Uploads from ADW44

Growing so fast...

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:35:01 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

Longwood Gardens

My Little Monster

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:48:49 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

She's running everywhere now so she's got plenty of bumps and bruises, it's difficult keeping up with her!

Gehry Reflects

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:43:43 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

A reflection of 8 Spruce Street, a famously designed building by Frank Gehry, is seen in a small puddle after Hurricane Sandy hit New York City

Almost 3 Icons

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:10:10 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and an almost completed exterior of the new World Trade Center Building 1 (AKA Freedom Tower)

Emperor's Desk

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:48:02 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

It would be difficult to sit at this desk and find yourself lacking for inspiration or creativity, but in typical fashion, I unfortunately did not get a chance to experience that...

I guess your next question is, "then how did you get the photo?"

Well, let me explain....

On a recent trip to the city with my brother the reservationist asked me, "Would you like a city view or an atrium view room?"

WIthout hesitation I replied, "we'll take 2 city view rooms please"

I mean it was just a natural response, I didn't even think twice, I immediately had visions of being perched high up in the sky looking out in awe over the city, I mean who wouldn't want that, right??

Anyway, within seconds of hanging up, reality set in and i started asking myself what does city view really mean?

Will I need to smoosh my face against the window, then look up at a 90° angle and then just out of the corner of my eye between some power lines and trees I can see a couple of unknown skyscrapers, not to mention there will be sirens and car horns ringing all night long..."NO THANK YOU!"

I immediately called back and changed my reservation to an atrium view....

Fast forward a few weeks and upon arriving at the hotel my room was not ready so we decided to crash in my brother's room for a bit.

And yes, upon opening the door, we were stunned to be surrounded by 180° unobstructed views of the city...WOW!

That night, I asked my brother if I could take some photos from his room and this was the view from the desk of the Empire State Building

BTW, I'm not sure why I've posted so many B&W photos lately, I guess it's just a phase that I'm going through....

PPD III

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:52:33 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

This is my third consecutive year participating in Philly Photo Day which is sponsored by the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center. The purpose of the day is to promote people to take photographs of anything they want to as long as it's within city limits. The center holds this day on their anniversary every year, October 26th, and I think that it's a great way to draw awareness to photography. The center prints every submission and displays them in an exhibit where people can buy the prints. This year is bitter sweet for me because I will be moving out of state next week so in all likelihood this will be the last time that I get to participate. I will miss it!

10 Stop ND filter stacked on top of 3 stop ND filter (3 exposure HDR 40 sec, 120 sec, and 240 sec)

[UPDATE ] 12/6/12 - This photo was selected by the Arts Center Committee to be displayed on a billboard advertisement promoting the exhibit. The billboard can be seen on the Northbound off ramp of I-95 and Academy Road. (See below)

Windows of the World Financial Center

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:11:14 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

Taken from the Conrad Hotel - Battery Park, NY

I Can't Explain It!

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 19:54:38 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

There is truly no way to explain the changes in my life since the little one has joined us. From the extreme highs and to the extreme lows, but I wouldn't change any of it. I can't believe that she will be a year old in just about a week, my my how time flies by!

itsy-bitsy-city

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 19:13:27 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

It's not what you know, it's who you know... at least so they say and this time I knew someone with a membership to the exclusive Pyramid Club high atop the BNY Melon Building in Philadelphia, PA

PS - Sorry to all that I have not commented on your photos or posted recently, an infant and a move means no free time!

Out of Office

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:08:38 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

Labor Day at Legg Masson in Baltimore MD and the offices are empty

9 Months

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:01:23 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

Taken at the NoMad Hotel in New York City

Alien Landscape

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:19:03 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

This is another fascinating display called the Forest of Lights from the beautiful Bruce Munro exhibit at Longwood Gardens. For days after taking this photo I was covered in bug bites because I inadvertently forgot to wear bug repellant. OUCH!

4S

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:27:21 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

Ok, the title is not what you think so let me explain ....

We've planned several road trips this summer but unfortunately the little one has had impeccable timing with her colds so we've had to cancel each one.

I hadn't thought much about last weekend's trip to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore because I had assumed that it would get canceled... and quite frankly I wasn't that excited to visit Baltimore either.

I hope that I’m not offending any locals, but if I have please accept my apology because MAN was I wrong!

Here’s the deal, my wife had made all of the arrangements for this trip so I knew nothing about the accommodations, itinerary, etc, etc..

The only thing that I did know is that we were staying at the Four Seasons - hence the title 4S.

Admittedly so, I’m pretty picky and particular so to say that this hotel impressed me says a lot. Our room, the food, the service, the amenities, the view - everything was top notch! I highly recommend this place....Ok, ok, I’ll save the review for TripAdvisor, you just want to know about the photo

On our first night, I ventured out to the cabana deck on the 5th floor only to learn that it closes at 8:30, which for this time of year is long before the colors in the sky get good. Anyway, I figured what the hell, I have no other options so I’ll snap away and see what I can get.

So I snap......

and I snap.....

and I snap some more....

and all the while I’m thinking to myself that it’s well past 8:30 but I don’t dare turn around because I’m terrified that as soon as I do someone will signal me to leave. When I finally finish up, and I look at my iPhone 4S, just making sure you’re paying attention, I realize that it’s 9:15.

Wow! They really let me stay late so now the seed is planted...

Anyway, on our second day in Baltimore I think the temperature was at least 104 and the humidity was close to 100% so the sky was hazy and bland and I didn’t feel like venturing far to shoot. I decided that I’d camp out on the deck again and watch the sunset to see if it was any different from the first night. To my surprise, the sky erupted into one of the nicest sunsets that I’ve ever had a chance to shoot...

And here it is from the Four Seasons 5th floor on July 7th, 2012 (right place, right time)

9 exposure HDR

A Successful Plan

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 06:27:31 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

I had a chance to get and shot last night at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA. Per Wikipedia, “Longwood Gardens is one of the premier botanical gardens in the US.” Needless to say, it’s a great spot for photographers, not to mention they are tripod friendly!

Every year the garden hosts a 4th of July fireworks display situated above their five-acre fountain garden. The fountains combine technology and old world design to create a unique display of light, color, and water - then they add in the fireworks choreographed to music and it’s a thing of beauty.

This show is a popular ticket and people begin setting up their chairs and blankets in the viewing area hours in advance to get the best possible view.

So right about now, I’ll bet you’re wondering why am I describing the fountains when this shot has nothing to do with that. Well, contraire monfrair!

Ok so, this year the gardens is not only hosting the fireworks show but they also have one of the coolest exhibits that I’ve ever seen. The display was developed by Bruce Munro who is an artist from the UK that uses lights to create spectacular works of art.

I believe there are 6 or 7 different exhibits spread throughout the park. This particular dispay is called the Water Towers which is a collection of 69 symmetric towers that create a glowing maze of lights that changes hues to music.

I had strategized in advance to shoot this area during blue hour, which happened to coincide with the fireworks display. Since everyones attention was on the fireworks show, I had this exhibit all to myself....heck, I had the entire park to myself! It's not often that one of my plans comes to fruition but this time things worked out in my favor...Happy 4th of July all!!!

A Father's Day Gift to Myself....

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 16:15:53 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

...but it's not what I wanted, let me explain

In case you haven't noticed but the birth of my daughter has drastically changed my personal and photographic lives. It has been quite some time since I've been able to designate a few spare hours to get out and shoot some landscapes - the one hobby that I really enjoy. Well last night was the first time that I've been able to negotiate, using Father's Day as leverage, an evening away from my wife and daughter....

My first stop of the evening was in University City looking back East at the skyline as the sun set behind me. I didn't expect that I'd get anything more than what you're looking at, which is a typical skyline photo, so I was really anticipating the second stop of the evening. I had planned on shooting Franklin Square which is a Center City park that contains a carousel and fountain - perfect for long exposures!!

I was psyched to get there and the conditions seemed perfect but within seconds of arriving and setting up my tripod an overzealous security guard approached me stating that photography was not permitted in the park.

Huh, serious???

Ok, I tried to keep my cool, but this guy was pretty combative and he didn't seem to have a clear explanation as to why I couldn't shoot so I asked to speak with someone more levelheaded. So he and I walked over to the park office and after having a brief discussion with his supervisor, I was given permission to take some pictures...Whew! that was rather stressful but now I can get down to business or could I.....

A few minutes later I had set my gear up and just as I release the shutter the same security guard starts attacking me again. He demands that I stop shooting or else he'll call the police...I say, "What do you mean, your supervisor just told me I could shoot" ...He says, "Oh no he didn't!"

Ok, this guy is just downright crazy and a little bit scary too. I heard one thing and he heard the complete opposite....so I calmly suggest that we go and speak with his supervisor again and after doing so I'm given permission to shoot...cough...cough...AGAIN!

However, by this time I'm pretty troubled by the insanity of this security guard so I decide to get the hell out of dodge. Needless to say, who knows when I'll be able to get out and shoot again...some Father's day gift that was!

Anyway, this is the only shot that I'm left with so I hope that you like it

(18 photos stitched using PTGui - HDR processed in Photomatix)

Little Miss Chunky Knees

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:21:52 -0700

ADW44 posted a photo:

enough said

Drooling to be a Penn Stater

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:28:55 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

This little guy was born just a few days apart from my daughter so we recently had a play date/photo session. His parents are both Penn State grads and big football fanatics so they had him geared up with a jersey, helmet and an a lot of drool - which is a common sidekick for any newborn teething infant....

Air Crash Investigation - The Grunman Greenhouse Episode

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:53:40 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

A while back a coworker of mine had suggested that I start watching a show called Air Crash Investigation on the Nat Geo Network. I really didn't have the time to fit it into my TV show rotation, I mean come on I have a newborn at home so I barely have enough spare time to watch my favorite shows now as it is.

Anyway, late one night I decided to to check it out on YouTube and I've been addicted ever since! Needless to say I haven't flown since I begun watching so my next flight should be an interesting experience because I'm certain that I'll be having nightmares from the show...

Ok, so clearly this photo reminds me of the show for apparent reasons but in case your scratching your head here's a little more info....

This photo which was taken outside of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA. This actually Grunman S-2E Navy combat plane that artist Jordan Griska bought on eBay and converted the interior into a greenhouse in the shape of an ancient mastodon. The greenhouse lights are illuminating from the cockpit windows and the belly of the plane, which is now made of plexiglass. I highly recommend checking this out because it is as cool as it looks!
(5 exposure digital blend)

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Big Stopper

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:19:50 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

This building has gone through many name changes over the years and as of today I believe that it's known as the G Fred DiBona Jr building. I'll always refer to it as the Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower and it's located at 1901 Market St in Center City Philadelphia, PA. I took this photo using a Lee ND10 filter in the middle of the afternoon thus creating the movement in the clouds...

Stability provided by a Really Right Stuff BH40 and Gitzo GT0531 tripod

Round and Round

nobody@flickr.com (ADW44) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:41:25 -0800

ADW44 posted a photo:

It's amazing how quickly she's growing just a few weeks ago she was fascinated by her swing and spinning mobile, it was an instant silencer. However, things are quickly changing and what once amazed her now bores her. Needless to say it no longer silences her crying fits...