Handy

"Homeless men try to stay warm in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday, July 26, 2011."

While I simply loved San Francisco, and now considering it one of my favorite cities in the country, there was an obvious abundance of homelessness.

While I am used to it in Baltimore, it seemed as if even the nicer areas of town had its share to.

While my camera was directed toward them, I tried not to make it apart of my street work.

However, I couldn't help but to capture this handy moment. Not sure what was happening, down there, but let's just pretend his hand was cold and his front zipper was mistaken for a pocket.

Hello

"A payphone sits randomly across the railing in the Muir Woods National Monument in Sausalito, Calif., July 27, 2011."

Ventured up into the hills, along the coast and into the woods yesterday.

Also got a mix of the city as well, but I kept coming back to this image to post.

It was ironic. People were visiting the Muir Woods to see the simply stunning Redwood trees, yet everyone seemed to be equally amazed by the placement of a what could be called "just as ancient" payphone.

Mission

"A musician looks into a store in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday, July 26, 2011."

Currently in San Francisco, Calif., and loving every minute of it.

While I had some issues getting here due to some flight problems, I arrived and wasted no time hitting the streets shooting some street photos. This is my first time in California, let alone San Francisco. The city is perfect in comparison to Baltimore for street photos and simply stunning on all aspects.

More to come before heading a couple states west.

Hemingway

"Local resident Booker T., sits outside Scott's BBQ in Hemingway, Sc., on Thursday, July 21, 2011."

I am currently in South Carolina. While I've been here before, I have been venturing to some other towns.

Thus was the case today, as I made the pilgrimage to Hemingway, Sc., to get my first real southern barbeque at Scott's BBQ.

This establishment is simply what I have always pictured as the south. Smoke billowing from the rear of the building, amazing smell of pork, friendly, endearing folks sitting out front, watermelons in shopping carts, and hot, humid weather.

While this isn't a food review, the food was simply brilliant. I've never had pork or chicken so tasty before. I wish I lived around the block.

Not sure if I'll be able to post anymore from here, cell service and Internet have been simply terrible where I am at.

Nats drop the bat

"Danny Espinosa #18 of the Washington Nationals reacts after striking out in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park on July 8, 2011 in Washington, DC. The Colorado Rockies won, 3-2."

Back at the ball park for more Nationals action. There was one problem though - there wasn't much action.

One of the more boring baseball games I've shot in quite sometime. Literally a bunch of pop flies and strikeouts for the better half of the game.

It wasn't until the fourth inning when things started picking up a bit. But even then, action was lackluster.

Alas, that's the way of sports sometimes.

Sandy

"Beach-goers soak in the sun on the sandy beach in Ocean City, Md. on the Fourth of July, Monday, July 4, 2011."

Ideally shooting aerials is done safely from a helicopter. There are many positives to it, rather than a plane, but I had an issue getting into one for this assignment.

There are virtually no helicopters in Ocean City, Md., so my last option was a small airplane which could barley squeeze four people - uncomfortably. Having never really known how high I have flown during past aerial assignments, and never had shot from a plane before, I wasn't sure what lenses to bring.

While I shot a majority of the time in the air with a 70-200mm and a 1.4 extender, my 400mm would have been a better option. I did have my assistant hold on to it in the rear of the plane. Alas, there was no way I would have been able to safely hang a 11-pound lens out, or near, the window.

Despite the strain from the awkwardness of shooting from the plane, and having 100 mph winds rip through my eardrum, I'm happy with the result of this and the last post. I think they would look simply brilliant next to one another on a wall.

But, as per usual, they could be better. Yet I say that after every assignment. Once it's over, I can always think of how I could have made it perfect.

I'll be getting a gallery of extra aerials up. If you're interested, email me or please visit this link which will be updated in the near future.

Salty

"Beach-goers swim and surf in the Atlantic Ocean in Ocean City, Md. on the Fourth of July, Monday, July 4, 2011."

I was fortunate enough to find myself in Ocean City, Md., during Fourth of July.

However, instead of being packed like a sardine on the beach, I was high above the city shooting aerial photographs of what laid below.

While aerial photography is a challenge, especially in this case from an small overhead Cessna airplane, not a helicopter, it's very rewarding. It was also a treat because I have been visiting Ocean City since I was young, but never seen it from above.

While time flew by in the air and I made the photographs I needed to make, I was able to make some pictures I really liked. I have a lot of extras I want to share and have available for large prints.

Up next, the sandy side of the shoot.

Last light

"Two beach-goers walk into a shaft of sun-setting light between condos as another woman reads in Ocean City, Md., on Friday, July 1, 2011."

I've been raving all week about the light in Ocean City. It's simply stunning, it reminds me of the sunsets in Utah.

Instead of the sun reflecting off the western desert producing magnificent sunsets, the bay and surrounding waters do the same here on the Eastern shore.

As I was heading out yesterday, I watched as everyone on the beach migrated toward the remaining shafts of sunlight that spilled through the openings between condos and hotels.

I stayed patient and waited for another layer aside from the woman reading alone. Luckily it paid off when two girls walked right through the light.