• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Photography,  sunrises

    Have you ever forgot…

    September 12, 2009
    Sunrise at
    Sunrise at the Arapaho Natural Area

    …to bring something important on a photo shoot? I have and here’s my story. When the alarm clock broke me from my sleep I reach for the snooze button. Man, is it dark. Wonder if that’s because the suns not up yet? Once the annoying sound has been silenced, I rub my eyes hoping it will help them adjust to the darkness. I start to see the dim light coming through my bedroom window from the street light. My mind asks if I really want to crawl out of this warm bed on a cold October morning in hopes of a beautiful sunrise. But, the voice of passion within a photographer coaxes the body to get out of the bed at this early hour!

    I dress and pack my gear in the car. Brrr, it is cold. Let’s get that car heater going. There is very little traffic as everyone else  with any sort of sanity is still in bed.  Since I’m not driving very far and this is one of my favorite places, the Arapaho Bend Natural Area, I arrive in plenty of time. I find my parking spot in the small turnout along the dirt road, turn off the engine and step back out into the cold. I know I will have to walk down to the waters edge for the view I want and hopefully not get too wet from the tall grasses. I do love the quiet of these morning hours. Strangely, I’m not feeling the cold as much. Once I’m at the waters edge I set up my tripod and get ready to shoot. Wait a minute! No way! Yes, I did! I frantically look in this pocket of my bag and then in that pocket but it’s not there. Yep, I forgot to put my L-bracket on my camera and now I cannot place my camera on my tripod. S#@*!!!!

    Frustrated and angry at myself, I sit down on the wet ground and stare at the horizon as the sun begins to rise. Look at the colors in those clouds! Their reflection in the water! This is awesome! My senses are waking up as I can hear the geese on the far side of the pond. I’m breathing slower and gently. The light breeze is gently lapping the water along the shoreline. I am realizing the calming beauty of nature is embracing my spirit. I’m enjoying all of this, the sights, the smells, the sounds and I’m not cold anymore. Once again,the voice inside of us that wants us to photograph speaks to me. It begs me to go ahead and shoot. “Why not? You’re here. Go ahead and hand hold that camera. Forget the tripod. Now is the time. So, pull up those knees, prop your elbows on top of the knees, take a breath and press the shutter. Lets’ see what you get.” So, I did.

    Another lesson in learning to listen to the voice inside. And, that’s my story.

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  • Photography

    Camera Shy

    September 8, 2009

    Camera Shy
    Camera Shy

    With the above image, you are probably asking if I’ve lost my head. The answer is no but I have lost Kevin’s head.

    Ever notice how some people dislike having a camera pointed in their direction while others are comfortable in front of a camera? Kevin, who is missing in the above photo, is a bit of both. He can ham it up in front of a camera like the image taken just before this one where he has a finger penetrating one nostril and his eyes crosssed. At other times he can dodge a 1/60 second shutter with ease.

    Some people hate (a pretty strong word) to have their photo taken (also a pretty strong word.) When someone points a camera at them the image may not be a good one because they are turning away or placing a hand in front of their face. When I encounter someone like that I move on. How do you deal with those who do not like to have their photo taken?

    Anyone seen Kevin? He was there a second ago. Yoh, Kevin!

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  • Photography,  Plants

    Zoomed In

    August 30, 2009

    Morning Sunlight
    Morning Sunlight

    As photographers most of us have an assortment of lens to to choose from. Depending on what we are photographing we will use a wide angle, a telephoto or maybe a macro. By selecting a specific lens we have control of what we place in our view finders, vital to our vision. At one point I was carrying an assortment of lens that covered from 18mm to 400mm, just to make sure I had it all covered. Over the past couple of years I have decreased that range (and the weight of my camera bag) by narrowing down to 18-200mm and using 4 lens. I discovered having a wide range of focal length did not make me a better photographer.

    In the above image I used a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 at 200mm to crop out the surrounding distractions. It helped me to create the image I wanted but that’s not the only thing that helped make this image. In order to eliminate all the background I needed to move in closer. To do that I used my feet. 🙂

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  • Avian,  Photography

    Barn Owl

    August 21, 2009

    Barn Owl
    Barn Owl

    If you were an owl, would you want to be called ‘Monkey-face?’ I will admit, however, there is some semblance. The more I wade into the stream of photogaphy the more I want to know about the subjects I see in the view finder. Yes, people may compliment me on an image but what do they think about the subject? I do love the light on this Barn Owl and how it is facing the light, it makes for a fine image. But, what else?

    With the ease of the internet, I’ve begun to snoop around to find out about the subjects. You can follow this link to a good article on Barn Owls. I did not realize the short life expectancy of Barn Owls, 1-2 years. Nor did I know about there different calls.

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  • animals,  Photography

    Catch Light

    August 20, 2009
    Catch LIght
    Catch LIght

    Catch light or catchlight is a photography term used to describe either the specular highlight in a subject’s eye from a light source, or the light source itself. A catch light may be an artifact of the lighting method, or have been purposely engineered to add a glint or “spark” to a subject’s eye during photography. It is one of the first things I look for in photo, whether it’s a portrait or a  small inquisitive squirrel. It adds life to the image and helps us to focus on the eyes. It can be subtle as in the image above or it can be brilliant where there’s even an image inside of the catch light itself. I will admit there are times when I’m disappointed in my shoot for the day because I do not have those catch light and, to me, something is missing.

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  • Photography

    In Memory

    August 18, 2009

    in Memory
    in Memory

    Why take photographs in cemeteries?  Everyone will probably have different answers while some do not take photographs at cemeteries, period. Wikipedia has an interesting article on the history about cemeteries, the sacred ground used and the ceremonies created for burial.

    Every once in awhile I find myself wandering in a cemetery, reading names, checking dates and wondering about their lives. As a photographer, cemeteries present interesting lines, patterns, shapes and colors. On this past Worldwide Photo Walk our group spent some time in a older cemetery in Westerville. The mature trees made for some great background, as I have tried to present in this image. Strangely it was the tree I noticed first and then saw the statue, wanted them in an image. I added a small amount of flash to fill in the shadows of the statue.

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  • Photography

    Making a Splash

    August 3, 2009

    Making a Splash
    Making a Splash

    This is not a technically well done image but because it has a powerful message, it speaks volumes to me.

    This child is enjoying life, living it as it should be lived. She is experiencing life and at the same time is learning what happens when you jump in puddles of water. I love it! I was amazed at her focus, oblivious to all that was around her. The child within her, and is also within us, was fully alive. Some where along life we lose some of the childlike curiosity, thinking adults must not act in certain ways. I ask, why not?

    I also like how her parents, whose feet you see in the background, are letting her splash. As a grandparent I’ve come to enjoy the experience of watching children play and even joined in. I’m reminded of a time I climbed up on a slide behind my oldest grandson. When we reached the top and he noticed I’d followed him, he told me too big grandpa. I answered, “Oh, yeah! Watch this.” and down the slide I went, more than once. Why don’t we encourage others to splash more?

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