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A slot canyon is a long, narrow, deep and tortuous channel or drainage way with sheer rock walls that are typically eroded into either sandstone or other sedimentary rock. The term is especially used in the semiarid western United States, including the Colorado Plateau region. Slot canyons are subject to flash flooding and commonly contain unique ecological communities that are distinct from the adjacent, drier uplands.[1] Some slot canyons can measure less than 3 ft across at the top but drop more than 100 ft to the floor of the canyon. Many slot canyons are formed in sandstone and limestone rock, although slot canyons in other rock types such as granite and basalt are possible. Even in sandstone and limestone, only a very small number of streams will form slot canyons due to a combination of the particular characteristics of the rock and regional rainfall. Northern Arizona also has a high concentration of slot canyons including Antelope Canyon and Secret Canyon, which are two of the most famous slot canyons located near Page on land owned by the Navajo Nation. Local as well as distant storms can cause dangerous flash flooding in slot canyons, and hikers should not enter them if there is any sign of rain in the surrounding area. In many slot canyons, it can be miles before a safe exit or rescue is possible.When you approach the canyon entrance, you will find a small gap in which to enter. You will then go down a series of ladders before you make it to the canyon base. I arrived before the tour groups and had a couple of hours to photograph it. I did this for a few days before I had to go to the my next location. This is one of my shots taken from the upper canyon. The colors and and the smooth sandstone make for a very pleasing image.
A mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. The term is also used for tropical coastal vegetation consisting of such species. Mangroves are salt tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to life in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and complex root system to cope with salt water immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud. Mangrove swamps protect coastal areas from erosion, storm surge especially during hurricanes, and tsunamis. The mangroves' massive root systems are efficient at dissipating wave energy. Likewise, they slow down tidal water enough so its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles when the tide ebbs. In this way, mangroves build their own environments. Because of the uniqueness of mangrove ecossystems and the protection against erosion they provide, they are often the object of conservation programs, including national biodiversity action plan. Mangrove swamps' effectiveness in terms of erosion control can sometimes be overstated. Wave energy is typically low in areas where mangroves grow, so their effect on erosion is measured over long periods.Their capacity to limit high-energy wave erosion is in relation to events such as storm surges and tsunamis. The unique ecosystem found in the intricate mesh of mangrove roots offers a quiet marine region for young organisms. In areas where roots are permanently submerged, the organisms they host include algea, barnacles, oysters, sponges, and bryozoans, which all require a hard surface for anchoring while they filter feed. Shrimps and mud lobsters use the muddy bottoms as their home. Mangrove crabs munch on the mangrove leaves, adding nutrients to the mangal mud for other bottom feeders.[17] In at least some cases, export of carbon fixed in mangroves is important in coastal food webs. I was on my way home after a long day in the keys but decided to stop one moretime at Ann’s Beach. The water was at low tide and the clouds in the back were just fantastic. So while moving my tripod out of the car the tripod head broke so I had to devise a plan. I placed the camera on a rock and carefully worked the shutter as it this was a one second exposure. I shot one roll of film(four exposures) and headed home. When the results came in I was just thrilled. I call this image “Serenity” this mangrove is gone now, taken by Hurricane Irma.
Henry Flagler’s bold effort to build a railroad to Key West in the early 1900s turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination. Along with its iconic Florida scenery — palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets — the park is known for balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented, and boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions are available. The park is an excellent place to observe wading birds and shorebirds, while the Sand and Sea Nature Center introduces nature lovers to the island’s plants and animals. It is a little known fact that Bahia Honda is the darkest location for stargazing in the Florida Keys. This amazing scene was altered by Hurricane Irma in 2017 as it took the iconic palm trees seen here. The area has been going restoration to help bring it back to its pristine condition. For this shot I had to wait for low tide, about eight hours, But then I was able to set up my tripod and carefully work in the salt water. Water of any kind is not good for cameras or film. I finally got the shot and was pleased with the results.
Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier is one of the largest active research piers in the world. Originally built in 1916 and reconstructed in the late 1980s, the pier is used for a variety of experiments and has provided for some of the longest-running ocean observations in the world. The modern Scripps Pier was built in 1988, replacing the original pier built in 1916 with funds provided by its namesake patron, and is considered one of the world's largest research piers. Data on ocean conditions and plankton taken from the pier provide an unparalleled source of information on changes in the coastal Pacific Ocean. The pier also provides a supply of filtered seawater, a critical resource for a marine institution, to an array of laboratories and aquaria. The pier also houses meteorological stations and radar units for measuring surface currents. The pier also makes for one of the most Stunning structures on water I’ve ever seen. In the very Early morning the fog that comes in from the Pacific Creates an ethereal look that under a long exposure Produces a magnificent photograph. I came out here a Few days before finally getting the shot I wanted and Was rewarded with my patience. I named it the image “Pacific Tides”.
A slot canyon is a long, narrow, deep and tortuous channel or drainage way with sheer rock walls that are typically eroded into either sandstone or other sedimentary rock. The term is especially used in the semiarid western United States, including the Colorado Plateau region. Slot canyons are subject to flash flooding and commonly contain unique ecological communities that are distinct from the adjacent, drier uplands.[1] Some slot canyons can measure less than 3 ft across at the top but drop more than 100 ft to the floor of the canyon. Many slot canyons are formed in sandstone and limestone rock, although slot canyons in other rock types such as granite and basalt are possible. Even in sandstone and limestone, only a very small number of streams will form slot canyons due to a combination of the particular characteristics of the rock and regional rainfall. Northern Arizona also has a high concentration of slot canyons including Antelope Canyon and Secret Canyon, which are two of the most famous slot canyons located near Page on land owned by the Navajo Nation. Local as well as distant storms can cause dangerous flash flooding in slot canyons, and hikers should not enter them if there is any sign of rain in the surrounding area. In many slot canyons, it can be miles before a safe exit or rescue is possible. When you approach the canyon entrance, you will find a small gap in which to enter. You will then go down a series of ladders before you make it to the canyon base. I arrived before the tour groups and had a couple of hours to photograph it. I did this for a few days before I had to go to the my next location. This is one of my shots taken from the upper canyon. The colors and and the smooth sandstone make for a very pleasing image.
Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States, a sublime national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development, and one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation. The stunning views, redwood forests, hiking, beaches, and other recreational opportunities have made Big Sur a popular destination for about 7 million people who live within a day's drive and visitors from across the world. It is among the top 35 tourist destinations world-wide. The region receives about the same number of visitors as Yosemite National Park, but offers only limited bus service, few restrooms, and a narrow two-lane highway that for most of its length clings to the steep coastal cliffs. North-bound traffic during the peak summer season and holiday weekends is often backed up for about 20 miles (32 km) from Big Sur Village to Carmel. Due to the large number of visitors, congestion and slow traffic between Carmel and Posts is becoming the norm. The region is often confused with an unincorporated village, a collection of small roadside businesses and homes, also known as Big Sur. The larger region known as Big Sur does not have specific boundaries, but is generally considered to include the 71-mile segment of California State Route 1 between Malpaso Creek near Carmel Highlands in the north and San Carpóforo Creek near San Simeon in the south, as well as the entire Santa Lucia range between these creeks. The interior region is mostly uninhabited, while the coast remains relatively isolated and sparsely populated, with between 1,800 and 2,000 year- round residents and relatively few visitor accommodations scattered among four small settlements. The region remained one of the most inaccessible areas of California and the entire United States until, after 18 years of construction, the Carmel–San Simeon Highway (now signed as part of State Route 1) was completed in 1937. Along with the ocean views, this winding, narrow road, often cut into the face of towering seaside cliffs, dominates the visitor's experience of Big Sur. The highway has been closed more than 55 times by landslides, and in May 2017, a 2,000,000-cubic-foot slide blocked the highway at Mud Creek, north of Salmon Creek nearthe San Luis Obispo County line, to just south of Gorda. The road was reopened on July 18, 2018. It took a couple of hours to find this two mile stretch of road to go down hill to The beach head where I encountered heavy fog for days. Finally after a week, the fog Was not as bad but still present. I set up up and had to wait in 15-30 minute intervalsTo let the fog pass and capture may one or two exposures before I could not see a thing again. After a few hours I felt confident that I had gotten the shot. I love the detail in the Rocks and to think this hole was carved out by the water. Don’t be fooled, some who see this think they can walk through it, if you do, the walls are like razor blades not to Mention that this is a long exposure and you don’t see the crashing waves.
Bamboos are a diverse group of evergreen perennial Flowering plants in the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. The origin of the word bamboo is uncertain, but it probably comes from the Dutch or Portuguese language, which originally borrowed it from Malay or Kannada. In bamboo, as in other grasses, the internodal regions of the stem are usually hollow and the vascular bundles in the cross-section are scattered throughout the stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement. Bamboos include some of the fastest-growing plants in the world, due to a unique rhizome-dependent system. Certain species of bamboo can grow 36 inches within a 24-hour period, at a rate of almost 11⁄2 in) an hour, or 1 inch every 40 minutes. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. This rapid growth and tolerance for marginal land, make bamboo a good candidate for afforestation. Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in being used for building materials, as a food source, and as a versatile raw product. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures. Bamboo's strength-to-weight ratio is similar to timber, and its strength is generally similar to a strong softwood or hardwood timber. Most bamboo species are native to warm and moist tropical and to warm temperate climates. However, many species are found in diverse climates, ranging from hot tropical regions to cool mountainous regions and highland cloud forest. It is by far a very sustainable wood source. In this image, I found this unique pathway among the bamboo and was drawn to it. I setup but had to wait for the wind to die down as the reeds moved to much for my slow speed film that would have captured to much movement.This Image I named “Emerald Forest”.
Key West (Spanish: Cayo Hueso) is an island in the Straights of Florida, within the U.S. state of Florida. The Island of is about 4 miles long and 1 mile wide, with a total land area of 4.2 square miles. It is the southernmost city in the United States and the westernmost island connected by highway in the Florida Keys and serves as port of call for many passenger cruise ships. Key West was relatively isolated until 1912, when it was connected to the Florida mainland via the overseas railway extension of Henry M. Flaglers’s Florida East Coast Railway. The Labor Day hurricane of 1935 destroyed much of the railroad and afterwards the U.S. government rebuilt the rail route as an automobile highway, completed in 1938, built atop many of the footings of the railroad. The road is now called the Overseas Highway. Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West, originally to fly visitors to Havana, in 1926. The airline contracted with the United States Postal Service in 1927 to deliver mail to and from Cuba and the United States. The mail route was known as the Key West, Florida – Havana Mail Route. Prior to the Cuban revolution of 1959, there were regular ferry and airplane services between Key West and Havana. In 1982, the city of Key West briefly asserted independence as the Conch Republic but it ended shortly. Flags, T-shirts and other merchandise representing the Conch Republic are still popular souvenirs for visitors to Key West. In the 1830s, Key West was the richest city per capita in the United States. I drive to through the Keys regularly as Key Largo is about 40 minutes from home. Next to the Pacific Coast Highway, this is my favorite drive. Every where along the route you see the clear waters on both sides from your seat. Diving and bone fishing are very popular here. During Lobster mini season, you can see vehicles parked off road for miles as everyone takes advantage to catch their allowed amount of the tasty Lobsters. My two favorite stops are at Islamorada and Bahia Honda, both have spectacular views and are family friendly.
Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. They have been important to humans throughout much of history. Many common products and foods are derived from palms. In contemporary times, palms are also widely used in landscaping, making them one of the most economically important plants. In many historical cultures, because of their importance as food, palms were symbols for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility. For inhabitants of cooler climates today, palms symbolize the tropics and vacations. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from rainforest to deserts. Whether as shrubs, tree-like, or vines, palms have two methods of growth: solitary or clustered. The common representation is that of a solitary shoot ending in a crown of leaves. Palms have large, evergreen leaves that are either palmately ('fan-leaved') or pinnately ('feather-leaved') compound and spirally arranged at the top of the stem. Most palms are native to tropical and subtropical climates. Palms thrive in moist and hot climates but can be found in a variety of different habitats. Their diversity is highest in wet, lowland forests. South America, the Caribbean, and areas of the south Pacific and southern Asia are regions of concentration. There are some palms that are also native to desert areas such as the Arabian peninsula and parts of northwestern Mexico. Only about 130 palm species naturally grow entirely beyond the tropics, mostly in humid lowland subtropical climates. A number of my images consist of palm trees, mainly because my region has so many of them and they make for beautiful photographs. The idea of lying under a palm tree evokes the though of relaxing while holding a drink in the breeze. Here are some palms overlooking a gorgeous sunrise facing the Atlantic. “Tropical Sunrise”
Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve on the southern tip of the U.S. state of Florida. Often compared to a grassy, slow- moving river, the Everglades is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and pine flatwoods that are home to hundreds of animal species. Among the Everglades' abundant wildlife are the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther and West Indian manatee. The Everglades is a natural region of tropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large drainage basin within the Neotropical realm. The ecosystem it forms is not presently found anywhere else on earth. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee. Water leaving the lake in the wet season forms a slow- moving river 60 miles (97 km) wide and over 100 miles (160 km) long, flowing southward across a limestone shelf to Florida bay at the southern end of the state. The Everglades experience a wide range of weather patterns, from frequent flooding in the wet season to drought in the dry season. The Glades is also home to alligators. Gators live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, marches, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as in brackish water. When they construct alligator holes in the wetlands, they increase plant diversity and provide habitat for other animals during droughts. They are, therefore, considered an important species for maintaining ecological diversity in wetlands. Starting in the 1980s, the swamps of the South Florida Everglades have been overrun by one of the most damaging invasive species the region has ever seen: the Burmese python. These massive snakes, which can grow to 20 feet long or more, with telephone-pole-sized girths, have all but decimated the region’s small- and medium-sized mammal population, wreaking havoc with the area’s ecosystem. That ecosystem, the Florida Everglades, commands some 1.5 million acres. these desolate subtropical swamps are detached from the grid of American civilization. It’s hard to fathom that downtown Miami sits just 30 miles away from the vast wetlands that have become an adopted home for (at least) tens of thousands of huge snakes. When I go photograph in the glades, I typically do so in the winter Time as summer brings the mosquitos. While gators will not bother you, Mosquitos will chase you until they take the last drop of blood. Best time to visit the glades is from November thru April. The image here was captured As the sun was rising in a very foggy morning, so foggy that I was wiping my lens about every thirty seconds but the shot was all worth it.
Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island. Its landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. Among the wildlife are moose, bear, whales and seabirds. Located along the mid-section of the Maine coast, southwest of Bar Harbor. The park preserves about half of Mount Desert Island, part of the Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and portions of 16 smaller outlying islands. The park preserves the natural beauty of the rocky headlands, including the highest mountains along the Atlantic coast. The park boasts a glaciated coastal and island landscape, an abundance of habitats, a high level of biodiversity, clean air and water, and a rich cultural heritage. The park contains the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast, Cadillac Mountain. Its exposed granite domes, glacial erratics and cobble beaches are one of many reasons why so many are drawn to the area. When ever I visit, I‘m usually up by four am as the sunrise is typically very early. The weather can be rough, so great care is taken when maneuvering Around the rocks. The motion of the water that I captured by using a long exposure creates a calming feeling along with the rich tone on the rocks as the sun begins to rise. This is truly a wonderful place to visit!
Panama City Beach is a waterfront town and vacation destination in northwest Florida. It's known for miles of white-sand beaches fronting the calm, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. St. Andrews State Park, one of 2 protected nature preserves nearby, is bordered by the Gulf and has hiking trails and fishing piers. On the day I arrived the weather was just fine and I wen’t out looking for locations. At night I decided to visit the pier, from one moment to the next the weather turned while I was under the pier. It began to pour and the wind really picked up and the waves started crashing against the shore and pier. I was drenched and surprised that I was caught off guard so I left back to the hotel. In the early morning when I got in the car and headed back, the radio host said the area was hit with seventy mile an hour winds knocking power off to the area. I arrived at the pier and when civil twilight began to show I could see the mist in the water and the grey cloud cover encompassing the area. It was so beautiful, having already Setup I began to shot long exposures to capture the movement in the water And the visual depth of the pier. Every few minutes the waves would come in and my tripod would sink into the stand. Finally, digging in deep, I managed to get the shot. Some of these exposures take from one to eight minutes but the results are just magical. I call this image “Overture”
Peggys Point Lighthouse, also known as Peggys Cove Lighthouse, is an active lighthouse and an iconic Canadian image. Located within Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, it is one of the busiest tourist attractions in the province and is a prime attraction on the Lighthouse Trail scenic drive. The classic red-and-white lighthouse is still operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, and is situated on an extensive granite outcrop at Peggys Point, immediately south of the village and its cove. This lighthouse is one of the most-photographed structures in Atlantic Canada and one of the most recognizable lighthouses in the world. The first lighthouse at Peggys Cove was built in 1868 and was a wooden house with a beacon on the roof. At sundown, the keeper lit a kerosine oil lamp magnified by a catoptric reflector (a silver-plated mirror) creating the red beacon light marking the eastern entrance to St. Margarets Bay. That lighthouse was replaced by the current structure, an octagonal lighthouse which was built in 1914. It is made of reinforced concrete but retains the eight-sided shape of earlier generations of wooden light towers. It stands almost 15 metres (49 ft) high. The old wooden lighthouse became the keeper's dwelling and remained near to the current lighthouse until it was damaged by Hurricane Edna in 1954 and was removed. The lighthouse was automated in 1958. Since then, the red light was changed to white light, then to a green light in the late 1970s. Finally to conform to world standards the light was changed to red in 2007. The lighthouse used to contain a small Canada Post office in the lower level during the summer months serving as the village post office where visitors could send postcards and letters. Each piece of mail received a special cancellation mark in the shape of the lighthouse. However Canada Post closed the lighthouse post office in November 2009 citing mold growth as a safety hazard. The lighthouse at Peggys Cove was declared surplus by the Canadian Coast Guard in June 2010, along with almost all lighthouses in Canada. The lighthouse had until May 29, 2012 to be nominated under the Heritage Lighthouse protection act by a group willing to look after it, or the lighthouse will face disposal. The province of Nova Scotia has discussed taking ownership but has not made a decision.In 2015, 74 lighthouses were listed which will be preserved under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act but they did not include Peggy's Cove.
Viewing nature scenes can improve your health In a 2006 analysis published in Health Promotion International, researchers found theoretical, empirical, and anecdotal evidence for the following positive effects of viewing nature scenes, Observing nature can improve productivity and concentration • People have higher life satisfaction and a more positive outlook on life when in proximity to nature• There are established methods of nature-based therapy that have succeeded in healing patients who had not responded to previous treatments • When humans observe, encounter, or otherwise positively interact with landscapes, animals, wilderness, or plants, there are several known beneficial physiological effects • Regardless of whether they regularly get out and enjoy nature, having nature in close proximity or simply knowing it exists is important to individuals When we remove ourselves from nature, our innate emotional relationship with other living beings, known as “biophilia,” is hampered. Merely viewing nature scenes is enough to remind us of how expansive and soothing a direct experience with nature is. When we do not have access to natural beauty, we shut down. Studies have found that residents in urban areas were seventeen per cent more likely to suffer from psychological disturbance than their counterparts living in rural areas. A 2013 study from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that nature can give us a physical and mental sense of being away from the monotonous urban environment. images of nature give us visual stimuli that nourish the brain. A small suburban Pennsylvania hospital that had several rooms facing a small courtyard and several others facing a boring old brick wall. Hospital administrators began to notice that patients in rooms that were facing the courtyard were recovering much faster than those viewing the brick wall. Plenty of studies since this finding have backed up the fact that viewing natural environments, including indoor plants and mounted prints, speeds up the body’s ability to heal after surgery and other procedures. In addition to healing faster, natural views improve your body’s ability to ward off colds and viruses. If your brain is in constant use without a break, it runs out of energy. Natural environments help you restore willpower and focus by giving your brain time to recover. There are negative effects of being away from nature. Some organizations even organize trips outdoors to help older adults with dementia because the vibrant appearance of green spaces. Research has found that being around nature has the following effects • Increased energy • Positive engagement and greater feelings of revitalization • Decreases in anger, tension, and depression If we let stress build-up, it can really take a toll. We may not even notice how stressed out we are in our daily lives. We can enter a state of relaxation by focusing our minds on green spaces. You are sure to relax when you go for a walk through a park, in the hills, or along the river, whether the walk is physical or mental. Some surefire ways to destress include looking at breathtaking nature scenes on your computer’s screensaver, gazing at the flowers on your dining room table, or commissioning a business to provide you with wall art of one of your favorite nature photos for display anywhere in your home or office. The study found that the patients with views of trees had fewer negative interactions, were able to leave the hospital earlier, and had a greater tolerance for pain. These results have been replicated many times in studies exploring the effects of plants and nature scenes in hospital rooms. A study published in the journal Public Health reported that people who walked in forested areas experienced less production of cortisol, the stress hormone, than those participants who walked in suburban areas.If you cannot get into nature as much as you would like, you can simply remind your brain of the healing powers of the countryside by surrounding yourself with photographs and images of outdoors scenes. By now, it should be clear to you that getting out in nature is a must for your overall wellbeing.
Biltmore Estate is a historic house museum and tourist attraction in Asheville, North carolina. Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Chateauesque-style mansion built for George Washington vanderbilt ll between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 square feet of floor space (135,280 square feet of living area). Still owned by George Vanderbilts descendants, it remains one of the most prominent examples of Glided Age mansions. In the 1880s, at the height of the Gilded Age. George Washington Vanderbilt ll began to make regular visits with his mother, Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt, to the Asheville area. He loved the scenery and climate so much that he decided to build a summer house in the area, which he called his little mountain escape. His older brothers and sisters had built luxurious summer houses in places such as Newport, Rhode Island. the Gold Coast of Long Island, and Hyde Park, New York. Vanderbilt named his estate Biltmore, combining De Bilt(his ancestors' place of origin in the Netherlands) with more (mor, anglo-saxon for moor, an open, rolling land). Vanderbilt bought almost 700 parcels of land, including over 50 farms and at least five cemeteries; a portion of the estate was once the community of Shiloh. A spokesperson for the estate said in 2017 that archives show much of the land was in very poor condition, and many of the farmers and other landowners were glad to sell. Construction of the house began in 1889. In order to facilitate such a large project, a woodworking factory and brick kiln, which produced 32,000 bricks a day, were built onsite. A three-mile railroad spur was constructed also to bring materials to the building site. Construction on the main house required the labor of about 1,000 workers and 60 stonemasons. Vanderbilt went on extensive trips overseas to purchase decor as construction on the house was in progress. He returned to North Carolina with thousands of furnishings for his newly built home, including tapetries, hundreds of carpets, prints, linens, and decorative objects, all dating between the 15th century and the late 19th century. Among the few American-made items were the more practical oak drop-front desk, rocking chairs, a walnut grand piano, bronze candlesticks, and a wicker wastebasket. George Vanderbilt opened his opulent estate on Christmas Eve of 1895 to invited family and friends from across the country, who were encouraged to enjoy leisure and country pursuits. I have had the pleasure to visit the estate during the fall when its so beautiful. The cool weather and the rich autumn colors are so Inviting and have allowed me to take many images especially around the Pisgah national Forest. I truly enjoy visiting Asheville.
Cypress trees, the most flood-tolerant of all Florida tree species, grow in areas that are covered in water for longer periods than the surrounding marshlands. Two species of cypress occur in the Everglades, the bald cypress and the pond cypress. Within the Everglades, cypress swamps are restricted to Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and east of Shark River Slough and into Taylor Slough in the southern Everglades. Cypress trees sometimes form large circular-shaped patches of cypress, also known as cypress domes, with larger trees toward the center pond area. Out of the extensive regions of sawgrass marsh, arise occasional tree islands, known as cypress savannas. These are open habitats primarily composed of pond cypress trees living on poor soils. Cypress trees are well adapted to the water-logged soils of the Everglades. The roots produce “knees” that protrude above the soil, ranging from a few inches to 6 feet tall. It is thought that these knees aid in respiration, providing required oxygen to the root tissues, as well as aiding in structural support in water-logged soils. Cypress trees are able to survive fires with little damage due to the amount of water in the soil. However, during the dry season or times of drought, fire can burn the soil, damaging the roots and killing trees. Fire actually restricts cypress trees from thriving in dry upland areas, limiting them to moist marsh areas. Fires occasionally burn the edges of cypress swamps, preventing the invasion of other plants into unique habitat. Without occasional fires, the cypress swamp would eventually become a wet forest or bog habitat. This image is from Blue Cypress Lake in Central Florida. I spent an entire day going back and forth on the lake looking for the perfect cypress tree to photograph. This was my favorite.
Angel Oak is a Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The tree is estimated to be 400– 500 years old. It stands 66.5 ft tall, measures 28 ft in circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet. Its longest branch distance is 187 ft in length. Development is beginning to encroach on the site of Angel Oak. In 2012, plans to build a 500-unit apartment complex that would be 160 yards (150 m) from Angel Oak were challenged in court by a group called Save the Angel Oak and the Coastal Conservation League; their concerns included the construction's effect on available groundwater and nutrients. By December, 2013, the Low country Land Trust, celebrated the preservation of 17 acres adjacent to the majestic tree. The 17 acres adjacent to the Angel Oak were purchased by Low country Land Trust, protecting the area from development. The Angel Oak was the focal point of an Allstate television ad in September 2018 saluting the strength of the Carolinas following the devastation of Hurricane Florence. The first time I Saw this oak I was blown away. You have to see it in person to appreciate This magnificent tree. I spent a few days waiting for the proper weather to Photograph it. On the fourth day after some rain passed by the opportunity Arose. I set up my tripod and shot two rolls exposing for the shadow detail to avoid the strong backlight and I was able to capture this beautiful image.
In photography, reversal film or slide film is a type of photographic film that produces a positive image on a transparent base. Instead of negatives and prints, reversal film is processed to produce transparencies. Reversal film is produced in various sizes, from 35 mm to roll film to 8×10 inch sheet film. I typically use medium format roll film. Each roll gives me four exposures. Reversal film is also used as motion picture film, mostly in the 16 mm, Super 8 and 8 mm formats, to yield a positive image on the camera original. This avoids the expense of using negative film, which requires additional film and processing to create a positive film print for projection. The earliest practical and commercially successful color photography reversal process was the Lumiere Autochrome, introduced in 1907. This was an additive method, using a panchromatic emulsion coated on a thin glass plate previously coated with a layer of dyed potato starch grains. Autochrome plates were discontinued in the 1930s, after the introduction of Lumière Filmcolor in sheet film and Lumicolor in roll film sizes. Also using the additive principle and reversal processing were the Agfa color screen plates and films and Dufaycolr film, all of which were discontinued by 1961. The Eastman Kodak Company, developed Kodachrome, the first commercially successful color film in 1935. Early color negative film had many shortcomings, including the high cost of the film, processing and printing, the mediocre color quality, rapid fading and discoloration of highlights of some types of print that became noticeable after several years. Amateurs who owned projection equipment used reversal films extensively because the cost of projection equipment and slide film was offset by not having to pay for prints. Eventually, print quality improved and prices decreased, and, by the 1970s, color negative film and color prints had largely displaced slides as the primary method of amateur photography. Until about 1995, color transparency was preferred for publication because of the films' higher contrast and resolution, and was widely used in commercial and advertising photography, reportage, sports, stock and nature photography. Digital media gradually replaced transparency film. However slide film is still used and back to being very expensive and time consuming, between developing and drum scanning the process adds up but the results are amazing and they can produce large format prints with extremely high detail
Peter Lik Style Prints and Photography as an Art
The process of producing fine art photography begins with great attention to detail, from the capturing of the image to displaying it in your home or office. Many think that just sending their picture to a photo lab is sufficient to produce a great finished print, not so. Australian Photographer Peter Lik has shown what an image in a gallery may look like but Peter Lik, as with a number of other artists, do not tell you what goes into making of their prints. Many try to produce what they call “Peter Lik Style” prints but to no avail. Their inability to not only compose but expose an image properly leaves a lot to be desired. Just because a photographer can set their camera on a tripod and click the shutter, the result could possibly not make for a great image. Photographers like Peter Lik take their time and devote a great amount of effort to capturing images. One should understand that it is not the camera’s responsibility, it is the responsibility of the one behind the camera. You need to remember that digital cameras are not that old of an invention. Photographers for the longest time worked with film in dark rooms and there was no Adobe Photoshop to correct blemishes. A lot of the more well-known photographers like Peter Lik grew and learned by starting in film and only later transitioning to digital. Today, the profession of photography has been watered down because of the smart devices in our pockets. Cameras are a daily part of our lives now and everyone takes pictures. The first difference you see in art that captures the same subject is the person who took the picture and where their focus is intended for the audience to focus. It is the difference of visiting a Lik Gallery in Chicago, Las Vegas or Miami and comparing one of his photos to that of a traveler’s Instagram photos. Both can look good in their medium but when you are decorating your home or office, one will truly differentiate itself as a piece of art. With Carlos Cuba Fine Art I set out to really capture our world into the medium of the profession I have practiced and been awarded for since I was young. To portray popular and new subjects in a unique light that leaves you feeling inspired, motivated and satisfied with high quality, beautiful images.
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