Lots of pretty flowers, and stuff was beginning to pop everywhere.
4.26.2011
A trip to your local botanic garden is always a great idea in the spring
Tower Hill in Shrewsbury is always a great take. These shots were from last Friday. I have posted a set of 25 larger images here: http://www.peterfraileyphoto.com/botanicgarden2011apr22
Lots of pretty flowers, and stuff was beginning to pop everywhere.
Lots of pretty flowers, and stuff was beginning to pop everywhere.
4.11.2011
Club print "salon" entries for April, 2011
The color image was taken in Bucks Harbor, Maine, while on vacation last year. For the Salon, I printed it square on 9x12 paper and matted it with a mat with a 8.75" x 8.75" opening. The camera was the Canon S90 point and shoot.
It was taken in June and the high season for lobstering was beginning. I saw many lobstermen loading their boats with pots to take out to their fishing grounds. These pots don't have the class, in my opinion, that the old wooden pots had; but certainly from a maintenance point of view the new pots are way ahead of the wooden ones.
Lobster Pots at Bucks Harbor
Cloud Reflection on the Sudbury River
It was taken in June and the high season for lobstering was beginning. I saw many lobstermen loading their boats with pots to take out to their fishing grounds. These pots don't have the class, in my opinion, that the old wooden pots had; but certainly from a maintenance point of view the new pots are way ahead of the wooden ones.
Lobster Pots at Bucks HarborThis black and white image was taken along the Sudbury River in Concord, MA. I printed it on 9"x12" paper to fit the 4:3 aspect ratio. The camera was the Canon S90 point and shoot.
My thought is that the cloud reflection is the central subject and that the kayakers provide context and perspective.
My thought is that the cloud reflection is the central subject and that the kayakers provide context and perspective.
Cloud Reflection on the Sudbury River
4.10.2011
Club digital "salon" entries for April, 2011
These three images were submitted for our photo club's monthly contest. The red Columbine was entered into the nature category.
The second two images were entered into the open category. The ducks are sitting on what is cut grass, so the "hand of man" is evident and therefore they do not qualify as nature, at least for our purposes.
The butterfly image was taken in a butterfly house. Like animals at a zoo, this does not quality as a nature photograph either.
Eastern Red Columbine
Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Postman Butterfly
4.02.2011
My first butterfly images this year
I took an early morning trip to our nearby butterfly house this morning. They open the doors an hour early for photographers on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month, during the season. I like that first hour because the fans and heaters aren't yet going full blast, so the butterflies are still a bit sleepy. I am pretty happy with the shots I took (link below). All are taken hand-held at 1/250 second and (usually) F8. Mostly ISO at 1600, with a few at ISO 800. My camera settings: Manual mode set at my desired shutter speed and F-stop, and auto ISO. All are with natural light, diffused somewhat through the glass dome of the butterfly house.
12 images here:
http://www.peterfraileyphoto.com/butterflyplace2011apr2
My favorite is the Glasswing. Below are two images:
12 images here:
http://www.peterfraileyphoto.com/butterflyplace2011apr2
My favorite is the Glasswing. Below are two images:
3.04.2011
Club print "salon" entries for March, 2011
Both of these were taken with the Canon S90 point-n-shoot, as that was what was with me at the time. The first was taken at a late afternoon cookout over Labor Day, 2010 and the second was taken toward the end of a great day of skiing in February, 2011. The first image was critcized for the overexposed church. Had I been thinking about it (and not holding a beer or hamburg in one hand) I might have shot 3 exposures and combined them in Photomatix. But to tell you the truth, I think it looks just fine the way it is....
The second shot is from the top of Cannon Mountain. Mt. Lafayette is often (when there are no clouds around it) a spectacular view from Cannon, especially from the Vista Way trail.
The second shot is from the top of Cannon Mountain. Mt. Lafayette is often (when there are no clouds around it) a spectacular view from Cannon, especially from the Vista Way trail.
Vermont Skyscape
Mt. Lafayette From Cannon Mountain
3.01.2011
Club digital "salon" entries for March, 2011
This month for our monthly photo club "salon" (i.e. competition) I submitted two "nature" category images and one "open" category image.
This first image below was taken near Crested Butte, Colorado. I like the pattern created by the small circle of aspens within the conifer forest. Incidentally, part of the nature story here are the Mountain Pine Beetles that have deforested huge areas in the Rocky Mountains. You can see many dead trees in this image, which were likely killed by the beetles, as they are rampant in this area.
This first image below was taken near Crested Butte, Colorado. I like the pattern created by the small circle of aspens within the conifer forest. Incidentally, part of the nature story here are the Mountain Pine Beetles that have deforested huge areas in the Rocky Mountains. You can see many dead trees in this image, which were likely killed by the beetles, as they are rampant in this area.
Conifers and Aspens
The image below was taken along a stream near home, while doing a bit of fishing. I like the image, but there is not much of a story here... other than the fact that this Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly alighted next to me and graciously waited while I took my camera out of my fishing vest and snapped a few images.
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
This final image was taken at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. It's a tulip of some kind, and I loved the orangey-red color against the green background.
Tulip
2.20.2011
Sequence shooting
I am not a big fan of shooting videos. But somewhere between video and stills is something I am a fan of. I think it is best called "Sequence Shooting". It is the use of several images to tell a story, shot and presented in sequence.
Fast sequences can often be captured using the continuous shooting feature available in most cameras, whether it be a dSLR or a compact cameras. My Olympus E-520 dSLR shoots at 3.5 frames per second, but many newer cameras shoot at twice that speed or even faster. This is perfect for such things as sports shooting. After shooting a sequence, you might then decide on the best shot to print or post on a Web site. You might even delete the rest. But it is also fun to display the shots together, in sequence, to tell a sligthly different story.
At the other end of the speed spectrum, some cameras have a built-in "interval" shooting feature that will take a single picture at a fixed interval, such as every five minutes. I think this would be very nice for taking sunset pictures, for example. I don't have this feature on any of my cameras. But it is on my wish list!
The "free" nature of digital photography is a real blessing for sequence shooting. In slide film days I would have heard $.35 ringing in my head each time I released the shutter! (Or, at least that is the number I recall from the early 1970's, for film plus developing.) Today, it is only on extended trips that I can fill even one memory card.
In reviewing some family images taken earlier this year, I realized that when trying to get that one perfect moment during our granddaughter's second birthday celebration that I created a very nice sequence that tells a story that can't really be told with just one image. No fancy settings were used on the camera (Canon S90 point and shoot, no flash, P-mode and auto-ISO chose ISO from 500 to 800, 1/60th, wide open at F3.2; no post processing). This is just a series of single shots taken over a 1 1/2 minute period. They show the excitement of opening a gift, followed by a gradual changing of emotion to include the calming effect of perusing a new book.
Fast sequences can often be captured using the continuous shooting feature available in most cameras, whether it be a dSLR or a compact cameras. My Olympus E-520 dSLR shoots at 3.5 frames per second, but many newer cameras shoot at twice that speed or even faster. This is perfect for such things as sports shooting. After shooting a sequence, you might then decide on the best shot to print or post on a Web site. You might even delete the rest. But it is also fun to display the shots together, in sequence, to tell a sligthly different story.
At the other end of the speed spectrum, some cameras have a built-in "interval" shooting feature that will take a single picture at a fixed interval, such as every five minutes. I think this would be very nice for taking sunset pictures, for example. I don't have this feature on any of my cameras. But it is on my wish list!
The "free" nature of digital photography is a real blessing for sequence shooting. In slide film days I would have heard $.35 ringing in my head each time I released the shutter! (Or, at least that is the number I recall from the early 1970's, for film plus developing.) Today, it is only on extended trips that I can fill even one memory card.
In reviewing some family images taken earlier this year, I realized that when trying to get that one perfect moment during our granddaughter's second birthday celebration that I created a very nice sequence that tells a story that can't really be told with just one image. No fancy settings were used on the camera (Canon S90 point and shoot, no flash, P-mode and auto-ISO chose ISO from 500 to 800, 1/60th, wide open at F3.2; no post processing). This is just a series of single shots taken over a 1 1/2 minute period. They show the excitement of opening a gift, followed by a gradual changing of emotion to include the calming effect of perusing a new book.
Perhaps this sequence could be called "I Love Books".
2.13.2011
Panasonic LX5 tricked out with a couple of accessories - Part II
In Part I, I added a lens adapter to the LX5. This allows for the addition of auxiliary lenses and filters, and I am finding it is very helpful when hand-holding this small (compared with a dSLR) camera. I find I hold the rubbery camera grip with my right hand (as do all users), but I use my left hand to hold the adapter instead of the camera body.
Of course, the lens adapter makes it impossible to slide the camera into a pocket, so one has to carry the camera in a bag or fanny pack, or use a neck strap like the one included with the camera. Occasionally, I wonder if after adding the lens adapter that it might instead make more sense to own a m4/3 camera like the Panasonic GF1/GF2, or the new Olympus E-PL2. But I think the m4/3 options weigh about 1/2-pound more when equipped with the kit 28-85mm-equiv zoom. And I absolutely love the fact that the LX5 goes a bit wider, with 24-90mm-equiv field of view. I find for landscape photography that I am using the 24mm wide angle for about 25% of my images.
Now onto the second accessory I purchased for the LX5....
The second accessory is the Panasonic LVF1 (live view finder). It is the same one that was designed for the GF1, which can also be used on the GF2. If you are lucky this can be purchased for about $125. Still, that is a pretty fair penny when added to what is basically an advanced point and shoot camera that itself is now selling for about $400, after coming to the market in September 2010 for $500.
I have not used the viewfinder enough yet to report on its usefullness. Others have reported that it is very pixelated, but is nevertheless helpful in sunny conditions when viewing the LCD is difficult. I suspect it is also useful in lowlight situations, where added stability is obtained by holding the camera against your face.
Here's what you get:
The viewfinder slips into a fitting inside the case, which holds it tightly and protects the electical connector.
Of course, the lens adapter makes it impossible to slide the camera into a pocket, so one has to carry the camera in a bag or fanny pack, or use a neck strap like the one included with the camera. Occasionally, I wonder if after adding the lens adapter that it might instead make more sense to own a m4/3 camera like the Panasonic GF1/GF2, or the new Olympus E-PL2. But I think the m4/3 options weigh about 1/2-pound more when equipped with the kit 28-85mm-equiv zoom. And I absolutely love the fact that the LX5 goes a bit wider, with 24-90mm-equiv field of view. I find for landscape photography that I am using the 24mm wide angle for about 25% of my images.
Now onto the second accessory I purchased for the LX5....
The second accessory is the Panasonic LVF1 (live view finder). It is the same one that was designed for the GF1, which can also be used on the GF2. If you are lucky this can be purchased for about $125. Still, that is a pretty fair penny when added to what is basically an advanced point and shoot camera that itself is now selling for about $400, after coming to the market in September 2010 for $500.
I have not used the viewfinder enough yet to report on its usefullness. Others have reported that it is very pixelated, but is nevertheless helpful in sunny conditions when viewing the LCD is difficult. I suspect it is also useful in lowlight situations, where added stability is obtained by holding the camera against your face.
Here's what you get:
The view finder comes in a glossy little cardboard box with a silver and black face.
Inside the box is a carrying case made of synthetic material, but looking a bit like leather, with a velcro closure.The case measures about 2" x 2" x 1" and has a small sleeve on the back so you can thread it onto your neck strap.
To attach the viewfinder first remove the protective plastic clip from the LX5's hotshoe. This clip protects the electrical connections created by the hotshoe and the port just below the hotshoe (and above the LCD) on the back of the camera.
The viewfinder slips right into the hot shoe. It will not interfere with the operation of the in-camera pop up flash that resides inside the camera to the left of the viewfinder from popping up. (Surprisingly, the lens adapter does not seem to block the flash's output, at least during my initial useage. The next time I attend a family get-together I will try it a bit more extensively... and will reword this paragraph if necessary.) [Added: However a strong shadow is created in the lower right of the image when using the flash at 24mm. This shadow remains strong, but diminishes progressively in size at 28mm and 35mm; until at 50mm and longer focal lengths no shadow appears.]
Images below show the viewfinder, camera and lens adapter from several angles.
Images below show the viewfinder, camera and lens adapter from several angles.
2.10.2011
Photo club print "salon" entries for February, 2011
Both of these images were captured with point and shoot cameras. As always, the best camera for the job is the one you have with you!
The black and white below was taken with my 10mp Canon S90. There was plenty of light so even large prints will look good. This one was submitted as an 8" x 12" print.
Pepperell Covered Bridge
The black and white below was taken with my 10mp Canon S90. There was plenty of light so even large prints will look good. This one was submitted as an 8" x 12" print.
Cumulus Clouds over the Sudbury River
The color image below was taken with my old waterproof point and shoot camera which I take with me when fishing, the 3.3mp Pentax WR33. Submitted as an 9" x 12" print, this is an example of how it is "not all about pixels". On the other hand this is an old (2003) digital camera with poor white balance and subject to lots of lens flare if the light isn't almost directly behind you.
The bright wood on the sides of the bridge is due to the recent rehabilitation of this bridge in Pepperell, Massachusetts. The pine boards seemed to be unfinished but had a slight yellow color tint to them.
Although this was taken when the sun was harsh and high in the sky, and therefore not thought to be a good time to do serious photography, I very much liked the yellow/orange reflection it created in the ripples in the river.
Although this was taken when the sun was harsh and high in the sky, and therefore not thought to be a good time to do serious photography, I very much liked the yellow/orange reflection it created in the ripples in the river.
1.30.2011
Club digital "salon" entries for February, 2011
[Larger images and complete EXIF information are availabe on my Web site, here]
I submitted two images for the nature category this month. The first was taken in early October near the northern rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado. I like the layering effect of the foreground of grass, the colorful low bushes on the ridge, and the blue sky and puffy clouds. Though we often think of images being divided into thirds, there are four distinct layers here.
I feel that there is not a lot here to give a sense of depth; but rather it is all about the colors in layers starting at the bottom (grass) and ending at the top (sky and clouds).
This second nature image was taken in the marshy area behind my office. The heron had just finished preening itself, while standing on this little island of vegetation.
I submitted two images for the nature category this month. The first was taken in early October near the northern rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado. I like the layering effect of the foreground of grass, the colorful low bushes on the ridge, and the blue sky and puffy clouds. Though we often think of images being divided into thirds, there are four distinct layers here.
I feel that there is not a lot here to give a sense of depth; but rather it is all about the colors in layers starting at the bottom (grass) and ending at the top (sky and clouds).
High Plains Autumn
Heron After Preening
The final image was taken at a butterfly house so it doesn't meet our club's definition of a "nature" image. The same would go for animals in a zoo. So I submitted it in the "open" category. Shot at F6.7, I wish I'd used F11 for more depth of field. I would have liked the antennaes to be in focus, but the eye and proposcus are sharp.
Glasswing Butterfly
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