Riff's Photography Journal

Black & White Photography

2012-02-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

A Winter’s Eve

About a week ago, coming home from photographing a youth soccer match, I was captivated by how this house looked in the snow.

It was still flurrying a little, but the lighting of the house and the surrounding area was almost magical. So, I grabbed by tripod and camera and setup out front. I took several photos from differing angles, but this is the one I like best.

Sports Photography

2012-02-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

MVP Self-Portrait

My newest grandson, of eight months, has a fascination with my camera.

Whenever he sees it he stares at it, and if he gets close enough he will reach out to try and grab it. This one particular time I was sort of letting him play with it when he snapped the shutter and this is the end result.

Not bad for his first photo. I plan on keeping this one special and I have it tagged as A.B.’s first photo.

Black & White Photography

2012-02-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Where Words Fail…

My wife knows how I love music. She also knows that I can play the guitar. As a little present, she gave this to me to keep at my desk.

Yeah, I can strum along, and when I’m not doing photography or SWLing (Short Wave Listening) I play with my guitar. I have an acoustic guitar and I also have an electric one that looks similar to the one that is shown here.

Playing the guitar is great for just having fun and they are great for getting rid of stress. It is amazing how one can relax by just playing the guitar. The songs one plays and how they sound, played on the guitar, says a lot about the person playing it. I hope my playing, and photography, says something nice.

You know, music really does speak… :-)

Sports Photography

2012-01-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Standing Your Ground

In any battle, no matter how savage it is, no matter how close comes the enemy, a good soldier always stands his ground and defends his position…

Black & White Photography

2012-01-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Snow On The Mountain

Sometimes you get to photograph something that won’t pass this way again.

Here we have a photo of snow on a mountain side. The ridge line seems to be dividing the storm from where it was coming down on the far side and, as it made it’s way from the mountain behind it and crossed the valley between them, lost its punch and died out as it came across to the near side.

Question! Is this image a photo of a real mountain? You tell me…

Black & White Photography

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Going Home

We finally got a little snow this past weekend, but most of it was ice, which was a good thing; for kids that is.
Sleigh riding on the roads, down hills and foot skating down driveways. Yeah, I did a little of the driveway foot skating, and never fell once. Wife didn’t like it so much though, but she didn’t yell at me. She just would not watch.

Then, late in the afternoon, I heard someone being called and I saw this boy slowly walking through the yard to go home. I could tell by the way he looked how he felt. I was the same way when I was at that age. The only thing that I didn’t like about days like this was going home when Mom called.

Ah shucks, Mom. We can eat anytime. I don’t want to come in yet. Yes, Mam. I’m coming…

Black & White Photography

2012-01-18T08:00:00.017-05:00

On The Edge Of Light

I was waiting for my wife to come out of a market one evening, when I noticed this tree line.

It seemed that the light, which was off to the side, was shining only on these trees. The forground had some light to it, but the area from the trees on back was in darkness. I could not help but think B&W photography.

Of course I always have a camera with me. So I got it out and set it on the window ledge of the door. I composed a scene that I felt would fit into an 8 x 10 image, and made three exposures. This is the one that I liked best.

Isn’t it amazing that one can find something to photograph even when sitting in a most uneventful place like a market parking lot. Of course, like I always say, “If you are not looking, you will never see.”

Yeah, I confess, I was looking… :-)

NOTE: To get a different take on this photo, click on the image to view it in a black setting...

The Color Of Winter

2012-01-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

Sign Of Winter

We haven’t had to many chances to see the colors of Winter, at least until now. Just a week ago, when I viewed this scene, I thought that this could very well look like an early Spring or a late Fall image, except for the small area of snow.

Even in times like this, it makes you realize that even in Winter months one can view colors of another time even in the midst of what normally is a colorless season. However, I’ve come to realize that even during Winter that there are moments of time that need to be captured and this is an example of that thought.

What one sees is not always what you think. Yeah, this is a true “Sign Of Winter”.

Black & White Photography

2012-01-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Flag by Holga

Heading East, from Cumberland, on I68 you will top a mountain where you will see this - a flag on a pole sticking out of a lone tree.

I have seen the flag in a tattered shape, but someone must be taking care of it as the flag is changed when the need arises. I have no idea of who it is or even why they started flying the flag in such a place in the first place.
I’ve tried several times to capture the flag from different angles while driving past and I have never come up with something that I liked. Until now.

When I saw what the image was like, I knew that this called for a B&W photo, but it had to be somewhat different. I had played around with the “holga” effect before in Photoshop Elements and I felt that this image was a good subject for the action. For me, this is what I wanted.

So, here it is. We have a flag portraying old time values and showing it as an image taken with an old time camera, and it’s just like the title says, “The Flag by Holga!”

Street Photography

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sonny

I was down on the Mall Christmas week and I was doing some window and street photography. While standing on one corner photographing some people I heard from off to the side, “See anything good to photograph?”

I turned to see this gentleman and dog sitting on the Baltimore St. stage. I smiled and said, “always.” I started to walk over and as I did I raised my camera at them and took this photograph. Sonny is the dog and his owner said that he doesn’t trust to many people.

I talked gently to Sonny and let him sniff my hand as the man told me about how he bought the dog from someone who would hit him on the head with a rolled up newspaper every time the dog did something that he didn’t like.

After a few minutes I was able to pet the dog and even was able to rub his head and scratch his chin. As I sopped and pulled back Sonny made a little whine and lifted his paw out to me as if to say, “don’t go”. I didn’t.

I found out from listening to the man talk that they go everywhere together. Sonny sticks by the man’s side and does not like to be left alone. I think this gentleman feels the same about Sonny. I’ve seen them before and I could believe real easy how the two are inseparable.

This image has now become my favorite street photo. I think that when I do go into retirement in a couple of months that I’m going to spend some more time on the streets talking with, and photographing, the people who live, work and play in downtown Cumberland.

Look out H.C.B… :-)

Black & White Photography

2012-01-04T08:00:00.003-05:00

Blue Bridge To Cumberland

No story, just a photo...

Moments In Time

2012-01-02T09:16:00.000-05:00

The View From 584

Recently, on a visit to WMHS, I overheard someone say, “There’s never a good view from a hospital room, is there?”

Later I looked out of that window and I thought to myself, “I guess it depends on one’s perspective.” I then proceeded to take a photograph and this is what I saw, in my minds eye, that is… :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-12-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

West Virginia Farm House

There are many such older farm houses in WV and MD. This one is on Patterson Creek Road, between Burlington and Petersburg, WV. The farm house that my dad grew up in was similar to this one, even though all that is left of is is an empty shell of a building in Lost City, WV.

I look at homes like this one, and seeing how they are still being used, is a tribute to how well many of the homes of the past were built. Yeah, there were quite a few that would not stand the test of time, but then you see something like this and you know it was built with love and a sense of doing what is right in building a home that would last.

The history that is present in those walls can never be known, except only by those who have the blessing of still living in such wonderful places of life. Yes, life. Life in the walls, in the rooms and in the people who still live there. This is on a working farm and it would be interesting to see what this home is like 10 or maybe 20 years from now.

I hope I can still do so…

Road Trip Photography

2011-12-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hay Wagon

Recently I’ve been showing a number of photos taken while in WV. So, today, I thought that I would show you an image taken in Western Maryland, specifically in Garrett Co.

The place where I took this photo, near Oakland, MD, is on a farm that does a number of these setups, depending on the time of the year. However, this is the first I’ve seen this particular setup. I think it is cool.

Depending on how you look at this piece of art, one could consider it to be a pickup truck or a buckboard. For me, I think it looks like a buckboard, and that is why I called this one the “Hay Wagon”… :-)

B&W Street Photography

2011-12-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Smokin’ Santa Helper

In a recent outing at a local shopping mall, I spotted this young lady walking across the parking lot. Other than basic black & white clothing, the only color she had was with her “red” Santa Hat.

Immediately I grabbed my camera and just as she approached the side walk she took a puff on a cigarette just as I snapped the shutter. A real smokin’ Santa helper was the first thing about which I thought and that became the title for this photo.

I just had to leave the “red” hat in this b&w image, just because it was the only color in it, and the silhouette made because of the bright background, and the fact that I had already pre-set the camera for a 2/3 under stop exposure, just made the photo that much easier to create.

Sometimes things just fall into place just at the right time… :-)

Road Trip Photography

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

A Stream Runs Through It

It’s on the verge of Winter and yet colors still abound. There may not be any leaves on the trees, but there are shades of hues out there. You just need to look for them.

This is but one of many valley scenes that can be viewed on Patterson Creek Road; a wonderful name for a road that provides images like this. Patterson Creek Road runs between Burlington and Foreman, WV. The entire drive consists mainly of farms and land for cattle.

This scene here is one where I always thought would make a good place to put a cabin over next to the mountain, just on the other side of the stream. I love how the leaves and pine needles on the ground gives and bit of brown edging to the tree line running up the hill.

The valley itself is nicely green for this time of the year, and many times one can see cattle peacefully grazing or deer running across the fields. It is beautiful country and it’s the kind of land upon which my Dad was raised. This is just another reason why I love where I live.

Yeah, this is my world and you are welcome to it.

Black & White Photography

2011-12-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Field Barn

My Dad was raised on land like this. While still in school he, his brothers and his Dad would get up early and go out and feed the live stock, while grandma went about fixing breakfast for them.

When the chores were finished, they would head back to the house and have breakfast. Once finished, and they were washed up, the boys would head off to school while granddad went off to work.

It was a small farm, just a few head of cattle, some pigs and chickens and an assortment of other animals. For the most part, they grew their own food, in addition to the livestock, and my grandfather worked in a Tannery to earn what money they needed to keep the farm going.

In the evening they would do the same and then have supper, followed by homework.

I see a scene like this and it makes me realize how good and easy we have it today. I can’t imagine living as my Dad and his family did. It had to have been a hard life, but they survived and they all seemed happy, even in later life when they no longer lived and worked on the farm, but that’s another story…

Road Trip Photography

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Field & Mountain

Sometimes a photo op just presents itself. This is another example.

I was heading West on Rt. 50 in WV and was just topping Knobly Mountain when I saw in the distance snow lined mountain tops. Where I was there was no snow and some of the field grass was still green. I knew a photo op was coming.

I picked up my camera & turned it on. It’s always preset for what I want so that all I have to do is just point & shoot. There was time for only one shot and this was it.

We just recently had snow warnings but the only snow was on the mountain tops and west of us in another country. We got nothing. Here the contrast was striking and for me photo situations, like this one, don’t come along that often. Hope you like it as well…

Black & White Photography

2011-12-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

Heading For The Barn

Early morning and I’m heading for the barn. There’s a storm coming and I must get my work done before it hits.

The air is chilly as I walk up the hill but I’m dressed for the work that I must do. I can finish up in a couple of hours what needs to be done before it rains, and I can do the other chores later when I don’t have to be out of doors.

It’s my farm and the work must be completed no matter what the weather, but I like it. If I didn’t I would be here. When it comes to farm work there are no holidays or time off. You do what you can when you can and when it needs to be done.

Yeah, this is my barn. It may be old, but it’s mine…

Isn’t it amazing what comes out of my mind. Sometimes I even surprise myself…

Road Trip Photography

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

A Farmer’s Mailbox

I’ve gone past this mailbox many times and I’ve never had a chance to stop and photograph it.

However, on this one particular day, I knew I was coming up on it and I kept checking the road in front of me and in back. As I got close I started to slow up to stop but just as I got there several cars came around the turn down the road and I knew it was either going to be a drive by shot or forget it.

I wound down the driver side window and slowed as much as I could. As I got close I pointed the camera and snapped the shutter just before the cars went past. Well, I got my photo and it turned out better than expected.

It is amazing what one can find and see when they go driving off of the beaten path, especially down country roads. This is but one of many photo ops that I find on a regular basis. Hopefully there will be many more to come with retirement coming up in about three months… :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-11-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

A Walk Down Foggy Lane

It was early in the morning and as I was driving down the back roads in the fog I came across this lane. Immediately I had in mind a B&W image.

After photographing this view and converting it to a B&W image I’ve looked at this photo time and again. To me it’s a place of wonder and of imagination. Would you go down this road? What lies at the end of it?

For me, I see a road that leads to a place of solitude, where a fireplace in a rustic home awaits. The air is cool and the misty fog envelops my thoughts. I arrive at the door and as I walk in I’m greeted with, “Have a nice walk?”

“Yes”, I reply. “It was wonderful walking down to the road, but it’s good to get back and be greeted with a nice cup of cocoa. Especially when it is made by you. Thanks.”

OK, it’s my blog so I can imagine anything I want. Anyway, hope you like the photo… :-)

Road Trip Photography

2011-11-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Foggy Morning

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven.
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden.
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

From the Gaelic melody called “Bunessan”. A song for which the singer Cat Stevens is noted. You may also know it by the title, "Morning Has Broken".

Early morning in Garrett Co, MD. The rain has cooled the air at ground level, leaving it moist, creating this foggy meadow scene. As the tree stands out, the background fads into nothingness, giving an overall softness to the landscape before me.

I’ve come to have a great appreciation for softness in a photo. Softness, caused by fog in an image, gives a feeling of solitude and peace.

Here, the log fence frames the scene and in the background, if you look closely, you can see a house almost hidden by the fog. I love being out in weather like this as many times it gives me a sense of being at one with nature, and being at peace with God.

Yeah, this is a different side of me that most people don’t know about, but this, too, is my world and you are welcome to it… :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-11-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Walking Home At Lock 75

In Monday’s post “ Lock 75 Overflow Channel “ you saw a photo of how the channel looks today, and you were seeing it from the upper portion of the lock.

This photo shows not only Lock 75, but the lock overflow channel as seen looking back from downstream. To give an idea of large this lock is, included here is a person on the towpath walking back towards the Lock 75 Lockhouse.

At this entrance of the lock were two rather large gates. Each had to be manually swung open. While one set of gates were closed, the canal water became diverted to the overflow channel and came out through the opening beside the lock itself.

If you look at this film, made in 1917, – “ C & O Canal, 1917 “ (Part 1 of 3) - beginning at the 2 minute and 15 second mark, you will get a quick view of Lock 75 and you will be able to see the water coming through the overflow channel as the lock was opened to let out a small boat. The film is quite interesting to watch as it shows what it was like traversing the canal waterway.

Today, the towpath is used for walking and biking, and camping along side it. People travel parts or all of it from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland (150 miles) where it meets up with the Great Allegheny Passage.

From Cumberland, the Great Allegheny Passage offers 141 miles of hiking and biking all the way to Homestead, PA, near Pittsburgh.

Yeah, this is my world. It’s a great place to live and a great place to visit. Why don’t you come by and see for yourself? You are definitely welcome to it… :-)

A View From Western Maryland

2011-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Lock 75 Overflow Channel

A canal overflow channel was an important addition to any canal lock. After the boat went into the lock and the gates were closed the water in the canal had to be diverted to keep it from flooding the area.

Here, looking East, at Lock 75 of the C&O Canal; just five miles East of Cumberland, MD, is a view of what the Overflow Channel looks like today. In the area of Lock 75 is one of my favorite places to go for photo ops.

It doesn’t matter what time of the year you visit the lock there is always something to see and photograph. It is a great place of historical interest and the four seasons provides continuous opportunities for photography. This is just another example of why I love where I live.

Yeah,this is my world and you are welcome to it…

Black & White Photography

2011-11-16T20:17:00.000-05:00

Old Country Post Office

Sometimes, out of the blue, one will come across something that just seems out of place. This building is one of those moments.

This is an old Post Office on a country road in WV. I’ve been wanting to photograph this for some time and I finally got a chance. When I took this photo I had in mind an old b&w square photo and this is the finished image.

The post office is nestled in a grove of trees along side a road and it’s just sitting there slowly deteriorating. I’m not sure how old it is but I would imagine that it is at least 50 years plus.

So, that finishes a week of “old photography” images, but it won’t be the last. Next week starts a new round of photography and I’ll see if I can come up with something along a Thanksgiving theme… :-)

Moment In Time

2011-11-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Old Camera Photo

I first started taking photos back in the 60’s. A Kodak 126 film camera was what I first used. The results were “iffy”. A lot had to do with the lighting of the day as the camera had one shutter speed and one f'/stop.

If it was sunny you got a nicely exposed image, full of color and good definition. However, I found out that if the weather was overcast and bright enough then you would get a nicely saturated image that was exposed just enough to really look good.

That is what I tried to reproduce in this image. I had in mind, when I took this photo, and old film camera look, along the lines of a 126 film camera and this is pretty close to what you would expect; if you had a good camera.

In the 80’s, when the 126 phase was at it’s best, the film of choice was Kodacolor VR200. It was a 126 film and you got 24 exposures. K-Mart sold it for about $3.19 which would be about $8 to $10 in today’s money.

You almost always got a better image with a slightly underexposed “positive” or slide film and with negative film, like the 126 film, it was mostly just the opposite. A slightly overexposed image would produce better results. Only when it was overcast, and sometimes slightly misty, could one expect to achieve a result like this when you had a slightly underexposed image on negative film.

Yeah, sometimes one would just get lucky and not know it until the film was developed and an image was made. Nowadays, one can achieve the same results, instantly, in photoshop... :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-11-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

Dreamscape

Sometimes, when I’m out driving, I encounter a scene that just seems to be somewhere that I’m not. Yeah, I know, you just said “Huh?”.

You see, coming across this was like seeing something in a dream. It was early morning, misty with a slight fog in the air. Everything seemed soft and the going was slow. I rounded a curve and this was like stepping into a dream.

I don’t think that I actually fell asleep, for I didn’t go off of the road. That’s not what I’m saying, but it is like I went into a different time zone or a different world. It even felt different. The thing is, that just as soon as I went around the next curve, the fog was gone and a little sun was trying to break through the overcast sky.
The “Dreamscape” was gone.

It was at this point that I noticed that I was holding my camera and I don’t even remember picking it up. Now my camera is always beside me when I’m out, and I am so used to reaching for it and turning it on in one motion that it is possible that this scene so captured my attention that my reflective instincts just reacted to my visual senses.

My settings are always preset and all I have to do is just point and shoot. This time this is what I captured… a “Dreamscape”…

Road Trip Photography

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Antiques For Picking

When I came across this building the first thing that I thought of was the TV show called “American Pickers”.

This is a show that is on the History Channel and stars Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as the "Pickers". Of course there is Danielle Cushman as well. She’s the one that keeps the guys busy with all of the leads that she finds and passes on to them; not to mention that she is a lot easier to look at than are the boys... :-)

Speaking of Mike and Frank, they are antique seekers and they travel the country to find unique items that they can buy and resell. They have even been in our area and that, in itself, was an interesting show to watch, and I’m glad that I saw it.

Now this barn can be found on Rt. 50 east of Romney, WV in a little town called Augusta, and it just seems like the type of place in which the Pickers would be interested. I’ve never been in here, but I hope to one day get back there and go in for myself and see what they have. I do know that Mike and Frank would be quite interested in the signs that are on the building as that is something they do look for.

Who knows, maybe one day they will come back and check out this place. In the mean time, one can only wonder what can be inside. Maybe I’ll be able to find out one day…

A View From Western Maryland

2011-11-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

End Of October Snow Fall

I usually only put up two posts a week, but I wanted to share with all of you scenes from the past weekends (Saturday) End Of October Snow Fall.

Monday’s post… A Country Morning… was what the weather was like the day before, and by Monday morning this snow was pretty much all gone and we are back up in the 50’s.

These five images are my favorite ones. Three are of country scenes, as seen from the back of my little house, and two of the views are from out front. So, a little diversity, but they all portray what happened with this unexpected storm and, for once, I loved it.

Yeah, I know, I’m a little crazy, but we didn’t have to drive anywhere, I went for a walk in the snow and we had a wonderful pot of Chile simmering all day. Ummm, supper was delicious… :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-11-02T08:00:00.002-04:00

Into The Fog

About a twenty minutes after taking the “Country Morning” photo, that I posted on Monday, I came to John Blue Bridge. Boy was the fog thick.

This bridge crosses the South Branch of the Potomac River at a place called “Blue Beach” in Hampshire Co. WV. Being in the valley, and close to the river, it was already getting foggy, and as I rounded the curve I noticed that the Bridge was so shrouded in fog that the mountain, which is on the other side of the river, could not be seen.

I only had time to raise my camera and take this photo before getting on the bridge itself. I’ve been here before many times when it was foggy, but not so thick that you could not see the mountain which rises far above the bridge on the other side and I just wanted to document the scene at which I was looking.

So I did…

Road Trip Photography

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

A Country Morning

Last Friday morning, while heading over to a call in WV, I came upon an accident and the traffic was stopped. It was a pretty bad accident which resulted in needing three ambulances. I did get a photo of the cars involved but this is what really caught my eye.

While sitting in the traffic, waiting for a lane to be opened, I looked over to my left and this is the scene that was before me. It was amazing how this could look so idyllic just a few hundred feet from something so horrible as the accident.

I already had my camera on the seat beside me and I took a few photos, and this is the one that I liked the most. Even when ugly is not far away, if you will just look, one can find some beauty close by.

For the most part, any morning in the country can provide one with scenes like this. That is what I like about my world. If you look for ugly you will find it. If you look for beauty, there is more of that and you will easily find it. The thing is, however, if you are not looking you will never see.

This is my world and you are welcome to it…

Road Trip Photography

2011-10-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Evitt’s Mt Orchard

One of the reasons that I started this photo blog was to show what it is that I like about where I live. I’ve somewhat gotten away from that and I want to get back on course, beginning with Evitt’s Mt Orchard.

I’ve been wanting some Stayman apples and I haven’t been able to find any locally. I heard about this place just a short drive up in PA in a town called Centerville so, last Saturday, my wife and I drove up there.

We went with the idea of just getting some apples but, after getting there and looking around, we not only got some Stayman apples, but we also bought some Apple Butter, Apple Cider, Southern Sunshine Preserves and some very delicious Pumpkin Butter.

Never had Pumpkin Butter before, but after tasting some we just had to take a pint home with us. It is great on homemade bread or on our favorite, Portuguese Bread. It is places like this, where we can buy locally, that gives us the biggest satisfaction and, for the most part, provides us with the best bargains as well.

So, when you come to my world, here in Western MD, you will have to take a little detour up to Centerville, PA to visit Evitt’s Mt Orchard. They are very friendly, will tell you all about what they have and give you the opportunity to take a taste before you buy. BTW, they are only open from about July 31st, through the Summer, until they sellout in the Fall. It is worth the trip.

Yeah, this is my world and you are welcome to it… :-)

A View From Western Maryland

2011-10-24T08:00:00.002-04:00

Fall Scenes – Up & Down

A Fall Sky

This is not a timed photo. I did not set my camera on a tripod and then set a slow shutter speed in order to capture this sky view. Recently, at a youth soccer game, in between quarters, I was looking around and as I turned I noticed the sunset view.

The clouds were being blown by strong upper winds as I captured this scene. My camera settings were ISO at 1600, as the light on the ground was getting quite dark and I needed the high ISO in order to give me a fast enough shutter speed for capturing the action. I was shooting in Aperture Priority mode, set @f/4.5, and this gave me the 1/3200 shutter speed as I pointed my lens at the bright sky.

So you can see that I had a fast shutter speed and that’s how I was able to capture these clouds being blown by the winds making the photo look like it was taken at a slow shutter speed.

Fall On The Ground

How many times do we see photos of the landscape in the Fall showing all of the colors of the changing trees? However, as seen in the first photo, there are other Fall scenes that can be captured as well.

This photos is of ground cover on a hillside in my backyard. To me, it is every bit as colorful as any tree one may see this time of the year. In fact, almost all of the trees in my neighborhood have beautiful colors on them and any one would make an excellent Fall photo. However, I choose to capture this image as it is not your normal Fall scene.

So, as you can see, no matter what is the season, don’t just look for the expected scene in which to photograph, look for the unusual that also describes the season. Then see how it can be captured to represent the glorious time of the year in which you find yourself. You might just capture something just as exciting but completely different than what is expected.

In fact, it can be downright fun to do so…

Black & White Photography

2011-10-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

A Foggy & Rainy Morning In Ol’ North Cumberland

Last week we had quite a few days of rain. I took the opportunity of the weather to take a few dismal day photos.

From a nice view point, I liked the way this part of Cumberland looked with the rain and the fog in the background. Looking towards Wills Mountain and the Narrows, up North Centre St., provided me with a scene that sort of reminded me of how Cumberland may have looked in the past.

When I took this photo, I had in mind an old looking B&W image and this is pretty much what I had envisioned when I snapped the shutter. If you click on the image you will get a slightly bigger, and better, view of this photo.

Yeah, this is my world, past and present, and you are welcome to it…

A View From Western Maryland

2011-10-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Fall Along The Potomac River

Sometimes being at the right place at the right time creates a nice blessing.

It had been a rainy morning and in the afternoon I had gone out for a walk along the Potomac River, just East of Cumberland, on the C&O Canal Tow Path. I had been looking for something to photograph to show how Fall was coming along and as I came to his point and looked back towards Cumberland I thought, “This is it.” This was the view for which I was looking.

It was still overcast and everything still had moisture on it from the rain. The lighting was soft and diffused, and I could not have asked for better conditions. I would rather photograph on an overcast day, with just a little directional light than in the sunshine and for me, this image shows why.

Fall along the Potomac River shows how beautiful Western Maryland can be as Autumn comes around, even if you are still within the city limits, as here.

When you come to my world, if the timing is right, the colors are there for you to see, All you have to do is to look, and when you do you will see…

Street Photography / Black & White

2011-10-12T08:00:00.011-04:00

I Wonder What She Is Thinking?

I came across this foursome the other day and I noticed how the two men were listening quite intently to what the woman at the other end of the bench was saying.

Then I noticed how the fourth person, the Lady in the hat, seemed to be off somewhere in a world all her own. I don’t think she was listening to what the others were talking about, but it amazed me that she just seemed to be all alone in her thoughts.

It was at this point when I realized that I was wondering what she was thinking? I quickly lifted my camera and took this photo. None of them seemed to notice that I was there and the other three just kept on talking, and the Lady in the hat just kept looking off, just being someone in a place of her own choosing. As for what she was thinking… we’ll never know.

Ummm, I wonder what she really was thinking?

Sports Photography

2011-10-10T08:00:00.003-04:00

SavageMan 30 Triathlon

A few weeks ago I had the privilege and fun of being one of the photographers to cover the SavageMan 30 Triathlon.

The year before I had covered this event and where I set up to photograph the run portion had me seeing nothing but “greenery” as the background for each shot. So, this year I wanted something different.

I had walked along the portion of the run, where I was to work, and I discovered this view where the Lake would be in the background. I felt this was the best place to setup. The open space was being lite by an overcast day and, for most of the event, that is how the lighting stayed. It sure made photographing the Athletes that much easier.

In the first photo you can see where I set up my little photographers seat and “accessories” and from here I could sit and photograph the runners as they came by; and I did.

In the second photograph you can see what the result was. For me, this was far better than last year and it did allow me a little more room for shooting the runners as they came by.

Even though this was within a mile of the finish line you can see that this athlete, at least, was still in good spirits. Maybe it was because he knew the finish line was close and the Triathlon, at least for this day, was almost over.

In fact, almost all of the Athletes that came by were still in a pretty good mood and most acknowledged that they saw the camera and quite a few give different looks from thumbs up, a heart symbol with their hands, to hands flying in the air. They really made good subjects to photograph.

I do love the smile and the look on this Athlete. I call this one "Red Runner"... :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-10-05T08:00:00.006-04:00

Dance Of The Mushrooms

No story with this one. I am, however, reminded of the Chinese Dance from the Disney Movie “Fantasia”. If you have ever seen the movie then you will know what I was thinking...

Sports Photography

2011-10-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

Cross Country Runner

This image is quickly becoming one of the most favored cross country photos that I’ve done.

In most cases it is hard in capturing a runner without some kind of distracting background or other elements in the scene. Usually there are other runners in the photo or views of the track or the seating area, etc.

However, on this occasion I was able to capture this runner with nothing else but the sky as the background. I was in a low position and the runner was by himself and up on a path at which I had just arrived. I just pointed my camera and followed him until I liked what I saw and was able to snap the shutter at just the right time.

I greatly enjoy doing sports photography and every once in awhile I’m able to capture something quite different from the others. This is one of those moments…

Road Trip Photography

2011-09-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

A Fall Weekend In Garret County, Maryland

This past weekend, the first weekend of Fall, I was in Garrett County photographing a Youth Football Game. On the way back, my wife and I decided to take the back roads to check out the scenery.

These images show the early stages of Fall already present in the county. All of these photos were taken while driving on Rock Lodge Road. It was late in the afternoon and the Fall colors were already making their presents felt. I can just imagine what it will be like in another week or two.

Yeah, I can, it will be fantastic…

Black & White Photography

2011-09-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Down To The Lake

On a recent trip to Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, MD, I was involved in taking photographs of the SavageMan Triathlon. On walking out the area where I was to setup for the race portion of the Triathlon I came across this scene.

What was unusual was that this was in an area where there is no foot nor vehicle traffic leading down this path. It was interesting not only to look at, but to wonder how this came to be and, if it was man made… why.

I loved the lighting and thought it would make an interesting B&W image. Now you can wonder at it as well. Let your imagination freely go and make of it what you will. Just relax, wander onto the trail, and let yourself take a little trip down to the Lake…

Black & White Photography

2011-09-22T08:00:00.005-04:00

The Pavilion

Sometimes the seemingly mundane subject can have an attraction that most people never see, because they do not take the time to look. For me, this is an example of that theory.

This is a simple pavilion in Deep Creek Lake State Park. It was close by to where I was set up for photographing the run portion of the SavageMan Triathlon this past weekend.

At one point I walked up to check it out and I just loved the rustic look of the whole building. And with it being empty, clean and silent it took on an aura of oneness. That is, a feeling of being alone in the outdoors where there were people walking and running just a few feet away. For the briefest moment I was in another world and another time.

Then I heard the running of footsteps and the sounds of cheering and I knew that my fantasy world had just stopped and it was time to get back to reality. In a moment of time all was peaceful and calm. Then life resumed and the world continued on.

The Pavilion stays the same…

Black & White Photography

2011-09-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

Visitor Center

If you look at this and wonder anything about it like the photo, the location, the technique I used, just leave a comment on the blog and I will do my best to answer.

I have a lot of fun working in my digital darkroom on images like this and I’m thinking about doing a lot more in similar fashion.

Yeah, I do live in a world like this and you are welcome to it…

Moments In Time

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Robin and Son

Sometimes we forget the simple things in life of which we take for granted. This is an example of what I mean.

I can sit on my very small back deck and view scenes just like this. These two birds had jumped down from off of my garage and were less than ten feet from me. They had to know that I was there as I kept talking to my wife and moving slightly as I photographed them.

This is one of my favorites. It was as if they said, “OK, here’s how we want to look, so take the photo already.” You see, they had stopped their hopping around and just stood there for about five seconds just like this and then moved on.

Yeah, I know, I have a child like sense of imagination but, hey, it’s my imagination, and it can be what ever it wants for the moment I’m in. Remember, this is just one of the many “Moments In Time” that we all share…

Black & White Photography

2011-09-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Steps To Imagination

At Harper’s Ferry, when you climb the mountain to get to Jefferson’s Rock, there is a path that leads on up past the rock to a cemetery that is on top of the hill. This is that path.

The day that I took this photo, the path seemed so brightly lighted while the trees and vegetation on both side were dimly lit. I had in mind a B&W image when I took this photo and this is how the finished image looks.

The path does look like it goes nowhere, but if you ever get to Harper’s Ferry you will have to finish the climb yourself to see what is at the top…

Moments In Time

2011-09-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

The Time Out Chair

This past Saturday I was photographing a youth football game. The weather was sunny but it was hot and very muggy. The “feels like” temperature was around 100 degrees. Even in the shade, if there was no wind, I would glisten like crazy. Was not a good feeling.

However, next to the field, where I was at, was an old high school that is not in use anymore. Many of the windows were broken out and as I walked past several of the windows at ground level I could feel cool air coming out from inside the building.

There was this one special window of the building, behind the bleachers, that seemed to have some especially cool air coming out of it and several times I would stop by it and just stand there. It was like standing in front of an air-conditioner with the air on low. It really felt good.

Out of curiosity, though, I could not help but get close to the window and look inside. As it turned out, it was the schools gym locker room and shower. As I let my eyes adjust to the darkness I noticed over in the shower stalls that there was a school chair sitting over in the corner. Right in front of it was an old checkered shirt jacket. It wasn't easy to view in the dimness and it took a few moments before I could figure out what it was.

I didn’t hesitate. I already had my camera set on aperture priority and quickly set the ISO to 800. I placed the camera on a broken window ledge, lined up the chair through the viewfinder and took this photo.
I gave the finished image a slight “old photo” look just to go along with the old look of the shower room.

As for the chair and the jacket? I will leave that to your imagination as to why they are there. Maybe this is where they put those who where getting out of hand, and little uncontrollable, you know, those who just needed a little cooling off. What better place than in the showers… :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-08-31T08:00:00.002-04:00

Flying Through The Defense

Time for Fall Youth Sports Photography.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve started in with shooting some youth soccer and football. I’m also hoping to get in some cross country action as well. Doing this type of photography I greatly enjoy. For one thing, these are among the sports that I played while growing up; you know, back in the ancient days…

Having played the games helps to anticipate what the action might be and where. Sometimes you can get surprised but in most cases, as you follow the action, you can capture some pretty good moments. Just like this one. I didn’t notice that the offensive player’s feet was off of the ground when I took this photo but I think it adds to the image. Hence the title…

Youth sports provides great action shots for anyone with a camera and when you capture a really good one, not only the player or players involved like the image, but so do the parents and grand parents – like me… :-)

A View From Western Maryland

2011-08-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Bell Tower Building

One of the often photographed structures in Cumberland is the Bell Tower Building. I have several photos of the building myself, but I just couldn’t help but take one more on this particular morning. I just loved the way the early morning sun was coming across the building along with the blue sky in the background.

As for the building itself, the following was taken from the National Park Service site called “All Aboard for Cumberland.

The Bell Tower Building was the first police headquarters and jail built in Cumberland. It remains substantially unchanged since its construction in the late 1880s when it was added to the public building complex surrounding City Hall. The Bell Tower Building is a two-story brick square building, with a rounded short roof featuring a small wooden bell tower at its center. Although the original bells of the tower are gone, this prominent feature inspired the building's name…

The Bell Tower Building served as the police headquarters until 1936, when they were moved to the 1902 U.S. Courthouse and Post Office. It remained vacant until 1941, when the Allegany County League for Crippled Children established a clinic here. Today, the Bell Tower Building houses the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.

Almost anytime of the day, and from many angles, can one take interesting and colorful photos of this building. The only problem is, will you have a camera with you the next time you go by and you say, “That would make a great photo”. I sure hope you do.

Yeah, this is my world and you are welcome to it…

Black & White Photograhy

2011-08-24T08:00:00.002-04:00

Court House Rising

I was downtown waiting for the 911 Ride to come through town and this gave me a little time to just look around. I had already taken a few “establishing” photos and was just looking to see what else there was. Nothing!

Man, there has to be something out there, not connected to the Ride, I was thinking. Then, I saw it. From my vantage point all I could see was the top of the Court House, up on Prospect Square, peeking out over the top of the buildings, and I like the way the light was coming across the building. There’s my shot, I said.

I used the tree as a frame and zoomed in to crop out everything else except for that part of the Court House that was showing. Right after I took the photo I felt that this would make a good B&W image, as there was no real color in the frame and a lot of empty space. I felt that with this view, in a B&W setting, I could put some kind of a color in the wide expanse of nothingness; and I did, sort of…

So, having captured this scene, and working it in my digital darkroom, this is what the final image is like. It is a different view of the Court House and I hope you like it…

Road Trip Photography

2011-08-22T08:00:00.002-04:00

Left In Time

I have been past this old building many of times, and each time I’ve noticed it I always felt that this would make a good painting. Well, I don’t know how to paint so I never stopped to do anything with it.

However, this particular day I felt that even though I don’t know how to paint I could photograph it and see what I can come up with in Photoshop. So, I did, and this is the finished image.

I sort of like it, in an artistic way, and I hope you do as well…

Black & White Photography

2011-08-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Into The Past

A garden of dreams or thoughts of the past, memories can be invoked with the smallest touch. Sometimes we look to the future only to see what has gone past, ever looking and never finding what it is that will make us happy.

We know where we’ve been and worry about where we’re going, but there are ways of taking us out of the realm of fear and give us peace within. We seek but never find. We think but never know. We look but never see.

These are the thoughts of one who has been in the past and who knows what lies ahead. For I have seen what I was and who grasps the knowledge of what eternity holds. Dreams come alive when we are set free from the constraints of evil, and love what is given to us in the sacrifice of another…

Road Trip Photography

2011-08-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome Bikers & Welcome Fishermen

I wonder what kind of a brew this mixture would make?

Here's a hint. If you will look closer you will see, above the door, a Nascar poster with the #3 car. Now I know enough about Nascar to know that a number of fans have or like motorcycles and many of them go fishing.

So, don't let first impressions catch you off guard, this just might be a pretty good place to drop by for a cold one, especially if you like Nascar, motorcycles and fishing.

Man, what eclectic offerings my world has to offer, and you are welcome to it... :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-08-10T08:00:00.005-04:00

John Brown’s Fort

Built in 1848, John Brown’s Fort was originally designed as an Engine and Guard House for the Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry, WV; then part of VA.

After John Brown’s infamous raid in 1859 the building was sold to a buyer to be used as an attraction to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Afterwards, it was dismantled and left on a vacant lot.

In 1894 the building was brought back to Harpers Ferry and reconstruction of it was finished in 1895 on land called Murphy’s Farm. Then in 1909, Storer College purchased the building and moved it to the college’s campus.

In 1960, the National Park Service acquired the building and then they moved it, in 1968, to a location close to its original site and only about 150 feet from where it once stood.

My wife and I had a great time walking around Harpers Ferry, earlier this year, and we plan on going back again soon. Now that we know the layout of the town, and what to expect, we can take our time the next time, visit the places we want and spend more time in taking a step back in time.

A View From Western Maryland

2011-08-08T08:00:00.003-04:00

City Hall at 6:30 In The Morning

The City Hall for Cumberland, MD was built between 1911 and 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There you can see a photo of what the building looked like before the greenery took over. It is a 7-by7-bay, two-story, stone-faced, neo-classical structure. It features an irregular corner, into which the architect has recessed a curving bay; the upper window in this curving bay has been filled with glass block. (Information was taken from the City Hall Wikipedia page.)

I created this image one Saturday morning, at 6:30 AM, while waiting for a local Barber Shop to open. I enjoy getting up that early, especially when it isn’t to do so for going to work, and downtown Cumberland at that time is nice and quiet with very few people moving around. It is a good time for taking photographs around town.

Just like this one…

Black & White Photography

2011-08-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

Olde North Cumberland

The following information about Olde North Cumberland is taken from a Wikipedia article about Cumberland, Md. Then make sure you read the last paragraph on why this area is special.

North End is a neighborhood in Cumberland bounded by Wills Creek to the south, Frederick Street to the East, and the city line on the west and north. Once known as "The Queen City", the neighborhood is a mix of residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. Some of the large industries found in this neighborhood include breweries, glass factories, and tanneries. These industries are now defunct, although many of the industrial buildings are still used for warehousing.

Most of the residential housing stock in North End was constructed to house industrial workers, and date from the middle and late 19th century. The housing stock is characterized by adjoining brick row houses and duplexes, set on small lots with narrow streets. As you move east to west through the neighborhood, the house lots become larger, the streets wider, and the housing stock more recent. Most of the commercial businesses in North End are located on Mechanic and Centre streets. Included among them are convenience stores, restaurants, car dealerships, and small boutiques.

However, this site has a personal special meaning to me. This area is at the intersection of Queen City Drive and North Centre Street. At this location, at one time, stood a three story building. On January 15, 1947, on the third floor of that building is where my parents were living when I came into this world. Now I was born in Miners Hospital in Frostburg, but I was brought here, to my first home, a three story walkup on North Centre Street in Cumberland, MD, next to the railroad tracks.

Yeah, this is where my world began and you are welcome to it…

Moments In Time

2011-08-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

As Morning Breaks

Cause me to hear Your loving kindness as the morning breaks,

for in You do I trust.

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,

for I lift my soul to You.

Black & White Photography

2011-07-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Steps In The Yard

This week I’m keeping with the theme of photographs from the yard. I saw these as I was out back and I wondered how best could I photograph them. They were a lovely shade of brown, but I had in mind a B&W photo for these.

I kept the camera and myself low as I looked at these from different angles. I tried different photographic views but none of them felt right, until I came up with this angle and view.

I knew I had the photo that I wanted. It just flowed through the scene and looked to me as if these were steps one could take to another world. By now, you all should know that I have a very active imagination…

So, this is the finished image and I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I did in creating it…

A View From Western Maryland

2011-07-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

Fore!

Never let it be said that we in Western Maryland do not have a sense of humor.

This scene can be viewed at the corner of Frederick (old lower road that used to cross the tracks) and Decatur St. I don’t know who has done this but they have a great imagination, patience and time to have done this. I applaud them for coming up with this idea.

However, unless this was the follow through with a left-handed club I don’t think it is going to have a good chance of hitting the ball very far, if they can hit it all. Besides it looks like he, or she, is playing our of the rough... :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-07-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Whitey

If you saw Monday’s post – Abandoned – then you will know that this is part two of my talk the talk and walking the walk posts. If you didn’t see it then click on the “Abandoned” link above, check it out, and then you can come back here.

This was found in a back section of my yard as I was walking around. I had already taken the photo for “Abandoned” and was looking for more. As soon as I saw this one I knew I had my B&W photo. It was white to begin with and there was a dark background. What more was there for which I could ask?

I came in close, no macro, zoomed in, composed and fired. In Photoshop Elements I converted this to a B&W image, did a few small settings and this is what I had.

So, now you have two examples of what I was saying when I wrote this:

“The purpose of this journal is to show that you can find something of interest to photograph even if you don't leave your own yard. There are photographic opportunities everywhere you look and they are there just waiting for you to find them.”

You’ve been challenged…

Moments In Time

2011-07-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Abandoned

In the column, to the right. called “The Reason For Riff’s Photography Journal” I wrote the following:

“The purpose of this journal is to show that you can find something of interest to photograph even if you don't leave your own yard. There are photographic opportunities everywhere you look and they are there just waiting for you to find them.”

Well, if I’m going to talk the talk then I should walk the walk and practice what I preach. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this but it is the first time that I admitted it. Today’s photo, and the B&W image later this week, was taken somewhere in my yard.

This photo – Abandoned – was taken one evening right after a rain. At these times, I love the way everything seems to have a shine to it and the colors always seem to be more saturated. As I looked up at this chair, which we have sort of abandoned it’s use for this year, I viewed a scene that just begged to be photographed.

The dark and saturated colors around it were set off by the light glow of the grass in the foreground. To me it was a ready made picture. I did use my DSLR for this and did some light work on it in Photoshop Elements. This is the finished result.

This truly is my world, and you are welcome to it…

Travel Photography

2011-07-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

Face In The Stone

When we travel to different places to visit I always try to look for something different, something unusual to photograph. It has to be something that stands out from the otherwise normal type of travel photography that one might take when visiting these areas.

As we walked around Harpers Ferry, WV, on a recent trip there, I kept noticing that a number of buildings and walls were made out of flat rock. Seemed to be an abundance of that type of rock everywhere.

As we were inside one of the buildings that are open for viewing, I walked out back and immediately noticed the rock walls everywhere. Then I noticed it. One of the rocks had what looked like, to me, a face in it.

However, instead of photographing just the face in the stone I decided to photograph the whole area and just leave the face in a small part of it for others to find. That’s your assignment. See if you can find the face. I don’t think you will have to hard of a time in doing so…

Moments In Time

2011-07-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

Wild Thing

Sometimes I like to deviate from the kind of photography that I normally do and create something different. Wild Thing is an example of that.

I was out on the hillside the other evening and I saw this yellow plant of some kind just coming out of the ground. It was surrounded by the wild grass that was growing around it and it just looked out of place.

I got down low with the camera and basically photographed this image, without looking through the viewfinder, and just holding the camera a couple of inches off of the ground. I then played around with the image in Photoshop Elements just to bring out the color and texture, and to dramatically change the overall look of the photo.

This is the finished product. Hope you like it…

Black & White Photography

2011-07-06T08:00:00.002-04:00

Road Trip Photo of Mountain Thunder

Here’s why I sub-titled this a Road Trip Photo. I was coming back into town from a service call and as I rounded the curve on Green Street I saw the smoke coming up from behind the buildings. I knew Mountain Thunder was at the station.

I picked up my point & shoot camera from off of the front seat as I rounded the second curve leading to the tracks and Baltimore Street. I lowered the passenger side window pointed my camera and zoomed in enough so that the window, itself, could not be seen in the photo.

Just as I started to cross the tracks I aimed and fired. This is the prey that I captured. It was then that I realized that there was no one in view. I had inadvertently photographed ol’ #734 without anyone being around; mighty unusual. I think that by this time everyone had gotten on board and the train was just about ready to pull out from the station.

Sometimes God does put you in the right place at the right time to get the right photo. For me this was one of those times. I even envisioned the finished photo to be a B&W image and this is it.

Now you know why I sub-titled this, "Road Trip Photo of Mountain Thunder", and I hope you like it…

Moments In Time

2011-07-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

Happy July 4th

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Black & White Photography

2011-06-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

Upstream From The Lockhouse

In keeping with a C&O Canal theme, this photo was taken the same day I took the photo that was in Monday’s post.

I wanted to see something a little different, something that wouldn't look like the photo that most people would take. So, I took a walk up the canal on the side opposite the Tow Path. At one point, as I turned around to see how far I had come this was the scene that was before me. I knew this was what I wanted to photograph.

This is how Lockhouse 70 looks about a hundred yards up the canal from the building. In Photoshop Elements, I only converted this photo to a B&W image, added a touch of contrast and optimized it for web viewing and that was it.

I can just imagine that this would be what people would have seen back in the days when the canal was in use. Yeah, I know, they would have seen this in color, but film was still B&W… :-)

A View From Western Maryland

2011-06-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Lockhouse 70

Recently I found myself in Oldtown, MD on a fishing outing. It was early in the morning and there was still a little fog in the air, and the lighting was soft and even. Good lighting for “moody” photography.

While I don’t fish, I do like to photograph those who do and, at the same time, I try to capture images from the surrounding area. The soft, even lighting that I had here would allow for good images of the landscape.

I knew there was a C&O Canal Lockhouse in Oldtown and, even though my favorite Lockhouse for photography is Lockhouse 75 at Mexico Farms, this was something different. A different house in a different location and I just had to take some time to do some photography of this Lockhouse.

Although I took several images from different angles, this was the one I liked the best. If you were able to look closer you would see a bike on the porch and there is a person lying down on the porch beside it. Had I waited for him to get up and leave, the lighting would have been different and I would not have gotten the photo that I did.

Yeah, this is my world and you are welcome to it…

Black & White Photography

2011-06-22T08:00:00.002-04:00

Evening At The Point

In the Black & White photo from last week – Cumberland At Eventide – I described how I took the photo from the overlook at Constitution Park. Well, this is one of those places, off to the side, at the overlook.

As I was walking back from the overlook I noticed this bench sitting over on the side. When I got past it I looked back and right away I felt “I have my next B&W Photo”.

Sometimes it just happens that when you see one photo another will pop up as well. This is a good example of looking around for more photo ops even after you got the shot that you want. Never say never and never stop looking, for if you do, you will never see…

Travel Photography

2011-06-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Train Station Harpers Ferry, WV

Recently I had the opportunity of spending the day, with my wife, in Harpers Ferry, WV. Over the past two weeks, you’ve seen a couple of the photos that I created from that visit and this week I’m sharing another photo with you.

Before going to this historical sight I did a little research and found out that the Train Station in Harpers Ferry is an often photographed building. So, my challenge was to find a different angle, a different viewpoint, of the station with which to photograph.

After walking around the building I could not see a way of photographing it that I like, especially in a way that was different. So, I let it alone and told my wife we would visit it later on in the day and look at it in different light. The operative word here is “different”. Could I be successful?

Later on, we found ourselves in the original Armory Site down in the field known as the Lower Armory Grounds. At one point I looked up at the Amtrak passenger train that had just pulled into the station and stopped. I looked over at the station itself and I saw the angle that, for me, was different from other photgraphs that I had seen, and I knew that I had the view that I wanted to photograph.

This is the finished image that was created and I don’t think you will find too many other photographs, if any, exactly like this one. I have the photograph that I wanted of the Train Station in Harpers Ferry, WV. It’s clean, it’s simple and it’s different…

Black & White Photography

2011-06-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

Cumberland At Eventide

While waiting to photograph a recent Little League game up at Constitution Park, I walked over to the overlook and liked what I saw. It was evening, the lights were just coming on and the overall scene had a soft even light to it.

I immediately envisioned a Black & White Photo and took this image. Sometimes an image just pops out at you and you know immediately how the finished photo will look. This was one of those times.

This is my world, how can you not like it, and you are welcome to it…

Travel Photography

2011-06-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

John Brown’s Ghost

Click on the image for a larger photo.

You know me, I’m always looking for something to photograph. While on a visit to Harpers Ferry, WV, I was walking up High Street and as I passed this one building I suddenly caught the glimpse of someone looking at me. Just as quickly as the image appeared, it disappeared as I went by.

I turned and as I slowly stepped back down the sidewalk towards the window I lifted my camera up to my face. Just as soon as I saw the person appear again I snapped this photo. I then stopped and took a careful look and guess what… it was a wax figure… :-)

I had just walked past the Wax Museum that is on High Street and the wax figure in the window is in a dark room. With that in play, the reflection from across the street shows up quite nicely in the old glass. Add that to the fact that this is a wax figure of an angry John Brown, just barely visible in the window, gives the impression of a transparent ghost looking out at you. I loved it.

I’m just glad that no one else was around to see what I had done. With me standing there afterwards laughing to myself, I can just imagine what they would have thought.

However, I love this image. It was one of those "shoot first and ask questions later" photo. Problem is, I don’t think ol' John Brown would have replied. Besides, the way he was holding that cane or whatever it was, I think he was a little angry that I had captured this look... :-)

A Moment In Time

2011-06-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

This Is Axton

Axton is my newest Grandson born on Monday June 6th to my son and his lovely wife.

Yeah, I know, this is a little departure from my style of photography, but I had posted this on my Facebook site and I felt that my Friends on Twitter would like this as well. Most of my Friends on Facebook are local and family, and that's why I posted there first.

However, I have many Friends around the world and I wanted to share this with you, and to let you know that this is my 5th and final Grandson. Barring any miracles, this will be my last grand child.

Axton, this is my world and you are more than welcome to it... :-)

Travel Photography

2011-06-06T08:00:00.001-04:00

A Found Photograph

St. Peter’s Church in the Lower Town section of Harpers Ferry, WV, is a church that is well photographed. This gave me a good incentive in trying to see if I could find an interesting way of photographing something that has been photographed thousands of times before, and to do it differently.

When doing Travel Photography I like to do a little research, first, before going. I look for what’s interesting, what’s most likely been photographed a lot and what might I may be able to capture that is different from what every one else might have done.

This church was my target for this travel location. Although I did photograph many other buildings and locations while in Harpers Ferry, my main focus was on this church. I walked around it, looked at it from different angles – from below it, above it and from the side – and when I took a little walk off to the side of the path that leads to it, I came across this view.

Immediately I knew this would be something that most people would not take the time to see. For one, it was off the path a little and most people won’t deviate from where they are supposed to walk to take a photo of something. In addition, I figured that most people, again, would not take the time to photograph something if you could not see all of it nor would they do so at this distance. This was my view.

I checked out the scene by using different focal lengths on my Canon G11 and when I came to this one, I liked the way the stone wall to the front gave it some depth, and the way the stone wall on the right along with the white fence directed your attention directly to the church itself.The four crosses stood out against the sky and I knew I had my photo. I only took one shot and this is the final result.

I now have a one of a kind photo of a building that is well photographed, and it would not have happened had I not taken the time to do my homework before going, and then to take the time to look around and to see how I could possibly photograph it differently. I think I’ve succeeded and with this image I am well pleased. I hope you like it as well…

Road Trip Photography

2011-06-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

Bridge To A Land Time Has Past

I’ve been told that I have an imagination that runs a different wave length. When I was a teenager I was said to walk to a beat of a different drummer. Nice ways of saying “weird”. Yet, I can’t help it if I see things others don’t. Like this image.

In this photo I see a time when horses pulled the plow, roads were dirt and mornings that were filled with the smell of bacon, coffee and freshly baked bread. Can you smell the aroma? See, I told you.

Photography is a way of creating, in our own imaginations, the sights and sounds that we want to experience. When I started across this newly built bridge and witnessed the scene before me my first thought was that of a land that time has forgotten. Now, with this bridge the clock can be set to move quickly forward and allow for this place, this world to finally catch up to the rest of us.

Then my thoughts were of those of my grandparents who came from land like this. How they were happy, went to church and lived a life that sometimes I envy. Then sorrow crept in as I realized that all to soon this land would be touched by modernization and this land would no more be a land of peace and tranquility.

This bridge, this bridge to the past was bringing the future across the river and soon this world would be no more. I realized that the image had to be captured to show what it once was like and I did so. Right there in the middle of this bridge, I stopped time.

Well, there’s a sample of my imagination gleaned from this photo. I would doubt that any of you who have taken the time to read this would agree, but that’s OK. My imagination is for me, and once in awhile I like to let it go and…

Sleep all day, drive all night
Brain my numb, can't stop now
For sure ain't no doubt
Keep an open mind, let it all hang out

The Hombres

1967

Moments In Time

2011-05-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

Made In The USA

Even something as simple and honest as this is brought to you by all those whom we honor on Memorial Day. They gave their all for their country so that we would have the freedom to have something as self-reliant as this. By their supreme sacrifice, those men and women made it possible to say… “Made In The USA”…

A View From Western Maryland

2011-05-23T06:52:00.000-04:00

The Rain Tree

You can click on the image for a larger view.

You know my saying that, “if you are not looking you will never see”. Well, at a recent youth baseball game that I was at it was damp and chilly. If you sat for any length of time, and you were not dressed properly, you could just feel it to the bone.

So, to keep myself warm between innings, I would get up and look around to see what might make a good subject for my camera. When I saw this scene I immediately thought of a finished image and I got the shot that I wanted.

After working on the file in my digital darkroom for a short period of time, this is the image with which I'd envisioned. It's great when everything falls in place.

I call this The Rain Tree because it had been drizzling and the tree just looked like it was weeping along with the weather. Yeah, I think we were both chilly and damp…

Black & White Photography

2011-05-18T08:00:00.003-04:00

Senior Center

You can click on the image for a larger view.

I had been downtown and was walking back to the office. Just looking around I saw the way the light came across, in a speckled way, the doorway to the old Senior Center. I liked the way it looked but I didn’t like the color.

For a moment I started to keep walking but thought better of it. I took my camera out of my bag and took a few photos just to see what I could do with it in my digital darkroom. I felt that, with the lighting, this would look better in B&W.

I was also amused at the four or five people who stopped to watch what I was doing. Nobody said anything. I didn’t try to hide what I was doing and even smiled and mentioned to the person closest to me that I liked the lighting and I was using it as I was in the process of documenting the older buildings in Cumberland. That got me a couple of smiles and they finally started to go on their merry way.

Anyway, after playing with the jpeg file for awhile in Photoshop Elements this is an image with which I became satisfied. It’s centered, as most subjects should not be, its even in the shading around the photo, and the dramatic lighting on the doorway, as it just sits there in the middle of the photo, makes it work. To have put the door anywhere else would not have given this image the look and feel that it has.

For me it has that classic “Hollywood” look as you would see in older moves, such as Hitchcock’s films. Before, when I started, there were only two basic colors. With some changes in contrast, vignetting and levels we have changed a most plain image into something that is interesting to view. Yes, there are still only two basic colors being used, but they are now in B&W, and for this photo it works…

Road Trip Photography

2011-05-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Peacemakers House

Please click on the photo for a larger view.

When I’m out on the road one of the things I like to look for are houses with unique names. This is one that I just recently found.

I had been on a service call trip to Strasburg, VA and on the way back I came across this home. I love it and I think the name goes along with the house. Another reason to always have a camera with you and to be looking for something to photograph. You know…

If you are not looking you will never see.

Road Trip Photography

2011-05-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

Foggy Colors

I love the way forest colors look when seen in fog. They are soft, muted and dazzling. This is a scene that I came across while on a road trip a week ago. As I was heading towards Romney, WV, it was early morning and the fog was just starting to lift. I rounded a slight curve and this little sight was along side the road. It was just begging to be captured and and I did.

This is just another reason why I love where I live and why I always say…

This is my world and you are welcome to it. :-)

Black & White Photography

2011-05-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

Fishing In The Rain

On a recent service call in the Friendsville (MD) area I came across this scene as I came out of town. The weather was very overcast, gray and rainy, and here were these two boys fishing off of the side of a bridge. I grabbed my camera and this is the photo I took. My only thought was that these two people sure do love to fish…

Road Trip Photography

2011-05-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Junk Car Trees and a Cow

Traveling through the country can bring many beautiful sites. Sometimes, however, you come across a scene and you are not sure what to think about it. This is one of those moments. It looks like the trees are actually growing out through the junk cars, but adding the lone cow just makes this whole thing look quite fascinating. I just had to document the moment…

Moments In Time

2011-04-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Cat That Walked by Himself

"He will kill mice, and he will be kind to babies when he is in the house, just as long as they do not pull his tail too hard. But when he has done that, and between times, and when the moon gets up and night comes, he is the Cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to him. Then he goes out to the Wet Wild Woods or up the Wet Wild Trees or on the Wet Wild Roofs, waving his wild tail and walking by his wild lone."

Rudyard Kipling

Road Trip Photography

2011-04-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

Sunshine Feed Store

Located on Route 50 in Burlington, WV is this building called the Sunshine Feed Store. As far as I can tell it is not a working establishment, but it is a building that someone took some time and imagination to colorize. I think they did an outstanding job and I love looking at this place every time I go past it.

Just click on the photo to see it in its original size...

Moments In Time

2011-04-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

After A Rain

Softly does the rain come down,

drenching, quenching the thirsty ground.

Upon it's end brings clouds delight,

and takes rains moisture into the night.

From leaf and limb drops fall to ground,

and into puddles makes circles round.

Then night ensues and hides all away,

till morning dawns and brings the day.

So when it rains don't fret or sigh

for rain is good, it's nature's high.

From rain all living things do grow,

rain is God's blessings, seen in a rainbow.

Glenn C. Riffey

Road Trip Photography

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

By The Tracks

Last Autumn, I was heading back to the office, having completed a networked MFP install, and I had to stop in traffic for road work.

Man, I didn’t need this. I had to get back. There was work to be done and I really didn’t have time to sit here and do nothing. While fuming a little, I started looking around at the scenery. It was then that my motto popped back into my mind, “if you are not looking, you will never see.”

I started to do just that, and as I looked around I noticed that the bright greens and yellows of summer were still present but, also, the saturated colors of Fall, the orange and reds, were starting to come out here and there. It was a great juxtaposition of colors and adding in the railroad tracks, and the field beside me, just made me realize how beautiful the world can be; if you will but look and see.

I picked up my camera, which I always have with me, and took a few photos as I noticed that the traffic started to move again. No, I wasn’t ready, we needed to sit still for awhile. Funny, just a few moments ago I was in a hurry and didn’t want to stop, now I didn’t want to go. I just wanted to sit here for awhile and just enjoy nature in all it’s changing glory.

Having taken a few images, I continued on to the office and I forgot all about these photos until a few days ago. So, even though we’re going into Summer, these are the colors we will see and will, once again, drop back into Fall when the time is right.

Had I not been stopped, had I been a few minutes earlier or later I would have gone by this scene and most likely never would have noticed it. However, this was one of those times when God just said, “Hey, stop, take it easy and just look around see what all I have done.” It’s nice to know that God has the same motto as I…

If you are not looking, you will never see…

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-04-13T07:00:00.002-04:00

The Last Of This Series...

One Stands Tall

This is the last of my Weekly Black & White Photography posts. I will continue to post a B&W image from time to time but not on a weekly basis. Instead, I'll be concentrating more on my color photography, especially in doing Urban and Landscape photography.

So, for now this is it and I hope you will enjoy this last photo of the series. It's been fun and I've learned a lot about doing B&W photography, but now it is time to move on. Thanks for all of your comments and encouraging remarks and for the suggestions that have come my way. They have all been greatly appreciated.

Beginning next week, in addition to the Views From Western MD, the Road Trip Photography and the Travel Photography I'll be starting a new series that will focus more on the history of my area. I think it, too, will be fun to work on and I hope you will enjoy the photos that I bring you and, in the process, learn more about why I love to live where I do.

After all, this is my world and I want you to feel welcome to it...

Travel Photography

2011-04-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

The Fisherman

When you are traveling do you look for photos that are off the beaten path? Yeah, it’s OK to photograph the usual and you may even do so in different ways with different looks. However, when you come back with that special photo you will be glad you took the time to go off the beaten path.

This photos is an example of what I’m talking about. This was taken on the Eastern end of Jamestown Island. When you come out of the National Park area and start to leave the road leads off to the left out of the parking lot. However, there is a sign showing what is called the Loop Road that goes right out of the parking lot.

There are two Loop Roads from which to choose. If you take the long loop road, which I would suggest you do, you will go to the outer banks of the Jamestown Island. There is a small parking lot there where you can park your vehicle and walk about 50 yards out to the end of the island. You will come out where the Eastern end of the Island comes to rest on the James River as it heads East to the Chesapeake Bay. This area is known as Black Point.

The first time we went out to this area, as soon as we came out onto the beach there was this person off to the right and just standing there fishing. Now how could I resist not taking this photo. For me it was a once in a lifetime photo opportunity as we have been back there numerous times and there has never been anyone else out there fishing.

This is one of our favorite photos from our trips to the Colonial Williamsburg area, as it was quite a surprise to see someone fishing off of Jamestown Island. The big thing is, had we not followed the sign showing the way to the Loop Road we would never have been in the place to even see this setting, had we not changed our plans and decided to go off the beaten path.

By-the-way, this image was created with a little 5MP Point & Shoot camera…

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-04-06T08:00:00.001-04:00

Council Chamber

This room is located in the Capitol Building in Colonial Williamsburg. The building is the first American structure built to which the word "Capitol" was applied. In this room many decisions were made and quite a few had an impact on the beginnings of the United States itself.

You can read more about this building at this link:

Capitol Building at Colonial Williamsburg

A View From Western Maryland

2011-04-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Club House

This is the former Jockey Club Building that was at the Fairgo Race Track, the first half-mile track in the state of Maryland.

The building now houses the Maryland and West Virginia Model Railroad Association. You can find out more about this fine association at this link:

Maryland and West Virginia Model Railroad Association

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-03-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

Colonial Storehouse

Functional, well constructed and used for many reasons, the Storage Sheds of Colonial days were deemed a necessary building. They would be used for many things from storing guns and ammunitions to left over items from the kitchen.

This image was created with a digital camera…

Road Trip Photography

2011-03-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

Morning Past

How many times has the Sun come up and given light on the work of this farm? It’s not an easy life for the work is hard, it’s not romantic and the rewards few. However, for those who lived this life it was all they knew. They are now gone and all we have left are remnants of “Morning Past”…

This image was created with a digital camera…

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-03-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

Path Of Dreams

The day is long and the night awaits. Around the corner only you can know as as your imagination brings to you the longings, desires and the unknown as we all pursue our own path of dreams...

Created with a Digital Camera…

A View From Western Maryland

2011-03-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Early Morning "Toy Camera" View of Cumberland

This image was created with a Point & Shoot Camera…

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-03-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Peaceful Solitude

Sitting in the garden listening to the brook as it flows down the hillside, hearing the birds as they sing their songs and feeling the breeze as it gently flows across my face. Nothing else matters as these are the times of nature's refresing. This is a place of peaceful solitude…

This image was created with a DSLR and an 18-105 lens. The ISO is 200 and was exposed for 1/160 sec @f/6.3.

A View From Western Maryland

2011-03-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

Red White & Blue

I was out at the Allegany County Fairgrounds today when I noticed this building. It seemed that the Information Booth, and many things close by, all had the colors of red, white and blue; even the soft drink vending machine in the background.

It was just to good to pass up. I had to photograph it, and I did…

This image was created with a point & shoot camera. The ISO is 80 and was exposed for 1/250 sec @f/4.

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-03-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

Back Porch Sunday

This image was created with a Point & Shoot Camera. The ISO is 80 and was exposed for 1/400 sec @f/5.6.

A View From Western Maryland

2011-03-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Awaiting Spring

Lake side steps leading down to a still partially frozen Deep Creek Lake in Western MD. In a couple of months there will boats, swimming and sailing on these waters, and many people can hardly wait for the time to arrive.

In the meantime one can only observe and still enjoy those beautiful little moments that can only be seen when it's Winter time on The Lake.

This image was created with a Point & Shoot camera. The ISO is 80 and was exposed for 1/400 sec @f/4.5.

A Special Thank You

2011-03-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

Peace and Happiness

This image is just for those who have signed up to follow this blog. I am very grateful that you have done so and I want you to know how much I really appreciate it.

I hope I can live up to your expectations, and with this photo comes a special prayer for each of you. In this photo I see Peace. Peace in your heart and Peace in your soul. That is my prayer for you, that you will have Peace in your life and the happiness that comes with it.

I am humbled that each of you like this blog enough to want to follow and I can’t thank you enough for doing so. Down the road, if you ever have any comments, suggestions or critiques of any kind please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Only with your thoughts, with your input can I hope to do better and to continue to bring the kind of photography and written posts that you will enjoy, and will provide you with enough of an incentive that you will want to continue on with this journey.

Again, thank you and may God bless each and everyone of you…

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-03-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Wood Cutter

Came home last Friday and found some rather large limbs in the backyard from the strong winds that went through that day. Well, they did need to be cleaned up…

This image was created with a Point & Shoot camera. The ISO is 80 and was exposed for 1/200 sec @f/4.

The Color Of Winter

2011-02-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

God’s Spotlight On Winter

Early morning sunshine, as it peaks over the mountain tops and through the trees, hits only the Winter Greetings flag. All else stays in the shade. Prayerfully this signifies that God is saying goodbye to Winter and telling us that soon we'll be enjoying the new growth of Spring.

This image was created with a Point & Shoot camera. The ISO is 80 and was exposed for 1/500 sec @f/4.

Weekly Black & White Photography

2011-02-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

Literary Hall

Literary Hall is a building that housed the former Romney Literary Society and was built in 1869/1870.

This image was created with a Point & Shoot camera. The ISO is 80 and was exposed for 1/125 sec.
@f/4.