“Tornadoes Devastate Southern Indiana”

Usually when I post to this blog it’s about natures beauty, but today we will talk about the ugly and powerful side of Nature. Late this afternoon a probable F4 Tornado cut a path of destruction across southern Indiana, beginning near Palmyra Indiana then slashing thru the Indiana countryside before it crossed the Ohio River near Madison and took it’s destruction into Trimble County Kentucky before it dissipated.

So far the storm has left 4 dead in our county, three to county to our west and two more from a storm to our north with the death toll expected to rise. This was horrible day for the surrounding area and my heart and prayers go out for the ones who suffered the most thru this disaster.

What was the strangest part of the day for me was the all of the eerie parallels with the April 3 1974 outbreak that devastated this area as well. For starters I remember my father picking me up from school just as the storm was bearing down on the area as I did my son today and we were about the same age as well. The storm began it’s path of destruction in Palmyra as this one did as well, the storm also moved thru Chelsea doing damage  just like today.

The big difference was that today’s storm kept traveling east into Kentucky but in 74 it turned farther Northeast making its way to Hanover and Madison doing horrific damage.

After picking my son up from school we weren’t sure where to go for cover or to escape, we traveled around the Madison hilltop looking for a vantage point to view the storm, I found a place to pull off and observe the rotating supercell that was moving towards our area. i saw that storm was traveling east into Kentucky and then began our trek home, at this point the most surreal thing I ever witnessed took place as were driving thru North Madison I saw what looked like pink balloons floating down our of the sky, quickly I knew what we were seeing  was insulation debris being thrown out of the top of the storm and onto the round.

But we saw next was even more astounding  what looked big sheets of paper floating from the sky, but as they grew close and began falling faster we realized that this paper was sheet metal and plywood and big chunks of at that. We actually came across one so big that it blocked the road and people got out of the car in front of us to move out of the way !!

Finally making our way home and making sure my wife who works at the local Hospital was alright we then learn the grim news that Henryville Indiana had been nearly destroyed by the same Tornado, Henryville happens to be the home of my sister and her kids and for over an hour the news wasn’t good and we began to fear the worse. But after countless communication problems we were able to find out that all family members were accounted for and healthy. But my nieces newly bought home had significant damage but they were not there at the time so they were okay.

So after 40 years a very strong Tornado misses me to north by a couple of miles and now to south by a few, and God willing there won’t be a third. the other thing about today was during this whole ordeal all my camera equipment was back at my studio and not once did I even think about going back and getting it…I guess there were a few things more important on my mind.

If I can get this posted I do have few videos I found of the storms that other people have posted if I can get them to work !!

 

 

 

       http://www.inkbarreltv.com/inkbarrelCMS/system/networks/in_madison_courier/index.php?console=open

 

 

“Madison Indiana Chautauqua of the Arts”

It’s going to be a really big weekend here in Madison Indiana. It is time for the annual Chautauqua of the Arts, which will be celebrating it’s 41th year of exhibiting fine art.

The Madison Chautauqua features artwork that is handmade and individually designed by the artist. Come and see the beautiful paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, weaving, folk art, jewelry,  wood, baskets, clay, glass, paper, leather and wearable art!

You will also find a wonderful array of ethnic foods that line the waterfront along with music and other performance artists.

You can also stroll the tree lines streets to visit and view the beautiful Architecture that makes Madison one of the most celebrated National Historic sites.

And while you are in town you can also stop by my studio and view some of my work at 201 West Main Street, is that a plug or what !!

Seriously the weather looks to be great and the town definitely puts on a show it is really worth the drive if you are close..Hope to see you here !!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                          

“More Indiana Weddings”

Here is another shot from a wedding from a couple of weekends ago, this was a fun wedding to be involved with because of the laid back nature of the the couple and the attendees. The wedding was a blast as was the reception, they had a  cowboy type  theme and also the coolest prison wagon you ever saw !!

I never thought I would have had such a good time shooting weddings but once again the art of photography has surprised me, there is a fast pace that you have to keep up with and being able to get the shots you are after is just as much as a rush as nailing that sunset or waterfall shot.

So far the people have been great and treated us very professionally and with the utmost respect …haven’t met Bridezilla yet,  I know I am still new at this but I learn with every wedding and I seem to take something away from each passing ceremony.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look and as always click on the image for best viewing !!

“Coolpicsphotography”

I thought I might share an image from the other side of my photography life. I have always and will  love nature photography but for now it’s portrait and wedding photography that is a much bigger source of income, and actually after initial misgivings on it and I am really starting to enjoy myself.

I didn’t think for a second that I would be able to photograph people but after tons of trial and error and a lot of patient friends and family members I think I am starting to get a few shots that people are happy with.  I am also finding that many of the ways I shoot nature is very similar to portrait photography as well, except for flash and that is another story !!

I do have a second blog that will showcase my portrait photography  http://www.coolpicsphotography.wordpress.com

I have a studio in downtown Madison Indiana where I can service most needs..I know it’s sounding like a commercial which I guess it is, but it is something I really enjoy and if I can reach a happy medium between both sides of photography and make alittle money on the side that would be great !!

I am posting a image of a girl who used to play basketball for me, don’t let the photo fool you she was a beast on the court  and never backed down from a fight !!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look hope you enjoy the image and if you get a chance maybe you could visit my other blog and take a look as well, and once again view the image large for best results !!

“Spring Wildflowers and Coolpicsphotography”

Funny title for a post but it pretty much sums up how I will be spending the next few weeks. The first part is pretty much  a known fact that my favorite time of the year is spring because of the beautiful  wildflower display that is about ready to roll out its annual show. The second part is something new on my part and that is the opening of a studio gallery with long time  friend and fellow  photographer Jimmy Terrell, and as I am sure you have surmised that the name we have adopted as our business title  is Coolpicsphotography.

My next post should finally be able to reveal all the details and location of the studio that we have opened here in Madison Indiana, and I will share a few photos of the work that we have done and explain our services as well.

Getting back to the wildflower part of the title…The time is just about upon us when the hills and canyons of Southern Indiana come alive with all the beautiful flowers that  make spring such a special time here in Madison. After the long harsh winter that we have just endured the colors and wonderful scent of flowers will be a welcome relief. I am posting an image of a Trillium that I shot last year at Clifty Falls State Park one warm spring afternoon, Clifty Falls is one of my favorite wildflower destinations, but any of the woodlots or hillsides that dot our countryside will hold beautiful displays of flowers.

I have a feeling it is going to be a busy spring for me this year, hopefully I will be able to get out and shoot along with the opening of our studio, I am sure some way I will make time for both !!

I hope  you have a great day and can make the time to get out and enjoy the warm spring weather and beautiful wildflowers as well.