Wednesday View - 14 August 2019 Edition

Welcome To The Exploration Photography Daily View

Before this afternoon's rain, oh we got rain, I was able to spend some time in the Cafe with my camera in hand. My hope was to grab a few shots at one of the bird feeders but as it turned out that didn't happen. My remote's batteries were depleted and I had to stay with the camera and thus was unable to hide from the birds as they ate. But I was able to grab a few frames of some birds on an overhead power line. After looking over these pictures I thought they just needed something and that something was nothing. No color that is. So I converted one to black and white, did a few adjustments and here we have today's view.

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Sunday View - 18 March 2018 Edition

Welcome To The Exploration Photography Daily View

Today we continue our photographic visit to Peace Valley Park. Shifting away from wildlife though we take a look at Lake Galena from the point of view of one of the park's boat docks.

Click For Full Size Image

Sometimes I'll look at a RAW image and think that it would be great in black and white. Then there are the images that I plan and shoot for black and white. This is one that I knew right away needed it's color removed.

Here is the EXIF data.

And here is Yesterday's View...

Saturday March 17, 2018

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Welcome To The Monday View

Today as I continue to share photos from our "walk in the park" yesterday I am shifting away from Autumn colors. In fact I am shifting away from color altogether. When I saw this I knew right away that it had to be presented in black and white. It actually took me a while to get it where I thought it was right. I tried to bring out as much detail as I could and at the same time not wash anything away.

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Obviously no longer in use as evidenced by the hanging insulators and the fact there is indeed no wires to be found. I'm not sure if this pole carried telephone or power lines. Perhaps both? I am pretty certain though that it was used by the Norristown State Hospital. Just about all of the land that the park occupies was part of the hospital grounds at one time.

Technical Info

- Canon EOS 80D
- Sigma DC 18-250mm Lens at 51mm
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture F16
- Shutter Speed 1/200 Second
- ISO (Film Speed) 320
- Center Weighted Average Metering

And now...

Yesterday's View...

Sunday October 22, 2017

And that will do it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Welcome To The Wednesday View

To compliment yesterday's snapshot I thought it would be nice to share another that gives you a wider shot of Herr's Mill. In other words It's getting late and this is gonna be quick! Seriously though this does go along well with the hitching posts. And I figured black and white would help present a nice vintage look.

Click For Full Size Image

And now...

Yesterday's View...

Tuesday September 19, 2017

And that will do it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Welcome To The Thursday View

Hi there folks! Today is going to be another one of my snapshot days. Kim and I did some running around after work today so I didn't have time to do the regular post I was planning. So that will have to wait until tomorrow. So for today's photo I would like to share something a little different. It is technically a snapshot because I captured it with my phone. But it was also edited. Not by me but by Google Photos. Here is a stylized version of a pic I posted last week. The Tropicana Casino shot from the Boardwalk.

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Not perfect but still cool all the same.

I know this is a quick one but I have to go for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Welcome To The Daily View

What a weekend my friends. Yesterday was basically a complete washout. I think we got somewhere between two and three inches of rain. Then today started out bright and sunny. Around noon though the skies turned cloudy and then sunny again. Then it rained and now it seems to be clear(ish) but very windy. A real weather roller coaster huh? In the midst of all of this though we did manage to enjoy some of the nicer moments and drove to Valley Forge for a bit. And I could share a ton of new stuff with you. But instead I am sharing something you long time readers have seen a time or two. And that is none other of "My Favorite Tree". In beautiful black and white.

Click For Full Size Image

Technical Info

- Canon EOS 80D
- Sigma DC 18-250mm Lens at 43mm
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture F16
- Shutter Speed 1/125 Second
- ISO (Film Speed) 100
- Center Weighted Average Metering

Here is the "Before' image.

Click For Full Size Image

And now...

Yesterday's View...

Saturday May 13, 2017

And that will do it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

Exploration Photography Daily View - September 9, 2015

Hi there and welcome to the Daily View!

Today I would like to share another shot from Valley Forge over the weekend. Like I said yesterday it really was a mini photo shoot and I didn't come away with a lot but I think I captured few good ones from that day. And as with any trip I make to Valley Forge I did spend some time photographing my "favorite" tree.

Click For Larger View

I have worked with this particular composition before both in color and monochrome. And each time I think I get a little closer to what I want to present but it still seems to be an ongoing project. And that's okay. After all what would I do if I achieved perfection? There wouldn't be anything to work toward. That wouldn't be any fun would it?

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

November 13, 2014 - Photo Of The Day

Yesterday when I photographed our Rhododendron I also shot a few pictures of our Hydrangea. It is still very full. There are no flowers but the leaves are almost out of control. Last Winter I pruned it way down and it came back with a vengeance. I'm not sure what to do this year.

The funny thing about this Hydrangea is that Kim and I cannot remember if we planted it or if it spread from our neighbor's plant. I know for certain that it was not originally there. There was another bush and we removed it. I just cant remember how the Hydrangea got there. Either way it sure took off.

For today's photo I would actually like to share two photos with you. The first one is a black and white version of our Hydrangea and the second is in color. here is the black and white.

And here of course is the color photo.

I personally like the black and white better.

And before I go I would also like to share another sunrise time lapse. I shot this one this morning. And it sure was a nice cool and clear morning.

Thanks for stopping by and please check back soon.

Until next time...

November 6, 2014 - Photo Of The Day

What a rainy day. What can I do on a rainy day? How about a little black and white photography? I think the rain and mist go hand in hand with black and white. There's something about the mood I suppose. Something else also goes well with black and white. Trains. Well I had to run out today during work and went by the local trolly station and couldn't resist. And that brings us to today's photo.

This was shot with my Motorola Droid Turbo in color and converted to black and white in Photoshop with some other very minor adjustments thrown in for good measure. As you can tell it was also shot through a chain link fence. One that has very small openings. Instead of cropping the fence out though I chose to keep it in. I think it adds to the picture and mood I am trying to create. You can see the original color version here at the Facebook Group. It is untouched and as it came out of the camera.

I am not a big fan of rain but I try to make the best of it. though I would rather make the best of some sunny and 75 degree weather. Hey that would make a great country song ;)

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time...

October 16, 2014 - Photo Of The Day

After all of the rain yesterday the sun has finally come out and most of the clouds cleared away. It feels a bit like Summer around here. I can sure live with that! Even if only for a short time before the brisk Fall weather kicks in.

I was out on our deck enjoying the afternoon and noticed how healthy our Vincas are. We get them every year because they are so hardy. And that is what I am sharing with you today. In black and white.

I don't usually present flowers this way because most of my previous attempts have not turned out so well. But I am very pleased with this one. And just for contrast I will also show you the color version too.

What do you think? They both came out nice but I think I like the black and white better.

And before I go I just want to mention that today would have been my Mom's 83rd Birthday. Happy Birthday Mom :) I love and miss you so much but I know that you are always watching over me.

Until next time...

October 9, 2014 - Photo Of The Day

The weather today was picture perfect. A fine day to use up some vacation time at work. And I did just that! Being it was a nice day I thought it would be a great time to drive over to Valley Forge and shoot some photos. Apparently I wasn't the only one. The place was packed with tourists and photographers alike.

I shot almost 200 frames today and I think I got some good stuff. It will take a while to sift through everything and process the good ones but I did get a couple done. Here is today's photo. This is one of the many recreated cabins throughout the park presented in black & white.

And here is another one showing some of the inside of the cabin.

This and all of the cabins at Valley Forge may look sturdy and secure and I suppose to an extent they are but they were barley a match for the severe and frigid winter of 1777 and 1778. Not to mention that not all of the soldiers camped there even had cabins. Add to that a shortage of proper clothing and food and we are only scratching the surface of the hard times that General Washington's troops endured. To learn more I encourage you to check out this link.

Valley Forge of today is a beautiful park with plenty of open space and scenery to enjoy with the entire family. Even man's best friend is welcome there. On a leash of course :) We should however consider the extreme sacrifice that took place there that helped America gain Independence and afford us the luxury of such a place.

Thanks so much for visiting and please check back soon. I have some cool stuff coming up! And be sure to check out the Facebook Group here for some behind the scenes and other extras.

Until next time...