Here is another image from my trip to Longwood Gardens. I used the window in the foreground to capture the walkway in a different way than the usual method. The reds, white and greens add a sense of magic during the holiday season! May your holiday bring you joy, happiness, and peace!
Hello and welcome to another blog-post. On Saturday, I visited Longwood Gardens for the first time at Christmas. The conservatories are very festive and full of Christmas cheer! (My Christmas gift to all is a free desktop screensaver of this image shown! Please share it with your friends and family, and if you would like to see more from this collection, click on http://clsperko.zenfolio.com link! Thank you!)
Here is another image from my shoot this past Saturday. I also stopped at a nearby location to capture my "fall" four season image. Although attached shot isn't the actual fall image, I wanted to show a different one in this post. There is just something about red barns that captures my eyes!
Here is another image from my Conestoga River Park Shoot. Although I was looking for smooth water images, I decided to capture a few "frozen action" shots of the river, as shown.
This morning I traveled to Conestoga River Park (near Safe Harbor, PA) to capture images at a new place. The Conestoga River is the main attraction as the attached image indicates. Looking for a few smooth water photographs, I found what I was looking for along the edge of the river!
I would like to say thank you to all Veterans for doing your civic duty for our beautiful country! Thank you for keeping us safe!
Here is another image from my recent French Creek photo shoot. I'm attracted to red during the fall season due to that "candy red apple" color. I like the way these two red leaves are composed.
I'm pleased to announce that the latest issue of B Magazine has four of my photographs in it! During this past summer, I assisted the photo editor with photographing a few local eateries for a Sunday Brunch article. Attached is one of the photos chosen for the piece. This image was taken at Cafe Bruges' in Mechanicsburg, PA. 
Here is another image from my NYC photo shoot, although it could have been taken any where. On our way to Ground Zero, we stopped at an Amish Market where there were fresh flowers, pumpkins, and produce. The mini pumpkins made a nice fall-like pattern, perfect for this time of year!
On Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Photo Plus Expo in NYC, followed by a photo shoot. One of the stops was Ground Zero. This image was taken nearby the WTC grounds. The clouds reflecting off the tall sky scraper created a unique image that beckoned to be photographed. The flags also add interest to the foreground.
This afternoon I visited Hopewell Lake at French Creek to capture the essence of fall. The folliage was exploding with oranges, yellows, and reds of Autumn. Just like the fall seasons I remembered as a child.
Here is another image from my shoot on Wednesday. I pass by this area often in my daily travels and I feel it's a good "photo" spot under the right conditions. Once again, weather played a vibrant role in getting this capture.
Yesterday morning, I was surprised to see fog when taking a look out my window. About twenty minutes later, with my camera gear in hand, I was seeking photo opportunities. 
Today we (The Wright's Ferry/Well Spring Camera Club) headed to Hammer Creek (Speedwell Forge) to capture the beauty of autumn. The morning greeted us with blue skies and calm winds as we made our way down a short path to Speedwell Lake. while the other club members went on their way, I lagged behind to work on a few creek images.
Here is another image from the Naylor Vineyards outing. There is nothing more amazing than rural landscapes. Add a red barn, a dried out corn field, and a sky full of clouds, and you have your own rural masterpiece!
This afternoon I went to the Naylor Vineyards Wine Fest in Stewartstown, PA with some photo buds from Lancaster County Meet-up Group. Some of us went on the wine tour while others in the group took a wagon ride tour of the vineyard grounds. Bluegrass music was being played by a local music group Laurel Run.
Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity to visit the sunflower field at Longwood Gardens. Although the sunflowers were rather dry, I managed to get a few worthy images. It wasn't hard to find bees polinating on the flowers, as the attached image will show. This sunflower shot was cropped and the background was blurred as well.
I was so inspired with yesterday's shoot @ Hopewell that I decided to get up early this morning to capture a few landscapes. Not finding any misty areas in Marietta, I drove down Route 23 and stopped at a small church that had a lot of inspiration for landscapes.
Early this morning, I met up with several members of the Chester County Camera Club for a sunrise shoot at Hopewell Furnace. The morning greeted us with great light and some fog as well. The white horse in the meadow looks "fairy-tale like" with the fog.
This past Wednesday, I seized the opportunity to capture a few landscapes for a potential "4 season" shoot. A 4 season shoot is when you photograph the same scenic/place and photograph it during each season, spring, summer, fall, and winter. The first shot was taken in the spring, also after sunrise. In the second shot, the corn in the field was so tall, that the barn, next to the silos, is hidden from view.
I love to photograph landscapes when the sky is overcast in the background, but the sun is shining on the subject, such in this image. The light was beautiful on this fine morning!
Here is another image from the balloon fest in Phillipsburg. The colors of the balloon and the blue sky gives this image a sense of element of design. The metadata for this image is f/7.1 @ 1/320, ISO 100.
Yesterday afternoon, my photobuds Nancy, Beth and I went to the Warren County Farmer's Festival in Phillipsburg, N.J. After getting something to eat, we found a decent spot, set up our camera equipment, and waited for the show to begin. While we waited, we were approached by a staff member on a 3-wheel vehicle who asked us if we had a pass. (Apparently, we were not allowed to shoot where we were set up without a pass.) The staff member told us where we could get our passes and left for a few seconds and returned with passes in his hands. Expecting the unexpected can be wonderful at times!
It's not very often to see the Susquehanna River calm in the middle of the afternoon, but upon my arrival at Riverfront Park in Columbia, there it was. I was on my way home from running errands when it looked like a storm was approaching. Having my camera gear with me, I ventured to Riverfront Park in the hopes of capturing a such image. Unfortunately, the storm didn't happen, but I did obtain a few nice images of the Wright's Ferry Bridge!
Here is another image from the trip to Fort Delaware. This shot was taken in the mess hall. I like the patriotic theme of the room as well as the overall "historic" atmosphere.
Last night I finally decided to bring my photo equipment with me and photograph Marietta's fireworks display! (Every year I kick myself for not bringing my gear!) My friend Debbie and I made our way to her church (CBC), staked our place and waited for the wonderful show to start.
Do you see an apparition? Take a closer look! do you see something or someone coming up or down the stairs?
Here is another image from last night's shoot! The sun was absolutely stunning! I will definitely plan on visiting the boat club more often (even if I'm not a member!)
Tonight I sought out a different location along the Susquehanna River and captured the evening sun. First, I went to Breezy Overlook in Marietta, but I decided to head North on Route 441 for a different place. I made another stop in Bainbridge, but it just wasn't the right location. Finally, a little further down the road was the Tri-County Boat Club. I parked the car, and with my camera gear in hand, I quickly mounted my camera on my tripod and captured the beauty of what lie before me! The orange glow sank beneath the horizon in the hazy sky like no other sunset!
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday there were nothing but clouds, and today sunny blue skies with puffy clouds! Here is a shot from this afternoon of another Amish barn. I purposely set my camera at a wide angle to get a wide view of the scene before me. I like how the cornfield leads your eye right to the barn! (The puffy clouds also add to the composition!)
Today, I ventured around Strasburg to capture a few barns and trains. Although the sky was quite cloudy, I managed to get a Amish barn scenic across from the Strasburg Railroad Station. There was also a lot of haze. It's a good thing that I used my UV filter!
Here is an image that I captured during my 3 day photo tour. We stopped at New Castle, Delaware to photograph the buildings and essense of this historic town. I came across a yellow brick house and liked the white window sill with the yellow brick and blue curtain. I also liked the triangle of sunlight.
Today, I ventured out searching for lines and patterns of nature. I spotted some yellow lillies and decided to use them as mu subject. Setting the camera to double exposure mode, I took one shot with the flowers in focus and a second shot slightly out of focus. I also blurred out the background in post-processing. 
Have you ever drove down the same road day after day, and found a photo opportunity and promised yourself that one day you would stop to take a few photos of it? I'm certain that this has happened to all of you at some point or another! During my outing last week, the opportunity took place! This red barn may be found near the Landisville exit on Route 283 in Lancaster County.
Welcome to another segment of "My Photo Journal". Yesterday, I traveled the backroads to capture a few barn scenics. After shooting some landscapes in the Mount Joy area, I decided to drive to strasburg and photograph barns and the Strasburg Railroad at a local rural spot. I have photographed at this place before during a photo workshop with Ed Heaton.
Here is another image from my Gettysburg photo tour. The morning light touched the landscape just right and the mountains in the distance are breath-taking! Gettysburg is definitely a place to put on your "must photograph" list!
This weekend my friends Beth, Cheryl, and I spent the weekend photographing Gettysburg. The light was absolutely perfect for creating images. We began our tour early in the morning, stopping at various sites at the battlefield. There are plenty of scenic areas for photo opportunities! Attached is a postcard I created with a few of my images. I will post some on my website in the coming days.
On Good Friday, several parish members and myself helped decorate the church for Easter Mass. From wrapping foil around several potted plants, to arranging the flowers on and around the alter, we worked as a team and admired our efforts afterwards.
This morning I had the opportunity to visit the Conowingo Dam for the first time. The trip was sponsored by Ritz Camera and Tamron. There was a great turn out for this event, and a lot of photo opportunities too! Although we were there to photograph eagles and other bird species, due to a little fog and cool temperatures, only a few eagles were out and about. 
Looking through a few older images, I found a waterfall capture that was shot at Adams Falls, Ricketts Glen. I warmed the image and cropped it accordingly. I like how the warmth of the sun and the blue sky add contrast to this image. 
This morning was so beautiful that I couldn't resist going out and capturing a few images. Still life was the subject of choice today! Although I prefer to shoot still life on cloudy days, due to shadows getting in the way, sometimes shadows can make the shot work. This image of my neighbor's window ornament shows the shadow in the perfect place! The blind also adds "umph" to the capture! Picture the image without the shadow (and blind) and see if it still works.
This morning I got up early and headed to Middlecreek Wildlife Refuge to photograph the snow geese migration. The morning, though chilly, brought a lot of sun, wind and several photographers, and birders "flocking" to see this annual migration. At first there weren't too many snow geese, but as the morning wore on, more of these amazing birds arrived.
Yesterday, I decided to work on buildings, both inside and outside. While in the City of Lancaster, I stopped at Saint Marys Catholic Church (my first visit) and photographed the inside of the beautiful cathedral-style church. When I arrived, the altar was not lit. Within a few moments, the lights were turned on and at first, I thought that maybe the lights were automated in some way! Or, was someone else giving me a sign? As it turned out, a church worker was responsible for the lights as she was getting ready to water the poinsettias. Also, a wedding was scheduled, as to why there were ribbons and bows on the church pews.
