Category Archives: photography

Pixley Falls

Posted by Mike on

Pixley Falls State Park

Yesterday was full of activity. I made my way up to the Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts in the morning and was able to squeeze in a trip up to Pixley Falls State Park in the afternoon. I should have been completing something for work but it was too damn nice out to be thinking that way… LOL

I came back from Pixley Falls with some great images. I was finally able to get an image of the main falls without any people in the scene. I processed the image normally but thought I would try something different. I watched a video Saturday night from Pat Saizan Photography on her workflow to create a watercolor image from one of her photographs. I really liked what she created.

It has taken me a couple of tries today to create something similar and I think I still need some more practice but it was fun learning a different technique. Normally I would use one of my plug-in applications but this new method allowed for more control over the final product. I’ll try not to overwhelm everyone with this new “art” I’m creating… 🙂

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; PixleyFallsWatercolor

Pixley Falls

Historic Trenton Falls

Posted by Mike on

Trenton Falls Scenic Trail

This weekend was the one… at least for the Trenton Falls Scenic Trail. The Town of Trenton opens the trail for one weekend in the Spring and one weekend in the Fall (OK, late Summer). Once again I missed the weekend in the Spring but I was very determined to catch it this Fall.

I waited until late in the afternoon on Saturday to make my way up to the trail. I was hoping to catch some softer light but I forgot how the shadows from the gorge walls start to interfere with the views. I think I was able to compensate enough to grab a few good images.

Going late in the day helped me to avoid most of the people and allowed me to take my time setting up the tripod. I always try to stay out of other people’s way so I end up waiting a little for my turn at the view. There are a few rare occasions when I am not afforded the same courtesy but not this weekend.

My only complaint, if I’m allowed to have one, is at the end of the trail, when you would have the closest view of Upper High Falls, the historic society setup a table and had an individual taking about the fossils that can be found. Of course, all this was right in front of the fence at the very best location for a camera and tripod. Luckily, the previous, stop had a really good view and there had been a good effort to clear away a lot of the growth that would have impeded the view.

I’m going to keep on eye on the website in the Spring. I don’t want to miss it again! The water flow is always greater and presents a much different view of the gorge…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Sherman Falls

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

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Original Aqueduct Supports

Original Aqueduct Supports
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/60s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Lower High Falls

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

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Upper High Falls

Upper High Falls
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.8s, 26mm, f/16, ISO 200

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Upper High Falls II

Upper High Falls II
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1s, 36mm, f/16, ISO 200

Hangin’ Around

Posted by Mike on

In The Field

Yesterday morning did not lend itself to photography. The fog was as thick as pea soup… A hint of fog would have added a nice effect to a morning landscape but this stuff was almost impenetrable. I decided to get a few chores done around the house and wait for the sun to burn through the obstruction.

By 7:30am the sun was starting to work its magic on the fog and I had discovered I needed a few cleaning supplies. I made my way over to the store to stock up on the essentials but on the way back I was distracted by the sight of spider webs in the field. Hundreds of spider webs strung between the taller grass in the fields were still wet with the morning dew and reflecting the morning sun.

Well, I’m sure you know what happened next. I barely put the supplies away when I got home, grabbed the camera and tripod and ventured out into the fields across the road. The images in my head that I was hoping to capture were dew drops suspended along the tenuous strands of a intricate webs. I think I managed to grab a few of those but my prize from the morning is the image below. One of the master architects of my driving distraction was catching a few rays too.

I’m generally not a fan of spiders. My cats usually take care of any invaders in the house but this one didn’t seem to have a care in the world. I wasn’t exactly stealthy as I set up the tripod and maneuvered the camera into position. I half expected as soon as I had everything in place I would find an empty web when I focused the lens. Luckily for me, I think this artist was a bit of an egomaniac… LOL.

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Hangin' Around

Hangin’ Around
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/1250s, f/4, ISO 200