Land Between the Lakes

On the border of Kentucky and Tennessee is a fantastic place called The Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area.  It is well worth exploring if you have a few days.  In the center of it, just on the Tennessee side is a working 19th century farm known as the Homeplace.  It is like stepping back in time.  It actually made me want to live a more rural lifestyle.  Maybe someday, we'll see.

Hatfield McCoy EP Shoot

The new EP by DC based Hatfield McCoy was just released on iTunes.  I had a great time working with all the guys in the band shooting images for the album jacket.  We took the band out to an old lock house on the canal running adjacent to the Potomac River.  We shot in and around the house and down by the river's edge.  Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.

Snowscape

I'm often traveling by car for work (and leisure).  When I see a stark, barren landscape, I can't help but pull the car over and get out my camera.  These images were taken on a wet and snowy day in Maryland while driving back from a shoot.

One Eyeland Photographer of the Week

Check it out, I'm One Eyeland's Photographer of the week!

Out in the Field (Museum)

Before I became a photographer I studied biology and zoology.  My passion for the natural world has not waned since changing my career path.  I have also recently developed an appreciation for taxidermy, especially its use in interior design.  Visiting natural history museums allows both of these interests to be satisfied.  One of my favorite natural history museums to visit is The Field Museum in Chicago.   I don't always carry my big camera with me, but I always have my iPhone.  It has allowed me to photograph things that I would otherwise have missed out on.  Shooting in museums is something for which the iPhone is well suited.  Here are a few images from my last trip to The Field Museum.

Mauna Kea Observatories On An Empty Tank

If you've never driven up to the observatories on the top of Hawaii's Mount Mauna Kea, I suggest you do so.  The 4,200 meter (13,800 feet) high summit of Mauna Kea houses the world's largest observatory for optical, infrared, and submillimeter astronomy. 

If you do decide to make the drive, I have two pieces of advice for you.  First, even if you are wearing shorts and t-shirts because the weather at the beach is so warm, once you reach the summit at nearly 14,000 feet, it is a hell of a lot colder.  I'm not saying you need to take a coat on your Hawaiian vacation... actually that is what I'm saying.  Second, make sure you have a full tank of gas before starting your drive.  I was making the trip with my assistant in our rental Jeep Wrangler.  I had nearly 3/4 of a tank of gas when we started the journey so I was not at all worried.  By the time we reached the summit, the tank was nearly empty.  I wasn't sure if AAA works on island mountain tops and I didn't want to find out.  Luckily, there was a mountain to come down, so gravity was on my side.  Once  I got the car going a few miles an hour, I killed the engine and put it in neutral.  Then I just coasted down the mountain with my foot on the brake.  When I finally rolled into a gas station, the jeep was on fumes.  Was it worth risk? Of course! But next time, I'll fill up first.

Hatfield McCoy

Hatfield McCoy is a 70's influenced americana rock band from DC.  It's fronted by Aaron Claxton and rounded out by an ansemble of great musicians.  They are working on finishing their first EP right now. Check them out.