World War II Memorial - Washington DC

World War II Memorial - Washington DC



This particular memorial had far too many features to capture. So, instead I decided to take a series of about six photos and stitch them together and present them as one photo. If I lived remotely close to DC (i.e. within a rail's ride) I would be there quite often just to photograph and seek unique opportunities to capture life. But, I live in North Carolina. Perhaps I should get back out into the mountains more often. Enjoy.

Kids at Play - Washington Monument

Kids at Play - Washington Monument


At the base of the Washington National Monument is a series of vents that release steam from below the surface. I had no idea what the source of the steam was from, but it made me wonder if I would allow my child to play on top of the grates. It made me remember how boring I thought DC was when I first visited. If I were their age I would have been doing the exact same thing. Now, whether or not my parents would have allowed me to play on there is a different story.

Hello Mr. President....(sort of)

Hello Mr. President....(sort of)



We spent Sunday walking the National Mall and surrounding monuments just taking in the awesome weather and walking up to some of the monuments and memorials. Sometime in the early afternoon while we were at the base of the Washington Monument we had seen a horse mounted officer directing anyone with an airborne kite to bring them down. Now, I know in the post 9/11 world there is plenty of room for paranoia, but this seemed a bit odd. After all, it was a beautiful day and there were plenty of kids with their parents enjoying their day. Well, sure enough not but a few moments later we heard Marine One just over the horizon. Luckily for us, we were in the right place at the right time. I watched Marine One fly right over head and land on the White House lawn just like I had seen on TV all of those times on the news. It was an interesting moment. I have a feeling that is the closest I will ever be to meeting the President.

A Weekend in Washington DC

A Weekend in Washington DC


In my previous post Shanti and I ventured out to a local part to revisit and relearn some history. We were supposed to head back to the Guilford Courthouse for the annual battle re-enactment, but unfortunately the task of tearing up our yard and starting over in the hopes of growing grass took precedence. This weekend, however, we took advantage of the short 5 hour drive to Washington DC. For Shanti, this was her first visit to our nation's most important city. When I was younger my family took a trip, but of course that particular visit felt like it took place in another lifetime. My recollections are far and few.

DAY 1: Find the hotel, get our bearings, and figure out the public transit system. As luck would have it, I happened to choose a hotel with a "Metro" rail station just across the street. Previously, I anticipated days of driving and fighting for parking with other tourists. The Metro system proved to be a huge convenience and relief. Riding subway trains are just another part of the experience.

Our first "day 1" did not actually take place until Saturday (3/24) when we woke up early and headed out to see the sites. The weather forecast called for clouds and rain. Luckily, all we got were the clouds and the occasional mist. We spent 90% of the day walking into museums. On our first day out we visited the National Air & Space Museum, National Art Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History. I can tell you with a great degree of certainty that I could have easily spent an entire day exploring each of these museums. We did the best we could with the time we had and walked briskly and attentively. One of the attractions that caught our attention in the Nat'l Air/Space Museum was a Japanese kite festival. Inside of the museum were kite flying demos, kites for kids build sessions, and many other wings on display.


On the occasion to where it did not appear to be raining Shanti and I walked throughout the National Mall taking a moment every now and again to make a photo of anything in sight. The overcast sky made for a great black and white image of the Capitol Building.



A good friend of mine from a model rocketry forum suggested we spend the evening riding the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour that operates just outside of Union Station. This was exactly what we needed - a quick way to get around town, see the sights, and have someone narrarate the history behind all of it. One of our first stops was at the FDR Memorial. Across the river was a stunning view of the Washington Monument.



One of our final stops of the evening was at the Iwo Jima Memorial. I had no idea how big this statue was nor did I ever really reflect on the significance of the event that this memorial represents. It was truly moving to stand beneath this larger than life statue and reflect on the sacrifices made by US Marines at the Japanese island.



I have many more photos to upload and share. Please check back later in the week when I have more photos from our weekend trip to DC posted. See you soon.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park




I cannot believe I have been away from Florida nearly 1 year! The last weekend of March marks my first week living in North Carolina. Exploring this state - mostly the surrounding areas - has been a lot of fun and a large part of what consumes my weekends. I enjoy the simplicity of toting my camera and capturing bits and pieces of my new experiences.

This week also marks a much more significant anniversary. Nearly 226 years ago a major Revolutionary War battle was fought not only 25 minutes from where I live! Rather than repeat the history found all over the web, why not check out their website and do a little reading? ;) http://www.nps.gov/guco - Lucky for me, this weekend is the annual re-enactment of the war. As a kid this kind of stuff would have bored me to tears. Many many years later and it still does. I am kidding of course although I look forward to photographing the event and bringing to my weblog some new images from the event.



Guilford Courthouse Park does not offer all that much for the eyes to enjoy. Rather, the park is host to many walking and biking trails for anyone looking to enjoy the kind of weather we are having this spring. Along the trails are markers with informational panels describing what major event took place at each site. Every so often there is a statue to commemorate some other historical figure that had some major involvement. I would probably prefer to have some book reader narrarate through a headset as I envision a battle or some other event. I just have a hard time reading something and then looking into an open field. My imagination is not as vivid as it was when I was a kid. For those without an imagination, the park developers did a great job of putting together a museum chock full of artifacts, displays, mini-movies, and plenty of reading material. They even have a small gift shop for the thrilled tourist.



I am not a history buff nor do I know anything about nature. Perhaps some day I might take the time to learn a little bit of both seeing how much I enjoy capturing their images. Next weekend promises to have a lot of activity at the park. I look forward to the mock encampments, gun battles, and demonstrations for us non-history folk. I may even make a mental note or two.

This mini-history visit is just the warm-up for our visit to Washington DC in the next couple of weekends. I truly look forward to seeing history through the eyes of an adult. I can't even remember my last visit to DC. I'll be taking plenty of photos. Who knows what I will remember in another 20 years!



Above: A park patrons enjoys life by sitting on a park bench, enjoying the weather, and admiring the statue of Nathanael Greene at the end of the field.

Upper Cascades - Hanging Rock Park, NC

Upper Cascades - Hanging Rock Park, NC

Wow - it has been forever and a day since I got out and just took pictures for the fun of it. Most of what has been delaying my blog content for the past few months has been somewhat tied to work. I'm not complaining - photographing for a magazine has been fun, but getting out to shoot without any strings attached is just plain relaxing. Shanti and I decided to get out and enjoy the early spring weather on this Sunday. We visited one of our favorite local parks just outside of Winston Salem.

I have mentioned Hanging Rock probably two other times in previous posts. Each visit is unique and always enjoyable. Today's weather was quite deceptive since we measured how things would feel based on how it felt on the doorstep. We probably experienced temperatures somewhere in the mid 60s. However, upon arriving at the park in higher altitudes we both realized that it was more like low 40s. The hike kept us warm and Marley sure enjoyed being out of the house.

Every visit to Hanging Rock means that we will hike a different trail. We have probably only hit 3 of more than a dozen trails scattered throughout the park and around the small mountains. This particular trail led us down 1/3 of a mile to a very peaceful cascade where we spent a good 45 minutes or longer just enjoying the sound. As you can see by the above black and white image, some of the icicles were still holding on for dear life. I found several detached pieces on the floor beneath the small ledge where I was setting up to photograph. Those icicles quickly reminded us that it was cold and that staying out for a sunset was not going to happen unless a hot chocolate vendor happened to be wandering through the woods.

To those that are coming by to check on this blog, I assure you it will soon have more content. The weather is getting warmer and let's just say that I "skipped" winter entirely. Thanks for stopping by.


Shanti and Marley find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the sounds of the falls.

This Close

"This Close"

A conversation to be had 30 years from now - "Well son, I came 'this close' to making it to the pros."

Where are the pictures?

Where are the pictures?

I saw the list below posted on a photography forum by member "BigRed450" recently. The post date was actually in June of 2005, but the comments resonated with my current situation.

Progression of a Photographer

1. You start out with very little knowledge
2. You start doing research and realize it is much more difficult than you imagined.
3. You begin to pick up knowledge, the technical side of things.
4. You begin to use the technical knowledge and it works.
5. You start to feel as if you are mastering the technical
6. You begin to feel you know a LOT.
7. You start posting images that you are proud of.
8. You KNOW your images are better than much of what you see.
9. Family and friends start to oooo and aaaahhh at your images
10. Pro's don't seem to acknowledge you.
11. You think it's jealousy.
12. You reach a valley in your photography. You are starting to notice that your images aren't quite what you thought they would be.
13. You start to notice that, in your images, the models hands, the composition, the depth...isn't quite what you wanted.
14. Even your very favorite photograph isn't as good as you once thought. "I should have . . . "
15. You are now completely dissatisfied with everything you have ever shot.
16. You begin to realize that your photography is NOTHING compared to the masters.
17. You begin to see the differences in your photography compared to what you see published.
18. Now you are beginning to learn.

So I am at a crossroads. I am somewhere between burned out and curious as to what is next. This is truly a learning process more painful than anything I would have previously imagined.

Somewhere after item #18 is something I came up with called "The Rule of 1000." Basically, I have purchased every piece of starter equipment that I can afford for under $1000 and I have done a decent job at what I've done with that equipment. Those purchases have gotten me to where I am now. But, where do I go from here? "The Rule of 1000" now says that any piece of equipment I buy from this point forward will cost me a minimum of $1,000 dollars. Example - An Entry Level Pro Lighting Kit: $1,600; A new camera body: $4,999; A Pro Printer: $1,200; A competent computer with storage for processing hundreds of digital images: $2,400; Lens (any kind - wide angle, portrait, telephoto): $1,200 - $8,000+; A professionally designed website outsourced to a designer: $2,600+

The rub here is that I have found a level of competance that can no longer "make do" with prosumer equipment. I have also found myself at a crossroads of actual cost versus creative fees. I'm stuck. Without a formal education in photography or the accessibility of a "master" willing to take on an "apprentice" I will soon have to make a distinction between hobby and profession.

I have been very fortunate to have experienced so much in such a little amount of time. Memories are many and experiences unique from anything else. #18 is prevalent - I'm beginning to learn.

Pictures will eventually find their way back on this website. Some day.

A Saturday on the Parkway

A Saturday on the Parkway

"Lone Tree Lookout"

"Bare Tree Reflection"

"Edge of Winter"

"Solo Swim"

"Sunset Lake"

the liberty & ellis island collection

welcome associate artists of winston salem gallery visitors

Thank you for visiting my weblog and journal of my personal experiences in photography. This site has served as my temporary home where I have shared my works with friends, family, colleagues, and respected artists each month. I look forward to a permanent residence with an extended online gallery in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please feel free to browse the monthly archives filled with photos and personal sentiments.

If you are interested in quotes for services, prints, or have any other inquiries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Eugenio C.

________________________

About the photos:

The two works currently on display at the AAWS Gallery ("Eyes on Liberty I", "Eyes on Liberty II") are part of a collection of works from a visit to New York City in the winter of 2005. The photographs were created with an unrefined medium format film Holga 120N "toy camera" and printed on an enhanced matte paper with archival inks. The prints are professionally mounted on acid free cores and mats and outlined with black gesso finished wood frames. The finished pieces represent my gallery debut and will be on display from Dec. 1 - Jan. 13 or until they are purchased by a gallery patron.

"P" is for Parking

"P" is for Parking

After an evening of assignment shooting, Shanti and I went to the roof level of a downtown parking deck. I was actually trying to locate a high vantage point to photograph a local hospital for another assignment. The side wall is just tall enough to put it out of view. Perhaps if I brought a ladder I might have a shot.



It's funny how an empty and almost featureless parking deck offers a challenge. I started to see patterns in the shadows and parking lines. The solo letters even stood out on their own. Perhaps some day I'll meet the owner of a fancy sports car and offer to shoot their car up on this deck.

Going down?

Landscape Photography Workshop

Landscape Photography Workshop

Last weekend I enjoyed an opportunity to attend published photographer Carl Galie's fine landscapes photography workshop through the Associate Artists of Winston Salem Gallery. The workshop started on Friday evening where we were introduced to Mr. Galie and to other attendees. The goal of the workshop was to improve our eye for landscapes and to address issues that digital workflow photographers face. We saw plenty of Carl's work on a slideshow where he described the many facets of what it takes to bring in such great images. We were also priviledged to view some of his current work which will be published in one of his new books due sometime next season.


The morning sun is reflected off of the side of this canoe covered in dew.

The best part of attending the workshop was our Saturday morning field study where we all met at a local city park. Perhaps you have heard me mention it before - Salem Lake Park. (Click through or search my blog. I've featured photos from there twice in the past.) Attending this park at 7am offers a whole new perspective. The lighting is different, the weather had changed, fall had fallen, and it was early in the morning instead of the afternoon for once!

After the field outing we had lunch and headed straight back to the classroom for a review of our work. It was odd for me to present work without taking any time to make modest adjustments; but, truth be told I worked much harder at getting results straight out of the camera rather than depend on the computer. This is one other mantra of our instructor's. He has a 3-minute rule where if the image does not look right after 3 minutes of adjustments, then the image is simply discarded. Great rule!



The photo of the geese in flight was touted as the day's luckiest shot. I felt rather fortunate myself to have captured the image. Timing, luck, right-place-at-the-right-time....they are all factors. It should make for a great print down the road.

Thank you Mr. Carl Galie for your time and your advice. Best of luck with your newest book.

(A few more photos from this shoot can be seen on my Photo.net account. See "Links")

Winston Urban Nightscape

Winston Urban "Nightscape"


Most of the "city life" that I have posted in previous blog entries have been representative of Winston Salem's downtown environment. I promise to one day wander over to Greensboro and give that city it's fair amount of coverage. For now, Winston is just a short 10 minute ride to downtown from Kernersville and an easy place to meet up with my good friend Larry for some photo opportunities. Being the swell guys we are, we invited our ladies to join us while we walked through some of downtown. Afterwards, Larry treated us to Mellow Mushroom pizza. Thank you Larry!




Murals can be seen throughout the art district.







A hip Toyota FJ Cruiser is conveniently parked under great street lighting and with a view of the Wachovia building in the background.





(Left) Larry awaits passing traffic to achieve a motion blur in his photo. (Right) this alley was rich with art and urban style.

Wind

"Where had I heard this wind before
Change like this to a deeper roar?"

- Robert Frost

Fall Sunset on Pilot Mountain

Fall Sunset on Pilot Mountain

There are only 2 other places on this planet that I have gotten to experience a sunset from atop a mountain - Alaska and "The Grand Canyon" in Arizona. Ask me where those photos are and I might as well shrug my shoulders at you. The memory is certainly still in my mind. Watching a sunset from a high vantage point offers one of the most spectacular experiences. This past weekend's evening visit to Pilot Mountain was no different. Mix in a cold snap and some colorful leaves and I am instantly reminded that Florida is nowhere nearby.




A tree full of colorful leaves creates the perfect canopy for this park bench.









These young tourists made me a bit nervous as they scurried wrecklessly over this large rock. I guess I was no different as a kid. They were facing an already golden sun which was casting a nice warm color.




I found the multi-colored leaves on this tree to be unique from most any other trees seen around here in the fall.






All of these colorful trees made the scene felt as if I were walking through someone's oil painting.








This is a view of Pilot Mountain to the southwest.







The sun begins to race for the horizon. Pinecones hanging from a nearby wintergreen allude to the coming of winter.







The fall has come and is quickly going. Bring on the winter. I hope you have enjoyed this last segment of photos. Every weekend provides new oppotunity to get out and photograph. I encourage you to do the same.

Until next time - emc