Who's Travis Barker?

Travis Barker, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

UPDATE: For those of you googling for Travis Barker photos, click this link to see one more I just added: Travis Barker, Drummer Revisited

I went out to the new Miller Motorpark racetrack near Salt Lake City earlier this month because they were featuring the exotic cars and drivers of the Gumball 3000 rally as it began it's North American segment.

There was a lot of excitement surrounding a certain tattooed person standing beside a tricked out Rolls Royce. I shot a few captures of the fellow then asked one of the guys standing by "who's the famous guy". I was told that he's Travis Barker, drummer for the band Blink182. Ohh..... After a quick Google search, I see that he is kind of famous, just not in my life.

Now had it been the drummer for Van Halen, I'd have surely recognized him. I guess I'm showing my age :)

The Big Switch

Apple, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

1981

- Ronald Reagan was President
- Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes was the #1 song
- IBM introduces the PC computer
- The Boston Celtics are the NBA Champions

..... and my personal computer at home and at school was an Apple ][

The Apple ][ served me well for a few years, but it was not long after this that I made the move to IBM Compatible computers. Even when the Macintosh was introduced 3 years later in 1984, I stayed the course with the PC, a computer operating system that would carry me for the next 2 1/2 decades and well into the Windows era.

That all changed two weeks ago when I made the switch back to my Apple roots. With the introduction of the new MacBook computer, I have changed to a Mac laptop. So far, I have no regrets. I had been wanting to move to the Mac platform for a few years, but my dependency on Windows for a few select programs has kept me from switching. However, with the recent change by Apple to using Intel processors and the Mac's newfound ability to run Windows, I made the plunge (for more on this, visit http://www.apple.com/bootcamp).

Today's capture of the Apple Logo was made by taking a shot of the logo on the lid of the new laptop and bumping the contrast to an extreme in Photoshop.

Park City Jail

Jailhouse Facilities, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

While exploring Park City Utah's historic Main Street this past weekend, I spent a bit of time in the small museum there. The most intriguing part for me was the original town jail located in the basement of the museum.

Today's capture features the bathroom facilities in the jail that the inmates had to use 100 years ago. The dim lighting required a long exposure. I made this capture with the help of a bench to set the camera on and reduce shake.

The Party's Over

The Party's Over, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

My family and I decided to enjoy a couple days in Park City Utah over this Memorial Day weekend. We made these plans in anticipation of the nice springtime weather typically enjoyed this time of year in hopes of spending time hiking, exploring and whatnot.

IT SNOWED YESTERDAY!

In light of the current weather, yesterday afternoon was spent enjoying the confines of the Park City Marriott hotel. Featured here is a capture I made while having a Photo Safari with my daughters in the hotel.

Footwork

Footwork, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Today's capture is a sepia-toned close-up of a pair of child's feet, playing on a railing. The sepia-toning serves to add an ageless quality to the photo, asking the question: "Was it taken yesterday or 50 years ago?"

Rapelling

Kris Rapelling, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

I had the chance to spend some quality time today on the face of a cliff in Big Cottonwood Canyon, just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. The springtime weather provided the perfect mix of sun and shade for an enjoyable outing.

Featured here is my son, Kris, about halfway down. The exciting part is that I made this capture while making the same descent.

Let Sleeping Ducks Lie

Let Sleeping Ducks Lie, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

About a month ago these two ducks appeared in my front yard. I suppose they were tired of all the hustle-and-bustle of the duck community down by the canal and opted for something a bit more relaxing. They spend their days hanging out in the grass and watching the neighborhood goings-ons.

Captured here is the pair relaxing in the remnants of the morning sprinkler cycle on the sidewalk in front of the house.

Kayakers in the Great Salt Lake

Kayakers in the Great Salt Lake, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake is a wonderful getaway. When experiencing the peacefulness of the surroundings, it is difficult to remember that you are so close to the hustle and bustle of the nearby suburbia.

Featured today is a capture of a two-person kayak navigating the shoreline of the large island. The springtime weather is very suited to such an outing.

Rhino Tough

Rhino Tough, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Here's another capture from the trip to the zoo last week. I love the detail in the rhino's skin.

ElisaRae's World

Photographer, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that is the case, then that explains why I am so flattered that my daughter Elisabeth has taken up photography and blogging. A couple of weeks ago she came to me and asked if she could also do a photoblog such as this. I helped her set one up while making sure to keep it "safe".

I find that I now enjoy reading her posts and getting her perspective on things. Her unique comentary has caused me to 'laugh out load' on more than one occasion.

If you would like to see her blog, just point your browser over to www.elisarae.com and check it out.

Featured today is a capture I made of Elisabeth using her mother's camera on a recent trip to Antelope Island.

Timpanogos

Ziggy & Rich on Timp, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

In the summer of 2004, I hiked (along with my son and a few friends) up Mt. Timpanogos in Norhern Utah to find a 50 year old airplane crash site. It was a great day and it was really neat to use GPS technology to find the airplane remnants. After hiking to the crash site that day, I didn't have the energy to continue on to the summit. I have felt drawn to make that trek since.

My goal for this coming summer is to make it to the top of Timp (11,749 feet).

Now that I have put this goal in writing, let's see if it get's done.

Through the Window

Through the Window, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Captured this shot in downtown Salt Lake City. The framing of the office building through the grid along with the negative space on the left adds an interesting element to the photo. I love the weather during this time of the year - especially for photographing.

Miniature Temple

Miniature Temple, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

In keeping with the theme of Tuesday's post, here is a capture of the LDS Temple in downtown Salt Lake City that has been converted in Photoshop to appear like a miniature model. An obvious secret in doing this type of conversion is to select a photograph that is looking down on the subject. This one definately fits that criteria.

Toy Town

Toy Town, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Featured today is an example of the Tilt Shift lens process of making real photographs appear as if they are miniature models. The process is named after a type of architectural camera lens. In most examples, the tilt shift lens is not used (not many people have one), but rather the effect is emulated in Photoshop.

This particular capture was made at the Gateway outdoor mall in Salt Lake City.

Baker's Dozen

Baker's Dozen, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Featured today is a group (flock?) of 13 penguins that I captured recently at Utah's Hogle Zoo. I particularly like the bird on the left that is staring directly at the camera.

I opted to process this shot in black and white for obvious reasons - penguins are black & white!

Fire!

Hydrant, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

On my way home from work yesterday I noticed a black plume of smoke coming from an area very near my home. I was still quite a distance away when I spotted it, so it was definately a concern. Upon entering the neighborhood I saw that one of my neighbor's homes had the garage area of their house engulfed in flames. Thankfully, nobody was hurt in the two-alarm fire.

On Scene, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Featured here are two captures I made of some of the many fire personnel that were on the scene. They were quick to extinguish the flame and appeared to operate very efficiently in there varied duties. After watching them operate for a period of time, I'm convinced that they are the reason that the fire was mostly contained to the garage area of the home.

Admiration

Robert and Donna, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Featured today are Robert and Donna Marshall, two people who I greatly admire. They have spent over 25 years as Christian missionaries and have traveled to all 50 states and countless countries. Their ministry, Streams in the Wasteland, is based out of Salt Lake City Utah and is a ”Helps and encouragement ministry to Christian pastors”.

I made this capture recently at their son's wedding which I had the honor of photographing. I especially like the happiness that is exhibited through their eyes.

Beads, Beads and more Beads

Beads, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

This past Sunday I had the distinguished privilege to attend something that I have never been to before: A Bead Show!

In the company of my wife and daughters, I got to see untold amounts of colorful beads that are used mostly, from what I gather, in the manufacture of jewelry (especially in my house).

Captured here is just a small example of the many colorful options the discenrning bead connoisseur has to choose from.

Visiting Ducks

Visiting Duck, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Last month this duck, along with his mate, showed up in our frontyard. The pair seems to have taken a liking to an area below a bird feeder, frequently snacking on the seed that has spilled out of the feeder. So far, they appear to be quite content. Even if they are scared away by disruptions such as a lawnmower or children they quickly return.

Will they stay all summer? Stay tuned...

"BUT IT MUST BE"

But it must be..., originally uploaded by LeggNet.

I love captures taken through reflective glass, and the photo featured today is no exception. The expression of Elisabeth, coupled with the slight reflection and the reversed writing imply a secret story.

This was captured at the City Library in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.

Springtime Blossoms

Springtime Blossoms, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

This time of year is definitely my favorite, weather-wise. The sunny days and cool nights are perfect. I have to wonder if I lived in a climate that was like springtime year-round, how long it would take me grow tired of it...

Changes

Irrigation, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

While the area I live in is still fairly rural, it is quickly changing. I captured this image of irrigation equipment on a local farm recently in my work travels. This is one of the last remaining farms near my home. The increasing value of the land the farm is on makes farming no longer the "highest and best use" of the ground.

I opted to present this image in sepia-toned black & white to add a nostalgic feel to the photo. To remind us of days gone by.

Study Habits

Study Habits, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

Featured today is another capture from the Salt Lake City library. The library has several floors of workspaces that view the city on one side and open into an atrium on the other. This is a shot looking up at those spaces from the atrium.

Photographed Art

Rule of Thirds, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

This colorful capture of a painting was cropped from a "For Lease" sign outside a downtown building. Click HERE to see the whole sign.

Windows to Learning

Windows, originally uploaded by LeggNet.

The downtown library in Salt Lake City is one of my favorite places. The size, functionality and architecture make it a preferred destination for my family.

Featured here is a capture I made of the atrium area on the south side of the building. The area below the shades is the childrens section of the library.