Category Archives: clouds

Tall or Wide?

Posted by Mike on

Somewhere Along Route 96

Overcast, rain and a general blah start to the day but I chose an adventure. A friend had told me about the Museum of Aviation next to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA (south of Macon). I enjoyed the museum in Connecticut last fall and I knew I needed to check this one out. There was a chance the day would improve but the museum has four buildings full of aircraft, so weather wasn’t going to be problem. Anyway, more on the museum later…

On my way back home I had to stop along the road to capture this scene when the sun broke through the clouds. My issue is deciding if I like the landscape or portrait view better. Any thoughts?

Clouds Over Trees – Landscape
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/800s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 100

Clouds Over Trees – Portrait
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/800s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 100

These are the same image. The portrait version is a different crop from the same file as the landscape version. I’m generally a fan of my landscape images being in landscape orientation but the vertical lines of the trees have me thinking the portrait “feels” better. And that is the thing… each has a different feel.

The more I look at the second image I’m wishing I had put the 70-300mm lens on the camera and really zoomed in on the center opening to see how it looked. The zoom would have brought the background closer but I’m thinking I would have lost too much of the clouds, which would make the image a little boring. Oh well…

Cloudy Bellamy Blues

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor, Rome, NY

I suppose it is time for something that isn’t Disney related. It has been a week since I returned from my trip. I wish I could say I have been busy creating new images, but this morning was my first opportunity to get out with the camera. I wonder if a whole week off from work is actually a vacation?

Although sunrise was full of clouds I wanted to capture a few landscape images that were not muddy looking. It feels like we have pushed past the winter melt portion of spring into the everything is green and new. As much as I love “naked” trees, having them full leaves is wonderful.

Collecting
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 5s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100

Cloudy Blues
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.6s, 39mm, f/11, ISO 100

Blue Harbor
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100

Small Falls
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 2s, 32mm, f/11, ISO 100

Cloudy Start
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1s, 70mm, f/16, ISO 100

Stormy Sunrise Over The Mohawk Valley

Posted by Mike on

Mohawk Valley

I did something yesterday morning that I have not done in a long time. I stopped for a picture. I had been watching the sunrise progress as I drove to work and near the last turn rather than go left to work I went right to the top of a hill to capture the sunrise over the Mohawk Valley. It might sound weird but I generally get to work around 5:30am (officially I do not have to be there until 7am) and I always feel that if I am not there early then I am late. Yesterday, I allowed myself to be “late” to work.

Stormy Sunrise Over The Mohawk Valley Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.8s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 100

Stormy Sunrise Over The Mohawk Valley
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.8s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 100

Dusk Over the Field House

Posted by Mike on

Thirty in Eleven – TIE03

A beautiful sunset and me without my tripod. I even left work a little early to get a jump on the sky as it was setting up for this show. I had to pick my daughter up at college tonight right around sunset and peeking out the windows at work I knew it was going to be a good one. Unfortunately, I had used the tripod on Friday when I went playing in the creek and failed to return it to the car. Now I needed to get creative with some handheld images. I’m always a fan of a strong silhouette and the view from the upper parking lots did not disappoint. This is looking southwest over the Wildcat Field House.

Dusk Over the Field House Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/800s, 55mm, f/8, ISO 400

Dusk Over the Field House
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/800s, 55mm, f/8, ISO 400

Gloomy Autumn Colors

Posted by Mike on

Whitestown Park

It was a nice October day and I needed a break from work. I finished off my lunch, grabbed the camera and drove the 1/4 mile up the road from the plant to the town park. There are a few trails through the woods for exploring and I just lost myself in the sound of the rustling leaves. It was exactly what I need! I really should be doing this more often as I was recharged and ready for the rest of the day. Today is suppose to be around 75 degrees, definitely feels like another lunch time exploration is in the cards for me… 🙂

Gloomy Autumn Colors Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 200

Gloomy Autumn Colors
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 200

Harper’s Mill

Posted by Mike on

Rivers of America, Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

If someone was to ask me what my favorite part of the Magic Kingdom park was I would have a tough time answering. Each land and/or area has something that I just have to visit when I am there. It can even change based on the time of day.

Going through my images from my various Disney trips I do notice I spend a little extra effort capturing the Rivers of America area. I’m not sure if it is due to anything more than there is a lot going on visually around the water. And is probably related to my fascination with water. Maybe I’m just drawn to the frontier setting, which in itself is a contradiction as I do love my technology. I remember growing up thinking I would live in a log cabin but it would be tricked out with all the latest electronic gear.

During my last trip in June I was finally able to capture the Liberty Belle Riverboat and Harper’s Mill in one image. I have avoided any daytime captures and spent most of my time trying for night images but the approaching rain created some nice soft light and good drama in the sky. This image is a three exposure bracket combined using Photomatix and then processed with Photoshop.

Harper's Mill Nikon D5100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, {1/13, 1/30 & 1/80s bracket}, 17mm, f/8, ISO 100

Harper’s Mill
Nikon D5100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, {1/13, 1/30 & 1/80s bracket}, 17mm, f/8, ISO 100