Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

King’s Hardware Beer Wall

Posted on May 27th, 2013 by

Pubs

I am not one to generally hang out in pubs, but my friend Justin, who moved to Seattle said very clearly, “There are two things people in Seattle take seriously…coffee and beers”. To a pub we went for lunch after hiking around a few of Seattle’s wonderful outdoor spaces. I was really hungry and thirsty and the dark beer I had was perfect. I asked the bartender if I could take a few photos just because the place was so cool looking. He agreed and I went straight to this wall of beer. Part practical and part art, it seemed to me the best representation of how I felt about Seattle as a whole. If you happen to be in Seattle check out King’s Hardware.

HDR Photography
King’s Hardware Beer Wall by W. Brian Duncan

Top of the Palau

Posted on May 16th, 2013 by

Trying Times

This has been a rough week. A number of things have happened, none of them dire, but together they amass to something greater…more trying. Several nights this week I have been ready to pack it in and declare defeat. I too often let these things begin to over take over my demeanor replacing it with a negative attitude that only seeks to tear down the good things that are still around.

It’s at these times I have to remember change is perhaps the only constant in the universe. Nothing is permanent, neither the good nor the bad. Be as the river Brian.

HDR Photography
Top of the Palau by W. Brian Duncan

Pali Lookout Sunrise

Posted on May 9th, 2013 by

Lookout

I have a hard time getting up before dawn, but it almost never fails that I wake up when I should. I have this strange built in alarm clock that rarely lets me sleep in these days. I always expect jet lag to throw it off, but somehow, I always wake up about the right time. One of the great things about Hawaii is that you can stay up really late and you end up waking up REALLY early. Since I am up I usually can talk myself into a sunrise or two…after all, photography is why I travel. This was one of the many wonderful weather days I had while on Oahu and sunrise was a sight to see!

HDR Photography
Pali Lookout Sunrise by W. Brian Duncan

Spine of the Beast

Posted on May 6th, 2013 by

A Home of the Sea

In Barcelona there is a house called Casa Batlló. It is without a doubt, the most wondrous piece of architecture I have ever seen. I tend to love architectural tours and museums and will frequent as many as I can while in a new city. It gives you a wonderful idea of the past of a place and it also tells you a bit about what has shaped these people. Casa Batlló is an undulating work of genius…or perhaps madness as the two are so close. I can’t imagine the skill of the craftsmen that made this home a reality. Even the doors are curved. Not rounded at the top, but they roll, the whole home reminded me of the ocean. My only regret was that I had to shoot everything handheld. This is the entryway staircase.

HDR Photography
Spine of the Beast by W. Brian Duncan

Iao Valley

Posted on May 2nd, 2013 by

Other Views

If you look up Iao Valley, you will will see one view over and over again. Its a spectacular view after all, The Needle is an amazing peak. Sadly the day we happened to visit the park, the needle was enshrouded in clouds and mist. It rained on us trying to get a photo. We fought tourists for position. While I was waiting, I noticed the clouds were AMAZING on the other side of the valley! I grabbed this shot in a location no one else was looking at.

Travel Photography
Iao Valley by W. Brian Duncan

Gaudi Schoolhouse

Posted on April 25th, 2013 by

Design School

On the grounds of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain sits a simple building. It was originally conceived as a schoolhouse for the children of those working to build the (minor) Basilica. I found this work to be more beautiful than the temple itself. La Sagrada Familia is overwhelming, busy, almost ostentatious. I haven’t worked on any of my photos of this treasure of architecture because I found myself so conflicted. I am not sure how I felt visiting. I expected to be in awe, and perhaps that word is accurate, but there was more…there is a harsh difference between Gaudi’s church and the other earlier work. The schoolhouse is simple, practical, elegant. It is in many ways opposite from the site in which it sits. My only regret was it wasn’t open the day I visited the church.

HDR Photography
Gaudi Schoolhouse by W. Brian Duncan

A Dreamy Maui Sunset

Posted on April 22nd, 2013 by

Warm Relaxation

Just look at it will you. Can you feel the warm, wet sand? Can you smell the sweat scent of sweat and sunscreen? Do you feel the tension leaving your body as you listen to the Hawaiian guitar playing in the distance? This week I am traveling back to Hawaii to visit my second Hawaiian Island (O‘ahu). This photo was taken on my first expedition to the islands when we visited Maui. I can’t imagine a reason anyone would not love this place. I see myself visiting often…I hope you will too!

HDR Photography
A Dreamy Maui Sunset by W. Brian Duncan

Organic Entry

Posted on April 18th, 2013 by

Nature

I love the natural world, the thing is…sometimes I wish it was inside. It’s the forms that I love, but I could do without the bugs and snakes. I think that is why I so love the work of Antoni Gaudi. His forms are so obviously of nature. This entryway in La Pedrera looks (to me) like a cave, the door looks like a tree or a mass of vine at its entrance, the walkway could easily be a spring running through the cave. With sensibilities such as this in architecture one wonders if you would ever need to go outdoors (just kidding).

HDR Photography
Organic Entry by W. Brian Duncan

San Francisco Sunrise

Posted on April 15th, 2013 by

Dawn

We looked out the window of our hotel room and were greeted with two amazing sites of contrast. One was the amazing city of San Francisco. It’s a wonder! A city built on the most inhospitable geography. The City has burned, flooded been destroyed by earthquake…it is a wonder of modern construction and civil engineering. The other amazing site was the sunrise. Despite all we have and will do as a people, I am always most struck by the awesome power, majesty and beauty of the natural world. It is these two contrasts, both the natural and the man-made wonder that had me grabbing for my camera.

HDR Photography
San Francisco Sunrise by W. Brian Duncan

Embarcadero Stairs

Posted on April 11th, 2013 by

The Road Ahead

I read a quote recently on the internet that I found uniquely stuck in my head.

The only reason we get stuck in jobs we don’t love is because we choose not to leave.
~Simon Sinek

I belive this extends well past career choices and into almost every facet of life. We tend to externalize our problems, overplay obligations and declare that I can’t because (insert any reason). What occurred to me was the power accepting this notion has as well as the responsibility its acceptance requires. When we realize we are directing this life, it seems all the more important to make it one we want to live. I struggle with choices, but for better or worse they have been and continue to me mine to make.

Stairs

Today’s photo is of the Embarcadero Center Staircase located in Center 2.

HDR Photography
Embarcadero Stairs by W. Brian Duncan