Brugge

Brugge is a city I pictured all belgium to look like, cobble stone roads and brick or rock buildings and lots of bicycles. This city we had rented bicycles and traveled outside if the city with no aim except head towards the coast wich we never found. The ride was quite cold in the beginning but because we were moving it became 

After finding a great place to eat on the way back (I thought i took a picture of it guess not) but it was really good! Wish I could remember it. Sorry.

                                 This was a channel on the way back to the hostel so pretty!

                                              Now on to Calais, France 

Ghent

Ghent was one of the cities I was really looking forward to, meeting up with a friend I had met on the interweb and been talking to her for a long while.
So, my friend Caroline and her fiance met up with us at the train station to walk us back to her place. Normally they greet you with a kiss on the cheek instead of a hug as we do in America but they were unsure if we were comfortable with such a thing so I figured I'm in Europe so I might as well.

The next day Carolines friend Nick showed us around the town as she made her way to the Dr and then to the store!  So our first visit was to a Castle that was built in 1180!!!

                                 

                                           From here we headed to Brugge!

Dinant

I wish I would have taken more photos of this city, now i'll have to go back some day and do all the adventures that they offer such as Climbing, Kayaking, Caving, hiking and more. First thing that comes to mind when I think of Dinant is how none of the residents speak English and it's either French or Dutch. So trying to get around the city wasn't the easiest for a dumb American but I ended up eating at some nice places and getting some dang good fries! I realize now I could have documented this place better but now I have another excuse to go back maybe by then i'll know French.
 We started out by checking out the Dinant Citadel which is pretty much in the center of the town and not so pretty from the outside but very pretty from the inside! And when we got inside I had noticed the chanting and the bells from the outside and that was ever so soothing, So I just sat down and listened.

Next we had taken a lift up to castle and had an amazing view of the City, I also gazed at for a while.

                                     As I said, the view of the city was impressive!

After this we had taken a hike on one of the trails to make to another "castle" which turned out to not be a castle just a look out that was probably a part of the defense for the castle. Regardless of that it was a good hike and I'd like to go back because I found myself a cave that was unmarked and pretty well hidden. And you may ask yourself "did he go in" Well, YES I DID! It seemed to go in pretty far I couldn't tell simply because I did not have a headlamp with me and no rope, I went in about 40 feet and when the cave came to a stop I looked down and saw a hole going down which I really want to go into! 

On our way to the Hostel I saw a funny sign and had to include it in this blog.

Next stop GHENT

Brussels

 When exited the train station from the air port and walked out into the cold wet lifeless streets of Brussels this is going to be a great spot for some good photographs. We made out way into the town center and luckily enough I had time to see all the dump trucks ruining what I thought was going to be a great photo Op for the city in the morning. So, we had 2 hours to waste till we could get a map of the city so we could roam with out finding our selfs in the gutter.  

Heading back to the town center (i'm sure thats now what it's called) I had gotten lucky and most of the morning clean up crew had left and was able to capture a few photos before it was packed full of people!

Making our way around the city we find a church and what a beautiful one at that! I wish I could remember the name or had written the church's name down. Maybe i'll find out in due time.

So after a late lunch and some beer we headed back to the train station to take a nap to our next destination!

                                              Off to Dinant! and time for a nap!

Start of Europe Trip!

Alright, Finally getting to my trip in Europe! I'll write as if I was on the trip!

After a smooth ride into NYC and taking the night to explore the city and have some food at Birreria which very was good. Then explored Central Park and off to down town to see all the lights!
We headed back into the Hostel after seeing the cluttered downtown city of NY!

Morning came and we headed out to China Town! WOO! Really wanted to see this and the food we had was quite good too, I would like to visit that area again! The shops are much different from what I'm use to seeing they have the look of colture to them.

Then to the Empire State Building, that was a good sight to see again, I had for got how nice the city looks from above! 

That night we walked to the Brooklyn Bridge to see the mass of it! I didn't realize how large the bridge supports were and how someone could have even built such a thing!

Next morning was probably my favorite now because of what it is. The Grand Central Station which is mistakenly given the wrong name but is actually named Grand Central Terminal because its not a station! Thanks to Misty Parker we were given access to some parts of the building most people never see! I wasn't allowed to take photos in these spots expect for one and that was the walk ways at each end of the terminal which I never noticed. Lots of History in this building.

                                  This is the view from the top walkway in the Terminal

And as you can guess this is the walkway!!!

This was the last day in NYC and I was ready to see Belgium! Cheers!

SAY what?

BLOG BLOG BLOG!

OK, I dont even know what I posted last time.... Maybe I should take a gander before I start posting photos I have already thrown up here!
So since I have gotten back form my trip I have been non-stop busy with working on the bike's (At this point it's two bikes) and the wedding which I used up all my cards. I feel I need practice shooting outside again or with natural light.. I dont know, Also this will be my reminder to use a wider F/stop when shooting landscapes or group photos. AHHH.. Anyway! Photos! HERE we are!

                                                           The First dance.

                                             

Bridal Photos

I spoke of these photos about 2 month ago and I finally can upload the photos now that the wedding is over!!
I was given many compliments because of the photos which surprised me because of them not being normal style bridal portraits. Ot's hard to chose which ones to show on here so i'll just show the ones I had printed out for the bride.
These locations are in Austin,Tx on the green been belt near loop360. I had spent a few hours running around seeking the perfect spots for this photoshoot and once I had seen the spots I knew instantly that they would work.

In the dry river bed the rocks had green moss all over them, I found it to be pretty so It made choosing this as a location easier.The lighting was above her to the left of the photo, the over cast skys really helped with the dramatic lighting. Only editing done to both is exposure and slight color saturation.

 As for this shot, this is actually right off a hiking trail on the greenbelt, really dark textured rock so it made it an easy choice for a location to photograph her. simply a large umbrella to the right of her on a high power setting and this is what I got. Exposure was only adjusted on this photo. :)