Before and After

As much as I’ve benefited, and love the process of coming home, uploading the day’s images, and applying the basic editing tools I’ve learned over the years. Those skills are basic at best. Removing objects is something I’m pretty heavy-handed at. Thankfully, when the need calls. I have a long-time friend who is kind enough to step in and apply his magic. In this case, a recent thunderstorm interfering with our trip to Philadelphia’s Woodlands. My focus on the middle figure was crashed by two uninvited figures. I was incredibly grateful when this friend agreed to work his sorcery and twice as impressed upon seeing the results. Slowly, but surely, I’m learning new applications in Adobe Lightroom. And while I try and hope to get things right when shooting. Know how to use the tools at my disposal.

Before
After

Moving Forward with my Bucket List.

Last week, while at the height of my obsession with people, places, and things I’d like to photograph. I took many of them to a list I keep in a secret drawer, amongst some of my ideas closer by than others. I decided to take on the easy ones first. Though not the most inspiring architecture. I became fixated on what I could capture with my seldomly used Canon Fish Eye lens. In passing the building countless times. My obsession grew. Making it a matter of time before crossing it off the list. Granted, my fear of the eventual entanglement with a security guard racing towards me as if I had just set off the timer of a bomb. Adding to the anxious calls from my wife yelling “Chop, Chop”, while keeping her foot close to the gas pedal of our getaway car. I snapped a couple of shots. As I look at the image below. I realize I must return to capture that entire oval. However, for now. It’s all groovy Tuesday.

Adding Blur to your Photos

Granted, living in areas such as Hell’s Kitchen, Hoboken, and Seattle provided endless opportunities to find inspiration just outside my doorstep. Honest characters, both safe and dangerous. Many, eager to share their life, loss, and growth over a cup of coffee or a cigarette. (P.S. I don’t smoke and never have.) But you get the picture. Despite living blocks from hotels, a shopping center, a metro station and a busy blvd. The area seems to attract minimal foot traffic and little, to no personality one might find in a big city. Regardless of the captures. I’ve decided to take my camera elsewhere. A location, I hope will be both inspiring and reciprocal to my need to create. Below are the blurred results of what looks to be my last neighborhood photo outing. Since finding the blur and bokeh features in Lightroom. I’ve gone a little crazy. But, in the end. It’s been fun. It would seem, the more I learn about the basics of editing, The more fun I’m having.

A Visit to DC’s National Gallery of Arts.

Last weekend, we took the train to Washington, DC, on a beautiful day to visit the National Gallery of Art’s “The 70’s Lens” exhibition. While roaming through the halls. I enjoyed taking pictures, often using the shadows to add contrast and anonymity to my images. One of my favorite images was taken a matter of feet from the exit. I plan on printing this in the upcoming weeks. For now, I’m eager to share it.

Street Photography in Washington, DC

It was our first visit to Washington, DC, via train, which was a great idea considering finding a parking spot is nearly impossible. Being that tourists and locals make for a steady crowd of people looking to spend any and all disposable income while feeding themselves with countless unhealthy spirits. Any food truck looking to profit from such weaknesses are wise to provide. Unfirtunately, for this photographer. The only opportunity to capture the hardworking self-made entrepreneurs is when they’re setting up, closing or extending their arm to deliver the goods. On this day, I honor this hard working man as he took a break to enjoy the view and enjoy the fresh air.