Iced Tea

It's pretty much all I ever drink (friends and family will vouch for that). So for this week's Photo Hunt challenge "Beverages," there really wasn't any other choice for me!
This shot was taken at a wedding last year - my frustration with the low light levels got me fiddling with macro shots of stuff at the table.

No Swimming!

Another Photo Hunt challenge, another archive pic! For this week's topic "beach," I dug up this old favorite that I've been meaning to post.
Despite the snow, it's still not too cold for the gulls! But even in summer, you still can't swim here. This is a surfing-only beach at the very north end of Asbury Park.
This picture was taken with Old Camera on December 9th, 2005.

Pier Fishing

For this week's Photo Hunt challenge of "Fishing," I took another trip back through the California 2006 Trip archive and found this photo of fisherman doing their thing off the San Clemente Municipal Pier.

Limerick Day face painting

It's not often I'm even tempted to go into such Geoff-ish territory, subject-wise. But while strolling around this year's Limerick Day at Manderach Park, camera luckily in hand, I spotted the scenes above. Perfect angle, perfect light, perfect subjects. Who could resist?

Of course, Geoff would use that lovely soft-focus, but that's just not me... ;)

Thanks for the unexpected inspiration, Geoff!

A quick history of cameras

For this week's Photo Hunt challenge of "camera," I dug through the archives for this image taken on our California trip last year. This is the window display for Arcade Camera on Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente. Anyone who takes the time to create a display like this deserves a shout out.
The quality isn't great (my auto-focus kept going for the reflection in the glass), but I like it for the sake of the subject matter.

UPDATE - 10/01/07

Once again, it's the one you'd least suspect that prevails: this shot won First Place in the Photo Hunt challenge! Focus problems and all!
Thanks to everyone who voted for it!

Sun-dappled Clover

I spotted (no pun intended!) this clover while cooking on the grill on our front porch. The sun was shining through a leaf that was partially insect-eaten, producing these tiny points of light on the clover leaves!
Luckily, the kebabs didn't burn as I ran to get my camera.

Field Trip to the Beach/Coneheads

While on our recent trip to California, we were eating breakfast across from the pier in San Clemente when a school bus pulled up, disgorging a whole bunch of kids ready for a day at the beach. I especially liked these "coneheads"!
I'm posting this for the "Baggage" entry into Photo Hunt .
More pix from San Clemente coming soon to my Flickr page.

King without his Crown

While doing some work-related surveying in Port Colden, NJ (a small area just outside of Washington, NJ in Warren Co.) I noticed this steeple sitting under a tree, next to a church. Further investigation revealed it's orginal home behind the church. As I lined the shot up, the Matisyahu. song "King without a Crown" occurred to me (hence the title of this post).
I don't know the history of this oddity (and had no opportunity to research it at the time), but I think it makes for an interesting shot.

Cohshohocken's Soap Box Derby

It was the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the need for speed all rolled up into one great event: Conshohocken's annual July 4th Soap Box Derby!
Part block party, part the human drama of athletic competition, this was a fun way to spend the morning of Independence Day.

Tons more shots coming to my Flickr page..

In the future, all churches will look like this...

... parking for flying cars & jetpacks in rear.

This interesting geodesic dome church is in Lake Havasu (visible in background).

(I was shooting through a truck windshield, hence the small blurry spots.)

Partying on Lake Havasu

For the Photo Hunt Season 6, week 1 subject "fun": this shot of folks enjoying Lake Havasu in Arizona. I know we certainly had fun tooling around the lake, dropping anchor & hanging out at the sandbar, and just taking in the spectacular scenery!
Thanks again to our gracious hosts Darcy & Fernando - it was a great day, guys!

More shots to come, both here and on Flickr.

"Real" Stained Glass

Having attended a "modern" church while growing up (or as my sister succinctly puts it, a church that "looked modern in 1960"), I've developed an appreciation for more traditional churches. Especially the stained glass - modern churches usually skimp on this detail.
The examples above are from St. Francis of Assisi in Norristown, PA, one of the most beautiful and striking traditional churches I've ever been in.

For more pictures from St. Francis, see my Flickr page.

Venus over Philly

Another shot from Camden - showing the planet Venus (top center) high over the Philly skyline.

For more skyline shots, see my Flickr page.

Old Ben

I don't know whether it's ironic or appropriate that one of the best places to view Philadelphia from is Camden, NJ. Whatever the case, here is a shot I took from that vantage point of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

[Side note - sorry for the lull in postings for April. Early in the month, photographic opportunities seemed to dry up, and I felt that I could use a break, anyway. Now that I've built my photo stockpile back up a bit, I'll hopefully begin posting more - as long as time permits!]

Just Married: Dina and Carl!

I had already enterred this shot for this week's Photo Hunt subject: something in motion.

But I got this unexpected panning shot from Dina & Carl's wedding this past Saturday, so I'm switching. Less potential bonus points, but sometimes, you just gotta go with your gut.

Congratulations, Dina & Carl!

Moon & Venus

From 2/25/07: this was my 2nd attempt at capturing this pretty pair. A month prior, the crescent Moon and Venus were much closer together, but I didn't have time to set up my tripod and all my shots were blurry.
Even with the tripod, I still experienced some camera jiggle (gotta remember the Timer next time!) - but a few shots - like this - came out ok.

Liberty Challenge - HOLD IT!

A couple of weeks ago, St. Joseph's University hosted the Hawk Classic - a massive high-school cheerleading event. After all the junior varsity squads performed their routines, they held the Liberty Challenge. All the Varsity squads performed a "liberty" - the move shown above - at the same time, and the squad to hold it the longest won.
Congratulations to the Kennedy Kennrick High School Cheerleaders for winning the "Lib" Challenge, and for placeing 2nd overall in the JV comp! Go KK!

Guy Fawkes

No, I am not the terrorist known as Codename "V," but I did play him for Halloween last year. Alas, no parties to go to, so only the neighborhood children witnessed the visage of Guy Fawkes in full "V for Vendetta" regalia.

I thought the mask (and some of the regalia) would make a good entry for this week's Photo Hunt.

3/20/07 - Woohoo! This photo earned 2nd place in the Week 10 Photo Hunt challenge!

Thanks to everyone that voted for it!

Tiles & Shards

From the same Philadelphia Area Photobloggers excursion that produced my Olde City Gravestone shot comes this cool wall mural. Note the reflections in some of the mirrored pieces.

I can't remember exactly where it was (perhaps Jorj can recall), but it's in the vacinity of 3rd & South. I'm using it for this week's Photo Hunt.

Update - 5/12/07: having been in that area recently, I can report that the above mural is at the Northwest corner of 4th & Gaskill, a half block above South.
For more photos from this jaunt, see my Flickr page.

I See(m) Red...

Portraits: definitely not my thing. Especially self-portraits. Eek.
So when Jorj posted "A Portrait" as this week's subject for the Photo Hunt, I blanched. I mean, the Hunt's been hard enough this season without having to shoot something I'm not into and don't think I'm particularly good at.
No wonder I'm angry!
But this Friday night, a bunch of the Philadelphia Area Photobloggers got together in Center City, and I saw an opportunity: the light from restaurant sign across the street was coming in through the window, and I thought it might make for a dramatic shot.
I might post more of my "typical" shots from that night here soon. Also - look for more on my Flickr page.