Category Archives: HDR Photography

Beautiful HDR Pictures from Around the World

Terracotta Chimneys

Posted on April 8th, 2013 by

Up on the Roof

I loved Barcelona, Spain. I keep saying that, but honestly it’s worth repeating. The thing that made it for me wasn’t the food, though it was excellent. It wasn’t the people, though they were warm and inviting. It was the amazing architectural master works of Antoni Gaudí. Up until this point, I would have probably pointed to Frank Lloyd Wright as my favorite architect, but after visiting Barcelona I have a hard time making that absolute statement. Surely, their styles are as far apart as night and day, but in each I find a harmony and a craft that I cant help but admire.

HDR Photography
Terracotta Chimneys by W. Brian Duncan

Barcelona 1138

Posted on April 4th, 2013 by

Homage

On many lists of the coolest subway stations in the world you will find the Drassanes Metro Station in Barcelona, Spain. It is oddly (to me) the Metro station located closest of the port area of the city and at the end of La Rambla, Barcelona’s massive pedestrian thoroughfare. I say odd because this station seems straight out of a sci-fi movie. Even more so than the shot recently that I took of the Dupont Circle Station in D.C. The station is bathed in a stark, white minimilism that reminded me immediately of THX 1138. What do you see?

HDR Photography
Barcelona 1138 by W. Brian Duncan

Barcelona to Home

Posted on April 1st, 2013 by

Airports

I have been spending quite a bit of time in airports as of late. I am a bit fortunate because most of the the time I have access to a variety of lounges. This adds just a bit of comfort to your travels and will generally get you a free drink or two (additionally adding to your perceived comfort). Truth be told I actually like airports…well really modern ones like BCN. There are a variety of exciting things to look at and do and I love experiencing other countries everyday places. You never know what amazing things you will see or find!

HDR Photography
Barcelona to Home by W. Brian Duncan

Old Lion

Posted on March 28th, 2013 by

Lions, Titans and Bears

A quick post for today…As I said in a perviously, there were some great knockers in Geneva, Switzerland! This old lion was the first of the crazy big brass knockers I spotted on the doors of Old Town. Wandering around I was constantly staring at doors of peoples apartments and businesses and stopping to take photos.

HDR Photography
Old Lion by W. Brian Duncan

Sunset at the Golden Gate Bridge

Posted on March 25th, 2013 by

Dividing Line

I absolutely love contrasts in light. Dark and light, hard and soft, warm and cool. One of my favorite times is just before sunset really gets going. The layers of atmosphere start to warm up the light in the western sky, but the east is still blue and wonderful. There is this smooth transition from warm to cool that you can see in today’s photo. The west, to the left is very strong and warm, but towards the bridge you see a normal and wonderful day.

HDR Photography
Sunset at the Golden Gate Bridge by W. Brian Duncan

Door Titan

Posted on March 21st, 2013 by

Knockers

A quick photo for today…all over Geneva, I encountered incredible doors. I have been to several cities around Europe and to many old parts of these cities, but I don’t recall seeing as many wonderful, ornate and LARGE knockers on doors as I saw during my time in Geneva. I have several of these shots, but I really like this knocker of Poseidon (I believe it’s Poseidon) on this dark wood with metal studs. Enjoy!

HDR Photography
Door Titan by W. Brian Duncan

A Light at the End of a Dark Tunnel

Posted on March 18th, 2013 by

Paths

Sometimes on our journeys, we come across obstacles. A way that can only be walked by a single path. This path can at times be scary, dark and lonely. It can fill us with a sense of unease. The path can be broken, uneven, difficult to navigate in the darkness. We risk falling down. We risk making our lives worse. We risk hurting ourselves or the ones we love. But for those of us who are brave…the light is patiently waiting.

HDR Photography
A Light at the End of a Dark Tunnel by W. Brian Duncan

Sala Gimbernat

Posted on March 14th, 2013 by

Inspiration

When it comes down to it, I want to dedicate my life to going awesome places and photographing amazing things. That sounds like complete fantasy to some people, but an interesting thing has developed in my life…I decided this idea was too important to me to not do! Callings are interesting really, some people heed them, others die with dreams unfulfilled. Thoreau talked of resignation and quiet desperation, but I find myself looking more and more to places of inspiration, of hope.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
~Henry David Thoreau from Walden

Awesome Places

I love finding really cool places no one has heard of…I love finding pieces of history that remind us how far we have come as a people, how far we have to go and how much we owe to those pioneers who blazed the first trails. While I was in Barcelona, I was privileged to visit Sala Gimbernat, an 18th Century Medical Theater. Build in 1758 it is one of the oldest Surgical Theaters in Europe and was built for The Royal College of Surgery of Barcelona. The Sala is old. It smells old, it has an amazing old world design; you can feel the history all around you. What we know today of medicine, owes much to this history.

HDR Photography
Sala Gimbernat by W. Brian Duncan

Bridge to the City

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by

Lucky Man

Pamela asked what I wanted to do for my birthday…I said go to San Francisco (of course). Aside from being my favorite U.S. city, it’s perhaps one of most comfortable cities for me, almost like I am called there; pulled by some cosmic force. I am very lucky, because we made the pilgrimage to The City, Pamela and me. Lucky because we are able to make the trip, both physically and financially. Lucky because I have a wonderful spouse that understands my love of wandering and wants to share in it. Lucky because we have each other to go to, Pamela, me and The City by the Bay.

HDR Photography
Bridge to the City by W. Brian Duncan

A New York Morning

Posted on March 7th, 2013 by

Morning Walks

When I travel, I usually have a very loose idea of what I want to see. I don’t make concrete plans, everything stays very fluid…I am a Pisces after all. My general mode of transportation is almost always walking. I prefer to see a city by foot. I often walk so much I end up destroying my feet for weeks to come after my adventures. I am learning the importance of good socks and proper fitting shoes. One morning when we were walking around I shot this street scene in New York City. The light is dramatic, but otherwise it’s street much like you would see in any city. I think that simplicity and the wonderful warm light are what I love about this shot. To me it screams New York in the morning.

HDR Photography
A New York Morning by W. Brian Duncan