VanessaK

Downtown Charleston

2012-01-29T19:54:00.000-05:00

When you think that Charleston is one of the nation's top tourist destinations, you realize how fortunate you are to live right here. Today was glorious once again (I have even noticed azaleas blooming - in January!) so I spent an hour this afternoon wandering around downtown. These are a couple of the images.

Birds of a Feather

2012-01-23T07:02:00.000-05:00

I took a day trip to McClellanville and Georgetown over the weekend just for fun. The weather was mostly cloudy on Saturday and not that great for photography, but we found lots of pelicans and roosters hanging out near the shrimp docks in Georgetown and they were fun to capture. The late Don Gale once said to his photography class that if you can't find anything to shoot, that's your fault, and I've always remembered that.

Renovation of McLeod Plantation

2012-01-20T20:54:00.000-05:00

It was foggy this morning so I dropped by McLeod Plantation on the way to work to check on photo opps. It turned out that a "mood" type image was going to be challenging due to all the construction taking place at the site. There are workman all around the old plantation house, replacing windows, scraping off old paint, shoring up structural walls, etc. It was great to see the old place being cared for, so the photos ended up being documentaries of its restoration process. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Different takes on older images

2012-01-15T17:07:00.000-05:00

It's the end of another weekend - can't believe how fast the weeks fly by. I spent quite a bit of time in "organizing mode", which is usually a Spring thing for me. Anyway, since I haven't done any photography for a week or so, I gave a couple of older images a new look .

Underneath the James Island Connector

This was taken in the South Santee Coastal Reserve. This is not a people-friendly place in the summer. The mosquitos and biting flies will deter most would-be visitors.

Sunday evening on Folly Beach

2012-01-08T21:54:00.002-05:00

Almost a full moonrise and simultaneous sunset with 60 something degree temperature in January. Takes a lot to beat this.

James Island County Park

2012-01-08T15:03:00.000-05:00

Everyone was outdoors today at the James Island County Park - or so it seemed. I took the dog for a walk and was captivated by the model boat racing. They weren't exactly streaking through the water because there wasn't much of a breeze, but they were colorful and their controllers were enjoying being out in the mild weather. Almost full moon rising this evening - just hope it is not obscured by clouds ...

Georgetown & Litchfield area restaurants

2012-01-05T14:34:00.002-05:00

HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography is trendy at the moment and some examples of it are nice, some are fun, and some are downright awful. It is a process where multiple exposures of the exact same image are blended together in software post-processing to yield the supposedly best of what the eye sees. In other words, the detail in a bright sky can be captured along with the detail in the darker shadows to give the "total picture". It works well when nothing is moving (like leaves or people) and where you have interesting textures to showcase. I am content for these to fall into the "fun" category. For more, see here trip to Pawleys Island, Georgetown and McClellanville

Another New Year's Eve in Georgetown

2012-01-01T19:31:00.001-05:00

Not being a big party person (I tend to fall asleep prematurely) I elected to take the long weekend and do some recreational photography in the Pawleys Island area. Last year I was at Mansfield Plantation just outside Georgetown, and this year I was drawn back to this historic, very quaint community as you can see from these images.

Yes, I'm aware I have a shrimp boat fetish. I'm thinking I should channel that positively into a book of shrimp boat images. Something to work on in 2012.

Family Portrait Shoot

2011-12-29T17:25:00.001-05:00

Family portraits have become one of my favorite genres of photography. It can be a challenge with large families and particularly with young children who really don't understand what it's all about. Here are a couple of my favorites from a recent shoot out at Kiawah.

2011 Christmas Yards

2011-12-26T21:40:00.003-05:00

I had meant to take more photos of decorated front yards, but somehow the time just got away from me. We went for a drive this evening and found a group of West Ashley neighbors who went all out this year.

New Studio Lighting Effects

2011-12-21T22:16:00.001-05:00

This evening I had Matt, Josh and Gideon in the studio to work on some new lighting ideas. Thanks guys for being so obliging - as always. I did feed them :)

Gourd Harvest time in Ridge Springs, SC

2011-12-19T22:18:00.001-05:00

Gourd farming has become less commonplace over the years. They are used to house the Purple Martins (America's largest swallows) when they arrive from South America in the spring, and many crafters decorate them. I started documenting this almost a year ago now and we have followed the planting season, the birds' arrival, their gathering at Bomb Island on Lake Murray in the fall, their departure for South America, and now the harvest of this season's gourd crop last weekend. Here are some of those images. Search my blog and photo website for more of this story.

Back to Shem Creek

2011-12-17T23:08:00.000-05:00

The weather has been wonderful in Charleston, mild and sunny, so I took the opportunity to re-visit Shem Creek this evening. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. This is a great place to live.

Spirit of the Lowcountry

2011-12-10T18:17:00.001-05:00

I went downtown to the main library to check on my exhibition this morning and took these photographs for the record, mainly for Mum and Dad in SA :) It would have looked more exciting if the room had been full of people, but this is not exactly a high traffic venue. Nevermind, everyone's got to start somewhere, right?

Friday evening on Charleston harbor

2011-12-09T18:11:00.000-05:00

The end of a good week and a beautiful evening over the harbor. Do I wish I was on the cruise ship? Mmm, not really, but it sure looked pretty as it sailed.

Bummer ...

2011-12-08T11:51:00.008-05:00

I noticed this while running some errands this morning. The tree is very mature, doesn't seem to show any signs of stress, and the weather front that came through yesterday was a blustery nothing. It just goes to show how random life can be. Fortunately the occupant of the house was not at home when it happened. You never know about that either, meaning we don't know what harm we have been spared because of the grace of God, so thank Him for what you don't know!

Annual GEL Christmas Oyster Roast

2011-12-03T16:51:00.002-05:00

Food was great (thanks Tidewater Catering, again), weather was wonderful and everyone had a very good time.

Countdown to Christmas 2011

2011-11-30T22:18:00.002-05:00

With Thanksgiving behind us, the days are flying by and soon Christmas will be upon us. Time to start preparing for this most special time of year. Gideon thinks it's a very good thing!

Pet and Owner Photo Shoot

2011-11-26T21:43:00.006-05:00

When Lisa told me her dog was a Golden Retriever I knew it was going to be a fun shoot, but I didn't know the half of it. Sam arrived looking all spiffy and clean for his photographs, but we were persuaded (against our better judgement) to let him off his leash. Big mistake. Anyway, photographs are all about capturing what is, and so that was what we got.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T20:48:00.003-05:00

I would have posted this last night, but I was just too full and had to go to bed and sleep it off. Why is it that Thanksgiving has become an excuse for over-the-top gluttony! And why do I approach it with the best of restrained intentions, only to forget those intentions after one glass of red wine. There's a lesson in there somewhere, and it's not buried too deep. Oh well. I'll do better next year. Thanks Pam & Bubba for another awesome dinner.

My New Favorite Place

2011-11-20T20:59:00.007-05:00

I love when I discover a really neat new place to photograph ... I had heard that the new Shem Creek Park was really nice, but I was blown away when I went to check it out today. This is really an awesome asset to Mount Pleasant.

Way to go Town of Mount Pleasant. Families were out enjoying the day with their dogs, babies in strollers, etc. A really class act and a great blend of commerce, recreation, and nature. I will be a regular visitor.

Foggy Morning at McLeod Plantation

2011-11-15T22:08:00.005-05:00

I have been working on photographing McLeod Plantation for the CCPRC and have been waiting for some early morning fog for a different mood. This morning delivered.

Girltime

2011-11-13T13:34:00.005-05:00

I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon shooting Ella and Lizzy in the studio. Child photography can be unpredictable, but at the end of the day, we got some really nice shots. Here are a couple of them.

Mommy joined in for a couple at the end.

Gideon visits the Aquarium

2011-11-07T20:10:00.003-05:00

So what do you do with kids on a miserable day? Now that I am a grandmother with regular babysitting duties, I am open to all ideas, but this was one obvious solution. Wide-eyed wonder on steroids - a very successful outing.

Suddenly it's Winter

2011-11-01T20:32:00.004-04:00

At least in the Smokies. Charleston may wait a few weeks. This was the scene that I saw this morning when I arrived at the cove just before dawn - a winter wonderland. Also saw a big male Black Bear pretty close up, and more deer. Great day, but it's time to go home.

Yes there is still color in the Smokies

2011-10-31T22:35:00.010-04:00

I arrived at the gates of Cades Cove before sunrise and joined the line that had already begun to form. I wasn't complaining; there were only about 10 cars ahead of me and last weekend a friend was here and there were 80 cars ahead of him. Later I headed to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail near Gatlinburg and it was a riot of color. The towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are just awful, congested tourist traps. It took me forever to find my way out of them. Townsend by contrast is just a normal country town. It has everything you need and it is very conveniently located to Cades Cove. Sparks Lane, Cades Cove

Middle Prong Little River near Tremont Regan's mill, Roaring Fork Motor Trail
Roaring Fork Motor Trail

Fall in the Smokies

2011-10-30T20:21:00.005-04:00

I always try to get up to the mountains sometime during fall, and it's not easy trying to schedule a trip around a time when the color is expected to peak.Last weekend was the peak fall season for the Cades Cove area, but there is still some nice color around, and seriously, there is no bad time to visit. I did a brief survey this afternoon and one thing is for sure, there are still a lot of tourists in the area. Hopefully most of them won't be up and about as early as I plan to be. Looking forward to four days of wandering without any time and place restrictions.

Longing to get to the mountains

2011-10-28T19:53:00.002-04:00

Every fall I just can't wait to get to the mountains and witness the wonder of the changing seasons. This weekend I will be photographing Lindsey and Robbie's wedding on Saturday evening, and Sunday morning I will hit the highway, headed for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I see that cold weather is forecast to move in, but I'm hoping there will still be pockets of color to photograph. It doesn't matter, there isn't a bad time to be in the Smokies. In the meantime, here is one of my favorite images of Dan and Ashley from last weekend.

Riot of Yellow

2011-10-24T13:42:00.003-04:00

I passed this house in West Ashley yesterday and was struck by the mass of yellow. Today I drove by again and this time I had my camera with me. Why is it that yellow is such a cheerful color? Hard to feel sad looking at this.

Scene Stealers

2011-10-22T23:10:00.002-04:00

Dan and Ashley got married in a wonderful garden setting on a perfect fall afternoon. I will post images on my website once I have had sorted through them, but in the meantime, these were too good to wait.

Dawn over the St. Helena Sound

2011-10-16T11:42:00.002-04:00

This is a scene from yesterday morning's time on the St. Helena Sound. I will post more on my website as soon as I can, but just wanted to get this one up in the meantime. See the dolphin following the boat? Very cool.

Happy Birthday Cosmo!!

2011-10-13T19:35:00.002-04:00

In classic goofy pose - happy birthday my friend.

Sunday Shoe Saga

2011-10-05T21:37:00.002-04:00

Last week I went to church wearing two completely different shoes. I grabbed what I thought was a pair of sandals from my shoe shelf, strapped them on (yes, they were not slip-ons, so you’d have thought I might have noticed something awry at this point) and off I went. When I got out the car, my feet felt a little funny, like one was cooler than the other, and also that one leg was a little shorter than the other, but the thought didn’t go any further. As I was standing in line for a cup of coffee, the feeling struck me again, so I glanced down and started laughing. There was nothing to do at this point but keep wearing them, since probably more people would have noticed bare feet in church than would have noticed the mismatched pair, but of course Leigh, Josh and my friends got a generous dose of merriment at my expense.

Gideon turns one year old

2011-10-02T20:50:00.002-04:00

Time sure flies and next week Gideon will be one year old. We took a few photos this afternoon for fun.

Beaufort SC, a Lowcountry Gem

2011-09-24T20:46:00.011-04:00

I had some work to do in Edisto this morning, and afterwards I drove south to Beaufort, one of my all time favorite places.I really think I could live in Beaufort. It's big enough for me, and close enough to other places if you need other places. Anyway, here are two images from that visit. (Postscript: the image of the shrimp boats (the color version) was later selected for the 2012 Tide Tables, published annually by SCDHEC)

Same Moon, but over the Lowcountry Creeks

2011-09-12T21:11:00.002-04:00

This was the scene at Sol Legare this evening as a full moon rose over the lowcountry marsh and creeks.

Sunset and Moonrise from Craggy Pinnacle

2011-09-10T23:28:00.005-04:00

Fotofest 2011 is a great event, and there is so much to learn from great photographers such as Bill Lea, Kevin Adams, and Tony Sweet. After the morning sessions though, I was itching to get out into the cool mountain air, so I took the rest of the day off and headed for Craggy Pinnacle on the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 18 miles north of Asheville. I watched the sunset and an (almost) full moon rise. It was perfect.

Twin Tunnels, Black Mountain, NC

2011-09-10T08:23:00.003-04:00

I saw this scene in a CNPA magazine awhile back and just had to find out where these tunnels were. The photographer was nice enough to share that info, and so I added the location to my list of places to go. Apparently 20 trains per day still use this line.

Back to the Mountains of North Carolina

2011-09-08T22:17:00.004-04:00

I left Charleston at 3pm today, giving myself time to drive the +/- 4 hours to Hendersonville, NC before sunset. I wanted to photograph the view from Jump Off Rock. It took me a little over 3 hours so I arrived in plenty of time, but although the clouds were dramatic, there was no direct sunlight. This was about the best I could do.Tomorrow I will travel the backroads to Montreat where the FotoFest conference is being held over the weekend. Presentations by nationally recognized photographers are scheduled throughout the day but I can't imagine spending all day in class when it's a gorgeous day on the Blue Ridge Parkway ...

Great Egret's Breakfast

2011-09-04T12:43:00.004-04:00

This is a series of images taken this morning. I was disappointed in the number of birds I found, but this guy was happy - he had the buffet all to himself!I know you're out there somewhere ...
Ha! Gotcha!
Chomp, Chomp ...
Down the hatch - Burp!

Another view of Charleston

2011-09-02T13:13:00.003-04:00

This photo was taken from a bridge during rush hour traffic, and as a result the detail was a little blurred because the bridge was shaking. As a work-around, I changed it into a faux painting, but the conundrum is that mid-late afternoon is when the light is perfect for the aspect, and very rarely is there no traffic at that time - on any day of the week. I may get off one or two shots, but a series of shots for a panorama will be tricky. I need two volunteers to stop traffic in both directions, just for 5 minutes ...

Full Force Folly

2011-08-27T12:20:00.004-04:00

Along with many others, we went down to the Washout at Folly Beach yesterday evening. The atmosphere alone was worth the trip.
People were excited, exhilarated, over-awed, just blown away by the display of nature's raw power in the surf.
Surfers were out there, a few, and even fewer attempted to ride a couple of waves, but most aborted the ride prematurely after a few seconds, and the ones that didn't had the decision made for them!
Wow - it was an experience. We had the fun part of Hurricane Irene - others right now are dealing with the frightening part.

Wheeeeeee.... Hello Irene!

2011-08-25T20:07:00.004-04:00

These were taken this evening down at Folly Beach where a few brave (or foolish) young bucks were taking on the big ones. Tomorrow the swells are supposed to be 9ft+ but the weather will probably be nasty, so I figured I would take a look this evening. Again, that 400mm lens comes in handy.

Great Egret

2011-08-25T13:52:00.002-04:00

This is another of my recent favorites. When people ask me what my favorite image is, the answer is invariably one from my latest shoot. I'm sure that is because it's new and fresh, not because it's necessarily a "better" image than my previous favorites. I'm watching the Folly Beach surf reports and they're predicting huge swells tomorrow, so look for some surfing action images over the weekend - maybe - if the plan comes together.

Birds

2011-08-21T14:25:00.003-04:00

I never was very interested in shooting birds, but that was because the longest lens I had was 200mm and birds are usually too far away to look impressive using that focal length. That all changed with the addition of my Sigma 120-400mm lens. I have discovered a whole new thing! However, the lens is a little slow and only able to capture sharp shots of birds in flight when it has a LOT of light to work with. These guys were not moving very fast this morning, so perfect "sitting ducks". Yes I know they're not ducks, they're Wood Storks.

Emerging family clown ...

2011-08-14T20:02:00.001-04:00

OK, so my life pretty much revolves around my family, friends and my photography - I guess "we hold these truths to be self-evident." I am also extremely grateful for these, as well as my great job - especially in this economy. So in light of the family segment, here are a couple of recent pics of my grandson, Gideon at just over 10 months old. He's a character already.

Early morning on Highway 17S

2011-08-13T16:37:00.004-04:00

This morning I made myself get out of bed at 5.30am and take a trip down Highway 17 South, one of my favorite photo haunts. I met up with a photog buddy along the way, and we headed for Gardens Corner.When we were almost there, she realized that she had removed all the memory cards from her camera bag a week or so ago and so had no way of taking any pictures. Bummer. Her camera uses different cards to mine, so I couldn't help.Anyway, here are a couple of mine. She'll remember next time ...

Southern tip of Kiawah Island

2011-08-08T18:54:00.003-04:00

I don't know what possessed me to finish off my weekend by walking down Beachwalker County Park in 100 degree heat, carrying my camera equipment, but I guess there's always the possibility of nailing that ultimate shot. Alas, that was not to be, but I lost a few pounds of water weight and got some much needed exercise. There weren't even many birds around - it was too hot even for them I guess.

Can't beat Folly Beach

2011-08-03T21:01:00.002-04:00

If you're looking for somewhere to take family portraits, it's hard to beat Folly Beach, particularly the Morris Island end of Folly Beach. There is so much material to use for backdrops and such diversity in the settings. Here are a couple of images from last night's shoot of Paul and Nicole's family.

Summertime Fun

2011-07-30T23:29:00.003-04:00

This evening was perfect for a pool party so we had one. The kids had a great time of course and the adults were content just to immerse themselves in the water. We took some hilarious video, but it will have to wait because I need to edit it. In the meantime here are a couple of images .

Engagement portraits

2011-07-29T20:15:00.002-04:00

Last night I met Lindsey and Robbie downtown. They wanted engagement portraits in historic Charleston settings and we found some wonderful backdrops. This was one of them.

Family Portraits

2011-07-24T21:12:00.003-04:00

About a year ago, I donated a portrait session to the James Island Christian School for their annual fundraiser. Friends Bruce and Linda bid on it and won. Today we gathered the clan and took the photos at their home. It was challenging for the adults to manage the kids and look smiling and relaxed for the photos, but that's all part of the fun. This was one that worked ....

and this was one of my favorites of Bruce and Linda.

Sunrise over Morris Island Lighthouse

2011-07-23T08:27:00.006-04:00

During the summer I avoid Folly Beach on weekends, but there are few people on the beach at sunrise, and the rest have no idea what they're missing. This morning was gorgeous and the long sweep of shore at low tide was deserted. Perfect!

Seashore Farmers Lodge #767, Sol Legare

2011-07-19T09:02:00.007-04:00

I have recently got to know some really neat, interesting folks who live on Sol Legare. James and Ernest have recently spearheaded the restoration of the historic Seashore Farmers Lodge #767 which was built more than 80 years ago on a site where the 54th Massachusetts Regiment engaged in combat with Confederate forces in 1863.The community organization, which predates the building by about 15 years, served farmers and fishermen, and the building hosted holiday celebrations, picnics, rallies, educational sessions, dances and even wakes. It was the hub of African-American culture at a time when blacks could not get loans from banks. The lodge provided everything from burials to getting seeds farmers needed to plant their crops and also once served as a movie theater. The restored building has become a museum for Civil War relics found in the Sol Legare area and for antique farm and fishing implements once used in the community and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its African-American post-Civil War historical significance.James and Ernest are also very actively involved in keeping the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infanty Regiment alive. Yesterday, Monday July 18th, black reenactors from as far away as Florida and Washington, D.C., gathered to commemorate the heroic charge of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infanty Regiment on Confederate Battery Wagner as well as an earlier Civil War skirmish that gave the famed regiment an early taste of battle. About a dozen reenactors portraying the 54th came to the site of the Battle of Sol Legare Island on the anniversary of the 1863 battle, a skirmish two days before the futile Battery Wagner attack commemorated in the movie "Glory."The regiment was one of the first official black units in the United States during the Civil War. The 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment, recruited from freed slaves, was the first Union Army regiment organized with African American soldiers in the Civil War, though many had fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812 on both sides.

I took these images for them and the brief was to make them look very old so they would blend well with the other memorabilia in the lodge museum.

Sharp new lens - Nice!

2011-07-17T10:13:00.003-04:00

I was down at Sunrise Park early this morning before the wind got up and it clouded over. I had my new Sigma 120-400mm lens with me and I wanted to test the sharpness and the optic stabilization mechanism. This shot was taken hand held with OS at F8 and I think it did a pretty good job. I have an assignment this afternoon near Folly Beach but I fear the weather may not cooperate ...

Family Reunion

2011-07-14T21:29:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite photo subjects are families. I just finished uploading images from a shoot out at Hope Plantation this evening. Fortunately the rain held off long enough to capture all the different groups. This was one from the grand finales which included everyone; grandparents, parents, and kids.

At the end of a long day ...

2011-07-09T21:16:00.003-04:00

There's nothing like enjoying a cold beer on the porch at the end of a long, hot day. Rob acquainting his grandson with the things that matter most in life :)

Morning shot of the Charleston Battery

2011-07-03T14:08:00.003-04:00

The view across the harbor from Sunrise Park was surprisingly clear this morning, so I took this panorama of The Battery with the Charleston church steeples providing familiar landmarks.

Happy Fourth of July Everyone

2011-07-02T22:21:00.002-04:00

Hope you are enjoying your weekend and taking time to appreciate the things that are really important, like family and freedom. Here are two of my "importants" - Leigh and Gideon.

Ho hum .. the days go by

2011-06-30T08:47:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted much recently because there hasn't been much worth posting - meaning newsworthy stuff. Life is great, God is good, and I'm grateful for all my ho hum activities, but photographs of my desk at work and my dog being walked etc. would not be very interesting to most, not even to my devoted family in different parts of the world. Here's an image that I've been playing with though. I love the area and feel like it has potential for a great landscape shot, but somehow the light has not shown it to its full potential - yet. I will go back ..

The Wedding Player

2011-06-23T17:46:00.003-04:00

I captured this at a wedding that I attended recently in Virginia. The ceremony took place in a Shenandoah meadow in soft evening light, and this young lady was playing classical pieces on the violin while we waited for the ceremony to begin. I just love the photo, so here it is.

Gideon's Bathtime

2011-06-20T18:47:00.002-04:00

Happy Fathers Day!

2011-06-19T21:40:00.005-04:00

God bless you Dad. I love you.

Saturday evening on the Stono

2011-06-19T08:40:00.004-04:00

This was what the view was reduced to as a result of wildfires that are blazing in Southeast Georgia. The sun was completely obliterated by the smoke. I'm also posting this photo of Leigh and Matt taken last night.

Forest of Dead Trees

2011-06-16T17:56:00.003-04:00

South of Charleston, just past Gardens Corner there is a wonderful scene of marsh and creeks, with dead trees standing like sentries at random intervals. I have wanted to stop and photograph this scene for years, but I've either been in a hurry to arrive somewhere else, or the light has been less than optimum. I headed down there after work the other day, knowing it would be high tide and hoping for some good light. Well, the light wasn't great, but I still like the shot. I think I will try it first thing in the morning when next the tides oblige.

Chasing the Moon (again)

2011-06-15T08:49:00.005-04:00

Last evening I was on a mission to capture the moon rising over the lowcountry creeks and I sat and waited, swatting at the ubiquitous bugs who seemed intent on devouring me, perplexed as to why the moon was not rising on schedule. I finally realized that the level of haze on the horizon was totally obliterating any possibility of a moonrise sighting close to the horizon, which was what I was after. Finally I packed up my stuff and headed home, disappointed, but telling myself that if every planned shoot yielded a home run, it wouldn't be such a challenge, and I won't appreciate the special shots when I am lucky enough to nail them. This is what it should have looked like ...

Mabry Mill, Virginia

2011-06-11T19:54:00.002-04:00

This is probably one of the most iconic, most widely photographed pieces of Americana in the country, so it's hard to do anything different with it. It's quaint, very picturesque, very historic, but hard to photograph because of its location relative to the light. Probably the best light is an overcast sky or even rain, which would saturate colors. The predominate colors (except during the fall) are green and brown - a tad blah, so I gave it a different look - another different look.

Found in Raphine, VA

2011-06-10T09:52:00.002-04:00

On my way back from Winchester, Virginia, I detoured off the 11S through a small town called Raphine (they have a winery) to find the historic Wade's flour mill. I stopped to photograph this old pick-up sitting in the middle of a field on the way. Yes, I had some fun with it in Photoshop :)

Home Sweet Home

2011-06-07T20:44:00.004-04:00

I guess I must really enjoy road trips because I seem to spend a lot of time driving. This last leg of my journey down the parkway started at Blowing Rock and ended at Asheville when I jumped back on the I-26 and headed for home around noon. This morning was a very early rise, 4:30 to be exact. I had a half hour drive to get to Beacon Heights, my staked out sunrise location, and another half an hour's hike to get to the top of the trail. I hadn't thought about the fact that I would be hiking in the dark, so it was by the grace of God that I got there safely, but the view from the top was absolutely worth it. After awhile, I turned back and got a couple of shots of the Linn Cove Viaduct. The parks people do a great job of maintaining this parkway, and all without any kind of toll to access these treasures. I don't know how they do it in this climate of aggressive budget cuts, but kudos to them.

More from the Parkway

2011-06-06T16:46:00.005-04:00

Ethan and Sansanee's wedding was awesome and I will post a few pics soon. I haven't had time to do any sorting or editing because I have been working my way steadily down the entire Blue Ridge Parkway and making the most of all available light, which entails very early rising and falling asleep exhausted. Last night I stayed at the Woodberry Inn at Meadows of Dan in Virginia, and tonight (my last night away) I am staying at The Homestead Inn in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Early tomorrow morning I will start the final home stretch for Charleston. In the meantime, here are a couple more scenes from the journey before I head out for the last time today to catch the evening light.Sunrise near the Saddle/Rocky Knob outlook this morning Meem's Covered Bridge just of 11S near Mount Jackson in VirginiaWildflowers growing by the side of the roadHistoric trail cabin at Smart View (MP153 approx.)

Northern Blue Ridge Parkway

2011-06-03T22:27:00.004-04:00

I have a wedding to attend in Winchester, Virginia this weekend, so thought I would use the opportunity to explore the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today was a driving day, and not ideal for photography, but I did take a couple along the way. Hopefully I will discover some gems over the next few days ...Raven's Roost Overlook, MP11Fence and wildflowers along the roadsideOld logging train tracks at Yankee Horse Ridge, MP34View of field from James River Bridge, MP64

Son of the Lowcountry

2011-05-31T21:31:00.003-04:00

What Thomas doesn't know about the places and people in the Sol Legare area probably isn't worth knowing. He graciously posed for a couple of portraits on his dock. It was high tide at sunset with a light breeze blowing. An iconic southern scene.

A Piece of Southern Heaven

2011-05-30T13:02:00.005-04:00

This weekend I visited Mansfield Plantation near Georgetown, SC, again in my quest to put together a "Spirit of the Lowcountry" image collection. It is a magical place. The owners welcome pets too, so Logan goes with me and has a ball exploring the vast and varied terrain; cypress swamp, forest, rice fields, etc. This was a very specific planned capture that actually worked out. Sometimes the premeditated shots are the most impossible to realize, because all the contributing factors don't always come together as planned.

Creeks, marsh and shrimp boats

2011-05-27T09:19:00.004-04:00

This spot is one of Charleston's, if not the Lowcountry's gems. I return again and again to photograph it. It epitomizes the "Spirit of the Lowcountry" and I am looking for the best way to capture it for my upcoming exhibition, at the right time of day, when the tide is high etc. Last night I went by to check it out and narrow down my options. This was taken at last light.

The flower girl

2011-05-26T07:58:00.004-04:00

I shot a wedding on Sunday afternoon at the historic St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the old village of Mt. Pleasant. Couldn't resist posting this image of the flower girl - she was so obliging, smiled for all the photos, cute as a button.

Bubba's surprise 60th birthday party

2011-05-15T21:55:00.002-04:00

This afternoon, Bubba's family threw him a 60th birthday party, and even though I'm sure he'd been looking under every rock for weeks for clues that something was up, I think he was genuinely surprised. No one I know enjoys birthday parties quite as much as Bubba does. Happy Birthday big guy!

Moonlight Mixers - Shagging on Folly Pier

2011-05-14T11:10:00.002-04:00

My good friend Cosmo and I rode bikes down to the town of Folly Beach, ate great Tuna BLTs at Ritas and then walked down the pier where they were having one of their regular "shaggin' on the pier" events. Lots of fun and we got to work off our dinners riding home again.

Perfect Spring Weekend in Charleston

2011-05-08T20:58:00.013-04:00

This weekend saw graduations, sailing regattas, and many other activities in Charleston. It's almost as though the lowcountry folks are trying to get everything done before the Summer heat sets in. Good idea. I spent some time on Saturday evening photographing Daniel and Keller and wandering around historic downtown Charleston. Here are a couple of the images.
And then of course, there's my favorite little person, Gideon

Evening on the Stono River

2011-05-02T22:34:00.007-04:00

This evening we cruised up the Stono, under the Limehouse Bridge, under the old rail bridge (below), under Hwy.17 South and into the creeks lined with skeleton trees. The light was flat and not conducive to great photography but it was an enjoyable evening.

Great Spring Weekend

2011-05-01T21:01:00.004-04:00

This weekend I got to relax some, and also brainstorm with creative friends who are helping me put together art pieces for my exhibition in December. I am inspired by the synergy and now off and running with a more focused approach (thank goodness!)
Here is what sunset over the Stono River looked like on Saturday evening, and of course some pics of Gideon.

Wedding at Boneyard Beach, Capers Island

2011-04-24T11:35:00.007-04:00

Yesterday evening I had the privilege of documenting the marriage of Don and Lochie in the presence of their families on Capers Island, a barrier island off the coast of the Isle of Palms. It was a very memorable occasion as you can see from the first few images posted below. Congratulations and many blessings for your lives together.

4,500km (+- 3,000 miles) later ..

2011-04-14T15:22:00.007-04:00

We are back in Durban after driving a loop down the east coast, back up the west coast and across the country east home to Durban. This was probably the last time we will embark on such an ambitious odyssey, and it was particularly hard on my parents, now in their mid eighties. We have all agreed that next time we will pick a place to stay in a wonderful location offering full board, and venture out on different "mini sorties" from there. Anyway, here are a couple more images of scenes along the way. Here it is, Thursday evening in South Africa - it's hard to imagine that I'll be back at my desk in Charleston on Monday morning - a world away.Fishing boats beached at Paternoster, Western CapeBrightly colored washing drying outside a shanty near Aliwal NorthHerding cattle home for the night in the Drakensberg mountainsOne of many long straight roads that cross the Karoo desert. It would be very hard to keep awake if you were driving aloneSome of the family after lunch at The Vineyard, Cape Town

Cape Winelands

2011-04-10T01:43:00.009-04:00

We moved on from George and are now in Cape Town for a couple of days, staying at Judy's wonderful Bed & Breakfast, Hedge House in Newlands under the mountain. Yesterday everyone was busy doing "stuff" (for Dad that meant watching the big rugby game between the Australians and Cape Province), so Mum and I took a drive to the winelands around Stellenbosch. What beautiful countryside.

Playing catch-up from South Africa

2011-04-07T03:59:00.017-04:00

We've had some internet connection challenges for the past few days. It's hard enough to get a cellphone signal in the Wild Coast areas, let alone internet service. Here we are in George for a couple of days, and here are some images that represent some of the places we've traveled through on the trip from Durban - approximately 800 miles of mostly rural roads, littered with goats, sheep, cattle and dogs.The wreck of the Jacaranda, a 2000 ton Greek coaster that ran aground at Qora Mouth in 1971.
Mum and Dad relaxing by the pool at Trennery's Hotel, Qora Mouth, Transkei.Goats by the side of the road.Crossing the Kei River on the local pontoon ferry on the journey south to George.Typical Transkei scenery.Nguni cattle - a unique variety traditionally raised by the Xhosa people in this area.View of the Outeniqua Mountains from Lesley & Trevor's house in George, Eastern Cape.Walking along the Wilderness Beach with my sisters, Lesley and Judy.Famous old rail bridge over the Kaaimans River Mouth, Wilderness. Unfortunately the old steam train that used to use this line is no longer in service. Another casualty of budget cuts.Petal, Grace's cat.

I'm sorry ...

2011-03-29T10:31:00.002-04:00

I know this could get old in a hurry - all these baby pictures, but you have to admit he is an irresistible subject for a photographer, especially if the photographer happens to be his grandma! Here is Gideon (again) and you will soon be treated to diverse images of South African scenery as I start my 2011 African adventure this weekend, so hang in there!

Walk for Water - Water Missions International Fundraiser

2011-03-25T08:27:00.006-04:00

Water Missions International hosted its 5th Annual Walk for Water on Saturday, March 19, 2011 to spread awareness about the global water crisis and raise money to provide safe water for people in need. These are some images of the morning's activities and various diversions along the way. Many more images can be found on my website here George and Molly Greene, WMI founders leading the walk on the final stretch.interested spectator!

Getting ready to head way South again

2011-03-24T15:21:00.003-04:00

One week from today I will be boarding a flight on the first leg of my long journey to South Africa. I have a great road trip planned, so hopefully I will be posting many and varied images on this blog and my photo gallery. We will be traveling through wild coastal scenery, deserts, mountains, and cities. I can't decide which lenses to take. Clothing should be easy; mostly shorts, jeans, flip-flops, hiking boots, and maybe one or two "out for dinner" outfits. Can't wait!This is a view of Table Mountain taken on a previous trip from Bloubergstrand (translated means Blue Mountain Beach).

Gideon's first biltong

2011-03-20T09:19:00.004-04:00

Gideon has been teething so this morning we gave him his first taste of biltong (aka South African jerky).This was a series of photos. At first he was a little startled at the unfamiliar taste sensation, but then he decided it was worth pursuing the experience, and finally - Oh Yeah!!The boy has some South African roots for sure ....

Matt at almost 24 years

2011-03-12T18:27:00.001-05:00

Homecoming Party

2011-03-12T13:40:00.003-05:00

Last night a bunch of friends stopped by to say hello to Leigh, Josh & Gideon. It was good to see you all - thanks for coming!Gideon meets Donovan
Matt, Kyle, Pam & JessicaCherie, K.C., Anne & RobDylan, Melissa, Leigh & Josh

Homecoming

2011-02-26T09:35:00.004-05:00

After a year in South Korea, Leigh & Josh returned home to Charleston last night with Gideon. It is so awesome to have them all home safe. It was late, but everyone was so excited, especially over Gideon.The waiting
The arrival
Ellie and Matt meeting their nephew for the first time
Joanne & Ernie re-connecting
Leigh & Matt

Roadtrip to Ridge Spring, SC

2011-02-20T15:48:00.007-05:00

This weekend I took a roadtrip with friends to visit a most interesting couple who farm gourds, mainly to house Purple Martins through the breeding season when they arrive from South America, but also for crafters who decorate and sell them. It was the first out of what will be a series of visits through the year because I will be documenting the story of gourds and Purple Martins through four seasons in a photo essay. Here are a few images from my first visit.
Nothing much going on at the farm right now. The gourds are stored in barns through the winter and a roadside farm stall is located at the end of their driveway where the "honor system" rules.These are gourds that have been intricately decorated for Christmas gifts by a talented artist.

And now for something completely different ..

2011-02-06T17:50:00.004-05:00

It was a beautiful day, for a change, and I had plans to find something new to photograph, but somehow the time just slipped away. There was church this morning, and then a bunch of us went out for lunch. I ate way more than I should have, so took the dog for some exercise in the park and then started playing on the computer. So I never did bring home any new images, but heck, I can work on the ones I have and create new ones. Here's one that got a makeover.

The Angel Oak

2011-02-05T18:39:00.005-05:00

This is not an easy subject to photograph. Firstly, there are often many people wandering through your frame and understandably, they are in no hurry to move. Just when one bunch drifts off, another will arrive. Secondly, the best weather conditions would be even, overcast light - nothing too bright or dark. Also, the colors should be nicely saturated after it's been raining. With all this in mind, I took a drive there during a break in the weather this afternoon. I was surprised to find that there were quite a few people there, despite the miserable weather. It's amazing what an attraction this old tree is. Of course everyone has to be photographed standing underneath it too. The light was ok, but not ideal, and for some reason my wide angle lens was giving me a lot of flare. Anyway, you learn something from everything you do - if you know what's good for you - and I learned from the trip. Not quite sure what, but I know I did. Tomorrow I might head for a swamp - depending on the weather. I do love my weekends!

More shrimp boats

2011-02-04T21:49:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know I have a shrimp boat fetish. Maybe I need to tag along for a day's shrimping to cure me of some of the romanticism of this subject. Anyway, until then, here's a couple more ..

Uneventful Sunday

2011-01-30T20:32:00.004-05:00

Today was taken up with housekeeping issues, some cooking, some taxes, some laundry - rivetting stuff. Did take a little trip into the marsh to photograph the remains of this dock, and then caught a blue heron fishing in one of our ponds. Best I can do for today.

Christmas Pointsetta

2011-01-26T21:42:00.002-05:00

A friend gives me a pointsetta every Christmas - it's become a tradition. Anyway, I'm not very good with plants as a rule. If they survive or (rarely) thrive, it is in spite of me. Anyway, it's almost February and this one is still looking so awesome that I decided to take it to the studio and practice some lighting techniques with it. Now it can die in peace - preserved digitally for posterity. Thanks Lee!

Another full moon sets over the Lowcountry

2011-01-21T09:34:00.003-05:00

I have in my mind a vision of an image yet to be captured. It is of marsh and creeks with shrimp boats in the foreground and absolutely still water reflecting a setting full moon. There is already color in the sky, clouds tinged pink from a rising sun.... Well, if you don't show up, you will definitely never get it, so this morning I showed up even though the forecast was not encouraging. That's the fun of it - you just never know. This is not up to my vision, but I enjoyed being there. This photography thing is not an obsession. Is it?

Winter Weekend in North Carolina

2011-01-16T21:33:00.003-05:00

I decided on Friday to go chase some snow over the weekend, so I made a reservation for one night at some nondescript (pet-friendly)Comfort Inn in Mars Hill, NC, packed some sandwiches, microwaveable dinner, food for the dog and headed north up the interstate early Saturday morning. The overall experience was mixed. I came away with a couple of images that I really like, but more detailed planning would definitely increase the odds of success (surprise!) Also Logan contracted some kind of bug, the details of which don't need to be shared in this forum, but suffice it to say that I didn't get much sleep last night. It also necessitated several additional inconvenient stops along the way. I did enjoy watching his confusion over the white stuff. He thought he could walk on top of it, and kept falling through - sometimes up to his ears!

Product Shoot for O2SI

2011-01-11T20:24:00.006-05:00

Analytical and Environmental Standards company O2SI needed some updated product images for a new tradeshow booth, their website, etc., so this afternoon we photographed all shapes and sizes of bottles, metals, ampules, and other laboratory equipment.You really need to kick your creative juices up a few notches to make some of these widgets look pretty, but we had fun trying