More on Dogwood

Blooming Dogwood over the Merced River,
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2010

1 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, -1EV,
- 13 May 2010 8:00 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted.


In my last post, I mentioned that I probably wouldn't get a chance to photograph the Dogwood blossoms this Spring. Well a small window of opportunity, very small, presented itself and so here are my attempts. These were taken from the Pohono bridge at the west end of Yosemite Valley. The area around here was lacking in terms of trees full with blossoms but my understanding was that near Curry Village was the best show. I never made it past this bridge.

There are still a few areas on HWY 41 south of Yosemite, in the Sierra National Forest, that should be really going off right about now. I'm hoping to check it out soon.

And here's another, much longer, exposure of the same tree. Let me know if you have a preference.

Blooming Dogwood, Merced River,
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2010

10 sec at f/22, focal length: 145mm, ISO 20, Aperture Priority, -2/3EV,
- 13 May 2010 7:54 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted.
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Dogwoods are here

Dogwood trees along Merced River,
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2009

4 sec at f/16, focal length: 113mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, -2/3EV,
- 11 May 2009 7:24 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted.


I haven't had a chance to make it out for the dogwoods yet this season, but word on the street is that the next few days are pretty much prime time in Yosemite Valley. Most of the trees should be in full bloom and hopefully just before they're leafed out so the blossoms aren't too hidden.

If you happen to photograph, or perhaps already have photographed, dogwoods this season please do share a link to your efforts in the comments below. It may not be in the cards for me to get out in time this year so I'll need to live vicariously through you all!

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

1/8 sec at f/11, focal length: 145mm, ISO 200, Aperture Priority, +2/3EV,
- 11 May 2009 6:21 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted.
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San Simeon Pier

San Simeon Pier, Study #1,
San Simeon, California 20100

20 sec at f/32, focal length: 70mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, +1EV,
- 25 April 2010 6:26 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 5 stop ND, tripod mounted.

San Simeon Pier, Study #2,
San Simeon, California 20100

100 sec at f/32, focal length: 75mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, 0EV,
- 25 April 2010 6:49 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 5 stop ND, tripod mounted.

San Simeon Pier, Study #3,
San Simeon, California 20100

383 sec at f/32, focal length: 70mm, ISO 100, Bulb,
- 25 April 2010 7:17 pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted.


I'm posting these at a time that is much to late for me to write anything coherently. SO, have a great weekend!
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Slo Going

Morning surf,
from San Simeon State Park, California 2010

30 sec at f/22, focal length: 70mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, 0EV,
- 24 April 2010 6:45 am PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 5 stop ND, tripod mounted.


I've been slowly editing/processing files from a recent camping trip to the coast this weekend with my family and some friends. I only had two solid sessions of photographing, one morning and one sunset, but definitely feel like I made the most of my time within those two sessions. I had never been to San Simeon before and so with fresh eyes and no expectations, I was seeing new compositions to explore with virtually every foot step. Such an exciting trip!

The image above was made during the first session. It was the morning after we had arrived and a nice relatively dense, high fog had settled in just before the sun came up. I love these conditions. Longer exposures, softer light, more time to fine tune a composition without worrying about the light changing. Less sentimental, more Zen.

Although the given conditions allowed for exposure times running into the 2+ second range I opted for the Singh-Ray Mor-Slo ND to extend the exposure as long as possible. This allowed me to soften the water further and enhance the quiet and contemplative mood I was experiencing while standing on a bluff above the shore below.

San Simeon Creek,
San Simeon State Park, California 2010

15 sec at f/32, focal length: 70mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, +1/3EV,
- 24 April 2010 6:23 am PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted.


In case you didn't see the above image that I had posted to my John O'Connor Photography Facebook Page, here is another one made just a bit earlier on the same morning.

Oh, and Happy Cinco de Mayo!
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