Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Missing Roma


Going back to the archives - This image captures one of my favorite moments in time.  As we walked the alleyways on a warm Roman August night, we came across this courtyard in front of the Pantheon.  I remember the pleasure of hearing the low hum of diners enjoying great food and wine, and doing what people do best in Rome - loving life.  How to get this feeling everyday?
 
Rome, Italy 08.2008

ShotSpecs: Nikon Coolpix S10 | focal 8mm | ISO 800 | shutter 1/5 | f 3.1

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Morning Glitter


One of the best things about freezing rain storms, are the days following.  Tree branches converted to hanging crystals, glittering in a morning sunshine.  This scene made the morning windshield scraping almost worthwhile.
 
Ottawa, Canada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 17mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1/100 | f 7.1

Friday, November 26, 2010

P2


A common site at the end of a long day - the trek to my chariot's stable on the second level.  The sun low in the sky, casting strong shadows and warming the stairway, a quiet walk, collecting thoughts after what felt like an endless series of back to back meetings.  In an attempt to stay true to a personal goal to shoot images everyday, this sight stopped me long enough to reach for my camera and capture the moment. 
 
Ottawa, Canada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 17mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1/100 | f 7.1

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Ink Joint


This old school tattoo joint stood out for obvious reasons.  Along a back street, with hot rods in the yard, and an unapologetic neon green exterior - this place was cool.  Did not get the dragon tattoo on this visit, but was thinking about it...really thinking about it.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/200 | f 8.0

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Kaleidoscope


Out to experiment with low light photography, I made my way to this newly opened Arts Center.  The facade was formed by a collection of colored glass panels, that glowed with the back lighting from within the facility.  A sparkling gem, the chromatic reflections, partnered wonderfully by the silence of that night, were very comfortable.
 
Ottawa, Canada 06.2009

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 76mm | ISO 1250 | shutter 6.0 | f 22.0

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Expressway


Crossing the overpass, the natural attraction to capture the movement of the expressway was irresistible.  Fortunately, my partner in crime on that evening, once again found the opening, where we could take advantage of an extended exposure without the fence obstructing the shot.  I found this scene enchanting - the vibrancy of the city lights and cars, against a calm desert sky and distant mountain range.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 22mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1.3 | f 20.0

Monday, November 22, 2010

Burrito Factory


Mark's comments summed it up - "If this place was open, I'd be all over it.  My kinda place."  A little rest spot, out of the way, and was all business.  You just knew that the tamales would make your mouth water, the burritos would be the size of your forearm, and their sauces hot enough to take the paint off a battle ship.  Just right.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/60 | f 4.5

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Hooka Cafe


In a rundown part of town, we crossed this interesting little building with an ornate wooden facade, gold accents, and vibrant colors.  The Maharaia Hookah Cafe, stood out from its neighbors, with a unique look and offering for the area.  The combination of the rich colors and materials, while out of place, were wonderful for the senses.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/40 | f 4.0

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Orchard


That time of year again.  On my way home after running about, and the rows of rickety apple trees, bare of their crop, are a thing of awkward beauty.  The crevasses along their trunks, the twists and turns of each branch, are all filled with character, highlighted by the hard light of the afternoon sun.  While they may look a horror, the real beauty comes from their character and from the wonderful harvest they provide for others to enjoy.
 
Ottawa, Canada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 30mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1/400 | f 16.0

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Delayed


A usual scene for road warriors - weary travels staring at flight status, fingers crossed.  While I am critical from time to time on air travellers today, I do still find the experience in airports stimulating.  For a people watcher, it is an incredible cross section of subjects.  On a recent flight, I heard the tails of an American lad, visiting his Canadian bride (met over the internet), and the challenges he has had finding work as an engineer, and how "the man" is a drag.  This delicious story capped with a youth growing up with the Hells Angels biker culture in the "hoods" of LA ... regardless of how much truth was in the story, it was interesting.

Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/25 | f 8.0

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Overpass


Drawn by the distant Red Rock mountain range, we started across this overpass.  If arching protective fence along a winding roadway became in interesting subject before the imminent sunset.  The capturing of colors, lines, perspective and motion made this one appealing to my eye.  Sometimes the simple things do the trick.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 1000 | shutter 1/15 | f 20.0

Monday, November 15, 2010

Wheels


Shooting street scenes, caught this fellow outside the Harley store.  The HOG culture is all about the freedom of the open road.  The contrast of this gentleman's situation against the ultimate icon of the Live to Ride, Ride to Live philosophy was dramatic.  Counting blessings.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 50mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/160 | f 4.5

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Aria


For all its oddities, Las Vegas has some breathtaking sights.  This collection of buildings surround a courtyard area, baked by the Aria Resort and Casino.  While some may disagree, these are visionaries in the Hospitality industry, building out memorable architecture that demand you stop and pay attention.  I am fan of glass and steel when put together "just right".
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 2500 | shutter 1/10 | f 3.5

C52


Last leg back to Ottawa, hustled over to Terminal 1 Gate C52 to the delayed flight.  On the moving walk way, the lines and perspective were quite cool as they drew into the distant boarding area.  If you are wondering what looks a little off in the image - it's that there are few people - which I guess is the case at that late hour.  It did help with the pic though.
 
Chicago, Illinois 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1/15 | f 3.5

Saturday, November 6, 2010

A Graceland Wedding


The only thing better than a beautiful weeding, is a wedding led by the King of Rock'n'Roll himself.  The Graceland Wedding Chapel, is one of a long line of Vegas express wedding institutions.  This is yet another industry unto itself in this City of Many Flavors.  Fun, easy and memorable (taken to an extreme) - isn't that the way they are all suppose to be?
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/400 | f 11.0

Friday, November 5, 2010

Vegas Sunrise


Mark and I were on a 6 a.m. hunt for perch to capture a Vegas Sunrise.  Locked buildings, side streets that weren't going anywhere... but never to be discouraged.  We ultimately found a parking garage rooftop.  It wasn't the best we were hoping for, but I was pleasantly surprise to catch this silhouetted shot of the distant sunrise.  Sizzling hot and delicious - perfect for the City of Sin.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 21mm | ISO 1000 | shutter 1/50 | f 13.0

Thursday, November 4, 2010

You've Got Mail!


An old school mailbox, in a neighborhood where "no news is good news" likely reins true.  The thing I found interesting, aside from the snazzy gun metal gray finish, was the clear imprint that this box is in fact "certified" by the Postmaster General.  Government regulation at its finest.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 46mm | ISO 320 | shutter 1/60 | f 2.8

Blocked



Passing by an abandoned lot, found this site amusing - markings pointing out the way to go, with a fence blocking the ability to act.  Seemed a bit like what many of us experience from time to time - knowing what needs to be done, but not able to move forward because we have something standing in the way, real or otherwise.  Step around it or climb over it...just keep going.
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/250 | f 10.0

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Emergency Exit


After yet another delay, started wandering O'Hare with Canon in hand.  Came across this Emergency Exit - its combination of lighting and textures caught my eye.  Made me think, wouldn't it be great if, just sometimes, we had one of these handy in those moments where enough is just enough - escape hatch to collect ourselves and come back to fight another day.  Just a thought.
 
Chicago, Illinois 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 19mm | ISO 1600 | shutter 1/15 | f 4.5

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Freemont East


Visiting "Old School Vegas" was fun.  Freemont is lined with joints that made the town back in the day.  And even early on this morning, the characters that walk the streets added a special dose of spice to the experience.  Nice day, hanging with Mark, and a handful of memory cards - a great combination.   
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 24mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/15 | f 22

Fascism-mo


We came across these two paper boxes knocked over in the street, I stopped to have a look.  I was taken by the how much was going on: Not sure if it was the question as to what drove someone to kicked these over in Sin City? Was it that news boxes in Vegas only seemed to carry the picks of the day? Or was it the diversity of the markets targeted by the promoters?  I think the thing that tickled me the most was what appeared to be a confused neo-Nazi, uncertain as to the components of their trademark, and making their mark in pink nail polish.  If you can get past the symbols of hate and exploitation, the contradictions are interesting to contemplate.   
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 11.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 17mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/60 | f 5.6

Monday, November 1, 2010

Great Pyramid


The fun side of Las Vegas is the opportunity to see things that you would never see (or possibly not want to see) anywhere else in the world.  Take for example the Luxor.  A majestic black faced Pyramid of glass and steel, trimmed in traveling lights, and firing a beam of light into the atmosphere that can be seen from outer space.  Quite a sight.  It's a wonder we still can't seem to find a cure for the common cold - seems all the smart people are working on these projects.  
 
Las Vegas, Nevada 10.2010

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 18mm | ISO 1600 | shutter 1/20 | f 4.5