New Perspective

I've decided to try something new. Time lapse photography has always been an interest of mine, but I'm still experimenting. Yesterday a large winter storm passed by, and it occurred to me that a winter storm may be worth capturing as a time lapse. So, here's what I got when I set my camera to photograph the back yard every thirty seconds for about seven hours. My dogs and I occasionally appear, as you'll see. I still have some work to do with movement, exposure and composition, but I really like the effect of condensing time this way. 

What's New?

Ahhh! I'm now a DAD! This is one of the most incredible journeys I have ever been on. I cannot even begin to describe it. It has only been a few weeks, but I feel like I'm learning more than I ever have before. To watch a little human come into this world is awesome. I now understand that 'feeling' new dads get when the baby arrives. It is truly magical. Occasionally, I'll get sleep deprived and grumpy. But nothing stops me from feeling like a million bucks. Please say hello to my precious daughter, Noelle.

A Year of Photographs

Hello there. Thanks for visiting my blog.

It may be totally obvious, but let me point something out. I haven't posted anything on this blog in almost a year. From what I understand about blogging, that's not a particularly good thing to do if you intend to keep readers coming. What's probably not too obvious, though, is that I've had a fantastic year despite my absence from this pocket of the internet.

You see, my primary job is as a high school art teacher. Not a photographer. My heart is similar to the Grinch, meaning that my heart is big. Big enough to care about two things very much - simultaneously. But because teaching is my primary job, it requires a tremendous amount of time, and that is often time I once used as my 'bloggin' time.

I've had many opportunities to photograph this year, however, and that is what this post is intended to showcase. Be on the lookout for some major announcements in the coming weeks or months, as things are just heating up! For now, please enjoy a selection of photographs that represent a number of occasions I was able to capture so far during 2013.

See you again soon!

 Who knew weeds were so pretty? 

This is shot with a macro lens. 

Total height of blue flower? 1 inch.

This is called foxglove.
It will kill your pets if they eat it,
but it's so dang beautiful.

This is one of those pets I didn't
want to eat foxglove. She's eight.

This two year old would probably
be fine if he ate batteries.
Strange boy, but lovely nonetheless.

Despite a crash landing, this young lady
allowed me to get in close and photograph
her before she took back to flight.

The swallowtails had no issue visiting
our neighborhood this summer.
They came in droves.

Monkeys never get old.
Well, actually they do.
But they're always cute.

Hmmm. I wonder if the cat is jealous of the napping human?

Can you spell S-P-I-R-I-T?

Engagement announcements are always ridiculously adorable.

Oh snap. Scratch that last comment.

Nothing brings the neighborhood
kids together like rocket power!

"One last hug, Mom, before the photographer snaps th...."

This centenarian cottage has seen much in its day...

...along the shores of one of New York's finger lakes.

Nothing says "watch out" like a jetliner
coming straight at you.

Winston-Salem Dash baseball always delights.

Huge power in this vintage John Deere.
Check out those tires during the tractor pull!

Carnies are timeless, but the down
economy will likely put this man
out of business. No takers.

I have commented on the Dixie Classic Fair in previous posts.
It is still my favorite fair of all time.

Sunset

Yesterday was my birthday. Since I've taken many trips around the sun, it made sense this year to find a beautiful place to watch the sunset on my birthday. I think I found a pretty good spot at Canyons Restaurant in Blowing Rock, NC. On the right you can see Grandfather Mountain. It was a happy birthday indeed!

North Carolina Zoo

Recently I spent some time at the North Carolina Zoo to spend some time with friends and to photograph the animals. This time of year is a great time to visit the animals because the weather is just about perfect. They are very active and spending a lot of time 'out and about'. The zoo in NC is a very popular attraction, not only because there are great animals to observe, but also because the zoo takes great measures to ensure the animals are well taken care of and have more than enough room to call home. Below you will find just a small sampling of the critters that have taken residence in Asheboro, NC. If you haven't been to this zoo before, it's certainly one place you shouldn't miss if you happen to be in the area. It's a very interactive, informative, pleasant, and inexpensive place to visit. Young or old, you will walk away informed and enlightened (and probably tired from walking the miles and miles of paved trails connecting 'Africa' and 'North America'.

McRorie-Bartholet Wedding

Weddings are meant to be perfect, and on this day it seemed to ring true. I am lucky enough to be friends with these wonderful newlyweds, Chelsey and Mark. On a sunny day in Charlotte, North Carolina, St. Peter's Catholic Church hosted this beautiful October wedding. No detail was left untouched as Chelsey and Mark minimized the glamor and settled on fine, simple aesthetics. Love was present as they tied the knot, and their reception near Uptown Charlotte provided a great atmosphere for them and their guests to mingle and dine. Congrats to Chelsey and Mark Bartholet!