Category Archives: photography

Until the End

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
Haiku

As much as I stated in my previous post that there is still time left to summer, the signs of autumn are beginning to appear. I went for a walk yesterday morning along the trails in the Griffiss International Sculpture Park. It was a beautiful morning but in every direction I pointed my camera I noticed the changes. From the fading blooms of the flowers to the leaves starting their color metamorphosis.

I do love photographing flowers past their prime though, so the changes are an opportunity for me. My playground may be in flux but my focus is still clear. Photograph what I see, create what I feel…

Glorious

Life fully enjoyed
Shining brightly for us all
Gloriously you
Until the End
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2500s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Summer’s Last Hurrah

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park
Haiku

I know summer isn’t over yet. Although this weekend is typically the “end of summer” at the beach in Delta Lake State Park. There usually is a big bonfire on Labor Day to celebrate the end of the swimming season. I’m not positive if there will be one this year. After this weekend the buoys outlining the swimming areas will be removed and the lifeguard chairs will be put away. The beach will be for sunset gazing only.

Obviously there is more summer to be enjoyed but the symbolic act of closing the beach does get the next season going (in my mind anyway). Maybe it is because I look forward to Autumn each year. Maybe in the past this weekend was the last free weekend for the kids as they head back to school next week. For me though, it is another weekend, but at least it is one with an extra day off. 

Summer's Last Hurrah

Sunlight fades to grey
As the beach empties of fun
Summer's last hurrah
Summer’s Last Hurrah
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Cindy’s Morning Shine

Posted by Mike on

WDW in B&W – WBW42
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

I’m still in the middle of my love/hate relationship with Walt Disney World. The 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is October 1st. It is 31 days away! When the other anniversary milestones came I didn’t do anything special (to be fair neither did Disney on a couple of them). But I thought the 50th would be something spectacular and I would be there. I currently have no plans.

What I do have is more images from my trip this past May. As much as I might complain about Disney, and Walt Disney World in particular, I did have a few good times on my trip. Unexpected early entry into the parks was one of those times. The Magic Kingdom was scheduled to open at 8am but as soon as I arrived cast members were letting guests into the park. OK I thought, they probably have a rope at the end of Main Street holding everyone back until the official time. Nope! The park was open to us. While everyone was running off to any open ride, I was running around capturing as many images as I could.

I was on my way to Frontierland for sunrise-like images along the Rivers of America. Passing over the bridge from the hub presented this harsh view of Cinderella Castle which I could not pass up. Upon my first look at this image back in May I didn’t see anything special. I liked the sun flare but there were too many flare spots. Although I love shooting into the sun, there were to many spots to overcome in post-processing. While cruising the trip’s album in Lightroom last night this image jumped out at me. I needed to work on it.

It might be a cheat to convert it to monochrome but it did alleviate my problem with the sun spots. The other great affect of converting this image, it removes the new color scheme Disney used for the anniversary. I mentioned in a post back in May that the new scheme has Cindy looking like her sibling in Disneyland. I’m still undecided about the look for her but this version helps me forget. I think it fits nicely with the other images in my WDW in B&W series.

Cindy’s Morning Shine
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, 1/250s, f/11, ISO 200

Beach Club Light

Posted by Mike on

Beach Club Resort, Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

Is it nostalgia or pining? Returning to the images I captured at Walt Disney World in May for this morning’s post. The 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is right around the corner (October 1st). I guess it is a little of both…

If it was truly nostalgia then this post would be of Cinderella Castle. Maybe that one will be next?

Pining it is. I would love to be in the Magic Kingdom for the anniversary but my love/hate relationship with Walt Disney World is leaning toward the hate side right now. I know, a strong word, but that is how it feels. There are numerous reasons but I will not bore you with those… you’re welcome. Wait, I think it is reminiscing? Yep, that seems to be it.

Right now I can enjoy the early morning view of the Beach Club. This is one of my favorite times of the day. Well before most guests wake. When it is only me running around the lake capturing the views, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Beach Club Light
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 3.2s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200