A Morning along the Canal

Posted by Mike on July 15, 2012

I decided today would be the day I get up early and search out a sunrise over the Utica Marsh. My plan was a little short sighted since the walk to the marsh was definitely longer than I anticipated. It did give me plenty of opportunities along the barge canal for pictures though so the day was not a total washout (even considering all the rain!). I’ll know better next time to set my alarm about an hour earlier.

Calm Water Morning
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/25s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

Around half way to the marsh the trail has to cross a canal gate. The gate isn’t related to a lock but more of a control point into a harbor of sorts off the canal. I captured a few pictures leading up to the gate but the reverse view, into the sunrise, was definitely the keeper. It was a little weird crossing the gate even though there was a walkway installed on top. I was impressed with the construction. It went for simplicity with large concrete counter weights to reduce the work any motor needed to perform.

Weighted Gate
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/50s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

At one point along the path there are three bridges that cross above, the north and south lanes of Routes 8 & 12, and the off ramp bridge to I790. When I reached the point between the bridges the sun was finally above the horizon and once again I had a great show to capture. This image ‘breaks’ all the ‘rules’, horizon is in the middle, subject is in the middle, etc., but as soon as I capture the first frame I knew this was the way the picture needed to be. I generally don’t second guess my initial response, when I think about it, I tend to ruin the scene.

Reflected Light(pole)
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/125s, 17mm, f8, ISO 400

All three pictures where processed using Lightroom 4. Minor tweaks to tone, a little noise reduction and some sharpening. I’m still learning all the possibilities with Lightroom 4 but it sure does make post processing images simple and straight forward.

Bending Reality

Posted by Mike on July 13, 2012

From Landscapes

Bending Reality
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/160s, 17mm, f5.6, ISO 400

While I was at the canal park last night I decided to try for another panoramic image. I had watched a video by Gavin Hoey on Adorama TV on creating panoramic images and I was hoping the view of the canal would allow me to create what I wanted. This image is a stitch of 9 portrait pictures taken from East to West between Mill St. and Erie Blvd East in Rome, NY. I think next time I’ll back away just a little more to get the metal railing in the entire image.

Calm Water Falling

Posted by Mike on July 12, 2012

From Landscapes

Calm Water Falling
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0, 1/50s, 17mm, f16, ISO 400

I returned to one of my favorite spots tonight, the park along the NY State Barge Canal in south Rome, NY. It is located were the Black River enters the canal. I decided to look for different compositions and made an effort to not duplicate pictures I had captured before.

This image is from the pedestrian bridge over the spillway just as the river enters the canal. I was lucky there was no wind so the river was like a mirror. I loved the contrast between the calm and falling water. Plus the reflection is pretty sweet too!