#photos from Philadelphia

[aci25]

[mattstrahm]

SPRING TRAINING | February 20, 2024

[marlequinncos]

I’ve created a monster

I got my dad into The Magnus Archives

[k2ulhu]

I was able to stop in dc on vacation about a month and a half ago and man I wish I could've spent more time there. it was 90° and I was wearing 3 layers of clothes I couldn't change out of for 4 and a half hours. but it was awesome

I'm trying to plan a longer trip with my friends for my birthday in december when it'll be colder

(I do have a vague worry I looked a bit too suspicious walking around the fbi building for an hour in the middle of the summer wearing 2 jackets, sunglasses, and a baseball cap, taking about 40 pictures from every angle I could get, but hopefully they know I just like the x files way too much)

I can't believe they made the building from the x files into a real thing wow. wow

[quicksiluers]

so much ivan content, so little time

[charlieism]

HELP i was trying to find my oldest pic and i guess my phones glitched bc apparently its a photo of fucking dennis????

[bobcat-pie]

no one cared who i was until i put on the mask

[paul-simon-juggling]

The Paul Simon Special and it's increasingly cursed box art and their insistence on using images from anything except The Paul Simon Special.

[popentertainment-concertphotos]

Water From Your Eyes – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – February 9, 2024

Photos by Emma Fox © 2024

[aci25]

[justinspoliticalcorner]

John Pavlovitz at The Beautiful Mess:

Yesterday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her running mate in the coming presidential campaign.

The decision was met with effusive praise from both Blue voters, as well as a disparate group of politicians and commentators. Walz’ effortless warmth, his heart-on-sleeve demeanor, and his undeniable joy for life, which have been apparent for a long time in his home state—have suddenly become a national story. In a matter of hours, millions of people fell in love with the Governor, sharing videos of he and his daughter on thrill rides at the State Fair, and photos of him being joyfully embraced by a group of school children and cheerfully holding a tiny, sleeping piglet. And in the wake of the announcement and of his and Kamala' Harris’ electrifying appearance in Philadelphia at their first rally, the “Christian” MAGA Right rolled out a telling reply that they surely imagined was a real zinger: They created the hashtag #TamponTimmy. Really. That’s where they went. That’s all they got. Not only does this desperate response underscore the reality that Republican voters have nothing left but sophomoric name-calling in an effort to emulate their emotionally-stunted orange messiah in the absence of substantive critique, but it reveals how hateful toward women and how threatened by non-toxic masculinity they are.

MAGAs don’t see how much they expose themselves by using a female medical product as a slur, the way it reveals their complete contempt for women and their agendas toward them. They are so intimidated by a man this confident in who he is and so endowed with natural humility, that they have to attack these things as if they’re some sort of character flaws. Emotional maturity is a red flag for them.

[...] They are fully fed up with Trump and his surrogate’s contrived John Wayne dudebro American tough guy cosplay, and they are ready to embrace a better kind of manhood: one that doesn’t need to prove how tough it is, doesn’t have to be the center of attention, and most of all, is not concerned about showing its deep humanity because it revels in it. Tens of million of boys and young men of this nation have been irreparably harmed by the sexist dehumanization of Trump and the MAGA movement, which have been reinforced by Dark Ages theology, culture war politics, inherited/internalized misogyny, and good ol’ fashioned fragile masculinity. This nation is ready to embrace a masculinity embodied in Tim Walz and Doug Emhoff: one that does no harm, one that gladly defers to a strong, capable, talented woman, and one that makes all of us better.

John Pavlovitz nails it. The masculinity of Tim Walz is what’s needed for America, instead of the kind of masculinity the likes of Donald Trump, Andrew Tate, and Elon Musk push.

[that-butch-archivist]

"June as the champ, West Oak Lane, Philadelphia, 1962" from The Watermelon Woman: The Fae Richards Photo Archive

source: The Wild Good: Lesbian Photographs & Writings on Love, edited by Beatrix Gates

[mimi-0007]

This image of the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles track team at the Penn Relays with members [L-R] Willie B. White, Martha Hudson, Wilma Rudolph, and two unidentified women. Wilma Rudolph was one of the most accomplished track and field stars in history.

At the Olympic games in Rome, Italy in 1960, Rudolph won three gold medals while breaking world records in the 100, 200, and the relay. She was voted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame in 1973 and the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974.

This photo from the 1950s was taken by famous Philadelphia photographer John W. Mosley at the Penn Relays. The first Penn Relay Race took place on April 21, 1895.

[chukys-mouthguard]

espresso

now he’s, thinkin’ bout me every night oh, isn’t that sweet i guess so

1.2k words

featuring -> jamie drysdale x female reader

genre -> fluff

-> short n’ sweet masterlist

“Hello?”

You playfully spoke into the phone as you rolled your eyes, finally giving in to your boyfriend’s drunken calls. Jamie was out with the guys while you were enjoying a night in. A homemade espresso martini in hand as you paused Netflix, not wanting to miss a minute of your favorite show.

“Baby girl, what’re you doing?”

Jamie’s drawn out words letting you know he was intoxicated, but not too terribly. A slight slur in his voice as he cooed his favorite pet name for you, his smile easy to picture on the other end of the phone.

“I was watching Love is Blind, but someone kept calling me over and over for the last five minutes.”

“What? Who is calling? I’ll beat em up.”

Shaking your head you just laughed at him. Jamie was always such a goof, but alcohol always cranked that up to an eleven.

“Oh hush, are you having fun?”

“Yup, loads.”

“Doesn’t sound like it if you’re calling me all night babes.”

Jamie laughed before he’d gotten distracted, the voice of Cam York could be heard in the background. Not sure what was said but something important enough for Jamie to hurry off the phone. But not without him saying goodbye and telling you how much he loved you.

Like clockwork it only took a few minutes before your phone was buzzing again, this time just a text rather than a phone call.

“I miss you”

“I miss you too Jamie.”

Smiling to yourself you continued on with Love is Blind, hoping you could at least get through this episode without another interruption from Jamie.

You loved how much Jamie loved you. Always wanting to check in when he was away. Whether that be on a road trip, or enjoying a night out with the guys. He’d be the first one to admit he was head over heels for you.

The two of you met during his time in Anaheim, Trevor inviting you to a game and explaining that you had to meet his teammate afterwards. He was convinced the two of you would hit it off, and you thank Trevor every day for bringing Jamie into your life.

Making the move to Philadelphia was tough at first, leaving behind your friends and family in California. But Jamie was right by your side to make the transition as easy as possible. And being by his side through the move, as well as tough injuries to start his time with the Flyers, only brought you closer together.

Like clockwork as the episode you were watching came to an end, your phone was buzzing. A photo of you and Jamie from this past summer brightly decorating the screen as your phone was ringing yet again.

“Jamie Drysdale, if you don’t stop calling me and enjoy the night out with the boys. Yes I love you, yes I miss you. But I will be here whenever you waltz through the front door okay?”

Your tone was still playful, despite how much you wanted to strangle him for not enjoying his night out and calling you so much.

“Aww y/n, I love you and miss you too! Uhhh can you come get your boy?”

Cam York’s laugh filled the other end of the phone as you rolled your eyes. You should have known this was bound to happen with how much Jamie was blowing up your phone. It didn’t happen often, but Jamie tended to get needy when drunk, which results in him wanting nothing more than to be with you.

“My boy? I thought he was yours for the night Yorkie?”

Cam laughed as he tried to talk over the music in the bar, the voices of the other guys muffled in the background as you tried to tune them out.

“Yeah, he was. Until he kept telling me how he couldn’t stop thinking about you and just wanted to cuddle you all night. It made me almost puke how much of a lover boy he was being. So can you get him please? I’d bring him, but I’ve had a few myself.”

Though you were very comfy in your shorts and oversized Flyers tshirt, you knew that the only way Jamie was leaving the bar would be with you.

“Fine, I’ll be there in fifteen, I’ll text you when to bring him out.”

As you pulled up to the bar, you ran the sleeves of Jamie’s hoodie up and down your legs to warm you up. Not opting to get dolled up to be his Uber, you ran out in what you’d had on. But the cold Philadelphia weather made you regret that rather quickly.

“Come on Cam…hurry up.”

As you looked back to the front door of the bar, you watched Cam guiding Jamie through the doors. A smile on your face the moment you saw how happy he was to see you.

“Hey baby girl.”

“Hi Jamie.”

You gave him a kiss before thanking Cam for dragging him out to the car, bidding him goodnight as you drove the two of you home.

“I missed you.”

Jamie’s hand held yours tight as he rested them on his thigh, his thumb tracing circles over your skin as he smiled at you.

“I miss you too babe. But really? You couldn’t enjoy one full night out with the boys? You just had to get me to pick you up early.”

Jamie threw his head back with a slight laugh, embarrassed as you poked fun at him. He knew he could sometimes be needy, but he couldn’t help it. Especially when he’s drunk.

“I’m sorry baby, it’s just, we finished up a long road trip and I was away for a while. I really did miss you. And of course having a few days off the guys wanted to go out, but you know I’m always thinking about you and wanting to spend the time I’m home with you. I can’t help it that I love you so much.”

You smiled from ear to ear hearing him say he loves you. Sure you’d heard it plenty of times before, but the way it fell from his lips in this moment seemed so honest and pure.

“And I love that you think about using your time at home to spend it with me. Especially after a long road trip. And I know you are with those guys a lot, but I do still want you to get to have nights out with them. Because you guys don’t get time like that often.”

He nodded as he kissed the back of your hand, a drunken smile on his lips as you pulled into the parking lot of your apartment complex.

“Do you think I’m a down bad lover boy?”

You couldn’t control the cackle that left your lips hearing Jamie say those words.

“I’m sorry, what did you just ask me?”

“Cam says I’m a down bad lover boy.”

Climbing out of your car, you quickly headed over to make sure Jamie didn’t stumble out himself, the last thing he needed was a drunken injury keeping him off the ice.

“Um, maybe a little?”

Jamie tossed his head back with a whine, a pout on his lips as he looked down at you before stealing a kiss.

“But hey, you’re my down bad lover boy. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

[uluvjay]

Bed Chem-J. Drysdale & M. McTavish

Jamie Drysdale x fem! reader x Mason McTavish

In which the Ducks are in town and you three revisit something you thought got left in Anaheim

Warnings;? Smut, threesome, oral (m receiving), kissing, cursing, protected sex!, p in v, porn with a plot pretty much!, I apologize for any errors!

This follows my nasty girl au so i recommend reading these two parts first!

Day five of my Kinktober special!

You truly thought you’d never find yourself in this position ever again especially not after the trade.

However the bottle of wine and delicious steak dinner quickly escalated and next thing you knew your boyfriend and Mason had you trapped against the kitchen counter.

Your skirt was pushed up around your waist with masons hand between your thighs while Jamie’s lips were locked with yours.

You moaned into Jamie’s mouth as Mason pushed in a second finger, his rough fingers slightly thicker than Jamie’s.

“Missed this didn’t you.” Jamie spoke in your ear.

“Fuck yes.” You moaned, there was no use in lying Jamie could tell anytime you were.

Jamie knew something had brewed between the three of you after those nights in Anaheim and when he caught you drooling at masons workout photos a few weeks ago he knew what he had to do.

While he’d told you he invited Mason over for a simple dinner in your new Philadelphia apartment the two men had actually talked about sharing you again.

Mason grunted against your skin from where his tenth sunk into the opposite side of your neck, his scruffy beard tickling the sensitive skin.

“Feels so good Mase” you whimpered, head tipped back as you enjoyed the sensation of the two men against you.

The weight of their strong bodies pinning you against the counter had your mind spinning with dirty possibilities.

They were so alike but so different in bed, they both aimed to please you and that’s all that mattered to them but fuck when differences came in, they were very different.

Mason liked to fuck, and fuck hard. He wants you screaming till your voice is hoarse and throat raw as his back is cut open from your nails and you’re both so tired out that you can’t even move after.

Jamie loved to make love, he drew orgasm after orgasm from your body until you were shaking and crying. He fucked you deep and slow, fucking you right to sleep after your body was to spent to keep going.

Feeling both of them at the same for the first time in a year had your body feeling thousands of things at once.

Masons deep voice pulled you out of your head his encouraging words and sped up movements making you realize how close you were to reaching your end.

“Come on honey, can fell how tight your cunt is clenching around my fingers.” He purred in your ear as his teeth teasingly nipped the lobe.

Jamie smirked at the way your body responded, your mount dropping in a silent moan, body shaking as your high continued to rapidly approach.

“Gonna cum for Mason baby?” He asked dark eyes locking with yours admiring the blown out look in your doe eyes.

“Mhm” you nodded the overwhelming pleasure not allowing you to get a proper word out.

“Come for us, come all over my fingers while your boyfriend watches like the little slut you are.” Mason smirked.

And come you did, your body shook as your back arched into the air eyes rolling to the back of your head as the pleasure became to much for a second.

Both men watched as the pleasure raked through your body, sharing a smirk as you went slightly unresponsive for a moment until Mason moved to pull his fingers from your dripping cunt.

Your eyes snapped open watching as the brunette brought them to his mouth and sucked, a low groan leaving his body at the taste.

“Missed the taste of that pretty cunt.” He smirked dipping down to connect your lips.

You moaned at the taste of yourself allowing his tongue to fill your mouth as he took lead, you wrapped your arms around him, hand tangling into the curls at the base of his neck.

Pulling away you turned to look at Jamie who stood next to the pair of you, eyes glittering with lust as his bulge pushed against the tight denim of his jeans.

You could feel masons poking your lower stomach, knowing both men were just as needy as you were you moved away from them.

On shaky legs you begin to move towards your and Jamie’s bedroom, slowly pulling of your top and throwing it behind you.

Next thing to follow the trail was your bra and soon your skirt, looking back you found them both staring with hungry eyes.

“Coming?” You smirked before disappearing down the hall and into the master bedroom.

By the time both men got their shit together you were laying in the middle of the lush bed, condoms ready on the bedside table.

They both groaned at the sight of your bare body, quickly stripping of their clothes they joined you on the bed.

Jamie made quick work of flipping your body so you were on your hands and knees with Jamie in front of you and mason behind.

And wow was the Deja vu strong.

“Masons gonna fuck you while I take your mouth, that okay baby?” He asked.

“Yes, please.” You begged looking up at him with nothing but hunger and lust.

He smirked at your expression before handing Mason a condom.

You could hear Masons small whimpers as he slid the latex over his thick cock and it didn’t take long before you felt the cool material rubbing at your entrance.

“Ready pretty girl?” He asked.

“Yes fuck me Mason, please.” You whined wiggling your hips against him in desperation.

The man chuckled at your antics before he pressed forward sliding his cock in inch by inch to allow you some time to adjust.

Jamie watched as your mouth dropped open at the mix of pleasure and pain, your eyes squeezing shut until Mason was all the way in.

You released a breath of air at the feeling, you were so fucking full. Where Mason was a little thicker than Jamie they were just about the same length so you were used to how deep the man was sitting inside of you.

Seeing that you were content Jamie guided his cock to your mouth smirking as you opened it with no hesitation.

He groaned as he slid inside of your warm and wet mouth, he went till his cock his the back of your throat and your small gags filled the room.

He sent a nod towards his friend and next thing you knew they were moving at the same time the pleasure causing you to cry out so loud you were sure the people next door could hear.

The pleasure was overwhelming it filled every inch of your body to have both of them sharing you again.

The way Masons hands came down against your ass as Jamie’s hands pulled on your roots had your body shivering with need.

“Such a good girl.” Mason grunted from behind you.

“Taking us so good.” Jamie joined in on his friend’s praise.

You pulled away from Jamie to catch your breath stroking him with your hand you looked behind you, catching sight of Masons sculpted body.

“You two feel so good, filling me up so good.” You babbled before Jamie was bringing your mouth back to his cock.

The sounds in the room were downright dirty, a mix of your gags on Jamie’s cock and Masons skin slapping against yours had your mind reeling.

You could feel the band in your lower stomach getting tighter and tighter the mix of the both of them with your earlier orgasm making it hard for you to hold the next one off.

You pulled off Jamie with a pop, “Getting close.” You cried out before dropping back down to take his cock once again.

Mason didn’t need you to tell him, he could feel the way your cunt clenched around him the way your moans got louder and louder around Jamie’s cock with every thrust.

He couldn’t lie he was almost there himself, it had been a year since he felt your tight cunt and he was struggling with himself not to come like some inexperienced teen.

Jamie was right on the edge as well, the vibrations of your moans had chills running down his spine, his grunts and groans no better then either of yours as your mouth worked wonders on his cock.

“Shit.” He moaned hands gripping your hair as he took full control and pushed his cock in and out of your mouth.

You held his eyes as he fucked your mouth watching as his chest began to heave and his thrusts got sloppy before eventually coming to small stutters as he came down your throat.

You didn’t hesitate to swallow it all, sticking your tongue out to show your boyfriend you swallowed it he shook his head at you.

“Such a nasty girl.” He panted before lying back against the headboard eyes now trained on how his friend continued to fuck you.

Jamie could tell you were close, your moans had turned into little pathetic cries and your thighs were beginning to shake slightly.

“Mase! Fuck I’m cumming.” You cried.

Jamie smirked at your words realizing he knew you just as well as you knew yourself.

“Go ahead pretty girl, milk my cock like a good slut.” Mason spoke.

His words sent you over the edge as your body began to quiver; freshly done nails digging into the cotton comforter as your mouth dropped open in a silent scream.

You pulled Mason over the edge with you, choppy moans filling the room as his hips began to stutter and he fucked the both of you through your Highs.

“Fuck, fuck fuck.” He groaned before spilling his load into the tight condom.

He took a second to catch his breath before pulling out slowly and collapsing on the bed next to your spent body while Jamie looked down at both of you.

The older of the two smiled as he watched you curl towards Mason for warmth and he took that as a sign to get you a bath started.

“I’ll be right back.” He spoke softly slipping off the bed and sliding his boxers back on as he disappeared into the bathroom.

Feeling Masons hand run over your hair you opened your eyes to find him smiling at you softly.

“You uh-you know I didn’t come here to just sleep with you right? I swear I really did miss you guys.” He spoke up.

Your heart ached at the worry etched on his face, “Hey, I know you would never do that Mason. You are to nice of a person for something like that, and thank you we missed you a lot too.” You smiled softly.

“It’s been so weird without you guys.” He hummed softly.

“Same here, it’s so weird not waking up to Trevor belting Katy Perry at seven in the morning or you screaming because you can’t find your socks.” You laughed.

“Hey! It’s not my fault that damn washer is a sock muncher” he groaned.

You guys shared a giggle at that before relaxing into a soft silence your eyes meeting once again and before you knew it both of you were leaning in.

You locked your lips in a soft kiss tongues dancing around each other as his strong hand rested on your hip pulling you closer to his sweaty body.

You two make out weakly until Jamie popped back in the room to let you know the bath was ready forcing you two apart.

Carrying you into the bathroom Mason sat you in the bath, asking Jamie where you kept the sheets so he could change them quickly.

Jamie joined you in the tub after his friend set off for new linens, his body relaxing behind yours he began to wash you.

“Thank you for this.” You spoke up.

“Don’t have to thank me baby, it’s something we both enjoy.” He shrugged, kissing the back of your neck softly.

You hummed at the feeling of him allowing his hands to continue running along your body as he washed you clean.

“Missed him a lot, it’s weird living without him and Z still” Jamie said after a few moments of relaxing silence.

“That’s what we were just talking about, it was nice seeing him.” You smiled.

Jamie agreed reaching for your shampoo to wash your hair continuing with your shower routine before he was up and drying himself off, helping you next.

You two exited the bathroom to find Mason laying on the clean bed with fresh clothes and wet curls hinting that he took a quick shower in the guest room.

“I’m gonna jump in the shower and I’ll be right out.” Jamie placed a kiss to your head before going back into the bathroom to wash himself properly.

“Feel better?” Mason questioned.

“Yes” you smiled grabbing some pajamas before getting into bed next to him snuggling close to his side to watch whatever he had on.

Jamie joined shortly after on your other side his large body sandwiching you between them as he too turned his eyes to what was playing on the tv.

You fell asleep like that, tucked between their strong bodies as they both held onto you like you’d slip away in their sleep.

There truly was noothing got better than that.

-

[istandonsnowpiles]

10 20 Favorite Photos of 2024

For me, in the world of photography, last year was all about growth. I got new gear (mainly my Fujifilm X-T5), expanded my photography to full spectrum, and worked to incorporate photography into my life in new ways.

Looking back, it's hard to believe I took all of these photos in one year. I'll put together some stats in another post.

What's included?

I had to narrow down my selections a lot. Only photos I feel comfortable sharing with everyone are here. I took lots of photos of friends and family this year that are not included. However, those were some of my favorite photos, if I took any of you, you know who you are.

Photos are in roughly chronological order.

Check the Flickr link on each photo for full quality.

1. Out over the Suburbs

Location: Tysons Metro, Tysons, Virginia Camera: Fujifilm X-T2 Lens: Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Settings: 1/80 sec, f/4, ISO 640

I absolute love the gloomy, dystopian vibe of this blue hour photo. The Tysons metro is such a bustling little outpost in NoVa. This feels a little cyberpunk, a little noir, a little [GX]Ace. I'll absolutely be striving to shoot more like this in 2025.

2. Awe

Location: Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Camera: Fujifilm X-T2 Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: 1/240 sec, f/1.4, ISO 200

This was such a memorable trip to Philly. @dykedotexe and I got to run around in the fog all night, taking pics, and exploring. The city was beautiful. It was my first time in Philly and I want to go back so bad!

3. Typical Van Life Camping Spot

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Camera: Fujifilm X-T2 Lens: @dykedotexe's Fujifilm 23mm f/2 Settings: 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 5000

Photographers tend to recommend trying to get high up, to find a new perspective on a place. I've taken to going up any parking garage I can get access to. This night in Philly, it was a fantastic strategy. It was hard to pick a favorite photo from this rooftop. This crunchy, silly pic came out on top.

4. Sunsets in Ordinary Places

Location: Springfield, Virginia Camera: Fujifilm X-H1 Lens: Fujifilm 50-140mm f/2.8 Settings: 50mm, 1/240 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Again in a parking garage, but a bit more empty than in Philly. I found myself in this weird spot mostly cause I was bored one day. I took the train out to the end of the Blue line and wandered a bit. I ended up here on a cold, blustery day at sunset. And of course, it was a gorgeous one.

5. Winners

Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Camera: Sony RX100 VII Settings: 72mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 2500

I can't lie, I'm a Montreal fan. So, when Toronto won this game in the PWHL's on-the-road series in Pittsburgh, I was a bit disappointed. However, seeing Campbell and Carly Jackson was fantastic. This was also my first time renting a camera. I wanted something small that security wouldn't bother me about, the Sony RX100 fit the bill. I didn't love a lot of the photos that came out of that camera. Even this isn't a truly great photo. But, it got the job done and I loved seeing some professional women's hockey with my family.

6. Criss Cross

Location: Southwest, Washington, DC Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Settings: 300mm, 1/450mm, f/5.6, ISO 2500

The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in DC is gorgeous. One of my favorite subjects. Here, captured at dusk, it looked truly marvelous. I was trying out a new lens, on a fairly new camera. I was very impressed with the results! The geometry here really works for me.

7. The Great American Eclipse, Cloud Halo

Location: Saint Albans Bay Town Park, Saint Albans, Vermont Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 70-300mm f/4-5.6 + Solar Filter made by @lesbianredpanda Settings: 1/25 sec, f/8, ISO 500

This was my first time seeing a total solar eclipse. Four of us travelled up to Vermont to get a good view, scouted out locations, and ended up in a small town park for the day. It lived up to the hype and was absolutely worth the time and the trip. Would 100% do it again. Even with a bit of cloud cover (causing the cloud ring around the outside), the eclipse was stunning.

8. No Trains Today

Location: Harper's Ferry Train Station, Harper's Ferry, West Virginia Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 Settings: 55mm, 1/75 sec, f/5, ISO 250

Last year I really got into riding my bike. I've ridden it for commuting for years, but last year I got into riding longer distances, road and gravel, for fun. It's been a blast and it's been incredibly difficult. It inspired me to get a gravel bike. My biggest accomplishment for the year was riding from Harper's Ferry, WV along to C&O Canal Trail back to DC over a long weekend. It's the longest ride I've done, and I did it on my trusty Gazelle Arroyo. This year, I'd like to do the same ride on my gravel bike, and hopefully something even longer!

9. Bubble Bike Party

Location: Cardozo, Washington, DC Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 Settings: 1/250 sec, f/1.2, ISO 5000

You should check to see if your city has a Bike Party or Critical Mass ride. They're fun, party pace, chill rides. Stops in the middle for a party. This is the pride ride for June & represents so much for me. I got to ride this with everyone that I've convinced to get their own bike. And happened to land this fun photo of the party along the way!

10. The Sears Tower

Location: The Loop, Chicago, Illinois Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 Settings: 55mm, 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 250

Chicago is awesome. This was my first trip over there, and while I did get sick as soon as I got there, I had an awesome time wandering the city. This rainy night was my favorite. Big towers, quiet streets, it felt like a playground. I can't wait to come back. This moody pic really captures the qualities I love about blue hour in cities.

11. Northern Chicago from 1,000 Feet

Location: Chicago 360, Chicago, Illinois Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 Settings: IR Chrome Filter, 1/75mm, f/4.5, ISO 320

This photo, taken from the observation level of the mega tourist-y Chicago 360 building, proved to me that digital IR Chrome is super cool and something I should try more. I've loved IR photography for a while. This wasn't my first IR Chrome shot ever, but it's the one I finally started to get the famous red color. It made me want to shoot IR Chrome soooo much more!

12. Big Sky Manhattan

Location: The Edge, Manhattan, New York Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: 1/90 sec, f/5.6, ISO 250

Right after my vacation in Chicago, work sent me to New York. I was still under the weather but after my positive observation deck experience in Chicago, I figured I would try the same in Manhattan. I ended up at the top of the city during a beautiful sunset. It was a fantastic time and truly beautiful.

13. Muffler Max

Location: Penn-Fallsway, Baltimore, Maryland Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 Lens: Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 Settings: 1/200 sec, f/4, ISO 125

I really need to get to Baltimore more often. It's an easy 1 hour train ride from DC, any day of the week, for under like $30 round trip. I ended up there on a weekend where I was bored. It was raining and overcast all day. But, bad weather usually means good photos. I had a great time walking around. Can't wait to get back and see more of the city.

14. Danger: Chlorine

Location: Sideling Hill Rest Stop, Hancock, Maryland Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: IR Chrome Filter, 1/220 sec, f/2, ISO 125

Took this shot at a rest stop off the highway on the way home from a camping trip. It's the one that convinced me I'm starting to get the editing of IR Chrome photos down. This unremarkable shed nestled in leaves looks truly extraordinary in IR Chrome.

15. Nats Game (Square)

Location: Navy Yard, Washington, DC Camera: Panasonic S5 II Lens: Sigma 50mm f/2 Contemporary Settings: 1/60 sec, f/5, ISO 2000

My second experience renting a camera, I was a little concerned taking gear I didn't own out in the rain. But, it was worth it. The Panasonic S5 II is an excellent camera and there are clear benefits over the Fujifilm X-T5. However, the differences aren't large enough for me to switch systems for them yet. Maybe when Panasonic releases a high resolution version of the S5 II? Either way, I got this excellent street photo at Nats Park!

16. Milky Way & so much more

Location: Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane, Virginia Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 Settings: 13 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600

If I've learned one thing over the years in photography, it's that Astro photography is incredibly difficult. I'm no pro and have difficulty editing these photos each time. I had fun with this full spectrum milky way shot, but I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing 😅

17. Normal Sunrise

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: Hot Mirror Filter (visible light only), 1/60 sec, f/2, ISO 125

I went to Las Vegas for a work conference. While I was aware of The Sphere, I don't think I had really internalized it as a thing that excited until I saw it in person. It is truly a ridiculous piece of engineering and architecture. It's completely unnecessary, an eye sore, and makes the experience of being in Las Vegas worse. So, it's perfect for Las Vegas. This photo (and its IR Chrome alter ego) have cemented it into me that I truly love to hate The Sphere.

18. Monorail Bends

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: Hot Mirror Filter (visible light only), 1/210 sec, f/5, ISO 125

This monorail in Vegas is not good transit. Yet, it brought me to all the conference locations I needed to get to. It's annoying to ride, out of the way, dark, loud, and slow. But, it works. And it sured looked great at sunrise.

19. Desert Ocean

Location: I-15 outside of Las Vegas, Nevada Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: Hot Mirror Filter (visible light only), 1/3 sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400

Sometimes you take the coolest shots at an empty, desert highway exit, from the roof of a rental car. This funky abstract captures the vibe of the middle of the desert in a fantastic way.

20. River to Watchman

Location: Zion National Park, Utah Camera: Fujifilm X-T5 (Full Spectrum Converted) Lens: Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4 Settings: Hot Mirror Filter (visible light only), 1/110 sec, f/5, ISO 125

Holy cow is Zion National Park beautiful. I'm so happy I got a chance to go here. I only got a few hours in the park, but I was stunned the whole time. It's just unfathomably gorgeous. I have to go back an I think this photo manages to capture my experience of sunset in that park.

I'll be back soon with some more breakdowns of my 2024!