Sunday, October 10, 2004 Blue Ridge Parkway

I took a little trip on the Parkway recently to see the pretty (green) leaves.  I was a bit early for the peak color, but I got a good shot of the Blue Ridge from Craggy Gardens.  These colors are REAL.

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 Clouds

Hurricane Jeanne blew through the upstate a couple days ago.  These things usually leave great clouds in their wake. 

Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Friends

My church put together a mission trip  to Streetlite Christian Fellowship in Baltimore.  One evening we had some time on our hands and I tried some natural light portraits.

(ISO 100, f 2.3, 1/200 s)

(ISO 100, f 2.3, 1/200 s)

Sunday, July 4, 2004 Fireworks

I got to see fireworks twice this Independence Day.  The first set of fireworks was at a local festival called Round the Fourth where I learned what not to do.  The white fuzz ball above the burst is the moon, so even when you are shooting the night sky, you have to consider what is in the background.  I found that three seconds will rarely capture more than one burst.  Five to ten seconds is much better and you'll see the curve as the charges begin to drop.  I also learned to use manual settings and to underexpose by about two stops.  My Olympus C3030 doesn't allow a bulb attachment and there is too much delay with the remote control.  My best solution for taking the picture was to weight the tripod with my camera bag, steady it with my left hand, and press the shutter release with my right.  Take plenty of pics because there will be plenty of so-so shots.   (ISO 100, f 5.6, 3 s)

(ISO 100, f 5.6, 3 s)

The second set of fireworks was in Greenville.  Things went a little smoother, plus the displays were a little fancier.  (ISO 100, f 10, 5 s)

Ooooooh (ISO 100, f 10, 5 s)

The flower blooms at night.  (ISO 100, f 10, 6 s)

Aaaaahh  (ISO 100, f 10, 6 s)

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 Graduation

Last Friday night, "my little cousin" graduated from high school.  Since he is taller than I am, I guess I should have more respect.  Hey Christopher, I am very proud of you!

These two look like they are up to somethin'

A proud mother.

The whole clan.

Sunday May 24, 2004 Rahul & Arjun

Sunday May 16, 2004 The Battle of Central

In the small town of Central, SC there was a Civil War reenactment.  Can you have a reenactment without first having an actment?  These guys just like to play soldier. 

Yankee artillery

Rebs carry the day.