Spider
Yup, done this one before too. No problem. I haven’t done it many times and I don’t think I have done it upside down. Oh! Sure! Yes! Done that too! No matter, it’s still fun and unique. It’s not easy to get the shot. A point and shoot camera has certain disadvantages. Focus on small objects is a problem. But the main advantage is that I had a camera at all when I found this spider asking for his close-up.
Ominous
We went down to the beach at sunset. The beach faces east; there’s no real sunset view. It had rained the day before. No big deal, it rains. But we are entering fall and the turbulent waves had done a number on the beach sand. There was a three-foot ledge from wave erosion overnight. A lot of sand had been washed away. There goes millions $$$ in beach replenishment. The towers in the distance are the bridge at the inlet. The waves speak for themselves. Our otherwise tranquil beach was roiling. I have often read about telephoto perspective. “It” compresses the scene to make things look crowded upon themselves. I did it! With a point and shoot! Sometimes, I surprise myself.
Out of the box
I have lots of great flower pictures… too numerous to count. And, I like to post images straight from the camera… no manipulation (Photoshop). That is not to say that I don’t. I have added or moved people around in group shots. I have added open eyes – someone always has their eyes closed in a group shot. Part of the reason is that I’m lazy. I don’t want to spend time in Photoshop. So, I visualize my shots and try to get things right in the camera before I press the shutter. It works… often. Sometimes, I touch up. There are purists among us who disapprove. Back in the day – Ansel Adams – the negative was just the starting point for the print process. Photoshop makes it easier to massage the pixels. There are masters; I am strictly amateur.
Lighten Up
Now for a technical tip or two. Colleen’s down jacket will squish into a tiny pouch. It’s ideal for travel. It packs light and small. And my big Domke camera bag – I’m carrying way too much equipment these days. The Sony RX100M6 is an excellent point and shoot. I should admit that it is as good as my Nikon D610. It turned out to be warmer in April at the Grand Canyon. Off came the coat and vest. And I downsized to a small backpack. When you are exerting yourself at altitude every pound less is appreciated.
Distorted
I’ve been talking about wide angle distortion. Here’s an example. See my forehead? It’s way wider. Too wide! My head is distorted. Not literally, though there are some who would dispute my statement. This comes about when you put the camera too close to your subject. It’s something I try to remember. Unfortunately, I look like a fun house character. Noa is just cute. She was within the frame of normal. Or, as they might otherwise say, she’s not warped like grandpa.
Just in case, I have had an adjustment… way better. Really, I am.
Imperfect
Not the kid… but sometimes the shot is so disappointing. And I took so many (almost 2000). But the auto focus does you in sometimes. Many decades ago, I used manual focus till the auto focus system was invented. Focus on the eyes. Unless you are focused dead on to the eyes, it’s a failure. So, I should not be posting this image. It’s just so close. It’s a cute image to be sure. Just focus on cute!
Pansy
An sign of early spring, the pansy comes in all colors. It’s a delightful photo op. no complaints. I find them plentiful and in full color. How can you resist? I don’t.
Tulip
The tulips are an easy target. Spring! Focus! The stamens are the key. If you can get them in focus, the rest of the pattern of the spots will fall into place. Lately I shoot them in singles rather than opting for a pattern of color.
Art critic
The Biggs Museum runs/ran a photo exhibition. Submit your photo for criticism and be selected, get displayed and maybe win a prize. Oh, okay. I found out it’s completely subjective. You are at the mercy of the likes/dislikes of the juror. Submitting work is a crap shoot. You may have excellent work. You may think you have excellent work… It was enlightening to understand the process of selection. Basically, anything goes. There was stuff I would have thrown out that got honored. And the grand prize went to a picture I would have tossed. I’m not whining. In fact, the lecture opened up new thinking for me. I don’t need a juror or a show. I don’t need the credit. For as many years as I have been a photographer, it has been for pleasure. It is definitely not my day job. Although I would be happy to do a job for you. Ha! No pressure. Keep on shooting. If anything goes:
Shoot the moon. Ignore the power lines. It’s the moon. Power lines add interest. Well, I don’t agree. But….
Charge your phone. Vampire. Just scoot on in to the lecture, help yourself, charge right up. No matter there’s a photo show/op right there.
Cat/silhouette, I would have shooed away the cat. Now it is better to have tension in this picture of the morning star.
Reflections, sure, shoot ‘em if you got ‘em. Juxtapose. See things in a new light. I shot this shortly after leaving the museum.
In a single day, I broke out of the doldrums. What I learned? Anything goes. Happy shooting.
Super blood wolf moon
Closest point to the earth, eclipse, Indian lore – first full moon in January. Super – when the moon and earth are closest to one another. Blood – the appearance when the earth has eclipsed the moon. Wolf – Indian tribes refer to the first full moon in January. I probably most likely have some of this mixed up enough to confuse you. No matter. It was a full moon with a lunar eclipse during the time when the earth and moon were closest to one another. I might add the temperature dropped and it was windy – bitter cold standing there to get images.
The moon is made of cheese and the mouse took a bite from the lower part until it ate/covered the moon. At that point I could see but not photograph the orange (red) moon. Tripod! And then long exposure, with the wind howling, it was near impossible. I could not get a sharp clear image of the moon.
Aha! Let the camera do the work. Darn! I let the ISO go to 6400, f 5.3, 1/4 second. It’s not sharp and there’s plenty of noise. But, I do have detail and color. Blood moon! Let me tell you it was cold! But then again there was little haze. That’s all good? Right?
To the new baby granddaughter (as yet unnamed on the night this was shot), this was the moon on the night you were born.
