My Christmas wish is for all of you to have a safe and happy holiday season, along with a wonderful 2021.
Flight 93 Museum
I’ve been holding this photo back for some time. I have no reason why. I loved the leading lines and the design of this structure. This is the entrance to the Flight 93 Museum outside of Pittsburgh. The building is great but the material inside is powerful and sad stuff.
To view a larger version, click HERE
PPG Skyview
Pittsburgh is a very pretty city. Frankly, it’s underrated and should be a travel destination for those who’ve never been here before. I took this photo looking down on the PPG building with Heinz Field and the three rivers in the background.
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Pripyat Restaurant
I loved the stained-glass windows in this abandoned restaurant along the river in Pripyat, Ukraine. Before the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, this must have been a great place to enjoy a meal.
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PPG Tree Again
Okay. Next year I either need to get out and take a ton of holiday photos from numerous spots or just post fewer holiday photos….. But this year I didn’t get out much, so you got stuck with numerous photos from PPG Plaza….
Merry Christmas.
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Down View
Keeping with the Christmas theme, here is a unique perspective of the PPG Christmas Tree and Ice Rink. I’m sure this view has been captured before, but probably not by many. Happy holidays to you and your family.
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Tree Reflection
How’s your life going right now during the holiday season. My December seems to be crazy this year. Too much going on at work and home…..
……I’m ready for things to slow to their normal fast pace. In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
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PPG Tree
Pittsburgh is officially in holiday mode. To help get you in the mood, here is the PPG Holiday Tree.
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Oculus Shadows
During our last visit to Manhattan, we visited the Oculus. What an amazing spot! It is basically a subway station, but that description doesn’t do it justice. This is an architectural marvel on the inside and out. It is so modern and all white throughout. It’s big from the outside, but once you go inside…wow!! There are three floors under street level with all kinds of cool stores and access to the subway platforms. Just wonderful.
We explored the inside and the outside (I took a ton of photos of course). I captured some traditional perspectives, but also some unique angles/composition like this photo. I loved how the shadows fell across the sidewalk and street.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Stained Glass
I really need to get out and take more photos. I have all kinds excuses, which I’ll spare listing for you. Some of them are real and some I’ve just let get in my way. Basically, I have a mental block right now. I need a photography kick in the butt. I need to get outside, get in an abandoned building, get out of bed to catch a sunrise, put my drone in the air and/or just find a beautiful spot to capture. Something to get me motivated.
Today’s photo is one I took a while back at a classic Pittsburgh spot. This beautiful abandoned cathedral is one of my favorites.
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412 Christmas
Merry Christmas!! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season (however you celebrate) and have a great 2019.
I took this photo from Mt. Washington looking towards downtown Pittsburgh with the PPG Holiday tree displayed on Market Tree.
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Copy-Cat Photo
I don’t know who took this perspective first, but I’ve seen a ton of Pittsburgh based photographers post this exact composition over the last 6 weeks. So, while we were downtown walking around yesterday capturing the city holiday scene, we captured this as well. Dave posted his version yesterday… Now it’s my turn. I hope you enjoy this copy-cat photo. Happy Holidays.
To view a larger version, click HERE
PPG Christmas Tree
I got up way to early today (430am) to go into downtown Pittsburgh to meet up with @bradtruxell and @dtruxell . We were on a mission to capture some Christmas themed photos before they disappear for the season and without tons of tourist in the way. We accomplished the mission…..
I took this photo at PPG Place. Every year they turn this courtyard into an ice-skating rink and put a giant holiday tree in the middle. About the only person we ran into was a security guard who was on us in about 30 seconds. He was nice, just watching us closely.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Peter Paul
I’ve posted photos from this great spot many times before. This is the incredible St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral. It’s truly a classic. I’ve had a hard time getting a bad image inside this facility. They all just turn out great…..at least from my perspective. Enjoy your Sunday.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often.
Leadlights
It has been a while since I posted a pic from an abandoned location. Maybe because I’ve been busy processing so many South Africa photos for the last few months. Well, last night I was on a urbex photography processing spree and I processed this photo from early 2017. The original raw images were just sitting there on my hard drive waiting for their turn.
What a pretty photo they became after a little processing. This is from a famous abandoned cathedral in the Pittsburgh area. I’ve been inside it numerous times. I love the stained-glass windows that remain.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Don’t forget to check out my photo galleries. I update and add to them often. PLUS….don’t forget you can get a free gift and 10% off great Think Tank camera gear by using this link: http://bit.ly/2FVW0eg
Renaissance Hotel Ceiling
Last spring I went on a photo walk with Blair, Dave and Brad. We explored some portions of downtown Pittsburgh. During that morning, we took over the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel to take pictures from every angle. The hotel staff and manager were great. They let us do our thing without any problems and even took us up to a room to take photos out the hotel windows. I may post a picture from that perspective/location at a future date.
This photo gives you a good look at the glass dome inside the beautiful lobby. Side note, I just processed this photo last night. So this photo sat on my hard drive for months just waiting for me to bring it to life. And now you get to experience it.
To view a larger version, click here: https://500px.com/photo/194069463/renaissance-hotel-ceiling-by-brook-ward?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=3695440
Hotel Glass Dome Ceiling
Isabella Street
Tonight’s post is a cool looking building down on Isabella Street on the North Shore area of Pittsburgh. I’ve taken this perspective a few different times and I always like it. Just a cool looking building with all the glass, reflections, etc… Have a great weekend.
To view a larger version, click here: https://500px.com/photo/193044103/isabella-street-by-brook-ward?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=3695440
Isabella Street
Abandoned Pittsburgh
Yesterday I went on a long photo walk to numerous locations with a friend from California. He was in town for one afternoon, so we made the best of it and hit a number of popular Pittsburgh photo spots. We started with this abandoned church in the Lawrenceville area of Pittsburgh. I’ve been in this spot a few different times and I am always surprised at what changes from visit to visit.
Yesterday, we ran into a lady who was trying to clean the place up. Probably a losing battle, but she was trying to get it done. Anyway, somebody set up these chairs to create a little seating area. So, I took advantage of it.
To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
Glass Factory
I took this picture on a lazy Sunday about a year ago. MJ and I were sitting around the house doing nothing and I just had to get out. So I drove across town to this site, which I’d wanted to explore for some time. For the most part, I had the grounds to myself. I ran into a few individuals doing basically the same thing I was (exploring). It was a great weather day and I captured some nice photos.
I am not exactly sure what this specific building was for back in the day. It is 3 levels with no windows or doors. It is solid concrete except for some chutes under the first level to drop something into waiting carts. I just have no idea how they got the material into the building or what the material was….. Another mystery.
To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
Colorful Ruins
Here is another photo from inside the abandoned St. Peter and St. Paul Church. I’ve included a black and white version of this photo as well. I liked both versions.
Note: please remember that I am still in the middle of a busy period. In a little over a week, I’ll have more time to create longer blog posts. Sorry.
To purchase a print or view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
Black and White