Author Archives: Mike

Monochrome Monday: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

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Monochrome Monday: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

There is definitely something intriguing about converting my Disney images to black & white. Not every image will lend itself to the conversion and part of the fun for me is to find the right one. With a lot of my Disney images it is the color that helps tell the story or at the very least is a big part of the visual impact for the image.

To get a good B&W conversion there has to be more to the image. The elements need to convey the story with the texture and tone supporting the visuals to provide impact. The color version for this view of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad although appealing to me just didn’t have the punch I wanted. Hopefully I was able to create something more with this conversion.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/200s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 400

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/200s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 400

Deserted Beach

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Delta Lake State Park

Yet another one from my excursion to Delta Lake State Park. Views like this just can’t happen during the summer unless you are in a boat! I suppose after the last few days there is no ice left on the lake. Temps are suppose to return to normal by Monday.

Deserted Beach Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 32mm, f/11, ISO 200

Deserted Beach
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 32mm, f/11, ISO 200

Christmas

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Christmas Day, 2014

You would not know it by looking outside but it is Christmas! The snow has all disappeared to be replaced by wind and rain. The projected forecast has us reaching 45 degrees today with strong winds continuing throughout the day. But still… Merry Christmas.

The original plan was to be in Florida this week so I guess complaining about the lack of snow is a moot point. I ended up having to stay home due to work but I was able to get the kids flights down to see their Grandma. She lives in Palm Bay just south of Melbourne. I tried to convince them that it was only fair because of all my solo trips to Disney but since they will not be visiting my second home they were a little difficult to win over.

Anyway, they left me a present before they took off and as soon as Ollie (the cat) woke me up this morning I opened it. We decided we were not sure how Ollie would do with ornaments on the tree so we only setup a small tree on the table. He has been well behaved (so far) so next year I might get brave and try the full tree. Here is what they got for me. I also did a close-up of the picture so everyone can read the caption. I know I have the ‘never grow up’ part nailed, now I guess I have to work on the ‘Grow wise. Grow strong.’ part… 🙂

Christmas Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 2.5s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 200

Christmas
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 2.5s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 200

Never Grow Up Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 13s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200

Never Grow Up
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 13s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200

New Rock Beach

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Delta Lake State Park

Wow! Have I really been missing since December 5th. The end of this year has been crazy busy. Not only at work but so many things going on once I get out of work. Losing my daylight early and the chilling temperatures did not help my motivation either. I do have some holiday time coming up and I am really looking forward to the days off.

I ended up stuck at work on Saturday for a few more hours than I planned and then a few appointments later it was 1pm. At least the sun was out and the wind was next to nothing. I also wanted to try out a new lighter coat I picked up to have less bulk as I stumble around in the snow with my camera (the coat was a success!). I made a quick excursion to Delta Lake State Park to see what I could find.

I really liked how the snow ridges in the rocks were following the new shoreline. The lake always drops down during the winter and reveals generally hidden areas during the summer. It definitely allows for longer walks around the shore. I’m sure I’ll be heading back here over the next few weeks.

New Rock Beach Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

New Rock Beach
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

Solids or Stripes?

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Student Center
SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Last night as I waited for my daughter in the Student Center I listened as various groups of students entertained themselves in the game room. I was amazed at what is available for free at the Student Center. There are three pool tables, air hockey, ping pong and a few video games. After her test, as we were walking out of the building, I noticed the game room was empty and although I only had my phone with me I wanted to stop for a picture.

We ended up playing some ping pong before I worked my way over to one of the pool tables. I quickly setup the table and launched the cue ball into the arrangement. I’m not the greatest pool player but it allowed me to grab this image with the phone. What was more fun though was playing ping pong with my daughter. I’m going to have to drag her back there for a rematch… 🙂

Solids or Stripes? Motorola Moto X Phone

Solids or Stripes?
Motorola Moto X Phone

Cinderella Obscured

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Cinderella Castle
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

This morning I return to a previously posted image. One that was actually captured with my old Sony point & shoot on a family vacation prior to me becoming interested (obsessed) with photography. I enjoyed the color version of this image with Cinderella Castle shrouded in early morning fog but I think this monochrome redo turned out even better. You can view the original on this post from last year… Photo Magic 2013.

Cinderella Obscured Sony DSC-W55, 1/160s, 19mm, f/5.2, ISO 100

Cinderella Obscured
Sony DSC-W55, 1/160s, 19mm, f/5.2, ISO 100