Tag Archives: landscape

Throwback Thursday – Sugar River

Posted by Mike on

Throwback Thursday

I see all these posts across various social media sites concerning Throwback Thursday or something similar and I thought maybe I will start this tradition here on my blog. My initial thought (which could evolve as I go) was to re-process an old image from when I was just starting this journey with photography. This re-processing could involve a different look or style for an image. It might be a different composition to bring out a better view of the subject. Whatever it ends I being I’m hoping the process (OK, that one was intentional) of reviewing the image will help me improve my current photography.

When I began exploring photography I was intent on learning everything I could about my old point & shoot camera. I had a Sony DSC-H20, 10.1 MP, 10x zoom camera that lasted another 9 months while I learned about exposure, composition and post-processing. It wasn’t until I could not achieve the effects I wanted (long exposures, proper DoF, etc.) that I upgraded to my D5100.

During this learning period I was making trips to Potsdam, NY to bring my son back and forth to college. Along the way there was a nice waterfall visible from the road and in August 2011 I was determined to stop and grab an image. This is the original JPEG I processed with Lightroom 3.

Sugar River - Original Sony DSC-H20, 1/25s, 44mm, f/9, ISO 100

Sugar River – Original
Sony DSC-H20, 1/25s, 44mm, f/9, ISO 100

At the time I hadn’t wrapped my head around white balance or how to properly use the tools within Lightroom. Not to mention that a ND filter was totally unknown to me. At least I was heading in the right direction as I did use a tripod… 🙂

There isn’t a lot of room to play with the JPEG output from the camera. Some of the obvious fixes are the white balance, a better distribution of the tonal range and the ability to use a few of my (now normal) processing plugins. Do not zoom in too much on either image, the noise will scare you! 😉 A saving grace for me is the composition. I like the balance I used with the trees on either side of the water and the placement of the falls in the image. If I took my camera up to Sugar River today I would probably come away with a very similar picture, of course, the water would be more silky looking after 3+ years of waterfall fascination.

Sugar River - Rework Sony DSC-H20, 1/25s, 44mm, f/9, ISO 100

Sugar River – Rework
Sony DSC-H20, 1/25s, 44mm, f/9, ISO 100

Ready for a Morning Cruise?

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Yacht & Beach Club, Walt Disney World

Ready for a Morning Cruise? Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Ready for a Morning Cruise?
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Photographer in the Making

Posted by Mike on

Buttermilk Falls State Park

On my state park day a few weekends ago, my trip to Buttermilk Falls was especially enjoyable due to the amount of people I met. It was definitely a different type of trip for me. I was able to get a lot of photography done on my hike along the gorge trail but I also managed to meet a lot of people. I kept checking for the sign I must have been wearing because I was approached/engaged by more people than I usually am. Maybe it was me that changed and I was projecting a more open aura!

As I was setting up my tripod for this image I was watching this guy work the scene trying to get the shot he wanted. He apologized for stepping into my frame but I explained I was still composing and I was not in any hurry. He told me he was just starting out and made an excuse about not being at my level (probably due to all my gear). I explained how I was just out having fun too and that we all learn everyday. I told him to take his time and get all the shots he wanted. I couldn’t help myself and grabbed this image as he was getting his. He thanked me and we went our separate ways.

This new budding photographer was typical of the interactions I had this day. I also used quite a few iPhones for people to grab a picture they couldn’t get together without the classic one-arm selfie look. All in all it was a great hike.

Photographer in the Making Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 0.8s, 12mm, f/20, ISO 100

Photographer in the Making
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, 0.8s, 12mm, f/20, ISO 100

Night Along the Rivers of America

Posted by Mike on

Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

I know I have a fascination with Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. I typically spend a lot of my time in this area of the park. I enjoy exploring Tom Sawyer Island and always go for a ride on the Liberty Belle. I’m not sure if it is because I grew up on a farm and the “rural” feel of the area brings me back to my days playing in the creek or I just enjoy being able to find quiet spots away from the hustling crowds on their way to the rides.

Looking through my Disney posts I find I also enjoy getting pictures of Harper’s Mill and the Liberty Belle riverboat. There are plenty of locations for different and unique compositions. One of my toughest pictures has been getting both in one at night. I try every visit and rarely come home happy with my attempts. This last visit either my luck has improved or my skill with the camera has gotten better. I hate thinking it is the new camera but it might play a little role in helping me get this image. Typically I would bracket a night image like this in order to capture the range of light but I found with my D7100 I could process a single exposure and achieve the look I wanted.

Night Along the Rivers of America Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 30s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200

Night Along the Rivers of America
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 30s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200

After the Rains

Posted by Mike on

Chittenango Falls State Park

Let’s complete the trifecta during my state park day and quickly visit Chittenango Falls. As I was heading home I debated if I should visit this park. It was right in the middle of the afternoon. The clouds had cleared giving me a beautiful blue sky but I was worried about too much sun on the waterfall.

Well, as we know I can not resist this park. I’m not sure if it is because it is the first waterfall I photographed once I got my DSLR or that every time I visit I find something interesting. Maybe it is because the waterfall is constantly changing depending on the amount of water in the Chittenango Creek. Probably I just have a soft spot for the cascade style waterfall and want to see how the water is falling across the steps.

After the Rains Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/5s, 26mm, f/16, ISO 100

After the Rains
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/5s, 26mm, f/16, ISO 100

Steps and Flow

Posted by Mike on

Buttermilk Falls State Park

The second visit on my state park day was to Buttermilk Falls. This park takes its name from the foaming cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake. Although the swimming hole and park near the falls are inviting, the gorge trail is my favorite as there are plenty of locations for interesting pictures. I have to admit that the trail does kick my butt every time. The hiking distance isn’t too bad, it is the elevation change and navigating the steps that I feel the next day.

Steps and Flow Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.4s, 17mm, f/20, ISO 100

Steps and Flow
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 0.4s, 17mm, f/20, ISO 100