Tag Archives: SouthFlorida

Reflective Clouds on Delray’s Waterway

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Cloud reflections on Delray Beach Intracoastal WaterwayHalf way around the world, the best athletes in winter sports are competing. The excitement is contagious, even thousands of miles away from these Olympians. Once the sharp HD picture is turned off and the mobile news feeds are silenced, it is a very different local story on this quiet Monday morning in South Florida.

As I approached the beach prior to sunrise this morning, I looked over the sand to the awaiting ocean. Thick clouds hung at the horizon’s line. Something inside told me my image today was not to be made here. I slowly drove towards home and noticed the clouds reflecting on the almost eerily calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. A quick turn off the bridge and I was ready to make my frame.

This view always seems to draw me in. The clouds mirroring off the calm water is the first attraction. The simple, multi-story buildings create boundaries as they mark the water’s edge. Boats of all sizes add interest. A small aperture allows focus and detail to be seen, even in the smallest areas of the image. The oranges and yellows in the morning sky coupled with their mirror images below add a framed effect above and below. Even though the Olympic cheers area far away, there is still an equally strong enthusiasm as we greet this new morning.

Photo Stuff: 3 Frame HDR image, Processed in LR, PS and Topaz Clarity

www.ChipBunnell.com

TRANSPORT :: Simple High-Tech Power

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Cycling road racer by Chip Bunnell Photography

Click to Enlarge – See the Details

Since our earliest years, humans have found a way to move. Crawling led to walking led to running led to rolling, and on and on. It is rather fascinating to see how we continue to fine-tune even the most simple of forms of transportation to make them better, stronger and faster. (think 6 Million Dollar man, for all those that remember back to the 70s) Running shoe now have revolutionary materials that make them lighter and more gentle on the human foot. Ball bearings are made to ultra-micro precision to reduce even the most minute amount of resistance. Gearing allows any input energy to be maximized for dramatically increased power.

My weekend started off with a visit to the beach to photograph the sunrise and the professional sandcastle building competition. After the frames were safely on my card, I started my car to head off to my next adventure. As I waited to make my right turn, I remarked at the huge packs of weekend bike riders. Not those headquartered in Milwaukee that make powerful gas powered growls, but the ones powered by the most simple form of human power – peddling. Admittedly, I was initially intrigued by the opportunity to do a little long-exposure/panning photography, but upon processing the images I became more intrigued at the simple, yet high-tech design of these 2-wheeled road racers.

The bike from my 6th birthday many years ago is basically the same, yet it has changed by lightyears in most ways. Out with the heavy steel frame and in with light weight composites given to us by the space program. A lighter metal chain run through a series of mathematically correct gears replaced the simple, greasy connector between two points. Even the break pads are designed for maximum stopping and maximum life with minimal weight. Lightweight helmets protect the once wind-blown hair and form fitting clothes not only show off their favorite colors, but also allow for increased breathability and comfort.

This simple photo depicts how we live in a marvelous time; One filled with technology that assists even the most simple of our activities. For me, this was an opportunity to use the technology in my hand to creatively capture a moment in time. For my subject, it was a way to enjoy a weekend morning and push their body to perform more efficiently.

Photo Stuff:  Single frame, captured with a 1/40th second shutter. Processed in LR and PS

www.ChipBunnell.com