Penning Photography Daily

Washington Park Botanical Garden is presenting a Botanical Infusion Exhibit. Featuring more than 20 pieces by local glass artist Ed Martin with collaboration in metal by artists Darrin Miller, Ed Fraase and Brian Luparell.

The warm air in the botanical dome was a welcome contrast to the very cold and blustery day outside.

These glass and metal works of art both stood out and bleneded with the variety of green plants.

I spent a delightful hour, soaking up the warmth, the beauty and artistic skills on display.

It was a real challenge to take good photos of the glass pieces. The dome above, fills the garden with soft light and the glare on the glass was everywhere.

I was taking photos from all angles. I got a few good ones out of over 230+ frames taken.

These orange and red glass pieces remind me of large tropical plant leaves.

Washington Park Botanical Garden is presenting a Botanical Infusion Exhibit. Featuring more than 20 pieces by local glass artist Ed Martin with collaboration in metal by artists Darrin Miller, Ed Fraase and Brian Luparell.

The warm air in the botanical dome was a welcome contrast to the very cold and blustery day outside.

These glass and metal works of art both stood out and bleneded with the variety of green plants.

I spent a delightful hour, soaking up the warmth, the beauty and artistic skills on display.

It was a real challenge to take good photos of the glass pieces. The dome above, fills the garden with soft light and the glare on the glass was everywhere.

I was taking photos from all angles. I got a few good ones out of over 230+ frames taken.

This circular piece picks up the stripes from the leaves underneath and some of the surrounding leaves. It caught my eye, but was tough to get without glare.

The stormy clouds make a beautiful contrast to this massive church.

First Christian Church sits at the corner of Sixth & Cook streets in Downtown Springfield, Illinois.

I love these gothic looking bell towers on churches. I picture Quazimoto from Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” hidden among the bells, watching over his love, Esmeralda.

No, I didn’t feel eyes staring at me when I took this, but I was hoping not to get run over.

The Known & Unknown.

A library, flanked by two churches.

The novels & books of facts of the library, counterpointed by communities of The Good Book – the Bible.

I went up to one of the downtown parking ramps just after sunset. The light had faded fast, and by the time I got this frame, it was into the darkenss of the night.

The wind was whipping around me, and my hands were freezing up quickly.

This tableau of two churches and the Lincoln Library in the center caught my eye.

First Presbyterian to the left and Grace Lutheran to the right.

Seekers of knowledge & wisdom find solace at this corner.

As I was heading into work this morning, the sky was a deep beautiful blue, punctuated by the white puffs of clouds.

I had my camera out next to me in the car, on the lookout for opportunites to capture the beauty.

As I turned into my parking lot, I stopped the car. I rolled down my window and caught this frame.

The copper colored windows, are reflecting the cloud and sun filled sky against that beautiful blue sky & clouds. The building’s parallel lines and rectangles, in opposition to the fractal chaos of the cumulus clouds and smooth shades of blue.

It stopped me in my tracks.

In between work and choir practice, I had to head home. I had left this morning wtih nothing in my pockets. No wallet, no ID, no money. Ouch!

I made it through the day with the change in my desk. Good habit for me, as it’s saved me on days like this and unexpected late nights.

Coming home, I noticed the sunset about to occur. The golden hour was happening and a good opportunity was right before me.

I took out my Panasonic LX3, a constant companion in my pocket. I went vertical and took 12 frames, overlapping, with a stitched panorama in mind.

I don’t mind the parallax curvature nor the grain. The composit photo speaks to me of my home and the beauty of our setting.

The trees stand majestic, framing the front, side and back of the house. Their limbs catching the golden light, stand against the blue sunset sky. The golden flare of the setting sun stands as a fare well beacon to the day.

I purposely left my car in the frame as a sign of the artist: me.

Christ Episcopalian Church stands at the corner of Sixth & Jackson Streets in Springfield, Illinois.

This 125 year old church is made of beautiful limestone which give it a warm glow, especially here when lighted as the evening approached.

The wind was gusting quite a bit as a winter front was moving in. The flags were flapping wildly.

A friend of mine from high school designed a stained glass window which installed in one of the side courtyard windows years ago. As I recall it, it was of a fish, leaping out of water, with the sun high in the sky.

This historic landmark building always brings a smile to my face when I drive by. The warm stones reminding me that not all buildings have to be massive to be grand.

I’m glad that this chuch has been preserved and still stands.