Author Archives: Mike

Free Spirit

Posted by Mike on

In The Yard – ITY71
Midday, Dandelion, Macro

It has been a long week. Saturday is here and I am going to enjoy the weekend.

I should be finalizing my packing for a trip to Florida this morning but those plans had to change. My youngest cat, Dunkin, wasn’t feeling well earlier this week. He basically didn’t eat for four days. The vet couldn’t find any problems and she gave him some fluids on Wednesday. Friday evening I think he final passed what was causing him discomfort (I think he might have ate something). Anyway, late Thursday I decided to postpone the trip. It figures he would turn the corner for the better after I made that decision… 🙂

I’m glad he is feeling better and eating normally again. I can now plan my do-over trip.

I also started working different hours this week. The company wanted to have engineering coverage at the end of third shift and the beginning of second. I’m always up early and quickly volunteered to come in at 5am. Being able to get out of work at 1:30pm now that the weather is improving… hell yeah, sign me up! I’m not sure how long this will last as the first week didn’t show a “need”, at least not as great as I think the company believes. We’ll see, I’ll stay on this ride as long as they let me.

So, coming home Friday afternoon I noticed quite a few dandelions in the yard. I couldn’t resist those white puff balls. I crawled around in the grass capturing their good (and bad) sides. I really liked this pair…

Free Spirit
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 200

When a camera falls

Posted by Mike on

Morocco, Epcot, Walt Disney World

I’m getting ready for a trip to Florida and decided to look through my images from my last trip to Walt Disney World. Plenty of images to process. My favorites have already been posted (considering last trip was two years ago), but I did find this one.

It was late at Epcot and I was on my way back to the resort. I stopped for a look at the Morocco Pavilion from the International Gateway. I can’t resist a good reflection and the pavilion is a favorite of mine. I didn’t get one of the tripod legs completely locked. During the 4 second exposure the camera started to fall over. I caught it but not before this image was captured.

I like it! 🙂

When a camera falls
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 4s, 28mm, f/8, ISO 400

Saturday Morning Blues

Posted by Mike on

Slow, Monochrome
West Canada Creek

Appears we are in for a stretch rainy weather, at least according to the forecast. Oh, and the fact it is raining this morning has nothing to do with the post title… really! OK, probably.

I should be searching recent images for bright sunny scenes to overcome the weekend doldrums but these two caught my eye. Listening to the rain on the roof probably helped with my mindset and the image choice. I do love the look of flowing water…

Mixed Emotions
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II, 1/10s, 132mm, f/5.6, ISO 200
Indecisive
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II, 1/8s, 124mm, f/8, ISO 200

Escaping

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome
Mohawk River Trail

Another nice day! I managed to leave work pretty much on time. I quickly went home, fed the boys (my cats), changed into comfortable walking attire and headed out for the Mohawk River Trail. The macro lens on the camera as I anticipated finding more floral subjects.

Quite a few people had the same idea as me, at least the walking part. The trail wasn’t crowded but definitely more people then I have encountered so far this year. I was playing hopscotch with two ladies as I kept passing them, stopping for a few images as they then passed me and then we would repeat…

On one section along the trail which is very close to the river they managed to startle a couple of geese. The pair were making a quick escape low to the river heading toward my location. I was luckily in front of an opening, so I aimed the camera at a spot I thought they would cross and tried to time my shutter click. I was a little slow as I only managed to get one of the two.

Not the greatest composition, but I’m calling this one a win for me… 🙂

Escaping
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2500, f/2.8, ISO 200

Think Spring

Posted by Mike on

Squared – SQ174
Midday, Floral, Macro

Think Spring
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/1600s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Running Around Rome

Posted by Mike on

Rome, NY

I had no plan. No destination.

But as I mentioned yesterday, the light could not be ignored.

The sun was rising and I was losing the morning blue hour.

Where? The easy answer was Bellamy Harbor. Fine, but not from the end by the control gates. Go to Mill Street and include the water tower. Easy and quick choice. Now, go!

I made it as far as turning down East Dominick Street and I had to stop. It felt like there was an image here. I really liked the street lights and the contrast with the color in the sky. I pulled into the lot next to the church. I tried from the sidewalk but the angle wasn’t working for me.

No cars around and a very wide area in the center of the street. I got everything ready and walked out. It was OK. I think the next image I attempt will be better. There is still something here to capture…

East Dominick
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1.3s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200

There was still Bellamy Harbor. The color in the sky was getting better so I hurried back to the car. I parked at the Mill Street end of the park and walked toward the canal. The elevation of the bridge allows for a great view of the East side of the park. I can include the pavilion, the Hamilton College boat house, and the water tower.

Look at that sky! Yes!

Bellamy in the Morning
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.8s, 13mm, f/11, ISO 100

What’s next? I bet the view from the other side of the canal would be interesting if I can include the lights. I collapsed the tripod and walked across the bridge. The sky is quickly changing. Hurry up!

I get the reflection of the lights in the canal I wanted but damn, the color is fading fast.

From Across the Water
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.6s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

I’m adamant with myself of not going to the other end of the harbor for my normal view. So? Where to next?

I pass the B-52 Memorial everyday on the way to work. The last few mornings the sunrise has been interesting and I told myself I should have the camera in the car. OK, go see what it looks like now.

There have been a few improvements over the years to the memorial. All good, but to me they are distracting elements for my image. I can make it work…

G’morning Mohawk Valley
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 100

The light show is almost over. One more of this grand bird. I move to the left in an attempt to hide the spotlight under the right wing. I’m also hoping to get more of the color in the sky. Not good for the color as the plane hides the horizon but I do remove the annoying spotlight.

The Mighty Mohawk Valley
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

I think I came home with a few good images. It wasn’t planned and maybe that helped me. I had to adjust and think in the moment. I bet there are more morning images around Rome that I can capture. It won’t be this morning as last night’s rain is still coming down… maybe next weekend.