all that glitters

Taken: July 11, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 20 mm
ISO Speed: 640

This is the Big Dam Bridge again. One of the most impressive and photogenic things about this bridge is that they light it up at night. It changes colors every month or so. In the past it was usually static colors on each column. Lately Little Rock and North Little Rock have been treated to flashing lights. For Independence Day the bridge flashed red, white, and blue. The latest and greatest is a purple and green combo that looks like Mardi Gras.

When the bridge stayed one color it was pretty easy to set up a camera on extended shutter speed and get some cool shots. With the lights moving it's a bit harder (and fun). The game plan was to keep the shutter open as long as possible but still miss the series of flashes. Otherwise red, white, and blue makes one muddy purple mess.

two hundred and seventeen feet

Taken: August 23, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.5
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 23 mm
ISO Speed: 800

Sometimes you just get lucky and end up shooting at a place you never expected to be. Such was the case with the above picture. As the title suggests I was 217 feet up on a roof with a one foot lip. I was so excited; it's lucky there's 2 second timers on cameras or all my shots would have had camera shake! My only real wish is that this had been during the day or at dawn or dusk. Since we weren't really trying to get shots from here the light wasn't a concern. Be sure to click on the picture. There's a few more shots on that page.

return to the dark side

Taken: August 3, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 640

When I shot this I trying to capture the feeling I have when I find a place like this. I wanted the darkness to seem inviting but for there to be hesitation about entering. There is a certain mystery and wonder to these place. I always want to know who lived there and how they turned out? Why the place was abandoned and when?

cracks in our foundation

Taken: July 26, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400

This was taken in the abandoned Blytheville Laundry Cleaners in Arkansas. The place has special meaning for me, because it's actually where my dad's parents met! It's sad to see places like this burned/abandoned. The light in here had a life if it's own though.

attack

Taken: August 8, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 30 sec
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Flash: Fired - On Camera

This was taken at the Maumelle River AR 300 Bridge. This bridge was closed to traffic in 1981 when a new two-lane bridge was built. It is now being used as part of the 223 mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Since people backpack this trail it never closes. This made it an excellent spot for light painting.

I happen to love light painting. It is pretty silly but so much fun! If you haven't done light painting it probably seems a little confusing. Here is a tutorial by one of my Flickr contacts that explains it.

no more teachers' dirty looks

Taken: August 9, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 27 mm
ISO Speed: 400

I loved this old school in Helena, Arkansas. It was amazing to get to explore it. I shot full manual (expect focus), because I was having camera issues at the time. It was an excellent learning experience. Sometimes it's easier to capture the mood you want in manual than with the camera senor helping. I doubt I'll ever be a 100% manual type, but I like knowing how to do it.

28 years and 28 faces of windy

Taken: August 12, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm

Today is my birthday. I did the above silly self-portrait collage to celebrate. It really is hard to make 28 different faces!