Archive for the ‘Illinois’ Category

Apr

2012

St. Patrick’s in Decatur

St. Patrick’s in Decatur

Finding Subjects to Photograph

One challenge I face as a photographer is finding interesting subject matter.

If you go to Tokyo, Paris, San Francisco, or other “tourist” type destinations, there are by definition, lots of interesting things to see and photograph around every turn.

Some photographers have a genuine talent for turning the ordinary into a work of art. I’m continually amazed by the photographs that some street photographers can create.

So that’s something I strive for, at the same time I try to look for those “hidden gems”. I think that this Church in Decatur, Illinois, the “Soy Capital” is an example of a beautiful building amidst the industrial-agricultural machine of Decatur.

In the processing of this shot, I’m also experimenting with a lomophotography-esque look.

Psst!: If you haven’t already checked it out, give my HDR Tutorial a thumbs up on YouTube.

Tags: church, decatur
Posted in Illinois | Comments Off on St. Patrick’s in Decatur

Dec

2011

Macro, pseudo HDR, Bee

Bee

Bee

This photo was taken with a macro lens. A macro lens is designed to take pictures of small objects close up. You’d need a linguist to tell you why it isn’t called a micro-lens.

This photo is a pseudo-HDR, rather than combining three separate images, I just tonemap one image. You don’t get as much dynamic range, but in full sun, that doesn’t really matter.

There were also humming birds around. However, they eluded me for the most part and I didn’t get any good pictures of nature’s helicopter.

So while I wanted to get a picture of both the birds and the bees. I had to settle with the bees.

Oh well, the hummingbirds will be back next year.

P.S.

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Click here to check it out.

Tags: bee, bumble bee
Posted in HDR, Illinois | 2 Comments »

Dec

2011

Altgeld Hall at Night

Altgeld Hall – University of Illinois

I think buildings, particularly when properly lit up, are more appealing and mysterious at night.

You walk around a campus or city during the day, and everything is just kinda there.

Out in the open.

Plain and boring.

Come back at night, and it’s a different place, shrouded in secrecy and intrigue.

The imagination is more at liberty to envision conspiracy, hidden plots and subterfuge.

That’s how my mind wanders anyway.

I’ve heard there are tunnels connecting most of the buildings on the University of Illinois campus. I’ve dreamed of exploring them ever since I heard about these subterranean passages, so if anyone has the means of providing a tour, I would jump at the chance!

Tags: altgeld, altgeld hall at night, belltower, HDR, lamp, lamppost, Night, university of illinois
Posted in Illinois | Comments Off on Altgeld Hall at Night