City in the Sky (HDR)


I love going through my pics and taking a quick glance and guess what will turn out to be a solid HDR. This one was different. I took a look at it and my brain’s immediate output was the shot above…a mirror image of the building flipped to create an artistic view. Strange!!! I usually do not think of abstract art…but this one popped right away. A different style for me. A city in the sky? A spaceship? Something form Metropolis movie? Just a fun way to process! Enjoy!

Cleveland, OH – Garfield’s Tomb (HDR)


It’s been a while since my last fisheye post! I’ll admit, I have not used this lens in over 6 months. I always love seeing shots in fisheye. It is definitely not an everyday lens, but when used properly…it can create wonderful art! Enjoy!

Talke Photography Settings:
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikon 10.5 Fisheye f/2.8
Setting: Aperture Mode
Focal Length: 10.5 mm
ISO: 200
Exposure: HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
Aperture: f/11.0
Gear: Tripod
Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro, onOne Software Photo Tools 2.6

Cleveland, OH – Detroit-Superior Bridge (HDR) & RatZilla!


From the lovely city of Cleveland, OH here is the Detroit-Superior Bridge in HDR. I was a bit confused…why would a bridge in Cleveland be called the Detroit-Superior Bridge? Can you take it to Detroit? Did it come from Detroit? No it did not. The bridge links Detroit Avenue on Cleveland’s west side and Superior Avenue on Cleveland’s east side. Now it makes sense! But it is also known as the Verteran’s Memorial Bridge.

I had to search for this location for a bit. It is located near the cross of Riverbed Street and Center Street. Now my objective was to grab a blue hour shot and maybe a full nite shot. I arrived a bit before sunset and walked around a bit. Across the waterway there were quite a few homeless folks that I watched closely…making sure to watch my back. When I walked up I was told to stay on this street only as it can get dangerous 2 blocks away…very comforting. The thrill of photography! What we do to get our pics! I set up waterside and waited for the sun to set. My tripod as ready and I kept adjusting the focal length through the viewfinder. Suddenly while glancing down out of the corner of my eye a FOOT long rat ran right under my tripod and feet. I jumped away and since I was standing still even startled RatZilla! My sudden movement made him go airborne…just an inch or two! It started him good! I love moments like this as they are surreal and you really can’t believe this is happening before your eyes! RatZilla turned into Air Rat Jordan! Quite funny! But then again moments like this wake you up from your photography focus. Homeless/Rats/Nightfall = a fun photo adventure. Always be safe!

After experiencing this as the blue hour started to fade I decided it was in my best interest to head back to the hotel. I survived and was well worth it for the pic above! I just do not want to bump into RatZilla again! I still can’t believe how big this dude was!

Some info from the web: The Detroit–Superior Bridge (officially known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge) is a 3,112 foot (949 meter) long through arch bridge over the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. Construction by the King Bridge Company began in 1914 and completed in 1918, at a cost of $5.4 million. It was the first fixed high level bridge in Cleveland, and the third high level bridge above the Cuyahoga (the first was the Old Superior Viaduct and the second the Central Viaduct, also built by the King Company). At its completion, the bridge was the largest steel and concrete reinforced bridge in the world.

Northfield, Ohio – Brandywine Falls (HDR)

A wonderful spot for a picnic and an HDR…Brandywine Falls!  A cool little spot I found on my drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh.  Located in Northfield, OH.  Here they have some steps to guide you down to the falls for great views!  Some info from the web:  Carved by Brandywine Creek, the 60-foot falls demonstrates classic geological features of waterfalls. A layer of hard rock caps the waterfall, protecting softer layers of rock below. In this case, the top layer is Berea Sandstone. The softer layers include Bedford and Cleveland shales, soft rocks formed from mud found on the sea floor that covered this area 350-400 million years ago. Shale is thinly chunked, giving water a bridal veil appearance as it cascades down the falls.

A combination of boardwalk and steps brings you into the waterfall’s gorge and lets you view the waterfall head-on (a boardwalk option without stairs is also available). The boardwalk also provides a close look at Berea Sandstone. Careful inspection will reveal the individual grains of sand that accumulated in a sea 320 million years ago. Berea Sandstone is high quality sandstone found commonly throughout this area, both in nature and as a construction material used in buildings and canal locks.

Talke Photography Settings:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
  • Setting: Aperture Mode
  • Focal Length: 70.0 mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
  • Aperture:  f/22.0
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro,  Photo Tools 2.6

Northfield, Ohio – Brandywine Falls (HDR)

From this past summer on my drive from Cleveland, OH to Pittsburgh, PA on the way you can stop by the little town of Northfield, Ohio and see this amazing waterfall called Brandywine Falls.  Some info from the web:

Carved by Brandywine Creek, the 60-foot falls demonstrates classic geological features of waterfalls. A layer of hard rock caps the waterfall, protecting softer layers of rock below. In this case, the top layer is Berea Sandstone. The softer layers include Bedford and Cleveland shales, soft rocks formed from mud found on the sea floor that covered this area 350-400 million years ago. Shale is thinly chunked, giving water a bridal veil appearance as it cascades down the falls.

A combination of boardwalk and steps brings you into the waterfall’s gorge and lets you view the waterfall head-on (a boardwalk option without stairs is also available). The boardwalk also provides a close look at Berea Sandstone. Careful inspection will reveal the individual grains of sand that accumulated in a sea 320 million years ago. Berea Sandstone is high quality sandstone found commonly throughout this area, both in nature and as a construction material used in buildings and canal locks.

Talke Photography Settings:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 12-24 F/4
  • Setting: Aperture  Mode
  • Focal Length: 22.0mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
  • Aperture:  f/22
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS4, Photomatix, Color Efex Pro, Viveza

Cleveland, Ohio – Fountain of Eternal Life (HDR)

Cleveland Rocks!  I travel to Cleveland a few times a year.  Unfortunately, sometimes in winter….it can get cold and snowy!!   But in the summer there are a few great places to take photos.  I stay downtown at a Marriott and right out in front of the hotel is this cool fountain.  I have posted a few photos from my night sessions, but this is the first day time shot.   If you are ever in Cleveland it is a five minute walk from the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame from this location.  I feel for the Clevelander’s…as a sports fan…LeBron James left this city behind in a bad way.   I was shooting this day only a few days after he made the announcement.  I talked to a few people while walking around and they were worried about their jobs as the Cavs brought in a lot of business to the downtown area.   With Lebron gone, it will affect the whole city.   Keep your chin up Cleveland!!

Talke Photography Settings:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 12-24 F/4
  • Setting: Aperture  Mode
  • Focal Length: 18.0mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
  • Aperture:  f/22
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS4, PHDR Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Viveza

Cleveland, Ohio – The Arcade (HDR)

While in Cleveland recently I went out shooting with my good friend David and we had a few target locations.  This was one.  I had never been…but it looked like a good spot for an HDR!   The Arcade is located downtown in Cleveland and the shops were closed for the night, so it was quiet.  Back in its day, I am sure it was amazing.   Now its a small shopping area to visit and admire its beauty.   Just by looking at it…you can tell it was designed years ago.   Gotta love places like this! Here is some info from the web:

In May of 1890, The Arcade opened its doors as one of the first indoor shopping centers in America. It was designed as a big-city mercantile center by John M. Eisenmann and George H. Smith who modeled it after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. The cost to construct The Arcade was $875,000 then, and was financed by many of Cleveland’s most esteemed businessmen of the late 19th century—among them: John D. Rockefeller, Steven V. Harkness, Louis Severance, Charles Brush and Marcus Hanna. Rockefeller and Harkness are featured on gold emblems on the Arcade’s Euclid Avenue exterior.  nce known as Cleveland’s Crystal Palace The Arcade has always been one of Cleveland’s best-known landmarks. For more than 100 years, The Arcade offered unique shops, services and restaurants among the five indoor balconies and offices in the two ten-story towers. The Arcade was the first building in Cleveland and the ninth in the country to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Talke Photography Settings:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4
  • Setting: Aperture  Mode
  • Focal Length: 14.0mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
  • Aperture:  f/22
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS4, Photomatix, Viveza
  • Cleveland, Ohio – Garfield’s Tomb (HDR)

    I was in Cleveland this past week and noted a few places 2 explore.  One on my hit list was located at the Lakeview Cemetery.  I have never shot at a cemetery, but this was different…I had no notions of shooting gravestones.  At Lakeview they have a big building…Garfield’s Tomb.  I had seen photos and it looked perfect for HDR!  I got in late on my flight and was joined by my friend David.  We only had 30 minutes to shoot and the Tomb is only open daily from 9-4 PM.  So we did our best.  Got off a few shots and was cut short on a few I wanted to try…so I will have to visit again one day!  As you can tell the ceiling is very cool.  A great location indeed!  Post another shot here soon.  Kinda eerie driving around the graves, good thing it was daylight!  =)

    Info from the web: Built in memory of the 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield. The Monument is open daily April 1st through November 19th from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM and is staffed with a guide.  In the crypt directly below the Memorial Hall are the bronze caskets of President Garfield (draped with an American Flag) and his wife Lucretia.

    Talke Photography Settings:

    • Camera:  Nikon D300
    • Lens: Nikon 10.5 Fisheye f/2.8
    • Setting: Aperture  Mode
    • Focal Length: 10.5 mm
    • ISO: 200
    • Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
    • Aperture:  f/22
    • Gear:  Tripod
    • Post Process: Adobe CS4, Photomatix, Viveza

    Cleveland, Ohio – Fountain of Eternal Life (HDR)

    From my trip to Cleveland this past summer, this photo  is of the Fountain of Eternal Life.  I had previously posted another version…this one is a large view of the fountain and the city.   This location is one wonderful photo opportunity!   It was windy this nite, so I had to dodge the fountain sprays.   You can see the wet ground below.  Some other spots in Cleveland to see are: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, Indian and Cavs (Gotta enjoy watching LeBron James),  Botanical Garden, Museum of Natural History and the Great Lakes Science Center.

    During my next visit..my target location is the Veterans Memorial Bridge.   A wonderful bridge with a skyline view in the background.  Look for it later this year!

    Here is some info on Cleveland: Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately 60 miles (100 km) west of the Pennsylvania border. It was founded in 1796 near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, and became a manufacturing center owing to its location at the head of numerous canalsand railroad lines. With the decline of heavy manufacturing, Cleveland’s businesses have diversified into the service economy, including the financial services, insurance, legal, and healthcare sectors.

    Talke Photography’s Settings:

    • Camera:  Nikon D300
    • Lens: Nikon 12-24 F/4
    • Setting: Aperture  Mode
    • Focal Length: 12.0mm
    • ISO: 200
    • Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
    • Aperture:  f/22
    • Gear:  Tripod, Cable release
    • Post Process: Adobe CS4, Photomatix, Color Efex Pro

    Cleveland, OH – Browns Stadium (HDR)

    Browns Stadium HDR

    NIKON D300, Nikon 12-24, HDR in Photomatix

    We are almost halfway throught the NFL football season and as a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, the Cleveland Browns are not a favorite of mine as we are rivals.  But this year the Browns are very bad…so I feel sorry for them.  I was in Cleveland recently and the stadium is right near downtown.  About 2 blocks from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

    I went to shoot the R&R Hall of Fame and decided to walk over the stadium.  Here is a shot using my tripod and cable release…5 exposures and post processed in Photomatix.  I heard from a Browns fan this shot is near the famous “Dog Pound’.  I wish the Browns good luck this year…I’d say they need a coaching change and alot more to turn it around.  I’m hungry…maybe it time for some Brownies!!  =)