Deland, Florida
 

Here are some shots from this past weekend. A little road trip I took with my daughter. It is a small town called Deland about 25-30 minutes away from Orlando. I took all of these within about a 3 block radius. I really like it there. Thinking I'd like to move there.

I took these using b&w film and a yellow filter. It's the first time I used the filter and I like the tone and contrast it adds to the pictures.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland10.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland9.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland8.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland7.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland6.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland5.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland4.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland3.jpg

I realize the building in the foreground of this one is way too dark, but frankly, it's my favorite one of the whole day. I fooled around with it a little in Photoshop, but I don't know how to balance the tones without lightening the whole picture. Shame, because I like the mood and composition of it.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...cs_deland1.jpg


Why do I like the tops of buildings against the sky? I haven't a friggin' clue. I just do. :p

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland16.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland15.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland13.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland11.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland12.jpg


And these were some that weren't too impressive in color so I tried grayscaling them...the one thing in photoshop I know how to do...eh.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland17.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland18.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s_deland19.jpg

And this one is actually in a much smaller town nearby called Lake Helen. I was stunned by how quiet it was there when I got out of the car. Even my daughter commented on it and she's only seven. Eerily quiet.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2..._lakehelen.jpg

Wow... if it weren't for that street light in the first one, you would think the picture was a hundred years old or more.

Yes, it's beautiful. And they're in the process of restoring the interior. Nice!

When it comes to urban landscapes, you and I have similar eyes on composition. The one you mentioned as being your favorite is mine as well.

If you want, I could give you some ideas on how to lighten the brick building without lightening the whole image, but it will take a bit of explaining and I'll have to copy the image to show you, and I don't want to take your image without your permission.

Oh please, take it! I would appreciate any advice you could give me.

very nice little town. I see a lot of that art deco influence in the store fronts, same as in old miami.

Spectacular.

I got out of the habit of taking my camera everywhere with me years ago after one too many arguments with my (ex)wife about the waste of film/time/money in taking reel aftr reel of shts to get a few perfect ones.

I regret that.

I also find that I go to extrardinary lengths to photograph places without people spoiling them.

DeLand is fun to visit. Definitely hit the Blue Martini some day and the Dublin Station. The Dublin Station is old school Irish pub. WIth bangers and mash to knock an old drunk off the bar for. When I worked at a camp for sick kids, the Station and the Blind Pig was where we'd unwind. A friend of an old friend owns the Martini. Haven't been there in several years.
Beautiful shots. Nostalgic for me.

My grandma lives down there. Was down there 16 years ago.