Storm Clouds Gater in the 'Gunks

Had a family lunch up at the Moutain Brau House in the Shawangunks yesterday.  We were early so I stopped at the overlook above the first hairpin turn heading to Minnewaska.  Was able to catch these beautiful B&Ws of storm clouds above New Paltz.  Lesson... Always have a camera with you.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

St John's in the wilderness - Harriman State Park

There is an old church in the middle of the park.  I have always wanted to take great photos of it and have tried two or three times in the past never quite getting what I wanted. I think I caught it just right this time.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Red Apple Rest

Yesterday I was driving up route 17 to my parents house and stopped at the Red Apple Rest to take some photos.  This ruin of a building was once the first stop people made on the way out of NYC to the Catskills.  Many of my friends and I share memories of this place and associate it with being part of a journey.  That was a different time.  Very sad to see its current state.  If Rt 17 got more traffic They would probably build a Starbucks or a Barnes and Noble here... While very sad to see this place this way it did make a great subject for some interesting photos.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Train waiting for the morning commute.

I was driving home from photographing the horses at Cross Rails the other night when I found this train outside of my town waiting for the morning trip into the city.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Test Shots for Cross Rails

Here are the test shots from my visit to Cross Rails at Red Gate farm last night.  I got some pretty good shots outside.  I have more ideas about lenses and what I want to shoot next time.  Inside the barn is tough.  I did not like results with flash, but shooting without it meant pushing the iso to 2500 and having the lens wide open for a 60th of a second.  Not a combination for sharp photos, but I will figure it out or stick to outside shots.  I plan to make several trips this summer.  it was fun to be outside photographing on a beautiful spring night.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

A thought and a project.

I am thinking a lot on the topic of if photography is art lately.

What makes it art?  Or it a different craft that follows many of art and designs rules?

Is my photography art?  Or merely something pretty and interesting?

What am I trying to say with my photography?  Do I have to say anything at or can I put it out into the world and leave it to the viewer.

None of this really matters.  I decided it makes me happy and I need to do it.  The fact that it makes others happy is gravy I suppose.

Onto the project.  My friend Jackie runs a not- for- profit horsemanship school for kids.  Over this spring and summer I will be photographing he kids and horses during classes and camps.  It will give me a whole new subject to explore and Jackie will end up with what should be one good images for her website and marketing materials.  From time to time I will post some of the images I am working on for the project.

Keep Makin Art!
Carl

Last of the London Black and White Film

 I could not find the Leaky Cauldron... Looked all over London.

 Just caught my eye while walking around.

Rental bikes can be found all over the city.  Very Cool.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Sunday morning hike along Stony Brook

It was Sunday morning.  Cold and clear.  I could hear the birds in the trees and the brook rushing and swollen with spring rain.  I wandered across two hikers who seeing my camera asked "Any good shots this morning?"  I answered yes.  They next asked "How do you know where to point the camera?"  I said I walk along the brook and listen to what it tells me.  "The brook speaks to you?" they asked.  I said it always speaks to anyone who will listen.  I don't always understand but it is always speaking or singing to me.

Thoughts for a Sunday morning in spring.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Two More images from Orchid Show 3013

It has been a busy week, but here are the final two images from the orchid show.  i will post a few more this week that I took while walking the grounds of the botanical garden.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

More Photos from the Orchid Show

A bumper crop of orchids this year for you to enjoy!  Some of the best are yet to come.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl