I had a great visit to Albuquerque a couple months ago, during which I took some artistic shots in the very scenic Old Town section. I love the extremely shallow depth of field possible with this lens. Everything is clear and crisp, too, a feature well known to those who have used many Pentax lenses.
I spent this past weekend in Harper’s Ferry, WV. Usually I am not particularly interested in photographing monuments and standing in line with the other tourists to photograph what someone decided was the best view of the town. However, I almost always travel with a camera.
You never know what you might find along the trail you know not. For instance, just this morning, my wife and I wandered into Beans in the Belfry, a lovely coffee shop and restaurant in Brunswick, MD that was built in an old church. Check out some of the photos I got of the place and the old stained glass.
We got good coffee, a great meal and just a bit of church this Sunday. So maybe the church part doesn’t count. However, I find it difficult to gaze upon stained glass and not feel something. I guess the church part counts after all.
If you are out that way, be sure to stop in. It’s a great place.
This lion was in front of the Art Institute of Chicago. The mid tones in concrete offer great texture against the overcast sky and made this a fun one to turn B&W.
I just came across this photo on my hard drive. It’s one of my all-time favorites I have done, especially my favorite from my trip to Thailand in 2003. My wife and I had hired a driver to take us around Phuket for the day. I think a full day of driving cost something in the neighborhood of 1000 Baht, which was roughly equal to $25 at the time.
The driver said he knew a back way to get to wherever our next stop was and mentioned that along the way there was a big Buddha statue. Did we want to go? My only concern was my wife having to put up with me oohing and ahhing over another temple. But other than that, yes, we wanted to go.
We went into the mountains in the center of the island and along a very curvy road until we got to the temple. We came around the corner and there it was – probably about 40 to 50 feet tall from its base. We climbed the stairs and I took this picture. It was a beautiful place.
If you are going to Thailand and want to visit this temple, just let me know and I will dig out the name. It is hard to find, not one of the more popular attractions, despite its beauty. If you want general information about Thailand, I can give that as well. It’s one of my favorite countries and I love to help people plan their visits.
Do you love this photo as much as I do? Please go vote for it to be in JPG Magazine.
Note: This was from back in my film days, when I was shooting Fuji Velvia ISO 50 slide film. Shot with a Pentax K1000 with a 28mm lens.
Technorati Tags: Thailand, Phuket, Buddha, temple, mountains
Every day is a good day to discover a photographic opportunity. One of the key ingredients, though, is carrying a camera with you. Recently while in Toronto, I was delighted to find an accordion player in a small crepe shop. The place was so small you could hardly move without bumping into people at the next table, but instead of being a constraining place, it was more homey.
Here is what I wrote for Metroblogging Toronto:
My lovely wife and I recently decided to get a bite to eat before entering the Toronto Reference Library for some intense work and sunshine deprivation. We happened upon Crepes a GoGo at 18 Yorkville Avenue and could not have been more pleased. The food really hit the spot – delicious crepes steaming with fresh ingredients. On top of it, the restaurant had a musical guest in the form of an accordion player, who played such pieces as Stairway to Heaven and The Hokey Pokey. All this was in the background, though, as we chatted and enjoyed the expert sounds of such a wonderful musician.
This wasn’t any sort of polka accordion player, mind you, but someone who could tickle the ivories in the traditional French style I learned to recognize from a childhood filled with the sounds of Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel. Despite the nontraditional performance choices, the sound was very reminiscent of that time gone by, punctuated with the music of my father’s years as a soldier in France. If you go on Saturdays or holidays you can hear some very nice music. Alas, the lad has his plate full with other vocations during other times.
Veronique, the owner/manager, came to our table to make sure we enjoyed our meal and were completely satisfied. I immediately felt at home in her presence, as if I had known her before and was visiting from afar and getting to know her again. Watching her work was a real treat as well, as her joy showed in what she did and the interactions with the customers and staff.
Crepes a GoGo does more than sell delicious, fresh food. They have an entire mood and feel to the restaurant experience that is worth every penny for the crepes you are sure to enjoy. Go see Veronique; she will take care of you. Tell her Carl the photographer sent you.
Technorati Tags: camera, Toronto, accordion, Crepes a GoGo, food
