While for many Memorial Day is a three day weekend or “Just another Day Off”, please remember those who have fallen to make this great country a possibility!

I went out this weekend to do some sunrise and sunset shooting.  The sunrise was less than desirable, while it may appear pretty amazing in the photos, I can reassure you that this sunrise was nothing compared to the previous work week.  I did not know what to expect or where to even shoot the sunrise, I would usually never be up that early on the weekend.  So I took a stroll down the road from the house in search of something interesting as a foreground.  One thing about the Midwest, if you are looking for an old barn, just travel a mile off the highway, you will find a couple within a stones throw from one another.  I found this old barn and thought it perfect for my foreground.

The sunset shoot went pretty well.  I say that not for the sunset photos, but I had some very nice company on my way out there.  My wife’s friends husband (that sounds like a band name), Adam, is into photography so we took it upon ourselves to meet on common ground with our cameras.  I was pretty adamant about shooting the West Bottoms in Kansas City.  While beautiful in all of its dilapidated-ness it is pretty intimidating and unfortunately for us, it did not warrant a good vantage point for the sunset.  Adam navigated us to the World War 1 Museum but not in time for the sunset, it moved too fast for us!  We were fortunate enough to see Union Station all lit up for a Memorial Day rehearsal which made for a great photo opportunity.

   

Please remember to keep those fallen in mind as you go about your day.  Happy Memorial Day!  To all my foreign friends, your servicemen and women’s sacrifice is just as important as our American fallen heroes.  Take some time to remember them today as well.  

Tip For The Week:

Sunrises and sunsets can be tricky, time is clearly of the essence.  They change extremely quickly so it is a great idea to have your area scouted out ahead of time.  Be prompt, and of course, early!  These types of parties are not the kind you want to show up fashionably late to!  Get there early, get set up and when the sun does it’s thing, you will be there ready!

Blake Rudis
f.64 Academy and f.64 Elite are the brainchildren of Blake Rudis. While he is a landscape photographer, he is most passionate about post-processing images in Photoshop and mentoring others.

For Blake, it's all about the art and process synergy. He dives deep into complex topics and makes them easy to understand through his outside-the-box thinking so that you can use these tricks in your workflow today!
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