The 1st Avenue Viaduct

DSC_3296, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

The underside of the 1St Avenue Viaduct in Birmingham, AL, near the entrance to the Sloss Furnaces National Historical Site. Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Quantaray 70-300 f4 telephoto lens.

Evolution of a Photograph

08-08-DSC_3143V5BW, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

This is actually a duplicate of a previous posting. I've posted it again because I've made a number of revisions to the original based upon feedback I received in Flickr's Critique group. Members post their work in this group for both technical and artistic feedback. You can follow this link to see the critique of this photo as it has evolved.

I try to be selective about what I post in the Critique Group. I only put up photos that I believe are pretty good from the start. Therefore, it's a little humbling to get dumped on, as I did with the original version of this photo. However, feedback is good and it makes you visualize the scene in new ways. As a result, it's a stronger image that more clearly tells the story of what is happening.

Wild Daffodills

DSC_2751, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

Wild daffodills in the woods along the Etowah River near Dahlonega, GA. Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Nikon 50mm f1.8D lens.

Making Iron

DSC_3143, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

Artisans and hobbyists pour molton iron from a cupola, a small iron furnace still in operation at the Sloss Furnaces National Historical Site.   The Sloss Furnaces produced iron in downtown Birmingham, Alabama from 1881 until the 1970's.  The mill was preserved as a national historical site in the early 1980's.  A small portion of the mill is still operated by hobbyists and enthusiasts.  Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Nikon 18-35mm F3.5D lens.

Bloodied Competitor

DSC_3404, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

A high school wrestler's nose is packed and taped to control bleeding during a tournament match. Shot with a Nikon D50, a Nikon Sb-600 Speedlight and a Nikon 80-200 f2.8D ED lens.

Cattails along the Chattahoochee River

DSC_7352bw, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

Cattails along the Chattahoochee River at the end of the fall. Shot with a Nikon D50 and a Nikon 80-200 f2.8D ED lens.

Walkways Within The Newseum

CSC_2296, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

A view of the front window wall and internal walkways connecting the galleries within the Newseum, in Washington DC. Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Nikon 18-55 f3.5G DX lens.

Camel Rides for Tourists

Camel Rides for Tourists, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

Two westerners get taken for a ride at Khor Al Udeid, the northen edge of Qatar's Inland Sea area (DSC_9711e). Shot with a Nikon D50 and a Nikon 80-200 f2.8D ED lens.

Alone in a Crowd

DSC_2864, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

A solitary ring-billed gull stands out in a flight of black skimmers n the beach in Naples, FL. Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8D ED lens.

Trucks in Snow

DSC_2813, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

A trucker walks through a rare snowstorm in Jackson, Georgia, south of Atlanta. Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Nikon 80-200 f2.8D lens.

DC Row Houses

DSC_2252, originally uploaded by frank.mara.

A set of row houses in Northeast Washington DC. Note the man in the upper window. Shot with a Nikon D90 and a Nikon 18-55 f3.5 DX lens.