Through The Lens 152 – Leatherbark Creek Autumn

Leatherbark Creek

Some fall color along the Leatherbark Creek from the 2015 edition of the Cass Photography Workshop.  Hopefully we’ll get to do this again some day.

Happy Friday!

Through The Lens 126 – Glade Creek Grist Mill

The Glade Creek Grist Mill is a popular photo location in Babcock State Park in West Virginia.  Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.

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:

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 95 – Cass Fall Photography Workshop

This weekend, I’m attending the 2017 edition of the Cass Fall Photography Workshop.  While there isn’t a photo charter component this year, I’m happy that the night photo shoot will occur again this year.  The photo above is from the night session at last year’s workshop.  I can’t wait to see what Walter and Clayton have in store for us this year.

With any luck, I’ll post the photos from last year’s workshop in the next month.

Through The Lens 92 – Elakala Falls

Elakala Falls - Upper Falls

Another waterfall located in Blackwater Falls State Park, Elakala Falls is actually a series of four waterfalls as Shay Run drops into Blackwater Canyon. The upper portion shown above, is visible from a bridge directly above the Falls. Getting to the bottom requires some effort.  I also made it down to the second section but couldn’t find the trail to the sections below that. Based on the trail descriptions I’ve seen, getting to the lower two sections is very difficult.

Through The Lens 91 – Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Falls is located in Blackwater State Park near Davis, West Virginia.  The Falls occurs where the Blackwater River, named for its tannin darkened waters, drops into the Blackwater Gorge and is the largest of several in the park.

Trip Report – Locust Heights & Western

As I mentioned in last week’s post, I recently attended a photo charter on the Locust Heights & Western Railroad in Clarksburg, WV.  The LH&W RR is a “backyard” railroad built by the late Keith Mason along with his family and friends.  Today the Mason Family and their dedicated team of volunteers keep Mr. Mason’s passion for railroading alive, operating most Wednesday evenings from June through October.

The LH&W RR has been on my photography “to do” list for several years, so I jumped at the opportunity to attend a photo charter, especially with the proceeds going toward the cost of recently completed boiler repairs.  Charter organizers, Matt Wilson and Walter Scriptunas, put on a great combination of daytime runbys and a night photo session.  The Mason Family and Railroad Volunteers even dressed the part, allowing the charter participants to make some timeless images.

The Flats:

First Crossing:

Lumberjacks:

The Woods:

Feeding the Fire:

Late night in the Yard:

Night Session Outtake:

Thanks again, to Matt, Walter, The Mason Family and the dedicated team of volunteers that keep this wonderful place running!  I had a great time and I’m looking forward to the next one.

Through The Lens 87 – Locust Heights & Western

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a photo charter at the Locust Heights  & Western Railroad in Clarksburg West Virginia.  The LH&WRR is a “backyard” railroad operated by the Mason Family and their team of dedicated volunteers.  They typically only operate on Wednesday evenings, June through October so this photo excursion was a special opportunity.

Look for a trip report Tuesday.