Night – 2Eight Photography

Looking Into the Sky

From time to time we should all take a moment and look up into the sky and think about the vastness of the universe. Many live in cities and towns and never have the chance to see the sky from a truly dark place where you can see so much with the naked eye. But I highly recommend taking the time to go visit an area where you can look into the sky and see the stars. These photos were taken a few nights ago while on a Milky Way walk with some old friends and a few new ones as well.

Go outside and look up….

Project 365 | Day 81 Light Movement

Tonight we take a look at the corner of Grant and Sixth Avenue in Pittsburgh for a little light movement. I enjoy shooting in the evening and at night because of the ability to change how a simple corner shot of a street can be made interesting with just a small adjustment in your camera. I’m referring to a long exposure to show the movement of light from cars, trains, airplanes, boats, well you get the point.

Tonight I didn’t set out to shoot for movement or I would have lugged along my trusty Bogen tripod. So when I decided to shot for the “movement” I had to figure a way to hold the camera still for the longer exposure. As luck would have it there was a street barricade on the corner left over from the St. Patrick’s day parade. I was able to balance my camera on the barricade and hold it still enough to take the 1/2 second exposure. I think it worked out fairly well.

What crazy things have you used to steady your camera when you were without your tripod?

Project 365 | Day 39 Blast from the Past

Tonight I was walking to the car after work and noticed this thing that I didn’t think existed anymore.

I can’t really recall the last time I used one of these can you?

That’s right kids this is a pay phone, no games, internet, Facebook, or twitter.

Project 365 | Day 24 Old and New

So tonight I headed back out into the abyss of darkness and cold to bring you guys another city shot from a different perspective. I look up to the dark sky and see the lights in the office buildings, and I think to myself are there still people up there working? Is that what it means to chase the American dream, work all day and night never having any time for the fun things in life, like wandering around with a camera in the freezing cold. Then again it could be their passion to work the hours and get their piece of the pie. Lets face it, not everyone is cut out to walk around in the freezing temps and blistering wind just to find something to ramble on about in a blog post. So I guess they do what they do and I do what I do and we just have our own bit of happiness. I guess what I’m trying to say is: Do what makes you happy and enjoy as much of your life as possible.

The title of this post is old and new, as this photo show some of the old architecture of the city as well as a bit of the new.

Let me know what you think.

365 Project | Day 9 Evening in the City

So todays photo is a city shot from a different perspective. We often shoot at eye level and sometimes just a change in elevation will give a whole new look to a photograph. So for this one I went about 3 stories up in a parking garage and shot down the street.

Smithfield Street and Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa.

365 Project | Day 4

A photo from a recent trip to see Christmas lights with the camera club that I belong to. Kinda makes you wish we still had these stores in every town.

A Trip to the County Fair

Recently the photography group that I belong to took a trip to the Westmoreland County Fair to do some slow motion photography. We had a great time as a group and each of us walked away with something totally different.

Below are some of the shots that I got. Hope you enjoy them.

Night Time in the City

After showing you an overall scene of the city of Pittsburgh, I thought that I would show you a photo that I took on a walk downtown one evening. Yesterday I talked about looking around you to see what the city has to offer. After walking through this corner countless times, one evening I stopped and took a few minuets to look around, then the idea for this photo came to me and the next night I was standing there with my camera and tripod. I think the results were worth it. Feel free to let me know what you think.

This photo was taken using a fisheye lens and a slow shutter speed to get the streaking of the lights. I will say that my work kept me from getting out today to take any photos but I was able to pull this one from my archives.

Pittsburgh, My Home Away From Home

As you can guess tonights post is about Pittsburgh, Pa. Growing up I can remember going to the city for special events like the circus and monster truck races at the Civic Arena. Going to the museums and one of my favorite places Phipps Conservatory. I can remember going to Mt. Washington too see the city scape and especially at night to see the lights from so high above the city.

Well I’m all grown now and I travel to the city just about everyday and it still mesmerizes me every single day. There are truly no two days alike and the city is constantly changing, growing and evolving. I’ve spent the better part of the last two years in Pittsburgh and I can say that I see something unique everyday. If you live or work in any city take time everyday to look around and see what amazing things the city has to offer. All to often we get in a rut and don’t see the great things right in front of us, because we are always looking forward to the next “BIG” thing.

Today was one of the rare occasions that I got off work early enough to run up to Mt. Washington and see those amazing lights once again. And I would like to share the following two photographs with you. Leave a comment and tell me what amazes you about the city or town you live or work in.

Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures

This is my 2012 in photos. Some of these photos were taken with projects in mind such as the abandoned buildings, some were just subjects I came across, and others were planned trips to some of my favorite places like Gettysburg. I hope that you have had a great 2012 and are looking forward to an even better 2013. Enjoy and let me know which photo you like the best.