The Great Train Robbery

After yesterday's somewhat "creepy" post...I thought I would take you back to my childhood today.

This is an old auto bridge that crosses the Wabash River from Indiana to Illinois. However it was a bridge similar to this that my cousin and me used to hide on...the one we hid on was a railroad bridge. We would walk the bridge waiting for a train. Sometimes we were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid...sometimes were Jesse and the James gang ready to pick off our next train robbery.

I look back now and realize how dangerous this was but at the time we were kids and that is what boys did. By the grace of God...we never got our jeans caught on the track or our foot caught on a railroad tie trying to escape at the last minute. Today the boys live out their fantasies with "The Final Fantasy Series" or "Halo"...much safer but I have to say their is something lacking in this. As BB King would say "The thrill is gone".

Dan

The Observer

I visited a political rally to record the events of the day...an observer caught my eye.


I didn't realize it until I downloaded the pictures but several had a quiet, non interactive, observer in the image. The mask looked so familiar...I researched it and found two instances where this masked is used...the book and movie "V for Vendetta" an underground freedom fighter and an activist group..."Anonymous" who seems to be targeting the Church of Scientology.

There were protesters both pro and con but this observer was always just in the background...observing...no interaction with anyone...just....there.

After the rally I was going to ask him what his reason for being there was...out of curiosity. He was gone.

Dan

Serene end to a perfect day...

16 hours had passed since I pulled out of the driveway at 5:00am.

My day took me through small towns...some picturesque, some dying after the interstate re routed the traffic and lifeblood, some that had retained the pride of small town folks just as it had in the 1950's during the boom years.

My day took me onto the campus of Indiana University where I had the honor to be a part of the inner circle of photographers chronicling the Little 500 bicycle race.

My day gave me the opportunity to retrace steps taken on this campus 40 years ago...some areas remained the same and some areas radically different now.

My day ended where it began...at the Patoka wildlife refuge...wheras before the sun was rising...now setting over the lillipads and Cyprus trees.

My day ended with a staged event. An event that has happened each and every day our our lives but so many times it has occurred without giving it a thought. This time I was going to capture it so I could remember the beauty of a sunset. After leaving the refuge, I pulled over on the two lane at the peak of a hill with full view of the crimson sky and the sun sinking ever so quickly behind a farm...a farm that depends on the sun to keep it alive. Just as the sun tried to hide behind the trees...the last click of the shutter and I had it.

The sun as it often is this time of year was large in the lower atmosphere but to emphasize the central point of the picture...I used my longest telephoto with a 2X tele-converter which gave me 600mm ...perfect combination for a sunset. Thanks for taking this journey to Indiana University with me. As we all know...a perfect day is not perfect unless you can share it with someone.

Dan

Thos C. Singleton - 1908

I would like to have met Thomas C. Singleton.

When I arrived to the one lane leading to the barn, the sun was in it's last throws. When I left the barn...nightfall was approaching. The cows were all heading to the barn for the night...they knew the drill. I don't know about your part of the country or world but round barns are very rare in this area. They had their peak in popularity in the late 1800's/early 1900's. It is said that they began to disappear from the farm scene with the onset of mechanized farm machinery. A round barn wasn't suited to the needs of straight walls or corners to store the equipment.

My guess is that if you are ever on the road and pass by a round barn...it will grab your attention. So different than what we normally think of as a barn.

Dan

Date Night....

The words Date Night on the marquee of a classic small town movie theater caught my eye.

These small towns off the beaten path are full of Americana at it's best. When you live in a small town such as these...the movie theater is still your ticket to the world outside of the city limits. With the internet, the movie theater doesn't hold as much magic for the residents as it used to. But I am sure that if one grew up in a town such as this...the memories of Date Night at the theater are some of the fondest memories of your youth.

I really liked the design of this old building...even down to the iconic ticket booth in the center.

There is one more picture that I want to be sure to catch while I still have sun...I have seen it many times before but never had the the time to take it's picture...a "round" barn. I will post it tomorrow.

Dan

Irish Lion and Mead

One last stop before heading out of town was the Irish Lion. Although this local watering hole has been around for years...I had never stopped in before. Zach was at I.U. about a month ago and told me that the next time I visited I.U. I had to stop in for some Irish fare and a glass of Mead. First of all, it was a great traditional Irish bar...my favorite...since my last name is British and my mother's maiden name was McBride...I have always been in love with all things English/Irish.

It was my first for Mead however and what a unique drink. You can follow the link to find out more about it if you are unfamiliar with it but it is a wine type drink made from fermented honey dating back to before the middle ages. It is said to be the first fermented alcoholic drink. Very smooth and very soothing. By the way most of the bottles on the bar were different Irish whiskeys! Thanks Zach for the recommendation!

With the day approaching it's late afternoon and the sun low on the horizon...it is now my favorite time for pictures. I leave here with memories of a great day and plans to stop along the way back home to take pictures of anything that catches my eye.

Dan

Dunn Meadow

The entrance to Dunn Meadow opens to a wide expanse of green foliage revisited throughout by a slow running stream. Just under and past the bridge to the right of the picture is one of the favorite gathering spots for students in the Spring and Fall.

The art of sensing the direction of the wind just before you let go of the frisbee in order to give it that last bit of over spin or under spin is still being practiced here. The innate drive of a dog to joyfully run...spring into a glide and catch the flying disc in mid air still occurs many times a day...every day. Sun bathers probably skipping class on that first warm Spring day to catch that early tan still populate Dunn Meadow.

Taking one last look around, savoring a memorable day, I headed back to the Subaru to make one more stop before leaving town....The Irish Lion and a taste of Mead.

Dan

Stone Marble and Dark Wood

It was at the same time invigorating and bittersweet walking these halls again. The stone facade of the Union building...cold and impersonal gives way to the featureless halls lined in marble once inside. A labyrinth of hallways spreading in all 4 directions...the tile floors would echo your steps as you make your way down the corridors. I came upon the South Lounge...a room that hasn't changed since the late 60's...even the same orange and earth tone colors and dark wood paneled walls that I remember from spending so many Sunday afternoon's here with Karen...before heading back to Purdue.

It served as a central gathering place for meetings and departures...for forming and breaking relationships, for studying and wasting time, for listening to anyone passing by who sat down at the Grand Piano and played for themselves as if no one else was in the room. The same white piano...now quite scratched and worn... that Karen would play from time to time.

Whenever I visit a place where my past comes alive again...I always see a replaying of a movie with a cast of characters familiar to me but so distant now...I always have to grin to myself having played out this scene before. We never appreciate a scene when we are in the middle of it but as time passes and so many life experiences separate us from that moment acted out so many years ago, we remember the good and push aside the stresses and trials that weighed so heavily on our minds then. I prefer only the good memories.

On my way out of the Union, I passed by a Starbucks with the now familiar aroma drifting out into the hallway...the Union may look the same as it did then...but things have changed.

Dan

The heartbeat of the campus

The area around the student union of any campus is the central heartbeat pumping the lifeblood ....communication....throughout the student community. During my days on this campus, my bike was often parked here and the information kiosk to the left was full of war (Vietnam) protest rallies, Nixon-McGovern posters, and Woodstock info....I first heard of Woodstock from a "3 days of peace, love and music" poster on this same kiosk in 1969. The rest as they say is history. Today on that kiosk was info about global warming, manifestos about the intolerance of the Muslim community, even a Tea Party meeting. It is ironic that with today's explosion of electronic communication...the "kiosk" still exists....... thrives.

Across the bridge to the right and up the stairs is the student union. Tomorrow we will go inside.

Dan

Visit an old friend after the race

With the race activities over for the day. The sun again was low on the horizon...another full day had passed and the activities were beginning to slow down for the day.

It was time for me to leave the track and move towards my second goal for the day...to visit an old friend - The Indiana University campus. My wife went to Indiana University and I went to Purdue University back in the late 60's/ Early 70's. the two campuses were about 100 miles or so apart...I burned up that highway between the two during those days!

I had visited the chapel many times but never took the time to go inside and today I was going to look on the other side of the old wooden door. The inside of the chapel matched the feeling of the outside...quaint, quiet and almost fairy-tale like. The warmth of the wooden beams and ceiling invited any who stepped within to remain a while. I did.

Dan

Pre Race Warm up

Often as we walked up to photograph the riders...they had been the subject of so many photographs that our presence didn't phase them....they didn't break the concentration on pre race warm ups with the stationary cycles. However, the race fans were always interested in getting in the picture as was this patron.

Often the action on the sidelines was just as interesting as on the track itself.

Dan

Competitor

Competitors come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes when you decide what the composition of a photograph should be...step out of the box and try new perspectives.

If this photo were taken out of context...different people could interpret it in different ways. There is no bicycle in the picture yet we know she is competitor by the number on her back. By her pose...she could be a roller blader or a skateboarder...maybe a racer in a bike race. Often what is not in a photograph is what makes it more interesting...it helps draw the viewer into your world and let's them help interpret the image.


Dan

There are no Atheists in Foxholes

I think this also applies to the racer above...just before taking the track. Both the engraved statement and the racer were found at Indiana University on race day.

Have a great Sunday,

Dan

Flow of Action vrs. Stop Action

I picked these few images to demonstrate a couple of ways to let your pictures give the feeling of action actually taking place within the image. Many times it is our "instinct" to use a fast shutter speed on a bright day and capture that moment in time. This is a great idea if it is a birthday party or wedding reception. That fast shutter speed freezes the subject and the background forever.

However for an action event...if everything in the photo is frozen still...you loose the feeling of movement or action. So often it is better to use a slower shutter speed for action. I know this sounds counter intuitive but here is a technique you can try.

If you use a slower shutter speed...any movement will be blurry. You can either have the subject in clear focus or the background...either way works. This just depends on your taste in pictures. In the first photo, I had the camera on a tripod and clicked the shutter as the pack of riders passed in view. Anything that didn't move....like the background or the female photographer is clear and in focus...the subject is blurred but not unrecognizable. The contrast of the clear background and the blurred riders gives one the feeling of the pack of riders "speeding" by in a blur.

The opposite technique of the the first and third photos is seen in the 2nd and fourth. Instead of letting the riders pass in front of the lens...I panned with the pack as they passed by. So the riders are in clear focus but notice that the background is a blur...indicating movement.

The main thing to keep in mind if you photograph an event such as this is mix things up. Don't shoot every picture the same way. There is a place for blurred subjects, blurred backgrounds and even stop action frozen completely (both background and subject). Diversity of techniques is what keeps things interesting.

Dan

Race Day!

Race Day in Bloomington was not unlike any other Saturday on a college campus in the early Spring. Sunbathers in Dunn Meadow just outside of the Union, Frisbees sailing through the air only to be snatched up by small hyperactive dogs and bicycles everywhere...especially on this weekend.

When I first arrived at the track the elimination heats were already in progress. My eyes followed the high pitched screaming of a fan in the stands...somewhat obscene utterances but also par for the course with the lexicon of today's students for the most part. So I snapped the shutter. Never gave it another thought. Back home I had a surprise in store for me when I downloaded the pictures. The crowd shot is one of those images that captures the entire spectrum of a subculture. I would bet that anyone viewing the image can symbolically find themselves in this group when you were this age...the bookworm, the "frat guy", the groupie, the rapper, the athlete, the party-er, the all American boy/girl, Mr. Rowdy and the Geek. All the emotions...disgust, anger, excitement, exhilaration, boredom, you name it... it is there.

For me this is one of those images that I can spend time with just looking to see what I can find in the picture.

The image of the race is an actual shot of a pack of racers...I overlaid a brick wall to simulate the look of a painting or mural on a wall.

Dan

Mayb....Newberry

The sun now well above the horizon, I began to take in the sights of the small towns as I passed through...towns like Odon, Mackey, Petersburg and Washington. This town was Newberry..although it very well could have been Mayberry. There was an auto garage, tavern, Masonic Lodge and a one lane (at least one lane active) iron rust laden bridge on the way out of town. The images above are of the Masonic Hall.

One one side ...the pledge of allegiance and the other side thanks to God for blessing this small town. I am certain this small community was indeed blessed before the traffic was re routed. Today only remnants of that period like the blue and white Chevy remain.

Checking my watch...I am running behind...need to get to Bloomington for the race.

Dan

Nebraska Circles...

Once when flying out West...the man in the seat next to me saw that I was transfixed on what I saw outside the window..."Nebraska Circles", he said.


As I passed by the long iron caterpillar...I knew again that I had to turn around. I had seen the apparatus several times before but never had my camera with me. This time I could take it home. The combination of HDR photography and shooting directly into the newly risen sun caused a strange aura like sky but I took it anyway...sort of adds to the effect.

On my first trip out West several years ago I saw landscape below me that I will never forget. I have now seen them several times but I still remember that first time I saw the Nebraska Circles. The link will show some good pictures of them.

They are formed by this long fragile looking watering machine. Pivoting from the center they move in circular patterns irrigating the land during the dry season. With the continuous water...they produce huge circles of lush green crops and seen from the air...they are perfect green circles. The irrigation machines are often longer than a football field so the circles they make are huge.

People call them by many different names...Cynthia from Oklahoma will probably call them "Oklahoma Circles"! They are quite common in Oklahoma.

Next a visit to May...I mean NewBerry.

Dan

IU Bound

You own the road at 4:30 in the morning.

Indiana University was 4 hours away and they were an hour ahead of us. The road between Evansville and Bloomington winds itself through rural Indiana...now and then passing through small communities less than 1000 or so population...some as few as 200. They are mostly towns that time has forgot since interstates passed them by during the interstate building boom of the 1950's.

I was off to visit on old friend...IU...Indiana University. My wife went to IU while I was going to Purdue in the late 60's/early 70's. I spent so much time at IU that it still feels like a long lost friend. Today, I would combine work with pleasure...although the work doesn't feel like ...well...work. Today my "work" is photographing the Little 500 race at IU. It is my passion so I look forward to this "work" day. The Little 500 race is in it's 60th year with long traditions and a rich history since it's humble beginnings.

The soothing lights from the instrument panel and my favorite playlist on the IPOD are my companions today. About an hour out of Evansville on the two lane I pass a bright spot...see it out of my peripheral vision...finding a turn around I head back to the source of the light. The head lights shine on a brown and white sign "Patoka River Wildife Refuge". The brightness I saw was the sunrise reflecting on the wetlands. The sun was not yet above the horizon but the orange glow signaled it's immanent arrival.

I looked as best I could but couldn't see the birds making the sounds...quite different than the Blue Jays back home. I think they must have been Egrets or Herons...quite common in the wetlands of the Midwest. After pausing a while to take in the sounds and musky fragrance of the wetlands...I was off to see what lay around the next bend.

Dan

Silent Intensity

Just a quick post to let you guys know that I am back from the Little 500 race and the trip was a success! Both with pictures of the race and pictures on the way as well. I am still post-processing the photos so it will probably be later this week before I can post them...meanwhile...I thought this picture taken while one of the competitors was waiting to ride is a fitting "billboard" for the race. The post was titled "Silent Intensity" because unlike NASCAR or Formula One racing...when the pack passes by you...all you hear is a lung gasping for the next breath and the crunch of the narrow tires on the cinder track...but the intensity is there none the less. It was a real treat to be within 3 feet of the riders as they streaked by in almost a whisper...there for a second...then gone. A true challenge for someone like me who is used to setting up...framing a landscape...check the light and composition...then clicking the shutter. Yesterday that all had to be done in tenths of seconds! The adrenaline masked my 61 year old stamina until the race was over...I then proceeded to collapse into the bed...dreaming of the silent intensity of yesterday.

Dan

Fences then and now

Humans have not changed their need for privacy over the years...the fences show this in detail.

In this one photo...a skip of multiple generations show a fence started in the early 1800's...and completed in the 20th century. Their was a need for the settlers to protect themselves from unknown intruders during the homestead period in the new world...there is a need today still to protect our property and our families from unknown intruders of a different sort but just as dangerous.

I am waiting for the day that both the old and the new fence can be torn down...I also realize that I am probably over optimistic.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Dan

Little 500 Bicycle Race

With Spring you can be guaranteed that two things happen in Indiana...the Blue Jays return with a vengeance and the Little 500 bicycle race is run at Indiana University! The race has been a tradition for 60 years...this year will be the 60th running of the race. There was a movie bout the race and filmed in Bloomington, Indiana ...the home of I.U. named "Breaking Away" starring Dennis Quaid.

I am lucky enough to have been chosen to be a "photography intern" this year and be one of 5 photographers to have full access to the race to be able to chronicle the event. I will have the opportunity to work under pro photographers for the day and follow their lead. I will have full access to the pits to be able to film the race from the rider's point of view. The race is today and I am out of the loop for the entire day and hopefully when I return...I will have some photos to post of the event if the race committee allows me to use the photos for my own use.

Wish me luck!

Dan

In a year and one half of posting a picture every day...I haven't yet posted a picture of a fish! Today...I will end that cycle.

The middle picture is an image of a Piranha. By themselves...not too dangerous but devastatingly destructive in a school. They are actually more aggressive towards themselves than external prey. If forced by hunger...they will turn cannibalistic and attack their own kind. Thankfully, they are no where near any place I have ever fished! I have caught my share of the the bass however.

My main reason for posting this is just because I have never uploaded a fish to my blog before...now I can say that I have!

Dan

Life begins anew....

Around Christmas I posted an image of the front door of this church near where I live. The old white doors and Christmas wreath was crisscrossed with the shadows of lifeless tree limbs branching out in every direction.

Those days of lifeless trees are thankfully passed at least for the next two seasons. I welcome it with open arms!

Dan

The Arrival

Overnight they came to life...the flowering trees have begun thier showcase in the Midwest. It seems that everywhere you look there are flowering pear trees and tulip trees. The Dogwoods have not yet bloomed but will be coming along shortly. I am pumped!

Dan

Survival

Our backyard has been taken over by birds...aggressive birds...not towards us but towards their own kind.

It started out with a few bird feeders...as time has progressed...the numbers have grown and the battle has begun. The quest for food has overridden the resting pose of a tranquil bird and instinct for survival has trumped any sense of brotherhood. Interesting to watch the strategies, triumphs and dominance of agression being played out in our backyard.

I have often wondered how a concentrated flock of birds could at an instant fly off without flying into one another...the stop action of the first photo seems to indicate that they are truly professional aviators with a knack for crash avoidance! I wonder if they have air traffic controllers!

Dan

Sometimes the truth is ironic

Down an isolated two lane near where I live lives a farm family that not only has a sense of humor but also has the creativity that would make a 5th avenue advertising agency envious.

What better way to let us know that the family farm still enables us to enjoy the bouties of their labors...Yes we see it and the truth in this stroke of genius is not lost on us........

Thank you.

Dan

Happy Easter

The legend of the dogwood

There is a Christian legend of unknown origin that proclaims that the cross used to crucify Jesus was constructed of dogwood.^[4] As the story goes, during the time of Jesus, the dogwood was larger and stronger than it is today and was the largest tree in the area of Jerusalem. After his crucifixion, Jesus changed the plant to its current form: he shortened it and twisted its branches to assure an end to its use for the construction of crosses. He also transformed its inflorescence into a representation of the crucifixion itself, with the four white bracts cross-shaped, which represent the four corners of the cross, each bearing a rusty indentation as of a nail and the red stamens of the flower, represents Jesus' crown of thorns, and the clustered red fruit represent his blood.^[5]

Wikipedia

We hope everyone enjoys beautiful weather today as you awake to another Easter Morning...enjoy the day. The dogwood pictures were taken last Spring...I am eagerly awaiting their return for 2010.


Dan, Karen, Zach and Scooter

Amazing Architecture

Obviously not one of the wonders of the world but just an amazing site to behold...The financial District of Boston has several buildings completely clad in reflective windows. What a perfect mural for old Historic cities like Boston. At one time you can see both the ultra modern and in the reflection see the old streets of Boston...like a mirror to it's past. I walked around the building to find the right angle to photograph for at every turn...a different mural would appear ... each as interesting as the one before.

Have a great Saturday and don't forget to dye the eggs!

Dan

Never to see home again

This image taken in Boston a while back was a reminder to me about what a melting pot this country is. Each major metro area has blocks of Old World culture that remains to be a sanctuary for our immigrants...a reminder of their homes so far away...many will never see home again.

I tried to put myself in their shoes and wonder what it must be like to make the decision to leave the homeland never to return...that has to be one of the most difficult decisions one makes in their lifetime. I don't know that I could do it...even for greener pastures. I have not been in their shoes however so I really can't say what I would truly do if that situation ever arises. I hope I am never tested.

Dan

Nature's Most Beautiful Creature

The sixteen eyes, prickly brittle hairs on the legs and the two enormous mandibles are the makings of God's most beautiful creatures ...at least in my opinion. The fact that they have 8 legs enalble these monster tarantulas to keep up with a human at jogging speed. That dark bulbous circle in the balk of the spider's head is the back part of his body...he was so large that the entire spider would not focus at this range. Join with me in enjoying this marvelous image and get as close to the monitor as you can so you can see every detail.


APRIL FOOL! I hate these hideous creatures!! They make my skin crawl...and I couldn't hardly post this image. Do yourself a favor and leave the blog as soon as you can before it jumps out at you!

I couldn't pass up April Fool's Day.

Dan