Monthly Archives: May 2021

Afternoon Escape

Posted by Mike on

Chittenango Falls State Park

It was a long week at work. Being on vacation the previous week didn’t help as most of my time was spent trying to catch up on everything that had accumulated in my absence. By early Friday afternoon I was done, mentally and physically, so I decided to cut out early. I didn’t have a plan other than I wanted to feel the sunshine on my face.

I ended up letting the car bring me to Chittenango Falls State Park to explore the gorge. My previous stops earlier this year were shortened due the gorge trail being closed. Although there was above average water flow in the creek the trail was open and I was able to get some images of the waterfall.

The afternoon sun does cast a shadow across the face of the waterfall but I do not believe it “ruins” the image. I was able to bring some light back into the shadows in post-processing. The key is not to destroy all of the shadows, only to enhance them. An image is only as good as the shadows, the light highlights but the shadows define…

Afternoon Escape
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.8s, 17mm, f/14, ISO 100

Castle Shine

Posted by Mike on

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Castle Shine
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/100s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Purple Haze

Posted by Mike on

International Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot

Purple Haze
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Dream Child

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
International Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot

Dream Child
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Harambe Morning

Posted by Mike on

Africa, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

The morning of my Animal Kingdom day I decided to arrive early considering how Disney was letting guests into the parks before the official opening time. I knew I wouldn’t be able to experience any of the rides but I was hoping to get some nice images. My luck was further enhanced by most guest’s desire to run to the Pandora area of the park to get in line for the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction. This left entire sections of the park virtually people free.

One of my favorite areas to photograph is the Africa section of the park. The details Disney built into this section are amazing. Being early morning the sun was rising over the Harambe Market and bathing the buildings across the walkway in golden light. I decided to turn the camera to portrait orientation and grab a four image series to create a panoramic view. I think it turned out quite well…

Harambe Morning
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200

Search No More

Posted by Mike on

Dandelion, Midday, Macro

During my trip to Walt Disney World I averaged roughly 27,000 steps each day. At least that is what my watch recorded. On a busy day at work, one where I’m on the shop floor constantly, I might average 12,000 steps. Sunday I decided to attempt to keep the record going. After the chores where all done, i.e., laundry and groceries, I headed over to the Sculpture Park on the old air base. I didn’t even come close, at the end of the day I had about 10,000 steps.

There is a bright side though, it turned into a dandelion day! Frequent readers know that dandelions are a favorite subject for my macro lens. I found a few more subjects to point the camera at but most of the walk was spent capturing dandelions. It was a great day!

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Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Blaze

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
International Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot

Blaze
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/320s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Floating Boardwalk

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

If I was asked what my favorite part of my trip to Walt Disney World was this time I would say it was the area around Crescent Lake. This is the resort area behind Epcot when you exit through the International Gateway. It is where the Yacht & Beach Club and Boardwalk resorts are located.

Each morning I would start my day with a walk around the lake to capture the sunrise and the resort areas still lit up for the night. If you are lucky enough to have the wind be non-existent and you are early enough before any activity starts on the lake you will be rewarded with mirror-like reflections. I was this fortunate on the last morning of my vacation. Add to this enough clouds in the sky to for some drama and you come home with a few amazing images.

This is the view of the Boardwalk resort from across the lake. I was in a second floor room facing the lake, one room to the right of the building with the Boardwalk sign on its roof. It was a great location for sunrise and sunsets.

Floating Boardwalk
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1.3s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200