Perhaps as self-compensation for not shooting as much as I’d like to do, it seems that I have been loading up on Fuji lenses. Every time I think I’m done I decide to buy “just one more.” And I’m perhaps just a little embarrassed to say that I am now up to 8. Yikes! I just recently I sprung for the 35mm 1.4 lens. Going a little bit counter to conventional thought (who, me?), I considered the newer and slightly less costly f2 version in favor of the somewhat dated but still quite worthy older model. I put it through some initial paces on a quick walk around town this past weekend. So far I must say I’m impressed and happy with the purchase.
Charlotte Transit Center in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaOngoing construction in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaRandom photos in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaRandom photos in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaRandom photos in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaRandom photos in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaSunset from our back yard
Kathy & I spent a nice quiet weekend in the Waynesville, NC area last week. It was sort of a birthday celebration but was primarily an excuse to escape the Charlotte heat and get away to the quiet and cool of the mountains. We ate at a few of our favorite restaurants and explored a bit of the area, but mostly we “chilled.”
Remains of a former CCC camp along the Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North CarolinaAlong the Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
We had a nice hike in the Smokies along a quiet mountain stream, had a picnic lunch and spent some time at a few overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but nothing especially noteworthy.
Along the Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North CarolinaAlong the Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
At one point while sitting at a picnic table having lunch, one of us remarked at the number of people who come roaring into the parking area, race to the bathroom and barely have time for the car to cool down before they fire it up and race on to the next destination. Once in a while someone would “picnic,” which basically involved carrying their fast food container and half emptied “Big Gulp” over to a table, gobbling down some unrecognizable carbohydrate, then do the same hop back into the car and roar off thing.
Along the Kephart Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North CarolinaTurks Cap Lillies along the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Rabb Knob overlook
We see the same thing happen at an overlook on the Parkway. We’ll be sitting in the car enjoying the quiet and the view, and car after car will drive in, stop without even putting the car in Park, stick an arm or a camera/phone out the window then drive off. Drive-by sightseeing!
Purple bee balm along the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Rabb Knob overlookYellow Coneflowers at Roy Taylor Forest overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway
One of us mentioned that – if they ever even took the time to notice anyone was there – these people would think we were crazy for just sitting around doing “nothing.” But what they fail to realize that “nothing” is actually “something,” but that too many people don’t bother to think about the benefits of just sitting and enjoying the view!
Kathy & I like to get out of town on weekends, especially taking advantage of some long holiday weekends to stretch our meager PTO (Paid Time Off) allotment. We did just that over July 4th, visiting (most of) our friends in Belhaven and Washington, NC. The towns were dressed up in their patriotic best, and we even managed to take in a parade. I’m saving the parade photos for another post and possibly even my SoFoBoMo project, but here are a few random photos from the weekend.
Fourth of July in Belhaven, North Carolina
With temperatures in the mid to upper 90s here in Charlotte we’ll be taking off again this weekend. The mountains are calling, as they say…. 🙂
Fourth of July in Belhaven, North CarolinaFourth of July in Belhaven, North CarolinaFourth of July in Belhaven, North CarolinaAlong Water Street in Belhaven North CarolinaRiver Forest Manor in Belhaven, North CarolinaFourth of July in Belhaven, North CarolinaFourth of July in Belhaven, North CarolinaFourth of July in Belhaven, North CarolinaRiver Forest Manor in Belhaven, North CarolinaFourth of July in Bath, North Carolina
Hudson’s Seafood, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
I was getting tired of my desktop wallpaper and decided it was time for something new. But then I had two photos I really liked and couldn’t decide. So guess what? Two for the price of one! 🙂
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back!
Hudson’s Seafood, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Window and shadows in the South End area of Charlotte, North Carolina
My photo buddy Paul Lester and I got together earlier this month for an impromptu photo walk. We don’t do this often enough, but when we do it’s a real blast. There’s nothing like wandering around with a camera to exercise the creative muscles a bit.
Glass sculpture at a park in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaMirrored mosaic in the South End area of Charlotte, North Carolina
While there are meetup groups and photowalks staged and sponsored by “celebrity” photographers, those are often large group activities. Paul & I are alike in that too many people makes it more of a cat herding competition than a photography activity. I’d say that 4-5 people would be the max for me.
Cemetery at Fourth Ward Park, Charlotte, North CarolinaShadow photos in the South End area of Charlotte, North Carolina
Paul lives on the south end of the county and I am at the north end. We met for breakfast down his way then drove to the light rail station for a ride into town. We ended up disembarking in South End, which is a neighborhood 1-2 miles south of “Uptown” then walked the rest of the way. After a few hours of wandering we boarded the train for the ride back to our respective cars.
Sculpture made of old tires in uptown Charlotte, North CarolinaAboard the CATS Blue Line light rail in Charlotte, North Carolinia
Paul has already posted an article about our walk on his own blog, and it’s always interesting to see what he saw and compare it to what I saw. I’m purposely leaving out photos that are from the same places as Paul’s, although I certainly have a few that look at lot like his! Instead I’m showing some photos that are things that he may have seen but that he hasn’t posted (yet!).
Colorful painting in the South End area of Charlotte, North Carolina
Late afternoon colors and reflections at the Little Glade Mill Pond Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 230
Kathy & I made a late afternoon stop this past Saturday at the Little Glade Mill Pond along the Blue Ridge Parkway, not too far from the intersection with US21. The light was right, the colors were great and I mixed up the fuzzy and the sharp. I don’t get to pull out the 55-200 often, but it was just the ticket for this group of photos.
I’ve got a few more, so there may be a follow up post. Stay tuned!
Late afternoon colors and reflections at the Little Glade Mill Pond Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 230Late afternoon colors and reflections at the Little Glade Mill Pond Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 230Late afternoon colors and reflections at the Little Glade Mill Pond Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 230Late afternoon colors and reflections at the Little Glade Mill Pond Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 230Late afternoon colors and reflections at the Little Glade Mill Pond Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 230
Sunset on the beach, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
We’re getting ready for a return to Hilton Head in a few weeks, so for some inspiration I decided to work on some of the files from our last visit in February. These are a few more of the “blurry” photos that always seem so popular.
Sunrise on the beach, Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaSunrise on the beach, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Unless I get really motivated, it’s unlikely that I’ll do much of this type of shooting in late May, especially in the mornings. Sunrise is a relatively inhospitable 6:19am, which means I would need to be up and on the beach by 5:15am. And that is made unlikely by a sunset time of 8:20pm that tends to interfere with cocktail time and usually makes for a late dinner. I am on vacation, after all! 😉
Sunset on the beach, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Trying to get better at just posting pictures when I don’t have a lot of words. Whew….!
Some random photos from around Western NC a few weekends ago.
Locked Up Frog Level North Carolina63 Asheville, North CarolinaCraft Creates…Shadows? Grove Arcade, Asheville, North CarolinaWall Street but not That Wall Street Asheville, North Carolina
Reflection at LaBella Pizza, Washington, North Carolina
Kathy & I took a quick jaunt over Easter to visit some of our friends in Belhaven and Washington, NC. It was a quick trip and we didn’t see everyone, but we did manage to buy some wine from our favorite Wine Guy, and I was able to take a few photos. We’re planning a return in July and will be sure to look up the rest (SN).
Springtime in Bath, North Carolina
A couple of weeks ago I was able to take advantage of a “clearance” sale on the Fuji E-X2 and picked one up as a backup to my X-T1. I don’t do a lot of events, but when I do I know it is prudent to have a spare camera, just in case. Adorama had the E-X2 body and the wonderful 18-55 zoom lens on sale for what amounted to $200 for the body. As much as I would love to have an X-Pro 2, and as aware as I am that the X-T2 is right around the corner, I have placed a self-imposed moratorium on the upgrade cycle and am planning to stand firm for a while. But I still don’t have all the lenses, so…. 😉
Springtime in Belhaven, North Carolina
So here is a little sampler of photos taken with my “backup” kit. No slouch for sure, especially with a nice lens. Looking forward to using it some more.
Springtime in Bath, North CarolinaSpringtime in Bath, North CarolinaSpringtime in Bath, North CarolinaSpringtime in Bath, North CarolinaSpringtime in Bath, North CarolinaSpringtime in Belhaven, North CarolinaSpringtime in Belhaven, North CarolinaSpringtime in Belhaven, North CarolinaSpringtime in Belhaven, North Carolina
One of the things I love to do when we travel is seek out old railroad stations. They are especially prevalent in rural areas of North and South Carolina, and I have found them in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, as well.
Train station in Branchville, South CarolinaTrain station in Branchville, South Carolina
One of the stations we pass by on a regular basis is the station in Branchville, SC. It’s on one of the “slow-cuts” we like to take when we are headed to Hilton Head and want to get off the freeway. I’ve taken pictures there before, and have been particularly interested in the old freight depot that sits across the tracks. It is in pretty sad shape, but a few years ago was given a new roof, and while I don’t know for sure I am hopeful that some funding will find its way there to complete the restoration. Both buildings are beautiful and reflect the good old days of American railroading.
Train station in Branchville, South CarolinaTrain station in Branchville, South Carolina
According to one of the signs there, Branchville was on the first commercial railway, from Charleston to Hamburg, SC. Construction began in Charleston in 1829 and was completed to Hamburg in 1833. The distance was 136 miles and at the time was the longest railroad in the world and twice as long as any in the United States.
Train station in Branchville, South Carolina
The railroad branched out from Branchville to Orangeburg in 1840, and Branchville became the first railroad junction in the world.
Train station in Branchville, South Carolina
The Branchville Depot was built in 1877 and featured a dining room there trains would stop for breakfast and dinner. It claims the distinction of having had three former US Presidents dine there: President William McKinley, President Theodore Roosevelt and President Howard Taft.
Train station in Branchville, South Carolina
The depot today is a symbol of Branchville’s rich railroad history and contains Branchville’s Railroad Shrine and Museum and a restaurant. It seems that we have never been there when either was open, but at some point I will be sure to get inside and look around.
Train station in Branchville, South CarolinaTrain station in Branchville, South Carolina
