Twisted Elm

From 2010 Blog

This elm tree is located at the side of my house. Some how it survived for the 29 years we have lived here while several others in the yard died from Dutch elm disease. It also has these very unusual twisting branches resulting from years of crude power line tree trimming. A massive shade tree in summer it is even more interesting during a winter twilight. Canon G10, 1/500 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

LRT Blur

From Portland

I took this photo in 2006 of the Portland Oregon TriMet MAX Light Rail train moving by me. I didn't have a tripod with me so I braced the camera against a light pole. By the way, LRT stands for "Light Rail Transit". Canon Digital Rebel XTi, 1/3 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 200, 18mm.

Ties That Bind

From 2010 Blog

My necktie rack. I have been wearing neckties to work almost my entire career. So I have quite a selection, generally sorted by color. Necktie expectations have gone away in many businesses today in favor of "business casual" attire. However they are still an expectation for managers at my employer except on Fridays and during the summer months when business casual is allowed. It seems to be more an East Coast "thing" these days. Canon 7D, 1/25 sec @ f/2.0, ISO 200, 50mm macro.

Revival-Gothic

From 2010 Blog

A new photo today. Thomas U. Walter, the architect for the U.S. Capital dome, designed the magnificent revival-Gothic sanctuary building at Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk Virginia, which is now on the National Historical Register. Canon G10,1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100.

Plasma Ball

From Plasma Ball

The plasma ball creates an elegant curve as the charge concentrates and arcs towards my hand. Canon 40D, 1/15 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400, 50mm lens mounted on a tripod.

Level With Me

From 2010 Blog

I was hanging a mirror in the living room over the fireplace. I had set my level down when I noticed a back light illuminating the bubble window. These types of levels are known as spirit or bubble levels. The term spirit comes from the fact that the most common liquid used is a yellow colored Ethanol. Spirit levels are employed to indicate how horizontal (level) or how vertical (plumb) a surface is. Canon 7D, 1/60 sec @ f/4.6, ISO 800, 50mm macro lens.

Lucifer

From Light a Match

The first "friction match" was invented by English chemist John Walker in 1826. These first matches were sold as lucifer matches. Lucifers reportedly could ignite explosively, sometimes throwing sparks at a considerable distance. In the Netherlands matches are still called lucifers. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/3 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 65mm MP-E macro mounted on a tripod.