Photostream & Journal
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Unknown Soldier
August 8, 2013 -- The headstone of an unknown soldier honors one of the fallen at Riverside Cemetery in Denver.
This moment made me take a step back. This person went off to war and died without a name. His loved ones and family never knew his fate and were left wondering what happened to him.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II with 28-105mm f/4.5 USM lens.headstonegravemarkercemeteryriverside cemeterydenvercoloradokupercooperunknownsoldier
Window
August 8, 2013 -- I noticed this simple window shot driving through one of the back streets in Denver.
The open window is inviting. The simple contrasts of the lines of the white bricks and slightly faded colors that give this place a Mediterranean feel.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II with 28-105mm f/4.5 USM lens.
iPhone
September 1, 2013 -- This is one of my favorite shots of a flower reflected on the screen of an iPhone. The bokeh'ed grid of the table helps contrast this shot.
Capturing a reflection in about anything (mirror, sunglasses, phone, windows, etc.) will usually give you a great framed shot.
Camera stuff: Canon EOS M with 100mm f/2.8 USM, tripod, and illuminated with an led work light wrapped with 1/2 CTO Warming Gel.iPhone 4Sreflectionfloraflowercreativemacro photographykupercooper
Three Eggs
September 19, 2013 -- Eggs are the perfect subject for learning how to play with the effects of light from different angles.
Camera stuff: EOS-M, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, and 580EX II with 1/4 CTO Warming Gel. Flash bounced off a white reflector. The background is a grey sheet of poster board, which also makes it easy to adjust the white balance.
Jaws
September 19, 2013 -- Normal everyday office "things" can take on a whole new personality when looked at up-close.
This staple remover is rather wicked looking and could be the main character of a horror movie. Hmmm...there might be something coming to my Vimeo site soon.
Camera stuff: EOS-M, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, and mini LED work-light wrapped with 1/2 CTO Warming Gel.staple removerofficetoolsmacrophotographyhorror moviekupercooper
Reflective Sunset
September 23, 2013 -- Sunset while traveling westbound on I-70 in Missouri.
It took about twenty shots to get this image. The shear luck of getting the car (with the headlights on) makes this image work.
Camera stuff: EOS M with Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
Kissing Camels
October 14, 2013 -- The sun creates a lens flare through a gap in the rock formation called the Kissing Camels at the Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II and 24-105mm f/4.5 USM lens. As with most sun shots, I set this up on a tripod well before-hand, then waited.lensflarekissing camelsgarden of the godscolorado springscoloradokupercooperrockformation
The Egli House
October 22, 2013 — As if it was a scene taken out of the Wizard of Oz, the Egli House is the last farmhouse of over 200 still standing on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. Grotifreb and Rose Egli were one of the original homesteaders in this area raising eight children in this house. The house later served as the quarters for the Deputy Commander of the Arsenal. About a mile over the horizon from this shot was the South Plant section of the Arsenal. Built in 1942, the South Plant produced chemical weapons in response to WWII. The house is on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places. Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II 24-105mm f/4.5 Lens.
Eglihousehomesteadfarmrocky mountainarsenalbig skycommerce citydenvercoloradoabandonedkupercooper
The Rack
November 1, 2013 — A buck hangs out under a roadside tree at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II with 70-200mm f/2.8 USM. Aperture 3.mule deerdeerrocky mountainarsenalwildlife refugefaunarackantlerscommerce citydenvercoloradokupercooper
Abstract Birch
November 11, 2013 -- This was an experiment that turned out better than I expected.
I wanted to see if I could create something abstract and painting like with just the camera. This was a one-second exposure at f/4.5 with just a slight intentional movement up and down. It took a bit of trial and error to get the right amount of moment and exposure.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II and 50mm f/1.4 USM lens. Aperture 3.
Bison
November 12, 2013 -- A Bison wanders by at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.
Wildlife photography is much like sitting in the bushes of your backyard and waiting for the grass to grow. This image took about an hour to capture waiting for him to finish rubbing himself against a pole and then deciding to check me out. Much of capturing an image like this is luck. Bison are not that cooperative in taking posing suggestions.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II with 70-200mm f/2.8 USM lens. Post in Aperture 3.bisonbuffalowildliferefugerocky mountain arsenalcommerce citydenvercoloradofaunahornsKuperCooper
Arthurdale Service Station in West Virginia
November 21, 2013 -- The main pumps of the Esso Station of Arthurdale, West Virginia.
This service station was one of several business cooperative ventures established in 1934 by the Mountaineer Craftsmen Cooperative Association of Scotts Run.
The township of Arthurdale was one of several New Deal communities established under the Federal Homestead Act and operated by the Federal Government until it liquidated all community assets in 1947. The gas station continued to run under private ownership until it closed in the late 1970’s.
Camera Stuff: Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STMEssoRetroGas StationGas PumpsDealerNew DealService StationArthurdaleWest VirginiaKuperCooper
Orange Surprise
December 1, 2013 -- Yesterday afternoon I came up from the basement after working on the Amaryllis shot and the kitchen was washed with an erie orange glow. Outside, I found this. More amazing than the colors and light is just how long a sunset lasts (or doesn't)--literally a few minutes. The time around any sunset shot--the before and after--is lost after the moment.
Camera stuff: Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM; "Autumn Hues" Picture Style. I processed this through Aperture 3 and other than a slight white balance correction, these are the actual colors.
Colonel John Fairfax
November 21, 2013 -- Commissioned January 1, 1814, Colonel John Fairfax commanded the 76th Regiment 3rd Division, 10th Brigade from Monongalia County, Virginia in the War of 1812.
He served as George Washington’s aide during the Revolutionary War and later as superintendent of the Mount Vernon estate. He is buried here with other members of his family and several slaves.
The rest of the story: right after I captured this image a rather large bloodhound who was not too keen of having strangers around, came bounding up from the woods. Needless to say, I can move pretty fast when I need to.
Camera stuff: Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STMColonel John FairfaxgravecemeteryContinental LineRevolutionary WarAide to General WashingtonAurtherdaleWest VirginiaKuperCooper
Lost in this moment...
January 1, 2014 -- I noticed this couple in front of the Lincoln Memorial during one of my people watching moments.
They spent at least thirty minutes taking shots of each other with the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pond in the background. What captured my attention was that they were going beyond the "I was here" tourist photography. They had a strong element of creativity and persistence; trying different poses and angles.
The most important element--just having fun with a camera.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II -- Shutter Priority.washingtondcwdclostmomenttouristjumpingcameraphotographykupercooper
Eye Level
July 31, 2012 -- Beyond the bokeh and being down at ground level, the reflection in eyes brings this image to life.
The side story: a neighbor looked out her window and saw me splayed out across the front yard--thought I had a heart attack.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II and 70-200mm f/2.8 USM.
Never Let It Fade
January 1, 2014 -- Unless you know that it is there, you would miss it. There are no arrows or signs pointing to this spot. This stone marks the place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream” speech during the March on Washington in August 28, 1963.
For the past couple of weeks, I have struggled through whether I like this image or not. It has gone from the flagged pile, to the rejected, un-rejected, back and forth a few times. It was a hard shot to take through moving groups of people and legs. The lettering is hard to read from this angle, but it was the best with the available light and time. Some visitors will spill water over the lettering to make it more readable. I didn’t want that image and was pressed to take this shot before someone came up with the idea of dumping water.
The shoes—a symbol of the several generations that have come since the speech—drove me to figure out a way to make this image work and maybe make it more acceptable.
It came down to sharing my interpretation of what I see in this image. The words and lettering are hard to read, but like many events in history the details begin to fade or revise with time. There is enough detail here to invoke a sense of curiosity to go back and revisit a time past—to rekindle the meaning and never letting it fade completely from memory.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk IILincoln MemorialmemorialMartin Luther KingMLKstepsI have a dreamspeechgenerationswashingtonwashington dcwdcnational mallkupercooper
Morning Blinds
January 4, 2014 -- "If you see it, shoot it" is one of the photography adages that I have to keep reminding myself of. This was an early morning wonder that I woke up to with the sun breaking its colors on a partially frosted window.
Another truth, "the best camera is the one you have with you." In this case, an iPad that was close at hand with a screen large enough for a bit of pre-coffee focusing.
As with all sun scenes, this "view" only lasted a minute or two. If I didn't take the shot, this would have been lost forever. The key to great sunset (or sunrise) shots is to go early, setup, and stay late.
Camera stuff: The odd one out, iPad AiramblindsFairfaxFFXflickrfrostglowiPadiPad airmorningorangeshadowssunrisewindow
Airline Ticket Offices
January 4, 2014 -- I arrived early at Reagan National for my flight and spent a few minutes wondering the original terminal.
Stuffed away in a corner of Terminal One at Reagan National Airport is a Airline Ticket Office board reflective of a time when there were more options.
Camera stuff: iPhone 5 and converted to Sepia with Aperture 3 to give the image a historical aged feel.airportcooperDCAiphone 5kuperReagan Washington Nationalterminal
The Hunt
January 7, 2014 --
Set against the foothills and the Rocky Mountains, seven coyotes gather for a noon hunt at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. The seventh is masked behind the tree branches to the right.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II and 70-200mm f/2.8 USM lens.coyotewildlifethe huntrocky mountainarsenalfoothillsrefugekupercooper
Bison
January 6, 2014 --
A pair of Bison block the road at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.
With the background blowout a bit from the bright sun and snow making it feel as cold as it was, the reflection in their eyes makes this image come alive.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mk II and 70-200mm f/2.8 USM lens.bisonbuffalorocky mountainarsenalwildliferefugecommerce citydenvercoloradofaunakupercooper
Yellow Columbine
August 17, 2013 -- Changing the angle to include the purple flowers in the background adds more depth and color (especially when they are outside the depth of field).
Camera stuff: Canon EOS M with 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens; tripod mount.floraflowercolumbinebokehdepth of fieldyellowpurplemacrokupercooper
Denver International Airport
August 30, 2013 -- I am in and out of DIA quite a bit over a year and for me, it is one of the easiest (and pleasant as they can be) airports to maneuver around.
This shot was taken with a GoPro Hero 2 set at the widest field of view, and captures one of the unique architectures used in airport design. The wide angle look curves some of the vertical lines to add to the appeal of this image.
The GoPro is a great traveling camera because of its small size. The only drawback is no screen to check your shots (at least I do not have one) and have to wait until I can download them to see what I have.DenverInternational AirportDIAColoradoGoProHero2terminaltransportationkupercooper
Wings
August 3, 2013 -- Beyond the detail that you don't normally see, bees are a challenge to capture. They are a great training ground to develop the skills needed for taking shots of pets and kids.
Bees are an ongoing project of mine in search of the perfect "in-flight" shot.
Camera stuff: EOS M with 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens.
View from below...
August 3, 2013 -- A view from the below taken with a large aperture creating a very shallow depth of view. Additional light from below by a LED work light wrapped with 1/4 CTO warming gel.
Camera stuff: Canon EOS M with 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens.floraflowergardenbloompedalbelowbokehshallow depth of viewmacro photographykupercooper
"The Wall"
May 25, 2015 -- "Vietnam Veterans Memorial"
58,300 etched names on a gabbro wall. Each name a person. An individual.
Many of the names have been honored on this wall for longer than that person was alive.
Never forget.Vietnam Veterans Memorialwashingtond.c.memorialvietnamreflection
From Washington DC
Passengers Only
January 4, 2014 -- One of the original passenger lounges of Terminal A of Reagan National Airport.
Today, the construction of a simple door would just be a printed sign tacked flat piece of metal.
Taken with an iPhone 5 and processed with Aperture 3. I converted this image to Sepia to give it a historical feel.iphone 5Reagan Washington NationalDCAairportterminalpassengerspassengers onlycooper_garygtkuper
From Washington DC
Former Dining Hall
January 4, 2014 -- The steps leading Exhibit Hall of Reagan National Airport which was formally the Dining Hall for the main terminal.
Taken with an iPhone 5 and processed with Aperture 3. I converted this image to Sepia to give it a historical feel.iphone 5Reagan Washington NationalDCAairportterminalDining HallExhibit Hallcooper_garygtkuper
From Washington DC
Mule Deer
January 7, 2014 -
A mule deer is masked within the vegetation while mulling about. I managed to get him in-focus while making the surrounding slightly out-of-focus, which makes him pop out a bit. The image doesn't quite fit the rule-of-thirds, but I wanted to leave as much of the surroundings in-tack by not cropping.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mark II with 70-200mm f/2.8 USM Lens.Rocky MountainWildlife RefugeArsenalcooper.garycooper_garymuledeergtkupersuper
From Wildlife
Eagle
January 14, 2014 -
Not a great shot (lacks detail and a bit noisy); had to crop a large portion of the original image to zoom in.
This was one of seven bald eagles I saw this morning. Truly a beautiful bird.
Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mark II with 70-200mm f/2.8 USM Lens. Cropped and adjusted in Aperture 3.avianRocky Mountain Arsenalbald eagleeaglecooper.garycooper_garygtkuper
From Wildlife
Denver International Airport
April 8, 2014 --
Looking south towards the Main Terminal from Terminal A. I understand the significance of the tent peaks (Rocky Mountains), but sometimes I feel like I am heading to the circus. Then again...iPhoneiWorldDIADenver International AirportTerminalTravelReflectiongt coopergtkuper
Hotel Del Coronado
March 10, 2014 --
The magic of the Hotel del--a storybook resort with ghosts and images of Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon (in drag).
Take 40 (or was it take 60) -- "Where's that Bourbon?"
"Nobody's perfect!"
More of the Del here: http://gtcooperphotography.smugmug.com/Travel/Coronado/CoronadoHotel del CoronadoiPhoneResortSan DiegoSome Like It HotTraveliPhone photographymovie sets
Vintage Spring
April 14, 2014 --
Spring in Fairfax, Virginia. A yellow day lily taken with an iPhone 5 and processed with iPad Air Snapseed.
With the wind blowing and my unsteady hand from bending over, the original was not...good. Then, with a little electron magic it became something more than it was.FloraflowerdaylilyFairfaxspringgtkupergtcoopersnap seediphone5
DIA Ghosts
April 17, 2014 --
A section of the Denver International Airport main terminal through the eye of an iPhone 5 and "tuned" back to the future with the Smugmug Camera! app.DenverInternationalAirportiPhone 5Main Terminalghostscurveslines
DIA Main Terminal
April 17, 2014 --
I have been through many airport terminals both domestic and international and Denver is one of my favorites. The openness of the terminal itself reflects the openness of Colorado--the angles, the Rocky Mountains. Despite the drive from Denver, for me it is worth it.
There is an earlier image without the "processing" that gives the architecture a completely different mood and feel.
This image: iPhone 5 and the Smugmug Camera! app.awesomizedDIADenverInternationalAirportTerminalColoradoRocky Mountainsarchitectureanglesunique.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal
April 20, 2014 --
The wildlife refuge at the Arsenal has (or did) about 80+ bison that roam "the range." This morning I found this bull and spent just over an hour and a half with him. He was off by himself from the rest of the herd. He didn't seem to mind my company, nor the other people who stopped, took a picture, then moved on.awesomizediPhone 5rocky mountainarsenalwildliferefugebisoncolorado
The most important thing in my camera bag...
April 24, 2014 --
Beyond whichever camera I have with me at the time, the most important thing "in my bag" is my journal. Writing and photography go hand-in-hand. For me, the ability to be somewhere, sit, watch and capture in words the scene as it evolves around me is the same skill needed in finding and capturing "that moment." A picture is worth a thousand words, but which words?awesomizedmoleskinejournaljournalingwritingcamera baggtkupergtcoopercooper.garyiPhone 5notebook
Morning Pages - A Reaffirmation of Quiet
April 30, 2014 --
A bit of coffee--actually quite strong--a blank page and the desire to find my thoughts through the haze of waking up.
The image outside is peaceful, fresh and serene. It should bring inspiration, a sense of calm and freshness of a new day, but the image is a lie. It does not convey the whole story. It leads you down a different path far from the truth. The "thousand words" that anyone can draw from this image are much different from reality.
What is not conveyed, is the loud construction noise of an unending remodeling that is wrapping my head like a cold, wet, dirty towel. A noise that started well before 8am. A noise that invades one's space like an unwanted odor. A reminder of boundaries.
This is a reminder--a reaffirmation--of the value I place on the loudness of quiet and the inner peace that it brings. It is also a reminder that not all share its value.awesomizedmorning pagestruthnoiseliewritingjournalinginspirationiPhone 5iPhone photographyworldconstructionremodelinggtcoopergtkuperreminderaffirmationquietmeditation
"Escaping the Noise" -- Rocky Mountain Arsenal
April 30, 2014 --
After the previous post this morning, I needed to escape the noise and headed out to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.
As if they knew, seven bison were at one of the intersections hanging out and waiting.
I spent an hour with them as they grazed and licked the road for salt. Some of the images are uploaded in the Wildlife Photography and Rocky Mountain Arsenal Galleries.
It was quiet here with only the occasional sounds of their breath and the gusty Colorado wind rolling across the flatness.
This is what matters--this moment.awesomizediPhone 5iPhone photographygtcoopergtkuperworldjournalblogthoughtsquietin the moment
Rest
April 30, 2014 -- Annie taking a mid-morning nap in the sun.
"What Matters"
May 8, 2014 --
I was outside listening to the fountain, writing, and lambasting the world and this time we live in for all of its craziness and utter immature madness. Our culture and discourse in society--and on society--is just plain mean. If one does not agree with another, it ends in name calling. No more “let’s agree to disagree.” No more respect.
I was ranting these things through writing and wondered “to where now?”
Then, I looked down.
She was there head on my knee, being patient, waiting for me to finish. She’s used to it. She will let me go for hours, but always remain there by my side.
For her life is simple--just give me love and loyalty. Just let me ride in the car with you. Just let me feel the wind in my face. Throw the ball a couple of times and let me chase it. You do what you need to do, but take me along. Just let me be with you.
In the big scheme of things everything else is trivial. This is what really matters.writingdogmandylabradorjournalthoughtsmindfulnessrealityrantingmoleskinein the momentmoment
"Beach Sunset"
March 15, 2015 -- Day Two in Pensacola
I needed quiet time for myself to reflect and think. Earlier in the afternoon, I spent a couple of hours at the cemetery with my parents listening for answers and guidance. The silence was not only deafening, but exhausting.
The beach has always been a place where I could find the quiet that I needed to mentally recharge and regroup. I needed to get back into the moment and stop the ruminating.
Through the colors of the sunset, the sounds, the smells and endless horizons representing the possibilities in life, one of the voices visually spoke to me.
It was subtle and painted in the sunset.
The moment did not last long--literally minutes. The colors faded as rapidly as they appeared. Eventually, the painted calling turned gray.
Taking a step back, how can the beauty of a sunset get lost in the chaos of our all-to-busy world? I would have lost this moment if I continued to be self-absorbed with the things I have no control of. I do have control of the things I devote my time to.
What I continually have to remind myself of is that the only thing that really matters is the moment we are in.
Canon 5D Mark II with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS.
2015_03_15_27287 - Version 2Pensacolasunsetbeachin the momentsandmoment
From Sun & Moon
