Moving Pictures

Long before I moved to this area, I attempted to take an artful photo of this bridge. I seen many photos from other photographers and it didn't seem that difficult. Three cameras, three lenses, 2 tripods, multiple combinations of equipment, dozens of settings, hours upon hours, and several locations later, I have finally captured a few photos worth sharing with the world. The actual magical mix was, in the end, pretty basic. I was just missing one important element at a time to create awful photos, not worth the edit time. I could of course do better and I will keep trying but these three are pretty close to what I was aiming to achieve. What's more important is I kept trying for years. Photography is one of those fun hobbies that is as frustrating as it is rewarding and always with more to learn.

I should rename this post to "I Flew in a Huey"!! That's pretty much how I've started every conversation this week. Sure I managed to take some of the best air show photos I have to date but for a mere $75.00 I took and unbelievably amazing ride. The Stuart Air Show  has had my attention the last 3 years. The first time I went I was very impressed. I even took a $40.00 helicopter ride at the end of the day. The show has only grown each passing year. For my photos from the show [click here] But let's get back to my helicopter ride this year. The  Army Aviation Heritage Foundation  provided the flight. I did not get a chance to do this last year so I was first in line this year. Well 11th actually. They take ten riders at a time and I was on the second trip. You can see from the photo I took of the group ahead of us, there is not a lot between the seat and the ground in the door gunners position. Just a little old vintage seat belt. I was using...

Not just any high tide but the Super Moon King Tide. I know... I'm a little late with this post. I have a very busy life. I took a few minutes to document the highest tide there is likely to be on a clear day in Stuart . It was not much of a concern. I'm a firm believer in global warming. In the town I left recently, there was water spilling over the boat ramps and into the street on this day. I was there 35 years and water always rises to an annoying, street flooding point each spring and fall but this year it was just a bit bigger. As I walked around my new town, it was pretty obvious it's going to take a whole lot more of the ice caps to melt before these city streets are swamped. It was still interesting to watch the river flow backwards. I'm sure it happens twice a day but since it rarely touched the bottom of the pedestrian walkway under the Roosevelt Bridge, it's not noticeable. On this day it sounded like a waterfall as water jammed up against the concre...

I don't want any excuses about this place being hard to find. You know. Like the ones I was making before I found it. Nor that it's probably not worth seeing. If that's your attitude then drop and give me 20. The Road to Victory Military Museum is not just a collection but a passion. We were fortunate to meet the owners on our visit. They are located just past the legs of the Stuart water tower and there is plenty of parking right outside the door. I will admit the collection is housed in a small building but that will hopefully change. They have a collection of restored military vehicles currently being kept in private garages. A few very well used ones are on display outside the museum. But moving takes money. Something this museum could use more of. But that takes visitors and sponsors. I was never in World War I or II or actually in the military at all but I do appreciate the ones who served and not just on the 4th of July. I have visited war museums around the...

Festivals, events, and conventions are a great way to add color and popularity to my photos but what I like to do is get out and experience some nature. Granted a lot of it in these photos has been paved over and drastically altered. These photos are from my first real bike ride at my new house. In total I did about 36 leisurely miles on a beach cruiser.  I was looking for a sand beach to launch my kayaks. Sure I could have asked but whats the fun in that. I knew of three boat ramp locations so I thought I would check them out. I actually went all the way to Downtown Stuart before I decided the weather was about to close in on me. My new Panasonic Lumix is waterproof so I was not desperate to get back but Florida summer rain storms can bring fireworks and I've already experienced lighting up close and personal. Why push my luck. This is just day one and I have miles upon miles to explore. The rest of this set can be found if you [click here]