Category: Photography

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Two Flags over Fort McHenry Wall Art

This unique photograph speaks of American History and Patriotism.

So, why are there two American Flags in this photograph? Few people know this, but you can actually fly your own flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. You can either bring your own American Flag or buy one in the gift shop and take it to a Park Ranger in the fort. He or she will hoist your flag up the historic flagpole (may even let you help) and you can see your own flag flying over Fort McHenry. The Visitor Center staff will then give you a certificate to certify that your flag was flown over Fort McHenry.

two flags over fort mchenry baltimore
Two Flags Over Fort McHenry in Baltimore

It was at this revered place that American soldiers defended our young country against the British fleet during the War of 1812. This final battle took place on September 13-14, 1814 and marked one of the culminating battles of the war.

During that overnight battle is when Francis Scott Key penned his poem entitled “The Star Spangled Banner.” That poem was eventually adopted by President Woodrow Wilson as the standard National Anthem of the United States. But it wasn’t until 1929 that “House Resolution 14” was enacted by Congress naming “The Start Spangled Banner” as the official National Anthem of the United States of America.

Use the links below to browse or shop more of Bill’s photographs of Fort McHenry and the American Flag.

Link to: Two Flags over Fort McHenry

Link to: Bill’s Fort McHenry Collection

Link to: Bill’s full Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

fort mchenry with baltimore in the background
Fort McHenry with the City of Baltimore in the Background.
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Delmarva Farm Scene in Black and White or Color

This Delmarva Grain Elevator received positive comments in both presentations, color and B&W.

How does one choose which presentation to publish to one’s online gallery? Why, ask your followers on Social Media, of course – specifically on Facebook.

delmarve grain elevator in color
Delmarva Grain Elevator in Color

The steel-gray color of the sky seems to emulate the steel-color of the silos and transfer screws of this grain elevator on a Maryland farm. When asking friends and followers a piece of art, one must have a thick skin because some of the responses my be quite critical. Fortunately, most in this survey were complimentary.

delmarva grain elevator black and white
Delmarva Grain Elevator in Black and White

This was the question – simple and straightforward:

  • Does this work better in Color or in B&W? (It was also identified as a Delmarva Grain Elevator – photographed on 06/18/22.)

Here is a list of 18 unmodified responses – in the order received:

  • The color shot is FANTASTIC. !
  • Color. Love it.
  • I like the touch of blue in the color version.
  • Love the color with the blue sky peeking through.
  • Black and white photography for me, as your subject is mostly monochromatic and lends itself to that medium. The color version almost takes on a selective coloring look to it. But you should always go with what your vision is for the piece, speaking from your heArt.
  • Color wins…
  • I personally like the B&W more but it seems that the darkness of the clouds goes away in the above B&W version. I still like the second/B&W version more but would make it a bit darker.
  • I like the color shot.
  • Color for sure!
  • Both great. BW for me.
  • Color shot!
  • Black and white, more dramatic.
  • B & W
  • Rather ominous in BE. Pop of blue in color is interesting but overall BW
  • B&W
  • I like the black and white due to the detailed shown on the structure of the grain silos and transfer screws.
  • I’m usually a black and white fan but for this one I’ll go with color.
  • Just enough color in the sky enhances it…my opinion! Great picture!

The overall result is 10 prefer the color presentation and 8 prefer the black and white. While the color version appears to have won the poll, the margin is small, and I would not like to disappoint the 44% of my responders who chose the black and white version of my Delmarva Grain Elevator photograph – so I have uploaded BOTH versions to my online galleries.

Choose a link below to get a better look at YOUR choice…

Shop: Color version of Delmarva Grain Elevator

Shop: B&W version of Delmarva Grain Elevator

Shop: The Farm Collection in Bill’s Gallery

Shop: Bill’s Full Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

The chicken is in the heart of Delmarva.

The Delmarva Peninsula – home to a wide variety of grains, vegetables and livestock – has a long history of farming, but in the 1950s the peninsula began to focus on its poultry industry. Today, Delmarva is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the nation; it is also one of the largest chicken-producing regions in the world. The mainstay diet of a chicken is corn, followed by soybeans, wheat and to a lesser extent, other crops.

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Protecting the Dunes at Bethany Beach, Delaware

Dunes grasses and fencing are important to our coastal ecosystem.

A sea of grass and sand dunes extend out to the Atlantic Ocean at Bethany Beach in Sussex County, Delaware. This photograph, captured along a beach pathway at Bethany Beach, Delaware, highlights the importance of healthy dune grasses and fence to our coastal ecosystem. These beach grasses and dune fencing help protect the sand dunes and also delineate a pathway to the beach.

bethany beach dune grasses vertical
Dunes Grasses, Fencing and a Path at Bethany Beach

Bill Swartwout’s photograph of a pathway through the sand dunes at Bethany Beach draws the viewer in to explore the scene.

Bethany Beach, Delaware, is a popular summer destination along the Atlantic coast of the United States. A beautiful beach with no public access road over the dunes, the town relies on dune fences and grasses to direct visitors towards its sandy shore. Some people like to walk along the dunes and look at the grasses and the fence and maybe even imagine what it must have been like before there were people here.

bethany beach dunes grasses
Bethan Beach Dune Grasses and Fence

The very best way to approach photographing a subject is to imagine yourself in conversation with the subject, then moving closer and closer, becoming more of a participant as time goes by. Bill Swartwout’s work is an amazing way to capture the beauty of our natural surroundings, and Crossing the Dunes at Bethany Beach is a wonderful example of that. The photo is tranquil and peaceful, and looks like a scene from a faraway land. It’s an instant favorite!

Thought for the day: If you can’t find joy on the beach, then it’s not the beach that’s wrong.

Browse and/or shop with the gallery links below.

Link: Dune Grass at Bethany Beach – Vertical

Link: Crossing the Dunes at Bethany Beach – Horizontal

Link to: Bill’s Bethany Beach Collection.

Link to: Bill’s full gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

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Patriotic Landing on the Ocean City Beach

A Para-Commando Parachutist displays the American Flag as he “drops into” the OC Air Show.

Patriotic Beach Landing in Ocean City
Patriotic Beach Landing in Ocean City

During the Ocean City Airshow in June of 2022, parachute jumpers from the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM, or SO COM) performed the opening act. They jumped from a helicopter about 8,000 feet above the ocean city beach and landed in the sand near show central at 17th Street on the boardwalk. Show.

Patriotic Beach Landing in Ocean City Charcoal
Patriotic Beach Landing in Ocean City as a Simulated Charcoal Sketch

The last of the jumpers flew an American Flag from his rigging and landed to the playing of our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. It was a wonderful way to kick off the OC Air Show and set the stage for three hours of spectacular aerial displays. The event (this year**) was capped off with a rousing performance by the The United States Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

Patriotic Beach Landing in Ocean City Expressionism
Patriotic Beach Landing in Ocean City in an Abstract Expressionism Presentation

** The Ocean City Airshow usually alternates year-to-year with the Thunderbirds and the United States Navy Blue Angels demonstration team. These are both incredibly powerful displays of the American military and patriotism.

Photographs on a variety of substrates and also on home decor items are available at the links below. Click to shop…

Link: Patriotic Beach Landing Wall Art

Link: Patriotic Beach Landing Simulated Charcoal

Link: Patriotic Beach Landing Expressionism

Link to: Bill’s Ocean City Collection.

Link to: Bill’s full gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels