Strata Flow
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 3s, 42mm, f/11, ISO 100
Strata Flow
Monthly Archives: November 2013
Our Beautiful Parks
Way back in early September I received an email from Scott Thomas of Views Infinitum about a photography show he puts on for Hospice of Central New York. I know many of you reading my blog also know Scott (mostly because I ‘found’ a lot of you through Scott’s blog) so you will see information about this show from a few sources. I was very honored and excited that Scott thought of my images for this show. The theme Scott chose for this year is ‘Our Beautiful Parks’ which could include local, state and national parks. Right up my alley!
I quickly replied to the email with a resounding ‘yes’ (well after doing a little happy dance around my office!). The next part was harder, picking the 5 images. I didn’t think it was going to be as hard as it was. You create an image, display it on the intranet, some people might like and comment on it and you move on to the next image. Reviewing your own images with a critical eye is something I decided I need to do more often. I learned a lot about my photography during this process. It isn’t easy but something I recommend every photographer do from time to time.
Anyway, back to the main purpose of this post… the Fine Art Photography Show. Here is the ad Scott created for the show. We have already hung the images at the Hospice offices but the formal reception is scheduled for December 4th.
Our Beautiful Parks
Fine Arts Photography Show
After about a week of internal debates I was able to select the five images I thought would be good for this show. I emailed Scott my choices and he responded the next day that I could get them printed and framed. We met at the Hospice offices this past Wednesday to hang our pictures. I don’t even remember the drive out to Syracuse. I was on cloud nine! It was great to meet the other photographers in the show and view their beautiful images. I always love seeing what other people capture. It gets my head thinking of new ways see and fills me with ideas for images to create. I’m looking forward to December 4th!
Just for those who don’t live near Syracuse, here are the images I picked…
Pools
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 3s, 24mm, f/20, ISO 100
Chittenango Falls
Chittenango Falls State Park
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1/10, 0.4, 1.6s bracket), 32mm, f22, ISO 200
Smooth
Chittenango Falls State Park
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 4s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100
Water Carving
Watkins Glen State Park
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 13s, 38mm, f/18, ISO 100
Summer Awaits
Delta Lake State Park
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/160s, f/20, ISO 200
If you are local to central NY then I encourage you to visit the Hospice offices during the show. The images are incredible and will remind you how beautiful this country we live in really is. If you can make it on December 4th then please look me up and say hi!
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
One aspect of Disney photography that has eluded me is dark ride photography. Getting images inside an attraction while the ride vehicle is moving with minimal light and ‘no flash photography, please!’ just was not something I was able to accomplish. The very first group event at Photo Magic 2013 was riding The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios. Oh boy! I listened to the advice being offered by members of the group. I switched to my fastest lens (35mm f/1.8) and thought… ‘I can do this!’. OK, maybe I didn’t actually think that. I was still unsure of myself but what the heck, it was only space on a digital memory card and the delete button would be right there.
The fixed lens did present a few challenges. I know there were a few scenes I was not able to capture and some close up opportunities that escaped me but I did manage to come away with a few good images. I learned a few tricks, got a better appreciation for using the higher ISO settings on my camera and figured out how steady myself as the vehicle was moving. In the end it was a great experience. It was fun riding the attraction with such a large group of photographers and listening to the click of the shutters as everyone was trying to grab their view of the ride. Heck, I might even spend more time next visit trying to get those scenes I missed…
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/200s, f/3.5, ISO 6400
RGB Details
I decided it was better for me to go playing around the bone yard at work during lunch than go out and spend money. Yesterday was not the greatest of days but during lunch the rain had stopped and the overcast skies produced some nice soft light. Here is some of the interesting stuff I found…
Details – Red
Olympus E-P3, Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, 1/100s, 17mm, f/4, ISO 400
Details – Green
Olympus E-P3, Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, 1/400s, 14mm, f/5.6, ISO 400
Details – Blue
Olympus E-P3, Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, 1/80s, 17mm, f/4, ISO 400
Wordless Wednesday – Two Movies
Two Movies
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 400
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
The Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World has never received the respect I think it is due. Most tote the park as a half day visit but if you only invest that much time you are missing out on a plethora of opportunities. Last year in May when I had my first solo photography visit to WDW I discovered areas of the Animal Kingdom I had never seen in any of my previous visits. Now I know to slow down and look in every nook and cranny of this wonderful park.
One of my favorite areas to explore is the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail which is accessed very near the exit for the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. There are an amazing amount of animals on display and for someone with a camera the available views are very natural. On this last visit the gorillas were not afraid of the midday sun and I was able to get some nice images of the adult silverback.
Quit Watching Me
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 125mm, f/8, ISO 800
I Still See You
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/160s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 800
Whispers
Squared – SQ27
Whispers
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 3s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100
Backyard Creek
It has been a long week and it isn’t over yet. This is physical inventory weekend at work. The entire week leading up to today has been in preparation for this crazy, hectic day of counting parts. I have been helping out for about eight years now. To be honest, it is a great time but it hasn’t allowed me to get back into my normal routine.
Last night after work I had about an hour of sunlight left and with the recent rains it was the perfect time to go ‘play’ in the creek in the back yard (the back yard being the woods behind the house). I don’t think I will ever loose my fascination with water. I brought along the ND filter to allow me to slow everything down and see what patterns I could find in the water. I had a good time and it was the perfect way to relax before today.
Autumn Submerged
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1.6s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 100
Sticks -n- Stones
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1, 2 & 4s bracket), 17mm, f/11, ISO 100
MLCreations Photography 