Time Travel

On Saturday I met up with a friend at Fort Mott, down in Pennsville, NJ for a day trip that took us back in time. At Fort Mott we were able to board what is called the ‘Three Forts Ferry’ over to Pea Patch Island where Fort Delaware is located. I was surprised by how large and interesting the fort was. During the Civil War the Union used the fort as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war, political prisoners, and federal convicts. There were several reenactors on the grounds guiding visitors. The architecture was quite interesting with a moat around the exterior and a sort of village green once inside. Several of the rooms were furnished with antiques and replicas from the period. I was thrilled that I was able to wander with my tripod exploring the many rooms and arched hallways. This was a perfect place for making some HDR (high dynamic range) images. All our exploring worked up our appetites so we took the ferry over to Delaware City for some lunch. The town was quaint offering some shopping and views along the river. We decided to forgo the short walk to Fort DuPont as someone told us there really wasn’t much to see there. After lunch and some ice cream we got back on the ferry to Fort Delaware for a little more photographing while waiting for the final ferry back to Fort Mott. It was quite a fun outing and traveling on the ferry was a relaxing way to catch up on lost time with my friend.

'Fort Delaware Approach' © Denise Bush

'Moat Reflection' © Denise Bush

'Inside Fort Delaware' © Denise Bush

'Ye Old Stop and Chat' © Denise Bush

'Two Arches and a Stool' © Denise Bush

'Cobalt Oil Lamp' © Denise Bush

'Don't Go Upstairs' © Denise Bush

Lust for Rust

Why is it that I find old and rusty discarded items so fascinating? Why do I feel like I am in my photographic element in a junk yard or poking around abandoned buildings? I guess I know the answers to these questions, at least in part. I love wondering about who used the items and how they were at one time a part of someone’s life. Things from the past seem to be  much more appealing than our modern day versions … they were made of strong metal instead of cheap plastic. I find the textures provided by time and weather rich and fascinating. And finally, and as I’ve said before, I love the way nature reclaims old abandoned places and things. No longer useful and in their final resting place, they return to Mother Earth.

'Rusted Bicycles' © Denise Bush

'Shattered Past' © Denise Bush

'Gas Tank Graveyard' © Denise Bush

When the Light is Not Golden

The more I target my outdoor photo shoots around sunrise and early morning, and late day and sunset, the more I realize the light is quite often not golden. I am presented with the choice of coming back another time or shooting for a different mood. I seem to always choose the later. Less than ideal lighting circumstances can highlight something other than warm perfect light. Images shot in the clouds, fog, rain and dim light can be quite unique. They can convey a feeling of peace or one of unrest. Here I pay homage to light that is not golden. These images were shot on two separate mornings when sunrise did not provide a spectacular display.

'The Clouds Got In the Way' © Denise Bush

'Osprey Island' © Denise Bush

Night Light in the Adirondacks

August 1st through the 4th I participated in a workshop titled ‘Photographing the Night Landscape’. Held in Inlet, NY in the Adirondacks, the program was very well-presented by Mark Bowie of the Adirondack Photography Institute. The group stayed at the Woods Inn on Fourth Lake which is part of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. It was a fun time with a great group of people and I learned a lot. Unfortunately (as so often happens) the weather was not always in our favor. Sunrise and sunsets were less than we had hoped for and clouds often covered the stars we would have enjoyed photographing. Most of our time was spent in the classroom looking and learning from the instructor’s vast portfolio of nighttime images as well as processing and participating in critiques of our efforts. Aside from shooting landscapes we did some experimenting with light painting that included people and some street photography in the village. Here are some images that come closest to what I was looking to come away with from the experience.

'Fourth Lake at Twilight' © Denise Bush

'Lit By the Moon' © Denise Bush

'Nightfall on Seventh Lake' © Denise Bush