Whenever I visit Europe, I am amazed at the history and architecture that has survived many centuries. Here in the United States we think of 250 years as being old as opposed to the 1,000 years of many of the structures across the pond. This particular church. Basilica Santo Stefano in Bologna, Italy was built by Saint Petronius, who was bishop of the city during the 5th century, making it 1,500 years old. The Basilica originally consisted of seven buildings. There are only four remaining after renovations made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This image was taken near the end of our tour throughout the complex. It caught my eye as the combination of the light coming through the back exit illuminated the decaying walls showing the age of the Basilica.
Ten to Twenty
This image is from the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. It is an eerie yet compelling location. It seems to be a mecca for Urbex photography although it isn't an abandoned building but rather an old prison that is now a historical site and museum. Tours are conducted daily and visitors are invited to wander throughout most of the prison. The prison was built in 1829 and was the largest and most expensive public structure in the country. The penitentiary resembles a hub-and-spoke consisting of an octagonal center connected by corridors to seven cell blocks. Each block contains cells that were 8 x 12 feet. As I walked through the penitentiary, I thought about the convicts that were sentenced for 10-20 years and how terrifying it was. I'd probably go bonkers after 10-20 minutes.
This particular image was a cell block of the non-public part of the penitentiary. We were able to get a tour of this section as part of Denise Ippolito's excellent Philadelphia workshop.
Emerald Tranquility
Many people travel to the Canadian Rockies in western Alberta to experience the wonderful national parks, namely Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Traveling north on the Icefields Parkway (which connects the two national parks), there is a fabulous side trip (or even overnight stay) that many do not know about or visit, namely Yoho National Park in British Columbia. To reach Yoho, take Route 1 west just north of Lake Louise from Alberta into British Columbia. Not knowing what to expect, we came upon Emerald Lake and were blown away by Yoho’s largest lake. We spent the afternoon there having lunch and strolling around the lake. As you can see, the beautiful emerald water is to die for. Definitely a place to spend more time on on our next visit.
Mirror, Mirror
Just a quick post and run today. This is the mirror that sits outside the famous Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. I thought I would just give a quick set of random facts (courtesy of Wikipedia) about the casino. - The citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms of the casino. - Aristotle Onassis had a controlling stake in the Monte Carlo Casino until he was forced out by Rainier III - The Monte Carlo methods, a class of random sampling algorithms, were named for the casino. - The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) goes past the casino. - Monte Carlo and its casino were the location for a number of James Bond movies - A beer in the casino costs the equivalent of $29
Have a great weekend everyone!
Spider Woman's Home
On our recent southwestern trip, we headed out of Monument Valley for a full day of driving to Albuquerque, New Mexico. We had planned to stop at Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona but there were really high winds and visibility was almost nonexistent. As we reached the town of Chinle, we decided to stop at the canyon anyway. Amazingly, the wind seemed to stop and we were able to drive the full length of the south rim. For those who have never visited this National Monument, it is a majestic canyon lined with towering red sandstone. It is unique in that it is owned by the Navajo Tribal Trust Land and is administered by the National Park Service. The highlight of the canyon is Spider Rock which can be seen at the very last lookout on South Rim Drive. Spider Rock is actually twin 800-foot towers isolated from the canyon walls. Navajos believe this is the home of the Spider Woman, who taught Navajos how to weave and also devoured disobedient children. It is said that the white caps of the towers are children's bones.
The Other Side of Half Dome
Yosemite National Park is one of nature's most beautiful places. Yosemite Valley, where most visitors head, offers more natural wonders than just about anywhere else. From most spots in the valley, one can see El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Dome and Half Dome. All of these have been photographed many times over and it is very hard to get an original perspective. One of my favorite "off the beaten path" places in Yosemite is Olmsted Point. This location is about 45 miles from Yosemite Lodge on Tioga Road. Olmsted Point looks southwest into the valley giving a view of the northern side of Half Dome and a view of Tenaya Lake to the east.
On this particular evening, we had eaten dinner in Lee Vining (home to Mono Lake) and we were heading back to the valley. I just had to stop at Olmsted Point when I saw the beautiful glow of the setting sun on Half Dome's sheer face.
Headed Underground
Urban exploration (also known as urbex) has risen in popularity as a result of recent television shows such as Urban Explorers on the Discovery Channel. This popularity has led to "Urbex Photography" which visually documents these often unseen urban areas, abandoned buildings and industrial complexes. I have always wanted to shoot some urbex but it wasn't until I attended Denise Ippolito's workshop in Philadelphia that I was able to. For those unfamiliar with Denise, she is a talented photographer and leads many different photography workshops each year. Denise's work can be found at A Creative Adventure. The first stop for the workshop was Philadelphia's Graffiti Underground located on an abandoned loading pier jutting out into the Delaware River. It is just a few minutes from the center of the city off of Route 95. The underground is pretty big and is covered with graffiti. It also looks like it has been used extensively by paintballers. The grit and decay associated with urbex can be seen at the underground as well as the great colors of the graffiti.
Morning Serenity
For those who have followed me for a while, you can't help but notice that one of my favorite places to visit and shoot is Banff National Park. I would go there every year if my wife would agree to it but she has her own bucket list of places to visit and, of course, they are places that I want to visit too. That doesn't stop me from remembering the serenity I feel every time I set foot near one of the park's great lakes like this one -- Lake Louise. Lake Louise is turquoise colored and is located about 45 minutes from the town of Banff. The lake is surrounded by numerous snow-capped mountains and the head of the Victoria Glacier as can be seen in this image. It is also home to a five-star resort hotel, the Chateau Lake Louise -- very expensive but worth it. It is so easy to wake up before dawn, grab your gear and be pretty much alone as the sunrise hits the peaks of the surrounding mountains and the head of the glacier.
Under the Sails
Quick post and run today. One of the iconic images in Vancouver, British Columbia are the famous sails on the roof of Canada Place. On our last visit to Vancouver, we stayed at the Pan Pacific Hotel which is part of the Canada Place complex. Ever wonder what the inside looks Like? Well now, you don't have to. This image was captured looking up through the skylights of the roof. Have a great weekend everyone!
Stone Rainbow
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, located near Page, Arizona, is one of the world's highest natural bridges with a height of 290 feet. It is almost as long as it is high with a length of 270 feet. Rainbow Bridge was known by Native Americans who have long held the bridge sacred as a symbol of the deities responsible for creating clouds, rainbows and rain--the essence of life in the desert. They named the bridge "Nonnezoshe" or "rainbow turned to stone." One of the natural wonders of the world, the bridge was formed by erosion of the sandstone by water flowing from Navajo Mountain towards the Colorado River. Rainbow Bridge can be reached by a two-hour boat ride on Lake Powell from either of two marinas near Page. After a wonderfully scenic ride on the lake, boats drop you off at the National Park wharf in Bridge Canyon and, to reach the bridge, there is short mile-long walk. The only other alternative is to hike several hours from a trailhead on the south side of Lake Powell but requires a permit from the Navajo Nation.
When planning for photographing the bridge, I realized that I would not be able to shoot it in great light as the earliest boat reaches it at almost 10 am. For those of you that have seen images of the bridge and it's reflection in the water, it is not possible to capture. One of the Park Rangers told me that due to the low water levels on the lake, the last time water flowed through the arch was almost 20 years ago. Regardless of the not perfect light and lack of water, the bridge is still an impressive subject.
Red Rock Evening
The first day on our trip, we stayed in Sedona, Arizona. We had caught an early flight out of Hartford and landed in Phoenix. After stopping for an awesome barbecue lunch at Thee Pitts Again (found this place through the Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins television show - I try to eat at these places whenever I can), we headed to Sedona. I had been through Sedona twice before but only passed through on my way to the Grand Canyon. This time, I wanted to stay overnight to take in the beautiful red rocks that surround the town, particularly Cathedral Rock. Cathedral Rock is a famous landmark on the Sedona skyline, and is one of the most-photographed sights in Arizona. It was a gorgeous evening as we headed out to Red Rock Loop Road (there is an upper and lower section of the road that forms the loop). The only thing that was missing were clouds but when I asked someone about it, their reply was, "It's the desert, we don't get clouds too often.", (duh). Clouds or no clouds, the light was just about perfect, giving the rocks the famous red glow that they are famous for.
I Get My Kicks...
For those of you who are too young to remember this song, it's official title is "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The song was written in 1946 and was recorded by Nat King Cole (before my time) and covered by many artists since. The song is about the original Route 66 which was a famous stretch of road that ran from Los Angeles to Chicago. One of the original U.S. Highways, Route 66 was established in 1926 and served as a major path for those who migrated west during the 1930's to 1950's. It was noted for it's strange establishments (e.g. Dinosaur Car Wash; Wigwam Motel; Wagon Wheel Motel) with their now retro gaudy neon signs and very strange statues. In 1985, it was decided the route was no longer relevant and was replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Several places along the now defunct route, still have sections that remain. On our southwest trip, we had hoped to spend some quality time on the old route. We stopped in Williams, Arizona, which has a decent section, and we also spent some time in Albuquerque where many of the establishments have been torn down and some are just plots of land with their decrepit signs ready to fall down. It's sad to see such a nostalgic road go by the wayside.
I wasn't pleased with the few shots I got on Route 66, so I dredged up this photo that I had taken in the Route 66 Restaurant last fall. The restaurant is located in Bar Harbor, Maine (go figure) about 1,300 miles from Route 66's original terminus.
Return to Mars
Today we return to wonderful and spiritual Monument Valley located on Navajo land in southern Utah. The first time I visited the valley in 2005, I felt I was transported to a very beautiful but alien place. I remember remarking to my son that we had landed on Mars. After spending time there then and more recently, I realize that the true benefits of the valley beyond the landscape was to be exposed to and learn a little about Navajo culture and traditions. The Navajo name for the valley is Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii meaning "Valley of the Rocks". The structures in this image "Yei Bi Chei" on the left and "Totem Pole" on the right hold deep spiritual meaning for the Navajo. “Yei Bi Chei” means Navajo spiritual gods and is viewed as a formation of dancers emerging from a Hogan. A dance called the Yei Bi Chei dance originated in the valley and is performed for healing purposes in a very sacred nine day ritual called the Night Way Ceremony.
The Miraculous Staircase
This past trip was my first into New Mexico and I was able to get some great advance scouting from fellow photographer Jim Nix. Thanks Jim for all of your help. I think my favorite stop in New Mexico was Santa Fe. The architecture and surrounding landscapes made it a wonderfully attractive location. One of the neatest things we saw when touring the town was the mysterious staircase in the Loretto Chapel. Completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the challenge but the only solution seemed to be a ladder given the small size of the chapel. The Sisters of the Chapel prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. As legend would have it, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. He built this staircase which has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. Once completed, the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks and many concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers. Even today, experts are perplexed and amazed at its construction and design. Whether you believe the legend or not, it is an amazing staircase.
So Grand
So how do you capture the magnificence, vastness and the wonder of the Grand Canyon? The answer is that you don't. The best that you can do is to capture a small slice of the canyon and hope that a little of it's beauty comes through your image. There are two times to best photograph the park: sunrise and sunset. When the sun is near the horizon, it's light casts long shadows and adds great definition and depth to the canyon walls. Any other time, photographs seem flat with little or no definition because the sun is higher in the sky thus casting very shallow shadows. This image was taken just before sunset from Yavapai Point on the South Rim of the canyon. The sun cast a great golden glow onto the rocks creating terrific long shadows in the canyon itself. While many shoot into a rising or setting sun, my tendency is to shoot away from the sun to capture the great warm tones on the surrounding scenery.
Sunset on Lake Powell
The Glen Canyon Recreational Area is located adjacent to Page, Arizona. The area is named after Glen Canyon which was carved by the Colorado River in the shadows of the Vermilion Cliffs. Lake Powell, a reservoir, was created by the Glen Canyon Dam. In fact, if it were not for the building of the dam, Page would not exist as a town. Lake Powell is the second largest man-made reservoir in water capacity in the United States. It starts in Page, Arizona at the Glen Canyon Dam and extends to the Bullfrog Marina in southeastern Utah, 186 miles away. It has a shoreline of almost 2,000 miles. The lake is a favorite destination of vacationers who rent houseboats (pictured here in the image) during the summer months.
We had arrived in Page earlier in the day and wanted to scope out the Wahweap Marina where we were scheduled to take a 5-hour round-trip cruise to Rainbow Bridge early the next day. The setting sun cast beautiful light on the rugged mountains in the distance.
Keyhole Beauty
Back from an excellent vacation touring the American Southwest. Visited many spots in Arizona and New Mexico, many of them for the first time. While this wasn't a photography trip, I still managed to take a boatload of photos. We had great weather although a bit hotter than expected. I typically don't edit my photos right away as I am often disappointed with my shots because they don't seem to match the beauty I saw. I will be making an exception to that "rule" this week. My last post, "Go West, Young Man" was from my favorite place in the Southwest, Monument Valley. It was taken in 2005 on a hiking and photography trip with my son. It was there that my photography passion was rekindled. It is only fitting that my first post from my trip is from Monument Valley. This image is of a hole in Submarine Rock toward the back of the park. The only way to visit it is to hire a Navajo Guide (I used Simpson's Trailhandler Tours - Highly Recommended). I am not sure exactly what the hole is called. It is sometimes referred to as Keyhole Arch or Pottery Arch which is interesting as it is obviously not an arch. Whatever it's name, the view through the hole shows the beauty of the valley and it's structures lit by the setting sun.
Go West, Young Man
"Go West, Young Man" is a quote attributed to Horace Greeley in an editorial published in 1865. Living on the east coast all of my life, I have been attracted to the west ever since my first trip there. I am very happy to report that tomorrow, I am headed to Arizona and New Mexico for the next two weeks. While it is not specifically a photography trip, you can bet I will return with quite a lot of images. In selecting an image for today's post, I decided to pick my favorite place in the Southwest, Monument Valley. This is a view of the valley that I took on a guided tour with a Navajo guide (the only way to see Monument Valley off of the public road). It was the trip that re-ignited my photography passion in 2005. I am really psyched that I will be hiring another guide on this trip to capture the wonderful scenery and colors of the park.
I will not be posting to my blog during this trip, so I will see you when I return. Look forward to catching up with you all when I get back.
The Boat Workshop
Sometimes when you plan a vacation or photography trip, you are always at the mercy of one uncontrollable event: weather. We were spending a week in Maine with friends and we were headed from Camden to Newcastle. We had hoped to spend most of the day taking in the scenery and atmosphere of the Boothbay Peninsula. The weather forecast was for a constant rain all day. So what to do when this happens? Visit a museum to take in the history of the area. This led us to the the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath. Being on the east coast of the United States, boatbuilding was a key industry in the economic history of the state. The museum has many exhibits throughout the main building and also has many outbuildings where the boats were (and still are) built. One of the cooler outbuildings was the boat workshop. All of the old tools were on display as well as boats that were built there. I took this shot of the workshop wall with the windows overlooking the river outside. Since tripods were not allowed in the museum, I shot a 7-shot hand held bracket.
L C Smith & Corona
This image is from an antique store somewhere in New Hampshire. The store owner was nice enough to allow us in to photograph whatever we wanted. While there were so many possible subjects, I was attracted to this old Smith Corona typewriter. I tried to research how old the typewriter was, but I was unable to find out anything about it. I would have contacted the store owner but I don't even remember the store name or the town I was in. Anyway, it amazes me what our parents and grandparents had to do before the advent of computers, word processing software, iPhones and iPads.