A single leaf is locked in pond ice and is split in half as the ice shifts.Temperatures that went as low as three below froze this pond in two days and forecasts calling for temps near fifty will see a thaw in the coming week.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Shimmering Snow
A light drizzle freezes on top of the snow and helps reflect lantern light at this historic site.
A Cold Sunday Walk
I photographed this snow-covered scene yesterday on a back road in Amish country and it includes numerous buggies and a few walkers as they head to church at one of the farms up the road. There is actually four buggies rounding the bend but they are hard to see in the distance. I really liked the youngster bundled in the green blanket and his sister wearing the bright yellow scarf. It was 16 degrees when I snapped this image,which was made possible by using my camranger from inside my warm truck to fire the tripod mounted camera on my vehicle roof. I had no intention of going out at sunrise because freezing rain was forecast,but as I looked out my bedroom at 5am,I could see stars,so I headed out.Clouds quickly moved in to ruin sunrise and this was shot at iso 1000,which I hate to do,but it was necessary to get a 500th second shutter speed. Was really pleased I Made the effort.
Red Barn Scenic
A set of red barns are covered in a fresh blanket of white.
Santas Heading Home
An antique shop has an old sleigh and santa outside,which is covered in a dusting of snow.
The Mansion at 5th
This elegant Victorian was originally owned by attorney Josiah Funk in the 1800s and later became home to a woman’s club,and now is in private hands and is used as a meeting place for weddings,receptions and the like.Of all the types of architecture ,the Victorian style always seems to capture my imagination with its intricate woodwork and fancy construction. I recently purchased a camranger wi-fi box for my camera and a tablet to shoot this type of subject. In the past I would have to walk up on the porch,light the scene and walk back to the camera to check the exposure,etc each time. Now the camranger sends a wi-fi signal from the camera to my tablet and I can stay on the porch and get real-time views of the shots and then I can adjust without all the walking.The camranger is possibly the best piece of equipment I have purchased in a long time. Shown in the bottom photo is my setup which shows the scene captured by the camera and displayed on the tablet,which is carried by me as I light the scene.The camranger is the little white box on my camera grip.
Fresh Powder
A fresh snowstorm coats the scene in a glorious blanket of white/
A Cool Porch
The Historic Smithton
Todays photo of the day features the Historic Smithton Inn located in Ephrata ,Pa. Innkeepers Dave and Rebecca Gallagher have painstakingly restored this beautiful property and it now functions as a highly rated B&B welcoming guests from all over the world who are visiting quaint Lancaster County. This year marked the 250th anniversary of the inn and the owners have hosted many events over the past year,which have benefitted many charities. Of all the folks I have worked with doing photos,Rebecca has been one of the most appreciative,which makes my efforts easier. I probably spent close to three hours bringing this image to completion and it included dozens of images.
The middle image is the starting point with no light added and the top image is after adding light from various angles. If you notice,the lamps were not lit when I got there,so I used a spotlight to light them and the ground below them.Most other areas were lit by flash.Take special note of the unique three-dimensional design on the wall shown up close in the bottom photo. I have no idea how that was done,but it is very unique.
The Chocolatiers Imagination
Lititz Pa earned the distinct honor of being named Americas Coolest Small Town this year, and there are a variety of reasons for this accolade. From the small town charm, to the businesses that are an integral part of the community, to the residents that take pride in their town, lititz is one unique place that beckons visitors to return over and over.One of the attractions that draws visitors to Lititz is Wilbur Chocolate,which is famous for Wilbur Buds as well as countless other confectionary delights. The amazing display shown above is thanks to the creative genius of Chocolatier Kathy Blankenbiller of Wilbur Chocolate. Kathy spent countless hours making this masterpiece of nursery rhyme characters for the annual Lititz Chocolate Walk held on Columbus day weekend. It is currently on display in the Wilbur chocolate store,and is showcased against a backdrop of antique chocolate making items.
Kathy says the entire thing is edible and includes modeling chocolate,royal icing,licorice,Rice Krispie treats and more,and depicts at least 13 nursery rhymes plus a few jokes thrown in.I saw the dazzling display when visiting the store and inquired if I might record the masterpiece and the fine folks at Wilbur were very accommodating in allowing me to undertake this project.I cant wait to see what next years creation might be,but you can bet with attention to detail like this piece exhibits,it will be inspiring.
Sweet Sailing Adventures
Another view from the Italian themed gingerbread village at RLPS this year.
Fog Shrouded Dawn
Jack Frosts Finest Work
Another view of a thick coat of hoar-frost on a tree located beside a stream. Remember this is not snow but ice crystals formed under certain circumstances. Take note that the tree only a short distance away is almost bare, as well as the top of this tree.
A Degree of Beauty
Sometimes I head out to photograph one thing and end up seeing something totally different that intrigues me. Such was the case a few days ago when I headed out in search of hoar-frost on trees near streams,but instead found this lovely set of three trees adorned for Christmas near a local church. Brutal cold had the region all set for a hoar-frost appearance and I did get a few images later this morning of that but this scene was beckoning to be captured first.
I left the house at 5am with the temperature registering 12 degrees,and as I headed across the landscape I watched the temperature go from 12 to 7 to 4 and bottom out at 1 degree.Even with hand warmers I still found my hands hurting pretty bad a few times. Often I will go glove less to operate the camera better and merely touching metal for a few seconds drains the heat out of you.
I have always enjoyed intense cold that makes you appreciate summer more and being prepared helps insure you get your shots and stay safe. The same morning this was taken,I actually saw an elementary age kid walking to school in shorts and short sleeves,and the temperature in my truck read 18 degrees. Common sense is not so common apparently.
Buggy Vista
A row of Amish buggies sits lined up at a hilltop church in Lancaster County. I liked the perspective which included farms in the distance.
Moss Covered Monument
Cemetery Arch
One of a Kind
Title says it all.
Rustic Wagon
Autumn in Vermont
Country Road
A Gift From Above
This brand new chain saw carving was just finished in the last few days and showcases the artistry of Dean Fox, a man with a unique gift and the vision for seeing something special within trees that are past their prime and destined to come down. This angelic figure was carved from a large tree that had died and church members decided to have this done with the large remaining trunk. One church member commented to me that the tree had a huge lean to it,but with the artists skill,it now appears straight.Thankfully a church member met me this evening to turn on the sanctuary lights,which I felt was important to bring the photo to life. The fresh lacquer gives it a strong golden glow,but that will fade over time. The bottom photo shows the artist in the beginning stage of carving with his chain saw. John 15:5-I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Fall Display
An old tractor sits surrounded by huge pumpkins in this field in Massachusetts.
A Zest For Small Town Life
This is the time of year I really enjoy shooting store windows in the town of Lititz ,Pa. Lititz has a small town feel that just takes you back to a bygone era,and the stores get all decked out for the coming holiday season,which makes for a delightful evening walk through town. My favorite time to take photos is right around dusk,just as the shops are closing for the day.The quiet of nightfall in this sleepy little town is only enhanced by music emanating from the town square and with a little imagination you feel as if you were just transported to a Charles Dickens novel.This pair of images are of a store called Zest,and the owners always do a stellar job of decorating the windows. Light shining out from the store illuminates the freshly fallen leaves as the cool blue of dusk begins to envelope the street. Many stores are beginning to transition to the Christmas season,so hopefully I will find some unique subjects to share.
Fall into Lititz
Lititz,Pa was voted as Americas coolest small town in a travel magazine contest this year and I thought I would share a few fall photos I took while visiting recently. If you get a chance,plan a trip to visit this quaint little town. These images are from the downtown shopping district and the community park.
The Sphynx
Symbolism
Symbolism is found all over cemetery stones and this one at mount auburn is an example of that.
A Tragedy
This is an image I shot this summer at an Amish roadside stand and I just got to it this week. As I opened the image,I was suddenly reminded of a terrible tragedy that occurred in our county this past week.The flowers,numbering eight bouquets reminded me of seven children and a young wife who are without a father and husband after an accident at an Amish farm. The little sign was posted with the flowers at this stand. Anyone who follows my blog,knows I capture Amish life and this farm is in an area I often shoot,so my heart aches for the family,but I know their faith and close-knit ties will carry them through. A link to the story here.
Light Painting Example
This 4 shot series may help some grasp the whole light painting thing. The top image is my first basic shot, and then the second shot was me lighting the pumpkins to create an effect of being backlit by the barn lights, and then number three was shot only to light the corn shocks,and I also used that file to darken the lights under the barn,and number four is the result of those files. It does not matter one bit that I am in the shots,because I am only using the highlights from the flash. Key things are using a tripod for registration,wireless remote to fire the camera and the flash and a desire to have fun doing it. The flash shot layers are put on lighten mode in Photoshop and the only thing that shows through are things lighter in the shot,so you need to keep your ambient light below your base shot. good luck
The Clarke Monument
