Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure: 1/500 sec at f/9.0
Focal Length: 300mm
ISO: 250
Flash: Did not fire
LightRoom Preset: Direct Positive

This was next on my list of photos to share, and it seemed fitting to share it today, on the day we’ve set aside to remember and honor those who sacrificed everything to defend our freedoms.

The USS Arizona was one of only two ships not to be salvaged at Pearl Harbor. She lies today where she came to rest that day in December 1941 and is the tomb of about 1,000 men. This shot is of the sign labeling one of the few pieces of the Arizona which is above the waterline, the foundation of the ship’s No. 3 gun turret. A beautiful memorial was established in 1962 which rests over, but not on, the Arizona herself. If you get the chance to visit Hawaii, I know that many feel Honolulu is a tourist trap and not necessarily worth the effort, but I would humbly suggest that the opportunity to visit the Arizona and remember the men who served makes up for any perceived faults of Honolulu.

In honor of Memorial Day here are a few other pictures. The first three are from Pearl Harbor: the USS Missouri was the site of the Japanese surrender which ended World War II and she now sits as a museum, in a position to watch over the Arizona and her sailors (the white structure in the background is the Memorial and sits perpendicular to the Arizona).

The second three photos were taken at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, France. Its a beautiful cemetery that is obviously meticulously kept and treated with great respect.

There is no adequate way to thank those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country, but places like these are a step in the right direction and should help ensure that we never forget what they did.

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure: 1/60 sec at f/6.3
Focal Length: 300mm
ISO: 400
Flash: Did fire
LightRoom Preset: Old Polar

Walking through the WWII submarine on display at Pearl Harbor I found myself amazed and impressed by the machinery. I believe modern submarines have numerous computer systems that are used to run diagnostics and ensure systems are functioning properly, but back then everything was mechanical and it was gauges like this one that were relied on. Having grown up in such a computer dominated world I’m fascinated and awed by the level of precision that was required in the engineering of machines like this, and also by the faith, confidence, and bravery of the men who climbed into these “tin cans” and dove under the waves to hunt their enemy in defense of our freedom.

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure: 1/250 sec at f/5.6
Focal Length: 129mm
ISO: 1000
Flash: Did not fire 

This was one of the first pictures I took with the rented EOS Rebel T2i in Hawaii as I was trying to familiarize myself with the controls. I tried playing around with the settings in Lightroom, tweaking the white balance and such, but in the end I just liked the way it looked better the way it was originally shot. I really like the gradient on the wall.

EDIT: I originally posted this last night, but due to a bug in the way my posts here get published to Facebook and Twitter it didn’t get published THERE because I posted 6, 7, 8 too quickly afterwards.

Better late than never, this posting of several months at a time is becoming a bit of a tradition…

Camera: Nikon Coolpix S6
Exposure: 1/250 sec at f/3.0
Focal Length: 5.8mm
ISO: 93
Flash: Did not fire

In my Photography ‘announcement’ post I said that most of the photos I was going to start sharing wouldn’t have any post-processing. So of course the very next photo I share does. Its not much, all I did was utilize one of the built-in Lightroom filters/presets: Old Polar. When I first looked at the photo I was happy with it as is, but then I decided to play around with the built-in options, and once I selected this one I couldn’t go back. Without the preset the photo is a bit too uniform - the result of the borderline fog that was present when the photo was taken I think. The longer I look at it the more its becoming one of my all-time favorites.

My favorite thing about it is the subject. This was taken a few days before our 1st wedding anniversary, while we were in Fort Bragg, CA celebrating. That year Northern California saw one of the worst storms in years, and there were power outages all throughout the region. Unfortunately Fort Bragg is rather remote, so with the power out there weren’t many restaurants open and the few that were had some significant limitations imposed on their menu (no gelato at the Italian restaurant, an absolute tragedy if you ask Lindsey). It also meant no hot water in the hotel although the gas powered fireplace ensured we weren’t freezing. Power outage aside it was a great trip and we really enjoyed the area, so much so that we went back five years later for our 6th anniversary.

Looking at the expression on Lindsey’s face as she stares out at the ocean makes me wish desperately for a time machine so that I could go back and ask her what she’s thinking or to tell her about everything we’ve seen and done since then. Until someone invents that though, I’ve decided to believe she’s imagining what our future will be like. It certainly hasn’t been easy, but its been an amazing ride.

And its not showing any signs of slowing down.