Oct 8, 2009 | Landscape Photography, Moose Adventures
It was one of those mornings for me when 1+1=2 and 2 was the right answer for the day. After a solid, productive shoot at Mono Lake, as McNally would say, we heard the call of the wild pancake. After breakfast the light was getting had so perfect time to hit the falls. Up the hill we went and we were rewarded with a couple of hours of sweet photography.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1008.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I was just starting to get in the grove when I came up to this subject. The nasty highlights on the left just wouldn’t leave though the cool light on the right was fading. I’m already shooting at f/32, ISO L.1 and polarizer attached to get the blurred effect I want. Normally I would just dial in exposure compensation and be done with them, but what’s the problem with the solution? Yeap, you got it, it would increase my shutter speed making it faster and the water sharper. That’s not a solution.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1005.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
So what was the solution? I’m so proud of myself to think of this. I used a 2 stop screw-in neutral density filter and rotated it so it basically darkened the left side while not effecting the right side. of the image That’s such an obvious solution and when I actually think of those right at the time I need them and not after I’m putting the tripod in the trunk, I’m proud of myself.
Photos captured by D3x, 45PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 8, 2009 | Landscape Photography, Moose Adventures
You’ve probably been wondering “where the heck is Moose?” Probably just been wondering were are the blog posts. I came back from PSW with a little bug which laid me flat and bed ridden for a few days. I couldn’t find a button on the TV remote let alone type. So, no posts. But I’m vertical again and good timing, we started out Eastern Sierra Adventure today.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0859.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
We started our day at Mono Lake for a very schweeeet sunrise! It was a great start because it helped the really great group of shooter we have learn that shooting sunrise doesn’t mean you have to point your camera to the east. The light as it bounced of the Tufas was as soft as can be and lucky for us, the only clouds for hundreds of miles where in the right place for us. This is my first image from the morning and we’re having a short break so wanted to get it up to say I live.
You might be able to see in the image what appears a narrow band of focus. The minimum DOF I started with at Brooks earlier this summer continues to invade my thought process. I like it a lot here. This was shot at f/2.8.
The rest of the morning was great for me. While it’s not earth shatering, whenever I think of an obvious solution to a problem for the first time, I pat myself on the back. what was the solution? That will come next post when I have more time.
Photo captured by D3x, 24PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Sep 25, 2009 | Landscape Photography
It was one of those days you wish would never end. We spent the day doing what we do so well, eating, exploring, and of course, photography! Kevin, Laurie, Stephanie, Sharon & I explored an area Joe introduced us to a couple of years ago. We moved our base down to Freeport, ME and hit the coast today. We had no destination in mind other than finding some of the local lighthouses we’d seen on postcards at LL Bean.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0614.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
We first headed south to the Cape Neddick Lighthouse (Nubble Light). This is a cool little lighthouse on a rock just a heartbeat off shore. We arrived at a great time to shoot it, highnoon with cloud filled skies. Seriously, this photo was taken at noon straight up and it was the perfect light. The direction of light is what I like the best, it really sets off all the angles. A polarizer is being used which also helps bring definition to the buildings making them pop so nicely.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0675a.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
After a marvelous fish dinner, we headed to Fort Williams and the Portland Lighthouse. This is a gorgeous setting, a really spectacular locale that I wish would could have stayed to shoot after sunset. There’s a big sign that says it’s closed at sunset and they ain’t kidding! Three minutes after sunset the rangers were right there telling us it was time to go. Seriously, we were out of there. I was bummed as I wanted to stay until the slate blues appeared. To get the color you see, I underexposed -2.5 stops and even with that, the color really isn’t an eye stopper. But no matter, I’ve made my notes and plan on venturing back here to do a better job after finding out what’s required to stay a few minutes longer.
It’s time to get back on a plane, unpack and pack again gathering everything needed for Photoshop World next week. Can’t wait!
Photos captured by D3x, 85PC-E / 45PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Sep 25, 2009 | Landscape Photography
DLWS was great but it has left me beat. I don’t know if it’s because we spent last week on the same grueling schedule shooting in Reno as DLWS or that I’m getting old. Whatever the case, my butt is dragging. Like I mentioned, the start of the week for me was pretty sad. I just couldn’t make the transition from high velocity race planes to rocks.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0327.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
As the week progressed on, the mind and more importantly the heart got in the swing of things. There is this illusion that just because it’s believed that you can take cool images that it happens every time you go out or pick up a camera. McNally typically asks at least once during a workshop how often I get skunked, as in, I got out and came back with nothing. I’ve written about this on this blog many times and yet, the expectation seems to be, you go out you should be rewarded with images.
Well we drove down today from Ba haa ba to Freeport on a really spectacular day. Great light, great clouds and even with that mix, there wasn’t one place that seem to speak to me to shoot (but the L.L.Bean store spoke to my AmEx). But here’s the deal, if you don’t go out, you’ll never have any opportunity, not to get skunked or get the great shot. You gotta go out, you’ve gotta try to make things happen if nothing is happening at all. Last night after shooting cracks, the light didn’t want to come out to play and in my mind, I was back to Monday morning, trying to make something happen. Then Stephanie came along with her youthful energy and we brought out the flash and the jump. And the images started to fill the card.
I watched photographers pace back and forth, heard the snide comments about being at a stupid place at a stupid time. And there’s my all time favorite, “I’ve got that shot already.” This is what I always say every time I have a griz in my viewfinder, knowing I have 42k images sitting back in the files. And 0f course I saw folks sit down in boredom and disgust. And man, it was terrible having to sit on a romantic ,rocky, Maine coastline watching the waves roll in, listen to the bouy bell’s ring as Eiders floated by. Heck, I would much rather have been in an office, staring out a window! I always wonder if this attitude reflects in the images captured, the joy of just being fortunate enough to be out even if you are getting skunked compared to thinking you’re owed the experience and image and not getting it. I count my blessing every time I’m skunked with the camera in my hand, just being out is reward enough for me.
I often have the feeling the ship has sailed for many a photographer before they even set one foot out of the house. Letting the possibility of getting skunked in to the thought process and using that as a challenge might just improve their photography. It might just improve their photographic outlook and in the end, bring the reward they think the effort of just getting out owes them. For myself, if I knew that every time I went with a camera I was going to come back with the great shot, I probably would stop going out because there would be no expectations, no challenge. Like I reminded folks all week, head out with an open mind and open heart and no matter what the counter says, you are ahead of the game by the end of the day.
Photo captured by D3x, 45PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Sep 24, 2009 | Landscape Photography
Jordan Pond, I just love that place! I’ve approached it many ways over all the years I’ve been coming to its shores. The infamous Butt Crack Rock which I so apply named is sought by many a photographer. Why, I haven’t a clue other than, it’s just silly. This morning I approached the rock photography here a littler differently.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0387.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I started by just photographing the rocks and a little water. The rest of Jordan Pond was not included. The rocks are pretty cool, with this neat tan-pink aspect to them that really pops with a White Point / Black Point.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0464.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I then headed to the other side of the pond where one, there wasn’t anyone else and two, I had success in the past. I wanted to explore the shoreline with my 16 Fish and I’m glad I did. The tan strips in the rock really was key in how I composed the image, the stereo lines as you look back in the frame is why I liked the fish.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0423.swf, 444, 585 [/swf]
By venturing out into the pond I was able to make the one photo I really sought. It comes in that category of photos that have an emotional meaning to you but the rest of the world just smiles and says “nice” just to humor you. So for the rest, here’s the token fall color photo to start off the season.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0400.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I am Soooo tired that I can’t find the CF door on my camera. So I’m heading off for four hours of sleep.
Photos captured by D3x, 14-24AFS/16Fish/200VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
Sep 22, 2009 | Landscape Photography
Ah, we’re up in ME for our DLWS and man, is it hot. I’m not talking about the photography but the weather. In fact, it’s so hot it’s zapped our atmosphere so the first morning shoot was for me, a zero. Yeap, I got skunked but that happens. I knew the evening shoot would put me back on the score card.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP9801.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
We went to Bass Harbor and Bernard which just never lets you down photographically or for dinner. Our good friend Gary Stanley brought us here a lone time ago so it’s still a special place to us. We had no weather so needed to wait for the sun to go down for the magic to begin.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP9800.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
As you can tell, I went to the PC-E lens for awhile. I had a great time producing a couple of “miniatures” that I really like. I always wonder if you can see the effect in these small posters but its easy to see on the notebook monitor.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP9866.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Then once the sun went down the water turned that really cool blue so then it was back to the 200f2 and letting the magic in. But of that is dialing in minus 2 exp comp. That’s what helps make the white and blue do the dance in the light. We’ve got a great group of folks here which is important to me this week. I am dragging coming right from the Reno Air Races to here. Their energy is keeping me going. Who needs sleep anyways!
Photos captured by D3x, 85PC-E, 200VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
