Monthly Archives: January 2024

Three Brothers

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Monochrome Winter

Three Brothers
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/50s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200

Vision Obscured

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome
Landscape

Yesterday’s search in the fog was related to this week’s challenge at 52frames.com, ‘Scene From a Movie’. I was thinking film noir but looking at the images nothing feels cinematic to me. I still have today to work on the challenge.

I like the images I was able to bring home. As I said, yesterday’s image is my favorite. The images today are me looking for that cinema feel with the shrouded dam. I believe the issue with them, for me, is the composition. I didn’t find the right one.

The last image was the most difficult to capture as the fog was too intense for the camera to detect focus. I manually set the camera at infinity but it still is blurry. I’m going with, “I intended for it to be that way”… ;)

Somewhere Out There
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/30s, 29mm, f/8, ISO 200

Lost in a Haze
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/40s, 31mm, f/8, ISO 200

Vision Obscured
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/40s, 36mm, f/8, ISO 200

Memories Fade

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome Winter

Late January and it has been raining more than snowing. Weird winter so far.

Although the fog prompted a weather alert for low visibility I thought I could create something interesting within the morning conditions. I threw the camera bag in the car and drove around the city before sunrise looking for opportunities. My usual spots didn’t resonate with me. I eventual gave up and went for groceries.

After getting home, and after sunrise (somewhere behind the clouds) I headed out again in search of that foggy composition. I thought Delta Lake would give me what I was looking to capture but on my way there the car turned the dam at the south end of the lake.

Yes! This will work. I played for a while near the dam. My favorite turned out to be this image of the Mohawk River from the single lane bridge crossing it. The fade into nothingness hit the right tone for me. Plus, reflections! Right up my alley.

Memories Fade
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/30s, 34mm, f/8, ISO 200

Lonely Sentinels

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome Winter
Bellamy Harbor, Rome, NY

I’ll preface it as a statement, not an excuse, OK, maybe a little excuse. Work and weather have been conspiring against me. Getting out of work close to sunset provides little time to get the camera or enough daylight to go explore for images. And the weather definitely has it out for me. It is the full moon today and Friday morning is the best time to photograph it setting (my favorite time), but the forecast is for rain all day. :(

So, sitting here pouting this morning, drowning my sorrows in coffee, I give you the Lonely Sentinels at Bellamy Harbor.

Lonely Sentinels
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/500s, 35mm, f/8, ISO 100

Having Fun

Posted by Mike on

List five things you do for fun.

Bloganuary – Daily Prompt

I almost didn’t write this post. Even now I’m not positive I’ll finish it. I’m confusing this prompt with one of the first prompts this month – Playtime. What more can I say…

And then I thought about it too much…

Once again I checked the Merriam-Webster online dictionary-

fun (noun)
1: what provides amusement or enjoyment
specifically : playful often boisterous action or speech
2: a mood for finding or making amusement
3a: AMUSEMENT, ENJOYMENT
3b: derisive jest : SPORT, RIDICULE

fun (verb)
: to indulge in banter or play : JOKE

fun (adjective)
1: providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment
2: full of fun : PLEASANT

I know I embrace the verb form of fun. I make my own, especially at work. And if I’m truly thinking about it, in my attempts to indulge in play, I’m practicing the adjective form as well. You can verify with my co-workers, I provide entertainment. I say “I’m only there for the comic relief…”

So, what else is fun for me?

My photography has provided years of fun for me. It is many things to me, with fun being an important part. The learning, the exploration, and the sharing are all parts of what I find fun. Oh, I can also be frustrated, confused, and lost with my photography, but every time I come back to it, the fun is what I reach for.

My other big source of fun is video games. I don’t watch TV. I do not have cable. I stream what few things I watch. But video games, oh yeah, definitely fun. The worlds to explore, the problem solving, the exhilaration of completing a difficult area, and the escape from the long days at work. Yep, I can have fun.

The same can be said for reading a book. The world that is created in my mind when reading a good book is better than any movie or TV show. I can get lost inside that book. Oh what adventures I have experienced.

Reading what I have written so far has me thinking I should trash this post. I’m such a nerd… ha ha ha

Winter Picnic Anyone?

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome Winter
Monochrome Monday
Bellamy Harbor Park

I’m going to make it easy on myself today. I’ll stick with the monochrome/B&W theme and show another monochrome winter image. As I was searching for doors yesterday, I did eventually stop at Bellamy Harbor Park. It wasn’t horrible out (as long as I walked with the wind). I managed to find a few scenes worth capturing.

I typically grab an image of this pavilion from the Mill St. bridge. The additional elevation allows me to incorporate more of the area around the pavilion. I chose not to go up to the bridge yesterday as I really did not want to deal with the wind. I know, I should be more brave… :)

Winter Picnic Anyone?
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/400s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100

Doors

Posted by Mike on

52-week Challenge
Week 3 – Black and White

What to do, what to do?

The week three challenge at 52 Frames is Black and White photography. Readers of my ramblings know that I am no stranger to B&W, or monochrome, photography. Hardly a week goes by (when I’m posting consistently) without you having to endure another of my monochrome images. The style works for landscape, macro, still life, etc. You can visit my home page galleries and find three dedicated to monochrome projects.

So, what should I do?

I’m supposed to be challenging myself.

I thought about this challenge most of the week. I considered doing another image for the oil can project, or maybe the game pieces project, but really wanted something different. Out of necessity, due to the frigid temperatures, I had an idea. Something I could almost achieve from the comfort of my vehicle if needed.

I have written about one of my favorite photographers, Tom McLaughlan, and his ministract photography, in a couple of posts through out the years. He created a style that is part minimal, and part abstract. I can not do it justice but I encourage you to visit his site, Ministract.

My idea for the challenge this week would be similar to the ministract style I admire. I would photograph doors and patterns. Some I was even able to do from my vehicle (non-moving of course). For the last one I braved the elements at Bellamy Harbor.

Door #1
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/100s, 45mm, f/8, ISO 100

Door #2
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/400s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 100

Door #3
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/160s, 40mm, f/8, ISO 100