BOO!

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2 sec

Pumpkin Critter ~

Trick or Treat!

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Friday PhotoShare ~

My neighbor created an elaborate Halloween display, one of which scares all children young and old. I am not one who enjoys being frightened and prefers Halloween trick or treaters to be dressed as their favorite Disney character.

As of a late, I have been playing with some night photography and decided to take advantage of this neighbor's display. Somehow his yard of terror didn’t seem to be so frightful when I was armed with my camera.

Photo was taken @ ISO LO1, f/5.6, 1 sec. Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

SkyWatch ~

The water is still as glass, the air is crisp and cool and they're coming home after a night's work.
Hopefully the catch was good.

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Frightful ~

second for the Halloween display

Blue SkyWatch ~

I knew of 3 local lighthouses. Recently after doing an internet search, to my surprise, I discovered there are actually 12 land based and 11 water based lighthouses. There are, also, 2 lightships all within an hour drive. We plan on visiting them all. I had known of the one pictured for years but had not make the trip to visit. One glorious day last week, I packed up my camera and with my husband in tow, headed up to take some photographs. We can now check this one off the list.

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Friday PhotoShare ~

My husband and I took an evening trip to our closest lighthouse the other evening. I started to photograph with the recommended ISO 200, f/11, 30 sec. I understand this was a good setting to capture the star created by the flashing light. This produced a very dark image and foolishly I bumped the f stop to f/22. Wrong! What I got was black photo with one tiny white speck. Than it dawned on me to turn the f-stop down, I turned it to f/5.6 and to my surprise there was an actual image on the screen!! I was so excited, it was a "light bulb" moment.

The most difficult thing for me was focusing, (my lens doesn't have an infinity setting). It was so dark and I could barely see the lighthouse through the eyepiece and far to dark for auto focus. Dang!

My lowest ISO is 200 and it than goes to LO 0.3, LO 0.7, LO 1, what the heck does that mean?? Guess, it means, more reading is needed. I did use a tripod and I did use the self timer. I am pleased with the outcome but there is room for improvement.

I have been looking at this light for well over 35 years, and that night I realized the light does not flash, it is a revolving light, which means I would not get the star effect I was hoping for. No worries, we have 12 land lighthouses, 10 water based lighthouses and 2 lightships in my local area. I am certain one must have a flashing light.

Heading out this evening to try my luck with night shots of my local marina. After receiving a package from Japan today I am certain I have room on the 4GB to practice. Thank you very much to our hostess ~ Courtney.

Please critique, any and all comments are always welcome.

Beautiful Blue Eyes ~

My World ~

Summer turns to Autumn, the flood gates open, the men arrive, and the cranberry harvest begins.

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Getting Ready to Work ~

At a recent gathering of Seeing Eye Puppy Raisers, the opportunity to visit with littermates was given. This good looking boy is Tanner, brother of a friend's Tootsie "Roll".

Friday Photo Share ~

(* SkyWatch one post down)

Lately, I have fallen in the habit of taking photos of the same objects. Strolling the boardwalk, I find my camera being drawn to the roller coaster jetting into the Atlantic Ocean; in the fields bordering my home, it’s the old aged barn. While this makes for a wonderful pictoral diary of my everyday life, it also has brought routine.

My recent quest to produce better photographs has inspired the search for new subjects. This fresh perspective has proven to be both whimsical and enthralling. Generally, once a week (camera in hand and husband in tow) I head off to unexplored places. This has yeilded several serendipitous occasions; a pool of starfish, the migration of the monarch butterfly, the discovery of a Lighthouse which I did not know was nearby and another I have never visited. We became witness to the wet harvest of cranberries in the nearby bogs and all sorts of creatures in the bushes and on the logs.

A relentless persuit of photographic creativity has also sparked an interest in night photography, and over the past week, a mix of success and failure. One dark night recently, we drove to our local Lighthouse, "Old Barney." While I have many photos of this landmark, my collection lacks an evening shot. My mind's eye could see a dimly lit structure, its rays of light streaming in long bars sharply peircing a jet black backdrop with a whisp of cloud reflecting the moon's mellow glow nearby. It was to be a glorious photo, one to be framed and treasured, reviewed and revered. However, it was not to be so. What no one told me is that its a blind darkness; you can’t even see to focus, let alone the intended image. A glance through the eyepiece revealed a pitch-black backdrop dotted with a small white speck.

My Ansel Adams moment will have to wait; perhaps, it is best to first try shooting at dusk.

favorite from the week ~

oh, good Lord ~

ISO 500, f 5.6, 1/2 sec

SkyWatch Walk ~

With each sunrise, we start anew.

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Color Change ~

Star Critter ~

For many years, I have had the pleasure of living along the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. This last summer brought several new sights. On more than one occassion I had the pleasure of watching schools of dolphin swimming, feeding, and playing in the waves. During one of my sunrise walks, I sadly came across a stringray which the waves had brought ashore during the dark of night, and last week I witnessed a dozen or so starfish in jetty pools. I am not sure what a group of starfish is called. Is it a galaxy?

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Friday Photo Share ~

This week’s “lesson” ~ be mindful of where you are cropping. In most instances it is wise not to chop off limbs. Courtney’s examples were proof of this point.

While I was trying to capture the ♥ which was being created by the curved necks of these flamingos, I applied the rule of thirds. Upon uploading and critiquing my own photo (which I do all the time), I wasn’t thrilled with the look of the photo. I thought the photo lacked my “subject” and after reading the lesson about “cropping”, I noticed I had indeed cut off the flamingos lower leg at the point of his/her knee caps. Yuck!

I decided to crop the photo down to create the photo I had in my mind‘s eye. I am much happier with the results.

And a big thank you to Courtney for a new 4GB card, now I can practice, practice, practice.

A Grape SkyWatch ~

With the passing of summer, the fruits of her labor are ready for harvest. As the rain clouds scatter, these grapes wait their turn to be plucked from the only home they have known. Soon they will become a great spirit.

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An apple a day ~

My World ~

The long, warm, beautiful beach days of summer are but a memory now. They have been replaced by the cooler, dark, dreary, rainy days of Autumn. Long are the days of sand between my toes. For now I’ll have to settle for the warmth of a fireplace and a pair of comfy slippers.

join in @ My World Tuesday.

Witchy Marco Monday ~

Daylight hours are on the decline, nights are longer and cooler, and the spooky, scary, creatures of October start to arrive. This young lady is first on the scene and anxious to gather all the ingredients for her autumn brew …

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Willow Critter ~

Willow, my 3 year old, tail wagging, full of enthusiasm for life, black lab, critter. ♥

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An Autumn ~ photo share

Metering ~ I am a shoot 100s of photos and hope for the best kind of photographer. After finding Courtney’s blog I decided to take control over my photography and to learn more about improving my photos through use of manual mode and settings. This being said, I never realized I could or would need to meter anything. This week’s “lesson” inspired me to do some reading on this subject, grab my Nikon and head out to the field to photograph the Fall harvest. I was feeling empowered to capture something wonderful. There was clearly a difference in the sample photos posted by Courtney, however when I changed the settings, I did not notice any difference. Perhaps it was the subject matter I was shooting, or the rainy overcast weather, or maybe pumpkins and apples just always look good and don’t need to be metered. None the less, I am happy with the photos I captured, but I am happier I arrived at the farm in time to enjoy one of the freshly made apple cider donuts.

Welcoming ~ SkyWatch

Under a blanket of blue sky, our Lady, proudly stands waiting to welcome one and all.

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