Tag: Photograph

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American Flag Photography at Fort McHenry

There is no better place to shoot flags (as in “with a camera”) than at the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland. Remember that just a little more than 200 years ago the British were actually shooting at our flag – with big guns (cannons).

When I visit in Baltimore I often go for a walk at Fort McHenry. This particular day had one of those “postcard” skies, with fair-weather cumulus clouds against a bright blue background; so I went to Fort McHenry for a couple hours…with my camera bag, of course. Today I actually got to photograph two American Flags flying over the Fort at the same time and on the same flagpole. Read why below the photograph…

Twin American Flags at Fort McHenry in Baltimore

If you bring an American flag or buy a flag in the Ft. McHenry Gift Shop – a ranger will “run it up” the flagpole, let it fly in the breeze for a short while and then bring it down. You will then be a proud and patriotic owner because you have a flag that actually flew over Fort McHenry. They will even provide a certificate of authenticity for your flag stating that it flew over Fort McHenry. How cool is that?

This image is available, along with more of my photographs, in my online gallery at US Pictures, Bill Swartwout Photography. 

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Foray into the Abstract

Abstract Art Exhibit at the Ocean City Center for the Arts? Me? A photographer? Yup!

Abstract photogrephs by Bill Swartwout
AQUA (upper right) and Space-Time Continuum (lower left) are my photographs.

I haven’t done any abstract art for presentation or sale in over three decades. But the last time I did I won a ribbon in the prominent Havre de Grace Art show. I did an extreme close-up of the inside of a large flashbulb. Remember those things? Y’know, flashbulbs, were the light source for “flash” pictures – long before the popularity of electronic flash.

AQUA - Abstract Photograph by Bill Swartwout
A Q U A

When I learned that the Art League of Ocean City had “Abstract” as the theme for the October Gallery Exhibit I had to do a bit of thinking. Then, just like that Frisbee that kept getting larger in my line of sight, it hit me. Yes, I have some interesting photographs that fit the style. I enjoy taking objects that we see – and presenting them from a “different” point of view. So I entered two photographs for the exhibit and they were both accepted. Among dozens of local artists and Art League members – only one other photographer submitted – and one of her pieces was not accepted (not really an abstract). That is good to know, as a new member, that someone actually vets the submissions. Not quite the same as a “juried exhibit” but a good process, nonetheless.

Abstract Photograph by Bill Swartwout
Space-Time Continuum

My two submissions are shown above – but they appear much different in place. One (AQUA) being produced on stretched canvas and the other (Space-Time Continuum) being matted and framed for presentation.

Abstract submissions strecthed canvas and matted-framedMost of my recent photographs are available in my online gallery at www.USPictures.com.