In The Yard – ITY04
Another image from last Friday when we had that rare sunny afternoon. I thought I would include a little more of the landscape to show what a beautiful day it was. This is the type of winter day I can get behind, not those grey, cloudy days. 🙂
The Fence
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/50s, 35mm, f/8, ISO 200
Asia, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World
Only 130 days to go. Yes, you guessed it, or was that a heavy sigh I just heard? Believe it or not but it will be just about 11 months between trips to Disney for me by the time I get back. It was not for lack of trying though. The trip in October was cancelled due to scheduled training for work (which was eventually rescheduled) and the trip in December, although technically not to Disney (I would have found a way), was side railed for me by work once again.
All my plans are in motion. I have the hotel stays booked. Yes, plural. I am using the last of this year’s DVC points for three nights at the Beach Club and the first four nights I am staying for the first time at Port Orleans Riverside. Initially wanted the French Quarter but who am I to argue with discounted rooms.
The timing in May could not be any better. I will be able to catch the last weekend of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and the first weekend of Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekend. I pulled this same double dip in 2012 and was lucky enough to pull it off again. I had mentioned this trip to one of my Disney photography friends and she is coming down at the same time. There are already five of us working on meeting up for some photography fun and I have a feeling the group will grow before May.
As it is never too late to start thinking about what images and/or scenes you want to capture while in the parks I was reviewing some of my old images. I came across this view from my trip in March 2014 which I had flagged in Lightroom. Tonight was a good night to process it.
You come upon this scene as you walk past the temple shrine on your way to Expedition Everest. To me it highlights the amount of detail the Imagineers work into the parks to complete the atmosphere. The average park guest probably does not even realize what they hurry past on their way to the roller coaster. It is these types of details that I love to find and capture with my camera.
Opening Next Season
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 28mm, f/8, ISO 400
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
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
Delta Lake State Park
Clouds and Snow Rocks
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200
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
Oh man, I’m on fire. Or maybe I wish I was as it was a little cold this morning. Have I mentioned that I am really starting to dislike being cold? At least I have officially managed a streak… three days n a row! Still not venturing too far away from the house. But with views like this I guess I don’t need to travel far. One more day in this long weekend and hopefully I’ll get more adventurous tomorrow morning.
Just down the road from the house one of the hundreds of miles of snowmobile paths crosses the road. It is a nice way to venture back into the fields without wading through all the snow. Plus it provides a nice view for the rising sun.
I have been giving my old Sigma 17-70mm lens some well deserved love lately. The first lens I bought and learned on still manages great pictures. Thought I lost it earlier this year but a quick trip to the repair center pumped new life into it.
Trail Marker
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/20s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 200
Can two in a row be called a streak? Second day I’m out early to capture some images before anyone else in the house is even thinking of waking up. I got luck today with the clouds disappearing overnight although we do have another winter storm advisory in effect for today. I have plenty of left overs so I can ride this one out… lol!
Winter Path
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/80s, 17mm, f/8, ISO 400
MLCreations Photography 