Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

Jing’an Temple Shrine

Posted on March 20th, 2014 by

Today’s Photo – A Personal Shrine

Jing’an Temple is a vast place full of monks, Buddhist practitioners (laypeople) and tourists alike and finding privacy must be next to impossible. One of the things that I found interesting is the large number of spaces for worship. I don’t profess to understand all the in’s and out’s of Buddhism, but this Jing’an Temple shrine seems to be made for an intimate bit of prayer. I arrived early in the day and was lucky to capture the temple with few visitors.

Jing'an Temple Shrine
Jing’an Temple Shrine

Photo Technical Info

Jing’an Temple Courtyard Shanghai China

Posted on March 17th, 2014 by

Today’s Photo – Old Meets New

I have said it many times before, but I absolutely love contrasts. Ares of harmony that flow, even though they should fight each other. The Jing’an Temple Courtyard is one of these sorts of contrasts. You can see in this one view how the new Shanghai has erupted and almost taken over this nearly 2000 year old Buddhist Temple, but somehow it all works. It seemed to me this is one of the truths of modern day China and perhaps one of it’s great strengths.

Jing'an Temple Courtyard Shanghai China
Jing’an Temple Courtyard Shanghai China

Photo Technical Info

Chicago O’Hare Skylight Concorse G

Posted on March 13th, 2014 by

Amazing Skylight Art in Plain View

Being an mid-west based American Airlines flyer, I fly through one of two airports on every trip I make. DFW or ORD. Dallas is my preferred airport for both its ease of navigation (skylink) and the American Express Centurion Lounge (possibly the best lounge in the United States). That said, I can’t tell you the number of times I have flown through Chicago’s O’Hare airport via Concorse G and it wasnt until recently that I noticed this wonderful and artful skylight in the central hub.

Today’s Photo

It’s wonderful to me when I discover art in strange places. Lots of people know about the light tunnel at Chicago O’Hare, but somehow I almost prefer art that is there for everyone. Randomly placed things of beauty that perhaps many don’t even pay attention to, but occasionally someone stops and says, “Huh! Look at that!”

Chicago O'Hare Skylight Concorse G
Chicago O’Hare Skylight Concorse G by W. Brian Duncan

Photo Technical Info

Sunset at Ecola State Park in Oregon

Posted on March 10th, 2014 by

Day’s Gone By

I sometimes struggle with what to say about a photo. How do you capture your feelings as succinctly as the camera captures that decisive moment? What can I say about a beautiful scene that really brings home what it was like to stand in that spot. Maybe I share how I got there, or the smell of the ocean and a million trees. Maybe I just let you take it in and create your own story, sometimes the camera does a better job than I ever could.

Sunset at Ecola State Park in Oregon
Sunset at Ecola State Park in Oregon by W. Brian Duncan

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 7 March, 2014
  • Focal length: 32mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/500s
  • Title: Sunset at Ecola State Park in Oregon

The Big Buddha of Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong

Posted on March 6th, 2014 by

Po Lin Monastery is Way Up the Mountain

I am a bit afraid of heights and Po Lin Monastery is enshrouded in the clouds that surround the mountains of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. There are only a few ways to get to Ngong Ping, the “Traditional-Style Village” just outside Po Lin Monastery (complete with Starbucks and a place to buy sunglasses and flip-flops). The first is to hike…this takes hours. The second is the travel by bus…this seems boring. The third is by cable car…we chose the latter. I don’t have a recent memory of being so tense while seated. I actually felt better when our view was totally blocked by the clouds.

The Big Buddha

The Big Buddha, also known as Tian Tan Buddha, is immense and impressive. It’s beauty completely makes up for the commercial bit of awfulness that is Ngong Ping Village. The site is teaming with people and during our visit there was a service with monks circumambulating around the base of the statue in a clock-wise manner while chanting and singing.

The Big Buddha of Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong
The Big Buddha of Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong by W. Brian Duncan

A Venetian Canal

Posted on March 3rd, 2014 by

Familiar Scene in Sestier de S Polo

I was standing outside Basilica dei Frari in Sestier de S Polo, Venice, Italy when I immediately recognized this scene. I am still not sure why I knew it…the Basilica behind and to my left should dominate, but for me, it was the quaint Venetian scene and as always the great light!

Friendly Locals

I love interacting with the locals. I never do it enough. While I was taking pictures this man came up and started talking to me in Italian. I tried my best to convey I didn’t speak Italian. He deeply chuckled and asked…Foto…Gruppo o Solo. AH, I understood, am I taking photos for people or for myself! SOLO, I said. Then, and I swear this happened…he deeply chuckled again this time just like Jabba the Hutt and said…”Huh huh huh…SOLO!”

A Venetian Canal
A Venetian Canal by W. Brian Duncan

Rock Stack in Oahu

Posted on February 27th, 2014 by

Stacking Rocks

I have visited several of the Hawaiian islands and on each I have been all over. I tend to wander on my trips and with SO much great hiking in Hawaii, it’s hard for me to stay still on a beach. One thing I have noticed quite a few places is these stacks of rocks. I have always found this interesting, but a recent bit of research into them seems they are actually perhaps disrespectful of Pele (goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes)! In many places on the Big Island, the practice has elicited the installation of signs saying not to stack the rocks. I have always seen these stacks in places frequented by tourists and I think most people assume they are being respectful. It is perhaps a good lesson to do as you see the locals doing and perhaps abstain if you aren’t sure of a custom. When in Hawaii, Please, Don’t Stack the Rocks!

Rock Stack in Oahu
Rock Stack in Oahu by W. Brian Duncan

Hong Kong at Sunset

Posted on February 24th, 2014 by

Strange and Wonderful

I get myself to some crazy places these days. By crazy I of course mean amazingly awesome! Hong Kong is special in a number of senses. The blend of east and west make for a region of Asia that is like none other for Western travelers. I have a feeling I will forever recommend Hong Kong to anyone asking where to go in Asia for their first visit. It’s also an incredibly active city but with tons of natural wonder to explore.

Top of the Island

We visited Victoria Peak the last night in Hong Kong. Most of our time in the city was enshrouded in fog and the last evening was our best opportunity to photograph. There is an intriquate network of trails around the peak that take you out and away from the commercial areas. Here are a few suggestions for photographers:

  • Skip the peak tram and take a taxi. You will only spend a few HKD more and save HOURS!
  • Arrive Early! Because of the above, I didn’t feel like I got a prime spot. There will be many people with tripods.
  • Wear your walking shoes. There are lots of trails…we found our spot on Lugard Road.
  • Bring some layers. It gets cold up on top of Victoria Peak.
Hong Kong at Sunset
Hong Kong at Sunset by W. Brian Duncan

Gondolas in Venice

Posted on February 20th, 2014 by

Risso

This photo is deceiving in the way that I took it. It looks as though perhaps the front of two gondola’s, but I realized this is the stern of the boat and referred to as the risso. There are a number of designs which have symbolic meaning, the curve alluding to the curve of the canals of Venice. It seems like everywhere you look in the city you see gondolas, but there are only around 400-500 remaining in the city.

Gondolas in Venice
Gondolas in Venice by W. Brian Duncan

Morning on the Rialto Bridge

Posted on February 17th, 2014 by

Bridge of Shops

Rialto Bridge is a pedestrian bridge full of shops. You can see many of them on this side, there are more on the opposite sides as well. During the day, like much of Venice, the bridge is packed with people. Venice is an odd city, part preserved Europen city and part tourist trap. It’s a bit like one of the Disney parks in a way. You pretty much love every second you are there, but you cant help but feel like you are getting taken at the same time.

Morning on the Rialto Bridge
Morning on the Rialto Bridge by W. Brian Duncan