Category Archives: landscape

Delta Lake Evening

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Last night I stopped over to Delta Lake State Park to see what I could find during the sunset. Still a little windy and cold outside but the were plenty of opportunities for images. I walked my little route from the beach around through the woods between the shore and the picnic areas. I was still a little early for the new growth to be photogenic but that just gives me a reason to go back.

 

MLCreations Photography: Squared &emdash; Getting Ready

Getting Ready
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 27mm, f/11, ISO 200

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Follow the Water

Follow the Water
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 27mm, f/11, ISO 200

 

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; Sunset Rays

Sunset Rays
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/123s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

MLCreations Photography: Monochrome &emdash; Reflection Chute

Reflection Chute
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/50s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Castaway Point Park Revisit

Posted by Mike on

Castaway Point Park, Palm Bay, FL

Today we return to Castaway Point Park in Palm Bay, FL. I probably have mentioned this park is practically across US 1 from my Mother-in-law’s place. I had been looking at the docks as I drove by and finally decided to visit on Easter morning. Other than the early morning sermon and a few fishermen I had the place almost to myself. There are a lot of areas to explore in this little park and I think I managed to get to them all.

This first image is from the end of the dock you can see in the Incoming image below.  I was looking back at the beach area and the second dock.  You can see another view of the dock in this in my original post for Castaway Point.  I really liked the way the lights in the park illuminated the trees from within and the way you can see the lights on the 192 Causeway on the horizon above the dock.

 

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; Castaway Point

Castaway Point
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm F/2.8, 13s, 22mm, f/8, ISO 800

 

This second image is from a little beach area that is between the two docks. There was a lot to explore and some really nice photo opportunities. I wanted to try and capture the rocks in this area as they appear to be made up of layers of sand but covered with various life from the river.  Off on the horizon you can see the taller building in Indialantic and Melbourne Beach.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Beach Break

Beach Break
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm F/2.8, 3.2s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

I found a small deck over-looking the Turkey Creek inlet and was able to get down to the shore in front of it.  This allowed me to capture some of the water’s motion as it was coming ashore.  Again it is always a balance of how much I want to blur the water versus showing the energy associated with its movement.  Any slower than 1/3 of a second and I lost the sense of movement.  For some images, like my Simplicity image, you might want to completely blur the water and capture an almost surreal look.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Incoming

Incoming
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm F/2.8, 1/3s, 14mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

For this last image I wanted to capture the cool erosion patterns the water has cut into the rocks.  It looks like a combination of sand and sediment which has been eaten away by the tides in the river. I also wanted to capture the group of people on the dock to add a little ‘life’ to the image but they kept moving around on me.  LOL

I used three different exposures in creating this image.  Rather than use an HDR program I manually blended the images together using luminosity masks.  I attempted to explain this methodology in my Creating an Image post back in December.  I think the results I was able to achieve on this image turned out better than the one I used to explain the technique.  I realize now that the better the exposures you capture the better the resulting image will be.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Erosion Layers

Erosion Layers
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm F/2.8, {1/6, 0.5 & 1s bracket}, 14mm, f/8, ISO 200

Back Center

Posted by Mike on

Osler Medical Back Center, Melbourne, FL

When I am in Palm Bay/Melbourne, Florida I generally head toward the Indian River and the ocean to look for my pictures. I have to pass by the Osler Medical building in Melbourne in order to get to the 192 causeway. I always make a mental note to stop and grab a few images of this building as I enjoy the color scheme. One of the last nights of my most recent trip I turned left off of US 1 and headed down to the Crane Creek Promenade to see what I could discover.

Not only is my colorful building visible from the promenade but the train trestle and a private marina were on my areas to explore. Even though it was an overcast evening and the sun was fighting to show through the clouds the building ended up being illuminated well, creating a very nice reflection in Crane Creek.  It took a few tries to get the composition I wanted but I think this view which includes the train trestle works the best.  This is an area I will have to explore more on my next visit.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Back Center

Back Center
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/10s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

Yacht & Beach Clubs

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

 

MLCreations Photography: Around WDW &emdash; Yacht & Beach Clubs

Yacht & Beach Clubs
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/200s, 40mm, f/16, ISO 200

Sunset at the Marsh

Posted by Mike on

Utica Marsh

After a very topsy-turvy day with the weather, the evening was looking like it might be OK to go exploring for a sunset. My first instinct was to go down to Delta Lake and see what has changed since the weather has gotten warmer. When I reached the corner I ended up turning left and headed down to the Utica Marsh.

I drove by the marsh the other day and the water level was quite high. I thought maybe it would produce some interesting images if I could find my way over toward the trees growing on the city side of the marsh. I didn’t allow myself enough time as I left the house like I was going to Delta Lake which is only 5 minutes away. I parked the car at the trail head in Marcy and quick walked over to the marsh.

It was a good day as any to go off the path and head over to the side of the marsh I wanted to capture. It also would put the sun in the best location as it set to be over my subjects. This first image includes one of those trees I was hoping to capture. The wind was still strong which ruined my calm water reflections but I liked the silhouette look and the golden colors I was able to get from the growth along the banks.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Sunset Marsh

Sunset Marsh
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/60s, 26mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

If the water had been calmer I would have switched to my zoom lens to isolate the tree and its reflection a little better. My location on the hill leading up to the road was not the best angle for capturing the solitary tree but then I noticed all the other inhabitants surrounding the tree. If you look closely you can spot some geese and at least one beaver lodge.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Surrounded

Surrounded
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/50s, 40mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

I worked my way back toward the trail and found a spot where I could get close to the water. There was another beaver lodge and I was hoping to get a close-up view. What I didn’t notice as I was capturing this image were the geese nesting on the top of the lodge. Now I wish I had switched to that zoom lens!

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Home

Home
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 40mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

This last image is the typical image I capture at the marsh. It is from the corner near the trails where I can usually get next to the water. There has been some landscaping being done at this spot and I’m not sure if it was all done by humans. I have a feeling the beaver started something and there was additional work that had to be done to clean up their mess.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Utica Marsh Approach

Utica Marsh Approach
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/20s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

I can’t wait for Spring to reach the swamp. The color changes will definitely improve my sunset images. I’m also hoping to explore more of the area around the swamp as there are a few more trails I haven’t tried.

Boardwalk Joe’s

Posted by Mike on

Disney Boardwalk Area

I think I could visit Disney and spend just as much time exploring around Crescent Lake as I would in any of the theme parks. Between the resorts, Yacht & Beach Clubs and the Boardwalk, and the actual boardwalk area itself there is such a nice relaxed atmosphere that I could get lost in it for a while. Even on my only day visiting Epcot last week I left the park to walk around this area. It removed me from the hustle and crowds of the park that were beginning to wear me down.

I realize that a Disney vacation is something special to most of the visitors. Something that might only happen once in a lifetime. My first few visits were the same way… run around and try to see it all. It wasn’t until I slowed down did I begin to enjoy what was at Disney. The Boardwalk area is one of those slow down and enjoy places.

Although I did not stop at Boardwalk Joe’s and imbibe one of the marvelous margaritas I really like the contrasting colors offered by this stand.  It doesn’t hurt that the background includes my beloved Yacht Club Lighthouse.  I also went with my current trend of including people in my landscape images.  It transforms the image from a static, colorful image to one with life and activity.  I’m beginning to like these more and more…

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Boardwalk Joe's

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

Castaway Point Park

Posted by Mike on

Castaway Point Park, Palm Bay, Florida

Sunday morning I decided to check out Castaway Point Park in Palm Bay. It is at the inlet for Turkey Creek and I had spotted at least one pier out into the Indian River. I didn’t think about it being Easter morning so when I pulled into the park I thought there were a lot of fisherman here! I arrived at the end of a sunrise service. I hope I didn’t interrupt.

The park was a lot nicer than I had anticipated. Plenty of locations to get to the shore and grab images right at the water. There ended up being two piers I could use in my images and plenty of opportunities for something unique. I have more images I will be posting from this new location to visit when I am in Palm Bay.

Just as the sun was rising above the horizon I grabbed this first image of some people enjoying the show from the pier.  I always tell everyone that I do not photograph people.  I guess I should modify that statement to be I do not capture portraits.  I have found I do like to include people in my landscape images.  I think it adds a sense of scale to the landscape and also brings a ‘lived in’ feel.  This changes the image from a picture of a place to a picture of park enjoyed by visitors.  If that makes sense?

 

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; Easter Sunrise

Easter Sunrise
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/10s, 14mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

The second image I grabbed from the end of the pier. The sun was creating some beautiful colors in the clouds as it was rising.  I turned the camera on its side to capture the scene in portrait orientation.  I also zoomed in to try and include the buildings along the horizon from Indiatlantic.  This is the little town across the Indian River from Melbourne.  This image is all about the colors.

 

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; Sunrise Over Indiatlantic

Sunrise Over Indiatlantic
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/30s, 27mm, f/16, ISO 200

Sebastian Inlet

Posted by Mike on

Sebastian Inlet State Park, Florida

On Saturday I went to Sebastian Inlet State Park for the sunrise. I had looked online for places close to Melbourne that would have a pier or dock out into the water. What a good choice for the sunrise. I was not alone in the pre-dawn hours. The pier was packed with fishermen and I did spot a few other photographers.

The bridge over the inlet had a nice walkway underneath that allowed me to get an interesting view of the inlet with both piers sticking out into the Atlantic. I played with a few images with a very high ISO setting when it was still basically dark out. As the sun approached the horizon from below I managed to grab this image from the walkway.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Sebastian Inlet

Sebastian Inlet
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 13s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 400

 

I walked out along the pier to grab a few images of the bridge over the inlet. The moon was still high in the sky but I was able to achieve a nice view of the lights contrasting with the deep blue of the sky and water.  It was out here that I realized I was being eaten alive by these little gnats.  Luckily the bait shop opened up so I could buy some insect repellent.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Moon Over

Moon Over
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 8s, 15mm, f/16, ISO 400

 

It is always amazing to me to watch the colors on the sky change as the sun starts to rise. All these images were captured within an hour of each other. The blues of the pre-dawn time are replaced with the orange and yellows as the sun crosses the horizon.  The time was right for the sunrise but the low clouds near the horizon kept it hidden but created a nice display in the sky.

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Fishing Spot

Fishing Spot
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.4s, 26mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

I was talking with a fellow photographer Laura Macky earlier this week about an image I had posted. We both tend to favor the grand landscape views with our wide-angle lenses and we always want to capture different views telling a better story. The story elements are generally best captured when you focus on specific items.

With that conversation running through my head as I was capturing images with my go-to lens (12-40mm f/2.8), I switched to the 40-150mm f/4-5.6 to grab a few of those story elements. It didn’t hurt that the sun was starting to break through the clouds and the silhouette of the pier was very dramatic.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Sunrise Fishing

Sunrise Fishing
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R, 1/80s, 62mm, f/16, ISO 200

 

MLCreations Photography: Landscapes &emdash; Morning Catch

Morning Catch
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R, 1/100s, 105mm, f/16, ISO 200