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Artists – Page 2 – Bill Swartwout Photography

Category: Artists

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What did the camera say to his digital son?

You can never be negative.

Sorry – just saw that, and being a photographer since the old film and flashbulb days, I just had to pass it along. Just chalk it up to my “Dad Joke” style of humor.

While it is true I saw thousands of negative in my earlier days I was never negative about photography. I cannot think of anything really negative about the endeavor.

photographer office at the beach
My Office at the Beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

What’s not to like? My “office” or studio can be anywhere I choose for it to be. While the above setting was on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland, it could be on a beach anywhere. It has. I get to visit beaches along the east coast of the United States, Canada and Mexico as well as the beaches of about 20 different Caribbean, Central American and South American nations. My “office” could even be on a mountaintop capturing scenic vistas of more rugged and (also) picturesque areas.

office studio at the indian river inlet bridge
My office/studio at the Indian River Inlet Bridge near Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Many years ago I used photography to help work my way through college. I shot weddings, did aerial photography (also learned to fly a plane) and worked in a small town camera shop. I “learned the trade” so to speak and even helped teach some of what I learned to other people. I still love to share what I capture through the lens and even earn a few bucks by offering some of that through one of my online stores/galleries.

photographing on drifwood beach, jekyll island, georgia
Here I am photographing one of the most fascinating of places – Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

I am fortunate with my photography in that I am able to shoot is some truly fascinating places. I love bridge architecture and I love Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island and on and on. I am now adding another element to my photography exploits – drone photography. This will allow me to add an additional perspective to scenes that I shoot. It is also fun.

What’s that old saying? Oh yeah: Do what you love and love what you do. I do, I did and will keep on doing as long as I am able.

Link to: Visit my online Gallery

Link to: My Photography Blog

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Fried Bologna Sammy in Myrtle Beach

If you like fried bologna you’ve got to try the sandwich at Duffy’s B&G.

On our most recent trip to Myrtle Beach we visited one of our “must” places on the first night – Duffy’s Bar and Grill at The Bowery, 9th Ave and the Boardwalk. While Duffy’s is known for having outstanding burgers (that’ll be another story), I found solace and a great sammy in “Tammy’s Grilled Bologna Sandwich.”

Fried Bologna Sandwich at Duffy's and The Bowery
Fried Bologna Sandwich at Duffy’s and The Bowery
Duffy's Bar and Grill at the Bowery
Duffy’s Bar and Grill at the Bowery

I suppose it’s a recipe created by Tammy – or it may be a menu item named after a customer or a celebrity (I’ll have to ask next time). They (back in the kitchen) take a thick chunk of bologna and grill it, as they say, to perfection. Then it is flash fried for a delectable crispness and serve it up on lightly toasted white bread slathered with mayo with lettuce and tomato. The kitchen staff must take pride in their work because it truly is a work of art. That’s why I included this photo in my “Food As Art” Collection in my online gallery. Oh, yeah, I washed that sammy down with a couple Bowery Beers, their own brew, that’s not far off from a “Bud” – but tastes a good bit better.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel from the 14th Street Pier
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel from the 14th Street Pier

So, if you get the munchies when visiting Myrtle Beach the Bowery’s version of a classic Bar and Grill is Duffy’s. It’s easy to find – a few blocks south of the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel and half way down the block from the Boardwalk. It actually fronts on the “empty” space that, years ago, was the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, where the lights went out in 2006.

Yes, believe it or not, this “Food as Art” image is available in my on-line gallery. Click the links below to see more.

Link: Fried Bologna Sammy in Myrtle Beach

Link: Myrtle Beach Oceanfront from the 17th Street Pier

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America

And that’s no baloney! Right?

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Charcoal Rendition Makes these Fighter Planes Pop

Done in post-processing some creative filters can really enhance some photographs.

Of course, you have to start with a good image with proper exposure, clarity and composition. When those criteria are met it can be rewarding to explore some filter options and the effect they can have for the overall, artistic presentation.

I love airshows and airplanes of all kinds. I have been a Private Pilot for half a century and here is one of my personal favorite show pictures. I shot this over the beach in Ocean City, Maryland at the airshow in June, 2015 and shows a 60+ year evolution of military fighter aircraft. A World War II a P-51 Mustang World War II fighter airplane is flying in formation with an F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet.

Here is a simulated Charcoal Sketch presentation that gives a bit more “pop” to the two airplanes. That is likely because the “charcoal” sky is more textured and not the clear/plain blue in the original photograph. There is also more apparent detail in the fighters, themselves. What do you think? (Please respond in the comments section.)

Mustang and Raptor Military Aircraft in Charcoal
Simulated Charcoal Sketch of a P-51 Mustang and F-22 Raptor Flying in Formation

The charcoal rendition here of two different fighter planes are meant to be more tonal sketches and express the idea of a plane as a fast-moving machine. True to their nature, these images were “blasted” with a charcoal filter in Topaz Studio2 to minimize details and add a dramatic effect that suits the aggressive, potent look of war pilots in the skies.

Here is the original photograph of the two military fighters flying north over the beach in front of an estimated 100,000 viewers.

Mustang and Raptor Military Aircraft in Formation
P-51 Mustang and F-22 Raptor Flying in Formation

Going one step further is an Expressionism presentation where much of the detail is converted to fluid lines and colors. This provides a more abstract rendition of these two aircraft but also illustrates the fluidity of the design allowing the airfoils to slice through the air at incredible speeds.

Mustang and Raptor Military Aircraft Expressionism
Mustang and Raptor Military Aircraft – Expressionism Presentation

Links

Link: Raptor and Mustang in Formation Charcoal Sketch

Link: Raptor and Mustang in Formation

Link: Raptor and Mustang in Formation Expressionism

Link to: Bill’s Fine Art America/Pixels Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Pictorem Gallery

In the photographs above 75 years of aviation history are represented in the P-51 Mustang World War II fighter airplane and 2009-15 F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet flying in formation over the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

The P-51 Mustang was built to serve in the skies over World War II battlefields. It was developed and produced by North American Aviation in 1940. It could attain speeds over 400 MPH and carried 6 50-caliber Browning Machine Guns.

The F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet was built by Lockheed Martin in 2009 and (obviously) still flies today to provide defenses for the United States Armed Forces and carries a variety of modern weaponry.

Note: The images for sale are proportionally “sized” for framing in 8×10 up to 16×20 inch sizes and would look great on a wall in your home or office.