Came home again since I am going fishing with my brother and dad later in the week. On Sunday I went down to Hammet’s Crossing to attempt some light painting of the bridge that crosses over the Pedernales River. Unfortunately, my painting did not work out but my efforts were not a waste. My friends Kelly and Taylor went down there with me and we reached the location early enough to walk up river to a set of rapids. The water was very calm and clear compared to a week and a half ago when I was down there and the river had flooded over the road making it impassible.
The moon relieved the sun of duty and stars dotted the night sky as we contemplated painting the bridge. I feel this final shot is a definitive summer scene in the Hill Country and reminiscent of the past four years spent along the Llano River with fellow photographers during the Junction Intersession course.
Headed to Port Mansfield on Thursday for a weekend of fishing. Post of that to come soon.
Latest
The Beginning of Summer…
As soon as I turned in my last research paper I packed my gear and headed toward Austin for a week. The original plan was to go to Colorado Bend State Park with my friend Ken Zoller and shoot Gorman Falls. The 2″+ that they received forced us our trip back a day but we could not have had better conditions than we did. We attempted some light painting of a fallen windmill but it was nothing compared to the abundant stars overhead that provided us with a great subject.
Colorado Bend State Park
After a late night we woke up at 5:30 and were at the trailhead to Gorman Falls by 6 am. A 40-minute hike led us to the falls and overcast skies allowed for excellent shooting conditions. As the sun broke through the clouds it casted golden rays upon the cascading water. We had an excellent shoot that morning.
Gorman Falls
Later in the week I went out to Westcave Cellars to photograph the vineyard at sunrise. Hundreds of grape clusters hung from vines, just waiting to become one of the many wines that they offer in their tasting room. I roamed throughout the rows of vines for a couple of hours, seeking out subjects.
West Cave Cellars.
Finally, it was off to Benjamin to meet up with Wyman and head to Palo Duro Canyon for a light painting workshop. We had an incredible group of people come out to join us in painting the spanish skirts along the lighthouse trail. The weather cooperated and we had clear skies abound with stars and a warm glow from nearby Amarillo. Everyone had a great time and left with many fantastic images.
Spanish Skirts in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
We were also fortunate to be able to watch the Annular Eclipse and photograph it. Parked along a dirt road, the workshop group aimed their cameras toward the sun and documented the phenomenon that rarely graces the Texas sky.
The Annular Eclipse near Canyon, Texas.
And now I am back to the big city, waiting for the next adventure. Enjoy!
A Weekend Out West…
Went out to Benjamin to hang out with Wyman and Sylinda and go with Wyman to Ft. Griffin for a light painting workshop. First time out there that there was no moon. The sky was littered with stars and a few maverick meteors soared across the sky ahead of the shower that happened later in the night. It was a fantastic group at the workshop. We all had a good time and walked away with some great shots.
Thistle flowers broke through the green and brown grass.
Administration building
Last remnants of the day.
Last stop before heading West for the buffalo hunters.
Stopped on my way back to Lewisville last night to grab this shot between Benjamin and Seymour.
The end of a great day.
Springtime in the Hill Country…
Went to Austin for Easter and stayed the whole week. Almost every day I was at the new Covert Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership, photographing the construction progress for Southwest Corporation. Sitting above the buildings in a boom lift, I shot away, waiting for the clouds to break. On this day they never did but the dark blue sky provided a great backdrop.
Covert Dealership
The country roads around my house were lined with wildflowers and the pomegranate trees in the backyard were in full bloom. A superb Texas Spring.
The Hill Country
Just Playin' Around
Pomegranate flowers
Baby Grapes
Class was cancelled on account of tornadoes…
So I headed toward Oklahoma to take pictures. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to catch up with the storm but not all was lost. Here are a few shots from my adventure.
Carolyn Barta
Had the great opportunity to photograph Carolyn Barta today. She is an award-winning journalist and professor at Southern Methodist University. Here is a shot from the interview my class group conducted today.
Traversing the 512
Went home this past week for my grandfather’s 80th birthday party. Those ol’ timers know how to have fun. While I was home I went out with my friend Sean to shoot Austin at night. It was fun hanging out downtown when it isn’t so crowded with college students stumbling from one bar to the next. We also went out to The Oasis on Lake Travis to see how much water was left in the lake.
The Capitol stands proudly at the end of the path.
South Congress
The Lamar Boulevard Bridge
Stevie Ray Vaughan
The Oasis
Disappearing Lake Travis
And the reason I went home:
Playin’ Around…
Just a couple of images I took from playing with my camera and a little free time.
Bond Arms Cowboy Derringer
Playing on some rocks.
Out and About…
The past several months I have been working non-stop and saving up for grad school. It has finally paid off since I am now living Lewisville, TX and working toward my Master in Journalism at the University of North Texas. I will hopefully have a more steady flow of images online now that I am back in school. Enjoy!
The Ghost of Wyman's past haunts this old fort in the Texas Hill Country.
Baby Teagan on her way to Houston to visit her family.
My brother, Andy, graduates from LSU on December 16.
Fresh Beignets and chicory coffee at Cafe Du Mond.
A gentleman rolls cigars in New Orleans. It took him 40 years to learn to make a perfect cigar.
A gentleman sketches a Fior De Lis in an outdoor market in New Orleans.
The Soulabilly Swampboogie Band shares music and stories on a chilly evening in New Orleans.
Running lines in the Badlands.
What a ride…
On the way down to Big Bend back in March Wyman and I were listening to the Flower Power cd he had just received. We were jamming out to old hippy songs when Going Up the Country by Canned Heat started playing. Listening closely to the lyrics, we discovered the perfect theme song for the Junction photo class he has taught the past 12 years. Wyman and I decided we should make a music video.
Soon it was May and we were down at Independence Creek when we began filming. The spring-fed pond was the ideal setting for the video. Between 13 photographers we had everything we could possibly need to the task and plenty of people on hand to be cast and crew.
Andrew and I setting up for the shoot.
Checking focus and composition.
As Andrew and I filmed Wyman was taking stills of the group having a great time.
The first plunge.
We wrapped up shooting at Fort McKavitt with a final shot of Trevor, Keisha, and Cayla letting loose at dusk.
And here is the product of everyone’s effort. This was my first go with the new Final Cut X. Hope you all enjoy it. I recommend clicking on the video and watching it in HD.
Going Up the Country (Junction Redux) from David Halloran on Vimeo.
