This scene is located in a nearby town and the tall store in the middle used to be a well-known hardware store but it closed a few years ago and is now home to a home furnishing store. The new owners gave the community a Christmas treat by decorating the large windows on the upper two floors. For the last few weeks I struggled to come up with an angle that would showcase it but after it rained the other night and the road turned reflective,I knew the shot had just revealed itself. Sometimes I can be a bit obsessive about trying to get the perfect shot and because this is a main thoroughfare , it rarely is ever car free, so when I saw the shot without cars, I immediately went to work capturing it.
As I mentioned one of my character flaws is aiming for perfection all the time and it can be something that drives people crazy but I always thought, do it right or don’t bother. Anyway the reason I bring this up is because the sky was pitch black the night I first tried this shot and as I lay in bed that night,all I could think was how nice it would have been with a blue sky? So as you guessed I got up the following morning before dawn and figured there was going to be cars parked there and my one chance was passed to get it,but lo and behold the street was still bare and as a bonus it was even wetter than the night before.I lit all the buildings while it was dark and captured the sky color as daybreak arrived. The hardest part was getting my flash on a pole high enough to illuminate the hardware sign on the wall.
Donald Reese Photography 
This is beautiful! Every time I see that sign and those old buildings I want to take some pictures, but don’t because I tell myself its just a sign and buildings.
A few years ago I took 700 photos of a Heron at Longs park. After he flew a hundred yards off I walked over and he was just standing there looking at me, maybe 4 feet away (in bad light). A guy came up and took ONE shot with his phone and was probably thrilled. I deleted all but 5 and later deleted them all.
Nothing is perfect as I’m sure you know, but once in a while the shot works perfectly anyway. You seem to manage this a lot of the time due to your passion and dedication.
Merry Christmas and may all your exposures be right (to the right).
me and a friend joke that sometimes we think we just like to hear the shutter click. I have had shots that i wonder why too,but your having fun shooting and thats what counts. have a great new year of shooting.
This is beautiful. Growing up in Ephrata this sure does bring back some sweet memories. This should be a frame worthy print. I want to hang it in my home.
Thanks.I am pretty happy with my result.
Nice !
thank you.
Don, every time I see one of your pictures I just smile because no matter what kind of mood I’m in sad, upset….etc I can look at your art and know that my day will be better because as long as I work as hard as you do my photos will be brilliant like yours. I know it takes patience, compassion and a heck of a lot of waiting around for the right shot but it does come and look what happens when it does. Perfection. Thank you again for always being ready for that great shot to share with the rest of us. Hope you had a great Christmas and I’m wishing a joyous New Year 2016 and Happy Shooting may all your pictures come out just like you want them too. Kat
thanks for the kind words and wishing you the same.
I love this, it’s stunning. Thank you for getting it perfect.
And I’d also love a print for my living room wall 🙂
Thanks
This picture is absolutely beautiful. Growing up in ephrata gives it extra special meaning. Thank you
Thanks Tani
Don! This is the photo I’ve been waiting for. Your commitment to perfection may be obsessive, but we are the ones to benefit. Thank you. 🙂 You make every picture you shoot look magical. From the reflection on the street to the beautiful colors in the buildings and sky, this photo is awesome. I love Ephrata and there have been many improvements, but your photos make it look like the sweet little town we all know it can be! Keep up the great work… we appreciate you sharing your talent! ❤
Thanks a lot. I agree Ephrata could be more,and hopefully others see that too.You would be amazed at the stuff I saw in the three nights I was shooting there,and there weren’t any police cars driving by the entire time.I saw one teenager creeping around the bank exterior and could not figure out what he was up too but it was not good and I had no phone on me to have someone check it out.
This is beautiful, Don, and if you decide to make prints, I’d like to say that I would be delighted to have one, as others have also mentioned. So I think you have several hints that it would be a grand idea to make some!
thanks,it turned out better than i had originally thought
Don, Gary (Greene) and I have relocated to Flagler Beach, Florida…….but we love this photo of our old hometown! Thanks! We ‘ll continue to follow your wonderful work online. We appreciate our relationship with you in the past….especially all those Eicher Arts Center shoots! May God bless you richly in 2016!
Thank you. glad to hear from you,and thanks for following. Always enjoyed Gary’s talents and hope he keeps knocking them out for Floridians to enjoy his talent.enjoy the warm weather.