Monthly Archives: October 2014

Worldwide Photo Walk 2014

Posted by Mike on

Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk 2014
Utica, NY

I had such a good time last year on my first photo walk that I knew I would be joining one this year. I was starting to get a little nervous as I checked the website for a walk near me and kept coming up empty. I was almost ready to make the drive to Syracuse when I recognized the leader for a walk in Utica. Jerry Reed was a participant in last year’s walk and he was leading one this year. I signed up and started being nice to Mother Nature so she would provide us with a good day. Either I was especially persuasive or we got lucky… it was a beautiful day. It was cool but not cold and the morning clouds gave way to sun filtered by a light cloud cover.

We started our walk at the Tramontane Cafe on Lincoln Ave. I had never been at this cafe before and was immediately impressed. I am definitely going to check out some of their entertainment and will back back for another lunch. The tomato soup was great!

We started our walk around 11:30am heading up State St. toward Oneida Square. A tree lined street with plenty of interesting architecture to photograph. It had me wishing I had brought the wide-angle lens but I stuck with my choice and forced myself to be creative. At Oneida Square (now a circle) there is a wonderful statue dedicated to the soldiers and sailors from Utica that fought in the Civil War. From the statue we headed down Genesee St. past the art institute, the Utica Library and the Stanley Theater making our way to Court St. for the return trip to The Tram for lunch.

I really enjoyed this walk and explored parts of Utica I have driven by over the years been never really paid too much attention to. It has encouraged me to go exploring downtown a more often and on those days I’m waiting for my daughter to get out of class I now know what I can do.

State Law - Yield Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/400, 68mm, f/11, ISO 200

State Law – Yield
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/400, 68mm, f/11, ISO 200

Fading Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/200, 85mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Fading
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/200, 85mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Building Lights Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/250, 40mm, f/8, ISO 200

Building Lights
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/250, 40mm, f/8, ISO 200

Soldiers and Sailors Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/400, 29mm, f/8, ISO 200

Soldiers and Sailors
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/400, 29mm, f/8, ISO 200

Art Institute - Fountain Elms Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/160, 46mm, f/11, ISO 200

Art Institute – Fountain Elms
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/160, 46mm, f/11, ISO 200

Corner Detail Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/1000, 52mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Corner Detail
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/1000, 52mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

286 Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/800, 65mm, f/8, ISO 200

286
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/800, 65mm, f/8, ISO 200

Torii Gate Light Reflections

Posted by Mike on

Torii Gate, Japan Pavilion
Epcot, Walt Disney World

It is only a few days away from my planned (and then cancelled) fall trip to Walt Disney World. I am feeling a little home sick. LOL The autumn and Halloween time decorations, combined with the Food and Wine Festival, make this time of year my favorite time to visit. I had also planned on attending the Magic in Pixels – Pixelmania 2014 event but some required training for work interrupted my plans. It only delays the inevitable and allows me to save up for a more glorious spring trip. 😉

The Japan Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase is one of my favorite places to explore and photograph. The Imagineers went all in on this pavilion. There are numerous iconic features that draw my camera’s attention on every trip. The torii gate in the waters at the front of the pavilion has always been a challenge for me. I even make it more difficult be insisting on capturing it at night. I do like the light reflections though…

Torii Gate Light Reflections Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 80 & 106s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 400

Torii Gate Light Reflections
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 80 & 106s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 400

A Quiet Morning for Reflection

Posted by Mike on

Flame Tree Barbecue seating area
Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

One of the reasons I love going to Disney is for the exploration. There are the obvious attractions and experiences that Disney pushes at their guests but my greatest enjoyment comes from wandering around the parks and finding all the little details that enhance our experience. Most visitors will not make the time to actually see what has been built as they rush from one big event to the next. My initial visits were that way as I wasn’t sure if and when we would return. We dragged the kids through long days and tried to ‘see’ everything. What we missed were the quiet moments that become the memory makers.

I was in the Animal Kingdom last October for the early morning extra magic hour and wandered down to the seating area behind the Flame Tree Barbecue. This area has one of the best views of Expedition Everest but what I found was the detail and beauty built just so the guests have a nice place to eat lunch. I spent the whole hour in this area photographing the details. I don’t remember which attraction I rode first that day but I do remember how much fun I had exploring that morning.

Slow down and enjoy the little moments…

A Quiet Morning for Reflection Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/4, 1/10 & 1/25s bracket}, 24mm, f/16, ISO 200

A Quiet Morning for Reflection
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/4, 1/10 & 1/25s bracket}, 24mm, f/16, ISO 200

Wordless Wednesday: Washed Ashore

Posted by Mike on

Washed Ashore
Delta Lake State Park

Washed Ashore Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 21mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Washed Ashore
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 21mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Strike Up The Band!

Posted by Mike on

Fall Decorations
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Last year was the start of a whirlwind adventure between me and Walt Disney World. It started with the PhotoMagic meet in October, a few trips in the spring and was going to end with the Pixelmania meet this October. To be fair I didn’t really plan it that way but when the Pixelmania meet was scheduled I had hoped it would be the perfect end cap to my year. I will not be able to make it down this month but going over last year’s pictures reminded me how much I enjoy the Fall/Halloween season at Disney. I’m just going to have to plan better for next year… 🙂

Strike Up The Band! Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 1600

Strike Up The Band!
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 1600

Wordless Wednesday: Arms Wide Open

Posted by Mike on
Arms Wide Open Olympus Pen E-P3, M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, 1/200s, 14mm, f/8, ISO 200

Arms Wide Open
Olympus Pen E-P3, M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, 1/200s, 14mm, f/8, ISO 200