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
Ah, the weekend. She has arrived. The past few days have been busy at work. I’m looking forward to exploring (no particular destination) and soaking in a little sun. I suppose that is what drew me to this image. A lil’ sunshine in flower form…
Lil’ Sunshine Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/800s, f/5.6, ISO 100
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
I think I’m complacent. No, that isn’t right. Lazy. That is more like it. Well, maybe not in the traditional sense. Less creative? Stuck in a rut? Forgetting the joys of true exploration?
I don’t know, probably all of the above.
Landscape. Sunrise. Sunset. Macro. Waterfall. Rinse and repeat. Aaaahhhh!
Wake up!
I have been looking through some of my earlier work. Images as well as posts. Wow! When I was beginning in photography I drank it all in. I tried it all. I went in a hundred different directions. Looking at it now, I wonder what I was doing. I cringe a little. I think “I posted that?”. But then I think, yes, and you were excited about it.
As I mentioned in my last post, I did a photo walk with a group from work. We went to the International Sculpture Garden. Everyone started rolling in a little after 3:30pm and by 4pm we headed out. OMG! I had way to much fun. I didn’t capture a single image. I rambled on about everything. I tried to get everyone to think about the image they wanted to capture. I helped a few with their camera. I probably got too excited about how to create an image rather than take a picture.
They want to do it again soon. They created a monster in me… 🙂
But all that talk about seeing differently, looking for different subjects, got me thinking about my own photography. To be truthful it actually started after the lunch and learn session a few weeks back. So, when I walked the sculpture garden trails Sunday prepping for the photo walk I looked for different subjects.
I really liked (still like) minimalism. This is what I found…
Red and Green Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/3.2, ISO 100
Linked Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/320s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Mosaic Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/800s, f/4, ISO 100
You can check out one of my earlier posts here on minimalism and the photographer (Tom McLaughlan – Ministract) who got me interested. If you search for “minimal”, “minimalism” or “ministract” on my site you can find some interesting posts, maybe even an idea or two for you next image…
Sunday was laundry day. That really isn’t important, I guess, but it was the start to my day. For me, the weekends are not any different than the weekdays as I am up at my normal time. So, laundry was done and the clothes hanging on the drying rack by 5am.
By 9am I was ready to get moving again. I wanted to go to the International Sculpture Garden and scout out the trails. Wait a minute! I should explain that statement…
A while ago at work a few of my fellow employees found out about my photography. We have been having a few discussions (mostly me picking on them for not taking any images) and oohing/aahing over our gear.
A few of my friends are in the Young Professional Employee Resource Group at the company. One of them asked if I would do a lunch and learn session for the group. The ask was the session could be on any topic but there were strong persuasive comments it should be about photography. That session was a couple of weeks ago. I was a little floored by the turn out. Literally, standing room only in the conference room.
I babbled on for over an hour. A lot of good questions and great discussions. The session ended with me offering to meet up with any interested people for a photo walk. I thought the sculpture garden (which is around the corner from work), the Mohawk River trail, or any of my usual haunts around Rome. I figured we could have a good time exploring and it would be another chance for me to ramble on about photography. I’m not sure they know what they created… 🙂
Well, that walk is now! Rather Monday the 31st. The invite was for the Mohawk Trail but I walked that Thursday evening and the opportunities are not as plentiful as the sculpture garden. I asked they switch it and hopefully they did. I can make either location work. The trail is more macro and landscape opportunities while the garden paths offer something for every style.
I want to discuss lens choice, aperture settings, composition, seeing the light, etc. I’m actually really looking forward to this walk. I’m hoping we can do more. And as any reader of this blog knows, when I get on a roll, it is hard to shut me up. Especially about photography. Good thing we aren’t at Disney or they would end up running away from me.
So, after that rather laborious explanation, I went for a walk to scope out talking points for the walk. This is a view up the ladder on the water tower. I have captured it before but couldn’t resist another attempt.
Going Up? Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/400s, f/4, ISO 100
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…
MLCreations Photography 