This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending my cousin’s wedding at the historic Customs House in Portland. The elegant venue, with its grand architecture, set the perfect backdrop for a day filled with love and celebration. To be perfectly clear, I was not there to photograph their wedding. They had a lovely team there to capture the day. However, a photographer is always going to bring some sort of camera with them. I chose a point and shoot film camera.
Armed with my film camera, I captured moments that that I wanted to hold dear. In the process, I found myself being able to tell a little story of a day filled with love. There’s something special about the rawness of film photography—the anticipation of waiting for the photos to be developed, knowing each shot was taken with intention. Unlike digital photos, film seems to freeze emotions in a unique, unpolished way that’s hard to replicate. The disposable camera allowed me to focus on the essence of these moments—without getting caught up in trying to take the “perfect” shot.
The Customs House itself felt alive, as if it had its own stories to tell. As we danced and celebrated under its grand ceilings, I couldn’t help but wonder what other moments had unfolded in this incredible space over the years.
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Fall in New England is a magical time of year. The landscape transforms into a breathtaking palette of warm hues, and nature puts on a show like no other. While many people turn their cameras towards the changing leaves, I found myself drawn to the forest floor, where a different kind of autumnal wonder awaited – the world of mushrooms. I am excited to share my experience of photographing mushrooms during the fall season and introduce you to the fascinating art of focus stacking to capture these intricate organisms in all their glory.
The Beauty of Fall in New England
New England is famous for its picturesque fall foliage, but the autumnal beauty extends beyond the leaves. The forest floor becomes a canvas of diverse and colorful mushrooms during this season. The mix of fallen leaves, wet weather, and decaying wood creates the perfect conditions for these fantastic fungi to emerge. Each mushroom species boasts its unique colors, shapes, and sizes, making it a paradise for photographers looking to capture the essence of fall
Mushrooms: The Tip of the Mycelial Iceberg
Mushrooms, as captivating as they are, are just the tip of a much larger and intricate organism. What we commonly see are the fruiting bodies of a vast underground network of mycelium, known as the mycelial mat. This network of fine threads serves as the organism’s true body and is responsible for nutrient absorption, decomposition of organic matter, and even communication with other organisms. The mushrooms we photograph serve as a reproductive structure, releasing spores to create the next generation. It’s awe-inspiring to think about the hidden complexity beneath the forest floor.
Capturing the Details: Focus Stacking
Photographing mushrooms, especially in their natural habitat, can be challenging due to a narrow depth of field. This small depth of field is because of the short distance between the lens and the subject. Therefore, capturing the entire mushroom, from its cap to its base, can be impossible with a single shot.
This is where focus stacking comes into play. Focus stacking is a photographic technique that involves taking multiple images with varying focus points and then merging them into a single image in post-processing. By doing this, you can achieve a final image that’s sharp and in focus from front to back, ensuring that every detail of the mushroom is beautifully rendered.
The photo stacking process goes something like this:
Use a tripod: Stacking requires consistent framing. A tripod stabilizes your camera and helps you maintain the same composition for all shots.
Set your camera to manual mode: This ensures that your exposure settings remain consistent throughout the process.
Choose a small aperture: A high f-stop number (e.g., f/11 or higher) will result in a deeper depth of field.
Compose your shot: Focus on the nearest part of the mushroom and take a photo. Then, progressively adjust the focus point further into the scene, capturing more images.
Post-processing: Use image stacking software, in this case Adobe Photoshop to combine the images into a single, fully focused photograph.
Open all of the photos as layers in a new document.
With all layers selected go to Edit>Auto Align Layers then Edit> Auto Blend Layers and select the “Stacking” method.
Viola! You should now have a mushroom that is fully in focus.
Italy, a land of timeless beauty and unparalleled charm, has long captivated the hearts of travelers and admirers of art and architecture. From its ancient ruins to its magnificent cathedrals, Italy’s architectural history is a testament to its rich cultural heritage and artistic prowess. Recently, I, along with my significant other and two close friends, embarked on our first trip to Italy. We discovered Italy’s captivating architectural landscapes, exploring the age-old buildings that stand as living witnesses to centuries of history, and the enchanting doors that tell stories of bygone eras.
Italy’s architectural legacy is a rich tapestry woven over centuries, bearing witness to the rise and fall of empires, the evolution of artistic styles, and the genius of countless architects and craftsmen. The country boasts an array of architectural wonders that span diverse periods, including the ancient Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic eras.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Italy’s architectural allure is the weathered appearance of its buildings. The passage of time has left its mark on these structures, giving them a unique character and a sense of history. It’s in the weathered facades and worn stone walls that the stories of Italy’s past seem to whisper. Nowhere is this more evident than in the charming doors that adorn the entrances of countless Italian buildings. The doors, some of which have been standing for centuries, are more than just gateways; they are silent witnesses to the lives that have passed through them. The patina on these doors tells stories of generations, echoing the footsteps of merchants, artists, nobles, and everyday citizens who once called these buildings home.
As you wander through the streets of Italian towns and cities, you’ll find doors that seem to have stepped out of a time capsule. The weathered wood, ornate ironwork, and intricate carvings are a testament to the craftsmanship of their creators. Each door carries its own narrative, a visual narrative that transports us to another era. Italy’s architectural history is a treasure trove of artistic achievements and cultural heritage. The weathered facades and enchanting doors of its buildings are not just remnants of the past, but living testaments to the resilience and beauty that define Italy’s soul.
The highlight of our trip, without question, the the walled city of Lucca. Halfway between Florence and Pisa, this small city is filled with stunning views, picturesque codlblestone streets, and wonderful food. The city boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Its origins can be traced to the Etruscan civilization, which flourished in the area before the Roman conquest.The well-preserved city walls of Lucca are a prime example of its medieval heritage. These impressive fortifications, built during the Renaissance, encircle the entire historic center and offer a unique opportunity to stroll or bike along a tree-lined pathway atop the walls, providing panoramic views of the city. Within the walls, narrow cobblestone streets, charming squares, and medieval towers contribute to Lucca’s distinct character.
The Renaissance left its mark on Lucca as well. Palazzo Pfanner, a grand mansion with a beautiful garden, exemplifies the Renaissance architectural style. The interior of the palace features exquisite frescoes and decorations. The Guinigi Tower, famous for its oak trees at the top, is a remnant of Lucca’s medieval and Renaissance past, offering breathtaking views of the city.
Lucca’s architectural landscape is a captivating journey through time, with each building and structure offering a glimpse into the city’s storied past. Whether you’re wandering through its medieval streets, marveling at its churches, or walking atop its ancient walls, Lucca’s architecture is a living testament to the layers of history that have shaped this enchanting Italian gem.
As we explored the ancient streets and admired the time-worn doors, we connected with the generations that have come before us, each step a journey through time, guided by the whispers of history. Italy’s architectural wonders and its enchanting doors are a reminder that true beauty lies not just in perfection, but in the stories that have shaped a nation and continue to captivate the world. These photos interlaid between paragraphs are only some of the perhaps thousands of beautifully unique doors often gone unappreciated.
