364/366 - "Small Town Saturday Night"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Based on my last two photos you probably thought I was going to do something related to the number three.  Well, you would have been right, but dad was in a car accident yesterday.  I spent most of the day at the hospital hanging out with him, talking and watching football.  When I got home it was dark and I decided to grab my camera and do some long exposure photographs of Oakmont.  This one is my favorite.  I took this from the Allegheny River Boulevard sidewalk by the clock tower looking towards Allegheny River Avenue.  Only two photos to go!

361/366 - "Snow Day"

(F/11, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

On our way home from West Virginia today it started to snow.  When we finally arrived home it started getting really bad out and several roads were being closed.  Jonah and I went out and cleared the driveway and front sidewalks.  After we were done, I ran out with a tripod and setup in the middle of the road to take multiple exposures for the HDR image.

356/366 - "End of Days"

(F/7.1, 24mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 400, Canon 5D Mk II)

I have a feeling the Myans were right!  This morning the clouds had a menacing look to them, so I took a few photos to create an HDR image.  While I was doing that I happened to capture a meteor falling on the block behind our house.  Happy End of Days!

336/366 - "Oakmont Library"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today was Sue's annual go shopping until you drop day preparing for Christmas and I take the kids for the day.  Since we had really nice weather (50 degrees), the kids and I walked to the library and then had lunch at Panera.  While they were checking out the books, I was taking some bracketed photos that I could turn into an HDR image.  This is the one I chose, which is the kids side of the library.

333/366 - "Scary Trees"

(F/8, 75mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

There was a full moon tonight so I took the opportunity to get a photo of the silhouetted trees behind our house.

325/366 - "Reflective Allegheny"

(F/8, 40mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 7D)

The one nice thing about the time change is that the golden hour comes a little earlier in the day.  I was able to grab a few exposures on the way home from work today.  This is looking at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club.  Since it is getting colder with less wind there is little boat traffic making a nice quiet reflective river.

295/366 - "Hulton Bridge"

(F/8, 24mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 200, Canon 5D Mk II)

I grabbed a quick series of shots this afternoon and was able to manage a handheld HDR photo of the Hulton Bridge.  

271/366 - "Window Seat"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

The rain tonight forced me indoors.  This is a window seat in the master bedroom.

240/366 - "Number 1"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

On my way to pick up Jonah from school I stopped as the base of hill "number 1" of the thirteen that are climbed every year by the cyclists in Pittsburgh's Dirty Dozen.  This is Center Avenue in Aspinwall and as you climb out of sight the hill keeps on going for another 100 yards or so.  I believe this hill is in the 25% gradient range if I recall from last year.  I am not riding this year, so I am hoping to be able to get out and photograph it.

239/366 - "Lazy River"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Before our last round of golf this morning, I grabbed a cart and drove out to 17th green to get this photo.  I had actually planned this for Saturday morning, but the fog was to thick.  I was happy to see the fog lifting when I was ready to get a photograph this morning.  The Allegheny River is so calm here it often looks like a lake and you can see the bottom, as it is about three feet deep in most sections.  As we golf it is filled with people in kayaks, canoes, and tubes enjoying the original lazy river.

237/366 - "Top of the Mountain"

(F/9, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

This weekend was the annual golf trip to Tionesta, PA.  It was this weekend that I was a little concerned about taking pictures everyday since I would be on a golf course the majority of the day.  This is the 7th hole, a par 3 that is 167 yards according to the card, but plays like it is 145 because of the drop in elevation.  You can barely make out the green.  The hole is nice enough, but the real star of this hole is the view.  You can see all the way down the Allegheny River Valley.

223/366 - "St. Michael's by The Lake"

(F/11, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

After dinner I went over to the chapel to get some shots to create an HDR image of the chapel at camp.  Thanks to the Pascal family for vacating the church so I could get this photograph.

221/366 - "Pool Side"

(F/11, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I was able to gain access to the pool just before sunset.  I appreciate the access and I am even happier the way this shot turned out.  This might be my favorite photograph I have taken at camp so far.

220/366 - "SCC Sunset"

(F/4, 73mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

We had some beautiful sunsets.  This is just before campfire on Tuesday night.  I love how all the colors of the rainbow seem to be present.

191/366 - "Dirty Trees"

(F/11, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I posted back on Day 9 a photograph of the wonderful shade trees that line our street.  In the last week these glorious trees (Sycamore) have dumped countless leaves, bark, and dead branches in my yard, roof, porch, and sidewalk.  I would love to remove these trees and replant "cleaner" trees.  My yard should not look like this until October.  Our cute little town of Oakmont has rules and I am unable to just remove them or I would.  I wish the Shade Tree Commission would work with me on this, but they will not.

178/366 - "West End Overlook"

(F/8, 29mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Our Tuesday ride tonight went to the West End Overlook.  With this in mind, I brought my DSLR along for the ride.  I really wish I would have had my tripod, so I had to make the best of the situation.  Handheld bracketing for HDR is something I don't recommend.  It turned out okay, but I will be headed back with a tripod.  I love this view of the city.

176/366 - "Front Porch"

(F/8, 17mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

Today we spent the majority of the day doing chores.  Washing cars, tending the garden, and tiring out the kids.  Sue also hosed off the front porch and since she cleaned it up, I decided to set up and take a shot.  It has been on my list of shots to get with the wide angle and I even made it an HDR shot as well.

175/366 - "New River Gorge Bridge"

(F/8, 22mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

On the way home today I convinced Sue that we should take a stop at the overlook so we could all stretch our legs, hit the restrooms, and so I could take a photograph.  This is from the lowest section of the overlook.

174/366 - "Morning Inlet"

(F/8, 21mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

I woke up early this morning to get some photographs of Lake Carolina as the sun was coming up.  This is an inlet that is about half a mile from Karen and Pat's house.  

172/366 - "Roundabout Houses"

(F/8, 21mm, 3 Exposures, ISO 100, Canon 5D Mk II)

As we have been driving around Karen and Pat's plan there are a few spots that scream take my picture.  This is one of these spots.  The entrance to their plan is a roundabout.  I love roundabouts and I feel they are under utilized in our country.  All around this roundabout are townhouse style homes of all different colors.  Makes you feel like you are at the beach.