Trust Your Instincts
This was one of those nights I wish I had listened to my instincts and headed out to shoot earlier.I was doing yard work and noticed a transitioning sky and kept telling myself to head out but I kept stalling.By the time I saw the cool clouds forming,I found myself scrambling to get somewhere fast.Unfortunately this is the best I could find on short notice and the clouds to the left of my shot were much more dramatic,but it had no foreground interest that direction. Their was lightning as well but never where I had the camera pointed and I was a little nervous about getting out of the car to recompose.
Summer Flight
This hot air balloon finally got to a spot low enough that I could include some of the farm landscape below it.Hot air balloons can be a bit of a challenge to shoot,especially on an evening like this when it was slightly breezy, because they cover so much ground that keeping ahead of them and putting yourself in the right spot for a shot becomes tricky. The crew landed in a farm field shortly after this shot was taken.
Driving Lessons
This image caught my eye with the two young boys learning the nuances of handling the horses and equipment from their father.As I was working on the shot, I zoomed in and realized there were two more children in front of the father that I never even noticed. They are hard to see in this small version but the hats are there.
The Loner
I have always been drawn to lone trees for some reason.Maybe growing up as an only child makes me appreciate the solitude that trees such as this one seem to convey to me.This was shot in infrared and the effect is perfect on this image.
Looking Back
One thing I can tell you about the Amish and that is they are keenly aware of their surroundings. I was parked in a spot along the road to capture this family passing by and was using a long lens around 400mm to keep some distance, and I no sooner raised my camera and the dad immediately looked back.Their must be a young one up front because there is a car seat plopped in the back with the kids,unless the child is strapped in with the siblings watching.
Are We There Yet?
These three Amish sisters are enjoying a ride in the back of the buggy but the smallest one might be getting impatient and asking mom up front,are we there yet?
A Round The Hay Field
This field of round hay bales looked especially appealing in the late day light of an approaching storm. I was slightly concerned as I shot this because I was on my truck roof with my tripod extended and there were a few flickers of lightning in the distance.The lower image includes the machine that makes the bales and a load of bales ready to leave the field.That image was taken across the road in a second field that evening and I am pretty sure the large field got drenched before they were collected.
Scherenschnitte
A window along main street in Lititz,PA includes intricate scissor work called scherenschnitte. I have no idea how this is possible but its pretty cool.
The Gunslinger
Like a scene out of an old western,the young gunslinger stares down the stranger as a defeated opponent rides off into the sunset in the background.
Traffic Jam
This is a perfect example of being in the right place at the right time,and the only thing that was problematic was the low light and the resulting wide aperture and fast shutter speed needed to freeze any motion.The children seemed to be headed for a collision and the horse was definitely not happy as they got closer to each other.There is actually a wagon being pulled behind the horse cart as well.
There They Are
I spotted these four brothers enjoying a snack together on the rear of the buggy at a back road store.As I snapped this,the little one started pointing and he was telling his brothers to look at the tourist buggy that was going by and they all waved.Up until a few years ago,there was no such thing around here,but numerous places offer buggy rides that can be small buggies or large wagons that haul fifteen at once,and the big one is what he saw. The bottom image was taken the same day and features an Amish teen on his electric scooter as he passes the tourist wagon on the way to the same shoe shop the boys were at the top of this hill.
The Fun Of Youth
This bunch of friends enjoy a ride around the back roads of Lancaster county. When you are sitting in such close quarters,you cant help but have a great conversation about all the things that young minds ponder.
Primarily Amish
Working in RGB for my photography,I noticed these three Amish friends heading down the road in that exact color scheme. Now all I need is a group of four dressed in CMYK and things would get interesting.
Slow and Slower
The Original Porta-Potty
This set of outhouses were loaded on the wagon for transport and since its not something you see everyday,I thought I would snap a shot.I have seen numerous one room schools in my area working on their outhouses and my thought is that the government is imposing some new rules on them and that is why they are being worked on.
Exploding Umbrella
This was one of those images that just fell in my lap this past weekend.I was out in search of severe weather and the storms were approaching quickly.Suddenly the winds picked up significantly and at the same time these three Amish girls were heading up the road to visit friends.The umbrella blew inside out just as they past me,which had the three of them laughing and I managed to capture this shot as she wrestled the contraption.
Battle Ready
Local historical site held a civil war weekend.I captured this re-enactor with a cannon.
Crop Rows
I have no idea what crop this is,but the rows looked appealing.
Cozy Quarters
This youngster is situated right between his older sisters and that way he will stay out of trouble.
Don’t Look Down
These two Amish men were pressure washing this barn roof for some reason,and they had one single rope haphazardly laying across the roof.The guy on the left has no rope and it was at least 40-50 feet to the ground so he must have little fear of height,at least till he trips.They say it’s not the fall that kills you,it’s the sudden stop.
Harness Hauler
Coming Round The Bend
Two families head home after a sunday visiting with friends.I basically picked this spot,set up my tripod and hoped for the best.These two buggies were the only two that came by while I waited at least 45 minutes. I kept bumping up the iso as the light levels went lower and lower.I ended up at iso 1250 at a 500th second at f5.6 and the ability to freeze any motion was practically gone.
Can You Go Riding?
These two Amish girls were busy cruising on their tricycles and it appears they might be waiting to hear if the other two can come and play. The younger one might be asking mom if they can join the three wheeling fun.
Duck Dynasty Fans?
If any of you are familiar with the american TV show duck dynasty,you know the one guy on the show coined the phrase,”happy,happy,happy”. Imagine my surprise when I saw it on an Amish buggy recently.
Painterly Skies
The remnants of a late day storm include gorgeous clouds lit by the setting sun and a small rainbow appears where rain still falls in the distance. The clouds have an impressionist painting kind of feel to them.
Horse Shoes For Sale
A group of young Amish entrepreneurs discuss the way they want to position their recently constructed collection box that tourists will use to deposit the money for horse shoe purchases.
Family Time
Mom and the boys enjoy a quiet stroll in the countryside on a cool summer day.
Count Your Toes
Amish children are very industrious and teamwork is something they know very well.This is a scene I have witnessed many times over the years,with siblings pulling a rope hooked to the push mower. Every time I see the bare feet and the spinning blades,I get a little nervous,but they have it all under control.
The Running of the Horses
This might appear to be a race between brothers and their horses but it is basically the young boys bringing the horses in from a day of wheat harvesting.The one boy was giving it his best shot to catch up but the other two knew he did not stand a chance.
Donald Reese Photography 