From 2004 - Flaming Dancers

Another one taken at the Stafford Center...

From 2004 - Trumpet Player

In 2004 our family got season tickets to Sea World, and we went several times to see the shows. This is cropped in from the action that was taking place to the left of what you see (some animal show featuring pigs, otters, and tightrope-walking cats).

Sometimes the most interesting scenes are not where the focus is supposed to be, but in the periphery. Admittedly, the mellow mood of the scene is not the only thing that drew me in; since I was not using flash, this guy was the only thing still enough on the stage to prevent lots of blur!

From 2004 - Chinese Dancers

This was taken at a Chinese dance recital at the Stafford Convention Center. The colors and lighting were just right for non-flash photography; we were conveniently seated just a few rows back from the stage.

From 2004 - Reaching

One of the most awesome photographs that I have ever seen was taken by someone this past September in Galveston during Hurricane Ike. It was of this statue taken against a backdrop of waves churned high above the seawall as they crashed ashore. And it is not only because the subject and composition alone are awe-inspiring. Since this statue was erected in memorium to those who lost their lives in the hurricane of 1900, and since Ike was equally destructive, the symbolism is what caps it off as one of the best all-time photos in history.

Every photographer dreams of being in just the right place at the right moment to capture such a shot. It is a matter of fate...or destiny.

The picture you see in this posting was one that I took of the same statue back in 2004. I was in my dress clothes on a business trip and it was hot as ever, but braved sun and stares to capture it in silhouette...one that I entitled "Reaching".

The next couple of dozen postings will be my favorites from 2004. Since they cover the whole year they will be random...some winter, some nature, some of people. Since I did not yet own the S7000, all of these were taken with the 3-megapixel Fujifilm 3800.

Frost Tower 03

After getting the shots in the previous postings I yearned to get a good night capture of the building. One night I tried to go to the same location near the bus station, but discovered that it would not be best to get out of the car and start setting up a tripod and camera...too many creeps hanging around.

My chance came one winter night recently from the parking garage of the hotel in which I was staying. This time I was using the 7000, which was set on the ledge at the fourth level. Did use Photoshop to remove a red neon sign in the foreground which was distracting. Also darkened highlights to increase detail in the lighted area at the top of the tower.

Frost Tower 02

For the meeting I was parked just the opposite side of the building, so was able to get this shot of the top, backlit by the morning sun. It was early, so was able to stand in the middle of Congress Avenue without dodging too many cars.

Frost Tower 01

Enough of nature for a while...let's go back to the city.

My favorite building in Austin is the Frost Tower...in fact it's one of my all-time favorite buildings anywhere. One morning I was on my way downtown for a business meeting when I caught this angle from the road. I circled back and got this capture from across the bus station. Photoshop was used to do away with some of the distracting elements.

It was taken with the 3800, and I am amazed at the level of detail that can be coaxed out of those three megapixels. Upon zooming in one can see that a pigeon has just taken off next to the round logo near the top of the building.

Spring 2008 - Trinity County 12

On the same morning walk I got this one as the light was getting a little better. It captures such a serene scene...really calms the spirit, in my case anyway.

Spring 2008 - Trinity County 11

At the risk of being boring, I am posting yet another flower picture. But hey, flowers are cool - they are pretty, they don't fuss when you move them around for a better shot (though in some cases the authorities might), and almost everybody likes them.

I was holding this one with my left hand while the camera was in my right taking the shot. The shake resulted in blur which gives the picture a softer appearance, an unintended benefit.

Spring 2008 - Trinity County 10

This was taken also at Huntsville, on the way home from Trinity County.

Spring 2008 - Trinity County 09

Guess I was in the mood to take these kinds of pictures that day. This was right next to the cabin in which we were staying...