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Dawn @ Cannon Beach

Published at: 10:09 pm - Thursday September 27 2012

Cloud cover and fog rule this beach.  Yet to me, this brought more of a calm and soothing feeling as opposed to one of dreariness.  It causes one to slow down and experience textures … the visual textures of sand and the “Haystack”, as well as the tides themselves.  And the tide expands beyond a sense of visual texture, but also the textures of sound … that of a gentle breeze in harmony with the rumbling waves.

“The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.”  ~ Edward Gibbon

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Morning Beach Walker – Cannon Beach, OR

Posted in: Beach, Landscapes, Oregon, People, Water by Mark 1 Comment

Sunrise Walk on Cannon Beach, OR

Published at: 09:09 pm - Monday September 24 2012

This will hopefully be the beginning of several blog posts from last week’s trip to Oregon with my best bud Carl.  Oregon was new to both of us, so lots to explore.  We spent months planning (perhaps better stated as Carl did months of planning while I contributed occasionally).  We not only agonized over where to go, but when.  Having to coordinate around our work schedules also presented extra challenges, and the numerous changes and adjustments contributed to our friends Jerry and Betsy not being able to join us.  But with trials and tribulations come rewards.

We didn’t even have the coast in our plans, but after adequate coverage of the Columbia Gorge we decided to venture to the Cannon Beach area.  Cannon Beach is about an hour and a half west of Portland.

The weather presented us with a “blah” first afternoon, but we stayed persistent.  On the second morning there, both Carl and I ventured out at sunrise not knowing what to expect of the lingering fog.  Sometimes it lifts and clears out, other times it hangs on for dear life.  But we each pried ourselves out of bed, knowing we would enjoy a serene walk to the sound of the waves and a pleasant 55F temperature.  As is often the case with this photographer stuff, opportunities arise from seemingly nowhere.

As the clouds began to part, I was struck not only by the “Haystack” and its accompanying iconic rocks just off shore, but also by how many people were up walking this early.  I captured this couple out for their morning walk on the beach, taking advantage of their reference to display the shear scale of both the massive rocks and the beach itself.

Morning Walk – Cannon Beach, OR

5D MkII, 24-70L @ 34mm, 1.6sec @ f/22

Posted in: Beach, Landscapes, Oregon, People, Water by Mark 2 Comments

Paris – La Tour Eiffel

Published at: 05:07 pm - Sunday July 22 2012

I am a cyclist, and therefore, I am also a Tour de France fan.  I watch it every summer, and the past 3 weeks have been no exception.  I’m in awe of the stamina and determination of the Tour riders.

Kathy and I were fortunate to visit Paris 4 years ago.  The only possible way the trip could have been better is if it had been during the final day of the Tour.  🙂  Kidding aside, it was an amazing trip.  We enjoyed every second and soaked in every venue feasible during our stay.

With the Tour de France wrapping up today in Paris, it triggered memories of our visit.  It only seemed appropriate to post a few pics from the 2008 trip that Kathy and I remember so vividly.

La Tour Eiffel

Place du Trocadero – La Tour Eiffel

Tour Eiffel le trafic

Pont d’Iéna Pont, La Tour Eiffel

Posted in: Cityscapes, Night, Paris by Mark 2 Comments

Anchoring the Abyss

Published at: 10:07 pm - Monday July 09 2012

Old piers and sea structures are amazing.  How they withstand the test of time, the tides and undercurrents, and the extreme weather elements, I’ll never know.  They are stalwart giants engulfed by the perpetual movement of water and sand.  There is nothing around them that is foundational or solid, yet they find a way to be anchored and stationary.

I am always a sucker for textures, as well as geometric shapes and perspectives, too.  Yet another reason they draw me in.

My intent here was to not only capture the structure itself, but also the moving sea.  I wanted to do so in such a way as to draw the viewer’s eye into the somewhat mysterious and ethereal motion of the water.  It is sometimes difficult to capture the water’s motion in such a way, and at the proper moment, as to balance both energy and definition of the waves and textures.  I’m pretty happy with these results, and I like the shape and definition of the beach in the foreground.

Pier at Flagler Beach, FL

5D MkII, 16-35L II @ 16mm, .6sec @ f/8, ISO 100

Posted in: Landscapes, Water by Mark 1 Comment

Self Portrait

Published at: 09:07 pm - Sunday July 01 2012

Posted in: People by Mark 1 Comment

Happy Father’s Day!

Published at: 01:06 pm - Sunday June 17 2012

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads!

My dad (affectionately called “Daddy Gene” by his grandchildren), was the best dad ever.  He was salt of the earth.  He loved to laugh and make others laugh.  He loved his family.  He thoroughly enjoyed life and his friends.  Work did not seem a means to an end, but rather a part of his daily life that he set out to enjoy.  He lived life to the fullest and was a joyful, happy person.  He had a passion for animals, particularly his dogs and horses.  Hunting was one of his favorite pass times.  He loved to build things (and as a result, he was always an accident waiting to happen 🙂 ).   A big highlight of my childhood was helping him build things, and spending his day off with him.  What you saw is what he was … he was never pretentious or fake.  He was ALWAYS giving to others, especially those who were down on their luck.  His friendships were never based on status … his best friends ranged from the most affluent in town to others that were at the complete opposite of the economic spectrum.  He was never perfect and he knew it, but he always valued the things that were really important.

I miss you Daddy Gene!  Thank you for being the wonderful father that you were.

Gene Sisco

Posted in: Family by Mark 2 Comments

With Age Comes Character

Published at: 07:06 pm - Sunday June 10 2012

“Old Time, that greatest and longest established spinner of all!…. his factory is a secret place, his work is noiseless, and his hands are mutes.” ~Charles Dickens

Old cities give birth to architectural character and texture, not only as it relates to their time period, but also from natural aging and decay.  And this is true of the human spirit.  Our bodies wear down, but we are only as old at heart as we allow ourselves to become.  The aging process brings its own form of texture and beauty.

Bench on Residential Patio - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 35mm f/1.4L, 1/80sec @ f/4.0, ISO800, Handheld

 

Posted in: Cityscapes, Savannah by Mark 4 Comments

Vespa Color

Published at: 09:06 am - Sunday June 10 2012

One of the things I had not remembered from previous trips to Savannah is the influence of the Savannah School or Art and Design (SCAD).  As I mentioned in another post, they have played a central part in preserving and rebuilding Savannah over the past 15-30 years.  But, the city is also vibrant with their presence as well.  Scooters and bicycles are everywhere.  The “campus” spans buildings all around the city, so it’s not uncommon to see students walking, biking, and cycling from class to class.

Vespa is an Italian scooter made in Italy by Piaggio.  Vespas are iconic not only in Italy and around Europe, but in the U.S. for that matter.  l love motorcycles, so this love along with the colorful lineup at this dealer was a no brainer for my brother and me to spend 10 minutes inspecting and shooting.

Vespa Dealer - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 35mm f/1.4L, 1/400sec. @ f/10, ISO 200 Handheld

His and Hers - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 35mm f/1.4L, 1/1600sec @ f/2.0, ISO 200 Handheld

Piaggio Heaven - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 35mm f/1.4L, 1/5000sec @ f/2.0, ISO 200, Handheld

Posted in: Cityscapes, Savannah by Mark 1 Comment

Southern Live Oak @ Mercer Williams House

Published at: 09:06 pm - Friday June 08 2012
This image was taken at the Mercer Williams house, home of Jim Williams from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Facts about southern live oaks:
-The southern live oak is the most well known of live oak species and was the first to be given the live oak name. Live oaks indicate the evergreen types of oak tree (the ones that do not lose their leaves in the fall, as opposed to deciduous).

-Live oak is a huge, sprawling tree that reaches heights of 65 feet to 85 feet at maturity and has been known to live 500 years or longer.

-Live oak is the southern symbol of strength and the state tree of Georgia.

-Live oaks are one of the heaviest native American hardwoods, weighing 55 pounds per cubic foot when air dry. Its strong, dense wood explains why these trees have outlasted so many Florida hurricanes.  The USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) is made mostly of live oak milled near St. Simons Island, GA.  It’s strength made it virtually impervious to cannon balls.

-Live oaks support many types of epiphytic (air) plants, including Spanish moss which is prevalent throughout Savannah.

Live Oak and Iron Fence at Mercer Williams House - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 35mm f/1.4L, 1/160sec @ f/5.6, Handheld

Posted in: Cityscapes, Savannah by Mark 1 Comment

River House – Savannah

Published at: 09:06 pm - Thursday June 07 2012

The River House is on River Street in Savannah, just across the street from the Savannah River.  It is in an old cotton warehouse where cotton would be loaded onto ships in the 1700’s and 1800’s and set sail to the mother land in England.  The character of these old buildings is incredible, along with the streets and alley ways.  They have survived hundreds of years of weather and use.  The walls are sometimes up to 35+ inches thick.  Bricks were made locally from the silt taken from the river.  It amazes me how well these structures were built so many years ago when technology was relatively primitive in many ways.

Oh – the low country boil was awesome, upstaged only by the company and conversation of family – Kathy, Larry, and Judy!

RIver House Seafood - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 16x35L II @ 22mm, 1/4sec @ f/7.1

Posted in: Cityscapes, Night, Savannah by Mark 1 Comment

Reflecting on Isaac’s

Published at: 09:06 pm - Thursday June 07 2012

I have my brother Larry to thank for seeing the unseen.  I didn’t even notice this small puddle until I turned around and saw him straddling it with his tripod.  He opened my eyes to a whole new view of things.

 

“A little reflection will show us that every belief, even the simplest and most fundamental, goes beyond experience when regarded as a guide to our actions.”  ~ William Kingdon Clifford

Reflecting on Isaac's at Drayton - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 16-35L II @ 26mm, 5 secs. @ f/22

Posted in: Cityscapes, Night, Savannah by Mark 1 Comment

Candy Store

Published at: 09:06 pm - Monday June 04 2012

Kathy and I spent a long weekend in Savannah, GA with my brother Larry and his wife Judy.  This was a treat not only because of spending time with them, but also because it was a late anniversary celebration of sorts.  And to top it all off … we were in Savannah!  This southern city is so rich with history critical to the discovery of our country, the development of the traditions and charm of the deep south, and everything between.  If you’ve never spent time here, it is a MUST.

We spent the first evening enjoying night photography on the waterfront following a spectacular dinner.  The shops along the Savannah River are vibrant this time of year with tourism, and in this weekend’s case, visitors attending graduation at the Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD).  SCAD is one of the U.S.’s most sought after art schools, and it has played a huge role in revitalizing and preserving Savannah over the past 15 or so years.

This was my favorite series from the evening.  The light streaks in the first image are compliments of a tour bus and an open roof hearse used for a ghost tour.  🙂  Enjoy.

River Street Sweets #1 - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 16-35L II @ 22mm, 4 secs. @ f/13

River Street Sweets #2 - Savannah, GA

5D MkII, 16-35L II @ 23mm, 2 secs @ f/9.0

Posted in: Cityscapes, Night, Savannah by Mark 2 Comments
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