Magical Places
While traveling, there were a few views and places that seemed to carry an extra amount of magic. Some were from above or in brief shifts in weather, but they all had a distinctive vibrance that stayed with me long after I left.
The Winding Road
Con Son Island, Vietnam, Jan. 2019
It’s an off-the-beaten path destination because for 150 years this paradise was a prison where colonial powers held the Vietnamese captive. The only time the thoughts of this left my mind was when the wind was buffeting my motorbike so strongly around this turn that I was sure I would fall.
Con Son Island, Vietnam, Jan. 2019
It’s an off-the-beaten path destination because for 150 years this paradise was a prison where colonial powers held the Vietnamese captive. The only time the thoughts of this left my mind was when the wind was buffeting my motorbike so strongly around this turn that I was sure I would fall.
Rice Field Map
Jatiluwih Rice Fields, Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 2018
I hadn’t yet been to any of Bali’s larger rice fields on my abbreviated trip, so on the final day I went to the lesser-visited Jatiluwih. It was one of those moments where I was blown away by what I saw immediately after the drone took off. This picture was taken at over 1000ft high, an attempt to encompass as much of the sprawling design as possible.
Jatiluwih Rice Fields, Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 2018
I hadn’t yet been to any of Bali’s larger rice fields on my abbreviated trip, so on the final day I went to the lesser-visited Jatiluwih. It was one of those moments where I was blown away by what I saw immediately after the drone took off. This picture was taken at over 1000ft high, an attempt to encompass as much of the sprawling design as possible.
Watercolors
Victoria, Australia, Nov. 2018
I went exploring because I had a late flight out of Melbourne that day. I was hoping to see some birds at the nearby You Yangs regional park, but I had noticed a weird area next to it on Google Maps that I hoped to explore. Soon enough I found myself off-roading in a rental car not meant for it and flying over the neighboring quarry with colors that the satellite image couldn’t possibly convey.
Victoria, Australia, Nov. 2018
I went exploring because I had a late flight out of Melbourne that day. I was hoping to see some birds at the nearby You Yangs regional park, but I had noticed a weird area next to it on Google Maps that I hoped to explore. Soon enough I found myself off-roading in a rental car not meant for it and flying over the neighboring quarry with colors that the satellite image couldn’t possibly convey.
Unreal
Jökulsárlón Glaciar Lagoon, Iceland, Sept. 2018
The day before it had been raining and so foggy I could barely see the floating icebergs at the famed glacier lagoon in southern Iceland. A slight drizzle persisted as I backtracked to it on the Ring Road. When I approached, a huge rainbow—the fourth I would see that day—materialized. I scurried up a nearby hill to get a shot of it angled over the water. Five minutes later it was gone and it began to pour again.
Jökulsárlón Glaciar Lagoon, Iceland, Sept. 2018
The day before it had been raining and so foggy I could barely see the floating icebergs at the famed glacier lagoon in southern Iceland. A slight drizzle persisted as I backtracked to it on the Ring Road. When I approached, a huge rainbow—the fourth I would see that day—materialized. I scurried up a nearby hill to get a shot of it angled over the water. Five minutes later it was gone and it began to pour again.
Rainbow Arch
Dyrhólaey, Iceland, Sept. 2018
Dinner would have to wait, I told myself as I sped away from Guesthouse Reynir to chase the sunset. I had already visited the nearby black sand beach with its imposing sea stacks, but I wanted to see the arch just east of them. Once the light turned orange, I had to pull over and start flying. My stomach grumbled, but the colors lurched.
Dyrhólaey, Iceland, Sept. 2018
Dinner would have to wait, I told myself as I sped away from Guesthouse Reynir to chase the sunset. I had already visited the nearby black sand beach with its imposing sea stacks, but I wanted to see the arch just east of them. Once the light turned orange, I had to pull over and start flying. My stomach grumbled, but the colors lurched.
My Surf
Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, Nov. 2018
The Great Ocean Road began auspiciously, or at least with a good name, no apostrophe needed. Sure, I would have a full day of coastline and beaches, complete with the famous 12 Apostles, but it would be difficult to top the warm morning light hitting the green sea and tan shoreline at Bells Beach.
Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, Nov. 2018
The Great Ocean Road began auspiciously, or at least with a good name, no apostrophe needed. Sure, I would have a full day of coastline and beaches, complete with the famous 12 Apostles, but it would be difficult to top the warm morning light hitting the green sea and tan shoreline at Bells Beach.
Colorful Alley
Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 2017
I had waited a long time to get to Barcelona, but by the time I arrived there it was cold, crowded and I had the flu. I resolved to overcome it by finding as many deserted but beautiful nooks the city had to offer… and by gorging myself with jamón ibérico.
Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 2017
I had waited a long time to get to Barcelona, but by the time I arrived there it was cold, crowded and I had the flu. I resolved to overcome it by finding as many deserted but beautiful nooks the city had to offer… and by gorging myself with jamón ibérico.
Sightseeing
Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 2018
It was cold and crowded, but like the girl in pink, I couldn’t help but slow my walk and gaze up at the enclosure of lights. Behind the glow, the seedier, Japanese version of Times Square beckoned.
Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 2018
It was cold and crowded, but like the girl in pink, I couldn’t help but slow my walk and gaze up at the enclosure of lights. Behind the glow, the seedier, Japanese version of Times Square beckoned.
The Floating Village
Cát Bà, Vietnam, Jan. 2019
Almost 4,000 people live among the floating villages outside the growing tourist island of Cát Bà. The tour boats pass through them on the way to the scenery. Some will wave enthusiastically, briefly quelling the overbearing question of how, exactly, they live on the water.
Cát Bà, Vietnam, Jan. 2019
Almost 4,000 people live among the floating villages outside the growing tourist island of Cát Bà. The tour boats pass through them on the way to the scenery. Some will wave enthusiastically, briefly quelling the overbearing question of how, exactly, they live on the water.
A Final Dixie Sunset
Dixie Furniture Factory
Lexington, NC, Nov. 2018
The brick muse’s days were numbered, so once the rain stopped I hustled downtown. Maybe one day we’ll talk about how quaint it was that we felt attached to a factory husk with an antiquated name. But for now, I still miss the most interesting structure in town and the sunsets it posed against.
Dixie Furniture Factory
Lexington, NC, Nov. 2018
The brick muse’s days were numbered, so once the rain stopped I hustled downtown. Maybe one day we’ll talk about how quaint it was that we felt attached to a factory husk with an antiquated name. But for now, I still miss the most interesting structure in town and the sunsets it posed against.
Moon Time
Davidson County Historical Museum
Lexington, NC, Oct. 2018
"Austin, what the hell are you doing?" Justin Kepley said as he pulled up to his dwelling behind the square. It looked like I was pointing a telephoto lens at his window, but I motioned above it to the courthouse and he immediately understood.
Davidson County Historical Museum
Lexington, NC, Oct. 2018
"Austin, what the hell are you doing?" Justin Kepley said as he pulled up to his dwelling behind the square. It looked like I was pointing a telephoto lens at his window, but I motioned above it to the courthouse and he immediately understood.
Fluid Justice
Davidson County Historical Museum
Lexington, NC, Aug. 2019
You have to risk life and limb to get this angle. The reflection only works if you’re standing smack in the middle of Center Street. You can see it in your car perfectly as you drive past, but otherwise you have to dodge traffic to stand there and get the shot. I think it was worth it, but I am also good at Frogger.
Davidson County Historical Museum
Lexington, NC, Aug. 2019
You have to risk life and limb to get this angle. The reflection only works if you’re standing smack in the middle of Center Street. You can see it in your car perfectly as you drive past, but otherwise you have to dodge traffic to stand there and get the shot. I think it was worth it, but I am also good at Frogger.
Finishing Company
Spencer, NC, Mar. 2019
Nothing has materialized since the Color-Tex factory abruptly closed in 2000, plans have come and gone and the debris of it has yet to be cleaned. The two finishing company towers still stand proudly, awaiting their fate and basking in golden hour.
Spencer, NC, Mar. 2019
Nothing has materialized since the Color-Tex factory abruptly closed in 2000, plans have come and gone and the debris of it has yet to be cleaned. The two finishing company towers still stand proudly, awaiting their fate and basking in golden hour.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Dixie Furniture Factory
Lexington, NC, July 2018
Since a surprising number of people ask, this is an aerial drone shot looking into the Dixie smokestack. What’s harder to believe is that people used to clean it from the top. I stumbled upon this view surveying the wreckage and immediately knew it was worth a closer look.
Dixie Furniture Factory
Lexington, NC, July 2018
Since a surprising number of people ask, this is an aerial drone shot looking into the Dixie smokestack. What’s harder to believe is that people used to clean it from the top. I stumbled upon this view surveying the wreckage and immediately knew it was worth a closer look.