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Night Photography – Shadows & Color

I am sure that I will be partaking in quite a bit of night photography for this photo-a-day project simply because I work during the week and it is difficult to devote time during daytime hours – excluding weekends and vacation days of course. All is good though; night photography can add a new dimension to your photography skill set. All you need is a stable tripod and a cable release. Or, you can use the timer on the camera; a 10 second timer should be sufficient at eliminating any internal camera vibrations.

Shadows & Color

I really like to play with shadows and to create mood with dark scenes, especially at night. This particular wrought iron fence had a light passing through the grates and created the coolest play on shadows near the painted yellow stop text. The wrought iron shadows danced into the distance, mingling on top of one another and interweaved into sets of diamonds. Midway through setting up, I noticed headlights behind me and somehow managed to stop the flow of traffic. Oops! So, I moved out of the way, recomposed again, and came away with a keeper.

A wrought iron fence creates a pattern of shadows on the asphalt below in this night photography photograph.

Nature Photography – Mountain Biking in New Jersey

It’s the winter and the landscape is drab because there isn’t any beautiful white snow lining the trails just yet. Nature photography needs to be meticulously planned; it’s wise to know the weather report and the lay-of-the-land. Also, scout the area for remarkable hidden finds that could potentially land a beautiful shot.

Scenery will change dramatically because of available light and available color (think flowers and growth here), so I recommend visiting a favorite location in different conditions. Rain from earlier in the day can add saturation to your scene’s colors or a ray of light from the sun can add just the right amount of flair to your photo. You will eventually get what you were looking for with patience and persistence.

Mountain Biking in New Jersey

I was not so lucky yesterday, and that’s OK. Chalk it up to another condition that I know doesn’t work for a particular location – at least for the exact vision I had. Nature photography can be finicky like that. It’s January and the temperature is close to 60 degrees here in New Jersey. Crazy right? It felt right to get on the bike and go for one last ride before it is too cold.

So, I packed my camera and my backup mountain bike; the primary has a flat and I really need to change the tires because the treads are down to the bone. My ride started out okay – but proceeded to get progressively worse. The backup Cannondale doesn’t have clipless pedals that I’ve grown to love, and the ground is as slick as a banana peel. Mud is everywhere and I’m having a hard time keeping the bike stable through the rivets of mud, especially with a pack on my back.

In the end, the four mile loop seemed like eternity, but it was worth every grunt, thorn prick, and following day saddle pain. This next shot is a result of a much needed break midway through the ride.

A Cannondale F3 rests on a tree looking up towards the trail.

Camera Phones & Office Sunset

It was a Friday afternoon and I was working on a project at the office, but also fully aware that the sun was setting; a view from the window gave it away that I was in for a treat on the walk to my car. I didn’t have my camera rig with me, but fortunately technology has advanced to the point that you can carry a high quality point-and-shoot wherever you go. Which cameras should you use in a pinch?

Use Your iPhone or Whatever You Have Readily Available

My iPhone 4S works double duty as my backup and my always-on-hand camera. A few minor level adjustments and noise cleanup in post really helps add depth and clarity to any image. While the iPhone isn’t a full frame sensor with professional control, it isn’t meant to be. It’s the device that gets you the shot when you need to travel light or simply forget to bring your rig with you. And for that duty alone, it’s priceless. Kudos to Apple for constantly evolving the camera hardware inside their devices!

Office Sunset

I’m pleased that I was able to take five minutes, compose, adjust the exposure directly on the screen, and fire one precise shot. This office sunset certainly was beautiful and I am forever grateful that high quality cameras are available on phones; otherwise I would have never had the opportunity to capture this beautiful sunset!

A gnarly tree hugs the right frame with branches covering the top allowing the office parking lot sunset to be framed between these two elements.

365 Project – Day 8 – Still Life Photography

I am not a morning person and it’s tough for me to wake up for the sunrise. This is not an ideal situation as a photographer, but if I tell myself enough times that waking up early will be worth it the night before, I sometimes get lucky. It’s funny; I had every intention of shooting the wooden bench at sunrise, but there was just too much cover to make it work like I had intended. What I did find after firing off a few shots was a perfect view of the horizon way up past the rock wall in the woods. Today’s photo is not a sunrise photo per se, but instead a rendition of still life photography that does a nice job of showing elongated rock shadows from the low angle of the sun.

I know my secret sunrise vantage point will be a photography heaven for a while so expect more to come from this little find.

Still life photography of a small rock that hugs the bottom left frame with an elongated shadow from the low angle of the sun. Twigs, moss, and leaves add interest to the surrounding area.

Day 7 – New York City Skyline

I love dining outside with a view of the New York City skyline and I always enjoy experiencing new restaurants because you never know what to expect. Does the food, ambiance, and service live up to expectation or does something fall short? I have learned to adapt and to never take others’ opinions too seriously – you could be missing out on a great find because the recommendation came from someone that was having a bad day!

Dinner with a View of the NYC Skyline

Anyhow… The restaurant is called Chart House in Weekhawken, New Jersey. I’ll say this right off the bat… the view of the New York City skyline is breathtaking from this restaurant! We were lucky to have made reservations a few weeks in advance so a window seat for two was waiting for us. Onto the quick review… Attention to detail, impeccable. Martinis, delicious. Food, service, ambiance… great. I distinctly remember the clam chowder and macadamia encrusted mahi as favorites.

If you’re visiting Chart House for a special occasion, do make sure you tell them when you reserve a table because they will add finishing touches and polish to your dining experience. Final verdict, this restaurant is top notch and highly recommended, if not for the view alone!

New York City Skyline

I had a few moments after dinner to capture the New York City Skyline with festive Memorial Day colors; the Empire State Building is adorned with patriotic red, white, and blue to symbolize the American soldiers that lost lives during the Civil war.

I always shoot my photos in RAW format so I can tweak settings after the fact. The files are larger than JPEG, but it has been a saving grace for me. RAW allows non-destructive changes to white balance, sharpness, and a bunch of other preprocessing sliders that will restore your image without degrading quality. More on that in another post.

A New York City Skyline with the Empire State Building adorned with festive red, white, and blue for the Memorial Day weekend.

365 Project – Day 6 – Klipsch Speaker Abstract

For those of you that are not familiar with Klipsch, now is a good time to find out simply because they are one of most efficient and beautifully sounding speakers when paired with the right amplifier. Music can be soft and delicate, then hard and edgy. Crescendos are meant to impact and boy do Klipsch speakers know how to deliver in the dynamics department. Listening to a properly mastered CD or vinyl record is actually satisfying.

Klipsch Makes Beautiful Music…and Movies Come Alive!

That little introduction just highlighted music; THX certified Klipsch speakers breathe life into movie scenes. I am a Marvel Comics movie fanatic and the sheer impact of watching The Dark Knight on a proper 5.1 system must be heard. Sure, you can go to the movies, but what about bringing the movies to the comfort of your own home.

Klipsch Cerametallic Speaker Abstract

Speakers move air. Larger speakers have larger internal cabinet space so they can move more air. I’m a believer in that you cannot listen to life-like, concert sound through small speakers. Either frequency response is compromised, or the sound is boomy and artificial. I’m not saying it’s the only way – I still love those little Bose Sound Docks for what they are, so no argument there.

I share with you today a glimpse of beauty, and that beauty is in the form of a Klipsch Cerametallic Speaker Cone Abstract.

An abstract of an RF-7 cerametallic speaker cone with internal details like baffle and hex screw.

365 Project – Day 5 – Wooden Bench Just After Dusk

It’s back to work for most people (myself included) as the holiday season has run its course. Take a few minutes to reflect over the past few weeks. Hopefully you shared time with those close to you and had a few laughs.

Wooden Bench Just After Dusk

In keeping with a Google+ theme today, I chose to share something from my own backyard for #MyTownTuesday, which is curated by Melanie Kintz and Eric Leslie. In case you are interested in checking this amazing sharing site out for yourself, following this link over to: Google+ – Real life sharing, rethought for the web. You can add me if you’d like to follow my photography there as well. The Wooden bench just after dusk is part of a pathway system in my neighborhood that I pass by often; it only made sense to capture it. Finally.

A bench just after dusk basks in street lamps with a path running up the left of the frame.

365 Project – Day 4 – Soapstone Glow

Soapstone is a remarkable rock. I find that it is quite beautiful and smooth and no two items are alike. It’s also a great material that works really well with fine art items such as candle holders, tea light incense diffusers, and soap dishes. A tea light candle will illuminate a room in a soft soapstone glow. The warm glow in addition to the aroma therapy is soothing. Stress and worries melt away.

I’ve had tea light incense diffuser since high school and still use it from time-to-time. Yankee candles are good for every day use, but essentials oils are better for aroma therapy. The oils are strong so only a single drop is needed. They will open your sense of smell and promote a state of calm from within. If you have never tried aroma therapy, give it a shot!

A soapstone incense diffuser illuminates intricate cutouts with a soft glow.

365 Project – Day 3 – New Perspective

2012 brings new perspective, a fresh light, and a newfound hope for the future. Today’s photo is taken from a new perspective, which I hope gives a new appreciation from an ordinary vantage point.

If you’re heading in the right direction with your hopes and dreams, keep going; otherwise, try to see life from a new perspective and change it for 2012. I find that a dream board helps keep your desires at the center of your world; always remember that a dream written down is a goal with a deadline.

It was a beautiful January 1st, 2012. The weather was sunny and the temperature was in the 50’s most of the day with a bit of rain in the evening. Reflecting back on 2011, I am grateful for a supportive family, a great group of friends, and the most amazing girlfriend anyone can ask for. 2011 left behind great memories and lots of change; it’s time to move forward and make 2012 even better.

Best wishes.

A tree trunk in the warm sun frames the left edge of the photograph with an out-of-focus tree, pond, and evergreen branches to the right and behind.

365 Project Ideas

Happy new year! I decided to do little housekeeping to keep my creativity fresh by creating a 365 project ideas checklist. This list is by no means complete; it is simply a foundation of basic suggestions that can be embellished with your own ideas or portrayal. I will be sure to keep this list updated as sort of a living document for others’ use as well.

365 Project Ideas

Color

  • Red
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Indigo
  • Violet

Texture

  • Hard
  • Soft
  • Rippled
  • Grainy
  • Blotchy
  • Bumpy
  • Smooth
  • Rough
  • Jagged

Shapes

  • Square
  • Rectangle
  • Triangle
  • Circle
  • Line

Forms

  • Sphere
  • Cube
  • Cylinder
  • Pyramid
  • Silhouette

Materials

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Paper
  • Plastic
  • Glass
  • Carbon Fibre
  • Silk

Elements

  • Fire
  • Water
  • Earth
  • Wind

Objects & Things

  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Mailboxes
  • Clocks
  • Fountains
  • Grain Mills
  • Wind Mills
  • Street Lights
  • Crayons
  • Tools
  • Technology
  • Bridges
  • Musical Equipment
  • Train & Train Tracks
  • Cemetery
  • Cars & Trucks

Nature

  • Sunrise/Sunset
  • Woods/Forest/Trees
  • Mountains
  • Glaciers
  • Flowers
  • Lakes
  • Streams/Rivers
  • Animals
  • Snow/Rain/Ice/Fog/Clouds/Sunshine

Feel free to use this list for yourself if you are partaking in a 365 project or are thinking about starting one.