Some Macro Photography Experiments

My better half just had a hip replaced.  She received some flowers for her recovery so I thought I would take the opportunity to use the flowers for some photography trials.  I wanted to see what I could do with my Tamron 18-270mm lens.  Here are six that I took.  They were sitting in a room that is lit only with a chandelier that has 60 60watt clear candle shaped lamps.  I did not use a flash, I hate flash pictures unless it is added light in the daytime.  Just my likes, not an opinion.  F-stops were either f-6.3 or f-11.  focal lengths were 270mm except for one which was 91mm.  Shutter speed was either 1/13 sec or 1/20 sec.  Tripod and timer of 2 sec. plus mirror was in locked up position.  ISO ranged from 1250 to 5000.  Manual focus was the norm and was used in setting the blur effect.  Picture number two was set to monochrome in the camera.  Enjoy and enlarge if so desired.

Snow in the Mid-West.....Again!

This year seems to be following the same path and cycle of last year.  It reminds me of when we lived up in Caribou, ME.  A little snow before Halloween and sometimes on Halloween.  I remember my brother and I going out in clown suits that our mom made.  It was just starting to snow.  When we got back there was maybe four inches of wet snow on the ground which made the ruffles at the cuffs get weighted down and start to unravel.

We had a slight warming spell but it only lasted three or four days and since then we have had some sort of precipitation every  two or three days faithfully.  It has become a photo opt on many occasions and a great time to learn photography in the winter when most people when most people think there is no color so why try and then put the camera away until spring.

I admit, wintry, snow covered fields are daunting in some respects but after reading some “tips and tricks” of photographing winter scenes my appreciations of the white stuff has gained in strength.  Otherwise, it is good for Santa’s sleigh and should go away on December 26^th.

Like I said, the color is there, sometimes you just have to look a little bit harder and then try to appreciate the cold and the inconvenience of the season.  After all, it is just a seasonal thing and it too will pass.  When it does, it will again be full of brilliant colors.  Click to enlarge the photos.

A Christmas Card for a Neighbor

We have a neighbor that has a real natural decorating touch so, with the first real snowfall of the season I took a picture of their house.  It was a little difficult since I didn't want to go out in the rain and snow combo so I took it through a side window that had water droplets on it.  Had to dodge the window pane bars in between the glass and try to keep the vehicles out of the picture.  All in all, I think it came out pretty good.  I tweaked it to take the "photo" look out of it.  No, it isn't HDR but it does have that effect somewhat.  I sent her a big enough copy for next years card.

Merry Christmas All.

The Big Snow...It Came and Left

We had our day or so advanced weather warning/advisory for yesterday, 12/05.  Three bands with different depths expected.  If I got it right, those that weren't suppose to get too much got their butts kick a bit and those of us that were to get 4" to 8" and up to 10" pretty much hung around the 4" mark if you were measuring with a standard ruler and not pushing down on it.  It blew some and it was wet some.  They say it caused a lot of wrecks on the highways but I have yet ever seen a snowflake or ice crystal drive a car or truck yet so I'm hanging in there that it was more human error all along.

One thing the storms bring is opportunity.  The opportunity to get some really nice pictures and or to hone your craft or, as in my case, to work on perfecting your hobby of taking photos.  Snow is one of the most difficult to do.  Frustrating and yet fun to keep trying.  I've tried, now it can go away.