The New Americans

The New Americans, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Once during a photography class I attended, legendary shooter Joe McNally said "whenever you are setup for your shot, look behind you because what's back there may be more interesting". He was right. I did look behind me when framing a shot down Grant Street and saw a tour group momentarily paused quite improbably in front of this touched up American flag. Several of them were looking toward the left side of the scene at this old Chinese man standing on a short ladder, holding up a sign with a lot of small text on it. He was shouting "Say hi to your mommy, Dalai Lama is bad" over and over. I only had time to take 6 exposures before they walked away.

I really like how the flag is reflecting on the roof of the car in the foreground. Kinda interesting.

Lesson learned. Check your six o'clock every now and then or you might miss something.

She Calls the Shots

She Calls the Shots, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

My wife Kathy takes a break from schooling me and looks over her shots. While I tend to shoot wide angle, her favorite optic is a 20 year old Minolta Maxxum 100mm F2.8 Macro lens. This is a very sharp, fast and contrasty lens and she really knows how to use it to maximum effect. You can see her photographs here.

Sunset Color Palette

Sunset Color Palette, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I had just served myself some dinner and was walking into the living room with an idea of watching a DVD while I ate. When I looked out my front window I saw this amazing scene. It was raining fairly hard but the light and the reflections on the street were too beautiful to pass up. I ran back to my bedroom to get a camera, tripod and umbrella. By the time I got the tripod setup, mounting plate attached to the camera and umbrella ready to open I looked back out the window and the sky had turned a pinkish orange. I knew I had to get the shot quickly and in fact 5 minutes later, the sun had set and all color in the sky was gone.

I wish I had collapsed the tripod so the camera was 5" above street level. I have always found that a low angle view adds interest and reflections are enhanced. Next time.

Convergence of the Vortex

Convergence of the Vortex, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

It was raining pretty hard on the way home from work tonight, and once again some people were driving way too fast. I counted three accidents. I always wonder if these drivers think that they are exempt from the laws of physics. Regardless of what kind of fancy car they drive, they may find that Sir Issac Newton is actually in the driver's seat.

How I got this shot: I set my camera on my dashboard and triggered the shutter with my wireless remote. I couldn't see what I was shooting but most of the shots turned out ok.

Nave of the National Cathedral

Nave of the National Cathedral, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This vertorama was shot looking east to the main alter of the National Cathedral in Washington DC. The nave will seat about 3,500 people. The flags of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories line either side of the nave. Even though we arrived early, I was surprised at how few visitors were in the Cathedral. The reflections of the stained glass that were being projected onto the limestone columns were amazing. I definitely want to visit again.

I did have to apply some geometric corrections to this image. My 14mm lens tends to distort and that distortion is exaggerated by panoramas and vertoramas.

Mouse Wheel

Mouse Wheel, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The renovation / expansion of Disney California Adventure is well underway. The old sun wheel has been renamed "Mickey's Fun Wheel" and features new lighting and music but otherwise the ride is essentially the same. It is really spectacular at night though.

Sabre Jet

Sabre Jet, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This incredibly restored Korean War era F-86 Sabre fighter's skin is actually quite smooth. The HDR process brings out so much detail that in this case minor imperfections are enhanced. This aircraft is flown regularly and often travels to air shows. The F-86 is considered a "sweet ride" by pilots for it's nimble handling qualities.

Don't Ever Change

Don't Ever Change, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Disney California Adventure Paradise Pier area as it appeared in April of 2008.

Kathy and I went to Disney California Adventure specifically to take this shot. The Paradise Pier area is beautiful at night and can be incredible at sunset.

Once Disney CEO Micheal Eisner left the company, his successor Bob Iger committed significant resources and money into the park, announcing a $1.1 Billion renovation and expansion project in 2007. As a result the scene above has changed quite a bit.

This is what it looked like in January of 2009.

Chicago Discovery

Chicago Discovery, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I was walking back to my hotel in Chicago when I passed this impressive buidling. I wasn't sure if it was open to the public but nobody stopped me from entering. The huge glass atrium was just immense. There was a food court downstairs and office space upstairs. It seems that the state of Illinois owns and occupies the entire facility.

I read that the building is very expensive to heat and cool since double pane windows were not installed as a "cost saving" measure.

Building security guards carefully watched me setup my tripod and take these shots but never said a word. Nor did any of the city workers that were constantly walking past me.

While in Chicago I found it interesting that unlike Californians, people there seem to totally ignore photographers indoors or out.

Goodnight Sweetheart

Goodnight Sweetheart, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

An experimental Yakovlev fighter witnesses another beautiful California sunset at the Chino Planes of Fame Museum.

I had been at the museum all day and had decided to wait around for sunset to see if it would be a nice one. Closing time had come and gone but I thought if I kept a low profile I might be able to stay inside until the sky got really pretty.

Right after I took this sequence the security guard came over and started closing the hanger doors. When he saw me with my camera and tripod he was ready to give me the boot but I pointed at the dramatic sky outside and asked if I could take a few more sequences. He took one look, said "wow that's amazing!" and agreed to give me a few more minutes.

It's funny how we often don't see the beauty around us until someone points it out to us.