Category Archives: reflection

An Evening Canal Walk

Posted by Mike on

Yesterday morning I took off close to sunrise in an attempt to explore the barge canal along the path less traveled. At the Oriskany access point the paved path heads east toward Whitesboro. There is a path which leads west toward the point where a creek enters the canal. It ended up being a longer walk than I anticipated and just after I started the sun decided to hide behind the darkening clouds. I didn’t want to get caught in the eventual rain so I cut the walk short and headed for the car.

Luckily, the evening turned out to be beautiful with little to no wind and some clouds to catch the sunset. I really didn’t plan on the day ending so nice so I quickly headed back down toward the canal to do some more exploring. This time I started at the Marcy access point and headed west toward Oriskany. It is a portion of the trail I haven’t had a chance to view through my lens.

Bridged Reflections
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/100s, 19mm, f8, ISO400

Calm and Clouds Along the Canal
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 17mm, f8, ISO400

Walkway Span
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/60s, 32mm, f16, ISO400

Power Lines
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 55mm, f8, ISO400

Danger Buoy
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 55mm, f8, ISO400

Sunset Illumination
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 26mm, f8, ISO400

Up is Down, Down is Up
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/80s, 28mm, f8, ISO400

End of the Line – Lock 20
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/125s, 70mm, f8, ISO400

Toss the bread…

Posted by Mike on

Toss the bread, and slowly back away…
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-700mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 70mm, f5.6, ISO 400

A Morning along the Canal

Posted by Mike on

I decided today would be the day I get up early and search out a sunrise over the Utica Marsh.  My plan was a little short sighted since the walk to the marsh was definitely longer than I anticipated.  It did give me plenty of opportunities along the barge canal for pictures though so the day was not a total washout (even considering all the rain!).  I’ll know better next time to set my alarm about an hour earlier.

Calm Water Morning
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/25s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

Around half way to the marsh the trail has to cross a canal gate.  The gate isn’t related to a lock but more of a control point into a harbor of sorts off the canal.  I captured a few pictures leading up to the gate but the reverse view, into the sunrise, was definitely the keeper.  It was a little weird crossing the gate even though there was a walkway installed on top.  I was impressed with the construction.  It went for simplicity with large concrete counter weights to reduce the work any motor needed to perform.

Weighted Gate
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/50s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

At one point along the path there are three bridges that cross above, the north and south lanes of Routes 8 & 12, and the off ramp bridge to I790.  When I reached the point between the bridges the sun was finally above the horizon and once again I had a great show to capture.  This image ‘breaks’ all the ‘rules’, horizon is in the middle, subject is in the middle, etc., but as soon as I capture the first frame I knew this was the way the picture needed to be.  I generally don’t second guess my initial response, when I think about it, I tend to ruin the scene.

Reflected Light(pole)
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/125s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

All three pictures where processed using Lightroom 4.  Minor tweaks to tone, a little noise reduction and some sharpening.  I’m still learning all the possibilities with Lightroom 4 but it sure does make post processing images simple and straight forward.

Bending Reality

Posted by Mike on
From Landscapes

Bending Reality
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/160s, 17mm, f5.6, ISO 400

While I was at the canal park last night I decided to try for another panoramic image.  I had watched a video by Gavin Hoey on Adorama TV on creating panoramic images and I was hoping the view of the canal would allow me to create what I wanted.  This image is a stitch of 9 portrait pictures taken from East to West between Mill St. and Erie Blvd East in Rome, NY.  I think next time I’ll back away just a little more to get the metal railing in the entire image.

Calm Water Falling

Posted by Mike on
From Landscapes

Calm Water Falling
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/50s, 17mm, f16, ISO 400

I returned to one of my favorite spots tonight, the park along the NY State Barge Canal in south Rome, NY.  It is located were the Black River enters the canal.  I decided to look for different compositions and made an effort to not duplicate pictures I had captured before.

This image is from the pedestrian bridge over the spillway just as the river enters the canal.  I was lucky there was no wind so the river was like a mirror.  I loved the contrast between the calm and falling water.  Plus the reflection is pretty sweet too!

Yesterday’s Path

Posted by Mike on
From Landscapes

Delta Lake Reservoir Dam
View from the bridge
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/30s, 17mm, f5.6, ISO 100