Sunday, August 31, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 31, 2008

With Summer rapidly disappearing, there's not much time left to make jam. Here's a batch right in the process of being made in the Green Briar Jam Kitchen on Cape Cod. For more pictures of food, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 30, 2008

It's Labor Day Weekend, and there's nothing like it to enjoy the last visages of summer before Fall descends upon us. This shot could have been taken anywhere this weekend, so rather than indicate where I took it, I'll let you assume it took place near you in a park, pond, river, lake, or inlet. For more pictures of water, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 29, 2008

Yesterday I posted a side view of a butterfly who was visiting my butterfly bush. Today there's the same butterfly, but from a different, and more unusual angle -- looking at the butterfly from the front, slightly lower than the butterfly. For more photos of butterflies and butterfly bushes, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 28, 2008

In The Garden is a local garden and flower shop here in the Highlands. Despite a smaller footprint than the mega big box garden centers, it has an enormous variety of inventory. One day two years ago, I saw a number of butterflies congregating at In The Garden, only to learn about the buddleia plant, commonly known as the butterfly bush, which is a magnet for butterflies. The next day, my own bush was happily planted in my own garden. Yesterday I noticed this butterfly, which stayed long enough for me to get a few nice shots from different angles. Today's angle is from the side of the butterfly, and tomorrow's will be from the front. For more pictures of butterflies and other animals, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 27, 2008

One thing that's nice about the bright summer sun is that it lights birds beautifully, so you get a lot of clear, readable detail in their photos. It's even nicer when the bird is so bright you have to stop down your camera to keep it from overexposing, thus darkening the total scene. That creates a nice rich backdrop for the bird to stand out it, with essentially no effort from the photographer. More more photos of birds, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 26, 2008

They say that sometimes, to see something really clearly, we need to look at it from a different perspective. This life lesson was dimensionalized in a physical form when I came across this body of water in Central Massachusetts, where the reflection was mirror-clear. The leafless trees and the mossy logs worked with the water to create an almost abstract design of color and form. For more photos with color and form, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 25, 2008

How do you define serenity? Here's one way. For more photos to soothe your mind, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 24, 2008

The dolphins are still here at the Jersey Shore, enjoying their visit and all the accolades that come along with it. Here's how one of them looked frolicking in the river less than a mile from the ocean. For more photos of dolphins and other animals, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 23, 2008

While at the beach this weekend, you'll undoubtedly be playing in the waves. When they're like this, you feel like you could just crawl right into them. For more pictures of water and waves, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 22, 2008

Sometimes a window and some dappled light is all it takes to create a pleasing scene. This was taken in Fallsington, in Bucks County, PA. For more photos of Bucks County, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 21, 2008

New York can look good from any number of vantage points. It looks even better when the clouds decide to package the skyline as the sun is first coming up. I took this shot while appearing live on NHK-TV in Japan, on a program dedicated to discussing the art of taking sunrises in urban areas. Even though the rest of the city had barely woken up, the show was on prime time in Japan, thanks to the time difference. For more photos of New York City, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 20, 2008

Every Wednesday evening in the Summer, Sandy Hook hosts a free outdoor concert. The bands are good, the crowds are large, and everyone can enjoy the music while having dinner or catching some late-afternoon swimming. Here's how one show looked from the dunes recently. For more photos of Sandy Hook, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 19, 2008

As anyone who has ever visited knows, Chicago is a gorgeous city. It was very carefully planned from the start, so it looks good no matter where you are viewing it. In this case, I went to the sky to get this shot of the city in the thick of night. At some point in the future, I'll share a shot taken at dusk, which has an equally dramatic -- but completely different -- feel to it. For more photos of places, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 18, 2008

What's the best way to get around? Hitch-hike! These baby swans figured, If Mom is already going there, why should I have to paddle myself, too. For more photos of animals, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 17, 2008

There's nothing like walking along a quaint, wooden bridge, particularly when it takes you to the water. This shot was taken in Hyannis, MA, where the bridge serves as the conduit to Nantucket Sound. For more photos of Hyannis and the entire Mid-Cape, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Photo of the Day: August 16, 2008

The ocean off of Sandy Hook on the New Jersey shore is filled with boats year round, but particularly during the Summer. They come in all shapes and sizes, and seen by this juxtaposition between large and small. For more photos of boats, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com..

Photo of the Day: August 26, 2008

When you go out to shoot landscapes, you don't have a lot of control over what you're shooting. The only control you have is where you are in relation to what you're shooting. And even then, sometimes you have no control at all. I was on a boat in the East River outside of New York City recently, and had no control over the time the sun set, the angle at which the sun set, or the exact location of the boat at any point in time. So it was a real pleasure to find myself looking at the sun setting just next to the Statue of Liberty, where I grabbed this shot. For more photos of the Statue of Liberty and New York City, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 15, 2008

Cape Mudge Light sits on the end of Quadra Island in British Columbia. It's hard to find a lighthouse that isn't pretty, but there's something about the way this puts a nice punctuation at the end of the land itself, adding red and white color to an otherwise blue and green scene, and having just the right amount of height to have stature without competing with the sloping trees. For more pictures of Quadra Island, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 14, 2008

Quartz is supposed to provide clarity and energy, and whether it does or not, it sure creates a look of energy and clarity. This was shot on my desk, using just my desk lamp, taking advantage of the reflection on the desk from the dark desk and glass top. For more photos of things animate and inanimate, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 13, 2008

Sun and sand are a natural combination, and just one reason is the wonderful designs they create when working in tandem. Here's something that is not often thought of as a beautiful object: a chain link fence. When the shadow of it moves in waves along the sand at the beach, it's quite appealing. For more pictures of sun, shadow and sand, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 12, 2008

Most people think of palm trees, water, boats, and beaches when they think of Miami -- and they'd be right. But Miami is much more than just that. Miami also has long stretches of farmland that makes you think you're in Nebraska or Oklahoma. When topped by the beautiful cloud formations that are a hallmark of the Miami landscape, you get a picture that's hard to beat. For more pictures of Miami, visit a new gallery coming soon from Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 11, 2008

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami, Florida, offers not only a wonderful history of railroads, but some incredible specimens of trains from the past. In addition to the Ferdinand Magellan, the private railroad car built for President Franklin Roosevelt, it has the California Zephyr train. Before Amtrak operated a train with this name, the California Zephyr was operated by three separate railroads between its Chicago to Oakland, California run. That 2,525 mile run took 2½ days to complete, and the route was purposely scheduled so that the train passed through the most spectacular scenery in the daylight. Here's how one beautifully restored car from that train looks in the museum. For more pictures of Miami, look for a new gallery coming soon at Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 10, 2008

Snow fences are used as much for sand control at beaches as they are for snow, and their designs always provide an interesting visual enhancement to a place that is usually already visually appealing. This shot taken at Cold Storage Beach in Dennis on Cape Cod is no exception. For more photos of the Cape, look for my book on Cape Cod available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or visit any one of the Cape Cod galleries at Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 9, 2008

This photo, taken obviously in New England, will put a smile on any face. This particular shot came from the Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen in East Sandwich on Cape Cod. For more photos of the Cape, look for my book on Cape Cod available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or visit any one of the Cape Cod galleries at Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 8, 2008

The Deering Estate at Cutler is an environmental, archeological and historical preserve in Miami. In addition to its family offerings including canoe rides, butterfly hikes and nature guided tours, the Deering Estate has a 444 acre campus of stunning beauty that will not just impress you, but will rejuvenate your soul. Here is just one example of how stately it is. For more photos of Miami, visit a new gallery coming soon at Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 7 2008

Today will be the last waterfall for a while. This one is also from Miami, from Schnebly's Redland Winery. The winery has all the typical winery offerings like vineyards, wine tastings, and tours. But it also has a dramatic area behind it with sweeping waterfalls and quaint bridges. This view represents only part of the total waterfall landscape there. For more pictures of Miami, visit a new gallery coming soon at Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 6, 2008

Since we've been showcasing waterfalls from New York City for the last three days, I thought I'd show two from Miami. Today's is from the Miami Metro Zoo. The Zoo has an enormous range of animals in a non-caged environment. But it also has this beautiful waterfall. For more pictures of water, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 5, 2008

Here's one last shot of The New York City Waterfalls. From the previous two photos, it can be hard to get a sense of the scale of these falls. This photo taken at the falls at South Street just below Pier 35 helps address that. For more pictures of New York City, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 4, 2008

Yesterday I showed you a shot of The New York City Waterfalls exhibit. There are eight waterfalls in all, on the Manhattan and Brooklyn coastlines. Perhaps the most quintessential location is the one directly under the Brooklyn Bridge. In this shot, you can see the waterfalls under the bridge, and see the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges in the background. For more pictures of New York City, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 3, 2008

Last Thursday, I finally had a chance to sail by The New York City Waterfalls exhibit by Olafur Eliasson. The waterfalls are up until October 13, and consist of a series of man-made waterfalls in eight different locations in the city. This is one of those exhibits that works best in person or in video, since it's the movement of the falls that makes it so interesting and mesmerizing -- unless you happen to catch it just at the exact right moment at sunset, when the falls and the scaffolding-like structure all just come alive in the glowing sun. This one was taken of the Governors Island falls. For more pictures of New York City, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 2, 2008

The Grove Isle Hotel and Spa in Coral Gables, Florida is a Miami luxury boutique hotel right on Biscayne Bay with just 49 rooms. One of the things it is known for is the fact that guests there can feel like the only guests there -- as evidenced in part by their outdoor dining tables. They're each situated in their own space, so while eating there, you have no tables adjacent to you -- just some foliage from flowers and bushes. On a future Photo of the Day posting, we'll show you how it looks at dusk with its oil lamps burning, but in the meantime, here's a view of one table in daylight. For more photos of Miami, look for a new gallery coming soon at Paul Scharff Photography.com.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Photo Of The Day: August 1, 2008

New York City is full of interesting things to look at. And some of them are completely impromptu, whether it's people or things. Last year I was riding in a cab down Fifth Avenue when we came to a traffic light at 34th Street. An M5 bus was to my right, and I noticed that its all-windowed side was reflecting some flags of an opposite building in a wonderfully abstract, yet readable way. The flags were from The Graduate Center, which is the doctorate-granting institution of The City University of New York. So I pulled out the camera with one hand while lowering the window on the other, and grabbed this shot, just before the light changed and the bus pulled away.For more pictures of New York City, visit Paul Scharff Photography.com.