I made an effort on Sunday to start re-visiting locations I frequented when I started my photography journey. I realized I stopped going to quite few locations once I became a “good” photographer… I’m not quite positive when I got it in my head that these locales were not worth visiting, but it is more than a little disappointing that it took me so long to return.
Long time followers might recognize this view of the barge canal. Near Oriskany, NY there is a canal trail head I would visit because I had access to a bridge support out in the canal. The view looking East typically provided sunrise opportunities and I was hoping it would do the same yesterday. It doesn’t hurt that capturing an image from the support gives the impression the viewer is out in the canal.
Much to my surprise the fog was increasing as I drove toward my destination. I did not let that deter me. As I stated a little over a week ago, you have to be in the environment to capture the landscape. Even if I walked away without an image due to the fog, I had to get my butt out there. I drove on.
The fog was not as bad as I anticipated, but the angle of the sunrise was off for my typical style. I did like the look of the fog shrouded canal. I let the sky lighten up a little before capturing my landscape. The touch of green from the trees starting to fill out their foliage was a nice pop of color on a predominately blue toned image. I also like the intrigue created by the leading lines pointing to an obscured destination. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the moon is in the sky and reflected in the water.
Overall, I’m happy I didn’t turn around and go home once I drove into the fog…
Morning on the Canal Olympus M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 3.2s, 13mm, f/11, ISO 100
I mentioned in my ‘…as the sun goes down‘ post, before the sun was in its best position I ran around the water’s edge grabbing long exposure images. Sadly, I realized when I went to process those images that my 10-stop ND filter has a small scratch on it. This creates a very visible sun spot when shooting into the sun.
Sadly, as I researched getting a replacement it appears I bet on the wrong horse. I bought a set of square ND filters with a holder capable of installing a circular polarizer from Vu Filters. I have been very happy with the results. Because I use a micro four thirds system with smaller lenses I did not need big filters and Vu had a 75mm wide system that would be great for all my lenses. Doing a little research, it appears Benro bought out Vu and incorporated the filters into their own line. Hopefully, I can get a replacement without having to switch do a different system.
Luckily, for you I was able to salvage one image from my ruined long exposure fun. I found a grouping of rocks at the edge of the water to use as foreground interest for the color show happening at the horizon. With the clouds partially obscuring the sun combined with 10-stops of light filtering I captured a 30 second exposure. This long exposure smoothed out what little waves were undulating on the water and created a glass-like look reflecting the colors in the sky.
I did minor tweaking to the image in Lightroom sticking with a few adjustments to highlights and shadows. I then processed it in Luminar to enhance the colors, mainly to bring out the blues and brighten the oranges. Add a subtle vignette and the image is ready for display…
Color on Glass Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 30s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100
In a previous post I mentioned my adventure at Chittenango Falls State Park earlier this week. The volume of water flowing over the falls was incredible. I generally like to photograph the falls when the amount of water allows me to highlight the cascades. The silky streams of water mesmerize me. I wasn’t sure how the pictures would turn out with this much water but I have to admit I am happy with the result.
Setting up for the image I was worried the highlights in the water would cause me issues, especially having to expose enough for the gorge walls still in shadow. I countered by using my polarizing filter which helped reduce the glare and allowed me to capture this image with one exposure. In the past, as I was beginning to learn, I relied on high dynamic range (HDR) techniques to create my images. When done correctly, the HDR technique can yield amazing results, but I used it as a crutch and at times I ended up washing out an image. I was creating images without a proper balance of light and shadow. You need good shadows to produce an interesting image (IMO).
Considering how bright the sun was shining I threw on my 4-stop ND filter as well to reduce my shutter speed and achieve the blur I wanted in the water. Due to the speed of the water flowing through the creek I did not have to get below 1 second to achieve the my look. This is another area that is subjective to the photographer but I like to be able to see the water flowing. I try not to reduce my shutter so far as to create only a blur of white to represent the water but I also do not want to freeze the water with to fast of a shutter.
This park and the beautiful cascading waterfall is one of my favorite places to go in Central NY…
Roaring Falls Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M.. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/5s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 200
As they say, ‘Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while’, which would describe Thursday morning appropriately. All week I have been going out before work to find a sunrise. Yesterday, as I stepped outside to place the latest recyclables in the bin for collection, I couldn’t help but notice the full moon. My initial plan to head toward Utica for a sunrise was immediately changed to ‘can I capture the moonset?’
Checking the Photographer’s Ephemeris I see that the sun will rise at 5:48am and the moon will set at 6:08am. The best location for the show would be Delta Lake State Park. There were a few clouds in the sky and the moon was beginning to be obscured but working with my new attitude of ‘you have to be in the environment to capture the landscape’, I headed off for the park.
It was a cool, calm morning and being at the water’s edge waiting on the moon was totally worth it. Not another person in sight. I could hear ducks and geese out on the lake and the clouds were moving in the right direction. What a way to start the morning!
The first two images were my view of the lake as I arrived at the park. I knew the moon was out there behind the clouds… be patient, don’t call it a day yet!
Flower Moon I Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 6s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200
Flower Moon II Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 3.2s, 15mm, f/11, ISO 200
I initially setup the camera at the edge of the beach. After standing there for five to ten minutes I realized I wanted to isolate the trees on the point in my composition. I walked around to the right of the beach and found a nice big rock under a tree on the water’s edge. This allowed for a ‘cleaner’ view and would allow the moon to stand out more in the image (when it finally quit hiding in the clouds).
Flower Moon III Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/6s, 36mm, f/11, ISO 200
Flower Moon IV Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/10s, 40mm, f/11, ISO 200
It was after the last capture I realized to truly emphasize the moon I needed a longer lens. Switching to the 40-150mm telephoto lens I was able to bring the moon larger into the image. By the last two images the sun was above the horizon and throwing lots of color into the western sky. It was a great way to end my adventure and I was totally charged for the day ahead of me.
Flower Moon V Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R, 1/13s, 85mm, f/11, ISO 200
Flower Moon VI Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R, 1/30s, 150mm, f/11, ISO 200
It wasn’t until later in the day that I learned this was the last ‘super moon’ of 2020. I also learned it is called the ‘Flower Moon’. Digging into the name a little more I found you can also call the full moon in May the ‘Corn Planting Moon’, the ‘Hare Moon’, and the ‘Milk Moon’. On the Full Moon Phases website I also picked up this bit of information…
Full Moon names have been used by many cultures to describe the full moon throughout the year. Specifically, Native American tribes used moon phases and cycles to keep track of the seasons by giving a distinctive name to each recurring full moon, including the Wolf Moon. The unique full moon names were used to identify the entire month during which each occurred.
Although many Native American tribes gave distinct names to the full moon, the most well known full moon names come from the Algonquin tribes who lived in the area of New England and westward to Lake Superior. The Algonquin tribes had perhaps the greatest effect on the early European settlers in America, and the settlers adopted the Native American habit of naming the full moons.
You have to be in the environment to capture the landscape. This thought ran through my head last evening as I waited for the sun to reach that perfect distance from the horizon. I have been making more of an effort to haul my lazy butt out of the house and it is paying off in image possibilities.
When I started my photography journey I was out exploring every free minute. I was learning, experimenting, trying new things. Now that I know everything… LOL, I have become complacent. Normal thoughts that have run through my mind…
doesn’t look like it will be a good sunrise/sunset
I’ve captured that view before
I’ve done a lot of… lately
it’s a long drive to get there, what if…
maybe later
This week I have been changing the status quo. I have ventured out into the pre-dawn morning, energizing myself for the workday. I have been driving to familiar locations for the sunset, on the off chance it will be worth seeing. You have to be in the environment to capture the landscape.
There was a better than normal chance the clouds would roll in and obscure the sunset last night. I still went to Delta Lake. It was so worth it! I spent the hour before the sun reached the horizon capturing long exposure images. I had my ten-stop ND filter on and was happy capturing 15-20 second exposures around the lake (more on those in a later post).
The park was practically empty and there was barely any breeze. As the sun approached its ideal location I staked out my spot, setup the tripod and waited for the show. This image is one I would have missed if I was still listening to that little lazy voice in my head…
…as the sun goes down Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100
I did something a little out of the ordinary for me yesterday. Well, at least something different in this work from home environment we are currently living in. Generally I am online for work by 6am, but yesterday morning I was itching for a sunrise image. The urge was especially strong once I noticed the approaching clouds.
I finished the first cup of coffee while posting my latest image, filled the travel mug with the remainder, grabbed the camera bag and headed down to Bellamy Harbor Park. The clouds were moving in fast. I setup the tripod on the edge of the wall supporting the barge canal flow control gates. It is my go to spot at the harbor as it allows the widest view of the park and it appears as though the camera is in the middle of the canal.
I still made it back home in time to be online at my normal hour but I was energized for the day. I think getting out into the morning air, even if it is to drive to work, gets everything going for me. It is what has been lacking while I am sequestered in my apartment riding out this pandemic storm.
Time to get dressed and do it again today…
Moving In Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mmm f/2.8, 4s, 16mm, f/16, ISO 64
I had another waterfall adventure on Sunday morning. This time I took a leisurely day out to Chittenango Falls State Park. I mistakenly thought if I arrived fairly early on a Sunday morning I would not encounter too many people. Others had the same thought, or maybe, everyone needed some sunshine. It wasn’t so crowded that I was unable to get my images, but there were more people than I anticipated.
Chittenango Creek was flowing fairly heavy and the amount of water going over the falls was incredible. I’ll have a few images of the main falls later in the week. For today, my focus is on another. The extra water activated the other waterfall within the park. It is in an alcove below the main falls off the trail on the way to the bottom of the gorge.
It is early enough in the season that the trees have barely any leaves. Typically, the sun has a difficult time penetrating the cover to reach into the alcove. I was fortunate to have enough light I did not need to bracket this view nor create an HDR image. This image was worth the drive…
The Other Falls Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8, 0.8s, 22mm, f/11, ISO 200
Saturday morning started off a little disappointing as a heavy fog hung over the city. I had been looking forward to venturing out into the pre-dawn morning in search of the sunrise. I dragged my butt out to the laundromat early enough and left myself plenty of time for an morning adventure… and then the fog.
Luckily, it didn’t last long. As I was sitting at the computer working on images the sun started to break through the fog. I didn’t wait for the complete transition to a sunny day, I grabbed the camera and headed North to Pixley Falls.
The twenty minute drive had me questioning my decision as the fog and cloud cover increased the further I drove. And then, boom, the sky opened up and I had nothing but blue above me. The change was dramatic but welcomed. My adventure was on…
Pixley Reflected Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/3s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 100
Pixley Spring Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/5s, 26mm, f/11, ISO 100
MLCreations Photography 