Old Train Station

I was doing a bit of mentoring with a fellow photographer this weekend, and one of the locations we went to was an old train station near Gauley Bridge in WV.
It's been abandoned for a long time and I wouldn't recomend going in- but here's a view from one of the open doors.
I always wonder what places were like when they were new, or at their peak of operations, becuase you just know there was a lot of activity here at one time!

Updated photo galleries

I’ve just updated the design and photos on my website http://www.claytonspangler.com/
Check it out and let me know what you think- The rest of the website will catch up to the “Galleries” very soon…
*NOTE* It does have music ON at the moment-I’ll make it optional later- but it can be turned off if it isn’t to your liking by the link at the bottom right ( looks like an equalizer)

Anyone had a mentor?

I just read ( and replied) to a blog called PHOTOALLIES by Greg Clarke- he's trying to establish a "mentoring program" with the ASMP ( American Society of Media Photographers) in LA.
I know, I know, you're thinking "C- what's that got to do with me?"
I don't really know- actually. maybe something, maybe nothing....
But If you've ever had someone mentor you and/or take you under their wing to show you how to be a photographer, then go over to his blog and reply on his post- I think the first step on any path is to ask for help and he has.
Think of it as "payback"....
Cheers!

what is art?

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." ~Aristotle

I found this quote from someone in the "flickr stream" and loved it.
I think that this thought is what elevates anyones passion ( photography for me) to the next level- finding out what something means to you; then translating that into a "share-able" experience for someone else.

back from the "land of the bed"...

Getting sick sucks! Sometimes you may think that a small break would be nice- or just deing "a little sick" on a pretty day would be OK; but when it HITS you, it's never "just a little" or "nice to be off."
For the past week, I've been down with a respritory infection that had me too sore to lay down and too weak to get up- definetly not my favorite way to be off from work!
But it does make you slow down and take a look at things- For the first time- I felt like I'm in a good place in my life . I was able to take off sick- and know things would be OK- I had a dog who brought me his toys and a cat who slept with me for company, a wife who was worried about me; things could've been worse....
Anyway, I'm back upright and moving ( maybe shouldn't be after all...) and back to work. I'll try and post something more interesting next week after I get caught up a little.

More from Dayton

I don't know what the name of this building is, but I liked the architectural details in it. From the Gothic Arch windows to the copper balls on the top near the building's windows. I rarely get to see much of the cities that I travel to on business- but I'm determined to make more time-and hook up with "the locals" to see more of places I visit!

First in Flight

This is the "Flyover" sculpture in Dayton Ohio. It was created by artist David Black and represents the first flight of Orville and Wilber Wright.

More from Dayton Ohio

I thought this was interesting....It's the Chandelier located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel (next to the Dayton Convention Center) The sun was just coming thru the window as I was walking by and was lighting up the crystals! It sort of looks like an ice waterfall...ok, ok, you had to be there....but it really was pretty-LOL

Professional Photographers of Ohio Convention

Dayton Convention Center

PPS Trade Show Booth

Just back from the Professional Photographers of Ohio's annual convention and tradeshow- the weather was great, which made for a good event.

I'd like to give a "shout out" to David Ziser, photographer extraordinaire! I recognized him and his lovely wife LaDawn from his blog at Digital Pro Talk and went to say "HI"

He laughed and was excited to know I was a "dailey reader" of his blog and was happy to meet with me. A very courteous and humble man ( as well as telented) LaDawn as gracious as she was beautiful- they are quite the pair!

we had a good laugh at his "celebrity status" and went on our way. But it was nice to know the ground touched his feet just the same as everybody elses; and he was aware of that too.

I'll be posting a few more photos from this weekend in the next few days, so check back in!