Category Archives: photography

Broken Road

Posted by Mike on

Walk Around the Block

I decided it was the perfect day yesterday to get off my butt and go for a walk around the block. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that one lap around my block is four miles. I grabbed the camera, put on the walking shoes and headed out. I could not have wished for a better day. Temperature was around 75 degrees with a nice gentle breeze. I took my time and stopped often for pictures. What a great day! I also discovered that it isn’t what you see but how you see it…

Broken Road Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/1000s, 17mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Broken Road
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/1000s, 17mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Groceries & Employment

Posted by Mike on

HDR Photography

Waiting for my daughter to finish her shift the other night I couldn’t help but play with the camera in the parking lot. I wanted to get some practice in with night shooting and using the bracketing tools with this camera. The experience is much better with the external control rather than having to navigate menu after menu on the old camera. And this camera has a much better dynamic range that I have not had to use bracketing as often to get the image I wanted.

Groceries & Employment Nikon D7100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, {1, 8, 15 & 30s bracket}, 55mm, f/16, ISO 100

Groceries & Employment
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, {1, 8, 15 & 30s bracket}, 55mm, f/16, ISO 100

Cloudy Sunset

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

What a glorious evening! Last night the temperature, the wind, the approaching clouds and the sunset all combined to create a wonderful time at Delta Lake State Park. I knew driving home that I would be jumping right back out after dinner. It is still very early in the season so I practically had the park to myself. I brought home quite a collection of images from my short exploration. This wide-angle view of the lake is about 15 minutes before the actual sunset.

Cloudy Sunset Nikon D7100, Tokia 12-28mm f/4, 1/8s, 15mm, f/16, ISO 100

Cloudy Sunset
Nikon D7100, Tokia 12-28mm f/4, 1/8s, 15mm, f/16, ISO 100

Wordless Wednesday: Fresh Blossoms

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Squared – SQ61

Fresh Blossoms Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/100s, 85mm, f/4.5, ISO 200

Fresh Blossoms
Nikon D7100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/100s, 85mm, f/4.5, ISO 200

Looking East

Posted by Mike on

Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Looking East Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1250s, 85mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Looking East
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1250s, 85mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Harper’s Mill

Posted by Mike on

Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Generally, visitors to the Disney theme parks are in a rush to get to the next big attraction. I get that. Not everyone has my fanaticism about Disney nor does everyone have the opportunity to travel there like I do. When we first started going with the kids I was the same way. Drag everybody to the park at opening and don’t leave until you have seen it all. Time was short and there was a lot to do.

Since I have embraced this photography addiction (maybe passion would be better) I see the theme parks differently. I see the amazing detail that is prevalent throughout the parks. The hidden gems, the out-of-the-way nooks only discovered by those few slowing down to truly explore. Maybe it is also part of getting older (yes, I said it!) but I have learned some patience too. This probably comes from the fact that I know I will be back and if I skip something today it will be enjoyed next visit.

One of those exploring gems is Tom Sawyer’s Island in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. You need to travel to the island by log raft but once you arrive there is a lot to discover. I have spent many an afternoon exploring the island and I know there is still more to find. I’m looking forward to embracing the inner child as I search for my next hidden treasure.

Here is a view of Harper’s Mill on the island from the dock across the Rivers of America…

Harper's Mill Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200

Harper’s Mill
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 200