Category Archives: Weekly Photo Challenge

Dandelions

Posted by Mike on

Weekly Photo Theme – Dandelions

It was my turn to select the weekly theme and I returned to a subject that was at the beginning of my photographic journey… dandelions! Long time readers will remember a few posts about dandelions. I hope this one will show some growth in my photography skills. Dandelions are a convenient subject as my yard is usually quite full of them this time of year. Although I have been exploring and capturing a few dandelion portraits the past few days I was able to get the three ‘keepers’ for this week one beautiful night after work. I did have to crawl on my stomach in the yard to get the good angle. lol

Glisten Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 200

Glisten
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 200

A Yard with a View Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

A Yard with a View
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Half Moon Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Half Moon
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Flowers

Posted by Mike on

Weekly Photo Theme – Flowers

After the unusually long and cold winter it has finally started to act like Spring. Well, actually it was more like Summer with unusually hot weather which has done wonders for all things green. The trees are accumulating leaves at an ever increasing pace and the local flowers have stood up to get noticed. As much as a celebration as it is a way to put the winter behind us the theme this week is flowers.

It was great to get out and crawl around in the grass trying to get the most flattering angle or go for a different perspective on the local flora. Although eventually I do manage to get some around the house mine all seem to be late bloomers. Luckily for me my neighbors have wonderfully green thumbs and very patient natures as they are always willing for me to come traipsing through their yards. I also have found that going for a walk over in the city of Rome will yield quite a few opportunities for floral photographs.

This first image is from one of my trips into the city. I had quite a few objectives that evening and chose to go with the telephoto lens. This allowed for some great compression , although I did get a few looks from the passing cars as I lay on the sidewalk trying to get as low as possible for this view. I also tried a little different processing to create a slightly painted picture look to the image. I’m quite happy with the results and my attempt at some creativity.

Pink and Purple Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/320s, 122mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Pink and Purple
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/320s, 122mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

This next image is from a secret spot I go to for some early floral images as well as some wonderful wildflowers. The cemetery down the road from me always has the first blooms and when these wildflowers come out they cover a majority of the grass. I liked how the one blue blossom was standing above the field of purple cousins.

The Standout Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

The Standout
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

My last image is from my neighbors flower bed across the road from me. As you can see he manages quite well in the green thumb department. I walked across the road one night after dinner but nobody was home. The light was perfect and I knew they would not mind if I stopped for a few pictures. As I was sitting on the edge of the road with the tripod setup and myself contorted in some unusual angle getting everything aligned, the garage door started to open. I was caught in the act! Luckily, being great neighbors for 20 years they were more than happy I was getting my pictures before the blossoms disappeared. Good neighbors are the best!

Group Shot Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 200

Group Shot
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 200

Hopefully I will be able to get some more floral images before the Spring turns to Summer and the sun starts to wilt all this wonderful color…

Flags

Posted by Mike on

Weekly Photo Theme – Flags

My initial thought to flags was very one dimensional. How many was can I photograph THE flag and make it interesting. This was my first challenge. It wasn’t until I was out exploring that it really hit me that flags as a theme was very cool. There were more possibilities than I originally thought and it was at that moment that the challenge became very compelling. I also was able to do a little more scouting and return when the conditions were better.

My first image is a return to Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY. I used an image of the fort during the shape week theme and was going to try for an image of the flag flying over the fort for this week. My vision was an image of the flag and fort rising above the tall grass. I did get a few images like that but I spotted this view walking toward the fort and could not resist the natural framing provided by the trees.

Proudly Waves Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 135mm, f/11, ISO 200

Proudly Waves
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 135mm, f/11, ISO 200

I love to walk around in downtown Rome. Not only is there great architectural photo opportunities there are some very beautiful floral displays that allow for great images. As I was walking around the WWII Memorial I spotted this line of flags next to the sidewalk. Usually used to mark construction or underground obstacles, I really liked the contrast of the orange flags against the fresh green grass. I decided to use the telephoto lens to compress the line and a large aperture to blur everything receding away.

Get In Line Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 150mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Get In Line
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 150mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

This last image might stretch the ‘flag’ theme a little but I have always enjoyed this mural when driving through Rome. Revere Copper used to have a manufacturing plant in Rome. I’m not positive if they still use it (don’t think so) but it was a big part of the Rome economy. I wasn’t able to get the sky I wanted and was tempted to replace it but left it as it is for now… 🙂

Paul Revere Rides Again Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 65mm, f/8, ISO 200

Paul Revere Rides Again
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 65mm, f/8, ISO 200

Shapes

Posted by Mike on

Weekly Photo Theme – Shapes

Last week, seeing how I am a little late, our theme was shapes. I will not bore you with any excuses other than I struggled more than I should have. Once I realized that shapes are everywhere and that I just needed to make them the subject of the composition then I was able to find a plethora of images. Maybe I stretched the concept on a few but I think these will work…

Spying on the Fort Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 38mm, f/8, ISO 400

Spying on the Fort
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 38mm, f/8, ISO 400

Circles in the Sky Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/640s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Circles in the Sky
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/640s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 200

Spherical Thistles Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/4, ISO 400

Spherical Thistles
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/4, ISO 400

Around Town

Posted by Mike on

Weekly Photo Theme – B&W

The theme this week was B&W images of which I am a huge fan. I wanted to try to do something a little different than normal standbys; water, game pieces, etc. I thought I would try to find architectural or street images by exploring around Rome, NY with the camera. I made a few excursions over the course of the week and have determined I am too timid for true street photography (also, not a lot of movement on the streets of Rome). This will have to be something I work on as I have always been impressed with the images I see on Google+. That leaves me with some architectural images or at least some portions of some… 😉

Let it Flow Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Let it Flow
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Antiques Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {2, 4, 8, 15 & 30s bracket}, 35mm, f/11, ISO 100

Antiques
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {2, 4, 8, 15 & 30s bracket}, 35mm, f/11, ISO 100

Corner Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Corner
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Stairs

Posted by Mike on

Weekly Photo Theme – Stairs

Last week the object of our photographic exploration was stairs. They are everywhere so that should have been an easy task. Or so I thought at the start of the week. Some of my initial ideas did not pan out as access to the stairs I had in mind was blocked (at least for the view I had in my head). And then I tried to think of some unique stairs (like the tree root steps at Pixley Falls State Park, but that park is not open yet), so I struggled more than I thought I would. Hopefully you will find these images interesting…

First Stairs Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 55mm, f/8, ISO 400

First Stairs
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 55mm, f/8, ISO 400

Ornate Stairs Nikon D5100, Rokinon 8mm f/3.5, {1/8, 1/30 & 1/125s bracket}, f/11, ISO 200

Ornate Stairs
Nikon D5100, Rokinon 8mm f/3.5, {1/8, 1/30 & 1/125s bracket}, f/11, ISO 200

Stair Lock Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 55mm, f/11, ISO 200

Stair Lock
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 55mm, f/11, ISO 200

Leading Lines

Posted by Mike on

This week we chose leading lines as our theme. Not because we didn’t know what they are but more as a way to look critically at a composition while making the image. I think I sometimes work on an intuitive level because when I set out to purposefully create images with strong leading lines I found myself having difficulty. It wasn’t until I put that requirement into the back of my mind did the process return to normal for me. I didn’t forget about the assignment, it just wasn’t the only consideration.

I tried to capture some non-normal leading line images, at least for me. I know what I usually fall back on and was trying to break out of that mode. I also posted a pic a few days ago of the interior of the Boehlert Transportation Station in Utica, NY which would also work for this theme. I’m not sure I succeeded completely but I do like what I found…

This first image is from my exploring around the transportation station. This is the side of an old passenger car on display at the Children’s Museum next door to the station. I really liked the polish metal exterior with it strong lines and reflections. In this image the lines bring the eye completely through the view ending on the standout green lamp posts.

1479 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/800s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

1479
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/800s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

My second image is also from outside the transportation station. I was going for the row of bike racks and sidewalk lines pointing off into the distance. I got lucky with the people coming into the frame just outside the entrance door. Having the people in the frame provides two improvements to the image. They add a sense of scale as well as become the objects the lines are leading the eye to.

Coming or Going? Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

Coming or Going?
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/400s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 200

My last image is a little weaker or maybe less obvious as to the use of leading lines. I wanted to have the ‘shoreline’ lead the eye toward the rocks but I also have the out of frame bridge’s reflection pointing toward the small waterfall in the background.  I was able to position the camera so the power line reflection connects with the shoreline and the bridge reflection.  This one might be a stretch but I’ll wait for the official ruling… 😉

Rocks Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/10s, 66mm, f/16, ISO 100

Rocks
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/10s, 66mm, f/16, ISO 100

Colors

Posted by Mike on

This week’s theme is colors. It was a result of a blog post I saw on Tom McLaughlan’s Ministract site (Comacchio in colour).  I’ve been a fan of Tom’s work since I found him on Google+ a few years ago.  He was moderating the Ministract Monday theme and I was very eager to explore new genres. I contributed some images early on but then the whole daily theme concept faded for me as my explorations took other directions. I’m still a fan of his work…

I wish I could say my color exploring produced some wonderful images but that would be misleading. When I did have the time to explore I just couldn’t ‘see’ the colors. I’m sure they are still out there but this is what I came home with.

The first two images are from the Barge Canal at Lock 20. I knew I would be able to find some color there with the bold paint scheme that sticks in my head from numerous visits. The first is a simple padlock on a background of bright blue and yellow. The color isn’t so much the focus but a very bold compliment to the rusted, muted lock. The second image is about the out-of-place orange life preserver ring against the predominantly white and blue background.

Lock Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 400

Lock
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 400

Orange Ring Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/320s, f/8, ISO 400

Orange Ring
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/320s, f/8, ISO 400

This third image is a bit of a cheat! I took this in January as I was stuck inside playing with mirrors, flashes and my B&W game piece project. I wanted to do something with the crayons but never ended up processing the images. I took this opportunity to resurrect one of those images for this theme. It has nothing to do with my third image of a rainbow colored truck not turning out as I had hoped. Nothing to do with that at all… 😉

Color Choices Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 122mm, f/8, ISO 200

Color Choices
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 122mm, f/8, ISO 200