HDR Test Image

One last Philadelphia image. This is from the top of the stairs in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This was actually an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image which basically means I sat the camera on a step to keep it still, took about 8 different photographs of the same scene at different exposure levels, and then blended all of them in Photoshop to get a wide range of details in both the shadow and highlight areas that is otherwise not possible in today's digital cameras... at least not in one shot out of the camera. Click on the image to get a closer look.

Philly Friends

It was great to see Brett and Theresa in Philadelphia this past weekend. I grew up with Brett back in Ohio, and it's always fun to hang out and catch up with one of the hometown crew. Funny how it's just like we're back in HS when we get together... except, of course, we now have more bills, bigger TVs and actual responsibilities, but otherwise it's pretty much the same. Same jokes that are so unfunny they're funny. Same ragging on each other. Same tendency to throw caution to the wind (Hey, Brett, this will be a cool shot. When you see a break in the cars in the middle of this street in downtown Philly, run out there and sit in the median in the middle of the road while I photograph the buildings blurred out behind you).

Brett and Theresa are expecting their first little one, Miles, just about any day now. I was carrying a camera. Theresa was carrying a baby. So of course we took a few photographs during a brief, impromptu session in the city before they dropped me off at the airport on Saturday.



I'll be expecting a call any minute now telling me Miles has made his debut.

Yo, Rock...

Well, I did it. I told myself I wouldn't do it, but I couldn't help it. I raised my arms and jumped up and down and played the music in my head...

Dun Dun D-D-Dun D-D-Dun D-D-Dun...

In the presence of the world-famous Rocky statue at the base of the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art that said Rocky ascended in his training run before his bout with Apollo, I was rendered defenseless in my battle to refrain from doing Mr. Balboa's victory dance.

Speaking of world famous, it's amazing how well-known this American icon is. A woman came up to me and we were discussing the statue and she mentioned the three kids on the right in this photograph (click on image for larger view) just arrived in the US last week from Ghana to stay with her and they all knew about Rocky and wanted to come see the statue and run the stairs. Pretty amazing stuff.

... and more Philly

I'm looking forward to a free day tomorrow to go on a photo safari here in Philadelphia. Let me rewind... I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, and then going on a photo safari.

Man, I need to get out and exercise more. I've just been walking within a couple blocks of the hotel each night the last several days, and my body's already having an allergic reaction to all the physical activity. Sad, really. I'm not ready to sign up for living downtown in a major metropolitan city, but I'm certain I'd be in a lot better shape from all the walking.

Anyway, it's supposed to rain most of the day tomorrow, but hopefully not too heavy... at the very least I need to do my best impression of Rocky on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Uh-huh... humming the theme already, aren't you?

More Philly Images

It's been crazy busy here in Philly, so I only went out exploring for a little bit this evening, but here are a few images (click on images for larger previews). I'm beat and heading to bed. Hope everyone is having a blessed week.

Philly Phun

I'm hanging out in Philadelphia this week, and you can't help but feel the tradition and historical significance all around you when you're here.

Oddly enough, it was hotter hear today than back in Dallas, which was fantastic since the classroom I was in here in Philly had no air conditioning. Good times.

Heat stroke aside, I'm really looking forward to the rest of the week and getting out and seeing and photographing the city. The last time I was here I was only about 9 years old, which is to say the historical sites and stories were lost on me. [insert scene of me standing in front of the Liberty Bell with a t-shirt on that read "Kid for rent - $.01". I don't remember exactly what I was thinking, but I'm pretty sure it went something something like, 'Okay, big cracked bell. Next."]

In addition to the history here, one of the other things I really like about Philadelphia is the blue collar attitude and atmosphere in many of the neighborhoods. You can just tell that people work hard for what they've got and there's a palpable sense of pride about their communities and city. Very cool.

Click on the images to see larger previews. I'll post more images later.