Brian H. Powell Photography

May 18

Hawaii, Day Five

Today’s word is “patience”, for two reasons.

First, I didn’t have time to edit any photos today, so I hope you’ll have patience with me and this blog, and wait for more photos tomorrow.

Second, our afternoon ended with a patient wait for a beautiful sunset that didn’t happen. We were at Ke’e beach, a beautiful spot on the north shore to watch the sunset, but some clouds moved in on the horizon, blocking the sun. Still, we waited patiently, hoping that the clouds might light up in brilliant colors. But, the clouds and sky just turned to gray, and we packed up and drove to Hanalei for dinner.

Tomorrow, we are fly over to the Big Island of Hawaii to continue our adventure. See you then.

May 17

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Hawaii, Day Four

Today’s word is “mystery”.

Thanks to the Na Pali Riders, we enjoyed a Zodiac tour of the Na Pali coast. The Na Pali coast is gorgeous. Because of the rugged mountains and the highland swamps, Kaua’i is the only major Hawaiian island that doesn’t have a road that goes all the way around. They tried, but abandoned the road machinery in the swamps. Don’t forget that Kaua’i is one of the wettest places on earth, with the Wai’ale’ale crater receiving an average of about 450” of rain a year.

Much of the land is sacred to the native Hawaiians. It’s rough topography, it’s inaccessibility, and it’s incredible beauty combine to make the Na Pali coast mysterious and alluring.

One of the highlights was to get to see the sunbeam near the waterfall of the Waiahuakua Sea Cave.

May 16

Hawaii, Day Three

We had a tough day today. The weather didn’t cooperate; only a bit of rain, but a lot of clouds that socked in some of the canyons all day.

Today’s word is “wonder”, which is what you feel all along a hike we did to the top of Waipo’o Falls, in Waimea Canyon. The canyon is up to 3000 feet deep in places.

This is an HDR (high dynamic range) image, created from three exposures with a one stop difference between each.

I enjoy your comments; keep them coming!

May 15

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Hawaii, Day Two

Today’s word is “joy”.

Today’s (iPhone) image could also be titled, “It’s been a cold winter in Boston.”

I hung out today with my friend Jennifer, who lives in Boston, and we stopped at Kekaha Beach (along the south shore of Kaua’i) for a walk. Or in Jen’s case, a joyful run up and down the beach, running barefoot along the surf.

I think that’s awesome… pursuing joy… finding joy. We should all do that more often.

See you tomorrow.

May 14

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Hawaii, Day One

Aloha from the island of Kaua’i. I arrived this afternoon after nine hours of flying from Austin. I didn’t do much photography today; just trying to cope with the five-hour time difference, the travel, getting settled in… I did take a few photos with my iPhone.

But let me back up for a minute.

Before I started this trip, I asked a few of my friends to send me some words to inspire topics on this blog. I asked for non-concrete words—I think I used “love” and “laughter” as examples. Anyway, I got some great responses, and I will try to use some of those words in my blog over the next several days.

Today’s (iPhone) photo satisfies several of the words (“purple” comes to mind), but the word that I want to apply here is “elegance”. This flower, which came with my lunch, is imperfect, yet very elegant.

I have friends like that. Amazing people with everyday shortcomings, insecurities, and flaws. It’s wonderful to overlook those things, and build incredible, supportive friendships with people who are beautiful in their own, unique, elegant ways. And thank you to all my friends who are willing to take a chance on me for those friendships—to overlook my own shortcomings, insecurities, and flaws.

I plan to be back tomorrow with another image, and another word of inspiration.

Apr 9

Austin Lyric Opera’s 2011 Production of Jonathan Dove’s “Flight”

Tonight is the opening night of Austin Lyric Opera’s production of “Flight”, a story of several travelers stuck in an airport waiting to leave. This sounds kind of like my life for the last few months.

Thursday night, I again had the privilege of photographing during the final dress rehearsal. It’s a great production and great cast, conducted by Maestro Richard Buckley. Nick Zammit plays “The Refugee”. You can see more and purchase images in my gallery, http://gallery.bhpowell.com/flight.

It runs through April 17. Buy tickets through the Austin Lyric Opera.

Nov 8

Austin Lyric Opera Performs Verdi’s La Traviata

Last week, I had the privilege of photographing the last dress rehearsal of Verdi’s tragedy La Traviata, performed by the Austin Lyric Opera. (It was also wonderful to attend an Asleep at the Wheel 40th anniversary concert with guest Willie Nelson the next night on the opera set—and the following night, to attend the black tie and boots opening night of La Traviata.)

Here are a few scenes of the dress rehearsal. Pamela Armstrong (Violetta) and Chad Shelton (Alfredo) had the lead roles.

Sep 5

August in Colorado

I was in Denver again this past week for work, and visiting friends.

And seeing a Rockies baseball game.

And seeing the Goo Goo Dolls concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. (Wow, that’s an awesome place!)

I also had a chance to do a little hiking. I borrowed a friend’s copy of the book Hiking Colorado’s Front Range, and selected a hike around Mount Galbraith, near Golden.

Here’s the GPS track from my hike. I used the new Garmin GPSMAP 62s, which I really like.

And an infrared photo, looking off to the southwest…

Thanks again to all my friends from Colorado, and my friends from Austin who were up there with me.

Sep 4

July in Boston

I made a trip to Boston a few weeks ago, to visit some professors and other customers. (And a few friends.)

One evening, I was stuck in traffic, inching along next to Boston’s Museum of Science. I decided to stop in for one very photography-related reason… because it was so heavily influenced by photographer, mountaineer, and cartographer Bradford Washburn, director of the museum for over 40 years.

If you look for it, you can find a small exhibit at the museum about Brad and Barbara Washburn. I recommend finding it.

I also had the pleasure of being in Lowell, Massachusetts for one day of the Lowell Folk Festival. Wow, this was a great event, and I wish I could have stayed for the whole weekend. I heard several great bands, including The Steep Canyon Rangers, Plena Libre, The Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Bua, and others.

Here’s a photo of the main stage at the Lowell National Historical Park, with the Steep Canyon Rangers playing.

They shut down several square blocks of downtown, and have a variety of stages with music going constantly. And the food! Lots of tents with a wide variety of good food. If you’re near Lowell in late July, I highly recommend experiencing the festival.

Jun 21

Military Funeral at Fort Sam

“This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

The funeral for my uncle, a World War II fighter pilot for the US Army Air Forces, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio.

Brian H. Powell Photography

Conservation Photography and Other Photo Adventures