Jim Hunt Horse Complex

Wanting to spend a little time around horses today at the James Hunt Horse complex at the NC State Fairgrounds.  Both Western & English competitions were represented, but far more interesting was some of the activity outside of the arena.  I could have spent a lot more time there and will venture out again very soon.

Chickens take flight!

Trying to photograph a flying chicken was a challenge.  It turns out that flapping wings are extremely fast and a typical studio lighting scenario just wouldn't work.  Too much blur.  This series is of our 4 week old Red Star called Nemo.  My assistant who also happens to be my 13 year old daughter didn't like my asking her to drop/throw Nemo over and over again.  I don't think Nemo really minded but Gillian swore that Nemo didn't forgive her for at least an hour.   Fortunately our planning and previous test over the weekend gave us the light output and the stopping speed to capture the wings in flight.  When flying, chickens really look very prehistoric.   I was also fascinated with the fact that no matter how many times I photographed Nemo flying, her feet were always pointed as if they were on flat ground.

A tribute to Andy Griffith...no relation.

Funny thing...driving around looking for patriotic homes this morning and ran across this guy playing the guitar. Said his name was Andy. He was waiting on a friend to take him some place nice.


Andy Griffith, 86 years old.  1926-2012

Picket Fences/Patriotism/Front Porches with a little humor

Although no flags on the house at the top, I knew Jesse from the 80's and 90's first as a football player, then as a basketball player at the YMCA.  His porch and garden were wonderful, so I couldn't resist taking a portrait of him.  His neighbor has the most patriotic theme so far, although the couple from the house up the street were good sports enough to embrace in a window.  Perhaps a little staged...but then everything I do is staged.  Fun evening shooting after a wonderful dinner at Lilly's Pizza at Five Points.
On Tuesday morning I found this house in Boylan Heights.  It seems so far though that Oakwood is the most festive...perhaps because of the style of homes there.

Picket Fences and Patriotism

It's almost the 4th of July, and I'm looking to shoot Raleigh's most quaint and patriotic dwellings.  I'm going to be headed out in the mornings and evenings over the next 3 days to find some of the most idyllic scenes with an emphasis on patriotism.   If you think your house qualifies or know of someone whose house fits the bill, then let me know via email.   On July 4th, I'll post the pictures here and let you decide which house wins the award for most idyllic Raleigh home!   The winning home will receive a fine art print depicting one of Raleigh's parks.

Raleigh's Urban Forest

I was out this morning early doing a photograph of a commercial building that I had been asked to do and of course had to stop by this setting to see if it would be a worthy spot to shoot a portrait I'm working on later in the summer.  I'm almost inclined to find some ewoks and put them on the bridge.   There really are some beautiful places within the beltline of Raleigh.  This is the creek of Fallon Park which runs through the neighborhood that borders Anderson, White Oak, and Oxford Roads.