Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

Palais des Nations

Posted on July 4th, 2013 by

High Level Meetings

While I was in Geneva, Switzerland I visited the Palais des Nations. This is one of those amazing buildings history buffs will LOVE as it was originally built in the late 1920’s to house the League of Nations. It has been added onto multiple times as you can tell this portion is from a more modern addition. The site is a fantastic time to tour, especially the old art deco portions of the complex. This is one of the general assembly rooms where nations meet to discuss world matters.

Happy Independence Day to everyone in the United States!

HDR Photography
Palais des Nations by W. Brian Duncan

Invitation to Palacio Duhau

Posted on July 1st, 2013 by

Spoiled

Ok…I admit it. Sometimes, in this crazy world of world travel I have engineered for myself, I get TOTALLY spoiled. Some people frequent hostels. Others couch surf. I stay in mansions. Truthfully I tend to stay in Hyatt’s and THIS particular Hyatt was formally a mansion. I sadly didn’t get to stay in the Mansion portion of the Palacio Duhau in Buenos Aires, Argentina (I was in the awesome tower). Honestly when I was encouraged to visit the Palacio by the impeccable staff of the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires I felt a bit out of place. Not out of place because anyone treated me so…in fact BA was one of the most camera accommodating places I have ever visited. I just felt under dressed (who is that jeans wearing American?). This is the upstairs hall leading to one of the dining location and the library. I am sure more of the Palace will show up on the blog at a future time.

HDR Photography
Invitation to Palacio Duhau by W. Brian Duncan

Stone Spiral Stairs

Posted on June 27th, 2013 by

Golden Ratio

I love a spiral. Throughout history humans have been enthralled with the golden ratio and to me this particular expression is one of the best. This particular spiral staircase is one of the ultra narrow towers of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain. The last spiral staircase I shot was in Paris and people seem to love the Arc de Tripmphe staircase photo. Personally I think I hit the expression of the golden ratio more dead on with this photo and I particularly like the texture. Which do you like best?

HDR Photography
Stone Spiral Stairs by W. Brian Duncan

Teatro Colón

Posted on June 24th, 2013 by

Opera

I tend to gravitate to these sorts of places. Places of cultural significant that hold a solid place in the history of a city. This is the wonderful Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires Argentina. Some of the greatest opera singers the world has known have graced this stage. This is a view from the lower orchestra pit looking back at the magnificent house. I also sort of love the oldness of places like this. There is a charm…a nuance to places with age. They have seen so much and continue to thrive. I sadly ran out of time to attend a performance I had tickets to…one of the hazards of only spending a few days in a place.

HDR Photography
Teatro Colón by W. Brian Duncan

Byodo-In Temple Offering

Posted on June 20th, 2013 by

Peaceful Offering

Honolulu is a city of hustle and bustle. I hope to ho back and explore some more next year, but in a big city, sometimes you want to get away from all the movement. You want some peace from all the go. You drive to The Valley of the Temples and visit Byodo-In Temple. This is a replica of a Buddhist Temple in Kyoto Japan. This particular temple is non-denominational and everyone is invited to visit. I sat quietly for some time beneath the 9 foot tall wooden Buddha. People came and went. It is a lovely location.

Tiny Buddha

This little Buddha statue was collecting offerings in the gardens in front of Byodo-In Temple. I almost missed him if not for another photographer lying on the ground to take his picture. Sir, I say thank you.

HDR Photography
Byodo-In Temple Offering by W. Brian Duncan

Floralis Generica

Posted on June 17th, 2013 by

Big Robots

This was a treat for me. One of the main reasons I went to Buenos Aires was to see the sculpture Floralis Genérica. That sounds a bit odd and it wasn’t the ONLY reason I went. When you see the photos of where I stayed you will see some of the other reasons. It was, well, a mansion! That is a subject for another post. I saw a photo of Floralis Genérica and knew I wanted to see it in person as soon as someone explained it moved with the sun. Yes, it is a massive robot, that opens and closes like a real flower. It follows the sun during the day a and opens and closes its petals. AMAZING!

End of an Era

Last Thrusday Pamela and I had to say goodbye to our beloved cat Kennedy. He was a character. Among other things Mr. Kennedy T. Cat was CCO (Chief Cat Officer) in our businesses, a position that will be nearly impossible to replace. Pamela and I have been doing ok with now only sporadic bouts of sadness. We have both really appreciated everyone’s thoughts and prayers. I think Pamela told Kennedy’s last story better than I ever could. Kennedy would have wanted to either eat or poop on the flower below…perhaps both.

HDR Photography
Floralis Generica by W. Brian Duncan

Post Alley Gum Wall

Posted on June 13th, 2013 by

It’s NOT Free Candy!

There are a few things that are really odd about Post Alley in Seattle, Washington. First it’s an alleyway with lots of people coming and going. Generally that is a bad sign, but in this case okay. Second it smell STRONGLY of gum…there is a reason for this as it seems visitors deposit used chewing gum along the brick walls of Post Alley. I was unsure why or how exactly all of this came about, but to me…it is a work of minty art. Portions of the sticky mess reminded me so of Jackson Pollock I expected to see people flinging paint. I didn’t add to the mess myself, but the next time you are at Pike Place Market, give Post Alley a quick stop…its mesmerizing.

HDR Photography
Post Alley Gum Wall by W. Brian Duncan

Doorway to La Sagrada Familia

Posted on June 10th, 2013 by

Details

I have said it here before, but I have the hardest time shooting details. On my more recent trips around the globe, I have really been working to remember this small, but significant mindset. Details make for some stunning photos, as evidenced by this detail. I was struck upon entering the door of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain (as I am sure many are) by the door. The entire minor basilica is a bit of a surreal explosion…too much is happening all over. The main door I entered was no different in its busy-ness, but there is a obvious focal point in the mass of words. Maybe it doesn’t work the same for tall people, but for someone my height, there was no doubting the purpose.

HDR Photography
Doorway to La Sagrada Familia by W. Brian Duncan

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Posted on June 3rd, 2013 by

New Views

I recently returned from South America. It still strikes me funny when I say that as it’s amazing to me that I can say something like that at all…who just GOES to South America. Buenos Aries, Argentina is a very strange place and I have a bunch of mixed feelings about my time there. Not because I didn’t like it…its a wonderful city full of interesting things to see and do. The people I encountered were amazingly polite and helpful. I think, however, this is the first time i had to confront the reality that the western world is not the rest of the world. The closest was a trip I took long ago to Jamaica, but then I spent all my time on a resort. I don’t think I have yet wrapped my head around all of this, but I am sure this education is one of the core reasons I am called to travel.

New Purpose

Today’s photo is of a book store in Buenos Aires called El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It is…hands down…the coolest bookstore I have EVER seen. It is built in an old theater, the stage is the cafe. The boxes are for reading. The seating areas hold the books. Under the stage has been converted to the children’s books area. I wish this would happen everywhere! I hate to see old marvelous structures falling to ruin. Isn’t it much better to breath new life into them, to redefine their purpose.

HDR Photography
El Ateneo Grand Splendid by W. Brian Duncan

Union Station Seattle Washington

Posted on May 30th, 2013 by

Rambling Man

I just got back from Buenos Aries, Argentina earlier this week. I really enjoyed myself, but South America is a very different part of the world. I don’t mean that in a bad way, simply different. I also passed a certain milestone…I have so far this year flown in excess of 50,000 miles. I don’t talk much on here about my other hobby of frequent flying, but I am well on my way to finish the year as an American Airlines Executive Platinum member (over 100,000 miles flown in a single year). It was a goal of mine at the beginning of the year that seemed almost impossible. It just goes to show, with proper planning, a great support team and a bit of perseverance, anything is possible!

More Trains!

If you have visited my blog in the past you know my love of trains. I usually end up at the train station when I visit cities all over the world. Whether subway stations, or Union Station, I just cant help but love trains!

HDR Photography
Union Station Seattle Washington by W. Brian Duncan