I made a return trip to the Klotz Throwing Company in the fall for a workshop hosted by Abandoned America. Just finished editing the images, so look for a Trip Report on Tuesday.
Through The Lens 112 – Klotz Throwing Company
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Author Archives: Michael Summers
Trip Report – Williamsburg
Over New Year’s weekend I traveled to Williamsburg for what has become a nearly annual photography trip with my Dad to see the Christmas Decorations in the Colonial Area. While I did take some exterior photos in the Historic Area (when the light is as nice as it was for Friday’s post, you have to make some photos), my focus was on the historic trades.
The Weaver:
Colorful Threads in the Weaver’s Shop:
The Joiner:
Spring Pole Lathe in the Joiner Shop:
The Tinsmith:
The Shoemaker:
Through The Lens 111 – Duke of Gloucester St Sunrise
Sunrise on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg during a recent trip. More on Tuesday.
Trip Report – Scranton Lace
Last fall I had the opportunity to attend the last tour of Scranton Lace hosted by Abandoned America. Sadly due to the removal of the roof drain piping, water has created several unsafe conditions in the wooden portions of the complex. As a architect, I was sad to see such senseless and preventable damage. As a photographer, I was happy to have had the chance to photograph it, but wished I had known about it sooner.
Scranton Lace opened as the Scranton Lace Curtain Manufacturing Company in 1890, and eventually became the largest producer of Nottingham lace in the United States. Scranton lace continued operations until 2002 when it closed mid-shift. The complex was so large that it included a ballroom, gymnasium, theater, bowling alley, and infirmary, in addition to the vast production and storage facility. My understanding is that the current owners plan to redevelop the site, hopefully they aren’t too late.
Crates:
The last of the Nottingham Looms:
Theater:
Ripples:
Ballroom:
Through The Lens 110 – Scranton Lace
I had the opportunity to attend the last workshop hosted by Abandoned America at the Scranton Lace Company back in November. The complex is in sad shape, but there were still some great photos to be made.
I finished editing the photos from that workshop, so look for a trip report on Tuesday.
Trip Report – 2016 & 2017 Cass Fall Photography Workshops
Yes, I am a year behind in editing. I recently finished up the photos from the 2016 & 2017 Cass Fall Photography Workshops. In 2016, I was on a flight back from Colorado on Saturday morning, so I missed most of Saturday, arriving just in time for the night session:
Sunday featured a photo excursion to Whittaker including scenes at Back Mountain Road Crossing:
Lower Switchback:
Gum Road Crossing:
In contrast to my late arrival in 2016, I made it in time for the Friday night welcome session for the first time ever in 2017. Clayton gave a great talk on seeing and on composition.
Saturday included a shoot at the Jail:
We did an outdoor flash lesson with Monica serving as our fly fisherman model:
Saturday ended with the traditional night session, this time at the water tank:
Sunday started with a session inside the company store:
And we ended the weekend with a real treat. We were granted access to the Ice House for a photo session:
Thanks again to Walter, Clayton, Monica, Matt and Andrew for all their hard work in putting together a great weekend. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this fall.
Through The Lens 109 – Cass Fall Photography Workshop
In one of the scenes from the night session at the Cass Fall Photography Workshops, Andy checks the line shaft of Western Maryland Shay ‘Big 6’ with the help of an inspector’s lantern.
I recently finished editing photos from the 2016 & 2017 Cass Fall Photography Workshops, so I’ll do a trip report Tuesday.
Through The Lens 108 – Yellowstone
The recent cold snap had me thinking about the coldest weather I’ve experienced. It was -31°F the morning we went to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and it was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen. Clear blue skies and the air shimmered with tiny ice crystals floating. Its hard to believe it was ten years ago. It seems like I was just there.
Through The Lens 107 – Happy New Year!
Since Monday is New Year’s I thought I would take the opportunity to share a couple of my favorite images from the year. 2017 was a great year photographically that included a number of trips to photograph railroads, landscapes, abandoned structures and more. In no particular order, here are a couple of my favorites:
The image above is from a photo trip to the East Broad Top Railroad in Orbisonia, PA from a workshop I attended in January.
Next up is a photo from the Locust Heights & Western photo charter in August. This was my first trip to this awesome place and I’m looking forward to returning in the future.
Raven’s Roost Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway was a happy accident. Traffic on I-81 on my way to Roanoke put me in position to take a detour to catch sunset on the Parkway.
Speaking of Roanoke, this photo was taken on the third of three weekends chasing N&W 611.
Ohiopyle was a quick stop on the way to Locust Heights in August. I’m hoping to make a fall color trip there in the next year or so.
Last but not least, 2017 saw two trips to the Klotz Throwing Company for workshops.
I’m still processing photos from Strasburg, The Scranton Lace Company, Williamsburg, Walt Disney World, and the Cass Photography Workshops, so keep an eye out for those hopefully soon.
Happy New Year!
Through The Lens 106 – Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!