Darryl's PhotoBlog

Wordless Wednesday 31

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 30

2011-08-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 29

2011-08-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 28

2011-08-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 27

2011-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 26

2011-07-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 25

2011-07-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 24

2011-07-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 23

2011-07-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 22

2011-06-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 21

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 20

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 19

2011-06-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 18

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 17

2011-05-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 16

2011-05-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 15

2011-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 14

2011-04-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 13

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 12

2011-04-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 11

2011-04-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 10

2011-03-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 9

2011-03-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday 8

2011-03-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Geocaching 12 of 12 Tomorrow

2011-03-11T06:00:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is again the 12 of 12 project. It is also a Geocaching 12 of 12. That is a special version of the 12 of 12 we run twice each year to encourage our fellow Geocachers to record and share their adventures with the rest of the world. If you are a Geocacher I'd encourage you to participate, if not, try your hand at a regular 12 of 12. Either way, make sure to check out the submissions to the Geocaching12of12.com site starting on the 13th.

Wordless Wednesday 7

2011-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday 6

2011-03-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday 5

2011-02-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday 4

2011-02-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

February 12 of 12 (Three Days Later)

2011-02-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

My 12 of 12 concept for February 2011 didn't work so well. I used the Fujifilm GA645Zi (a 6x4.5 120 "point and shoot" rangefinder) and Portra 160NC and 800 Saturday for just capturing the day for the 12 of 12. Complications with the minimum focus distance (1 meter) were difficult to work around, but the data recorder didn't get the time as I expected, only the date and exposure information. The other major problem was the take-up spool not rolling tight enough and allowing the edges of the film to be exposed as I changed film. Finally the scanning took much longer than I expected especially with some file issues along the way. Bottom line? I won't be doing it this way again and certainly not with the GA645Zi.

They're Just Different

2011-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Film and digital images just look a little different. There are a number of factors that make these two different, but in general I prefer digital. The image at the left was shot on the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II with Kodak Portra 160NC, scanned on the Epson V500. The image at the right was captured on the Nikon D700. Both have had some tweaks done but were taken more than an hour apart from about the same location. While the one on the left is a better capture and I made it a little warmer, I prefer the quality of the one on the right (click through for the higher resolution versions). Much of it is subjective and does change based on the look I want, but I general prefer digital all around. So far I've not featured a film image for my Wordless Wednesday as I just don't like them as much. Yet I'm really enjoying shooting on film again. What are your preferences in the film versus digital debate?

12 of 12 Tomorrow

2011-02-11T18:00:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is another 12 of 12! This is one of those great little photo projects I enjoy where you aim to capture your day in 12 images. Think of it as basically a photo diary you share with the world.It's been a few months since I last participated but I'll share that one done entirely on the iPhone:

Wordless Wednesday 3

2011-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lucky Find: Fostoria Wooden Depot

2011-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love finding things I didn't know exist and had that luck when driving around Fostoria Ohio last weekend. We drove around town after shooting at the former Amtrak stop (at Taft Blvd and South Main Street) looking for other interesting locations to shoot. We found an old wooden depot, completely closed up, boards over the windows, but someone had been cutting down the trees near the building. This great little depot can be found on the northeast corner of East North Street and North Cadwallader Street and seems to have once been a Toledo and Ohio Central stop. Apparently the Fostoria Railroad Preservation Society is working to raise funds to move the building to the coming Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark. I hope to find time in late spring or early summer to return and grab some photos with the vines greening up. Perhaps I might be able to contact the FRPS about getting a tour of the facility too. The moral of this little story is to look somewhere new when you're out -- perhaps you'll find something cool to shoot.

Wordless Wednesday 2

2011-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Ugly Weather

2011-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Many times I simply want to shoot but the weather doesn't offer good images. Usually I use those conditions for close-ups, but other times I'm looking to capture a specific events. This happen a couple weeks ago when I wanted to get some shots of the icebreakers working to keep the frieghters moving through the St. Clair River between Marine City and Algonac. The weather was pretty cold, lightly snowing, and with just awful skies. I shot anyway since this was likely one of the few opportunities I'd have to get shots of action like this. Thanks to the RAW images from the D700 I was able to expand the dynamic range and bump up the colors, but they still don't look good. I posted a few of the photos to my Flickr Photostream as I felt the subject was compelling enough to share. Last week I had an interesting comment posted to one of those photos by Flickr user Ilkka Porttikivi who like the image and felt that it was a great portrayal of shipping in the winter. The bottom line is when shooting digital images I feel it's generally worth at least trying to capture these images since whatever is happening at that moment will never be happening in quite the same way again. It's really about making lemonade from those lemons.

Back Into Medium Format

2011-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Many years ago I had a brief encounter (about three years long) with medium format film. Medium format had been the holy grail as I grew up. It was just a dream. Eventually, as I started earning a little more money, I was able to grab a Hasselblad 500C on the used market. That brought home what have been the ultimate studio camera system I drooled over for years. About three years later I sold the camera as it simply wasn't used enough (having already made the switch to a DSLR) and it needed service for the springs nearly every time I pulled it out. I've once again been thinking of the darkroom and medium format film thanks to the LOMO movement and the Instagram App for the iPhone. A visit to an antique shop a couple weeks ago ignited the flame again. They had many older cameras from box to twin lens. I've always had a fascination with the folding and twin lens cameras so spent some time looking those over. One of the folding cameras, an Agfa Viking (top right), was only $35 and seemed to be in working condition. So I walked out with that unit, cleaned it up, and started looking for more help with the camera online. It turns out to actually be a 620 camera. With a quick modification it can take 120 supply rolls, but still needs the 620 take up spool. Some more poking around and I found another dream camera from my college days. So I ended up grabbing a Pentax 6x7 (left) with several lenses, and a Mamiya C3 Pro. Now I'm hooked! I have a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II on order with a few lenses and will play with all of these whenever I feel like going out shooting without a specific mission. It gives me the chance to work with these great older cameras and get back into the darkroom. I love medium format film but I don't plan to use it for anything really serious as the D700 still provides images as good as what I get from these great cameras but without the extra work of processing and scanning. Used film cameras are great additions to a collection and beat grabbing one of those cheap little plastic units for satisfying the lust for medium format. It seems that just about anything film-based is pretty cheap on the used market these days, perhaps you'll want to grab one and go old skool too.

Eastern Market

2011-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

During a photowalk this fall I discovered a great location to shoot – Detroit Eastern Market. The photowalk was actually through the nearby Dequindre Cut, but we moved toward Eastern Market pretty quickly. I visited Eastern Market many times as a youngster, and a few times since, always with cash in hand to purchase fresh edibles (especially cheeses from R. Hirt Jr.), but never with a camera. This time, under the cover provided by a small group of photographers, I took the chance to shoot in a location I'd seen hundreds of times but never considered a subject. Now I was seeing great images calling to be captured. Many of those I'd never attempted before the amazing high ISO performance provided by my D700. That body and some fast lenses gave me the chance to pound out my three frame bracket sweeps with a few great results.

If you're in the area and have the chance, certainly take the time to visit on a Saturday morning. You're bound to come away with some interesting images, and very likely some good, fresh produce.

Wordless Wednesday 1

2011-01-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Almost a Year

2011-01-25T11:27:00.001-05:00

Almost a year has passed since I last posted to this blog. Being that it had become simply a daily photo posting using material I had already made available on Flickr I frankly lost interest in keeping up with the postings. I have been shooting and generating new material (though probably not enough to continue posting images daily) so there's plenty of material in my Flickr Photostream for you to enjoy. I have been rethinking the format of this blog especially in light of my newly rekindled infatuation with medium format film. So from this post forward I'll be posting all sorts on things to this blog. Look for summaries of photography trips, my thoughts on things like gear, highlighted photos, interesting locations I found and would like to shoot (or have shoot), fielding of questions from readers, and just about anything else I decide to share. Of course I'd love to have discussion with you either through the comments or direct. The bottom line – look for postings to resume on all sorts of topics. As a matter of fact, look for one tomorrow on either the medium format film cameras or a great location I found to shoot. Actually, perhaps I should try a "Wordless Wednesday" post.

CCGS Samuel Risley

2010-03-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley and I hit the road again this morning to see if we couldn't catch any of the icr breaker action wrapping up in the St. Claire River. As expected, the had wrapped up earlier in the week and the river was flowing well and mostly free from ice. We heard that the CCGS Samuel Risley was on its way to meet the AlgoCanada in Marysville so we followed her up and popped off a few frames. After the Risley passed the AlgoCanada in Marysville we made our way back to "International Flag Plaza" under the Blue Water Bridge and waited to grab photos like this.

AlgoCanada Into Lake Huron

2010-03-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Following the CCGS Samuel Risley to clear a path through the ice in Lake Huron, the AlgoCanada passed by "International Flag Park" in Port Huron.

USCGC Hollyhock & Lightship Huron

2010-03-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley and I hit the road again this morning to see if we couldn't catch any of the icr breaker action wrapping up in the St. Claire River. As expected, the had wrapped up earlier in the week and the river was flowing well and mostly free from ice. We managed to catch the USCGC Hollyhock downbound under the Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron, then followed her down through St. Claire. The only shot I liked was this one with the Lightship Huron in the foreground.

AlgoCanada Under the Bridge

2010-03-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Shortly after the CCGS Samuel Risley disappeared from view the AlgoCanada cae around the bend and glided under the Blue Water Bridge.

107 Breaks the Ice

2010-02-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley and I decided to head out to Algonac this morning in hopes of catching from ice breaking action. We arrived to see all four of the ice breakers (two U.S. and two Canadian Coast Guard ships) doing their thing in the channels. We ended up watching the U.S. Coast Guard Ice Breaking Tug 107 (Penobscot Bay) for quite some time as it cleared the North Channel around Russel Island.

Penobscot Bay

2010-02-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

In For the Night

2010-02-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

We stopped by Vantage Point in Port Huron this afternoon to go through the photos and warm up with some coffee, and hopefully to see something interesting. There really wasn't so we hit the road heading back to Algonac in hopes to see the icebreakers either tieing up or heading back to dock. Three of the four working the channels just stopped in the ice upstream. The U.S. Coast Guard Bristol Bay tied up along the boardwalk though giving us a chance to shoot some nice night images.

Bristol Bay

2010-02-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Coast Guard WTGB-102 Bristol Bay was working the furth down the North Channel so we really didn't get much of an opportunity to work with her as much. Occasionally she would come all the way back to the Algonac boardwalk and we could grab frames like this.

Layers of Ice & Their Breaker

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Penobscot Bay in the Broken Ice

2010-02-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Coast Guard Ice Breaking Tug 107 (Penobscot Bay) passed by the boat ramp several times throughout the day. The result of these passes were shards of the ice piled up along the edge of the channel for an unusual landscape.

Tying Off

2010-02-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ice Wake

2010-02-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Coast Guard Ice Breaking Tug 107 (Penobscot Bay) started creating waves of ice as she worked later in the day. It was quite the sight and sound as the waves of ice hit the sea wall.

Peche Island Rear Range Light

2010-02-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

We happened across this oddity while chasing down some ice breaker action. According to Wikipedia:
"The Peche Island Rear Range Light was built of cast iron in 1908 to mark the narrow passage from Lake St. Clair to the Detroit River and guarded the reef for some 75 years. It was never manned.

In 1926 the height was raised to 66 feet (20 m) and with that additional height the tower protected the passage until September 23, 1983, when it was scheduled for decommission and destruction. Learning of the plan to demolish the tower, a rescue effort was begun by Marine City, Michigan to relocate it to a site in the city's Waterworks Park. The tower's weight is 35 tons and with the height of 66 feet (20 m) and a diameter of 14 feet (4.3 m) the move took ingenuity and perseverance, but was finally successful."

Bristol Bay & Penobscot Bay

2010-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Bristol Bay (WTGB-102) and Penobscot Bay (WTGB-107) meet as they clear the ice in the North Channel above Russel Island.

Cutting In

2010-02-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

That's Not A Ferry.

2010-02-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

Bristol Bay Pulling In

2010-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Drinking it In

2010-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

This butterfly was spending a long time drinking from this flower giving me time to work it a little. The problem was still a lack of light to get the depth of field I'd have liked. Even at ISO 800 (which is as far as I like to push the D700 under normal conditions) I was only shooting at 1/90 second at f/9. That still wasn't enough to get the entire head sharp this close.

Got an Itch

2010-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

While more active than usual, I only got photos of the Tigers laying around at the Detroit Zoo.

Groggy Afternoon

2010-02-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

We stopped by the Artic Ring of Life exhibit at the Detroit Zoo to find most of the animals sleeping, including the polar bears. Talini woke up and walk around a bit, but was pretty groggy.

Catching Some Rays

2010-02-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Few of the butterflies at the Detroit Zoo's butterfly house are willing to pose in a photo friendly way, but this one was kind enough to spread out on a leaf for a little sun.

Fruit For Sale

2010-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

While at the Detroit Zoo Saturday morning we took a break at the renovated Artic consession stand. One of the cool things was a basket of apples and oranges which caught my eye. While we warmed up I grabbed the 60mm Micro from Adalay's bag and captured this.

Tiger Lounge

2010-02-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

The tigers were pretty active today at the Detroit Zoo but only between spurts of lounging around.

Hummingbird & Butterfly Snack Bar

2010-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

I was told this was the smallest of the North American hummingbird, which would make this the Black-chinned Hummingbird. It was incredibly tiny and very interesting to watch. He apparently doesn't usually play nice with the butterflies at the feeder though so this was a rare treat in the Detroit Zoo's butterfly house.

Sunbittern Prepping to Call

2010-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

This Sunbittern at the Detroit Zoo's aviary kept strutting around begging to be photographed. So we did.

Whaz Dat?

2010-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

The "Merkat Digs" exhibit at the Detroit Zoo allows visitors to get right up to the small animals thanks to some thick glass between them. Unfortunately that glass and the low lighting toward the front make it tough. But I cranked up the ISO on the D700, got close, and pounded out a few frames. What I came up with was this one, very cute shot.

Grabbing Lunch

2010-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Longing

2010-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Talini sits at the edge of her enclosure sniffing the air.

Come On Up -- The Bark's Fine!

2010-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Sunbittern Strutting

2010-01-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

This Sunbittern at the Detroit Zoo's aviary kept strutting around begging to be photographed. So we did.

Leafy Greens

2010-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Sunbittern Calling

2010-01-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

This Sunbittern at the Detroit Zoo's aviary kept strutting around begging to be photographed. So we did.

Yummy Snow

2010-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Willis B. Boyer in the Ice

2010-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Willis B. Boyer museum ship is closed for the winter, but sometime this year we hope to make a trip down to visit the ship.

Brunch With The Family

2010-01-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Conrail (NS) 6757 and NS 8863 by Toledo Union Station

2010-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Conrail (NS) 6757 (EMD SD60I) and NS 8863 (GE C40-9) accellerate by the Toledo Union Station.

Baby's Breakfast

2010-01-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Waiting For the Snow to Melt

2010-01-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

CSX 8570 and CSX 5227 at Hallett

2010-01-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley and I actually caught CSX 8570 (EMD SD50-2) and CSX 5227 (GE ES44DC) on a train a little earlier between Carleton and Monroe. Somehow we got lucky though and caught that same train again at Hallett Tower.

Nosh'n Red Panda

2010-01-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Boat Owners and Guests Only

2010-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Our last stop Sunday was in Promenade Park for some shots along the river. Just across the river is the Willis B. Boyer museum ship (which we hope to visit sometime this year).

Munch'n

2010-01-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

It's rare that the Red Pandas are out when we visit the Detroit Zoo, but today we got lucky -- not only did we catch a few shots of the Red Panda, but the whole family was out eating breakfast.

Small Town Bird House

2010-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I seem to recall having spotted this bird house on previous trips to Carleton, but in the winter light on Sunday morning it really popped. This bird house is right downtown, near the diamond of CSX and CN railroads, just hanging on a telephone pole.

CN 5710 Through Carleton

2010-01-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Just as we were getting ready to move out of Carleton in search of more subjects to photograph, we heard a train horn off in the distance. Having given us plenty of warning, Lawrence of Berkley and I hunted for the best location, settling on the street next to the little grocery store. Eventually CN 5710 (EMD SD75I) came rolling through with its train.

January 12 of 12: Normal Tuesday

2010-01-14T06:00:00.003-05:00

When thinking about a theme for this month I wanted something simple. I thought about doing the 50mm "Normal" day again, or the macro theme. When I checked back to last year's January 12 of 12 I discover that had been the "Normal" theme, so I decided to make it a January theme and once again do a "Normal" day. This is simply photos shot with a 50mm lens on a the D700 (full frame 35mm) for that normal view.

Thanks again to Chad Darnell for creating the 12 of 12 Project, and to Sonny & Sandy of the Podcacher Podcast for pushing myself and the Geocaching community to participate in the 12 of 12.

This Way To Process Deer

2010-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Right in downtown Carleton is a little store which has all sorts of food, beverage, and other supplies. They also do deer processing during hunting season and I spotted this sign on the side of that building while we were out there Sunday. It caught my attention, perhaps because of the bright red in the field of beige, but I loved the bare bush and its shadow too.

CSX 8570 Round-the-bend

2010-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley and I actually caught CSX 8570 (EMD SD50-2) and her train a little earlier between Carleton and Monroe. Somehow we got lucky though and caught her again at Hallett Tower.

Canadian Steamship Lines: Laurentien

2010-01-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

While Adalay, Lawrence of Berkley and I were at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum we spotted a down-bound self-unloading bulk carrier. From the pilot house of the William Clay Ford (part of the museum), we watched and shot photos of the Canada Steamship Lines Laurentien as she passed, protected from the cold winds that created the ice on her bow.

Fine Beers

2010-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Adalay, Lawrence of Berkley and I went to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle on the second day of this new year attempting to stay away from the cold temperatures and brutal winds of the coldest Saturday of this winter so far. The museum was very interesting but didn't provide much in photos without using a tripod and macro lens. I'd opted not to bring the small tripod today so I was stuck with only a few options for shooting. This was the only image I liked. I have a thing for these old crates.

Algoma Tankers Limited: Algosea

2010-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Algoma Tankers Limited Algosea has been docked at the Port Huron Seaway Terminal while it awaits orders and the crew works on the ship. Lawrence of Berkley and I took the opportunity to grab some photos in the fading light. Alas I was only able to get this one wide shot, none none the close-ups through the telephoto lenses panned out.

Winter Lay-up

2010-01-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

With the brutal cold, Adalay, Lawrence of Berkley, and I took cover in the Great Lakes Maritime Center. After warming up with some coffee, Larry and I braved the cold and winds for a few minutes to get some shots of the ships in lay-up across the river. This was the first chance I had to really try Adalays' new toy -- the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3. It's certainly not the 70-200VRII quality in any way, but for a cheap, small, light lens it doesn't seem too bad. We'll have to give it some more trails, but so far so good.

$3 Seats

2009-12-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

DNO_Dennis, Lawrence of Berkley , and I took a drive out to Plymouth Michigan tonight looking for some good shots of the holiday lights. One of the subjects which calls out to be shot any night is the Penn Theatre mostly for it's beautiful marquee.

Frozen Carolers

2009-12-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

DNO_Dennis, Lawrence of Berkley , and I took a drive out to Plymouth Michigan tonight looking for some good shots of the holiday lights. We ended up walking around Kellogg Park right in their downtown and struggling to find good subjects (probably about half the trees were not lit tonight). These carolers caught my attention, largely for the fact they were portable statues. Being right along the main road though they were not easy to shoot.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs at the Penn

2009-12-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Condensed Globe

2009-12-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

DNO_Dennis, Lawrence of Berkley , and I took a drive out to Plymouth Michigan tonight looking for some good shots of the holiday lights. We ended up walking around Kellogg Park right in their downtown and struggling to find good subjects (probably about half the trees were not lit tonight). This was on one of the trees in that park, decorated by a local business. The condensation in the globe really gave it an interesting look.

Just Coffee?

2009-12-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley, L. Adams, and I hit the road Saturday morning for a little photo expedition. Along the way we drove through Bowling Green Ohio, home to Bowling Green State University and a cool little greasy spoon called "The Corner Grill." We decided to try the place for lunch and were pleased to find that it was good, cheap food and had plenty of character to share. One of the things that drew us to the place was this great sign. It sadly only seems to work advertising their coffee, but I imaging this would have been awesome to see when it was working at 100%.

What's That Larry?

2009-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley, L. Adams, and I hit the road Saturday morning for a little photo expedition. Along the way we drove through Bowling Green Ohio, home to Bowling Green State University and a cool little greasy spoon called "The Corner Grill." We decided to try the place for lunch and were pleased to find that it was good, cheap food and had plenty of character to share. Of course being a photo expedition though Larry and I had to bring the cameras in with us. So as we waited for the food to arrive we played with the variety of subjects (including each other) and the few lenses we brought in. For some reason though, Larry didn't seem to approve of this shot.

Compound Licorice Powder

2009-12-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley, L. Adams, and I hit the road Saturday morning for a little photo expedition to the Wood County Historical Museum. They had one of the bedrooms of the infirmary set-up as their general store exhibit and it provided a few interesting subjects. This tin for "Compound Licorice Power U.S.P." was curious though -- what might our ancestors have thought licorice could cure? The Christmas decorations blocked access to some of the other subjects though so I think we'll be making another trip once they reopen in the spring.

Lightship Huron and It's Many Lights

2009-12-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Adalay, Lawrence of Berkley, and I hit the road Sunday afternoon for Port Huron in hopes of testing the new AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Since darkness fell so early though I thought I'd take a crack at grabbing the Lightship Huron with it's holiday lights and Santa on the pilot house. It was cold and rendered the same problems with obstructions as I recall from my earlier attempts, but overall I'm happy with the results.

Dial It Up

2009-12-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lawrence of Berkley, L. Adams, and I hit the road Saturday morning for a little photo expedition to the Wood County Historical Museum. Perhaps the most interesting subject within their infirmary was an old telephone switchboard. We ended up spending most our time there trading off working that artifact. Sadly there wasn't much information about it, but I suspect that it may have come from a hotel or business rather than Bell.