Recently my camera club and I took a trip to Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh Pa. We enjoyed some of the nice weather we were having as well as some much needed time in the outdoors with friends. Some friends which I had not seen in person in over a year.
So here are a few of the photos I took during our outing to the Allegheny Cemetery.
Visiting places of historical value is something that I enjoy very much in my life. Especially if they are historical to my local area. I’ve visited this place on more than one occasion and feel that it is worth another post.
The WA Young Machine shop was built in 1900 by William A. Young in a little town along the Monongahela River called Rices Landing. In 1908 they added the foundry and in 1928 electricity was added. The foundry and machine shop continued to service the town and steamboats on the river until it’s closure in 1965. They were known for making parts for the boats from scratch utilizing the wood shop to make molds, the foundry to pour the pieces and the machine shop to finish the product. A truly invaluable service along the river for steamboats carrying goods up and down the river.
Today you can visit this machine shop and listen to the stories about the place from the gentleman that keep it going today. (Once we get through the lock down) Take a look at some photos from my last stop and also take a look through my blog for other post about this place.
For more information about the machine shop visit the Rivers of Steel Website here: WA Young Foundry
The Hotel Belvedere was built in 1905, by an immigrant from Switzerland, Joseph Gianini. When the hotel was built it was across the railroad tracks from a railroad station.
The hotel originally had a candy store and ice cream parlor on the first floor with the upper floors as the guest rooms. Eventually the first floor turned into a bar and the rooms apartments. In 1979 Lanna Planitzer purchased the hotel with the hopes of restoring it to it’s former self. That having proved to be too much of a financial burden for her. She did however live in the hotel until it was condemned in 2017.
I had the chance to visit the hotel last year not long before the place caught fire and burned to the ground. I truly wish that we could have seen this place when it was in it’s heyday. I can only imagine how nice the hotel would have been.
Information for this post was found in a post from the Apollo Area Historical Society, for more photos and information please visit their site at: www.apollopahistory.com
A few times a year I take a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo to do a little photography. And recently I made another trip with a great group of friends from the Westmoreland Photographers Society. The difference and challenge I faced this year is that I have decided to only produce photos in black and white. So instead of looking for the colorful birds I was paying more attention to highlights and shadows. I’ve decided to work only in black and white to help myself look for the light and composition that will bring impact to the subject and photograph.
I hope you enjoy the Pittsburgh Zoo in black and white.
In 1900 William A. Young built a machine shop along the Monongahela River in a little Pennsylvania town named Rices Landing. Eight years later the machine shop was expanded to add a foundry and in 1928 electricity was added to the shop. From the beginning the shop has been primarily run by a single engine using an elaborate system of pulleys and belts, which is still in use today. The foundry and machine shop continued to service the local town and steamboats on the river until its closure in 1965. Today the foundry is listed on the National Historic Landmark and is open to the public on Sundays for tours. For more information take a look at their website below.
Below are some photos from my most recent trip to the foundry.
During the summer we all like to enjoy the water and will often stop by a lake to take a swim. While your out having a little fun have you ever considered what might be deep beneath the surface.
Located in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland is the Youghiogheny River Dam which was built to control flooding on the Yough river. In the early 1940’s the town of Somerfield was abandon due to the dam project and subsequently flooded. Leaving behind, Somerfield bridge which was once part of Rt. 40 also know as the National Pike. The bridge was dedicated in 1818 and was used until the flooding. For nearly 50 years the bridge and town remained under the surface of the water forgotten. But, in 1991 the bridge and town reappeared for the first time bringing visitors from all over to see the lost town. And since then in times of drought the lake is drained and the bridge and town reappear for a short time. And you guessed it, the town and bridge has reappeared this year and for a short time we can take a look at the old bridge. So if you have the time take a ride up to the lake and walk across the bridge, that was once part of the National Pike, and the submerged town of Somerfield.
The photos below are of the Somerfield bridge, some of the foundations, and a few other things that lie beneath the surface.
Recently I took a trip to Old Bedford Village for the Old West reenactment. If you ever have the chance to attend this event drop everything and GO!! One of these two cowboys is the town drunk. Can you guess which one?
Had another great day off and got to spend some time in the woods in Ohiopyle State Park. I photographed Cucumber Falls completely frozen over, the main falls and then a little in the woods. At one point I was in the woods and noticed a set of footprints in the snow. They were filled with the last snow and a little windblown but still visible due to the late afternoon sun casting its long shadows over the area. And I wondered to myself, perhaps this is the road less traveled and the road which I should be following.
Cucumber Falls frozen over after a week of below freezing weather.
Footsteps in the woods.
The main falls in Ohiopyle State Park.
Would you like to sit and watch the water.
This is the top of the natural water slides in Ohiopyle State Park. I just don’t understand why there was nobody enjoying a ride down the slides. Could have been that the temp was just a little over 15ºF.
This is just a quick shot from my trip to Old Bedford Village for the French and Indian War reenactment. I will post more as soon as I finish editing them.
Enjoy!
Tomorrow I will head to Old Bedford village to photo graph the French and Indian War reenactment. Been looking forward to this one since I was there for the old west show. Hoping the weather holds out and I’ll post some photos of the reenactment.
Here is a couple of shots from the Old West Show:
2Eight Photography 