Daytona Beach under the Pier

I took this picture underneath the pier in Daytona Beach.  I bet it would have been better if I had thought about taking it about 5 minutes earlier but luckily I did catch the full sun in the opening between the pilings.  This is the structure that holds up the restaurants and pier system that goes out in the ocean.  I think I'll have to try it again sometime but for now I thought I would share my first attempt:



The process behind this photograph is called HDR (high dynamic range).  I took three shots here on a tripod with different exposures and then later combined those pictures and was able to pull out the light in the foreground as well as the back round.  It's really the only way I am aware to get a shot like this fully exposed correctly.

#daytonabeach #sunrisephotography #hdrphotography

Daytona Beach Bridge Mosaic Murals

In Daytona Beach the main bridge that connects the peninsula to the mainland in the International Speedway Bridge.  Many people may not know that underneath the bridge on the huge concrete columns that hold it up are a series of mosaic murals.  I recently took this picture of them when I was taking a walk around the City Island Park and the Daytona Beach library.  If you get some time you should go check them out.

 

#daytonabeach #hdrphotography #castlesbythecoast #bridges #florida #art

Daytona Beach Paddle Stars 10K Race

Daytona Beach Paddle Stars Race

This weekend was the paddle stars 10K race off in Daytona Beach.  It included 2 days of racing, Saturday in the Halifax river and Sunday in the ocean.  The grand prize for the lowest combined time was $10,000!  Not too bad.

I kind of stumbled upon this event by chance on Saturday morning.  I was at the farmers market in Daytona Beach on City Island and saw the event set up on the river across the park.  I went over to check it out and happened to catch the Juniors division race.  It was pretty exciting so when I heard they would be racing on the ocean the next day I had to come down and check it out.  Here are a few of the pictures I have processed so far from the event:

The first one is of an athlete before the start of the big race getting her focus.


This second one is of the racers lining up for the start of the race.  This is only a portion of the athletes that were in the race.  There were probably another 25 or so lined up around these people but I thought it looked cool to get the tall guy in the middle to be the center of the line up.



#daytonabeach #castlesbythecoast #paddlestars #hdrphotography #florida #daytonabeachpaddlestars


Tags: Castles by the Coast, Daytona Beach, events, Florida, HDR Photography, Ocean Walk, ormond beach, ormond beach events, Ormond Beach homes for sale, ormond beach life, ormond by the sea, paddle stars, Real estate

Daytona Beach Boardwalk

I spent the evening in Daytona Beach last weekend checking out the free Summer Concert.  It was an Elton John Tribute band that sounded pretty good although I have to admit I didn't hang out around the concert that much.  Instead we walked down the boardwalk and did some people watching and I was playing around with some long exposure photography of the Ferris wheel and various rides on the boardwalk.  He are a couple shots from that night:




This second shot I intentionally left a little "gritty".  I was trying to express the hot, humid, crowded environment.  I am not sure if it worked, but it was my best shot at it.

Daytona Beach Bandshell Summer Concerts

Saturday July 19th the Daytona Beach Bandshell hostsed the Elton John Tribute Show!

Hailed as "The next best thing to Elton John" by the Tampa Bay Times, Rocket man brings an exciting performance to the American public, complete with a full stage and sound production team, costume designer (wearing items actually worn by Elton himself) and ultra-modern LED and laser light show. A solid wall of live piano playing, Elton John's greatest hits, feather boa's and a whole lotta' sunglasses inspires an energetic and memorable night for any event.

Here is a picture from the event:

There were also fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean at 9:45 pm.

#daytonabeach #ormondbeach #hdrphotography

Ormond Beach Summer Concert Series

The summer concert series kicked off on Friday night with Brad Yates and MO'mentum playing classic rock.  The concerts are the next 3 Fridays in July at the Casements park at the South East corner of the Granada Blvd bridge.  They are, of course, a free event.  Bring your blanket and beach chairs and enjoy a night by the river with some great music.

Here is the schedule for the next 2 weeks:

Friday July 18th -- Liquid Jade  (popular rock hits)

Friday July 25th -- Knight to Remember  (Doo Wop, 50's, 60's, oldies)

Here is a photo from the event.

#ormondbeach #ormondbeachlife #hdrphotography #beachlife

Free concert this Friday

My wife spotted this new banner when she was walking over the bridge this morning.  Just thought I would share it:

Here is the information on it that I pulled from the Ormond Beach website:

Friday, July 11^th

Enjoy the "summer sounds" with a free outdoor concert in Rockefeller Gardens Park! The first concert in the summer series features "Brad Yates & MO'Mentum", playing classic rock music! A fun, free concert provided to the community by the Department of Leisure Services. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket.