Tag Archives: photography

The View

Posted by Mike on

Yacht & Beach Clubs
Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

The View
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/400s, f/8, ISO 100
{13 image panoramic}

Playing With Water

Posted by Mike on

Flat Rock Park

It was another nice day on Friday. I didn’t want it to end sitting on the couch. After getting the boys fed I returned to Flat Rock Park to play in the water. I was hoping the park would be as empty as it was on Thursday but I could see as I drove in there was a lot of activity around the water.

My first inclination (and why is this how I am now?) was to drive through the park and go find another activity. I think the design of the park will work in my favor. The road through the park is one way, and you have to drive completely around to exit. As I approached the waterfall area on the opposite side of the creek, I made up my mind not to let a few people stop me. I parked the car, grabbed the tripod, threw the camera bag over my shoulder and headed to the creek to explore.

There were a group of young kids playing on the rocks near the water where I really wanted to setup my camera. As much as I remember those days, I wanted them to go play somewhere else so I could have the spot to myself. Luckily, as I crossed the stone bridge over the creek (see these older posts featuring the bridge, Autumn Bridge & Bridge) I thought this area might produce a few interesting images.

Find A Way
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100

OK. Not terrible. What else is there to see?

Holding Back
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.8s, 53mm, f/11, ISO 100

Interesting. A little too much shine on the water. What does this look like from the other side?

Transition
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 30mm, f/11, ISO 100

I like this one. Anything else to see?

Arc
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.3s, 58mm, f/11, ISO 100

I eventually walked to the area near the kids. I’m unsure if their mom(?) saw me and told them to play in another area, or if she finally thought they were getting dangerously close to falling on the rocks and sliding down the water. Either way, I had the area to myself for a few minutes. Time for me to play.

Those images can wait for another day..

Go enjoy your Saturday.

Flat Rock in B&W

Posted by Mike on

Flat Rock Park, Columbus, GA

As I was winding down my day at work I realized the sun had fought its way though the clouds. Add in the warm temps and I knew I would be going somewhere with the camera. I had fun at Disney, it might not have been my most enjoyable visit ever (more on that later), but I do credit the trip with rekindling my interest in photography. It also reminded me to stop being a lazy photographer and get back to pushing myself to be more creative.

On the drive home I decided I would leave the 50mm prime lens on the camera and go to Flat Rock Park. I also told myself I would seek out compositions that would look good as B&W images. That meant I needed to find texture and contrast as well as something interesting.

My surprise as I drove into the park, which I should have realized due to the recent rain, is that there was great water flowing through the creek.

No! You said you were going to use the 50 and …

But?

Push yourself.

The water!

Yes, looks great, stick with your plan.

But!

You can do it.

Alright…

Rock
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/13s, f/16, ISO 100

These are some of the rock formations that were in my head when I made the plan for this excursion. There are more in the park but I also knew I should keep exploring the area. There is more to find. Maybe it won’t be an image today but it could be a thought or an idea for another time. Work the scene.

I played all over these rocks. Different angles, different sections, water reflections, and everything in between. It felt good. I was having fun.

And then I spied another photographer on the opposite side of the creek. He had his tripod setup and was capturing the water falling done this formation. The sun behind him lighting the whole scene.

To my credit I didn’t go back to the car to change my setup. I told myself to explore the scene with what I had and if needed, I’ll return the next day after work. Don’t rush it…

I’ve learned over the years of playing in the water with my camera that I would be OK with any shutter speed slower than 1/15s to get some silky looking water. With this camera I can hand-hold that kind of exposure. The sun was starting to disappear behind the trees so I could play with the ISO and close down the aperture to get the shutter speed I needed.

I crossed to the other side and played with the flowing water for a while. As I was leaving the area, I looked back one last time and grabbed a conventional landscape image. It works for me…

Trees Over Water
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/8s, f/16, ISO 100

Two Sides of Cindy

Posted by Mike on

Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

It must be time to finally give you the image of Cinderella Castle I mentioned a few posts back. You remember, the one required if you are a Disney photographer. I’m sure you didn’t forget… right?

I left the Magic Kingdom around 11am that first morning. The long drive was starting to catch up with me and I really wanted to get to my room for a quick nap. I ended up returning about 4:30pm to ensure I had time to get some images before sunset and then get my required castle sunset image. So, ta da!

Cindy All Aglow
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.6s, 24mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

Yeah, that is what I thought too.

Meh…

So, I went back about twenty minutes and found another view of Cindy. Less lighting, more natural light. Also, looking east away from the sun. Granted, another view I have shown you way to many times, but maybe I can make it different.

I wish I had grabbed the artists card, or grabbed a phone pic of their name so I could give them credit, or at least a mention. The art was really cool. A little 50’s-ish in style but the choice of color palette stuck in my brain. The palette was only two dominate colors, bold and bright. The whole series used the same scheme. Damn, I’m kicking myself right now. I thought I could find them online but getting info out of Disney’s website is a test of one’s patience.

Anyway, back on topic. For this second image of the castle, I played with the hue values for orange and blue after I processed the image as I would normally. I think there is something here. I need to play more but I still wanted to share…

Cindy is Confused
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/15s, f/8, ISO 400

It’s About the Light

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

I had a good morning yesterday. I went back to the Animal Kingdom to grab images of the animals (hey, it’s in the name). Saturday evening was about the landscapes and finding the images after sunset. Sunday morning was all animals. I wish I had thought about, or maybe known, that the animals don’t start making their appearance “on stage” until almost 9am. Oh well, I couple lapse around Discovery Island never hurt anyone. (side note: early entry was at 7:30am, which most people use to run to their favorite rides)

Well, maybe me… my right knee started to hurt. It gave me a little limp that was endearing, right? Or is character? Yeah, probably more character. More likely, no one noticed, except me. Damn.

It wasn’t any worse than my sore feet from all the walking (averaging 28,000 steps a day). It was (is) annoying. It didn’t prevent me from accomplishing my goal.

I had to skip the Maharajah Trek trail in the Asia section of the park due to the line. That’s right, the line! Usually you encounter a few people but it is never what I would call crowded. The line was snaking throughout the entire section before getting in the exhibit. When I asked a cast member about it she informed me everyone was hoping to see the newborn tiger cub. I am not a fan of long lines that would end up frustrating me due to how some people behave. I called it a day…

I went back to my resort for a little break and then I would head back to Epcot for lunch. Good plan.

The knee was still a bother but not stopping me. Epcot was a little crowded but nothing like Saturday. There is an event food kiosk, Pop Eats!, that I wanted to visit. The tomato soup with grilled cheese (pimento cheese, bacon and fried green tomato) was on my radar. I got my food, found a bench in the shade and enjoyed this culinary creation.

OK, time for a few pictures. I brought the 50mm f/1.8 prime lens with me. As often as I use the 24-70mm zoom lens, I think it makes me a lazy photographer. Using a prime lens changes my thought process for compositions. I end up exploring a subject more and I think it helps me be more creative.

After an hour of hunting the monorail, the crowds were wearing me down. The struggle to navigate, the lack of social graces, and a growing feeling of “I’m repeating myself”, had me heading for the exit. I decided I would wait until almost sunset and explore around Crescent Lake again.

Stop!

What?

Why are you boring these readers with all this poor me stuff. They came for some pictures.

But I was sharing.

Share better.

There is a photographer I follow (not as often as I should) who had listed a few tips to improve your photography a few years ago. I wrote these down and read them every so often when I feel like I’m not being very creative. She is a street/landscape photographer. The banner on her website is simple but says volumes (at least to me), “Chasing Light. Telling Stories.”. I recommend checking out Valerie Jardin. Here are the tips I wrote down…

Slow down and see photographically…

  • shoot with more intent
  • know what you want to convey before you press the shutter
  • break rules as long as you know why
  • work your scene
  • get close – fill your frame
  • crop in camera
  • slow down
  • use a prime lens

These were running through my head yesterday afternoon.

About an hour and a half before sunset I set out for a walk around Crescent Lake. No purpose other than to look for the light. I left the 50mm prime on the camera. There were a few clouds in the sky and a gentle breeze. It was a beautiful evening. I resisted my normal counter clockwise travel around the lake and turned left out of the resort. Changing your perspective helps you see different things.

As I crossed the bridge near the Swan and Dolphin hotels I found what I was looking for…

Light Highlighted
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 100

I needed to explore this more. I increased my pace (as much as that darn knee would allow). Please clouds, don’t change this scene too much before I get closer.

Light Isolated
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/125s, f/11, ISO 100

OK, a little more light on the resort in the background than I would have liked but this is working for me. What else is there?

Captured Light
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/100s, f/11, ISO 100

I played around this area for a little while, trying different things. I haven’t processed the other images yet, maybe I’ll save them for a follow on post, a part two, if you will.

My friend Karma over at Karma’s When I Feel Like It Blog linked to my post yesterday in her Finding Light post. I’m going to create a feedback loop by linking back to her, because the words in her post were on my mind as I walked around the lake. They contributed to these images, so, thank you Karma.

Opaque Morning

Posted by Mike on

Boardwalk & Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

I suppose, based on yesterday’s opening comment, you were expecting to see the castle image today?

It probably should have been.

But, I decided to let the images speak, again.

I headed out pre-sunrise yesterday to get in my morning walk around the lake and grab a few images. I hadn’t seen the weather alert on my phone… heavy fog in the area. I walked out into air dripping with water. It felt like walking through sprinklers. I didn’t go very far before retreating back into the resort.

Yesterday was my morning at Hollywood Studios. Another benefit of staying at the Beach Club is that park is a short walk along the waterway used by the Friendship boats. Of course, you could ride the boat, but I like walking. Although the fog was still hanging in the air, the sun had started to burn some of it away. I thought I could find a few images as I made my way to the park.

These are what caught my eye, and I wanted to share. You are probably tired of my castle images anyway…

Opaque Sunrise
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/320s, 43mm, f/11, ISO 200

I know, that damn lighthouse again, but remember there is a resort across the lake. Can you see it?

I liked the portrait version of this view because of how it aligns with the lighthouse. I also wanted to keep the barely visible sun in the image and have a good portion of negative space. There is such a mood to this image. I wonder what the two ducks think of the guys in the boat?

Fishing Anyone?
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/250s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200

I attempted a similar image the day before with this boat, but another had just traversed the lake and its wake produced enough ripples to cause this one to rock. With the almost mirror like surface I didn’t have to worry this time. The splash of color really stands out in this almost monochromatic scene.

The park could wait. Now I was determined to create a series of fog inspired images.

Vacation Club
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/200s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 200

An information cart and kiosk for Disney’s Vacation Club. These are situated opposite the preview suite. I’m practically in the patio of that room. I’ve had a room overlooking the boardwalk once and it was amazing. Not only for the view you get, but at night you can sit and watch the activity. You felt like you are in the middle of all the good stuff… oh, wait, you are.

Again, the color is what I was drawn to capture. These are not necessarily photogenic subjects but when combined with the foggy background, the muted atmosphere and the planks in the boardwalk, they become something more. They become a part of this story.

Hoop Toss
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/250s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 200

Again, it is all about the bits of color. I was very surprised getting this image. Normally, I’m very aware of myself as I use my camera. I try not to interfere with other guest experiences. Sometimes my approach frustrates me as it is not always returned in kind. But, this morning, even though it was not very crowded, I could time my shot between the people. There were a few people who kindly waited for me and allowed me to get this image. It made me smile.

Primary Colors
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/100s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200

OK, no more bits of color, I’m hitting you full in the face with it… 🙂

I love these tables and chairs. They jump out at you and grab your attention. I have been photographing them for over a decade of Disney trips. It never gets old.

I eventually ran out of subjects, or more accurately, my subjects were obscured by the people starting to congregate on the boardwalk. It’s OK, I got what I hoped to find. Maybe even a little more.

Until tomorrow…