I’ve probably rambled on about this more than anyone cares to listen, but when I was starting this journey with photography Google’s social network, Google+ (G+) was beginning. This network played no small part in the growth of my photography. One of the aspects I enjoyed, and truly miss, was the theme days.
A page or two in my notebook (the one I’m writing in this year, to my surprise) are about using themes to help me see better. And a small part of me is hoping to get others to join me in posting using these themes. I haven’t worked it all out in my head, but… today was/is #TreeTuesday (I’ll forego the hash tag format here).
Shade Me Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/5, ISO 110
I can easily be complacent. Simple statement of fact. I point to the four year gap between selling the house and finally moving South. I want to do better.
The allure of my current video game was calling me after I fed the boys (my cats) their dinner. The “want to do better” thought was floating on the top of my mind. Thankfully, the lazy side of me didn’t win. I packed the camera and headed out. At the very least I would go to the park and do more exploring. The sunset would not be until 5:45pm, I had plenty of time.
The short conversation I had with one of my friends at work about the trails along the river popped into my head as I sat at the light. Straight to the park or make the turn to the right, and find the trailhead. I turned right.
I’ve known about the trail along the river since I moved to this area. I’ve walked a short section of it near Uptown Columbus. This time I was going to start at the very north end and walk downstream. You can see more info about the trail system here. I did grab a phone pic of the map.
I walked from mile marker 3.7 to marker 2.0. That small section there on the bottom left of the map. As you can see, I have more exploring to do. Added to my agenda for the year…
I had no idea what I would find along the trail. This was more of a scouting mission. A deposit on future possibilities. I met a few photographers on the trail and they provided me with some advice on the birds I could find. I only brought the 24-70mm lens but the next walk will be with the zoom lens.
I mentioned in the post on the Shine event at the botanical garden that I’m not a street photographer. But, there were a couple of opportunities to include people in my pics. I’m thinking I need more practice…
The Journey Begins Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/100s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100
Golden Days Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/80s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 160
I’ve been doing more thinking than I normally do. WTH?
It is so bad that I have been writing things down. Who am I?
I’m not a reflective person, nor am I a person who looks very far down the road.
But, I have been enjoying my photography these past few months. During the summer of neglect I was unsure if I would continue this journey. I now understand a contributing factor to my recent enjoyment are the interactions I have with my online friends. I need to put in the work because I know I tend to go silent at times. I’m trying to be better…
A few ideas have been bouncing around in this empty head of mine. I’m hoping I can find a way to bring them to these pages in a way that everyone will enjoy. The first one is this Behind the Scene idea. A few comments on recent posts got me thinking an understanding of what I went through to create the image would be something interesting. Hence, a peek behind the curtain and sorry to say, into the jumbled mess of my mind.
So, let’s get this party started with a recent image, Carefree Days from Flat Rock Park. As soon as I spotted the swing hanging from the tree, I knew that it would be the image of the day. In my excitement I jumped right in photographing it and didn’t spend the time working the scene. My first image looked like this…
Carefree First
What do you see? A tree, right? But the swing is my subject. So what did I do? I only had my 105mm prime lens on the camera, so I needed to zoom with my feet. Yes, I could have cropped the image later as I processed it but I generally try to get the image as best I can with the camera.
Few steps closer. Same sight line. You get this…
Carefree Second
A slight improvement. I removed the clutter at the top of the image but the tree is more prominent than the swing. Still not what I want. Also, what do you see behind the swing? Yes, that’s right, more clutter.
I need to change my view in an attempt to remove as much of the distractions as I can. The other factor working against me is my focal length. The 105mm is working hard to compress the view. Even though my aperture is wide open at f/2.8, I’m not getting much blur in the background due to the optics. The distance between the background and the swing is less than the distance between me and swing.
I’m not going to be able to make the background disappear but by choosing a consistent grouping of brush I can help the swing stand out. Stepping a little closer and moving to my left, I find the best view available. This is the image…
Carefree Third
I’m happy. I’m also thinking I should come back for another attempt with the 24-70mm lens, but for now I can continue the walk. But I’m distracted because thoughts of how I want to process the image are already running through my mind. I was aware of my surroundings enough not fall as I zombie walked back to the car.
These three images are straight out of the camera. Now the camera images are in a 2 x 3 format which is not my favorite. I tend to use 5 x 7, 4 x 5 or the radical 1 x 1 formats. This is a tall image so my first adjustment is to crop to the 5 x 7 format. It helps me remove a little more of the clutter at the top and bottom of the original. I’m basically removing anything that doesn’t help me tell the story.
The last big adjustment I made was to convert the image to B&W. That allowed me to hide the small patches of green in the foreground and background. Plus, as you all know by now, I love me a monochrome image. And, so you do not have to go look at the other post, the finished image…
Carefree Days Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100
My hope is that you will find this interesting, maybe helpful and at the very least entertaining. Please let me know in the comments. As for the other ideas swirling around in my head, they should find their way to the blog soon. I know, I’m excited too…
My walk at the park on the first of the year started off a little slow. I wasn’t “feeling it” and I had to get out of my head. I didn’t want to bring any expectations with me as I walked. All I was hoping to do was let myself see the little things around me. Then I found this little guy and smiled. Now I knew it was going to be a good walk…
Everyone Needs a Dream Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Once I finished my new year’s post this morning I went back to my adventure in the video game I am currently playing. I was about to battle the big baddie of the area I’m exploring. Time to gear up and charge in there.
It started off cold this morning and burying myself in the game on this, the last day of my extended holiday/vacation was all I had on my mind. And then it looked really nice outside. The weather app was telling me it was 60F with barely any breeze and a bright blue sky. OK. Is the botanical garden open? No! Dang it! There is always the park.
I didn’t think about it because as I drove into the park I was floored by the number of people.
Don’t panic! You can work with this.
But… people!
They are less interested in you then you are in them…
…people…
It will be alright.
I had no plan for what I wanted to photograph. All I wanted to do was go for a walk and if I find a subject for the camera, it will be a bonus. I put the 105mm macro lens on the camera and headed out.
My other self was right. The people were not a hinderance. I chose to walk the trails winding through the woods rather than the road that circles the park. The park has a lot of mountain bike trails and to my delight a lot of paths to walk. Who knew?
What was churning in my head as I walked… see the little things, look for textures and patterns. But most importantly, be open to everything. There are subjects for you in every direction, be open to seeing them.
I was having a great time. It was a beautiful day and my path through the woods allowed me to bypass the “crowds”. And then I found it…
Carefree Days Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Welcome to 2026. May the new year bring you fresh goals, steady focus and the momentum to make your ambitions real. Wishing you small joys, big laughs and unexpected delights.
I must confess, I started to write this post last night before the new year arrived. I was full of thoughts but no clear vision for what I wanted to say. I was stuck on trying to be clever and I couldn’t coalesce the mess into a post. I sat at the keyboard writing, deleting, and re-writing until eventually I trashed the post. I went back to my video game and let the thoughts simmer.
I had a good year. Photographically, it was a roller coaster ride. The middle months were inspiration free and I barely picked up the camera. But as the end of the year approached I found rejuvenation through my macro lens. I joined the Columbus Botanical Garden and found joy in exploring the gardens. A new gallery for the website was created as a result of a fascination when the flowers have moved past their prime. See Faded Glory.
Still not sure where I want to go with this… pressing on.
Early in the year I was happy to explore Flat Rock Park after the rains. The small waterfall area (a bit of a stretch, but we’ll go with it) was giving me NY state park vibes and for a few days I climbed all over this area. In the end I was able to capture an early favorite.
Water Slide Plus Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.5s, 28mm, f/16, ISO 100
In February I made my pilgrimage to Walt Disney World. I won’t repeat the thoughts I posted a few weeks ago. I can say the trip did help me with my photography though. There are quite a few images I like from that trip but what sticks with me now are three posts about light and finding inspiration.
Spring brought me the flowers. I visited Callaway Gardens numerous times in the pursuit of the azaleas. I also discovered the tulips. My timing wasn’t the best and I did miss the peak for both areas. One of my favorites is again a couple flowers past their prime.
Together Forever Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/5.6, ISO 400
One of my favorite areas around me is a small development called Old Town. You can buy a parcel and have your dream house built, or there are apartments and townhouses available. One of my most frequented restaurants is in this development. One evening on my way to dinner I brought my camera and explored the small park in Old Town. I finally found my azalea image as well as one of my favorite pics converted to art.
Glow Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/400s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200
Simply Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO 200
I barely picked up the camera for three months in the middle of the year. I’m not sure why and honestly can’t remember what I did instead of photography (although, my bet would be on video games). When I did pick the camera back up it was with gusto!
I was visiting the botanical garden once or twice a week. Some of the visits were for only an hour but it was good to explore, get out of the apartment and find the inspiration to create. I was extremely excite to find the water lilies. A good portion of one visit was focused on them but I think it paid off…
Lily of the Water Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/6.3, ISO 100
I’m losing the mojo… this post is feeling forced. What is up with me? Previous years this type of review post was easy, although looking back, a little formulaic.
Let’s get the favorites out of the way…
You Had Me At Hello Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/3.5, ISO 100
They Light the Night Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/2.8, ISO 1800
Yep, running out of steam. I’m going to end this here, incomplete as it is. Definitely not the post I was looking to create, but then again, I’m not sure what I wanted to create.
Closing with a few of the books I’m planning on reading (emphasis on planning).
The Soul of the Camera – David duChemin
Visual Poetry – Chris Orwig
The Minimalist Photographer – Steve Johnson (re-read)
Capturing Light – Michael Freeman
The Evocative Image and Square – Andrew S. Gibson (re-read)
And then there are the projects (he says loosely)…
Squared
In The Yard
The Little Things
Floral macros
Butterflies
Minimalism/Abstract
I would like to thank everyone for their continued support. Your comments and encouragement are always welcomed and appreciated. I value the friendships I have developed with a lot of my regular readers. Although we have not met in person, your presence in my life brings me a lot of joy. Thanks!
MLCreations Photography 