A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
As we pulled into the rest stop on the way to Lancaster, PA. I left the car to see what the animated group of men gathered around the Knights of Columbus table was offering. I ordered a hot dog and lemonade to keep myself refreshed on the last leg of our journey to breakfast. I came across something you don’t usually see or notice at a truck stop. With my new camera grip assuring my weapon of choice is never far away. I captured this sign of nature while my wife relieved herself.
As a kid who grew up in Queens and spent most of my life in the city, trips to the country and farms still fill me with excitement. This weekend’s trip to Lancaster, PA, was no exception. When mapping out our way home from a satisfying day, we drove past a group of cows relaxing after a hard day’s work. I shit you, not. The whole crew was sitting together as if they were at a family picnic. We quickly found a place to make a U-Turn to circle back. I excitedly grabbed my camera and pulled myself out of the car. Unlike last week while positioning myself along the Potomac River. I did not step into mud. However, the uneven patch of grass and my general lack of balance caused me to grab the fence as I fell forward. Unfortunately, the cows hadn’t warned me that the fence was electrified and…… zap. I was electrocuted for the first time in my life. Shocking, right. In all the years of jumping fences and trespassing. I’ve never had that happened. And though I survived. I learned a good lesson. Maybe it’s time to return to photographing babies.
As we raced down the back roads of Lancaster, attempting to make it to our breakfast designation before the cut-off time. I knew that any requests to stop in order to allow me just a few minutes to capture Lancaster’s beautiful landscapes would be looked at with fiery, bloodlust. So, lately, I’ve been forced to limit my stops and depend on shooting from the passenger’s seat through the car’s front windshield. Though not in any way. Ideal. It’s the only way to stay sane while trying to indulge in my passion. The key to my imagined success, of course. Is a clean windshield and quick response in the seconds worth of reaction time. Though not ideal by any stretch. I’ve adapted pretty well while appeasing my better half. Like they say, “Whatever it Takes.”
Growing up in New York City, the closest I ever came to a cow was eating a cheeseburger at a local bar my Dad frequented. In my late teens, I was introduced to vegetarianism through some close friends. Since then, I’ve developed a love and admiration so strong that the mere sight of cows grazing in the distance brings me a childish joy that would be hard to describe. I found myself within a few feet of a group of cows feeding just outside a nearby farm. I patiently watched, hoping they’d come within a distance of my newish 100 -400 mm lens. Some of the cows came so close that I could reach out to pet a couple and communicate with a few moos’ despite the overwhelming midday sun. I managed to capture a few shots without reaching for my flash.
Taken on a long stretch of road driving through Pennsylvania. Stopping for gas was a good excuse to get out of the car, stretch our legs and take a few pictures. Since I was four, there’s always been an unexplainable fascination with gas stations. Having grown up just blocks from the local airport, there were many available to refuel the countless automobiles traveling to and fro. Shot at 100 ISO to offset the mid day sun. Taking this image rewarded the reason for stopping while making the long ride home more relaxing. It’s always good when a long day ends with some proper documentation.
My wife and me had been talking about taking a trip to Lancaster ever since we moved back East. Her love of food and my obsession with photographing farms and Amish culture made for a determination that far outweighed the long drive and whatever traffic that might accompany it. Being less fleet of foot and a bit less willing to trespass. I depended on my Canon70-200 to grant me the distance I so desperately sought.
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