Serene

Posted by Mike on May 21, 2024

Chittenango Falls State Park

Serene
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/3s, 34mm, f/11, ISO 100

Old Trees

Posted by Mike on April 14, 2024

Mohawk River Trail
Silent Sunday

Uprooted
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Gnarly
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Still Standing
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1600s, f/2.8, ISO 100

Midday Pixley

Posted by Mike on April 6, 2024

Pixley Falls State Park

It was finally the end of the work week. It had been long. On Tuesday I chose to do the morning for me and captured the sunrise. Yesterday, I chose me again and left work during lunch (already had the 40 hrs in). Although it was slightly raining/snowing I drove up to Pixley Falls for pictures. It was worth it.

As I was capturing views of the waterfall I was planning how I wanted to process the images. I could see them already as nice monochrome images. Knowing this would be the result I wanted, influenced how I captured each scene. Not only was composition important so was tonal quality and textures.

The greens of spring have not started to show here in Upstate NY. Add in the overcast day (perfect for waterfalls BTW) and you can see how monochrome processing works for these images. I did want to show a few other variations for this first image. This is essentially straight out of the camera.

Midday Falling – SOOC
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.5s, 47mm, f/11, ISO 100

The wet conditions of the day enhance parts of the scene. Tree trunks are darker. The rocks to the right of the waterfall are also darker in tone. These will be enhanced by converting to monochrome. I also play with the saturation of the separate colors (mostly orange, yellow and blue) to highlight different areas of the image. Which brings us to the monochrome version.

Midday Falling
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.5s, 47mm, f/11, ISO 100

To be honest, not a big change from the original. I made one more version of this image. I applied a vintage preset I created years ago. There is a matte overlay as well as tweaks to the highlights and shadows (adding yellow and blue respectively). For me it changes the feeling of the image. Not sure I prefer it over the monochrome version but I think it “fits” the view.

Midday Falling – Vintage
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.5s, 47mm, f/11, ISO 100

The snow started to increase and the wind kept swirling the mist/snow onto my lens. It was getting difficult to keep the front clean. My hands were getting cold too. Why I didn’t use the gloves I keep in the car is beyond me. There is a good chance the weather will be favorable this weekend. I’m looking forward to venturing out again with the camera.

Pixley Spring
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.4s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100

Pixley Profile
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.8s, 30mm, f/11, ISO 100

Pixley from the River
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/3s, 38mm, f/11, ISO 100

A Path to Dream

Posted by Mike on March 19, 2024

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

A Path to Dream
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/80s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100

Overcast Reflection

Posted by Mike on March 3, 2024

NYS Barge Canal

The temperatures are improving today but the weather is still overcast and gloomy. I didn’t let that stop me this morning. After getting my laundry done and having breakfast I ventured out to Bellamy Harbor for some monochrome images. I knew the fog/overcast conditions would lend themselves to monochrome processing.

I even changed it up a little by using the 50mm prime lens rather than my go to zoom (24-70mm). Even with the 50mm view there is plenty of space around the harbor to capture a nice landscape image. I took my time and poked my nose in every corner of the harbor.

Under the bridge heading into Rome you can get right down to the canal. This is the view looking west up the canal. I started with a landscape oriented view but once my eye caught the tree reflection I knew which image I would be working on when I got home.

Overcast Reflection
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/40s, f/8, ISO 100

Vision Obscured

Posted by Mike on January 28, 2024

Monochrome
Landscape

Yesterday’s search in the fog was related to this week’s challenge at 52frames.com, ‘Scene From a Movie’. I was thinking film noir but looking at the images nothing feels cinematic to me. I still have today to work on the challenge.

I like the images I was able to bring home. As I said, yesterday’s image is my favorite. The images today are me looking for that cinema feel with the shrouded dam. I believe the issue with them, for me, is the composition. I didn’t find the right one.

The last image was the most difficult to capture as the fog was too intense for the camera to detect focus. I manually set the camera at infinity but it still is blurry. I’m going with, “I intended for it to be that way”… ;)

Somewhere Out There
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/30s, 29mm, f/8, ISO 200

Lost in a Haze
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/40s, 31mm, f/8, ISO 200

Vision Obscured
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/40s, 36mm, f/8, ISO 200

Doors

Posted by Mike on January 21, 2024

52-week Challenge
Week 3 – Black and White

What to do, what to do?

The week three challenge at 52 Frames is Black and White photography. Readers of my ramblings know that I am no stranger to B&W, or monochrome, photography. Hardly a week goes by (when I’m posting consistently) without you having to endure another of my monochrome images. The style works for landscape, macro, still life, etc. You can visit my home page galleries and find three dedicated to monochrome projects.

So, what should I do?

I’m supposed to be challenging myself.

I thought about this challenge most of the week. I considered doing another image for the oil can project, or maybe the game pieces project, but really wanted something different. Out of necessity, due to the frigid temperatures, I had an idea. Something I could almost achieve from the comfort of my vehicle if needed.

I have written about one of my favorite photographers, Tom McLaughlan, and his ministract photography, in a couple of posts through out the years. He created a style that is part minimal, and part abstract. I can not do it justice but I encourage you to visit his site, Ministract.

My idea for the challenge this week would be similar to the ministract style I admire. I would photograph doors and patterns. Some I was even able to do from my vehicle (non-moving of course). For the last one I braved the elements at Bellamy Harbor.

Door #1
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/100s, 45mm, f/8, ISO 100

Door #2
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/400s, 70mm, f/8, ISO 100

Door #3
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/160s, 40mm, f/8, ISO 100

So Long 2023

Posted by Mike on December 31, 2023

Delta Lake State Park

This year has been a roller coaster ride, photographically, that is…

The lull in picking up my camera that started in late 2022 continued through most of the first quarter of this year. It wasn’t until after a few conversations at work did I consider anything with photography. I started slow late in March and gained good momentum through the summer months.

I managed a couple of trips to Florida, one mostly for Disney and another included a few days on the east coast. I think it was the second Disney trip that started the decline in my interest again. When I returned I wasn’t engaged. I couldn’t “see” the images and didn’t feel satisfied with what I was creating. I turned to my other hobby again…

Until the last day of the year.

It was in no way a great day. Temps around freezing. A cloudy sky with off and on drizzle. But I went to Delta Lake at sunset. Or at least when sunset was occurring, who could tell through the clouds. My thoughts were on creating monochrome images. I felt I could pull some drama out of the clouds and maybe I would be able to convey how the day made me feel.

You’ll have to let me know how I did…