Monthly Archives: July 2012

Toss the bread…

Posted by Mike on

Toss the bread, and slowly back away…
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-700mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 70mm, f5.6, ISO 400

Fun With Clouds

Posted by Mike on

While I was cooking dinner on the grill tonight a great storm front rolled into the area. I stood in the yard watching the clouds move and transform in an almost hypnotic fashion. I finally got my head together and grabbed the camera. It still had the telephoto lens attached so I decided to work with that lens. I wanted the pictures to be about the light, shapes and colors of the clouds and not as an enhancement to a landscape or background to another object.

I had so much fun running around the yard trying to get different views of the clouds all around me!

Light Within
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/800s, 200mm, f5.6, ISO 100

Streaming Light
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1000s, 116mm, f4.8, ISO 100

Cloud Wall
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 200mm, f8, ISO 100

Over/Under
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/125s, 70mm, f8, ISO 100

Into the Light
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/500s, 200mm, f8, ISO 200

The Lite Fluff Between
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 200mm, f8, ISO 200

Nothing but Bokeh

Posted by Mike on

Nothing but Bokeh…
Nikon D5100, Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 200mm, f5.6, ISO 400

I got hooked on playing Grass Poker on Google+ quite a few months ago. Maybe it was because I had plenty around my house or maybe I liked finding interesting or unique images from such an ordinary subject.  Either way, I enjoy it and it allows me to practice and experiment.

Last night I went out with the telephoto lens to practice some more.  We haven’t received much rain lately which allows only certain types of grass to grow in my yard.  I liked this lone stalk with the little bug on it. He was quick though, no matter how I moved he moved to be on the opposite side from me.

A Morning along the Canal

Posted by Mike on

I decided today would be the day I get up early and search out a sunrise over the Utica Marsh.  My plan was a little short sighted since the walk to the marsh was definitely longer than I anticipated.  It did give me plenty of opportunities along the barge canal for pictures though so the day was not a total washout (even considering all the rain!).  I’ll know better next time to set my alarm about an hour earlier.

Calm Water Morning
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/25s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

Around half way to the marsh the trail has to cross a canal gate.  The gate isn’t related to a lock but more of a control point into a harbor of sorts off the canal.  I captured a few pictures leading up to the gate but the reverse view, into the sunrise, was definitely the keeper.  It was a little weird crossing the gate even though there was a walkway installed on top.  I was impressed with the construction.  It went for simplicity with large concrete counter weights to reduce the work any motor needed to perform.

Weighted Gate
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/50s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

At one point along the path there are three bridges that cross above, the north and south lanes of Routes 8 & 12, and the off ramp bridge to I790.  When I reached the point between the bridges the sun was finally above the horizon and once again I had a great show to capture.  This image ‘breaks’ all the ‘rules’, horizon is in the middle, subject is in the middle, etc., but as soon as I capture the first frame I knew this was the way the picture needed to be.  I generally don’t second guess my initial response, when I think about it, I tend to ruin the scene.

Reflected Light(pole)
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/125s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

All three pictures where processed using Lightroom 4.  Minor tweaks to tone, a little noise reduction and some sharpening.  I’m still learning all the possibilities with Lightroom 4 but it sure does make post processing images simple and straight forward.