Snow Day!!

Hooray El Niño winters. Sometimes brutal yes. But also they allow for some really incredible days, such as 12+ inches of snow in a normally snow-barren Mid-Atlantic region. Days like these are the ones that no one takes for granted. Your normal everyday routine drive through the city quickly becomes the antithesis of and the camera comes out. Enjoy.

 

 

Bio Ritmo @ Balliceaux

Richmond. We are known for many things and I'll tell you two of those: Music and Restaurants. I had the great pleasure of seeing a home-town staple with a new favorite. Bio Ritmo performed an incredible two set performance at the decadent new eatery/venue Balliceaux. Only being my second visit to the building, I'm still taken aback at the level of thought placed into the planning of their lay-out. If I had to describe, I'd call it a F.L. Wright inspired design mixed with a touch of classic Richmod architecture. Very clean lines. Dark, mellow wood. Exposed brick, painted white. Well done. The combination with one of the best acts in town turned into a classic night, it wasn't till well into the second set did the dance floor clear enough to get a good Latin dance on, despite the craving for it from all sides. Top notch, keep it up Richmond.

The way we'll always be?

I find myself in quiet retrospection this evening. Trying to maintain the same 90 minute a day discipline for this activity is becoming more stringent than I once thought. But after reviewing peers' blogs, especially today, I realize it must be done. Illness be damned. Just have at it. Another task is finding photos to post. Perhaps it's a touch more difficult because as one who captures photos, I have yet to know what exact style I wish to purvey.

This evening caught me going back a couple of years to the first month or two in which I found myself in ownership of my first digital SLR. I had a good point and shoot, but felt it was time to expand after several years of that. Albeit, I loved the aspect of convenience, portability, immediacy, etc. But eventually you have to step up in some fashion. Not the greatest of cameras, a simple Nikon D40. But this did create many options I did not have before. One open doors leads to the next, yes? These four are simply what occurs when you have a camera in your hand at every moment for 2 months. The digital age is a double-edged sword. Yes, you have immediate feedback. On the other side, everyones a photographer nowadays.

The first was shot pretty late at night. From what I remember it may have been my first open shutter frame. I think I let it go for 10 or 15 seconds. Not trying any fancy tricks, but just trying to capture all the colors I saw that night. A lot of humidity in the air really carries existing light on occasion.

The next came from the Shenandoah valley, mid-spring or so. Everything was so lush and green. I was stopped on an old country road, probably dating back to 18xx? I'm still not sure how much I enjoy macro shots, but its still satisfying to capture an image that, to you, feels perfect.

Again, I return to the beach. Partially because I spend so much time there. Myself, like so many others out there, receive a certain calm and resetting from the ocean. Being in, or around, or on. It just levels me out in a way I'm not sure I can find elsewhere. This image could have been laying under the umbrella, awaiting sleep or just coming from a time of rest. I don't remember and it doesn't really matter now, but I know at that moment it was serene.

Finally. An image of the man that shaped at least 60+% of who I am today. My Ol' Man. On the water, in his element and happy. Not the easiest of lives he's led and I think his working had says it best. No words, just a photo. Love you, Dad.

Enjoy.

July Juxtaposition

Well. I caught myself peering through my back-up drive, and whether subliminally or not, I got lost in some photos taken this past summer on the July 4th  weekend.

For the most part a normal summer weekend. Crowds, minor waves, and a good bit of fun. But I believe caught my attention throughout the entire weekend was the fireworks. Normal, I know. Everyone loves fireworks. But this year I had court side seats and a voyeurism into what goes on behind the spectacular show that puts crowds across the globe stand in awe. 

On first glimpse, I really wasn't paying attention to the crew poised and circling the ignitions methodically. This is also what caught my eye. As you can see in the daylight picture, they had an array of equipment. Ranging from blast cylinders to large trucks to bring in all the gear. 

Once the initial blast went, the crowd looked upward. These figures did not. I could spot how many there were by a small glow about half way up each figure. Barely seeing their faces, I was still able to see that the bearer of each cinder was peering down, eyes locked onto each ring that emitted an explosion. For obvious reasons I first thought had first thought to myself, they've seen the show before, why would they worry about what was in the sky. 

After a few moments passed I saw the way the group moved. It was almost like viewing a ceremony of sorts. If I had to describe it.. they almost moved like druid priests. Slow, deliberate paces around an alter that was in the middle of the circle created by the group themselves. One couldn't help but ask the question, what all is involved in this show of low-level explosions? Were they following a strict OSHA protocol or is there an old, ancient ritual to celebrate the Black Match? I dunno, I don't ignite the fireworks, I just push the button. Enjoy.

Not each of the photos is directly related to the pyrotechnics, but is definitely a good representation of a solid 3 day weekend spent in Cape Hatteras. Full moons and a dead pelican.

Well.. Here we are.

New Year. New Decade. New Start. With all this newness about, let's see if I can find a new favorite to set the tone. You might ask, "what's the deal with that cork?"

I visited a friend in Maryland this weekend and was witness to be very first (hopefully not the last by any means) Sabrage. A ceremony in which a champagne cork is removed using a piece of cutlery (sword, sabre, kitchen knife, etc). He also just happens to have an outlet for himself over at East Coast Palate .

So until I manage to have a few more posts under my belt, go over and check it out.

The purpose if this site will be to showcase a bit of the type of photography, radio, writing, lifestyle I set out to accomplish. Always moving in one direction: Forward.

Welcome to Push Button Media.