Re-Opening the Garage

In August I was introduced to a small part of Birmingham's Southside known as the Garage. After developing some long-dormant film from my Canon EOS 3, I rediscovered some more photos that I took at that time. One of them is almost identical to a photo taken on my Canon T2i, but I am posting this one regardless, mostly because I am very fond of it.

Revisiting the Ensley Steel Works

Back in October, I posted some photos from a visit to the Ensley Steel Works in Birmingham that had occurred about a year prior to that past. Yet I recently developed a roll of Kodak BW400CN that was shot on my Canon EOS 3; the film contains shots from several outings dating back more than two years. That roll contain several shots from U.S. Steel's Ensley Steel Works that I had forgotten that I had even taken, some of which I liked even better than the similar photos taken on the Panasonic LX3, which can be seen in the previous post (linked above).

For additional photos of this ilk, I have also previously posted about Republic Steel's East Thomas Plant in Birmingham.

Warm Thoughts for a Cold Weekend

You know how I like to remind myself that there will again be warm days in the future? I think about the several days that Anna and I spent at Point Clear, Alabama on the Mobile Bay last summer. And that just about does the trick...until I step out to run and my ears hurt and eyes water from the cold.

Point Clear, Alabama :: Canon AE-1 with Kodak Gold 200

Oxmoor Road Tunnel in Homewood

I left the house a few minutes early this morning in order to photograph a structure that has been a long-awaited conquest. There are a number of reasons for my having waited so long to stop and photograph it, not the least of which is safety. The Oxmoor Road Tunnel in Homewood has sidewalks on either side, but no guard rail, and drivers apparently see no reason to decelerate as they enter this curving tunnel. Nevertheless, I prevailed in getting the photographs I wanted and walked away bodily intact.

Oxmoor Road Tunnel, Homewood, Alabama :: Canon Rebel T2i, EF 20mm f/2.8, 30s @ f/16, ISO 100

I wanted a long exposure, which required a low ISO (100), stopping down the aperture as much as possible in order to get the appropriate shutter speed, and using a Circular Polarizer in order to further decrease the amount of light reaching the filter. I used my favorite lens on this camera: Canon EF 20mm f/2.8. Also for the first time, I used my new Slik Mini Pro V mini-tripod, which I intend to write a review of after a few more uses, but it's looking positive so far.

Identifying a Winter Blooming Tree and Nest/Cocoon

Since birds and trees aren't my strong suit, I require a little assistance. A tree across the street from my house is exhibiting the below blooms...

...and is home to this nest or cocoon. Can anyone identify either?

Ramshackle and Roughhewn

While I was out running today, I came across this place and had to do a little minor trespassing, but...no harm, no foul.

Gardendale, Alabama :: iPhone 4

Camping at Brushy Creek Lake in the Sipsey Wilderness

Nestled deep within Sipsey Wilderness in the Bankhead National Forest lies Brushy Creek Lake. It's one of those remote places that can cause you to forget that you're within a couple hours' drive a several major cities. I headed out there for the first time on Friday afternoon, in search of a camping trip, star trail photos, and perhaps some photographs of the Milky Way.

I got none of that. Our forecasted 30% chance of rain quickly became 100%, upon our arrival. Nevertheless, we set up camp. And the rain set in. This camping trip turned into a glorified picnic, with a few photos and a little bit of video to show for our efforts.