feel like a dream. It's weird how quickly memories fade into a weird place that feels more like a dream.

when in rural georgia

I met up with Evan Leavitt when I was in Georgia. It was pretty awesome, because he was able to show me a lot of places I was familiar with through his photography. I was still doing a self-portrait series during the trip and asked Evan to be in the shot. Some of my favorite self-portraits were ones that included someone else.

Here was one with Zack and Caden at Hawksbill Crag.


Here's one with many of my co-workers.

man vs. nature

I was able to visit many states on my road trip that I hadn't seen before. Surprisingly enough Louisiana was one of those. Louisiana is a border state, but I've never made time to visit. I'm glad I did. It's such a friendly state that's full of culture.