Dec 9, 2009 | Landscape Photography
As the sun slowly climbed to the horizon the clouds kissing the earth got brighter and brighter and the color more and more intense. It’s what New Mexico is so famous for and this morning, it did not disappoint! The number of birds on the refuge is definitely down, really down so the vast numbers that create the huge explosions at sunrise just aren’t going to happen. Not to worry because it just takes one bird to make your day.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP7600.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Earlier then I would have liked, the Snow Geese that were slowly growing in number burst into the sky. A Bald Eagle had swooped in looking for an easy meal of a injured bird. There were none so it went off hungry. Those with the ultra angle in hand and ready to go, the surprise explosion made for a very cool photo app. The key I think in making the image work is including as much color as you can while tilting the camera up to include as many geese directly overhead you can. You swing, fire and smile with the incredible display of nature unfolding right over your head!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP7657.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
When that was over I turned to the west and say this gorgeous cloud stretching out to reach us. It was one of those landscapes that just had to be recorded and shared. Simply gorgeous!
Photos captured by D3s, 14-24AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Nov 17, 2009 | Landscape Photography
The weather of last week has melded away to absolutely gorgeous stuff which was the perfect start for our DWLS NY – the Joe Tour. With all of us hopping into a bus, our first stop was Central Park. What a gorgeous morning with that killer fall nip in the air. After a short briefing, our great group headed off into the park and the perfect start!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1891.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Ida didn’t blow away all the fall color and in fact, she probably arranged it perfectly for us along with cleaning everything up and making the tree trunks black. It was the perfect combination along with the sprinkling of earlier risers taking advantage of the day. Shooting was pretty easy, find the pattern and shoot!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1951.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I’ve been shooting a bit of fall color this fall, pretty darn lucky in my timing. So rather than go for the overall ground, tree, color landscape type photo, I made the mental effort to look for patterns in the color itself. This is one of the more successful images from the morning in those regards.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP2558.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I happened to see McNally spool up and gitty up in a particular direction. I saw what he was after so decided to follow along. I don’t know if Joe took this photo as I stopped to help a student for a moment. I was glad when I was done this cool shot was still there. I had worked a lot of narrow DOF this morning and this is a pretty neat example of how I was approaching it. What a great start with a really nice group of shooters!
Photos captured by D3s, 70-200AFS VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Nov 2, 2009 | Landscape Photography
You probably recognize this lighthouse by now, it’s the Portland Lighthouse and I’ve already had at it twice this month. I was not happy with my most recent results and wanted to erase it from the books. When I saw the weather forecast for Saturday evening, I contacted the ranger at the lighthouse who I’ve befriended to get his opinion on the weather forecast. I got on the phone, changed our airline tickets and went for it. I’m so glad that we did.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5350bw.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
This is the general photograph I’ve been looking to make at the Portland Lighthouse, a solid B&W. This is soooo much better than my other two efforts, in this regard, I’m happy I persisted. Na, it’s not perfect and I can do better but at least I can leave ME knowing I improved on this opportunity.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5350.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Here’s the color version of the above image. One issue I have with it are the clouds. The wind was blowing something fierce. The clouds were moving so fast that they blurred in the 1/2sec exposure and because of that, the color is just funky at the top of the frame. In fact the wind was changing the clouds so fast I made a still image video clip.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5633.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
The light and the clouds changed so much in fact, that we hoofed it over to the other side of the lighthouse. I wasn’t sure I’d like this side because it wouldn’t directly see the light from the sunset. Luckily enough, light bounced in to give it a slight glow. We were told this is the most photographed lighthouse in the world. Don’t know if that is true but I do know I don’t have the image I want from this gorgeous locale so I will keep going back until I get it.
What I didn’t like about the other two images in the other blog postings (not the ones above)? The first one has a very boring sky, it’s cloudless and so lifeless to me. It doesn’t tell the story of the lighthouse. The second image I don’t like the quality of the file, caused by the total lack of quality of the light. This final image for the month has the clouds and a much better quality of light so I am getting closer. Good thing, because when it comes to my photography, I’m not a graceful loser!
Photos captured by D3x, 24PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 31, 2009 | Landscape Photography
We had covered a couple of the main staples of landscape photographs for most of the week. Which leads me up to the next most important attribute, drama in the light. Mother nature was a little slow in providing it but when she came through for us, she really came through for us. I’m not sure all that I was presenting and building upon sunk in with everyone in the class, but it did with a couple which is why I teach. It was a good morning.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5051.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
You might be looking at Marshall Point Lighthouse here and be thinking to yourself, “this lighthouse looks vaguely familiar.” Well, what if you looked at this view of it?
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4990.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
This might be nudging you along but probably still not making the connection. This one will do it for you.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5082.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Yep, Forest Gump went to the end of this walk and decided to turn around and run to the other side of the country. You know, I actually think there is something to be learned from that.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5238.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Looking at the weather today, I changed our flight out so I could go after one other image I wanted. With the extra time, Sharon & I cruised the ME coast south and found ourselves back at Marshall Point. I took the opportunity to walk out and shoot back on the lighthouse and house knowing I wouldn’t be in anyone’s photo this time. It’s a pretty cool place!
Photos captured by D3x, 24PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 29, 2009 | Landscape Photography
It might seem I’m on a lighthouse binge, but when in Maine, what else do you do? MMW provides an assistant, Brendan, who happens to be a really good one and has been coming up with some great shoots. This morning it was the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4547.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
It’s about a mile walk out on the breakwater to reach the lighthouse. It was a blustery, gray day making perfect conditions for B&W photography. Using the same technique I used on the Solon School House, all I had to do was line all the lines up and finish in the DD. I’m liking this shot.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4590.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Once at the lighthouse, I walked all around it looking at the photographic possibilities. Up on the 2nd deck I spied this bench and instantly I saw the photo of the day for me. Putting the 16Fish on, I got down low, lined up the horizon and space and made the click. Keeping this unique bench going through the dead center of the frame keeps it from bowing, but the boardwalk and sky has one heck of a curve. I’m lovin’ this shot!
Photos captured by D3x, 24PC-E / 16Fish on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 28, 2009 | Landscape Photography
This afternoon we headed out to Owls Head. This sleepy little cove has a Head Lamp. A miniature “lighthouse,” Owls Head is a kinda cool place to shoot. Some of the gang headed down to the beach to shoot up on the head lamp. Bob produced a really nice image, but I took a different approach, I went up and kissed the darn thing.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4393.swf, 585, 444, [/swf]
When we first arrived at the head lamp, the light was a bit flat, had no drama for the head lamp but did make for nice light for macros. I knew there was a cool macro in the neat shrubs nearby but I don’t think I had found the shot. I kinda like this, but I think it could be better. How much better? That I’m not sure and I’m not really sure what bugs me about the photo. Something to think about.
What I was really after was a “new” look to the head lamp or lighthouse for my files. I seem to be collecting lighthouse photos from both coasts so pushing myself to go “new.” I tried a couple of things when I noticed the clouds start to open up and create a circular halo around the head lamp. I knew the 16Fish was the way to go and for the next 20min. Myself and four participants just looked up and circled the lighthouse as the clouds worked their magic. Here are my three favorites from the evening.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4443.swf, 585, 444, [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4480.swf, 585, 444, [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4513.swf, 585, 444, [/swf]
I would have loved to have the window perfectly centered but that wasn’t possible. And I would have captured the shot of the night but the ‘kid” Jeremy kicked my butt with a really sweet shot taken vertically with a 14mm. I love to be challenged so I really liked having Jeremy there pushing the old fart. Good stuff!
Photos captured by D3x, 45PC-E / 16Fish on Lexar UDMA digital fiml
