Wordless Wednesday
Topsy-Turvy
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 2.5, 12mm, f/18, ISO 200
Topsy-Turvy
Tag Archives: state park
Silent Sunday: Fading Light
Delta Lake State Park
Fading Light
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 2s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200
All Falls Down
Pixley Falls State Park
All Falls Down
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 5s, 21mm, f/16, ISO 200
Aqueduct
Butternut Creek Aqueduct, Old Erie Canal Park
From my first visit to the Old Erie Canal Park I have been visualizing this image of the aqueduct. After I purchased the filter system with the neutral density filters I stopped back to capture my vision but did not succeed. In my enthusiasm to use the filters I was not careful with my composition and came home with unusable images.
Yesterday I went back with a single purpose, to get the one image I wanted. I took my time. I was careful with my composition. I reviewed my images to ensure I captured what I wanted. Once I had ‘the image’, only then did I move to explore other views. Slowing down paid off. I didn’t rush to get as many photos as I could during my lunch hour. I went with a purpose and was happy with just a few images that fulfilled my vision.
What I really wanted to capture in my image was the incredible stone work of the aqueduct. I loved the way the midday sun illuminated the arches via the reflection off the creek. The contrast of the stone with the Spring foliage and the blue sky was very striking. I hate to warn you but I am sure I’ll be going back over the course of the summer. It is too easy to get to during lunch and it helps me relax during the work week.
Stone Arch
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 2s, 18mm, f/16, ISO 200
Butternut Creek Aqueduct
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1.3s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200
The Next Morning
Chittenango Falls State Park
I was not about to give up on my plan to photograph Chittenango Falls. After my shortened trip on Friday afternoon I woke the next day with a plan. The weather appeared to be in my favor so I set about getting myself to the park to capture my favorite waterfall.
With the main view of the falls obstructed by the gorge walls I knew I had to wait a few hours after sunrise in order to get some light down into view. I also knew I did not want the sun to get too high in the sky or the water would reflect too much light, changing my plan to a late afternoon visit. I had other activities I needed to get done before the weather turned south on me this weekend.
I started off with my laundry. Everything was washed and out on the clothesline by 7am. Next up was an oil change for the car. My normal garage was not open this weekend so I opted for one of the quick change garages over in Rome. I chose Rome so I could go straight to the park when I was done. This worked out perfectly as I arrived about 5 minutes after the park opened. If I remember correctly I was the third car there.
Not wanting to miss my window for images on this morning I worked my way down to viewing area at the base of the falls. I normally climb under the walkway bridge to get the best view but today I thought I would go for a bigger view. I ventured downstream a little farther so I could include the bridge and the sunlit trees in my grand vista. As luck would have it a small family had arrived to take in the same view but they were nice enough to wait for me to get my picture before they went out on the bridge. To be honest, I would have liked having them on the bridge. It would add a sense of scale to my first image. As it is you can see them as a blur on the right in the trees near the water.
Just Over the Bridge
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.6s, 14mm, f/16, ISO 200
Of course I had to capture an image of just the waterfall. The amount of water flowing over the falls was perfect. You never want to visit after strong rains as there is too much water and you miss the cascading effect. Also late in the summer is tough as there is general less water creating a smaller waterfall.
I didn’t climb under the bridge for this image but I did setup in the viewing area just at the end of the bridge on the left in the image above. The area in front of the bridge and before the falls is a protected area so shooting through the fence was my best option. Zooming in to let the falls be the entire view allowed me to bring out the detail in the gorge walls as well as the water cascades. This is the Chittenango Falls I fell in love with back in 2012.
Cascade Falls
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1s, 30mm, f/16, ISO 200
Short Stay
Chittenango Falls State Park
After a very busy week at work I decided on Friday I was going to take the long way home so I could stop at Chittenango Falls State Park. It was the first waterfall I photographed and I thought it appropriate to start this summer season of state park chasing off with a familiar old friend. I was able to leave work a little early which I was hoping would allow me to beat the coming rain to the park.
I did manage to win the race with the rain but when I arrived the parking lot was a flurry of activity with multiple fire companies responding to an emergency call. What I could gather from one of the responders was they were attempting to extract a woman who was on a ledge. I didn’t press for additional info but the trail to the bottom of the gorge was closed and I didn’t want to contribute to the situation by getting in the way. I settled for walking upstream and finding some images of Chittenango Creek as it works its way toward the falls.
Chittenango Creek
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 20s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 400
Round and Round
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 20s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 400
Cedar Bay
Old Erie Canal State Park
I went exploring again the other day during lunch. I could not resist the beautiful blue skies and warming temps. I wanted to work my way down along the Old Erie Canal State Park trail to see what I could find. Looking via Google maps there were numerous places that held potential. Unfortunately there was construction at the parking area closest to the canal lock structures I really wanted to photograph so I ‘settled’ on the park at Cedar Bay.
I also was looking to play with a new filter system I received this week. I finally broke down and purchased a filter holder and a set of neutral density filters, a graduated ND filter and a circular polarizer filter that all work together. I like the filters by Vü Filters and their filter holder/system would work with my Olympus lenses. The system was also a little less expensive than either the Lee or Cokin version. So far I have been happy with the purchase.
Cedar Bay
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/60s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200
In The Green
Delta Lake State Park
In my post on Saturday I promised an image of the fresh green that is taking hold up at Delta Lake State Park. It has not dominated the landscape but near the waters edge I was able to find some good growth. I’m looking forward to the leaves filling out and completing the idyllic look for this park. As you know, I’ll keep you posted… 🙂
In The Green
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/50s, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200
MLCreations Photography 