Frozen Philadelphia

AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8G ED @ 45mm, f/7.1, 1/250s, ISO 100

The cold can be painful. It can make an ordinary day, an otherwise great day, seem like something you should otherwise suffer through. People will talk about the cold, people will rehearse the lines you’ve heard a hundred times. But the cold is also generous, it forces a shift in perspective, offers another opportunity to look at things extraordinarily. Indeed there is something mystifying about the whiteness of snow, of ice and the mist that leaves as you exasperate.

AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8G ED @ 42mm, f/5.6, 1/500s, ISO 50

And despite the cold, things still move along, just with a different bustle.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

 

Check out the Philadelphia Gallery to see these images in the lightbox!

Ortons from Rittenhouse

Some more impressionistic photography.

All shot handheld, three exposures at sunset in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-700mm F/2.8G ED
@ 24mm, f/3.5, 1/40s, ISO1000

Click an Image below for Lightbox View

Watercolors at 30th Street Station, Philadelphia

Trying to perfect my skills at Michael Orton’s famous style. Pretty cool effects, but taking a lot of work to get it right.

I haven’t played at all with doing this in Photoshop, as I like the unpredictable, somewhat uncontrolled results of the multiple exposures. These shots were all taken on multiple exposure mode with auto-gain, 3 shots each. The effect is rendered by taking one focused shot, then stacking two progressively less focused shots on top of it. The second and third shots require lens zoom to correct for the widening of the lens as it is defocused from the original subject.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor D800
@ 24mm, f/7.1, 1/250s, ISO 100

Independence Hall, other Landmarks in Primary Colors

The photos in this gallery were all taken on a muggy day in Philadelphia. Intermittent thunderstorms darkened the sky and highlighted the natural tones of historic, turn of the (18th) century American architecture.

Philadelphia from South St. Bridge

Since I moved to Philadelphia I’ve been thinking about getting this shot. I finally did it. Went down to the South St. Bridge at Sunset with my tripod, my 10-stop ND Filter, and my D800 + 24-70. I took a few shots, all of them at 20-30 seconds. This is one of my favorites. With a dash of bright orange at left, there is a bunch of excitement before the viewer calmly scans over the skyline, reflected in the Schuylkill.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
@ 35mm, f/5, 20s, ISO 50

Pug in Snow

As I walked by the entrance to Washington Square kitty-corner from Independence Hall this scene caught me. I stopped, raised the prism to my eye and started snapping, while slowly zooming in on the couple. Sometimes 70mm isn’t enough but it was just about perfect here.

To me, this image depicts that delightful balance of dog ownership. It’s a friendship fortified by the permission of freedoms. You can tell this little pug drives the ship when they go out together, and I suspect they cuddle together on the couch with the newest 50 shades and a hot cup of chamomile when they’re at home. Right now she’s happy for him, but can’t wait to return inside. At the same time, she’s glad he got her out on this snowy afternoon to be briskly pulled through the park.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
@ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 100

Self Portrait outside The Barnes Foundation

Before entering The Barnes Foundation one late-afternoon, the light was perfect for portraits. The birches lining the parkway on this block are particularly gorgeous on a brisk winter day when the light shares a blue, winterish hue with the pre-sunset golden glow.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G @ f/4, 1/320s, ISO 100

The Second Bank, in the Snow

This is the second bank of the United States of America. Taken on a Sunday when the snow came down in flurries and dumps and there were few people about. This is, in my opinion, one of the most photogenic buildings in Philadelphia.

Though I haven’t taken too many photographs of it, I have the impression that telephoto views of it are best, showing the true scale of the arches and its beautiful walk-up. I will have to improve on this next time. What do you think?

Nikon D800, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 52mm, f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 200

Snow Fall at Independence Hall

Snow has fallen in Philadelphia.  What started as a light flurry rapidly thickened. The typical Philadelphia wind swirled snow about as it fell in larger and larger flakes. Within a few hours inches covered the ground and the only respite from the beautiful white was inside, shades drawn. I bundled up and rushed to Old City to find our national monuments standing bold against the blizzard.

I wonder how Valley Forge looked in the elements today…

Nikon D800, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 50mm, f/8, 1/100s

Downy Woodpecker near Wissahickon Creek

During a brisk Sunday walk through Wissahickon, a large park in Philadelphia I caught this little lady hopping up a well-lichened ash tree.  Enough sunlight was still creeping through the clouds in the late afternoon that I snapped this picture at ISO 100, right before she flew over my head and I lost her.  Another pleasant and settling trip to Wissahickon. Not sure it gets much better in the fall than this place.