Chicago - June 5, 2009

Likely one of the best days for weather in Chicago. Absolutely gorgeous, right around 70 with a slight breeze, but not cold at all.

Chicago -- November Style ...

It is much colder by the lake like the man on the radio says. After listening to a couple keynote speakers in downtown Chicago on how to implement green energy programs within your community, my friend Bob and I decided to take a quick walk about the city and photograph its vibrance. In all of my trips to Chicago, I had never actually been to the "bean." Yeah, it's weird, but mesmerizing, and most importantly, it makes people smile for some reason, and that's good, because no one needs a riot downtown.

Day 3 - Stormchasing Lost Images - Seriously, Colorado is this much cooler than Kansas?!

Rich and I after we conquered the mountainous trek up Pike's Peak ... halfway anyway ... and in the Highlander.

Standing on the dam, looking at Pikes Peak. I swear I felt this thing shake.

Captain Morgan strikes one more time! Pike's Peak -- CONQUERED!

A view of Colorado Springs from one of the many scenic pull-offs going up Pike's Peak.

Stopping by Woods ...

This tree nests itself on the far side of the family lake, all by itself. Even though the season is contrary to the stated imagery, the humidity, the lone reflection, and the time of day remind me of Robert Frost's, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".

Tonight I attempted to experiment with what is commonly known as HDR. Now, although it is a three-letter word, it is nothing like what is commonly referred to as PCP. in the photography arena, HDR stands for High-Dynamic Range. You see, film / digital cameras can only capture so many tones. This is the reason that many times when you photograph someone or something and the sky is in the background, it turns white with no detail; it simply cannot capture beyond a certain tonal range. HDR takes multiple exposures, at both ends of the tonal range, and merges them together for one image that looks somewhat surreal. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful with my HDR, however, I did capture this image of the lake on our family property. It seems that I have been consumed by sunsets ... hmm.