Fonthill 1.1

These shots are from the well house at the Fonthill Museum, which you can see in the background.  

This is a pretty spectacular building to house the well! Note the arches and the terracotta roof tiles!

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f9.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

A closeup of some of the arches.  The tile work on such a trivial building is amazing. 


Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/1600 sec @ f1.4
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

A shot of the side of the entrance.  The phrase above the door is "to earth from sea clouds carry me to sea from earth I turn at birth"

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f5.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

A shot of the 'ceiling'.  There are details everywhere!


Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f4.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Fonthill Museum

These shots are from the exterior of the Fonthill Museum, the home of Henry Chapman Mercer.  Fonthill shares the same property as the Moravian Tile Works.  Both of these building are constructed of reinforced concrete.  It seems that everything is concrete and tiles, which makes for excellent subjects.  The best part is this is about 15 minutes from my home.

Interior photography is strictly prohibited in Fonthill :-(

I have a second batch coming very soon.  These will contain more close-up shots showing some of the spectacular tile work. 

I know the wide angle distorts the building, but I happen to like the effect. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f10
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

This is a closeup of the doorway from the prior shot.  Check out the tile work below the steps.  A google search reveals it's probably Psalm 127:1 "Except the Lord build the house they labor"

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
12mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/125 sec @ f7.1
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

A shot of the side of the house.  That's my youngest son, Alex, under the stairs. 


Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
16mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f11
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Alex found a little compartment inside the compartment under the stairs.  



Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/320 sec @ f11
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

A shot around back.  Evidently, this entrance was recently remodeled judging by the newness of the concrete.


Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f3.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

A shot of Lucy.  Evidently, Lucy was Henry's horse who hauled all the hand mixed concrete for the house. 


Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f3.5
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Red Globe

This was the first thing I photographed when I got the 50mm f1.4 lens.  It's the globe that was in the reflection of the counter top for Weekend Reflection #22.

I took the same shot 15 times with each aperture from f1.4 to f7.1.  Don't ask me why, I just did.  They all look good, some are better than others, but I wish I had done the experiment more scientifically.  I should have used a tripod and remote shutter release to put them all on equal footing.  

Lots of detail in the reflection.  You can see me in the foreground, the patio door that leads to the back yard on the right.  The dark rectangle to my left is a doorway to our Family Room, with sconces on each side of the door.  A clock above the doorway.  The light fixture above my head and to the right is behind me, over the kitchen table.  Enough already!







Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f2.8
ISO 800
Aperture Priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Downtown Philly

I am please to display the photographic work of a guest photographer, my oldest son, Nicholas (Nick) who is seventeen.  

This is a shot of way up high of City Hall in Philadelphia.  It was shot by Nick while I was driving.  The family decided to visit Tony Luke's for an 'authentic' Cheese Steak this past Saturday and came home Broad Street, which takes you around City Hall.  To be honest, I was dying behind the wheel.  I could have filled up every memory card I own on that trip!  Nick took a lot of shots and I kept a bunch.  You'll definitely see one of them on Weekend Reflections.  He shot a bunch of really funny signs, but many of them didn't come out too good.  He created several excellent abstract works, mainly due to shaking hands.

I had to crop this big time because of the funky exposure and lighting. 



Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f1.4
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

I though this one was really cool.  A shot of the GPS on the dashboard as we cruised up Broad Street.  The GPS was telling me to turn left on Stenton Avenue, but of course, being male, I can't listen to directions.  Actually, I lived in the Mount Airy section of while attending college, so I knew a better route. 
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/30 sec @ f1.4
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

And lastly, this one.  Nick wanted to shoot the McDonald's in the background, but fortunately, for him, the auto-focus decided otherwise.  I really thought this was a great shot. 

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f1.4
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Rusty Bolt

I returned to the Bridge to ? one day at lunch to see how the bridge looked without any snow.  I have taken an interest in rusty things and got inspiration for this shot from James.  I seriously wish I had bought this lens a long time ago.  My film SLR had a 50mm f1.4 and it's bringing back some good memories. 

I'm submitting this for Shadow Shot Sunday #107

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/000 sec @ f2.8
ISO 200
Aperture priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Swirling clouds

I shot this last summer as a nasty storm was passing through.  I looked up and saw this interesting, twisting cloud.  Fortunately, it did not turn into anything worse.


Canon EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
18mm focal length
Exposure 1/8 sec @ f3.5
ISO 800

I decided to have some fun with the flash and manual focus while it was pouring rain.  I set the focal length to 28mm.  I first focused at infinity and took a shot.  Not what I wanted.  I then focused close up and took a shot, that didn't do it either.  I started focusing towards infinity taking shots ever so often.  I got several interesting ones, but I liked this one the best. 

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
28mm focal length
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f4.0
ISO 400

Eye of the Zephyr

This is a closeup (duh) of our dog, Zephyr.  She is a Miniature Schnauzer and a great dog.  She doesn't have a mean bone in her body.  Every other dog we've owned had certain things that would piss them off, but not Zephyr. Nothing phases her. 

On the flip side, she's not the sharpest tool in the shed.  She's over a year old and is just beginning to get the hang of giving a paw.  We're not sure if she'll ever get it, but that's OK.

This is my submission for Weekend Reflections #26.  If you look closely at her eyes, you can see my reflection.  She's not really a fan of being photographed and normally runs away from the camera.  I caught her off guard one day and got this. 

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f1.4
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Lone survivor

I shot this back in the Fall.  We hadn't had a frost yet.  This was a cherry tomato that had seen better days. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f5.0 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

This one's in a little better shape. It looks almost yummy ... if you like tomato's (which I really don't). I like the contrast of the dead leaves with the live branches and the bright red tomato. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f5.0 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Circuit board traces

Here's a shot of traces on a circuit board.  This happens to be an old Pentium II motherboard I have laying around (don't you feel bad for my wife?). Some of the traces in the lower half have a 3D effect that I really like. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/5 sec @ f2.8
ISO 800
Aperture Priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

I really like the 3D effect of the traces in the lower left.  If you stare at them for a few seconds, you should be able to see it.  If not, try clicking on the photo to enlarge it. 

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens
Exposure 1/3 sec @ f10
ISO 800
Aperture Priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

I redid the  previous with a high contract monochrome effect.  It makes the 3D pop a bit more.  I hope you agree.

Bridge to ?

This is a pedestrian bridge over the Neshaminy Creek on Dark Hollow Road.  There was a vehicular bridge here at some point that was replaced with a pedestrian-only version.  There's a lovely old stone farm house adjacent to this bridge. 

This link shows the location on Google Maps. I plan on returning to this place now
that the snow has melted.  Maybe tomorrow, since we've received 3.5+ inches of rain today :-0 

This is about 15 minutes from the Bridge of Eight Arches. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
28mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/160 sec @ f9.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Reflecting Balls

We have this bowl on a table in our Living Room that sits near a window.  I noticed the balls reflecting in the daylight.  You can see me in the left one and the window in the right one.  You can see more reflections at Weekend Reflections #25

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Macro len
Exposure 1/30 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Aperture priority
Curves adjusted for contrast

Spring, what else?

Spring is definitely on it's way.  A big pile of snow that buried some of our landscaping finally melted and look what I found - minature daffodils getting ready to get serious. 


Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens (new toy)
Exposure 1/500 sec @ f5.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Air Force One

I'm fortunate to have my own office at work.  It doesn't have a nice view's like Dot's office, but it does overlook Willow Grove Naval Air Station.  President Obama planned to visit Arcadia University today and Air Force One landed at Willow Grove.  Photo-op!!

Helicopter sweep of the runway prior to arrival.

 Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/500 sec @ f8.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

 Approach of AF1.  Often, planes approach from the opposite end of the runway, which is where I'm located.  If they approach from my end, I usually get a better shot.  Maybe I can get a photograph when they depart. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/400 sec @ f7.1
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

 You can make out AF1 through the trees from the Commonwealth National Golf Club, which surrounds the facility where I work.  The tail is fairly easy to see. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/320 sec @ f6.3
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Just about 2 hours later, time to go home!


Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
70mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f8.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

A little closer zoom a few seconds later

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/400 sec @ f7.1
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

First

I'm feeling much better and cautiously optimistic that my current batch of kidney stones are behind me.  On my last ER trip, the doc informed me that I still have one in my right kidney, but it should not bother me for months.  Am I supposed to thank him for that information?  Thanks for all your kind words, I am feeling much better!!

I'm sure everyone is sick of snow, but I've been saving this one.  Not that it's anything spectacular, but as I was hiking through my favorite part of Peace Valley Park after a show storm, I came upon this bridge.  It was late in the afternoon and I was the first to arrive!

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
28mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/80 sec @ f6.3
ISO 200
No adjustments

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go

Another bummer week, another trip to the ER (fortunately, the doc gave me some good pain meds).  I've passed THREE kidney stones in the last 8 days.  Needless to say, I'm grumpier than normal and feel pretty miserable.

I live in suburbia, so I don't normally deal with traffic.  When I ride my motorcycle to work, I have a carefully picked route that does not have any traffic or congestion.  When I drive the cage (motorcycle speak for 'car'), I don't normally take the same route and I encounter a bit of traffic.  Likewise, I don't normally have my camera out while I drive, but we had rain for several days and I was jonesing for shutter fix. Check out Jame's site for more Weekend Reflections

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens

45mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/25 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
White balance adjusted

Trail in the snow

Many people treck to Peace Valley Park to get in some cross country skiing after a good snow storm.  I came across these tracks late in the afternoon and thought the reflections was interesting with the setting sun hidden behind the trees. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
47mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/000 sec @ f6.3
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Solitude

I shot this at Peace Valley Park the day after a snowstorm (one of the 'early' ones this year).  For such a simple shot, there's a bunch going on there.  I like, I hope you do too. I was wrestling with monochrome for this, but I really like to color in the leaf. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
100mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/160 sec @ f5.6
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast
1/3 right crop