HDR

Wheel Well Motel

/ Michael Glover / 16 Comments

On a recent photo excursion that brought this image to the blog, I took a visit to the newest addition of Disney lodging: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. There are a few different themes going on that are very exciting. I found the Cars theme to be very interesting. I enjoy scenes with lots of color and this certainly was a treat to my eyes. As a photographer who shoots lots of HDR, this was like heaven! It is set up to resemble route 66. The sidewalk looks like a paved street with power poles and streetlights  running alongside it. Several different characters from the movie were strategically placed for your viewing pleasure.

This scene in particular was setup in front of the Wheel Well Motel. Lightning McQueen and Sally Carrera were parked out front like rock-stars. Even fine details such as the fuel pumps bearing the name “Butte Gas” were not overlooked. Disney always goes all out to bring magic to their guests.

The resort is opening up in phases with two phases complete and two phases scheduled to be open real soon. For more information about this resort property click on the link above or right here.

To view more pictures on my blog from Disney, just click here.

To enjoy a larger view, please click on the image below!

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and I encourage you to join the conversation by writing your thoughts below as I truly like to hear from all of my visitors! 🙂

Shutterbug

/ Michael Glover / 60 Comments

I started this blog almost 2 years ago on July 7th 2010. My original intentions were to post some of my pictures I took and share them with the world. Not being much of a writer I thought all I needed to do was put a picture on, state where it was taken, and be done. But after reading some of my fellow bloggers pages, I came to realize that pictures alone were not enough. I needed interesting story-lines to help engage the readers.  Since I started doing that my readership has grown and I truly appreciate the support everyone has shown me.

On that note I wanted to share something that recently happened to me. Back in March I was contacted by Joe Farace who writes a column in Shutterbug Magazine (www.shutterbug.com) titled Web Profiles. He wanted to feature my blog in the July 2012 issue, and needed my permission to include a screen shot of my blog page. I of course had no problem with that so I said yes. Well the magazine just came out and I am so excited to see it. I have included screen shots of the cover and the pages of the article.

Thank you Joe for the wonderful write-up. I am truly honored. Also I want to personally thank all of my blog readers. You have inspired me to keep bringing new content to share. You have helped to make this blog what it is.

The Grand Entrance

/ Michael Glover / 48 Comments

Living in Florida definitely has its perks. We’ve got miles of beaches. We don’t have to deal with 10 feet of snow. And we’ve got Disney! As a longtime fan of everything Disney, I can tell you it is a magical place. A place to escape the world and leave your troubles behind. There is something for kids of all ages. I never get tired of visiting this oasis. Everywhere you turn, there is something to take a picture of. No expense is spared when it comes to treating their guests like royalty.

Enter the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Just minutes away from the awesome theme parks, this is the flagship hotel out of all of the resort properties. The Victorian style architecture stands tall on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. This is luxury at its best. And with 6 restaurants on site, there is always something good to eat.

When I stepped inside after getting off of the monorail, I was greeted with this spectacular view. The reflection on the perfectly spotless floor was unreal. I stopped and looked back and decided a photo-shoot was in order. I set my tripod down low to make sure the reflection had the impact that I was looking for. I waited, crouched down, for the people to clear out. I shot a few different angles until I was happy with what I saw on the camera’s LCD. The ginormous light fixture along with the hallways brilliantly reflecting on the floor had me in awe. No doubt the designers of this hotel planned this out ahead of time. If you would like more information about this amazing hotel, click here.

I will be posting more pictures from this day of picture taking soon, so be sure and check back for that.

To view more pictures on my blog from Disney, just click here.

To enjoy a larger view, please click on the image below!

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and I encourage you to join the conversation by writing your thoughts below as I truly like to hear from all of my visitors! 🙂

At Peace

/ Michael Glover / 40 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Florida National Cemetery to visit my grandparents’ grave site. Every time I am there I always think to myself how beautiful the place is and about taking pictures. I usually don’t get out my camera, but this time I did. With a little bit of a slope, I really thought this spot was very pretty with the overhanging tree and the shaded bench.

This was shot using an 8mm fisheye lens which gave it a little bit of a distorted look in the corners even after applying the lens correction in Lightroom.

This was taken at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. A beautiful and peaceful place dedicated to our heroes and their loved ones. Let us never forget.

To enjoy a larger view, please click on the image below!

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and I encourage you to join the conversation by writing your thoughts below as I truly like to hear from all of my visitors! 🙂

The Old Homestead

/ Michael Glover / 26 Comments

In the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, there is a place where time has stood still. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 6 mile one way loop road that will take you on a journey through lush forest and flowing mountain streams. Along the way you will find 2 waterfalls, grist mills, log cabins, and other historic buildings. Your senses of sight and sound will become overloaded. Around every bend there is something to see and rushing water can always be heard. Nature is at peace here. Different types of wildflowers bloom throughout the seasons to add splashes of color here and there.

The subject of this photo is known as “Jim Bales Place.” This charming piece of property has been preserved for future generations to enjoy. It is just one of many stops to get out and stretch your legs and enjoy the surroundings.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and I encourage you to join the conversation by writing your thoughts below as I truly like to hear from all of my visitors! 🙂