Author Archives: Mike

Florida Silhouette

Posted by Mike on

Indian River near Melbourne, FL

I apologize but I am still stuck back in that vacation week at Christmas. It is more the days at work than the weather that keeps bringing me back to that week and the enjoyment I had going out each morning for pictures. My first excursion for sunrise pics not at Disney produced a great many ‘keepers’. There was something about the silhouetted palm trees that just says Florida to me.

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Florida Silhouette

Florida Silhouette
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.8s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

September Falls

Posted by Mike on

Pixley Falls State Park

We interrupt this fine winter day to jump back to September for a little color. I haven’t had a chance to venture out much with the camera even though there has been some beautiful sunsets. I’m hoping the weekend will provide me a few good picture opportunities. I thought it would be nice to look back at a colorful September day at Pixley Falls State Park.

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; September Falls

September Falls
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.6s, 17mm, f/20, ISO 100

Wordless Wednesday: Chained

Posted by Mike on

In the Shop – ITS17
Squared – SQ82

MLCreations Photography: In The Shop &emdash; Chained

Chained
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 200

Tower Blue

Posted by Mike on

Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

When we were in Florida for Christmas it was a given that we would be going to Disney. The trip was to be with Grandma, but the kids had not been to Disney in almost 4 years. There was no way I was getting away without taking them. So we picked two parks and went over for a couple of days.

After a successful day at Epcot we did change up our plans and rather than fight the crowds at the Magic Kingdom we opted to go to Hollywood Studios and spend the middle of the day at Disney Springs (formally Downtown Disney). This worked out well as sadly, Hollywood Studios is going through some changes and we were able to do everything in the morning, and make it back for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at night (this was the last year for the lights).

We arrived back at the park via one of the Friendship boats from the Boardwalk resort. I decided to run to the car to drop off everyone’s purchases and dare I say it, my camera! I didn’t want to get caught up trying to photograph the lights and thought I would rather just enjoy the evening. It was a great decision.

On my way to the parking lot I couldn’t help but notice the Tower of Terror against the blue evening sky. I didn’t have the tripod but I made my exposure adjustments, balanced the camera on a railing and grabbed this image. I really love the colors in this one…

MLCreations Photography: Hollywood Studios &emdash; Tower Blue

Tower Blue
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 25mm f/1.8, 1/3s, f/2, ISO 400

The Force Glides Through

Posted by Mike on

Monorail Monday – Epcot, Walt Disney World

MLCreations Photography: Epcot &emdash; The Force Glides Through

The Force Glides Through
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/320s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 400

Cityglow Sunrise

Posted by Mike on

Barge Canal looking toward Utica, NY

I got my butt out early Saturday! I made a plan and actually followed through with it. Too bad the approaching front didn’t know my plan… 😦

I wanted to catch the sunrise from the Barge Canal. The past few mornings have been wonderful for sunrises (at least as I looked through the shop windows at work). I noticed there was still a thin layer of ice on the barge canal and thought it would add some nice broken reflections for the sunrise.

At least the ice was still in the canal. As you can see from the picture the clouds were rolling in fast and there was very little of the rising sun that made it though to me. The color in the sky is a little sun but mostly the glow from the city lights of Utica.  I grabbed a few images while the time for sunrise approached but when the sun should have been visible there was nothing but clouds.  I did like the thin strip of white that moved through as I captured this thirty second exposure.

I’m listening to the wind race outside this morning as I write this post so I do not think I will have a chance for a sunrise this morning.  I was spoiled that week in Florida with all the sunrise opportunities.  I know there are pictures here for me I just need to find them!

 

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; Cityglow Sunrise

Cityglow Sunrise
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 30s, 40mm, f/11, ISO 400

Interrupted

Posted by Mike on

West Canada Creek

Frequent readers of my posts know how much I love playing in a creek. When I was young it was about building dams and diverting water to watch it flow over different areas of the creek bed. I use to spend hours with my hands in the water adding stones here and there to create a bigger wall for the water.

Now I am fascinated by flowing water. I love that I can capture a different pattern in the same area of a creek just by adjusting the time on my shutter. A second faster or a second slower and the entire scene changes. These water images all about that control over the capture just like my dam building was about controlling the direction the water was taking. I hope I never get tired of playing…

MLCreations Photography: Monochrome &emdash; Interrupted

Interrupted
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/3s, 40mm, f/16, ISO 200

Pagoda Backside

Posted by Mike on

Japan Pavilion, Epcot, Walt Disney World

Our first day at Disney during the Christmas week was spent at Epcot. That was an unanimous decision as everyone has come to enjoy that park, although for very different reasons. For me it is about the exploring. There is so much to see and do at the park. My favorite is wandering around in all the nooks and crannies of the different country pavilions.

In the Japan Pavilion some additional outdoor seating was added behind the pagoda. I really enjoy how it was blended into the existing landscaping and hasn’t detracted from the beauty of this area. I especially like the red umbrellas used for the tables as they offset the normal color scheme. I tried to capture some of that in this image but didn’t find a spot far enough away to get everything in. Next trip I’ll find a better composition.

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Pagoda Backside

Pagoda Backside
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/80s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200