Creating Art with Art: Documentary Photography at Museums
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Creating Art with Art: Documentary Photography at Museums

For the last hundred years there have been photographers creating documentary photography at museums.  Famed photographer Elliott Erwitt documented so many museums around the world that he created an entire book dedicated to the subject: Museum Watchers (published in 1999). Photographing museum visitors connecting with art becomes art itself. Last week I visited the Indianapolis…

Using Color Photography to Tell a More Complete Story

Using Color Photography to Tell a More Complete Story

What is color photography, really? As I always say… “Color Photography isn’t about taking photos IN color, it’s about taking photos OF color.” How does color contribute to the story that I’m telling? When does it add information? When does it distract from the subject? When is color the subject itself? These are things I’m…

The Challenge of Photographing a Balloon Glow
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The Challenge of Photographing a Balloon Glow

Photographing a Balloon Glow like Jupiter Flights at Connor Prairie is challenging due to quickly changing light conditions. Digital photography makes this much easier with instant feedback and take a lot of frames. However it is possible on film especially with an automatic mode like aperture priority.

Documenting Race Weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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Documenting Race Weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

I recently worked with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to document their Verizon 200 at the Brickyard race weekend. There were four races over the weekend and I was there taking photos of the experience. The Scene I took a documentary approach to show what it felt like to be at the track, capturing the overall…

2023 Indianapolis 500: Two Different Views
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2023 Indianapolis 500: Two Different Views

The Indianapolis 500 is a month-long celebration during the month of May in Indiana. This year I photographed two different perspectives on the festivities. First, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum hired me to photograph their Hall of Fame dinner two days before the race. It was an evening of racing legends, stories and a celebration…

They Almost Won the Indianapolis 500: Second Place Finishers

They Almost Won the Indianapolis 500: Second Place Finishers

I went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum this spring, and seeing as the Indy 500 is this weekend, now is a great time to share the photos! The winner of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race gets their name and likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy. The second place finisher gets nothing (well, some money, I suppose)….

Recreating Christmastime in 1836 during a merry prairie holiday at conner prairie in fishers, indiana.
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Photography by Candlelight – A Merry Prairie Holiday

Available Light Only Documenting the mood and atmosphere of A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie was a fun challenge as a photographer. There was a mix of light sources that ranged from candles and fires to outdoor projections to modern holiday light displays. Projection The first show we encountered was a projection on the…

A Spectacular Convergence of Nature, Art, and People
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A Spectacular Convergence of Nature, Art, and People

Today we make a return visit to the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields in Indianapolis. For the sake of simplicity, let’s stick with calling it 100 Acres. Revisiting 100 Acres in Indianapolis allows me to explore a subject I’m drawn to frequently: the interaction between people and nature. What’s…

Havana Spice Restaurant – Homestead, Florida
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Havana Spice Restaurant – Homestead, Florida

Being a documentary photographer means photo stories present themselves at random times, including while waiting for takeout at an eclectic restaurant called Havana Spice in the city of Homestead, Florida. I need to be ready to shoot them at the drop of a hat. This is exactly why I carry my compact Fujifilm mirrorless camera…

turkey run state park indiana hiking

Turkey Run State Park

Our story this week features Turkey Run State Park in western Indiana. Carved by glaciers millions of years ago, this park features some of the most unique topography in Indiana.  Walk with us through the ravines and sandstone gorges to see what this park has to offer. Please share this post with a friend who…

jingle rails eiteljorg indianapolis
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Jingle Rails 2018

You see model trains a lot during the holiday season, but nobody does model trains like the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. Jingle Rails is their annual train display. Models travel through famous local scenes and national landmarks from the American West. You’ll find downtown Indy, complete with a scale model of the Soldier and Sailor’s…

downtown-chicago-willis-tower
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SkyDeck Chicago

Last week we were in Chicago for a three-day visit. While there, we partnered with SkyDeck Chicago for some unparalleled views of the city from the top of Willis Tower (originally Sears Tower). SkyDeck is located on the 103rd floor of the tower at a height of 1353 ft.  Glass boxes known as “The Ledge”…

chicago-downtown-michigan-avenue
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Chicago

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town.  I can’t say what that means, but if Frank Sinatra sang it, then it must mean it’s a groovy place.  Recently I spent a few days touring the city and documenting the sights.  This post features the sights on the streets.  You can also check out posts on SkyDeck (the…

Great Smoky Mountains National Park -clouds and sky
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Photography from Kuwohi in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2024 UPDATE: Kuwohi (also Kuwahi) is the Cherokee name of the highest peak in along the Appalachian Trail. Beginning in 1859, it was renamed Clingmans Dome by geographer Arnold Guyot, and kept that name until September 18, 2024, when the original name was restored. According to the resolution to restore the original name drafted by…

indiana dunes state park lifeguard
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Indiana Dunes

UPDATE: As of February 15, 2019, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is now Indiana Dunes National Park!  This post feature photos of our trip to the Indiana Dunes State Park, which remains as-is, but will now be surrounded by a national park. With sandy beaches and cool, clear water, Indiana Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan is…

key-west-florida-bloomington-indiana-travel-tourism
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Key West

“We seceded where others failed.” That’s the motto of The Conch Republic, the nickname taken on by Key West when they declared independence from, then war on, the United States in 1982.  Key West does not disappoint! It has an amazing mix of scenery, history, food, drinks, entertainment and more. Our four kids traveled with…

Sunset. Islamorada, Florida Keys.
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The Florida Keys: Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon

We spent about ten days driving from the mainland to Key West and back and spent a couple of days each in Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon. The upper, middle, and lower keys’ communities offer coral and rock beaches and blue green waters popular for fishing. The Florida Keys are made up of around 1700…

Christkindlmarkt Carmel Indiana Ice Skating
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Christkindlmarkt

This past weekend was the grand opening of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt.  I stopped by on Sunday evening to check out the scene.  It’s a beautiful setup with the Palladium in the background.  The iceskating is affordable, and there are special deals on Wednesday and Thursday, so be sure to check out the website for details:…