A Lititz ice festival carving sits frozen for the time being with no signs of thawing anytime soon.
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Cross Your Heart
Another ice sculpture from the Lititz fire and ice festival this past weekend. This particular one was located in front of the post office and despite my complaining over the brutal temperatures,the upside was there was no one else out to get in my way while I did the photo. Brutal cold just makes the whole process more complicated,from batteries that die too quickly to tripods that are harder to operate to fingers that hurt so bad you almost want to scream,but you push on because you love the experience. I guarantee every time I see this image, I will instantly remember the whole experience including the bitter cold.
The Apartment Complex
Fresh snow adds a delicate accent to this colorful housing development for birds. Everyone must be staying in bed because the snow is still on the holes. The poor resident in the top unit probably still thinks it is night-time because his hole is covered.
Warm Heart on a Cold Day
This shop window in downtown Lititz was the only hint of something warm on an otherwise brutally cold day yesterday. A light dusting of snow added a nice contrast on the sidewalk.The only other folks I saw were three guys clearing the sidewalks and one of them had nothing more than a single sweatshirt on. Now I know common sense is in short supply these days but seriously who wears only a sweatshirt in 3 degree weather with a wind chill of minus 18?
Lititz Fire & Ice Festival
Last night a light snow moved into the area and since the small town of Lititz,Pa was holding its annual fire and ice festival this weekend I decided to brave the elements and get a few shots. I woke at 5 am today,went back to bed and laid there pondering the choice of staying nice and cozy in bed or going out into 2 degree weather with thirty mile an hour winds that made it feel a wonderful minus 18 degrees. Well I finally mustered the enthusiasm to get bundled up and head out and this shot of old man winter blowing his air was very apropos for the day. I lit this with flash and intentionally did a shot to cast the shadow onto the snow for added interest. Ice is very tricky to light and getting the right angle takes a little work to reveal the carving details.
I shot for about twenty minutes till my two batteries were drained, and then I sat in my truck with the heater warming them up to bring them back to life for a few more shots. I bounce back and forth between really enjoying mother natures intense weather and asking myself what possesses me to go out in weather like this? Inevitably I must take a glove off to change camera settings and today that was a really numbing experience after about a minute of the glove off. The upside was there was only three other brave souls that I encountered taking photos of these things and they all had cell phones. The guys who carve these do a great job using a variety of tools from chain saws to grinders to blow torches and the event is always packed with visitors from near and far.
Maple Sidelight
Down on the Farm
The last hints of fall can be seen in this rural image.
Autumn Side Light
Daybreak in Amish Country
The first rays of morning sun skim across the landscape illuminating the barns scattered across the countryside.
Solitude
Red Maple
Believe
A little late for the holidays but I am getting short on photo subjects right now because my truck died and I cannot get around right now.
Evening By The Fireplace
I picture everyone inside this home cozied up by the fireplace on this cold and raw winter evening.Hopefully we will have many large snowstorms this season.
Winters Icy Grip
Winter has taken hold and autumn is only a distant memory. this tiny puddle captured the essence of the two seasons in transition.
Shards of Ice
Wooden Doors
Waves of Snow
We have gotten very little snow so far this year which is a big let down but this field had enough to let me get this shot which reminds me of waves on the water a little bit.
Cool Lamp Posts
Details
Cracked
Victorian Infrared
River Ice
A boat ramp sits covered in ice from recent rains that overflowed the river in the background.I t was a little dicey walking here.
Romantic Escape
A carriage makes its way along a side street in Cape May.
Welcoming
Reflections of Winter
Old Mill at Sunset
I stopped to shoot this old mill because the area above the falls was frozen more than normal and reflected the mill in the ice but I ended up doing a second shot with the waterfall too. The last rays of the setting sun were glowing in the mill windows and on the buildings.The little house on the left had some Christmas lights that reflected in the water to round out the shot.One thing that perplexed me here was the fact that it was 14 degrees out,the water was bitter cold pouring over the edge, but the concrete dam breast right beside me that I was leaning against was almost warm? With no gloves on,I held my hand against the wall and it felt almost warm to the touch. It is hard to believe the sun could have warmed that up in 14 degree weather with the cold of the water drawing into the concrete.
The Angel Tree
A small window display features an Angel tree,golden star and carved nativity scene.
Last Train Out
This is an image I did at the Strasburg Railroad recently and every bit of illumination except the lamp-post was added by me to create this scene. I directed my flash into the train car and the station buildings to give the appearance of it being open for business.I have a short pole to extend my flash about 8 feet up which helped light the roof line. The temperature was right around ten degrees so it was a rather chilly shoot.
Late Evening Snow
Late evening light shines on this Amish farm as snow showers fall in the distance. I wish I could somehow share the brutal cold so everyone could get the whole experience of getting the shot.
The Getaway
I spotted this little shack glowing in the late winter sun and decided to snap a quick shot. I could use one of these as a workshop for all kinds of projects.
