Of Fog and Macros

Still on my journey with the Macro lens. I'm shooting every day, even if I post nothing worthwhile. 

This morning, we had ice rain. This afternoon, heavy fog. I deliberately amped up the ISO in this shot to increase the noise so that it might add to the fog effect. I would have tried this shot with my 17-35mm and come away disappointed, I think, so in a way trying landscape work with a prime went rather well.

Oh and tomorrow? More ice scheduled. Go figure.

Monsters

"My monsters keep me company
And I'll never be lonely
They will keep me safe
Protected from harm
Monsters keep me company
Until I will set them free" - Lordi

This year's zombie walk, was somewhat hampered by the threat of an impending hurricane, bearing down on the coast. The weather was delightfully warm (well, for October) and overcast. A few years ago, I would have been dreading the overcast skies for photography, but I have since learned that the overcast creates the perfect lighting situation, allowing all the details to shine through, such as the subtle shading around this zombie's eyes.

I Did Mention Rain

A cross section of some of the better-kept parts of my city. Honestly, this city is old, run-down, broke and dirty. I've seen better paved roads in war zones. The city is a perfectly usable river running right through it and does nothing with it except for a few ill kept parks. And they wonder why they are broke all the time.

No matter, you can see the storm clouds heading in here. Taken with a 50mm dedicated Macro, as I'd left my 17-35mm at home (I was on my way to a people shoot and didn't need a landscape lens)

Wet

On Saturday there was a 10 Kilometre run in my city (well, it's not *my* city per se, but I live here) and of course it had to pour down rain.

Didn't stop me from (being miserable, cold and wet) going out there and taking pics of the runners. Unfortunately I traded speed for range and the lens I took wasn't fast enough, so I had to
crank up the ISO, and as a result the images are a tad noisy.

As the rain let up and the sun started to peek through the clouds, things improved, but the earlier shots will have noise reduction software applied.

End of the Line

The pier was a short one, but I liked how the poles were all askew, adds a sense of age to the pier. If you look carefully, you can see all the boats in the background that the fog was hiding.

Of Fog and War

This is probably my most favourite picture I've ever taken. From Emerald Isle, early in the AM and quite foggy as you can see. The seagull was on the ground and I could tell as the man approached it was getting ready to take off, I was a tad too late on the trigger to get it just as it was launching itself, but overall I'm extremely pleased with the pic.

Ok, so it's not very Beachy

So yes, it's a beach scene, but not all fun and sun. In fact, the fog that came in was so thick it made for a wonderful isolating element to things. I have much more to post from that foggy morning, but this one stood out immediately.

Emerald Isle, NC, Nikon D1x, 17mm lens

Day Late and a Dollar Short

I am currently four photoshoots behind of publishing pictures, much less sorting and processing. My trip to Colorado, a drag racing event I went to, a model photoshoot and I just returned from Niagara Falls and the surrounding areas.

All in all, about 4,000 images I need to dig through and post the better ones. Lots of work for me!

If you couldn't tell, this picture is from Niagara Falls, taken from a boat tour that gets you soaking wet. Fortunately my Nikon D1x is weather resistant.

Five minutes later

Same park, not far from the last shot, Mr. Sun came out and gave me depth and details on the rock.

Thanks Mr. Sun

Details

Why no, these pics aren't in any order, why do you ask? Taken at the Colorado National Monument, closeup detail of the pinon trees. Not with a macro lens, but with a wide-angle lens at point blank.

The weather in Colorado, with the exception of the day I was leaving, while cold, was perfect for photography, and here was no exception. Bright blue skies, fluffy white clouds and still air provided the perfect backdrop for all the pictures taken there.

Even Civilization

This was taken on my first few minutes in Colorado, it's a golf course! The day was perfect, the sky crystal clear and of course the grass freshly cut. It made me want to go golfing just to be in the presence of those rocks.

For the record, I can't golf.

Weather

Given that the state is very mountainous, the weather is all over the map. This was taken at about 12,000 feet up, as you might be able to see, part of the lake was still frozen. When the wind wasn't coming off the slopes at -80 million degrees, the ambient temperature wasn't that bad. Still, it was hat, gloves and heavy jacket for me.

Strength

Lunchtime stroll through downtown. I found this statue outside of a bank, hoisting a sail. As it was lunchtime it was difficult to compose with no people in the background, so I had to get in close.

The weather is just getting better which pleases me no end, hope to get a lot of shooting done.

D1x and a 20$ thrift-store lens, I'd say I got a deal :)

Squawk

Penguin detail. Unlike most of the animals there at the zoo, you could get almost nose to nose with the penguins. They didn't seem to mind, and indeed, several 'posed' for the camera. Unfortunately I'd run out of space on my memory card, so one shot of a penguin was all I got, but it's a pretty good one in my opinion.

Stormfront

Here you can see the low rolling clouds. Just a brief, but strong, rain. Given how hot it was that day, the rain helped things.

The Inner Harbour area is just chock full of wildly shaped buildings, prime colours and organic shapes. I could play tourist for a week and not get everything on film (so to speak) that I'd want.

Gotta go back before winter kicks in.

Seasons

I'm learning photography in a more formal structured way. I first picked up a camera when I was a building inspector, to document the things I saw. It just a functional tool, used as needed. When I left that field, I gave away the camera, or sold it, I don't remember.

Picking it back up again to use as an artistic medium, I have kept most of the things I've made with it, if for no other reason than to show the progress I've made from the early days.

Never one for cold weather, I am looking forward to Spring, when it will be warm enough to venture out and photograph the awakening of Nature. So there will be more pictures forthcoming.

Stay tuned!