Blue Hour at the Olympia

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Blue Hour at the Olympia by Chip Bunnell PhotographyMy summer has been extremely busy with out of town activities. I am truly grateful for each and every opportunity I have had and the amazing people I have met. From a smoked salmon vendor at a Helsinki farmer’s market, to the baker of incredible fresh French baguettes in Claude Monet’s home town, to a creative musician that uses his former baby shoe as a striker against a metal gas can to keep rhythm in WI, well, you can see what I mean. Each day I saw and each person I connected with, whether it be a new face or a familiar family member, left a lasting memory and added another line in the list of this adventure called “my life.”

Last Friday, my grand adventure brought me back to my home turf in South Florida. A photowalk in downtown Miami was set up to celebrate the arrival of a famous HDR photographer, Trey Ratcliff. While photography is typically a relatively solitary activity, this event brought together well over 50 phellow photographers (or is it ‘fellow fotographers’) to take on the night streets and all the urban scenes we could find.

One such place that caught my attention was the historic Olympia Theater. The older marquee still has its lights blazing brightly to announce its place on Flagler Street. The magic of “blue hour” gave a rich contrast to the yellow glow of surrounding street lights. I added energy and motion to the scene by capturing light trails from the passing cars. A single, slightly blurred pedestrian on the right cross walk introduced the human element. To me, this image represents not only the reality that others around me saw, but the surreal reality I envisioned that night.

Photo Stuff: Single frame, 4.3 second exposure on a tripod. Processed in LR and Topaz Adjust 5

www.ChipBunnell.com
©2015 All Rights Reserved

EVENT :: An American Birthday

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Beach Fireworks by Chip Bunnell Photography

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In America, we have the unique opportunity to enjoy our differences. Each day we have issues and goals that impact our individual lives, families and communities. There is, however, one day a year, a special day, that we set aside our individuality and come together to celebrate, in unison, the birth of our nation.

Through my life I have had the privilege of traveling to various parts of our planet. I have seen similarities to our nation, as well as customs and laws that are very different. Each time my travels take me abroad, I am grateful to meet new people and experience their cultures. I am even more grateful to return to my homeland and recognize it for the greatness our Founding Fathers designed. I am grateful for all those that came before me and the sacrifices they made. Whether large or small, they are the reason I enjoy the wonderful freedoms I have today.

While our nation’s birthday has passed for 2014, let us remember her all year long. Let us remember those that were inspired to design a government that is to respect the rights of the people and recognize our freedoms. Let us remember the patriots, past and present, that stand watch to protect those very freedoms we hold dear.

Happy Birthday American! May God bless these, the United States.

Photo Stuff: Single frame, long exposure on a tripod. Processed in LR, Topaz Clarity and Nik Analog Efex Pro 2.

www.ChipBunnell.com
(c) 2014 All Rights Reserved