23
Aug
2009
Red Sea Camp
An amazing part of our trip was two days relaxing on the Red Sea at the Sawa Camp near Nuweiba.
Sinai Sunrise
We literally stayed in straw huts a few steps from the waters. Here you can see an early morning shot of the beach and huts with a mountain range as a backdrop. After over a week of being on the move, this was a great place to just relax. Some in the group went scuba diving and their was a wealth of options like that, but this was my chill place. Just looking at this photos puts me back into that same state relaxed state of mind. Check out the clouds streaking the sky with pinks and blues!
Red Sea Sunset
And this is a colorful photo of the sunset. The mountains you can just see silhouetted on the left side of the photo is Saudi Arabia. This was taken with a neutral density lens so that it was a long exposure – this is what creates that soft feel to the water and really gave the camera time to soak up some of that rich color. If it looks like paradise, it’s because it was the next thing to it. Amazing stark contrast, though, a beach location and yet so dry. There’s very little rainfall and the water to this little community on the beach has to be brought in by truck. Still worth it for a view like this…
For more of my photo prints from Egypt, please check out my Egypt gallery.
13
Aug
2009
Balloons Over Luxor
I recently discovered that the hot air balloon flights over the Valley of the Kings were grounded after another series of crashes this year. I say another because shortly after my flight, there was a crash. On one hand, I have to say, anywhere there are daily balloon flights, there are probably going to be accidents. If you don’t believe me, google hot air balloon crash and see how many results you get! The fact is, shortly before my trip I happened to hear an account of a hot air balloon that went up in flames. The story from one lady who survived but with many broken bones, by leaping out of the balloon was chilling. At the time, I hadn’t even heard of the popular flights over Luxor.
Balloons Over Luxor
Still when the opportunity came up, I really wanted to try it. Several in the group had been in hot air balloons before and loved it and part of any trip for me is doing something that I would probably never do at home. Stepping out of my comfort zone as it were. And safety records aside, it was fabulous. The balloon lifted into the dark morning sky before the sun had risen, one balloon after another, burners lighting up the bulbous balloons in the sky in short bursts. This shot captures a trio of balloons against a dusk sky with subtle hues of pink and blue fading into near darkness. I’ve managed to catch one balloon with it’s burner going.
Carefree - Hot Air Balloons Over Luxor
Another shot that shows those subtle pinks and blues of the pre-dawn sky over Luxor. This time with four balloons against the sky. They fade into near silhouettes and one is glowing a bit as the flame burns to heat the air. There’s something truly magical about gliding on the breezes like a child’s helium balloon. It’s one of those experiences I would not trade for anything.
Over The Valley Of The Kings
Yet another photo shot against the dawn sky (more of those great pinks and a bit of blue). The sun will be out shortly. In the near darkness below you can just make out the Valley of the Kings where ancient Pharaohs of the New Kingdom were laid to rest. To really see this, you’ll need to see it larger (follow the purchase link and click on the image for a larger view). This is definitely a print that would be best enjoyed on the larger side!
Sunrise Over Valley Of The Kings
This is one last photo of morning over the Valley of The kings. One lone but colorful balloon against the warm sky and dry mountains where Pharaohs lie. This is quite literally one of if not my last photo of the morning. I took a couple hundred photos, and then I did something I can scarcely believe, I turned off my camera, and put it in my bag. And I enjoyed that warm sun hitting me and the gorgeous scene, but I didn’t record it. I didn’t record it as we glided over villages full of kids pointing to the sky. I just took it all in and internalized the moment. It saddens me that there are people going now who won’t have this experience. I hope they soon get their ducks in a row so more people can have the experience of freedom I had that morning over the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
There are more balloon photos, aerial shots, and of course more Egypt photos prints for you to check out in my Egypt Gallery.
4
Aug
2009
Sahara Prints
During my trip through Egypt, we got to see a lot of the great desert, the Sahara. We also learned that Sahara is Arabic for desert. So, those of us calling it Sahara Desert, as I always had, are really saying “desert desert.” Is it the desert so nice they named it twice?
The Great Western Desert - Sahara
The Sahara covers most of Northern Africa and is the world’s largest hot desert. The size and intensity of the desert may have fluctuated over millions of years, as there is evidence of it being less severe in the past, but by 3400 BC, the Sahara in Egypt existed pretty much as it does today. This was my first view of the Western dunes along the Nile near Aswan. We made our approach by boat and it was a gorgeous view. Gigantic sand dunes glowing in the late afternoon sun. In the right hand of the photo, you can see the sails of Feluccas against the dunes. The dunes of the Sahara can reach heights of 600 feet, and it’s not impossible to believe looking at this photo!
Shadows On The Sahara
This photo was taken from the back of a camel. After our boat ride across, we had the opportunity as a group to ride camels. I will say the height was a little daunting, but it’s an experience that I wouldn’t trade. After I had the courage to get my camera out, I had to go for this shot. The funny thing was, I had this photo in my mind before I ever arrived in Egypt. I never, however, imagined that I would photograph the shadows from the back of a camel myself! The light was just fantastic – the late afternoon sun offered warm colors and long shadows.
Egyptian Skies
This photo was taken in the early morning somewhere between Aswan and Luxor. We had spent two nights in a Felucca bound for Luxor and this was the last morning. You’ll see a little vegetation in this photo, especially on the horizon. this is the influence of the Nile waters. The Nile is truly the bringer of life to the desert. The farms and any vegetation clings to its banks. The father away you get, as in this shot, the dryer it is and it’s a rapid effect. Still, the starkness is very beautiful in its own way.
For more photos of the great beauty of Egypt, please check out my Egypt Print Gallery
10
May
2009
Atlanta Stroll – Woodruff Park to Woodruff Arts Center
My last week before putting my stuff in storage and going home for now, I wanted to take a stroll through the city, take some parting shots. I may end up back here. I may not. Who really knows, so it was also sort of a farewell. And I’ve been in Alpharetta so long now, that it always seemed like I had some reason not to burn gas getting into the city.
At any rate, the plan was there, but the weather just woudln’t cooperate. Every morning started out gray and only a few ended sunny. And each of the sunny ending ones, I had already planned something for the evening. Saturday, I finally decided just to wander on down. I hopped MARTA at Doraville and rolled down to Peachtree Center where my long walk began.
Atlanta Flatiron - History Surpassed
My first stop was Atlanta’s Flatiron. When I first started getting into photography and wanted to photograph some local sites, this was one of my destinations. I had heard of the famous Flatiron in NYC, but never knew Atlanta not only had a building on the same plan but an older one. Built in 1897, this now diminutive building is Atlanta’s second and oldest surviving skyscraper.
Suntrust Plaza
I’ve always liked this building, the piles of cubes, the whole geometry of it. It was completed in 1992 as One Peachtree Center, later being changed to Suntrust Plaza.
Fabulous Fox on Peachtree
No meander up Peachtree would be complete without a stop at the Fox. I still had the fisheye lens on the camera and decided to go with it and see what I could get having attacked this one before with my regular wide angle. I really like the feel and color of what resulted. And, as you can tell, I had a little bit of sky to work with at last! Gray skies are gonna clear up!
The High Museum
This part of the meander wrapped up at the High Museum. If I had been just one week earlier, I could have stopped in here for free as a Fulton County resident. I regret never having done that in 10 years of living here. If you’re a Fulton resident, by all means, surpass my example and drop in on the first Saturday of the month for some culture paid for by your tax dollars.
At this point, I hopped back on MARTA and wandered some of Buckhead as well – photos to come. This isn’t, by the way, everything from the first stroll. If you want to see more, be sure to check out my Urban album.
8
May
2009
Wandering
The sun came out this afternoon and I took it as my chance to do some wandering with my camera. I’ve done very little photo walking outside of my trips of late. It was awesome to get out for both body and soul.
I started out my amble in nearby Roswell. The light was so-so, but I did find one little ramschackle house that called for attention.
Once Upon A Time
After the Roswell stroll, I meandered through downtown Alpharetta. Per usual, nothing really caught my attention. Alpharetta is a neat enough little place but it was never big and what’s there is either new or has been so cleaned up that the original feeling is lost. So, I moved onto a spot that I have meant to stop and take photos of for years.
When I first moved out here to North Fulton, Union Hill Baptist church was this lovely little cemetery on an isolated hill on a country road. Suburbia is quickly rolling in and now although my photos omit it, there’s a large subdivision surrounding it. Still, it’s a lovely little cemetery with one lone oak. And maybe I’ll get back for some morning or evening light before it’s over, but I’m quite happy with what I got there this afternoon.
Probably My Favorite
There are several more from Union Hill and Roswell in my North Georgia Rambles album – hope you’ll check them out!
