Capturing Fireworks is difficult for several reasons, the foremost being that the occasions are rare making opportunities to practice and learn limited. Similarly, fireworks shows are popular events so finding the right location that allows for optimal settings are frequently crowded and not always easy to get your gear in place; but with planning, it can be done! As for the mechanics of actually capturing good photos of fireworks displays; this is a challenge but also a fun

​​A good shot of a waterfall is a key element in every photographer’s portfolio. People are drawn to waterfalls, the final destination of many hikes, as a reminder of nature’s sheer power. Contrasting the motion of the water versus the stillness of the rock features surrounding it, waterfalls offer photographers a unique opportunity to flex their creativity. As with any photo setting up the scene is key; consider while composing the features of the waterfall that you want to

Depth of Field is the perceived sharpness of focus across multiple regions of a photo. The photo to the right has a narrow depth of field in that only a small portion of the overall picture (the budding tree stem) appears in focus while the background is blurred. This relative sharpness makes the viewer focus on the subject while providing context and fill to the rest of the frame. Cognitively the viewer assumes that the background is farther (deeper) in the distance giving

I'd never been interested in panoramic photos, but again, advancements in technology have made me reconsider my position. In the past long prints were expensive to print, costly to frame, and weathered poorly. Now photo prints to canvas are an excellent way to showcase panoramic photos. Photo canvases are both inexpensive and readily available online and through retailers. Taking panoramic photos has become significantly easier in the age of the digital camera. Even the iPhon

After living in Virginia for more than a dozen years I finally made it to the Steeplechase. While Kentucky has its majestic Derby, that’s just riding around a circle. The Plains has the Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechases – compared to track racing it is a marathon with uneven turf, obstacles, fences and low walls along the way. The event has been held since 1922 and is widely attended by the host residents of Fauquier County and neighboring Washington, DC. Photographing an ev

Every Spring the cherry blossom trees around the tidal basin near the Jefferson Memorial burst into color in an amazing display that attracts over a hundred thousand tourists (and thousands of photographers). Washington DC hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the end of our long Winters. The trees were a given by the Major of Tokyo, Japan to the district in 1912 in recognition of the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate

It was Easter Sunday last year when my wife and I were driving along the turnpike when I spied an enormous field of daffodils. The flowers were in full bloom looking amazing and inviting. Usually I'd say something to my wife and keep driving, but on that day I took the time to pull over for a few quick photos. There was huge temptation to keep driving - we'd been stuck in holiday traffic and were ready to get home. In retrospect, I'm so glad I stopped. The flowers were beaut