Impressions of Flight...

My original intention when I spun to capture this Canada Goose; was a nice crisp capture of the liftoff from the waters surface...

What I got; at first, seems to be the complete opposite of that very goal.

After studying this image for a little while; I realized that it actually communicated my original intention better than I could have with a crisp image.

The morning was filled with geese taking off and landing all around me. A lot of time was spent pre-focused on one group or another out on the water; only to have some take off from another spot (remember the shooting with both eyes open tip?), followed by my desperate attempts to lock on with my camera and get an image.

For me; this image captures perfectly the tension you can feel shooting wildlife, and the frustration of the shot that got away...

Have a great day! - Ed

A Simple Portrait...

A simple portrait, using a single light source.... The keys to this type of image; the angle and placement of the light, and getting your subject far enough away from any background so there is separation. You can see that the angle of the light helps to eliminate shadows on the background, while helping to throw a little light back there that will aid in making the subject more the focus of the image...

Just a few things can make a big difference in the overall impact an image can have...

Have a great day! - Ed

B&W Dramatic Light

I wanted to share another image from last weeks shoot; an image that demonstrates a different way to light a scene. While I love using natural light, especially for portraits and people images, natural light isn't always available or strong enough to allow the capture of all of the important details.

Most of us started out using the flash that sits on top of our camera; it might even "pop-up" from time to time without any input from us... If you have moved on to using a dedicated flash gun with your DSLR; again, you may only leave it stuck on top of the camera. While this leads to better results than the "pop-up" flash; there is a 3rd alternative available to most recent (last few years) DSLR cameras, the option to use the flash gun off camera. This option can really give you much more dramatic and dynamic results; with a very limited amount of additional equipment. You might pick up a flash bracket mount to use on a tripod or lightstand; you might also get a shoot-through umbrella to modify your flashes light. Some camera systems allow wireless control; while others may require a very simple sync cord to control the flash.

No matter how your system does it; give off camera lighting a try the next time you have to use the flash. It can be a relatively inexpensive way to learn about lighting scenes without the intimidation of purchasing and using more "studio" types of light.

That's one wonderful aspect of shooting digital; practicing and making mistakes cost you nothing but time generally... So get out of your comfort zone a little, move the flash away from the camera, and get a little creative! You might surprise yourself with the results...

Have a great day! - Ed

BGO IV "The Break"

I wanted to share an image from last weeks Bar Game Olympics... I know I posted updates from the event as they were going on, and thought that you may want to see an image or two and find out what all of the excitement was about...
Here is one of the competitors; JR (or Hottub Johnny to his friends) opening one of the pool matches of the earlier rounds. I used one of my wider angled lens and got right down on the table rail to capture the action.

I will be posting more soon so stay tuned...

Have a great day! - Ed

Spring Breaks...

I wanted to share three images from my outing this morning. Met up with a photo bud at Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area for some sunrise and bird images. While I have plenty of sunrise experience; it has been a while since I have tried my hand at capturing wildlife of any sort, except for maybe my daughter...
This was taken just as the sun broke over the horizon; letting all of the waterfowl know that Spring has arrived.





Tip #1 Looking Behind You...
Taken a short time later; on the bank of a much smaller pond with the early sun warming the birds as they began breakfast.

This was taken facing West... it is a good idea to take a look in the opposite direction when shooting sunrises and sunsets; just to check what the light is doing behind you. I have created some of my favorite images because I have remembered to do this. A good habit to get into...





Tip #2 Shoot With Both Eyes Open...
One of the last images of the day...

While shooting at another goose on the small pond; this one decided that enough was enough and decided to charge the other goose. Another habit that I have developed; particularly for shooting movement or action shots, is keeping both eyes open when looking through the viewfinder. This allows you to pick up the action must faster than waiting for the action to appear in the viewfinder. This also gives you a extra split second to change your settings if necessary; which can be all the difference between a keeper image or a dud.

A quick thanks to Nick Dibernardo for the invite and introduction to this great spot...

Have a great weekend everyone! - Ed

Seeking the Light...

Another from my brief shooting session this past weekend...

Have a great day! - Ed

Popcorn...Popped & Un-popped

Keeping with the movie theme of the evening...

Captured this image this morning at Longwood before the crowds got too heavy to safely use a tripod. Beautiful weekend weather; a preview of what's to come...

Hope everyone has a great week, no matter what you are doing.... And if it isn't something you want to do; just take a break and watch that 5 minute movie we all have in our heads for when we want to escape...

Ed