As promised, I have published the final set of photos from the Photography workshop conducted at The Howell Nature Center last month. Pictured above is a male Barred Owl who suffered an injury to the left shoulder – picturesque nonetheless.

As we moved around the establishment, we came upon a unique surprise that afternoon – The North American Porcupine. The animal was not scheduled to be on the list for the shoot but apparently it had other plans. It appears bananas appeal to monkeys as well as porcupines. It was a real treat to witness this entertaining creature in all its glory.

Next on the list was the delightful Female Snowy Owl, who also happened to be suffering from an injury to its wing. These creatures are definitely hard to find on a regular basis, so it’s nice to encounter these birds in close range despite the fact they are not active members of the wild.

Last but not least, we concluded the day with a rather interesting feature. We came upon an Eastern Screech Owl who suffered a partial amputation to it’s right wrist. Although its phenomenal camouflaging abilities are not well demonstrated here, in person it takes several looks to notice the bird as it becomes a permanent fixture embedded into the tree.

In conclusion, I would like to commend the folks at the Howell Nature Center for the continuous dedication and attention they provide to these animals who may not otherwise have survived in the hostile world filled with lurking predators and unknown dangers. I look forward to returning next year.

 
Tweet

This shot was taken from my recent visit around downtown Chicago. Photographers always talk about the blue hour, the short time after sun dips below the horizon and before sky goes completely dark. Depending on the conditions, the shades of blue in the sky can really add a vibrance and feel to a photo that you just cannot capture any other time of day.

 
Tweet

Last month I had the opportunity to attend Photography Workshop taught by nature photographer, Steve Gettle, at The Howell Conference & Nature Center located in Howell, MI. The sole purpose of this institution is to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife in order to return healthy birds and other animals back into their natural environment. In the event, wildlife cannot be released into the wild, they become permanent fixtures of The Wild Wonders Wildlife Park, which contains 30 different types of species native to the state of Michigan. These animals then serve as members of an educational zoo for the returning visitors. As beautiful as these animals are, at times it is quite upsetting to realize some of them may never be free to roam again on their accord. The sole consolation is that they are very well taken care of by members at the facility and thereby removed from lurking predators in search of sustenance.

Above is the Eastern Screech Owl who has a detached retinal in it’s left eye.

Next is a Male Bald Eagle which has undergone a partial amputation of it’s left wing.

Below is a female Red-Tailed Hawk which also has suffered a detached retina in it’s right eye, which does not provide for an esthetic portrait.

The final image for today is the male Great Horned Owl.

Aside from dealing with the frigid conditions, this was a tremendous learning experience and I highly recommend this to anyone looking to photography wildlife. Stay tuned for a few more images to be posted tomorrow.

 
Tweet

Today’s photo comes from my recent photo walk through downtown Chicago with +ChrisSmith. We decided to throw caution to the wind and just explore the scenic areas of Chicago without an itinerary. This supports the motto that great photographs do indeed surround us everyday if you are willing to keep your eyes open. Having said that, some cities do provide more obvious opportunities for photographers than others. Shortly after shooting the skyline from the Kinzie Street Bridge, we traveled a short distance to an secluded area providing an expansive view of the Chicago Architecture. Ironically, as we arrived on site we both commented that it would be ideal if a train had happened to enter into the scene in order to heighten the quality of an image. Minutes later, our wish was granted as this train arrived giving us no more than a handful of seconds to capture the moment. The lesson here is twofold – Always be prepared and be careful what you wish for.

 
Tweet

Today takes us back for another shot of the Rockefeller Chapel located on the campus of the University of Chicago. One of the main features here is the Regal Organ built in 1928 alongside the construction of the chapel. These organs are considered by many to be the finest examples of 20th century romantic organs built in America. If you look closely you can see the pipe organs embedded into the architecture which is a feature you do not see anymore yet is vital in sound transmission throughout the church along with the accompanying organs. Finally note the beautiful stained glass windows and decorative artwork featured in the ceiling and you will begin to understand why a visit to this place of worship must be on your shortlist next time you visit Chicago.

 
Tweet

Today’s photos come from my recent travels to the picturesque University of Chicago campus, just a short throw from downtown. I have been told by numerous people to include the Rockefeller Chapel during my visit, which is simply an amazing piece of architecture. Upon entering, I took a few minutes to absorb the intricate details evident throughout the institution. I was hoping to capture some images of the front section of the church, however, within a few minutes I was informed the area would be closed off due to a service preparation. I manage to capture a quick image of the front area of the church prior to moving on to other less occupied areas. The colorful mosaic tile accompanied by the empowering concrete/stone pillars and wooden arches can only be truly appreciated firsthand. Although, I did manage to capture some other images throughout the church,  I look forward to returning here to photograph some missed opportunities.

 
Tweet

On a recent trip to Chicago, I was informed of the countless opportunities available for photographers roaming around the campus of the University of Chicago. The grounds are populated with churches, museums along with various examples of historic and exquisite architecture. After having reviewed many images of The Harper Memorial Reading Room where students congregate for individual and group study, I decided to attempt my own version of this palatial space. I am not a street photographer nor do I particularly enjoy photographing people so I found it rather ironic finding myself planting a tripod at the entrance of a highly occupied space. Apparently, there is truth to the fact that the only way to overcome our fears is to face them. The fact that I did not know anyone here allowed me to detach myself and concentrate on the task at hand. The significant rise in body temperature could have been attributed to nerves or the fact that I was draped in 5 layers of clothing. Nevertheless, with all eyes on me, I calmly captured my multiple frames while hoping the agonizing sound of the camera shutter would not lead to my untimely exit from the building. The lesson for the day is to embrace, not avoid, our fears which will lead to the ultimate goal of personal growth.

As I departed the reading room, I promptly scampered down two flights of stairs only to run into this empty hallway prior to exiting the building. The combination of the brick walls, the dramatic lighting and tiled floor triggered something in my brain that indicated there was a photograph to be made. I took a number of exposures in between the intermittent appearance of students traversing the scene. I continued to explore the campus for the next few hours making the most of this opportunity. Although I still have a handful of photos to process, I am already anticipating my next visit to the University of Chicago.

 
Tweet

Today’s photos take us back to the Chicago Cultural Center, more specifically, The Grand Army of The Republic Rotunda (G.A.R.). This place was originally constructed as a memorial and museum for  Civil War Veterans of the G.A.R. The highlight of this room is Renaissance inspired stained glass dome which spans 40 feet in diameter. The walls of the Rotunda are constructed of Knoxville Pink Marble from Tennessee, while its floors are comprised of mosaic tiles embedded into backlight windows of translucent glass blocks.

Although, I have many other images to share from this Chicago landmark, I look forward to returning with a fresh eye for new perspectives and experiences.

 
Tweet

I recently discovered a fantastic and informative blog, outofchicago.com, run by Chris Smith detailing the most pertinent areas to photograph when visiting Chicago, Illinois – arguably the greatest city in America. The city caters to the most discriminating travelers while offering the finest offerings with respect to dining, culture, sporting events and retail therapy. Having been to Chicago countless times, there are a handful of areas I have yet to discover. Inspired by the blog, I ventured into town to visit the Chicago Cultural Center, located across the street from Millennium Park. As one of the city’s most popular attractions, the center houses more than 1000 programs/exhibitions various art forms, while serving has headquarters for the Children’s choir of Chicago. The crown jewel of this building here is the expansive 38-foot Tiffany art glass dome located in Preston Bradley Hall. The dome, which was painstakingly restored in 2008, piece by piece, is comprised of approximately 30,000 pieces of glass while occupying more than 1000 square feet of real estate. The natural lighting provided has eliminated the expensive cost of artificial lighting. The white carrara columns surrounding the entrance to the room exemplifies the tremendous attention to detail awaiting you at each and every turn. This place should be on the short list for anyone interested in culture and architecture.

 
Tweet

Today’s photo takes us back to the Eastown Theater in the heart of Detroit Michigan. Immediately upon entering the building, you will see nothing but destruction everywhere. If you close your eyes, you may imagine a thriving lobby area where patrons engaged in stimulating conversation and illicit drug sampling prior to locating their seats straight ahead on the main floor or by utilizing the once marble-laden stairway for an expansive view of the entertainment from above. It is rather unfortunate this once elegant landmark theater had become a haven for drug-dealers which eventually led to its ultimate demise.

 
Tweet