Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Elements of Water at The Center for Fine Art Photography

Jeffrey Pine and Bridalveil in Mist, Yosemite National Park, California 2008

Jeffrey Pine and Bridalveil in Mist,
Yosemite National Park, California 2008


1/20 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 200, Aperture Priority, +1 EV,
- November 2, 2008 6:16pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



If you're following me on Twitter you may have already caught that I've had an image accepted into the "Elements of Water" exhibit at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I'm told over 2,300 images were entered and juror, John Paul Caponigro, managed to edit the selection down to about 50 pieces. An incredibly difficult task to be sure. I'm honored that a print of the image above will be included!

The exhibit runs from February 19 – March 13, 2010 with the reception on March 5, 2010. I hope to make it to the reception but it's hard to say at this time, but if you're in the area you should definitely go. There will be a lot of great work on display, more of which can be seen here.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Friday, December 11, 2009

FALLEN

Fallen, Cooper's Hawk #1, Oakhurst, California 2009

Fallen, Cooper's Hawk #1,
Oakhurst, California 2009


1/30 sec at f/22, focal length: 70mm, ISO 200, Aperture Priority,
- December 9, 2009 at 2:32pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Earlier in the week, this beautiful cooper's hawk's life prematurely came to an end. While the why of what had actually happened is unknown, you can read more about the event on William Neill's blog post here: "In Memorial...". Though the idea of keeping this "Broken Spirit" around for a few days to seek inspiration and honor it's life through a photograph may seem grim, this majestic creature has no other choice but to hold your gaze and invoke contemplation.

Fallen, Cooper's Hawk #2, Oakhurst, California 2009

Fallen, Cooper's Hawk #1,
Oakhurst, California 2009


1/13 sec at f/22, focal length: 78mm, ISO 200, Aperture Priority,
- December 9, 2009 at 2:36pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted

Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Thursday, November 26, 2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Remains, Hensley Lake, California  2009

Remains, Hensley Lake, California 2009


2 sec at f/32, focal length: 145mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, +2/3 EV
- November 25, 2009 at 5:49pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



I hope you all are having a wonderful day spent with family, friends and immersed in love. By now you're probably half alive from stuffing yourselves with delicious eats, but I wanted to let you know that today, I am thankful for all of you, my readers! This blog is just a little over one year old and it's been a great and even enlightening experience thanks to you. So happy Thanksgiving!

And to all my non-stateside readers, you're included in my gratitude!

Cheers, Love and Peace!
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Free Shipping and Holiday Sales

Autumn, Black Oaks, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2009

Autumn, Black Oaks, Yosemite Valley,
Yosemite National Park, California 2009


Multiple Exposures at f/22, Merged to HDR and tonemapped in Photomatix, focal length: 131mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority,
- November 4, 2009 at 9:35am PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



So the holidays are here and sales are everywhere! To do my part I'm running a few promotions as well:


To order Gift Prints or Limited Edition prints, make note of the image(s) and size(s) that you'd like then send me an email. You can use the contact form found here on my website, or email me at john[at]johnoconnorphoto.com. (replace the '[at]' with '@'). I will then send you an invoice via PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to pay the invoice, any credit card will do. This is the most expedient way to process orders and get them shipped.

If you have any questions, please contact me via the methods mentioned above.

Happy Turkey Day! (If you're in the U.S., otherwise have a Happy Day!)
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Friday, October 30, 2009

Playing with the possibilities

Black Walnut leaves, California  2009

Black Walnut leaves, California 2009


5 sec at f/16, focal length: 135mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, -2/3 EV,
- October 3, 2009 at 10:04am PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


Take the time to explore and play with your post processing, as well as your capturing techniques for that matter. Don't be afraid, or self-conscious. No one has to see your efforts if you don't want them to. But you may find that it will stretch your mind creatively and inspire new thoughts about how to approach your subjects. Push yourself too far, then come back. Try new directions. You'll know when to stop, then realize it wasn't time and keep going. Have fun and play with the possibilities.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

New Website, New Portfolios, New Gift Prints, NEW NEW NEW

Oak Saplings in Fog, Sierra Nevada Foothills, California

Oak Saplings in Fog,
Sierra Nevada Foothills, California


3.2 sec at f/22, focal length: 29mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority,
- December 2, 2008 at 5:24pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


You may have noticed that the blog has gotten a bit of a face lift. Well that was to mirror my new website at www.JohnOConnorPhoto.com. New portfolios have been added (a couple more may be on the way soon) and new images have been added to the existing ones. I've also added Special Edition 'Gift' Prints and an Inventory Sale page as an option to purchase any of my images at a very inexpensive price. There's even a 'buy 3 get the 4th free' deal, so check it out. And finally, new Services have been added, including private workshops and custom image file processing.

Please take a look around, let me know what you think and enjoy!
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Monday, October 12, 2009

Worn Tree

Worn tree trunk, sunset, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Worn tree trunk, sunset, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009


1.6 sec at f/16, focal length: 131mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority,
- September 15, 2009 at 7:05pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted

Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Sunflower #3



Sunflower #3


1/6, 1/3, 0.6, 1.3, 2.5, 5, & 10 sec at f/22, focal length: 70mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority,
- September 11, 2009 at 4:22pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L + extension tube, Tripod Mounted



Here's to the weekend
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Thursday, September 24, 2009

New images from Big Creek, Sierra National Forest - Some early signs of fall color

Autumn fern fronds and lichen, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Autumn fern fronds and lichen,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


2 sec at f/22, focal length: 200mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, +1 Exposure Compensation
- September 22, 2009 at 4:22pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L + extension tube, Tripod Mounted



I've posted a few images in my flickr photostream from a shoot a couple of evenings ago in the Sierra National Forest. Some early signs of fall color starting to show in the ferns and a few rhubarb, though some of the cottonwoods seem to have gone from green straight to brown.

My friend and fellow blogger, Bo Parker was able to make it up for the adventure and I'm sure he'll have some nice work posted on his blog soon.

So take a look over at flickr and let me know what you think and if you have a flickr account as well, be sure to add me as a contact.

Any one else finding early fall color?
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Friday, September 18, 2009

Luminous Spirit - Black & White Portfolio finally live!

Detail of Corlieu Falls, Sierra National Forest, California  2009

Detail of Corlieu Falls,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


1/4 sec at f/8, focal length: 184mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority,
- March 12, 2009 at 5:35pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


My Luminous Spirit Portfolio is now up! Take a look and let me know what you think.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Grass reflections, Bare Island Lake

Grass reflections, Bare Island Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Grass reflections, Bare Island Lake,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


1/250 sec at f/9, focal length: 145mm, ISO 800, Aperture Priority, +2 Exposure Compensation
- August 2, 2009 at 2.34pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



*UPDATE: Due to a special request, here is a link to a larger version. Enjoy!

Just a quick update with a new image from my recent camping trip to Iron Lakes. This was made at one of the higher lakes, in the middle of the day. Don't buy into the idea that you should only take the camera out at the "golden hours". If you're aware of the light, and take the time to look, good images can be made at any time. Always carry your camera!

As a side note, this image was processed 100% in Lightroom 2. This is pretty unusual for me, as my goal is always the absolute best quality, I find that every image needs fine adjustments that can only be done in Photoshop. But, for now, I'm quite pleased with the results that I've achieved from Lightroom. I'm sure that if I decide to pursue this image as a fine print that I will end up taking it into Photoshop. At this moment though, I can't find a reason to.

What are your thoughts? Do you always take an image to Photoshop? Or do you find that, often times, Lightroom is enough.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Breaking the funk

Sun rays at first light, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Sun rays at first light,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


0.6 sec at f/16, focal length: 17mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority
- August 15, 2009 at 7:47am PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Funk. It happens to all of us. If someone tells you that it doesn't happen to them, then they've either lost their wits or are liars and you'd be best not to keep such company. So for the rest of us that can be honest enough with ourselves to admit that, from time to time, we wind up in a funk, what do we do?

I've been in a creative funk this summer and have not been very productive. Some of you may have noticed this, with the drop off in posts. Maybe it's the heat, maybe I've become too busy with other matters and life gets in the way, maybe I've had to focus on the business side of things more, or maybe these are all excuses for not finding motivation.

That's right, it's up to us to find our own motivation to create and to actively push ourselves to do so. If you think that inspiration and creativity are miraculously bestowed upon you while sitting around waiting for the second coming then you've lost your wits just as much as our good friends, the liars, previously mentioned and we can no longer be friends.

Chase Jarvis has written a wonderful post '9 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU'RE FEELING STALE' and I highly recommend it to all.

So in the spirit of sharing inspiration to help with motivation I have some morsels of creative stimulation to share with you:

Watch



Read



Listen




These should get you going but you should also be visiting museums, studying artwork of different mediums, and reading anything more than magazines and web sites. You could also try writing. Blogs are free and trying to create content is definitely going to motivate you. I've learned and grown a lot since starting this blog only just 1 year ago as a direct result of pushing myself to create for this outlet. You should find an outlet that will force you to do the same.


Now if you're still with me and are interested in knowing just a tiny bit more about the image above, here you go.

I made the image this weekend close to home in the Sierra National Forest. My Dad was visiting for the weekend and wanted to practice his HDR technique so we got up before sunrise and headed for the forest. This was a perfect situation for HDR. The image above is only 3 exposures blended together using Photomatix. I could've gotten a smoother blend using 5-7 exposures but I'm still happy with the results I've gotten here (hard to tell at this size, but viewing larger I can definitely tell it would've benefited from more shots). The original shot, seen below, had some pretty strong convergence due to using a wide angle lens and aiming up to get more of the trees in the frame. If I'd had a T/S lens, this would've been the time to use it, but I have a new baby on the way, 2 more already here and a wife that I love so much that I'd rather her not leave me. So no T/S lens for me. Instead I corrected the perspective, quickly, using the crop tool in Photoshop. Just make sure that 'Perspective' is checked and then you can drag each individual corner of the crop to correct. In this case I drug the top left and right corners in, while holding shift to keep them going straight across horizontally, towards the center of the frame until the outside edges ran parallel with the tree trunks. Hitting enter then pulls the corners out to the edges and fixes the perspective. Not bad for no T/S. You do loose a bit of resolution up in those corners so it's not ideal but you've gotta make do.

First Light, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Which do you prefer?


The image below is one that my Dad took that morning and I think he did a fantastic job. So much so, that I had to 'bury' it way down at the bottom of the post so that he didn't steal my thunder. Sorry Dad, but it has to be that way.

Sunlight through trees HDR by John O'Connor III

Enjoy and I hope some of this rambling helps in some way!
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Monday, August 10, 2009

New Image - Rock reflections, Iron Lakes, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Rock reflections, Iron Lakes, Sierra National Forest, California  2009

Rock Reflections, Iron Lakes,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


0.6 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority
- July 29, 2009 7:07pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Still not much time to really write a proper post, but just enough to post another image from a recent adventure into the high country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

By the time this post goes "live", Bill and I will be well into another one of his private workshops. These have been going very well and have been gobs of fun. My favorite parts have been the critiques. There's always so much to learn from some one else viewing your work objectively. There's also a lot to learn from hearing someone else critique another person's work (which is where I benefit during these workshops!). Check it out here. If any thing, it's a great excuse to get to Yosemite National Park (we're only 30 min from the south entrance).
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Falling off the world...and trying to get back

Sunset Reflections, Iron Lakes, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Sunset Reflections, Iron Lakes,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


0.4 sec at f/22, focal length: 98mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority
- July 29, 2009 6:47pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Last week, some friends and I made our annual camping trip into the High Sierras. This was taken from the shoreline of one of the many alpine lakes surrounding our camp site. The lakes are surrounded by peaks filled with iron that blaze with red, orange and golden tones at sunset. Truly an amazing place. My friend, Bo, has also posted an overview shot from above our camp site. Take a look on his blog, A Moment Preserved.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Thursday, July 9, 2009

SilberStudios.Tv presents: The Key to a Photograph from Ansel Adams

Not being too prolific as of late in regards to my own photography, I don't really have any thing new to share with you right now. I should mention that I'm still shoving on that shutter button everyday, as we all should, I'm just not aiming the lens at landscapes...and that's ok. Being as such, posts have fallen behind and I'm feeling guilty about that. So here's a video of someone we're all well aware of but may not get to hear speak all too often. This is courtesy of SilberStudios.Tv. I highly recommend poking around and watching some of the other interviews/videos Marc has put together. And so without further ado, I give to you Mr. Adams himself.

Enjoy.

The Key to a Photograph from Ansel Adams from SilberStudios.Tv on Vimeo.


Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Posters!!

I'm really excited to now offer posters as an affordable option to get your hands on some of my work! These posters are printed by myself on high quality inkjet paper that is much more archival than traditional lithographic posters printed on paper and allows for the utmost control of quality. Benefiting from Canon's latest inkjet technology in their 12-color imagePROGRAF iPF6100 printer, each poster shows excellent resolution and color fidelity. The cost vs. quality far exceeds traditional posters and begins to approach the quality of fine art prints (only to be bested by the archival longevity of a fine art print). Take a look below and be sure to make some room on your wall!

*Note: When checking out, be sure to enter your zip code (even though it says optional) to update the shipping cost.

(Click an image below for a larger view)


14x24Price: $25.00 USD + Shipping/Handling










16x24Price: $25.00 USD + Shipping/Handling








16x24Price: $25.00 USD + Shipping/Handling










20x24Price: $30.00 USD + Shipping/Handling







Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach.

Part One: Read


Winter Storm Clouds and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2009

Winter Storm Clouds and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley,
Yosemite National Park, California 2008


1/100 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority
- November 2, 2008 4:25am PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Read something completely un-related to technique, gear or software. Learn from expanding your visual literacy. Study the works of those that you admire. Draw inspiration from fellow photographers, painters, writers, street performers, etc. Read about art, read about math, read about spatial relationships, read about quantum physics, read about mayanism, read something that will shake you out of routine and cause your mind to think in a new way.

When studying photographs that make the muscle in your chest go thump thump, try and pay attention to why it's thumping. Where is the light coming from? What is the quality of that light? What is the color palette? What makes the composition interesting? How are the lines and shapes arranged to strike balance? What is the photographer trying to say or convey? Mentally be an active participant in what you're reading and you'll learn so much more.

I'm always in the market for learning so please share what you're reading in the comments below. Doesn't have to be about photography, just something that we can learn from, which is any thing really!
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Where does life begin?

Morning reflections on Willow Creek, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Morning reflections on Willow Creek,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


0.3 sec at f/22, focal length: 159mm, ISO 400, Aperture Priority
- May 31, 2009 8:28am PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



I've read recently (sorry don't remember where) that life doesn't begin until you step out of your comfort zone. I don't know what that has to do with this image but I like it and I like this image too.

I have loads of topics brewing in my head to write about here, but the time to collect them into intelligent, sensible, cohesive thoughts is not presenting itself. So for now, I'd like to invite everyone to post a comment with a link. Could be a link back to your blog, inspiration, interesting quotes, useful gear, any thing really, just remember this site is for all ages.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Your opinion matters - Black & White or Color?

Approaching Storm, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Approaching Storm, Bass Lake,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


6 sec at f/22, focal length: 17mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, 0 EV
- June 3, 2009 8:02pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Something we've been doing at Bill' blog is posting both a color and black & white version to get some feed back from the readers. It's been constructive and interesting to see how others are perceiving the differences. So with that in mind, let us see what the mob has to say.

Click thru to see the black and white version

Approaching storm at sunset, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Monday, June 8, 2009

Schwarzenegger proposes to close 220 of 279 California state parks!

Sunrays through Coastal Forest, Point Lobos State Reserve, California 2009

Sunrays through Coastal Forest,
Point Lobos State Reserve, California 2009


1/10 sec at f/22, focal length: 17mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority, -1 1/3 EV
- February 7, 2009 1:57pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



80% of California's state parks are in danger of being closed due to the Governor's attempts to close California's budget deficit. Arnold has proposed to cut over $200 million dollars of state general fund money to state parks which would push the aforementioned amount of parks into "closure" as well as upwards of 1500 state employees to be laid off.

Cutting the funds may theoretically be a good idea to help close the state deficit if there were a solid plan already in place that would allow the parks themselves to generate enough income to sustain their expenses such as raising entry and camping fees, or raising car registration $10/year per vehicle and allowing free entry to California residents (as proposed by a former state legislator and would have raised $260 million for state parks). The problem, though, with this drastic cut resulting in parks closing just after Labor day, is that parks can't really close. The state will just be reducing supervision and protection. Gates and bathrooms will be padlocked but visitors will have no boundaries and could easily walk in. Then vandalism and poaching will most certainly follow.

If you live in California you should use this link to write a message to the Governor and your state legislators that you want the parks to be kept open! The Sierra Club has made this form very quick and easy to fill out so please do take a minute and send this message. Here's the link again.

You could also write to the editors of your local paper and encourage them to write a story and raise public awareness of the situation. You might even consider "donating" an image taken in your favorite state park to help illustrate the story and maybe encourage the editor that much more to push it along.

And as to the image posted here. This was taken at Point Lobos, one of my personal favorite state parks. It also happens to be on the list of parks to be closed. If you'd like to view the full list of parks to be closed, you can do so here.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Friday, June 5, 2009

The many shades of green

Lupine leaves after the storm, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Lupine leaves after the storm,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


0.4 sec at f/22, focal length: 50mm, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, +2/3 EV
- May 30, 2009 2:47pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Tripod Mounted



I guess if there's green foliage with rain drops, I'm going to photograph it.

Also, for those of you out there who might be using twitter, you can now follow my tweets, as they like to say, at twitter.com/johnoconnorfoto. And if you haven't yet caught on, this whole social networking thing is the "way of the future".
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Thursday, June 4, 2009

What's this? An update?

Allium in Willow Creek, Sierra National Forest, California 2009

Allium in Willow Creek,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


2 sec at f/22, focal length: 140mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority, +1/3 EV
- May 30, 2009 3:38pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



Well it's been long enough, and my guilt has finally gotten the best of me, so here is a new image...and it's about time.

We went camping this past weekend in the Sierra National Forest with some good friends and had an amazing time...even in spite of the crazy thunderstorms we've been having! Just after a large group hike during one of the thunderstorms, my friend Bo and I went on another hike with photography as the main agenda. We were camping right on this river and so hiking up and down stream seemed to be the natural course. I don't know if either of us felt like we came home with something jaw dropping, but spending time in the forest and letting the concerns of the materialistic world wash away with the rain was rejuvenating for the soul and more than enough fulfillment than coming home with a new portfolio piece!

Enjoy and be sure to take a look at Bo's post from our camping trip, on his blog at www.amomentpreserved.com.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

What a view

View from Moro Rock

The Great Western Divide from Moro Rock,
Sequoia National Park, California


Shutter Speed and Aperature not recorded.
- April 2006. Photographed with Mamiya RB67, Mamiya Sekor 90mm f/3.5, TMAX100, Tripod Mounted



*Update

A few years ago, I had decided to jump back into the film world. At the time I was shooting with a Nikon D100. I loved it. It was a fantastic, well made beast. But I was after BIGGER, so I found a 6x9 film camera and started lugging that thing around in the field. Just so you know, a Mamiya RB67 is much too large far this kind of work. I did it any ways. I was shooting black and white, developing in my bathroom and scanning the negatives on an epson flatbed. This is one of those images. I'm thinking that I'll re-scan/process this one now that I have access to a better scanner as well as my post production skills having increased since then.

Needless to say, the Mamiya no longer makes it out of storage any more. In fact, if any one wants an incredibly heavy medium format camera, let me know.
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Finding Balance

Dogwood in Bloom over Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California  2009

Dogwood in Bloom over Merced River,
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2009


0.4 sec at f/16, focal length: 131mm, ISO 800, Aperture Priority, +2/3 EV
- May 11, 2009 7:53pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



On monday evening, I had the pleasure of meeting Art Wolfe. He was at the Ansel Adams Gallery for a book signing, as well as a reception for some of his prints that were on display. I only spoke briefly with him since it was so busy. And to tell you the truth, I spotted these dogwood on my way in to the park and I was eager to get out and see what I could make happen before the light got too dark.

If you're ever in Yosemite during dogwood season, the ideal time to make an image like this would really be in the morning before the sun starts to filter into the valley. Once the sun comes up, things start getting windy and it becomes difficult to make a sharp image of the blossoms while still rendering the rushing water as nice and silky smooth. It's also a good time since the light will still be soft.

As I was there in the evening, long after the sun has had its chance to kick up all kinds of wind, it took a little more patience to make this image. I had to find a balance between an f/stop that would give me enough depth for all blossoms to be in focus, a shutter speed slow enough to create the smooth water while at the same time fast enough to stop any motion of the blossoms caused by wind, and lastly, an ISO that allowed for a proper exposure with the combination of both the chosen shutter speed and f/stop. Thank goodness the 5d mark II does such an amazing job with noise at higher ISO's!

It can be a tricky thing, as well as a test of patience, finding balance to create what you have envisioned. Make the effort, it pays off.

Cheers
Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...

Friday, May 8, 2009

"Bad weather makes good pictures"

Raindrops and fallen Corn Lily leaves, Spring, Sierra National Forest, California  2009

Raindrops and fallen Corn Lily leaves, Spring,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009


1/4 at f/22, focal length: 100mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, +2/3 EV
- May 2, 2009 1:58pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted



I'm a big advocate of always having a camera "locked and loaded" at all times. You never know what might happen in front of your eyeballs. But I'm also a firm believer of photographing when the weather is less than ideal for working on your base tan. You won't see large expanses of blue skies in my images all too often. That's not to say that it doesn't happen, I do carry my picture box with me everywhere, remember? YOU won't see them too often though.

I much prefer moody overcast light, rain, snow, and of course fog. I feel like my best work is made in these conditions. So instead of sitting around waiting anxiously for the next storm to blow through, get up and get out. Start making images. Pretty soon you'll be watching doppler, not to see when the storm will pass, but to see when the next one will come. Besides, there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

And while we're on the topic. Camille Seaman has based an entire project around photographing worse weather than I've ever been in, and I've lived in Texas. insane storm systems out there! But back to Camille. Check out "The Big Cloud", PDN has an article about it online here. Wow!

"Bad weather makes good pictures"
-Thad Abell

Read More / View Exif / Purchase Prints...