Weekly Black & White Photo

The Cold Is Coming

This image was created with a DSLR and a 50 f/1.8 lens. The ISO was 1600.

Fall just arrived and with the change of weather I just wanted to let you know what could be ahead; snow and cold. Ok, I know this isn't nice. Snow and cold will be upon us soon enough but, for me, if I think of this now the cooler temperatures I'm experience these past few days don't feel so bad. Only a couple of weeks ago it was hot and we had the air on. In fact just this last Saturday it got up to 95. Right now the temp is 60.

So, enjoy the still warm weather while you can. It will change soon enough. Let's see, I still have to clean out the gutters, caulk around some windows, mow the grass, wax the vehicles... Man!!!

Yeah, this is my world, and if it gets this cold and snowy again, you are definitely welcomed to it... :-)

Weekly Black & White Photo

The Lock Box

This image was created using a DSLR and an 18 - 70mm lens. The ISO was 800.

This coming weekend is the Canalfest/Railfest Festival and I'll be there photographing the event again this year. I thought I'd give you a little challange, if you show up. This is a Lock Box somewhere at the Western Maryland Rail Station. See if you can find it. Should be easy if you look closely at the photo.

When you do find it, just let you imagination flow on how is this used. What is it used for and are you sure what's inside is what you think is there? Come for the Train Pull contest Saturday morning and look around until you find it and then find a good spot to sit back and watch all the groups pull the train. It is quite interesting to watch and photograph.

Hope to see many of you at the Festival this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (24th, 25th & 26th). Lots of entertainment, good food and it should be a lot of fun again this year. Come and join in the fun of celebrating our area's transportation heritage.

Here is a link to the Schedule of Events for the 3 day festival...

CanalFest/RailFest 2010

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

A View From Western Maryland

Edge Of Fall

This image was created with a DSLR and an 18 - 70mm lens. The ISO was 200 and exposed for 1/320 sec at f/8.

As I walked out of the building, this was the view that was before me. I stood there looking out over the scene and the first thing I thought was that Summer was almost over and that we are on the edge of Fall, hence the name.

It was about mid morning when I took this photo and I was at Deep Creek Lake State Park waiting to photograph the run part of the SavageMan Triathlon. The weather couldn't have been better as it was sunny, with low humidity and just starting to climb into the 70's. For a moment, however, I could not think of anything but how beautiful nature can be and I just stood there looking out over the lake through the trees.

By the way, the building that I just came out of was one of the Park"s Outhouses. Now what more could you ask for when nature calls...

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

Out Of Character

Looking At The WMSR

This image was created by using a DSLR and an 18-70mm lens. The ISO was 400 exposed for 1/25 sec @f/5.6.

I was at the Western Maryland Railroad Station one day and I saw the WMSR through the window, and I loved the way it looked through the blinds. I just had time to point, focus and shoot before the moment was gone; and I got it.

Actually, if you haven’t guessed by now, this is just a scale model of one of the cars and it’s inside the window in the station as seen from outside. I think it’s cool to see it this way and it gives you the sensation of looking at the real thing, especially if the lighting is right. In fact, you can even see the seats inside the car giving it a seemingly real look to it.

Yeah I know, it’s Out Of Character, but sometimes so am I. You should try it sometime... :-)

This is my world and you are welcome to it.

Weekly Black & White Photo

Need Gas?

This image was taken with a DSLR and an 18 – 105 lens. The ISO was 200.

Came across this station in Burlington, WV. I only had time to pull off the side of the road and point my camera and shoot. I did have in mind an older looking B&W photo and this image is the end result.

Check out the photo closely and see how many different gas pumps there are. Can you identify all of them?

A View From Western Maryland

I68 Farm Scene

This image was created using a 5MP Point & Shoot camera. The ISO was 100 and exposed for 1/500 sec @f/7.

Near Grantsville, MD, this is a scene you can see if you are looking. I actually took this photo just off of I68 on the east bound side. I was quite enthralled with the way that the landscape colors and the shades of the clouds in the blue sky all seem to come together to help the farm stand out from the scene.

Sometimes the most simple of views can be the most captivating and, for me, this is one of those images.

A View From Western Maryland

Greens of Cumberland

This image was created with a DSLR and an 18 – 105mm lens. The ISO was 200 and exposed for 1/250 sec @f/8.

Cumberland is an old city. It can date its beginnings back to the mid 1750’s. If you were to see photos of the city back in the 1800’s and early 1900’s you would see that the hills were bare of forest growth. Now, however, there are trees, shrubs and greens of all kinds in and around the city. This is but one example.

This view is what is seen from the Western Maryland Rail Station looking across Wills Creek at what was once Riverside Park. The roof of the building that is seen in this photo is that of what was the headquarters of Colonel George Washington of the VA detachment of the British Army. It was originally located up on the hill behind this building in what was, then, Fort Cumberland.

Although Cumberland is an old city it has much history about it, and it still has many historical and architecturally buildings to be seen and appreciated, but what I love most about Cumberland is the greens that now surround and fill many areas of this wonderful town.

Yeah, this is my world filled with history, greens and beauty and you are welcome to it.

Weekly Black & White Photo

Little Gem

This image was created by using a DSLR and an 18 – 105mm lens. The ISO was 200 and the exposure was 1/800 sec @f/8.

This “Little Gem” is a flower that grows on the Magnolia grandiflora, or better known as the Southern Magnolia. It is a flower that is white, fragrant and quite beautiful upon which to look.

On Jamestown Island in Virginia they are quite numerous and you can’t help but photograph them. So I did..…

Travel Photography

Simple Peace

This image was created by using a DSLR and an 18 – 105mm lens. The ISO was 200 and was exposed at 1/250 sec @f/8.

Walking around Jamestown Island is a wonderful way to spend a morning. Of course the history that you can learn is fantastic and you could spend the whole day there, if one so desired. In addition, just walking the settlement site itself is quite relaxing.

There are not to many places, however, to sit when you get tired walking, but if you are lucky you might find one of these benches upon which to rest. This bench was at the far end of the settlement and by the time we got here we were a little in need of some rest, so we did. We sat here for about half an hour just looking out over the James River, watching the Geese swim and the boats go by.

This is a place that is quiet, it’s restful and it’s a place that will provide some Simple Peace…

Weekly Black & White Photo

The Cross Up High

This image was created with a DSLR and an 18 – 105mm lens. The ISO was 200 and was exposed for 1/2000 sec @f/5.6.

While out taking a recent Sunday afternoon drive – yes, some old people still go out for that Sunday drive – coming into Mt. Savage from Frostburg I was struck by this view in front of me.

I pulled over to the the side of the road, got out my camera and captured this scene. I just loved the way the cross on the steeple was shining, and the clouds out to the side just made this whole scene stand out above the tree tops.

Just think, this scene, as you see it, will never pass this way again. Now that is amazing.