Silent Sunday
Erie Canal Park, Camilus, NY
Reflection of Yesteryear
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/80s, f/8, ISO 100
Reflection of Yesteryear
Silent Sunday
Tag Archives: landscape
Just Over There
Griffiss International Sculpture Garden
I mentioned a photo walk with some people from work about two weeks ago. During that walk I got excited in one area trying to explain to a few new photographers how to create an image rather than “take” a picture. Although in my babbling I couldn’t convey my thoughts very well about photographing with intent. I was attempting to explain how to be deliberate and thoughtful in their approach to crafting the image they wanted to capture.
I really like the orange pagoda sculpture. Over the years I have taken quite a few images that include this sculpture. A few have been creative but most would be called snap shots…
This picture is a snap shot of the sculpture. No context, no story. The light isn’t bad, but what am I trying to say, or show? I’m not sure myself. I do like the colors. Orange and green are analogous on the color wheel but a better choice is a triad of colors when you include the blue in the sky.
So, for me the colors work. Plus, I really like the sculpture itself. There is definitely an image here. I was trying to explain all these thoughts during the walk and they all came flowing out in a messy jumble. I resorted to dragging a few of my friends over to where I thought the view would create the story.
I wanted them to see what I saw in my head as I envisioned the image I wanted to create. The path through the garden falls away toward the pagoda through some trees. I wanted to incorporate natural framing and use the path to lead the viewer into the pagoda. After the walk I returned to the garden to get my image.
Not quite what I wanted. Weather wasn’t good. I wanted more sunlight. I wanted the pagoda illuminated and there definitely needed better shadows. I also didn’t get any of the natural framing.
The other evening I went for another walk through the sculpture garden. I had the conditions I wanted. Now all I had to do was compose my story. Driving over I debated which lens to use and chose my 105mm macro lens. I needed the extra reach of this lens to let me compress the view.
I intended to include the walkway in the foreground. The gentle curve up the rise brings the viewer toward the pagoda. I consciously used the rise to hide the bottom of the sculpture. I didn’t want the concrete pad distracting the viewer. The trees on either side would complete the frame with the path and focus the image on the sculpture.
Another creative choice was using a larger aperture (f/5) and focusing on the sculpture. This would create a slightly out of focus foreground allowing the sculpture “shine”. The rule of thirds is in heavy use in this image as well. The foreground is in the bottom third, the pagoda is in the middle third as well as on the right third vertical.
To me, this image has a better story and shows my intent…
Just Over There
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/5, ISO 100
And So It Goes
Chittenango Falls State Park
And So It Goes
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1s, 34mm, f/11, ISO 100
Traipsing Through
Wordless Wednesday
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Traipsing Through
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.8s, 31mm, f/11, ISO 100
All in a Day
Bellamy Harbor Park
Mohawk River Trail
Delta Lake State Park
I ended up being a lot more lazy on Saturday than I planned. Simple as that.
On Sunday I reversed what happened on Saturday. I started the morning at Bellamy Harbor Park for the sunrise. The fog had other plans but I adapted and incorporated the conditions into an image. I miss the trees that lined the canal walkway and provided shade for the benches but without them this view is more open.
Rest
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.6s, 54mm, f/16, ISO 100
I doubled down around lunch and went for a walk along the Mohawk River Trail. I split the trail in half by parking at the Chestnut Street lot and explored in both directions. I couldn’t resist the black-eyed susans as soon as I spotted them.
If
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/320s, f/3.2, ISO 100
In for a penny, in for a pound. I made it a trifecta by ending the day at Delta Lake State Park. The sunset was going to be interrupted by the clouds on the horizon but I arrived early enough to capture the color before the sun completely hidden. The gulls were enjoying the beach and lake even more than the remaining people. I took a chance at capturing one in flight. I don’t think it turned out too bad…
Free
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/640s, 35mm, f/4, ISO 100
Sturgeon Moon
Delta Lake State Park
Tuesday night/Wednesday morning was the full moon. I generally prefer to capture the moon as it sets in the morning due to better timing between the sun and the moon. That is, I want some sunlight in the sky to allow me to expose my image and not lose the moon in over exposed highlights. The moon was setting at 6:30am and the sun was rising at 5:50am… perfect.
Wait! What about work?
Oh, right. Um?
I stopped in to work at my normal start time (5am). Checked on a few things. Told the third shift supervisor I would be back and headed to Delta Lake around 5:20am. Grabbed my images and was back at work by 6:15am. Most first shift people don’t show up until almost 7am. It was a busy day and I ended up staying until 4pm, so I think they got eight hours out of me… 🙂
The Sturgeon Moon. The common name for the August full moon. Other than a layer of fog on top of the lake, nothing really exciting. I still haven’t purchased a longer zoom for the new camera so I used my 105mm macro lens. It did a great job but wasn’t able to pull the moon into the frame as large as I would have liked. Maybe by the blue moon I’ll have what I need. BTW – there is a second full moon in August this year, hence, the blue moon is only 28 days away!
I’ll do some additional research by then and find a new area to capture the moon. Delta Lake is starting to feel a little repetitive to me…
Saving the Moon
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/8s, f/8, ISO 100
Moon Buoys
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/8s, f/8, ISO 100
Finding the Morning Light
Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome, NY
Wake up! We’re going on a hunt.
A hunt for what?
The morning light.
Really?
Yes, now get moving. The sun is easy but the early morning light is better. I don’t want to miss it.
There was rain in the forecast and I hoped there would be a few clouds in the sky. I guessed right! I parked near the Mill St. bridge at Bellamy Harbor as I wanted to explore as much as possible while the morning blue hour changed with the rising of the sun.
Come on! Let’s see what I found.
Light Up the Morning
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 30mm, f/8, ISO 100
This section of the park is fantastic during the morning. The color in the sky contrasts wonderfully with the green grass and the glow from the lights adds some interesting patterns. You can see the weather front approaching from the southeast.
With the lights still on I wanted to get the image I missed the last time I was at the park in the morning. From the edge of the bridge over the canal, I can get the water tower against the morning sky with one of the lights in the foreground.
Nailed it!
Tower Lights
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 2.5s, 40mm, f/8, ISO 100
Time to head to the opposite end of the park before the clouds cover too much of the sky. I do love the view looking down the canal. Walk or drive? Don’t be lazy, there is plenty of time, walk!
Before I get to the other side I couldn’t resist this view of the park with the lights along the canal. The mood in this view is completely different. The color is all in the east and looking west is dominated by blues. The only offset is the yellow/orange glow from the lights. Plus, when have I ignored a good reflection.
Um, never!
Harbor Lights
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 3s, 43mm, f/9, ISO 100
I reach my favorite spot and start composing my image. Choices? The color is more to the left than I would like but I’m not a fan of what I would need to include in the view. I obviously want to keep the steel structure bridge (Mill St.) in the picture. Oh, and the lights again, of course. I want the reflection but not enjoying the bright orange buoy in the canal. If I do this view… maybe…
Not the best but it works for this morning…
Harbor Glow
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.5s, 38mm, f/11, ISO 100
OK. Those are the main images I wanted to capture. Now walk around and see what else catches your eye. You’re in no hurry to get back home. Enjoy this time of solitude.
Those damn reflections again. The canal is perfectly still. Not the best sky. Maybe a monochrome image would work. Whatever, click the shutter before something disturbs the water.
Right, got it…
Reflection of Mill St.
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.6s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 100
As you can see, I decided not to process this one as a monochrome image. I liked it, but the blues and greens in this one work for me. Who knows, maybe I will eventually convert it and post a different version.
Sunrise! But the sun is still behind the low clouds. Definitely changing the color in the sky. One more of the water tower? Isolate the tower and use the color as a backdrop. There. Nice!
General Cable Renewed
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/8s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100
The rain eventually came and lasted most of the day. Not a problem. I had plenty of other things to occupy my time after this great start to the day.
So far, today is looking pretty good. Maybe I’ll head over to the sculpture garden for a walk…
Defiant
Taughannock Falls State Park
Defiant
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 28mm, f/9, ISO 100
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