Hall of Presidents

The Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is a very moving and inspirational show and helps put the toughest job in the nation into perspective during these final two weeks of the election season. The peaceful transition of power is still rare in much of world even 215 years after George Washington became the first president to step aside. Canon G1X, 1/3 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 1600.

Pentakis Dodecahedron

Geometrically, Spaceship Earth at Epcot is a derivative of a pentakis dodecahedron. It is a Class 2 Frequency 16 Icosahedron, with each of the 60 isosceles triangle faces divided into 16 smaller equilateral triangles. Each of the 960 flat panels is sub-divided into four triangles, each of which is divided into three isosceles triangles to form each point. In theory, there are 11,520 total isosceles triangles forming 3840 points. In reality, some of those triangles are partially or fully nonexistent due to supports and doors of the iconic symbol of Epcot. Source - Wikipedia.

Canon G1X, 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, converted to black and white with Silver Efex Pro 2.

Vinylmation

Disney Vinylmation™ is a brand of vinyl collectibles sold at Disney theme parks. The name Vinylmation is a combination of the word Animation and Vinyl. The figures are all shaped like Mickey Mouse but have different themed markings, colors and patterns. This is a light fixture hanging over a display at one of the Disney stores at Downtown Disney in Orlando Florida. Canon G1X, 1/40 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.

The Sorcerer's Hat

The Sorcerer's Hat is the icon of Disney's Hollywood Studios, the third of four theme parks built at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Mickey Mouse's gloved hand and ears underneath the hat are visible emerging from the ground. Canon G1X, 1/4 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 1600.

Fire!

We were greeted by two fire performers on the way to the "Fire and Ice" evening event at the Gartner Symposium and IT/XPO in Orlando Florida. iPhone 5, 1/15 sec @ f/2.4, ISO 800.

IllumiNations

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a fireworks, laser and water show featuring a coordinated soundtrack. The show plays nightly in the World Showcase area in Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. Canon G1X, 1.0 sec # f/8.0, ISO 200, camera braced on light post pedestal with a 2 second delayed shutter release.

Cuban Swoosh

No it's not an upside down Nike swoosh. This is part of the ceiling lighting detail at Bongos Cuban Cafe at Downtown Disney in Orlando Florida. Created by music superstar Gloria Estefan and her producer husband Emilio, this vibrant restaurant is a mosaic of colors and flavors. Canon G1X, 0.6 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400.

Five Star Imperial

This 1950 Chrysler Crown Imperial limousine carried Gen Douglas MacArthur to and from his office at the Dai Ichi insurance building in Tokyo during the latter part of the Occupation of Japan. When MacArthur returned to the United States in 1951, the Crown Imperial was shipped to him in New York City where he continued to use it until 1963, when it was returned to the U.S. Army motor pool and subsequently given to the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk Virginia. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/40 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 35mm focal length.

Night Fountain

Norfolk's Chrysler Hall viewed from across the fountains in Scope Plaza. We attended the Tedeschi Trucks Band concert there tonight. Chrysler Hall was opened in 1972 and named as part of an agreement with Walter P. Chrysler Jr. to bring his art collection to the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences which now also bears the Chrysler name. Chrysler, whose father, Walter Sr., founded the Chrysler Corporation, devoted much of his life to building a multimillion-dollar collection of paintings and art glass. Canon ELPH 110.

Well Worn

This picture of a well worn manhole cover is in response to a comment I got on Facebook regarding yesterday's demon rat photo. So Alice this one is for you, no halloween today, just a beautiful manhole cover. There are so few of us who truly appreciate the beauty of infrastructure.

Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 400.

Hell's Demon Rat

This giant demon rat is part of the Halloween decorations at Hell's Kitchen on Granby Street in downtown Norfolk Virginia. I just couldn't resist taking his picture. I'm sure some followers of this blog will be happy after October 31st has come and gone. I have gotten a little carried away with the theme this month.

Canon G11, 1/6 sec sec @ f/4.5, ISO 800 handheld. Converted to black and white with a little focal color left in the eyes using Google's Picasa.

Billiard Boy

Twelve ball in the corner pocket. My grandson Robert loves the Billiard tables at Tortilla West in Norfolk Virginia. He hasn't graduated to the using a cue stick yet but that time will come shortly if my supply of quarters holds out. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 800.

Cat House

Even the Lambert's Point feral cat colony house is getting in on Skull Week action. Fully decorated for Halloween and proudly displaying the skull and crossbones with the "Enter If You Dare!" message. The decorations went up a couple of weeks ago and initially included some fake crows. Unfortunately the residents didn't take too kindly to the black birds hanging around and finished 'em off pretty quickly.

Canon ELPH 110HS, 1/60 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 640 with a little fillin flash.

Here Lyeth

This 17th century grave marker bears the skull and crossbones and is located at St. Pauls Church in Norfolk Virginia. On July 1, 1875 the stone was brought to Norfolk from Weyanoke on the James River. It was found amid the ruins of an old colonia church. Today the stone is attached to the south wall of the old church.

Did you notice the year of William Harris' death is noted as 1687/8? So what's up with that? Were they not sure what year he actually died in? No, according the the USGen Web project "the practice of double dating resulted from the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Not all countries and people accepted the new calendar at the same time. England and the American colonies didn't officially accept it until 1752. Before that date, the government observed March 25 as the first of the year, but most of the population observed January 1 as the start of the year. For this reason, many people wrote dates falling between January 1 and March 25 with both years." Now you know.

iPhone 5, 1/144 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 50, Camera+ app using the Clarity adjustment and Pinhole FX Effect.

Glow PEZ Skull

This is a glow in the dark PEZ Skull dispenser. It's a long exposure in a totally dark room. Michael saved the day with a last minute suggestion for this photo. Skull week continues. Canon 7D, 3.2 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 200, 100mm macro lens.

Hallowskull

Captured this skull at Target's Halloween display. There must have been a dozen different skulls to choose from, light up skulls, screaming skulls and plain creepy skulls. iPhone 5, 1/20 sec @ f/2.4, ISO 125, Camera+ app.

Death's Head

This creepy skull is on an old garvestome at St. Paul's Church in Norfolk Virginia. The inscriptions are long since worn away but the skull remains. The marker most likely dates from the late 1600's to the early 1700's. The death's head, often with wings and/or crossed bones, was a stylized skull. Some have speculated that winged skulls were intended to symbolize a combination of physical death and spiritual regeneration. iPhone 5, 1/20 sec @ f/2.4, ISO 50, Camera+ app.

Made the Cover

Pretty exciting day. I came home from work to find the arrival of the printed copy of my good friend Greever Williams' first novel On Tenterhooks which features one of my photographs. I was honored last year when asked if I would do the photo for this book. I read an early draft and now I'm excited to read the final version. I must say, it is very cool to see your work published. The book is great, I highly recommend it! Available digitally on Kindle and Nook and the "dead tree" version at Amazon. Canon G1X, 1/4 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

Skull Week

Yes it's "Skull Week" here on CIOPhoto.com. We start off with a dapper little skeleton from from the Halloween goodies display at Pier 1. So what do think the odds are that I can find seven different skulls to photograph this week? Stay tuned as I try to beat the odds. iPhone 4, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 160, Camera + app.

Orange Swirl

The results of yesterday's introduction to glass making and the hot shop at the Chrysler Museum of Art's Glass Studio. I made this glass paperweight using a combination of opaque orange and translucent amber colored glass chips and then twisted the hot glass to create the spiral effect. Couldn't have done it with the help of our great instructor Hannah Kirkpatrick. Canon 7D, 1 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, 100mm macro lens, LED flash light shining down the center of the glass to illuminate from the interior.

Take a Seat

A row of red lacquered chairs at the Chrysler Museum of Art Glass Studio in Norfolk Virginia. Canon G11, 1/40 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Eight Stories

Eight stories of new steel have risen for the new Norfolk Courthouse. This is about one-forth of the steel for phase one. Soon the crane will be moved so the next eight story section can go up. All of the steel should be erected by the end of the year. Canon G11, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Wilson

Meet "Wilson" a large chunk a concrete removed during the installation of hot and chilled water lines for the new Norfolk Courthouse. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

Commercial Park

The flowing fountains at Commercial Park in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Canon G11, 1/3 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 80, Neutral Density filter, camera sitting on the edge of the fountain and shutter released with the 2 second delay timer to blur the water falls.

Five Star

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, one of the most colorful and controversial men in American history, is honored at the McArthur Memorial in Norfolk Virginia. On October 13th and 14th the new Memorial buildings will be dedicated and opened to the public. Canon G11, 1/160 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, fill flash used, converted to black and white in Lightroom 4 using the Silver Efex Pro 2 plug-in.

This the Season

Getting into the spirit of America's second bigest holiday, Halloween. This spooky photo was taken at Norfolk Virginia's historic Elmwood Cemetery. Nothing says Halloween like a foggy graveyard. Canon G10, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200 converted to black and white in Lightroom using Silver Efex Pro plugin.

Sand Man

Paid a visit to the Virginia Beach Ocenafront to see the results of the North American Sandsculpting Championship held as part of this year's Neptune Festival. There are 22 sand sculptures on view through Sunday October 10th. This is a closeup from the 3rd place doubles team of Jill Harris and Thomas Koet from Florida entitled In One Ear Out the Other. It's worth the trip and the three bucks ticket charge to see these cool creations. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/60 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 200, zoom at 165mm.

Howl-O-Scream

My grandson Robert and I spent the day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It was all decked out for Howl-O-Scream 2012 and Robert quickly got into the spirt. Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400.

Neon

From the neon marquee at a Norfolk Virginia landmark. Any guesses? Here's a hint - Rocky Horror. Canon G10, 1/400 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400.

Swimming on Glass

The water in the Hague in Norfolk Virginia was smooth as glass until a small group of Canada geese swam by. Canon 7D, 1/160 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 200mm focal length.

Patiently Waiting

This big lady is patiently waiting for her next victim. She built a large web just outside the window of my home office. I took this photo through the glass window, so I was able to get pretty close. Hope it doesn't creep you out too much. Canon 7D. 1/80 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 100mm with one LED Litepanel for illumination.

Vail Mountain

Still sharing some of my Colorado pictures on the blog. This is the view from the top of Vail Mountain looking down into the "bowl." You can see a grove of aspen trees, and then bands of thick green pines and the cleared sky run areas. I was at about 10,500 feet for this shot. Canon 5D, Mark II, 1/100 sec @ f/18.0, ISO 200, 105mm focal length.

Morning Welcome

This bright yellow daisy provides a nice morning welcome. Canon G11, 1/1600 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100, in macro mode.

Reach for the Sky

These aspen trees reach for the sky with their bright yellow fall leaves and white bark contrasting nicely with the blue sky. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/320 sec @ f/14.0, ISO 200, 24mm focal length.

Garden of the Gods

When visiting this area of sandstone formations in 1859 Rufus Cable, exclaimed, "Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble." Charles Elliott Perkins, the head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased the area in 1879 and opened it to the public. After his death in 1907 his family conveyed the four-hundred eighty acres to the City of Colorado Springs. It would be known forever as the Garden of the Gods "where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park." Canon 5D Mark II, 1/160 sec @ f/11.0, ISO 100, 28mm focal length.

Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway

Spent my birthday driving from Vail to Manitou Springs, crossing the Continental Divide at Hossier's Pass, and then taking the Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway to the summit of Pike's Peak. Here the cog wheel trains await at 14,110 feet above sea level while we spend time exploring the summit. All in all, a pretty cool birthday. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/400 sec @ f/11, ISO 400, 35mm focal length.

Barney

The is Barney, a Belgian draft horse who along with his partner Fred pulled our wagon for a twilight ride at the 4 Eagle Ranch. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/3 sec # f/4.0, ISO 3200.

Piney Lake

Piney Lake is the highest elevation lake you can drive to in Colorado at 9,350 feet. The journey is just a spectacular as the view from the lake. You drive 10 miles on a dirt road full of switchbacks and white knuckle, right on the edge turns. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/250 sec @ f/14.0, ISO 200, zoom at 88mm focal length.

Aspen Glow

The aspen trees just glow in the fall afternoon light near Vail Colorado. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/100 sec @ f/22.0, ISO 400, 65mm focal length.

Home on the Range

The Colorado range at twilight. We visited the 4 Eagle Ranch for dinner and a night sitting around the campfire. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/640 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 800, 105mm focal length.

Sawatch Range

The Sawatch Range in central Colorado taken from atop Vail Mountain. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/200 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, zoom at 70mm focal length.

Remembering

"This is not what our soldiers die 4" A memorial to the victims at the Century Cinema shooting in Aurora Colorado. A very emotional site honoring the victims of a senseless act of hostility. Canon G11, 1/500 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Little Lilly

Canon 7D, 1/500 SEC @ F/13.0, ISO 200, 100mm macro.

Hanging On

This dragonfly is hanging on to save energy on a windy day. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 100, zoom at 400mm focal length.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' - Dwarf Fountain Grass. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/13.0, ISO 200, 100mm macro.

Sage

This is Berggarten Sage a beautiful sage plant with the same flavor as common sage but bred not to flower so that leaf production will not stop. This perennial has beautiful large rounded green-gray leaves and is often used as an ornamental planting at the corners of beds and along walkways. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/200 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 800, 100mm macro, one LED light panel.

The Grandcat

This is my son's cat - Haz Mat. He's a great cat with a cool laid back disposition that's required when you share the house with a five-year old boy and a 95 pound black lab.

Canon 5D Mark II, 1/15 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 1600. This was a low light photo with no flash that demonstrates the Canon 5D Mark II's high ISO low noise capability along with Canon lens based image stabilization.

The Well-Behaved Liriope

My liriope muscari is full of tall purple blooms this year. Often refered to as the well-behaved liriope because it is the “clumping” kind that does not spread by runners and basically stays where you put it. It shares all the good qualities of the spreading kind — incredible toughness and adaptability — without the invasive behavior. My green-and-white variegated variety of this plant brightens up the borders in my shady backyard. Canon 5D Mark II, 1/125 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 800, 100mm macro, one LED Litepanel for illumination.

Beach Boy

What's better than a handful of wet sand? Two handfuls! — Robert at Sandbridge Beach on a glorious late afternoon in September. Canon G1X, 1/1250 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 100.

Jefferson "Beak" Howell

Lieutenant General Jefferson "Beak" Howell addressed the 2012 Commonwealth of Virginia's Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS), the state's forum for collaboration and participation in government technology. His topic, Lessons in Leadership, is taken from his long career in the United States Marines and as director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. He had only been on the job at NASA seven months when the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost during a return to earth.
Hosted by Jack Mortimer, National Conference Director Government Technology magazine General Howell discussed he leadership lessons from his long career and shared what has become known as “Beak's Rules of Leadership”:

1. Never stereotype your subordinates; give them the attention and respect they rate as individuals.
2. People normally live up to your expectations of them.
3. Never underestimate the effect that you as a leader have on your subordinates.
4. Let your people do their job.
5. To be a good leader, you must be an effective manager.
6. Where you sit determines what you see.
7. Things are never as good or as bad as first reported.
8. Don't argue with an idiot.

Canon G11, 1/15 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800.