Author Archives: Mike

the best laid plans…

Posted by Mike on

The leaves are changing in the north country. We have some color where I live but farther north the colors are at their peak. I decided to take Friday off and travel north to climb Bald Mountain in the Adirondacks. Bald Mountain is just north of Old Forge and has a great view of the Fulton Chain Lakes. I also checked and the sun would rise right over First Lake in Old Forge so I made sure to get there early to catch the blue hour and then the sunrise.

Well, at least that was the plan. I should have done more homework. Or maybe verify the forecast before I left the house at 5am for the hour drive north. I arrived in Old Forge to see the town shrouded in fog. My sunrise was a washout, but I hoped it would burn off quickly. It didn’t. I waited until 8:30am and hiked up to the top of the mountain with the hope it would dissipate. It didn’t.

I didn’t see clearing skies until I was 20 minutes south of Old Forge on my way home…

Here is my sunrise.

First Lake Sunrise Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1.6s, 21mm, f/16, ISO 100

First Lake Sunrise
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1.6s, 21mm, f/16, ISO 100

Dive Patrol Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 2.5s, 19mm, f/16, ISO 100

Dive Patrol
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 2.5s, 19mm, f/16, ISO 100

Water

Posted by Mike on

Growing up I always played in the creek. If I wasn’t in the house and you couldn’t see me in the yard, you could count on me being in the creek. I would build small dams and play with stones in the water. I loved how the water flowed. During storms when the creeks would fill it was fascinating to see the power of water. Even today I am amazed at how quickly moving water can transform an area.

I guess that is why I gravitate toward photographing water. A quick look through any of my albums will show a majority of images with water as a component. I love the reflections it can produce. I am intrigued by the patterns and apparent randomness of the flow. Being able to slow down the shutter on the camera and capture an image of water that is truly the some of its parts is the best way to end a hectic work week.

Last evening after work I headed to the West Canada Creek just below Trenton Falls. It is an accessible area with a lot of character to the water. I spent an hour climbing over the rocks capturing the nuances of the creek. It was a great way to end the day.

Torrent Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/4s, 70mm, f/18, ISO 100

Torrent
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/4s, 70mm, f/18, ISO 100

Passing By Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 70mm, f/22, ISO 100

Passing By
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 70mm, f/22, ISO 100

Calm Rapids Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 2s, 24mm, f/20, ISO 100

Calm Rapids
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 2s, 24mm, f/20, ISO 100

Morning Glow

Posted by Mike on

The colors of the sunrise were too good to pass up, so another image from my early morning at Hinkley Reservoir makes it into my stream. This is a 3 exposure bracket HDR image. It was the best way to capture the most light. The sunrise wouldn’t be as interesting if the rocks in the foreground were silhouetted.

Morning Glow Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/4, 1, 4s bracket), 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Morning Glow
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/4, 1, 4s bracket), 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Details

Posted by Mike on

Some days it isn’t about the grand sweeping landscape or incredible sunset. Some days it is about the details that catch your eye. It can be color combinations, patterns or textures. All I know is since I have started using a camera more I definitely see the world differently. It seems more in focus, like there is more available to see. Maybe I am finally using my eyes as they were intended to be used and not living with the blinders on. I enjoy the journey more now that I truly see everything around me.

Keeping it Together Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 55mm, f/8, ISO 400

Keeping it Together
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 55mm, f/8, ISO 400

Yellow Decay Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Yellow Decay
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 400