While I was in the cemetery the other night capturing some images of the spring flowers I noticed this storage building. There is something about the texture and detail in the wood siding that made me setup the camera. I like the color version but I am more fond of the monochrome processing.
On the Edge
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/8s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 100
On the Edge – BW
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/8s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 100
I might have mentioned in a few of my posts that I spent last weekend with my parents. I stayed at my Dad’s house since my Mom has her hands full with my Grandpa (he is 97 this year!). I also wanted to stay with Dad since after my last visit in February I pulled him back into photography.
My Dad purchased a Pentax K-1000 and several lenses almost 30 years ago. He hasn’t really done anything with them for quite a long time. I was hoping to buy the system from him but after talking to him I convinced him to keep everything if there was even a small inkling he would be interested again. I found him a used Pentax K10D with a 16-55mm lens which will still accept the old lenses. This past weekend was our first chance to get together and figure everything out for him.
I have to admit I am a little impressed with the Pentax camera. I’m not a big fan of the way it handles ISO settings but overall it is easy to use, has in-camera image stabilization and captures a great image with the old lenses. I was able to get Dad all setup so he doesn’t have to worry about too many settings as he learns about this “digital” camera world. He wants to be ready for a cruise to Alaska he is taking in June. I think he’ll be fine.
Even though he wants to understand the camera I kept stressing that the only good way to learn was to get outside and capture some images. I told him he has to start carrying the camera everywhere he goes so he will be ready when that next image captures his eye. We did manage to stop last Monday at Long Point State Park which is just done the road from his house. The park is on the shores of Chautauqua Lake and we had a great time photography by the marina and along the trail all the way to the point.
I have already posted some of the images from that day. The ones included in this post are more of my favorites…
Buoy, What A Spring…
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/1000s, 55mm, f/5.6, ISO 200
Oh, The View…
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 42mm, f/8, ISO 200
Rock View
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/640s, 17mm, f/8, ISO 200
Finding My Way
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/30s, 46mm, f/11, ISO 200
Green Tiles
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 35mm, f/8, ISO 200
Three Brothers
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/1000s, 50mm, f/5, ISO 200
Sunday was a great day! Not only was the day gorgeous with warm temperatures and sunshine I was able to bookend the day with photography. Due in part to daylight savings time occurring Sunday morning I had plenty of time for a walk with the camera before anyone else in the house woke up. There were a few clouds in the sky willing to highlight the sunrise and a long absence from the field across the road combined for some great early morning captures.
After a busy day filled with grocery shopping and a trip to the movies with my daughter I ended the day at Delta Lake state park for some sunset delight. Once again there were cooperating clouds, no wind and practically no people. The ice on the lake has started to melt and the water pools added to any composition I wanted to create. You might be flooded with pictures from the fun last night. I’ll apologize ahead of time! 🙂
Morning Blues
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 26mm, f/5.6, ISO 800
Evening Blues
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/100s, 32mm, f/11, ISO 200
City at the End of the Line
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/15s, 70mm, f/25, ISO 200
Well, maybe not the path to riches exactly, but at least it was a path to fishes…
It was another beautiful day here in Central NY and I ventured out in the late afternoon to track down some more eagles. The young one was once again perched on the tree by the Black River but after I scared him away I found my way up to Delta Lake State Park for a little sunset action.
It was a little disappointing in the sky, the colors were more muted than I had hoped for but this view along the snowmobile path out into the frozen lake was cool. I was hoping for a more contrast between the warm sky colors and the cool ice/snow. I’m not complaining though, I had a great time exploring and just being outside was good. I’m sure I’ll be back before the winter is over…
The Path to Riches
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1/15, 1/4, 1s bracket), 42mm, f/18, ISO 100
When I realized my daughter would need to make a trip to Pace University for the FTC Robotics competition I started searching on the web for what would be available to explore with my camera. As I mentioned in a previous post I didn’t research deep enough and feel I missed some great opportunities but too late to cry about that any more. The very first attraction I found that I wanted to capture was the Tarrytown Light.
The Tarrytown Light is a small lighthouse on the east side of the Hudson River in Sleepy Hollow, NY. The main attraction for me, besides just being a cool lighthouse, was the ability to have the Tappan Zee bridge in the background with the lighthouse. I thought there would be some great possibilities for images. One of my original ideas was to get a late evening, early night capture with the bridge lights in the background and maybe even some light reflections off the water.
I did manage to find the Kingsland Point Park which would allow me to get a clear view of both the lighthouse and bridge but when I arrived after dropping my daughter off at the college the first night it was too dark without any park lights to allow me to venture far from the car. The next morning was a much better time for my first trip through the park and resulted in the images below. If it wasn’t almost four hours from my house I would be heading back some time soon to grab that night view.
I will also have to keep an eye on the status of some construction occurring near the lighthouse as it did prevent me from getting closer. Other images I have found on the web appear to be from a very close vantage point and there was a walkway that brings you right past the lighthouse. I’m thinking a weekend trip later in the year!
Tarrytown Light and Tappan Zee Bridge
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 90mm, f/13, ISO 200
Tarrytown Light – Landscape
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 190mm, f/13, ISO 200
Tarrytown Light – Portrait
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/500s, 200mm, f/13, ISO 200
The weather yesterday was almost perfect for a winter day in Upstate NY. The temperature was above freezing (if only slightly) and the sun was out during the afternoon. How could I sit inside just waiting for the new year to arrive.
I threw on some appropriate clothes for trudging through snow and headed out the door with the camera. I had a few scenes in mind that could work in the mid afternoon sun but eventually I ended up at Delta Lake dam just north of Rome. I’ve found this is a location I have no trouble visiting repeatably as there is always something of interest to photograph.
As I worked my way down to the water I noticed another adventurer admiring the view. At first I thought it might be a fisherman but as we said ‘Hello’ I noticed the long lens attached to the camera around his neck. He was out hoping to capture one of the eagles that inhabit the trees around the dam. We stood and talked for quite a while before he decided they were not coming out and I was going to lose my sun behind the approaching clouds. It is always nice to meet fellow photographers.
I played around the dam for another thirty minutes before the sun disappeared behind the clouds. I think I like this area best during the winter. The views are wide open with all the foliage hidden beneath the snow. These images are not possible during the summer…
Delta Lake Dam Memorial
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/80s, 21mm, f/16, ISO 200
Snowfall Dam
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/100s, 21mm, f/16, ISO 200
Dam View
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, (1/5, 1/20, 1/80s brackt), 17mm, f/20, ISO 200
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