munchkin in motion

As I tried to take static photos of the fall colors with a crash pad on my back and a day pack across my chest, a toddler "ruined" my shot. His parents apologized profusely for the "intrusion". I smiled slyly, knowing that the photo he'd joined had far more character than what I was attempting. Can't you hear his laughter echoing through the hillside?
(ISO 100, f/11.0, 1/4s)

bouldering playground

The road into Coopers Rock State Forest is often populated by daytripping hikers and topropers. We boulderers tend to stay a bit longer, especially with weather and foliage like this. How could we not!?
(ISO 100, f/ 8.0, 1/60s)

real live fall

The leaves had changed quite a bit in the three weeks that'd passed since I last was in West Virginia. I'm looking forward to them in D.C.
(ISO 800, f/3.2, 1/10s)

reflected in the lens

Last weekend, I headed off to Coopers Rock State Forest again in West Virginia. While waiting for the campsite to get moving, I took the Nikon out. My eye caught a reflection yet again.
(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1.0s)

a year of weddings

My grandmother patiently waits for her eldest grandson to get married, the second one this year. She was a trooper at the reception and stayed nearly 'til the end!
(ISO 1600, f/1.8, 1/50s)

steel & glass city

Pittsburgh is very much under construction. Glittering glass and steel edifices such as this stand next to buildings that've likely been there for a hundred years.
(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/125s)

home of the buccos

As a kid, I went to Three Rivers Stadium a few times. It was a lot of fun as a baseball-loving kid, especially because it was before the birth of my hometown Florida Marlins. Since then, the Marlins have been founded and won two World Series titles. Pittsburgh has built a shiny new ballpark, but hasn't won a pennant or a trophy in the meantime.

(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/125s, polarizing filter)

andrew warhola

In Pittsburgh last Saturday, she and I went to the Andy Warhol Museum. It is seven floors of absolutely awesome. It pained me to keep my camera in the bag for my visit; however, rules are rules, and I don't want to give photographers a bad name. I was restricted to shooting on the first floor where there was a timeline room that laid out Warhol's life for those like me who were largely ignorant of it. On my next free weekend at home, I've been inspired to take some photos a la Warhol, much like my Monet-inspired tangent this summer.

(ISO 800, f/3.5, 1/60s)

lazy on the quad

One more from our trip to JMU last weekend. Oh, to be a college student again to lay around in the shade with little a care in the world! Or not. I seem to recall that I have more leisure time now than I did then despite its being chronically misspent.

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/125s)

the tiny store

As is the case at most historic mills I visit, there is a small building at Chapman's Mill that was a general store at one point. The interior is quite small on this one and just as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard.
(ISO 100, f/9/0, 1/60s)

chapman's mill

On our way back from JMU, we stopped by a mill that is right along Interstate 66. We've driven past it many times and had to use the best of my creativity to find the road to access it. It's a really cool structure and looks awesome in the late afternoon sun. I can't wait to get access to it when the chain link fence no longer surrounds it, and it once again has an interior. Check out their website for more history and information.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/40s)

forbes center

The entry foyer of the Forbes Center has some spectacularly curvy benches with clean lines to contrast with the decidedly angular and squared-off windows of the exterior. It's a spectacular building. I wish I knew more about interior architecture photography.

(ISO 800, f/5.0, 1/30s)

across the quad

For the last of the Wilson Hall photos, here's a decidedly different take from the interior of the new Forbes Center. It's a strikingly modern building. Very photogenic.

(ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/160s)

cupola attempt numero dos

I took photos of this iconic building on JMU's campus from many different angles. It sits atop Wilson Hall at the head of the quad. It's named for Woodrow Wilson, who was born in nearby Staunton.
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/250s)

high noon

High noon is not the best time for taking photographs. I did the best I could with the hand I was dealt when we arrived in Harrisonburg on a daytrip to see James Madison University's campus. My better half had a great time showing me around her alma mater. It's a lot different from the campus where I matriculated. In December, I'll finally get the chance to show her my old stomping grounds.
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/100s)

new yellow mums

We finally have a bit of color on our patio. After a summer of unruly tomato plants trying to take over like Genghis Khan, we pulled them all out and planted some flowers for the fall. We're hoping the window box does well through December. We're planting herbs and lettuce in the spring.
(ISO 800, f/11.0, 1/160s, 10x close-up filter)

quiet contemplation

Climbing is my religion. It is in the woods where I see God's grandeur most clearly. I know I am not alone in this feeling.

(ISO 800, f/3.5, 1/400s)

a new blur

A new (for me) take on static landscape photography. Slow the shutter speed down, and drag the lens downward/upward while the shutter's open. Dreamy.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 3/5s)

in the weeds

"I've never seen that pond look so pretty!" she says. Thanks, friend.

(ISO 100, f/1.8, 1/400s)