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Let me ask you a question. Are you long overdue for a vacation?

Could a little rest and relaxation do you some good? If so, then you should visit Cocoa Beach Florida.

The warm weather, white sandy beaches, and fun atmosphere makes this the perfect vacation destination.

Visit Cocoa Beach Florida - Enjoy the Sunshine!

Cocoa Beach is located about an hour east of Orlando and is a perfect getaway for the family.

Take a break from the theme parks, and spend a few days playing in the sand and swimming in the warm Atlantic Ocean.

Kennedy Space Station

Take a trip to the Kennedy Space Station or check out Jungle Adventures which is the largest gator farm in Florida. There is lots to do in Cocoa Beach for the entire family.

Planning a trip with friends or your significant other? Dance the night away to live music at one of the many popular bars.

For Surfers

Or, perhaps you could try your hand at surfing. Many surfers visit Cocoa Beach Florida because it is home to around 100 of the top surfing spots on the entire east coast.

Why not take in the view from a helicopter ride along the coast? There really is something for everyone.

Fish Fish Fish in Florida

Do you love to fish or simply want to try it out? Cocoa Beach has some of the best fishing around.

Charter a boat to spend a day at sea fishing for king mackerel, barracuda, redfish, and mahi mahi.

The captains and crew are friendly and love what they do, so you are sure to have a great time.

Your Florida Vacation

Taking a vacation is always a great idea. It helps you to recharge your batteries, while making memories that will last you a lifetime.

If you are planning a trip in the future, why not take a visit to Cocoa Beach Florida. Like so many others, you will find yourself coming back again and again.

For Florida Loves & Home Decor Enthusiasts ..

If you love decorating and home decor in general, you’ll be excited to know I listed this fine art photo of St. Augustine Florida to my collection.

It’s print on demand and you can get your copy of the Cocoa Beach Florida picture here.

Thanks for stopping by & be sure to stop by often so you'll know when I post new fine art pictures or interesting travel-related articles. ~ Bob Pardue

 

Color or Black and White Photography?

 
First of all, black and white photography is far from a lost art. Many professional photographers (including myself) really love the simplicity of monochrome works.
 
Hey, how many people still buy Ansel Adams photo books for their coffee tables? 'Nuff said!
 

Black & White Photos Easy!

 
Digital cameras come with many features, and one is the ability to try black and white photography. This type of photograph has, in recent decades, become less popular.
 
This is because many people decided they preferred color pictures, and the price for color is more affordable.
 
Some cameras come with settings for black and white photography, and most photo editing software comes with the option to change color photographs into black and white.
 
No matter which way you choose to achieve the look of black and white, you may find that you fall in love with the results.
 

Why Learn about Photography Anyhow? What are the Benefits?

 
Contrary to what I stated at the beginning, black and white photography IS somewhat of a lost art. But, many photographers and novices are finding they like it more than color for portraits or close up photos.
 
The benefit of Black and white is that it often adds an element of mystery to a photo which color cannot capture.
 
Photos in black and white are especially popular for portraits and candid shots of young children. Black and white photography adds an intimate feel to a photo that you may not find in color.
 

Black and white is also a great alternative for nature photos.

 
A photo of a single flower or a tree can be stunning in black and white.
 
For a unique photograph, you can then take that photo and add color to just one part of the photo using your photo software. I now use Affinity Photo but there are many other software programs on the market from which to choose.
 
Another thought is that you may want to try adding a touch of color to only the flower petals, or in the case of portraits, just the iris of someone’s eye.
 
With digital, the possibilities are boundless!
 

More Ideas for Black & White Photos

 
Black and white pictures are even more striking when they are framed and hung in groups on your wall. When your children are playing quietly with each other, snap five or six photos of them a few seconds apart.
 
Take these photos and turn them into black and white. Then, buy a set of three or four matching frames and hang them on your wall in a cluster. You'll enjoy the results.
 
Although it is a matter of preference, it is easier than ever for you to try black and white photography.
 
If you own a good digital camera, it won’t cost you anything to try out black and white, just to see if you like it.
 
And, if you still aren’t convinced, you should at least give black and white photography a try and have some fun with it.
 
Look through that shoe box and use some of your existing photos and turn them to black and white using a photo editing software.
 
Study the photos side by side and envelop the feelings they reveal.
 
Of course, it's impossible to put everything about black and white photography into just one article.
 
But, you can't deny that you've just added to your understanding about photography, and that's time well spent. Now, go get your camera and take some amazing black and white images!
 

For Photo Print Loves & Home Decor Enthusiasts ..

 
If you love decorating and home decor in general, you’ll be excited to know I listed this black and white fine art photo to my collection.
 
It’s print on demand and you can get your copy of the black and white Route 66 picture here.
 
Thanks for stopping by & be sure to stop by often so you'll know when I post new fine art pictures or interesting travel-related articles. ~ Bob Pardue
 

 
 

As you most likely know, Jean & I travel on road trips to many different destinations within the United States every chance we get.
 
And, It's so difficult to tell you about any one favorite location -- We love 'em all!
 
But, at least one of our favorite places to visit is the "oldest city" of St. Augustine Florida, USA.
 
Before the restrictions, we traveled along the eastern seaboard often, from Washington DC to Key West, FL to shoot stock images and enjoy the richness of the southeastern United States.
 
While on one of our photo trips, we discovered some nice fine art photo opportunities in and surrounding the St. Augustine area, including the image shown of the Old Schoolhouse.
 
Also in this travel article, I'll share some of the main points while visiting St. Augustine. You can read these in my travel article below.
 
Maybe you'll want to see this famous Florida city for yourself!
 
Finally, if you’re a photo editor or publisher, you can go here to view my editorial stock photos of the area.
 

Fine Art Photo of the Old Schoolhouse at St Augustine FL

 
Caption: Photo of The Old Schoolhouse, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
 
Artwork Description: Old Schoolhouse at St Augustine FL exterior front view with school teacher standing in 2nd floor window

 

Taking in the St. Augustine Florida Sights: The Old Schoolhouse St Augustine

 
A unique and memorable sightseeing adventure is waiting for you at the Old Schoolhouse St Augustine in Florida.
 
Said to actually be the oldest schoolhouse in the area, many believe this school began construction in the early portion of the 1700s.
 
Dating back into history, the wooden structure was the home of a man named Juan Genoply.
 
Ironically, this occupant was a schoolmaster who had a passion and desire for teaching small children throughout the St. Augustine area.
 

Haunted St Augustine History

 
Florida legend claims the old schoolhouse is haunted. According to the legend, the schoolmaster as well as his family still look after the old schoolhouse (not the woman in the window :-) ).
 
The schoolhouse was something that they put a lot of work into all throughout their lifetimes.
 
Today, many locals & Florida tourists who walk past the schoolhouse will swear they see a light moving around in the upper area of the building, even though the wooden structure is completely empty!
 

Florida History Rediscovered

 
People who make their way to the Old Schoolhouse at St Augustine quickly learn about the rich history of the structure, right down to the materials that went into the building of it.
 

Building Materials

 
Interestingly, the building construction consisted of cedar and red cypress wood. These materials were held together using both handmade nails and wooden pegs.
 

Old Schoolhouse Artifacts

 
During walking tours, guests enjoy the many original artifacts on display from the time period, which include cooking utensils and much more.
 
While inside the schoolhouse, people discover some of the different books the students studied.
 
And, visitors learn more about the building's colorful history through artifacts.
 
All in all, this is a great place to go if you are looking for a day trip in the St. Augustine area. And, the street leading to the old schoolhouse is just as enticing!
 

For Home Decor Enthusiasts ..

 
If you love decorating and home decor in general, you’ll be excited to know I listed this fine art photo of St. Augustine Florida to my collection.
 
It’s print on demand and you can get your copy of the school house picture here.
 
Thanks for stopping by & be sure to stop by often so you'll know when I post new fine art pictures or interesting travel-related articles. ~ Bob Pardue
 
 

 

 

Have you ever tried black diamond truffles? Jean & I were hired for an assignment to shoot photos of these French truffles up in Pinehurst NC & the host graciously made us a $350. sandwich!
 

Black Diamond Truffles - Fine Art for Home Decor!

 
I personally didn't care for it but many people indulge in the world's most expensive mushroom served in some of the very finest restaurants.
With that said, I do believe these black diamond truffles in a bucket made for a beautiful fine art photo. :-)
 
Black Diamond Truffles Art Print by Bob Pardue - Delicious Bucket of Black Diamond Truffles sitting on a piano fine art print. Go here to view and check sizes - pricing & get this artwork for your home or office.
 

Old car enthusiasts just can’t seem to get enough with automobiles. I see car shows arrive on at least a monthly basis even in my small town.

There’s just a certain allure with cars that drive, no pun intended, many people to go crazy about them. Most people though don’t have the resources to have a car collection -- not to mention a collection of vintage cars.

Many of them just augment their dreams with having a collection of high res photos of vehicles and vintage cars.

High Resolution Images of Vintage Cars

People who love old cars use pictures for a variety of applications. It is normal to see desktops, PC’s, laptops and cell phones using these pictures as their wall papers. This way, they can have a chance to see their favorite vehicles anytime they want.

Also, this serves as a goal for them.

Vintage Car Posters & Fine Art Pictures

Other people use these images as posters. Because of their high resolution, they can be printed in a large format and use the poster to adorn their walls. For a car buff, these huge posters are great interior designs especially if their homes look like an automotive shrine.

Other uses include fine art photography for home decor, or to post on your computer as wallpaper (as mentioned).

Vehicle Types

Some of the more popular images of old automobiles include souped up classic cars like roadsters and stock cars with great looking graphics on them. Flames are popular choices for this.

Where to Find Vintage Cars

With the emergence of the Internet, looking for high resolution images of cars and vintage cars is so much easier.

Gone are the days when you have to find a car and take the pictures. No more need for scouring good looking cars and paying their owners to let you take a picture of their prized possession.

Many high res images of vintage cars are now being offered by numerous photography websites. And, all you have to do is make a thorough search. For a fee, you will be able to download these images and use them however you want.

Simply use an online search engine (I prefer DuckDuckGo.com), type in a particular model and make of the vehicle you’re looking for and add “high resolution image” to the key phrase.

You'll discover a number of sites displaying a good selection for you to download and use.

Remember to make sure that there is no copyright infringement when you purchase these automobile images. Make sure the site is the owner of those images -- or, if they have permission to sell them. Stick with legitimate agencies. This will save you a lot of trouble later on.

Now -- Go Find Your Old Car Pictures!

Armed with some suggestions and inspiration, take a moment to find that perfect old automobile picture to light up your day! And remember, have fun! - Bob

P.S. - If you would like to purchase my fine art photo of the old Hudson car (above), please go here...

 

 

Make your own memories with this original fine art photo of Castillo De San Marcos, St Augustine, Florida, USA.

 

A Quick Description about The Old Fort at Saint Augustine

 
"The Castillo de San Marcos (Spanish for "St. Mark's Castle") is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.
 

Location of San Marcos Fort..

 
The old fort is located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in the city of St. Augustine, Florida.
 

Architecture of the Old Fort

 
Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza designed the Castillo, with construction beginning in 1672. A fact to know, this happened 107 years after the city's founding by Spanish Admiral and conquistador Pedro Menéndez de Avilés.
 
Concluding, the Castillo de San Marcos was built while Florida was still part of the Spanish Empire." ~ Wiki

Go here for choices & pricing...

 

If you've followed me for a while, you know -- Although Jean & I worked in fashion photography for many years, my first loves mostly turned back to travel and historic sites.

So, I want to introduce you to the famous William Henry Harrison home fine art photo.

This beautiful piece of architecture is located in Vincennes, Indiana and is well worth a visit if you ever travel to the area.

Jean & I enjoyed this journey very much and Indiana remains one of my favorite photo assignments to date.

About William Henry Harrison

You may or may not know, but William Henry Harrison was our 9th US president and served in office during a "zero year". (I'm coming to that point)

President Harrison was elected in 1840 and died less than a month after taking office on April 4, 1841.

Now, about that "zero year". There's a legend that talks about a curse for these presidents. I won't go into detail but do a search of presidents who died in office and look at the years they were elected. Creepy, huh?

BTW: Our last US election at the time of this writing was 2020.

The Harrison (Grouseland) Fine Art Photo

While Jean and I worked in Vincennes, IN on a photo assignment, I captured the picture above of the Harrison Home and thought I'd share it with you.

Just to add some info, the home is designated a national historic site and presents an interesting museum, open to the public Monday through Saturday.

To own this fine art print, simply tap the picture to see sizes, frame suggestions and more. Available in all sizes and types here.

I hope you enjoyed this post and please comment if you have anything to add about the William Henry Harrison home in Indiana. See you again soon! - Bob Pardue

Okay, I have to admit: I'm not exactly your mountain climbing snow person. Sure, our daughter loves the snow and would live in the mountains if she had the chance.

But, with that said, I do like looking at snow-covered mountains - especially the Rockies.

And, that's why I did some editing for this image to give you a feel for the cold, wintry briskness in this fine art photo.

Discover Winter with this Pastel Fine Art Photo of a Snowy Mountain Range

The western United States differs so much from the east - that's a given. So, this is why Jean & I enjoy taking road trips through this winter wonderland.

Even if you don't plan to visit the west, I hope this fine art picture will give you some idea of what we see on photography trips.

The Carolina's are amazing & we don't plan to re-locate. But, traveling through the prairie and seeing these majestic peaks rise in the distance cannot be imagined. You just have to see for yourself to believe it!

About My Snowy Peak Fine Art Photo

Picture Description: Fine art photo shows scenic view of snowy Rocky Mountains in the western United States.

When we travel out west, the Nikon is always in the 'ready' position. Each time I’ve been, no matter whether it's winter or summer, fine art photos are born.

So, while driving through the wilderness, I discovered this fine art photo of a snowy mountain range.

I used some special editing to transform the photo into a pastel fine art image for my western USA collection.

How to Order

You can purchase this fine art photo as framed wall decor, canvas print or even a wall poster at my photo site; BobPardue.Pixels.com .

Go here to order your 'Snowy Mountain' fine art picture..

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my fine art photograph and the story about the western mountains. If so, I’d love to hear your comments below. Maybe you live out west or have visited another favorite travel location? Let us know. – Bob Pardue

Savannah River Bridge - A Bridge NOT To Far! Enjoy this Fine Art Photo

If you live near the Carolina's or Georgia, The Savannah Bridge makes a great road trip.

If not, you can still own an original fine art photo of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge for your home. Check it out here...

About the Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah

"The original Talmadge bridge was a cantilever truss bridge built in 1953.

Unfortunately, it became a danger for large ships entering the Port of Savannah, home to the largest single ocean container terminal on the United States eastern seaboard.

And, Savannah hosts the nation's fourth-busiest seaport.

So, replacement better able to not impede maritime traffic was completed in March 1991.

The new Talmadge Memorial bridge is a cable-stayed bridge, unique in many different ways." ~ Wiki

The Fine Art Photo

I created this fine art image while Jean & I traveled on a photo assignment in the area. I love traveling across long bridges and the Savannah Bridge does not disappoint!

Let me know in the comments if you plan to visit Savannah, Georgia — or, if you have been recently. We'd love to read your travel story! – Bob Pardue

Go here for choices & pricing…

Palmetto Bluff, SC is a perfect example of South Carolina's Lowcountry. Surrounded by an ancient maritime forest and bound on three sides by the Cooper, May and New Rivers, Palmetto Bluff represents the best that South Carolina offers.

Fine Art Picture of The Inn At Palmetto Bluff: Best Of the South Carolina Lowcountry

When you visit Palmetto Bluff, you travel through history. Days are easy and slow, measured by the ocean tides. Whether you are visiting or looking to stay, Palmetto Bluff offers a world of opportunity. One of the best places for a visitor to spend their time is The Inn at Palmetto Bluff.

More like a southern plantation than an inn, Palmetto Bluff provides their guests a one-of-a-kind experience which combines the SC Lowcountry's natural beauty with southern history. The estate boasts an incredible natural environment with misty marshes, rivers, salty breezes and old oaks covered with Spanish moss.

Palmetto Bluff's main hotel building looks like it came right out of a Civil War movie. A traditional southern mansion, compete with columns and a sweeping porch, it greets each visitor like a long lost friend. There are also 50 guest cottages and cottage suites which are both luxurious and homey at the same time. Each includes a working fireplace, gorgeous bathrooms, and screen porches.

Guests to Palmetto Bluff can enjoy a wide range of activities, including bicycling, gold, croquet, tennis, swimming and kayaking. There are two pools for guests, as well as a full luxury spa. Perhaps the biggest draw to Palmetto Bluff SC is the Carolina Lowcountry itself.

South Carolina's Lowcountry is often described by visitors as ethereal, mystical, and hauntingly beautiful. The area is home to saltwater marshes, rivers, wetlands, and mossy forests. The entire area feels both distinctly American and enchantingly exotic at the same time.

The Carolina Lowcountry around Palmetto Bluff SC is still inhabited by Gullah natives who still thrive within their own culture and language. Most of the historic architecture in Palmetto Bluff is beautifully preserved and the natural environment of the surrounding area is relatively untouched.

A 20,000 acre development just 20 miles east of Hilton Head Island, Palmetto Bluff is a perfect example of the best of the Lowcountry. The development sits along the banks of the May River, which is a tributary river to the Atlantic Ocean. The area is tranquil and quiet. Visitors arrive under a canopy of trees via a private road.

Palmetto Bluff boasts a beautiful main square within Palmetto Bluff village and includes a boat house, fitness clubs, pools, and golf club. The arrangement and equipment of Palmetto Bluff's facilities and landscape provide a feeling of openness even when inside.

Palmetto Bluff SC is considered one of the best resorts and accommodation within South Carolina, if not the entire United States. The main house of the Inn at Palmetto Bluff offers glorious views and many common spaces for families and friends to gather. These include a library, a wide front porch, and a small lobby. There are also a chapel and a host of recreational facilities.

Planning a visit to Palmetto Bluff SC must include a stop at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff. Take the time to thoroughly enjoy all that this beautiful region has to offer.

And, if you are curious about purchasing art print pictures of Palmetto Bluff go here first .