May 16
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
This past weekend, I was in Denver visiting friends and attending a couple of parties.
On Friday, I went to Roxborough State Park, southwest of Denver.
Roxborough is a pretty park, with some nice red rocks. I’d been to Roxborough a few years ago, spending a few hours with John Fielder, a well-known Colorado photographer. At the suggestion of the park ranger at the front gate, I hiked the South Rim trail, which I had not hiked before. This was an excellent choice, with good views of the rock formations in the middle of the park.
I was also in town to attend the opening reception for a show entitled “Sense of Place | Landscape Photography”, at the FLASH Gallery in Lakewood, Colorado. One of my Bosque del Apache photographs is in the show, which runs June 11 through August 1, 2010.
I was honored that about twenty of my friends from the Denver area made it to the opening reception. Thanks to all of you who made it out on a rainy night. Here I am at the gallery with one of my best friends, Nancy.
I enjoyed the whole weekend, including the cool weather, and hope I’m back soon.
Ongoing exhibit: Sense of Place | Landscape Photography, at the FLASH Gallery in Lakewood, Colorado. One of my Bosque del Apache photographs is in the show, which runs June 11 through August 1, 2010.
I had about twenty friends from the Denver area who made it to the opening reception. Thanks to all of you who made it out on a rainy night. Here I am at the gallery with one of my best friends, Nancy.
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