Category Archives: photography

Graffiti/Mural/Building Art

Posted by Mike on

This week’s theme for our photography adventure is graffiti, mural and/or building art. I was fortunate enough to get out on Saturday while the weather was still fantastic. I had planned on venturing out to a few locations over the entire weekend but Sunday decided to rain on my parade. Luckily for me, my exploring Saturday afternoon provided plenty of image options.

Although I fell back on a familiar location for these images (the barge canal) I tried to compose differently than I normally do. I’m not sure I completely succeeded but I am happy with the results. The hardest part was narrowing down my choices to just three images. I did consciously decide to only use single exposures for this week’s images. I had already explored the HDR method last week…

The barge canal trail in North Utica has been a great location for my photography exploring. The Utica Marsh is accessible from the trail as well as numerous trails along the canal. This first image is off the bridge supports for Route 12 as it crosses the canal. As you can see they provide a large canvas for artistic expression.

Under the Traffic Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 38mm, f/4, ISO 400

Under the Traffic
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 38mm, f/4, ISO 400

This second image is a detailed look at one particular piece of graffiti. I felt it wasn’t a very strong composition if I only included the artwork but the juxtaposition of the calm, sunset look of the canal enhanced the art. It was a thought…

Peeking Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 24mm, f/4, ISO 400

Peeking
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 24mm, f/4, ISO 400

To really jump outside my normal methods I threw the 8mm fish-eye lens on for the last few minutes of sunlight. I did manage to capture a few more images of the graffiti on the bridge supports but they are similar to the last image in composition. Although the fish-eye effect does add to the image I wanted to include something different.

This last image is a spotlight on one section of an on-ramp for Route 12. The canal trail winds right along the road and this large section of concrete appears to be another favorite area for expression. The 180 degree field of view and the normal distortion from the lens definitely enhances the look of this robot.

Robot Surrender Nikon D5100, Rokinon 8mm f/3.5, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 800

Robot Surrender
Nikon D5100, Rokinon 8mm f/3.5, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 800

Red Reflected

Posted by Mike on
Red Reflected Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 42mm, f/8, ISO 1600

Red Reflected
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 42mm, f/8, ISO 1600

Discovery Island

Posted by Mike on

Discovery Island, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Morning Stretch Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 38mm, f/4, ISO 400

Morning Stretch
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 38mm, f/4, ISO 400

Pbbth! Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/320s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 400

Pbbth!
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/320s, 200mm, f/8, ISO 400

Everybody Look Left Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 86mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600

Everybody Look Left
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 86mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600

Stop Pointing That Thing at Me Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1000s, 135mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600

Stop Pointing That Thing at Me
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/1000s, 135mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600

Bridges

Posted by Mike on

This is the first week on a new adventure! When I was on vacation, running around Disney with my camera like a mad man, I met a lot of photographers. I know, no surprise there since it was a photography event, but I guess what I really should say is I connected with a lot of photographers. There was one couple in particular that every time we ran into each other we would stand and talk like old friends. I wish we had spent more time exploring together but we have stayed in touch since returning to our respective communities.

It is with these new (old) friends of mine that I will be adventuring. We are going to work on our photography together. Selecting a theme each week, getting out with our cameras, posting the results and discussing each image. The main goal is to get ourselves out with the cameras with a subject in mind. Explore some themes outside each of our own comfort zones and basically have a lot of fun showing off our communities. The first theme is bridges!

The weekend weather didn’t understand that with the shorter days I needed to use Saturday and Sunday for my exploring. I did manage to get out around sunrise on Sunday for about an hour before the rain eventually forced me back inside. I had a few bridges in my head that I wanted to explore, one I had even captured before but I was going to go for something different this time. I also found a covered bridge about an hour away but those plans fell through. It made my list of places to visit in the future…

Both of these bridges are in South Rome next to the barge canal. I have typically used the second bridge in a supporting roll for the images I capture of the canal. This time is was the main player. The first image was something I wanted to capture while trying to bring out all the detail. I liked the fact that this railroad bridge also had asymmetric tunnels for the cars. Both images required multiple exposures to capture all the detail. I did push the HDR look of the first a little farther than I normally do but one of my goals for this adventure was to try different things. So it is what it is.

Bridge for One, Tunnel for Two Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (0.6, 1.3, 2, 3, 4 & 6s bracket), 28mm, f/16, ISO 100

Bridge for One, Tunnel for Two
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (0.6, 1.3, 2, 3, 4 & 6s bracket), 28mm, f/16, ISO 100

Support Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1, 2 & 4s bracket), 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Support
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1, 2 & 4s bracket), 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Assignment 27: Vacation

Posted by Mike on

Scott is back from his traveling hiatus with a new assignment! The vacation theme is very appropriate this time of year and lucky for me I recently returned from one. I encourage everyone to participate and maybe take a second look at your vacation images with an eye toward finding something out of the ordinary or take this opportunity to try out some new processing. With the weather here in Upstate NY taking that turn toward winter I would love to see some warm images! 🙂

Scott Thomas Photography's avatarViews Infinitum

Have you taken a vacation in the last year? Maybe you call it a holiday. Either way you call it, such times give us an opportunity to relax, improve and renew our lives. While many people use vacation time to travel, others may use the time for other projects or events.

If you have not guessed, this month’s assignment is for you to share your Vacation photos. You will not bore me. I promise! 🙂 So…where or what did you do on vacation?

As in the other assignments, do not send me your photos. What I would like you to do is post them on your blog, flickr, Google+ or other photo sharing site, personal website or any place on the Internet where you can place a link to it here by making a comment to this blog entry. Then, we can all visit those sites and enjoy everyone’s 

View original post 132 more words