The End of an Era

Over 30 years ago we witnessed the first Space Shuttle being ferried around the beltway on the back of a 747.  At the time, the Shuttle represented the apparent future of space travel. A reusable vehicle that would fly back to earth after each mission.  Anyone excited about the space program in the late 70s had very high hopes for this not so small step for man’s space exploration.   With great fan fair the first shuttle, Enterprise, was flown around the nation for Americans to see.   It was an awesome site lumbering through the air as it circled Washington, DC.  It was unique.  It made us feel proud to be American and the prevailing power in the space race.

 

 

Well this past Tuesday we once again witnessed this awesome sight but unfortunately this time with the sad knowledge that we were witnessing the retirement of the last of the operational fleet of Shuttles.   A fleet of vehicle that made it possible to launch and then later repair the Hubble space telescope.  A fleet of vehicle with unique cargo capabilities that made the building of the international space station possible.  A fleet of vehicles that completed 133 successful missions between 1981 to 2011.  Tuesday’s fly over represents the end of the future of space flight and brings with it an uncertainty about the new future of NASA and space exploration. 

 

 

With the Orion Capsule being the only thing on the drawing boards, one has to wonder if we are not taking one giant leap backwards for man kind.  It all makes me wonder what this little guy has to look forward to over the next 30 years. He was very cute with his Lego space shuttle flying it around in anticipation of seeing the real thing… Will he have proud and fond memories of adventures in space 30 years from now?  Or will he have to settle for the mediocrity that seems to have settled into the culture of our leadership.  We got into the space race over 50 years ago not through mediocrity but with the national pride that drove us to beat the Russians and be the worlds best.   The most ironic turn of events today is the simple fact that, with the retirement of the Shuttle program, we are now dependent on the Russians to get back into space.  Makes me ask, who actually did win the space race. 

 

 

Nevertheless, Tuesday’s fly over was a sight to be seen.  The shear power of the 747 was incredible, as it flew directly over our heads west to east over Rosslyn and the Iwo Jima Memorial at 1500ft.  It brought goose bumps and the shaking that accompanies the excitement of seeing such an awesome event.  Terry and I were privileged to witness the flight 30 years ago and Tuesday we were once again privileged to see the final flight of Discovery.  

 

 

By now we’ve all seen hundreds of photographs of this historic event. Just like most of mine, many are close up shots of a magnificent piece of machinery. But standing on the grounds of Netherlands Carillon, adjacent to the Iwo Jima Memorial and looking out over the city, I found this image very ironic as Discovery flew over the very body of government that chose to mothball the program.

 

 

It makes you wonder if we are really watching our superiority in space exploration fly off into the sunset.

 

 

I certainly hope not for the sake of all the small children who witnessed Discovery as it enjoyed its final flight to the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport. 

Where Were You? 9/11

 

I was working at home with the news on. Watched the entire thing unfold while talking to my father about it on the phone. We were both in complete disbelief.  I can remember first thinking that it had to be some sort of gross air traffic error but then the second plane hit the tower  It became clear that this was no mistake. 

In the mean time, Terry and the girls were in Georgetown working and at school. They could see the smoke from the Pentagon just across and down the Potomac. 

It was all very surreal here in DC. The first reports of the issue at the Pentagon were that of a helicopter crash.  Comparatively no big deal as helicopters fly to and from the Pentagon all the time. It was a plausible reason for the fire and smoke. However, it soon became apparent that we were under attack, that the Pentagon "fire" was actually a 3rd plane, and even more worrisome, one plane was still missing. With Georgetown's proximity to other potential targets like Embassy Row and the Naval Observatory, I decided it was just time to get the family out of there and home together. I called Terry and pretty much told her to get the kids and come home.

Ironically, due to 9/11, today I wouldn't be able to do that because the schools would go into immediate lock down and not allow staff and students to leave. Not really sure how I feel about that. At the time, the most important thing to me was to get the family out of there as soon as possible.

 

In this day of remembrance it is not only important that we honor the hero’s in NY, DC, and PA, it’s also important that we never forget how that event made us feel that day and the impact it has had on every one of our individual lives since.    We can honor the fallen with memorials and ceremonies, but if we forget how 9/11 has changed all of our lives then we dishonor those who have given their all to help keep American safe and free; we will be bound to repeating the same mistakes that left us vulnerable 10 years ago today.  

Never Forget

Thank You President Obama

Thank you for not caving to your base and remaining resolute in our efforts to seek out Osama Ben Laden.  Persistence has paid off in the end.  Now you must resist the pressures to relax our guard.  It is certain that our fight against Terror continues and we must remain as resolute into the future as we have these past 10 years.  

We must also pay a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces, especially those who have given their lives in this fight.  As tired and worn as our military is today it is still the best the world has ever seen and we as Americans should take pride in the work it does around the world. 

Lastly a very special thanks must go out to the elite group of troops who carried out this operation along with the intelligence community who provided the vital information needed.  Your country is proud of your actions and happy that none of you were harmed in the operation. 

 

God Bless America.

Now and Then – August 28th 1963 and 2010

It’s always cool when you shoot a photograph, take a look at it, and realize it reminds  you of an image you’ve seen in news and print all your life especially if that photograph is of a monumental event in your history. 

Below are two photographs I took at the Restoring Honor Rally this past Saturday.

I shot my images on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 47 years to the day that the images bellow were shot from similar locations.

Of course, the black and white photos were shot August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  This was at the height of the Civil Rights movement, where over 250,000 people, mostly of African American decent, marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial culminating with Marin Luther Kings I have a Dream speech.   Unfortunately, for the movement, African Americans and the country as a whole, King was assassinated 5 years later in Memphis, Tennessee.  I shutter to think how things may have been different had he lived to see his dream to fruition.  

For those of us who lived through and were born in the 60s, these images are engrained in our memories, seeing them on TV and in news papers, magazines and now history books. It makes it specialty gratifying when you have an opportunity to photograph something similar, on the same day, 47 years later, that arguably may also have historical importance.  Of course only time will tell but there is no arguing the historical importance of the 1963 photos. 

Please note: I make no direct comparison between the Restoring Honor Rally and the March on Washington.  I’m merely pointing out the satisfaction in producing similar photographs 47 years after the originals.   

B Company

That’s what my grandfather used to say every time he was asked if he served in WWII, B Company.  What on earth is that?  His answer… 

“Be here when they go and be here when they get back.” 

John Dodgson circa 1940s

Although both my grandfathers never served in the military they did serve their country in very important jobs.  One had worked in the coal mines of Northern PA and the other in the NY ship yards. 

The point is while on this day of thanks to our “real” veterans who deserve our debt of gratitude, let us not forget those back at home who support the troops by doing their jobs and providing the necessary equipment, supplies and support both here and abroad.  We should never forget all the women who stepped out of the kitchens and into the factories to produce tanks and airplanes along with all those like my grandfathers who were unable to “serve” but still did their part right here at home to keep us safe. 

So on this veterans day I’d like to thank all our troops active, retired, dead and alive and all those ordinary citizens throughout our history and today who provide supplies and support to our military insuring that they can complete their mission.

Keep us safe and Thank You.  

TJ’s Place

Monticello is known as Jefferson's experiment in architectural design and engineering.    Unfortunately there’s no way my words and photographs can do it justice but the Monticello website has a fantastic virtual tour. 

That said I did take a few exterior photos; interiors are not permitted. 

A view of the South Portico shot from beside the Wash House at the end of the North Dependency.

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/125, f/5.6, EV –2/3, ISO 100

Another shot from the north side along the gardens that wrap the lawn.

1D Mark III w/ EF17-40 f/4L 1/60, f/9, EV –2/3, ISO 100

Anyone have a nickel?  Your standard South Portico shot, the same view depicted on the US nickel

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/200, f/5.6, EV –2/3, ISO 100

South Portico reflecting off the Fish Pond near the South Dependency

1D Mark III w/ EF17-40 f/4L IS 1/500, f/4, EV –1, ISO 100

The Vegetable Garden Terrace just to south side of the house.  Visible is the Vegetable Garden Pavilion a place Jefferson would use as a quiet retreat to read. 

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/800, f/2.8, EV 0, ISO 100

And I’ll end with a picture of Caroline and Terry sitting on a bench clearly in some deep conversation most likely spurred on by the guide book Terry has in her lap.

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/200, f/2.8, EV –2/3, OCF on w/ +1 FEC, ISO 100

Heinz Memorial Chapel

Chapel?  Isn’t Heinz some sort of condiment maker?  Oh yeah they make ketchup right?  Well yes they sure do but… what was it Hillary said when recalling the Barbary Wars… a long time ago Henry J Heinz, founder of that ketchup company, wanted to honor his mother, Anna Margaretta Heinz, with a building at the University [of Pittsburgh].  Although HJ died in 1919 he arranged in his will for the Chapel and ground was broken on the project in 1933. 

The non denominational chapel is a site to be held.  Incredibly beautiful cathedral like building that is deceivingly small looking on the outside and monstrously huge in the inside. 

Most impressive are the stained class windows. 

Terry and Caroline are standing in front of one of the 4 pairs of transept windows each 73 feet tall and among the largest in the world.  These windows represent traits of tolerance, courage, temperance and truth. To quote the website, “The windows, which highlight an equal number of women and men, contain sacred and secular figures from history, literature, and science. A rosette above each set of windows contains a red-winged seraph on the north and a blue-winged cherub on the south.”

I don’t know about all that but I can tell you they are very impressive as is the entire building.  I highly recommend a visit if you happen to be in Pittsburgh and while you are there make sure you visit the Cathedral of Learning right across the lawn from the chapel.  It too is incredible inside.   

Abigail and John

Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March - 5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/

I was working on an Abigail Adams project with Caroline this weekend and while looking up some reference material, Terry came across this site.

Adams Family Papers

This is one hell of a site if you are interested in history from the pen and minds of those directly involved. The site contains a completely transcribed and cross reverenced archive of John and Abigail's personal writings and letters including images of the pages. You could (and I have) spend hours on this site getting into the minds of two influential people in our nation's history.

Miscellaneous items from Williamsburg

Just a few miscellaneous images that you may not immediately see while wondering Williamsburg.

Coal, Fire, and Steel

After about an hour of trying to come up with something clever to say I give up.


Of all the places in Williamsburg which I like to photograph the Blacksmith has to be my favorite. After all, how can you not like the glow of fire light coming from a 2000 degree forge as it reflects off the dirty gritty faces of the blacksmith.

1D Mark III w/ 17-40L f/4 1/60s, f/4, 35mm, iso 800

Or the sparks as they fly odd the red hot metal stock that's being pounded into something as simple as a nail or as complex as a hoe or shovel or in this case a Bench Dog.

1D Mark III w/ 17-40L f/4 1/60s, f/4, 40mm, iso 800

The blacksmith shop is most definitely the best place to capture interesting images and is a must of stops every time we visit Williamsburg. It never gets old.

Meet Thomas Jefferson

One of the absolute pleasures of visiting Colonial Williamsburg is meeting and listing to a gentleman by the name of Bill Barker as he portrays Thomas Jefferson. Bill has brilliantly portrayed Jefferson for the past 20 years, 14 of which as one of the stars of Colonial Williamsburg.

Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson - Kimbal Theater, Williamsburg, Va. - October 2008

Because I have enjoyed his conversations for many years I thought I'd post this video for everyone to enjoy. This was shot in 2007 and portrays Jefferson in the year 1807. What is so interesting is how Bill, as Jefferson, can draw so many parallels of current events to that of events going on 200 years ago. From contested elections, to the separation between church and state, to the position of the federal government, and maybe more relevant to today the nastiness of a presidential campaign and election, Bill can answer questions of current events with examples and text from over 200 years ago.

So please take the time to watch the videos. I know you will find entertaining and educational and if you ever get down to Williamsburg make absolutely sure you get to see Bill ehhm Thomas Jefferson. It’s always a real treat.

Please note the running time is about 90 minutes, however you can view the 9 videos separately by choosing them in the viewer.

A Foote in the door of the Civil War…

Who doesn’t like to curl up on the couch with a good book and a good drink and relax? Well those of you who know me know it sure the heck isn’t ME… Reading is not one of my favorite things short of a few trade rags and Google news.

“Wait a minute…” you say, “What the heck does this have to do with the civil war and do you know you misspelled foot?”

1D Mark III w/ 17-40 f/4L 1/320 s, f/5.6, 23 mm, iso 400

Well let me tell you. I’m actually in the process of “reading” Shelby Foote’s (see I didn’t spell it wrong) book, The Civil War a Narrative. I say “reading” because I’m actually listing to it on my iPod. Wow what an concept, audible books that fit in my pocket and I can listen to in the car while I’m driving all over town every day.

Foote’s book… well actually books…. Ahhh more like volumes… are fantastic. I’m about ¾ the way though book one, Fort Sumter to Perryville, and all I’m hooked. I can’t put it down. Shelby takes you every step of the way though the war from the economy and politics before the war to the characters involved in the war to regions and battles and even the little skirmishes that went on as hordes of troops were moving from one location to the next. This has to be the most complete works on the Civil War published.

More importantly it doesn’t read like a history book. Shelby has a way of writing that helps you see what’s going on in your mind’s eye. His descriptions of the locations and peoples activities are fantastic. Short of having to switch from the western region to the eastern region from time to time it’s very easy to follow without getting mired or lost in details.

If you are at all interested in the Civil War I strongly recommend you read these books. But be warned all three volumes are HUGE.

1D Mark III w/ 17-40 f/4L 1/25 s, f/4, 17 mm, iso 3200

Now for the photo. This time I used a three flash setup as you can see in the photo above. On the stand to the right was my 550EX attached to my 1D Mark III with a flash cord. I used this flash as the master to fire the other two flashes and as you can see its snooted to shine its un-gelled white light straight onto the iPod. To the left is my 580EX gelled with a heavy yellow/orange gel. Behind the box of books is my 430EX gelled with a dark purple gel and pointed at white illustrators board setup behind the table. All the flashes were set to manual mode with the 550EX (left) set to 1/32, the 580EX (right) set to 1/16 and the 430EX (back) set to 1/8.

The image was shot with my 1D Mark III with 17-40 f/4L lens. Shutter speed was 1/320 and the aperture was set to f/5.6.

Same As It Ever Was

Apparently the Colonials had problem following the rules too.

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4

Images of Williamsburg

Terry and I spent Sunday a week ago casually wondering around Williamsburg. It was a perfect opportunity to relax and notice things you wouldn't normally see or look a bit differently at things you would usually see.

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4, 580EX

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4, 580EX

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4, 580EX w/CTO Gel

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4

George’s Place

I have to complement the folks who run Mount Vernon for the fabulous job they did on the new visitor center. It’s a fantastic place to visit. The kind of place you could spend hours in forgetting the fact that you actually went to Mount Vernon to see George’s place.

1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4.0


1D Mark III, 17-40L f/4.0

Both photos were taken with my 1D Mark III and 17-40L f/4.0 lens along with a circular polarizer, AV mode at f/8 for a deep depth of feild.

Museum Highlights

Education Center Highlights