Tag Archives: sunset

Let’s find an image

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor Park

Come on!

Let’s find an image tonight.

Where?

Doesn’t matter where, they are everywhere…

Fine. Bellamy Harbor Park should give us plenty of opportunities. It will be like shooting landscapes in a gallery.

It was a calm evening with a few clouds in the sky. I like clouds. The light needs something to play off. I park at the lot next to the Mill Street bridge. Its a favorite location, especially at sunset. My first stop is on the bridge, aiming the camera west into the setting sun.

First Look
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/100s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 200

Not too bad. I like the appearance of a separate flow within the canal. First decision, keep crossing the bridge to get the park from across the canal or back to the park side to shoot down the canal hoping for something with the sun. I choose to stay on the park side of the canal.

Down Low
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/100s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 200

Nice! Notice how the clouds form a pointer toward the sun. I’m also liking the reflection of the light in the calmer waters of the canal. Would this be better if I turn the camera? Let’s try one in portrait…

How about portrait
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/40s, 27mm, f/11, ISO 200

It’s OK. Not the image I was looking to capture. I do like the couple walking along the canal. They add a little to the story. The sun is about to poke below the clouds. Time to get ready for a sunburst. Shooting into the sun can produce challenges. I learned quite a few years ago how to make it work for me.

I switch the camera back to landscape orientation and change from aperture mode to manual mode. Adjust the exposure and wait. First image is straight into the sun. Plenty of flare and spots. No problem. Second image I place my finger over the sun. This removes the flare and spots. I can combine the two in Photoshop to create the image I want.

Sunburst
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/40s, 22mm, f/11, ISO 200

Now it is time to cross the bridge and see what the park looks like from the other side. I like the views of the park from across the canal. Plenty of space under the bridge to see the original park but also the new park across Mill Street.

Setting up low along the canal I can capture a sweeping view of the original Bellamy Park. I wish there wasn’t that big red floating structure in front of the boat house but I cannot complain about the colors or sky. Fantastic!

The Other Side
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/30s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

I only have to walk under the bridge to see the new addition to the park. A few years ago the city expanded the park adding a new pavilion. Last year Hamilton College built a facility for the rowing teams. I have yet to watch a race but it is definitely on my list for this year. I also like the view down the canal toward Utica…

Pavilion and Tower
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/20s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200
Toward the East
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/20s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Oh, wow! The sky is changing again. The sun has set and now I’m hoping the color will change as the sun reflects off the clouds. Time to get back across the bridge. The view from the bridge is one I cannot pass up. This is Bellamy Harbor…

Grand View
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/20s, 21mm, f/11, ISO 200

The sky isn’t changing they way I hoped.

Be patient!

You always leave too early. How many times have you kicked yourself as you drive home? Hhhmmm? Too many.

Relax. Take a breath. Enjoy the view.

Oh wow! The lights came on.

Now, this is why you waited…

The One
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.3s, 29mm, f/16, ISO 200

Well? Did you get any good images?

A few.

Being out there while the sun was setting was the experience.

Enjoy it.

Do it more often…

Moving Through

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

The work week was complete!

Dinner had been consumed.

The sun was setting on a calm day.

Time to relax.

Delta Lake here I come…

The park was empty. A few clouds on the horizon but they were moving fast toward the East. Slight ripples on the water producing those soothing sounds I like as they met the shore.

Aaahhh! This is what I needed.

The ice has left the lake, the water level has returned to normal and the possibilities for images were plentiful. I couldn’t ask for a better evening. I grabbed a few images from the beach as the sun crossed into the approaching clouds. I walked out toward the point that typically is in the images I capture. I found a few good silhouette reflections with trees that are now in the water.

When I returned to the beach area for the color show after the sun had set I decided to try a few long exposure images. The clouds were moving at a good clip across the sky which could produce an interesting look of movement contrasted with the calm of the smoothed surface of the water.

To achieve the effect I wanted I needed to pull out the ten stop neutral density filter. As luck would have it the clouds were slowing down. I ended with a forty second exposure. I love the movement in the sky.

Moving Through
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 40s, 15mm, f/8, ISO 200

Drifting Away

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

I’m listening to the wind and rain outside the window wondering what the rest of the day will bring. The forecast is for rain but I see a period of sun around midday with the temperature topping off at 67 F. I’m ready for Mother Nature to get this Spring season rolling. My macro lens is begging me to take it out in search of floral subjects.

I was looking through the images from Delta Lake I brought home the other day and was fascinated by this one. Nothing spectacular, but to me it is interesting and serene. I get lost looking at the light playing through the clouds, the various colors and the layers. I could easily let myself drift away, sitting on the beach, as the light faded to dark…

Drifting Away
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/100s, 25mm, f/11, ISO 200

Golden Blues

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

I returned to Delta Lake Sunday evening for another chance at the sunset. There were very few clouds in the sky and the wind was creating ripples on the exposed water. I did not have high expectations I would find anything worth bringing home. I was wrong…

I found a small section of ice and water not affected by the wind. The sun was poised to slip beneath the trees on the opposite shore and the golden glow was illuminating a chunk of ice beautifully. Well, I couldn’t let this scene get away from me…

Golden Blues
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

Ice Breaks

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

I ended up distracting myself so completely yesterday morning with getting the image posted, I totally neglected any chance for a sunrise image. By the time I realized the color in the sky was worth my attention I had about five minutes before the sun broke the horizon. Ten minutes after that, the color was gone and the morning settled into the coming storm (by the way, it was nothing like the advisory that popped up on my phone. I wouldn’t even call it a storm… lol).

I’m currently keeping one eye on the sky and the other on the keyboard as I write this post. There is another advisory this morning, for high winds, but I would like to capture a sunrise down at the canal. I better hurry and finish this up…

As the sun settled into the clouds on the horizon Friday evening I found a nice section of the lake where the ice was thin and disappearing faster than the rest. This allowed for some interesting reflections and everyone knows I cannot let a good reflection escape my camera. I was especially intrigued with the layers of highlights and shadows in this view when I turned the camera on its side.

Ice Breaks
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/320s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 200

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

I suppose it is only fitting the first image I capture is at the same state park for my last image. But, considering it is Delta Lake State Park it should not be a surprise. It has been roughly seven months since I picked up my camera. During the summer months last year photography was not fulfilling me. I struggled with those feelings and decided to put the camera away. I focused on another interest and buried myself in it.

Recent conversations with friends at work have stirred my creative desires. Last evening after dinner I drove to the park for the sunset. I practically had the place to myself and it was wonderful. I wandered the “beach” finding plenty of images and soaking in the vibe. I left the park feeling rejuvenated.

Below is the first view I found, and yes it is a familiar view but it doesn’t change how it can make you feel…

Spring, Sprang, Sprung
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/400s, 12mm, f/13, ISO 200