Ohio River at flood stage in Cincinnati

UPDATE: I went back down Sunday (Feb. 25) when the river was a few feet higher -- just over 60 feet, the highest it had been since 1997. A couple pics: 












And the pics from six days earlier, President's Day: 









Took these Monday when the river was a couple feet over flood stage -- meaning some minor flooding. I've probably seen the river this high in my lifetime, but my life is long enough now that I can't quite remember it. Plenty of other folks were also in downtown Cincy and Covington taking pics.

--S.H.

Work portraits

Got a fun assignment at work: take pics of the folks who had been with the agency for 25 years. The idea was to shoot each person in their workplace.

It was certainly challenging. I had 15 to 30 minutes with most folks -- who I was meeting for the first time. I tried to keep it simple and get people posed and comfortable. 

I mostly used an off-camera flash and umbrella with an occasional second flash. I shot everything with my Nikon Df and cheapo 50mm 1.8 lens -- which I liked for its versatility and the fact that it's small, unassuming and made people a little more comfortable. I have access to a 70-200 2.8 lens, which has awesome optics but is kind of like pointing a bazooka at someone. Most people, it seems, would rather not be on the receiving end of a bazooka.

Above are some of my faves of the 40 people I shot. The whole gallery is here.

I'd absolutely love to go into some other workplaces and take pics such as this (if you're interested, email me at steve.hymon1@gmail.com). 

Many people take immense pride in their work even if they don't necessarily feel appreciated. Other than a work I.D. nearly all of the folks above had never been photographed doing their jobs--the ver things that has allowed them to have a life. It was also a pleasure to meet so many different colleagues and learn a little about the many jobs that keep the buses and trains running each day.

--S.H.

Salton Sea at dawn

--S.H.