Bob Simrak Photography

2012-02-07T22:03:00.004-05:00

When you visit Kansas City one of the places you want to visit is the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. I have included a few objects from the collection that caught my eye. You can spend a whole day there and have a great time. And there is a good place to eat here too. Highly recommended.

2012-02-07T22:03:00.001-05:00

Beautiful landscape.

2012-02-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

Ulysses and the Sirens...

2012-02-07T22:01:00.001-05:00

Woman. We all see things just a little differently...

2012-02-07T22:00:00.002-05:00

One of many provocative sculptures.

2012-02-07T22:00:00.001-05:00

A tribute to Satchel Paige.

2012-02-07T21:59:00.000-05:00

The Street Preacher

2012-02-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

Darkness and light...

2012-02-07T21:57:00.001-05:00

Part of a very good collection of 19th and 20th century African Art from the region of today's Democratic Republic of Congo.

2012-02-07T21:56:00.000-05:00

There are many fine works by Rodin. Some a little "racy."

2012-02-07T21:55:00.002-05:00

Self portrait of the sculptor playing chess.

2012-02-07T21:55:00.001-05:00

A modern family.

2012-02-07T21:54:00.001-05:00

Van Gogh's brother.

2012-02-07T21:51:00.001-05:00

A romantic view of the pyramids of Giza.

2012-02-07T21:50:00.000-05:00

The Centurion and Christ

2012-02-07T21:48:00.000-05:00

The Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist

2011-11-29T14:50:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving week-end we went to the Rhema Bible Church's Christmas Light Show. They have a terrific display with millions of lights and up to 200,000 visitors a years. It was a "light" junkie's dream. Instead of shooting the displays - I was too, too fascinated with the potential to play with the light. Here is my version of the light show.

Of course if you love light like I do, you can buy individual prints from my online gallery.

Should you want to go check out Rhema Bible Church, Broken Arrow, OK between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

2011-10-09T20:12:00.002-04:00

Visited the WW I Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, MO today. Across the street was the 10th day of the Occupy KC protest. A few infrared photos from the day.

2011-10-08T10:54:00.002-04:00

Ahhh. Therapy. Cooking can be so comforting. Mushroom salad for dinner tonight. Quick and dirty photo of this evening's appetizer. 105mm Nikon Micro, lighting was provided by flash bouncing off a near wall.

2011-10-02T22:26:00.004-04:00

Jenny Leanne Smith (Marilyn) from "Sellout." Performing at the Velvet Creme Popcorn Festival. More photos: Velvet Creme Popcorn Festival on Mingle.

2011-09-25T21:46:00.003-04:00

The sign describes what this is, Country Club Plaza's 80th Annual Art Fair in Kansas City. Our trip out was on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Not a optimal time for photos. Good chance that many shots will have too much dynamic range. To avoid blowing out the highlights and losing shadow detail, I brought along a flash. The D300s and SB800 combination can do high speed flash beyond the normal sync limit of 1/250. So fill flash can help here. Where possible I encouraged folks to move to open shade - avoiding shooting in the direct sun as much as possible. You can see more from the day at the Kansas City Star here.

2011-09-25T21:45:00.001-04:00

Dick Cunningham closes the deal. This fan of his work took two pieces...

2011-09-25T21:44:00.000-04:00

2011-09-25T21:42:00.001-04:00

Mary Andrews works in ceramics. She has created an interesting cast of characters... The next photo is one of her works...

2011-09-25T21:41:00.001-04:00

A teapot. There is definitely an edge to the work.

2011-09-25T21:38:00.002-04:00

Some of the browsers going down one of several streets filled with 240 displays of artists showing their work and several pubs, eateries meeting our more basic appetites. I had a bag of Topsy's Popcorn. Before filing my order, my server asked, "Would you like extra butter on that?" Of course I did. The popcorn was GREAT! Why? It tasted fresh, light, melt in your mouth texture and of course, it was buttery.

2011-09-25T21:37:00.002-04:00

Many folks appreciated the art. But really this was an "event" a time to get out and mingle... see and be seen...

2011-09-25T21:34:00.001-04:00

One of the darker images at the art show. More on the commercial side, there was great intricacy as characters from popular culture were pulled together in several pieces

2011-09-23T11:10:00.002-04:00

These were the last images I took in the current spider series. For these I used a Nikon D300 with 105mm macro stopped all the way down. Lighting was the same set-up as I used for the shot with the Canon G9. Main benefit of the 105mm lens is that I had more room between the camera and the subject so I could get more light on the subject. Of these two images - the same photo but different treatments - the lighter version added some defocusing with minus clarity and desaturated the color.

2011-09-23T11:01:00.002-04:00

This shell of a spider was sitting outside my office door. Over the years I have had an interest in shooting these critters with varying success. For this shot I used a tripod mounted Canon G9, a sheet of white paper and two white envelopes to bounce some light in to soften the shadows. The set-up was basically like this \ . /

The benefit of shooting static subjects - they certainly don't move...

2011-08-30T22:15:00.001-04:00

Visited the Butterfly Palace in Branson, MO. Really enjoyed it. Spend two afternoons with the critters. Highly recommended if you have an interest in butterflies.

2011-07-16T19:47:00.002-04:00

I went to my first radio controlled air show today. The event was called the KCRC 3D Poker Fly In. It was for "Giant Scale" planes. By giant scale they mean either an 80 inch monoplane or a 60 inch biplane or bigger. The measurement is for the wing span. You can see more photos here.

2011-07-16T19:45:00.000-04:00

These planes can do things I did not think planes could do...

2011-07-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

Babie Steve does not have the best seat on the plane...

2011-07-16T19:39:00.000-04:00

Babie Steve was the only passenger that flew today.

2011-07-10T19:32:00.020-04:00

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 8 - 10, 2011 was the Great Mid-American Balloon Fest in Olathe, KS. Too bad for Bob and Francie that it was a bit windy Saturday night when we went. Only three of the balloons went airborne - the rest however, put on a light show at dusk.

Francie was checking out the jewelry and so was Billy. I noticed that he "liked" rings, perhaps an under-statement. He was kind enough to let us get a photo of his rings.Here is a shot of Billy and his family.

Funny hats were in season too. Francie found a few folks who were eager to pose for her.

We came late to the game "Angry Birds" at our house but we know that the birds and pigs aren't on friendly terms. So I asked on of the pig lovers at the fest how she felt about the birds - she doesn't give them any mind. They're not real. :)The Farmers' blimp did a fascinating exhibition of radio controlled acrobatics. I was impressed when it flew overhead and then went straight up a couple of hundred feet. Whoa!One of the three balloons that went airborne last night.One of the vendors at the event. He is selling guns that glow. Looked neat at dusk.Some of faces in the crowd enjoying the show.

What type of camera was most evident? Why the camera phone of course!

2011-07-05T00:32:00.000-04:00

Spider and June Bug... Predator and prey...

2011-06-25T12:01:00.007-04:00

Went to the ballgame last night between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago Cubs. My first visit to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Here are a few shots of the stadium as I took a walk around the periphery.

2011-06-18T23:06:00.009-04:00

Visited the Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival today down at the Crown Center. It was really sunny and hot. Not very good light but it was a very good time.

Here is my album from today's shoot. Lots of artists putting together some great work - temporary but very nice. Kids hula hooping with some pretty big hula hoops. And lots of kids enjoying the water. Throughout the afternoon there was a drum ensemble who had some nice rhythms -- dancing to the beat... The Crown Center area is a great feature in Kansas City where people can congregate an enjoy the day.

2011-06-04T21:32:00.022-04:00

Visited the "Festa Italiana" today at the Zona Rosa shopping center in Kansas City, MO. Was a pleasant, though very hot, afternoon.
Posters of the contributions of many prominent Italians in sports - politics - the arts...There was lots to buy - certainly for those of us who view ourselves as "Italian Stalions."

Casey has been selling Kettle Corn on week-ends for 14 years.

Cinnamon Roasted Nuts - very good!

Classic fire engine.

This car reminded Pam of her Chevy Malibu - same color. Very H-O-T car!

Francie and Pam in the food court.
Memories of folks who have passed on.

This is where we got lunch. Agrussa's does know what goes into a "real" Philly cheesesteak.

2011-05-22T10:16:00.005-04:00

Visited Kansas City's Union Station. The ceiling impressed me. Fortunately I didn't trip over my feet as I was looking up and capturing images...

2011-05-14T21:50:00.001-04:00

Joey Caputo - available light from the film archives. Today he is dad. :)

2011-05-14T21:48:00.000-04:00

Looking up can provide some of the most dramatic scenery.

2011-05-10T22:01:00.000-04:00

Sunset over the Perkiomen Valley, Montgomery County, PA.

2011-03-13T21:31:00.002-04:00

The Kansas City Zoo has much to offer. It is very kid friendly and includes many locations where youngsters can burn off their energy, several venues where they can pet the animals. It is certainly worth a visit and you may want to take more than a day.
The orangutan mother with her babe was one of two babes I got to visit. A mama llama and her baby was also out.
The red kangaroos run free at the KC Zoo. Cool.

2011-03-13T21:22:00.002-04:00

This map of the zoo shows two areas separated by a bold blue line. The area to the left is extremely kid friendly. Africa is on the right. The day I visited, Africa was closed as they were making major improvements.

2010-12-24T11:34:00.000-05:00

I love the bright lights of the Christmas Season. Commercial excess... May be a reminder to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

2010-12-24T11:33:00.000-05:00

The lunar eclipse, December 21, 2010 about 3:00 am EST.

2010-12-04T20:47:00.002-05:00

Two scenes from the red eye flight from Kansas City to Philadelphia. The day's first light can be wondrous.

2010-10-01T11:54:00.005-04:00

Took a few minutes to decide I wan't going in to Philadelphia

this morning.

You can check out the local coverage on CBS3 here.

2010-09-01T21:38:00.001-04:00

2010-08-19T21:23:00.003-04:00

Two sunsets and an early morning fog overlooking the Perkiomen Valley.

2010-08-08T21:33:00.003-04:00

Friday night - enjoyed pizza and Matt & Stacey's pond. For years I had a creek in my back yard and N-E-V-E-R had a frog visit. They build a pond and right away they have frogs... and photogenic frogs at that...

2010-08-04T17:04:00.002-04:00

I have this CD/Radio in the wall. It doesn't work. Any recommendations on a replacement? There is power to it and it is wired to four speakers throughout the house. It is a Memorex CDR-1000MH.

2010-08-01T07:12:00.004-04:00

A few shots from last night's sunset overlooking the Perkiomen Valley.

2010-05-21T21:34:00.001-04:00

Francie says that this is a "butterfly". Well I don't know that it isn't. Nevertheless they are very pretty flowers.

2010-05-06T10:34:00.004-04:00

Added a new album to my online gallery. If you like animals of all kinds, you may enjoy taking a walk through my Animal Portraits . . . (You can see high resolution images here.) Thanks, Bob.

2010-04-22T20:35:00.002-04:00

We took a week to go to Disney World with Jessica, Alicia and their parents. When it started to rain, we took refuge in "Finding Nemo, the Musical". The program was very well done. And the girls really enjoyed it. The adults were pretty tired from trying to keep up with them. Jessica loves trains and talked me into two train rides - actually they were roller coasters disguised as trains. I am still sore from all the jostling. :)

2010-04-06T22:45:00.002-04:00

It is nice to have a break from the Spring rains... the colors were vibrant this week too...

2010-03-23T10:23:00.019-04:00

We built our home to serve a large family... three kids, my mother and us. Well now our kids have kids (and their own places) and my mom died this past year, so we are looking to move to a smaller place. This slide show is our attempt to show the house off to someone who needs the space where three generations can live together well. You can think of it as a four bedrooms, two baths and an in-law suite... All of this is on a quiet wooded location that provides 2/3rds of an acre - room to play and just relax in Abington Township. Here is the YouTube version, it's a little more polished.

2010-02-10T19:35:00.004-05:00

Testing a new lens, hopefully it will be a versatile walking around addition. What I want it to provide is the ability to shoot close-ups, image stabilization, good overall sharpness and a relatively fast maximum aperture. This is one of my first shots with the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0 OS.

2010-01-31T21:21:00.018-05:00

Last week I took a trip to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and walked up to the top of Kill Devil Hill where the Wright Brother's made man's first powered flight. It was the right time of the year to experience the weather they had that December. Had a great time and learned a lot. It is definitely worth the price of adminission. For $4.00 you get a pass for a whole week.

2009-12-03T22:47:00.002-05:00

Garrick enjoying his most favorite spot. He loves spending time in and around the creek...

2009-12-03T22:45:00.003-05:00

Sometimes, kids have the most impish grins... Brothers... Eli and Gabe on Thanksgiving.

2009-09-14T00:13:00.002-04:00

Dawn in South Florida. I got up early to watch the sun rise. It was cloudy early but then this pattern of clouds appeared.

2009-08-08T22:16:00.018-04:00

Congratulations to Kristin and Jim! What a day!! Here are a few pix from a very rich and festive occasion. Here is a link to a short slide show of their wedding day.

2009-08-06T21:58:00.003-04:00

Taken while testing a new lens... Used a D100 converted for infrared.

2009-08-02T22:10:00.003-04:00

Grandson Garrick sharing a "precious moment" with his dad. So glad we were able to capture the moment.

2009-06-06T14:33:00.001-04:00

Francie's Birthday - very special with Grandkids!

2009-06-01T20:57:00.002-04:00

Toward the end of the day at Toby's Graduation Party in Lima, OH. I noticed that Matt was giving Garrick a lesson in pool. The light was great and it was a terrific candid opportunity since I was outside and they paid no attention to me. I used my tripod to keep the camera steady. Later I took this shot inside as Francie took over for Matt teaching some of the basics.

2009-05-31T23:00:00.004-04:00

At the end of the day, today, the grand kids decided to play on the swing. The light was great and their enthusiasm was contagious.

2009-05-31T22:51:00.004-04:00

Returning home from a visit to Lima, OH, the light comming through the clouds caught my eye as we returned from a break in our drive at one of the service plazas.

2009-05-25T22:44:00.008-04:00

Today was Jonathan Durling's Open Barn,celebrating his graduation. An accomplished photographer with an extensive portfolio, you can see more of Jonathan's work here.

2009-05-12T19:40:00.005-04:00

One nice thing about getting older is that we get to do many of the things only got to wish for when we were younger... I always knew I could fly, just by using gentle pressure from the palm of my hands... Well, it happens in my dreams... Today I have a memory I can share of this one vision.

2009-05-02T18:24:00.002-04:00

Last week was Braden's 4th Birthday Party. He had a G-R-E-A-T Day!

2009-04-23T18:31:00.009-04:00

Braden and Garrick came to spend the day with Noni. They did yard work and rode their bikes. It's nice to be able to play outside!

2009-04-19T21:32:00.005-04:00

Today, was a busy day at the zoo. Lots of activity. Lots of families enjoying the day together. And as they day wore on, lots of tired kids. It was also Autism Awareness Day - so there were special events to educate the public...

Autism Awareness Month - April 2009

1.5 million Americans affected
67 children are diagnosed per day
1 case diagnosed every 20 minutes
Fastest growing developmental disability
1 in 150 individuals are affected

2009-04-19T21:32:00.001-04:00

2009-04-19T21:31:00.000-04:00

2009-04-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

2009-04-19T21:28:00.000-04:00

2009-04-19T21:24:00.004-04:00

Saturday, I traveled with Earl and Ryan to the Philadelphia Tea Party II. You can see more photos from the day here.

2009-04-19T21:24:00.001-04:00

2009-04-19T21:23:00.000-04:00

2009-04-19T21:03:00.002-04:00

Clark and Katelyn Evan's Wedding Album.

2009-04-11T23:08:00.002-04:00

Today was a wonderfully lazy Saturday. With a light drizzle most of the day, I watched the birds. Occasionally there was a little attitude on display...

2009-03-10T21:30:00.002-04:00

Sunday was a beautiful day. Warm and a little overcast - no harsh shadows (great for pics). Braden decided it was time to learn to skate. Eli and Ali didn't have their skates today so they did their best helping Braden learn by helping him get back up after each fall.

2009-02-27T09:20:00.006-05:00

Mea culpa, mea culpa... I have neglected to keep you all updated on what I've been up to. Sooo in an effort to slowly become more current, here is our featured wedding album. It was done for Julie and Matt Guthier. Hope you like it.

2009-02-08T21:57:00.002-05:00

2009-02-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

Another session at Stacey's aquarium and another shot of her Demasoni.

2009-01-25T23:19:00.003-05:00

After a couple hours of games and playing with the grand kids, I tried to get a few shots of Stacey's fish. This is her favorite a Demasoni (Malawi Mbuna African Cichlid).

2009-01-01T17:24:00.006-05:00

A few more for the collection - New Year's photos of leaves under a couple of inches of ice.

2009-01-01T17:24:00.002-05:00

2009-01-01T17:23:00.002-05:00

2009-01-01T17:22:00.003-05:00

Tuesday, we took a trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Here Ali and Francie look at the world through the jaws of a giant shark.

2009-01-01T17:21:00.003-05:00

Bubble tubes were a big draw for kids. I think it was Ali's favorite part of the exhibit - after pop corn.

2009-01-01T17:20:00.002-05:00

2009-01-01T17:19:00.002-05:00

2009-01-01T17:18:00.002-05:00

2008-12-24T09:19:00.000-05:00