Mom’s Garden 79/365

The sanctity of which is not being respected by the puppies...

The Not So Willing Model 78/365

Despite all attempts I wasn’t able to get an acceptable portrait of Sandy, so I snatched a quick snap while my daughter was carrying her off….

A Willing Model 77/365

Madison is developing into a little ham.  She’ll gladly sit for a portrait. Her sister, on the other hand wants to eat the camera every time you point it at her.  

The shot – Manual mode f/4 ~ 1/125 sec ~ 55mm ~ 400 iso ~ on camera flash at 1/8 power with 10x10 DIY bounce card. 

The Wild Beast in the Big City 76/365

This life size statue is in a park on First Ave.  I’ve probably walked past it 100 times but never saw it.  Due to construction I couldn’t get a better angle and still maintain the bush scene.  As it was I had to photoshop in the grassy foreground.

Complex Lines 75/365

This is one the many hi-rises that makup the NYC skyline.  This one was about 70 stories and the condo’s likely go for $2.5M+ each.  Prime river view will add another $500K.  I liked the lines.  

Clematis by Night. 74/365

This was one of two ideas I had to shoot this flower.  I was so happy with the results I didn’t event try the other one.  Perhaps I’ll save it for another night… 

Shot info – Aperture Priority ~f/2.8 ~1/4 sec ~40mm ~ISO 400 white LED flashlight with a snoot made of heavy construction paper.

And The Band Played On…. 73/365

The East Meadow School District has been nationally recognized for its music program for the past 30 years.  Tonight the East Meadow High School held its year-end summer concert where the 300+ students who participate in the music program play for their families. To say they were amazing, is a gross understatement.  Here is a shot of the concert band.  BTW – My daughter plays clarinet.

Shot info – Manual mode ~f/4 ~1/60 sec ~40mm ~ISO 400 camera mounted flash ½ power.

The Same, Only Different 72/365

Same subject as yesterday only a different view.

Flower Pots 71/365

All the credit goes to my wife.  All I did was photograph it.

Smoking Watering Can 70/365

It wasn’t how I originally envisioned it but I’m happy with the results.   The watering can normally has a potted plant in it but I replaced it with a piece of incense and piece of cardboard to force the smoke out the head.

Tired Puppy 69/365

They play hard and they crash hard. 

Blending Gels 68/365

I’m not happy with the results but I’m giving up for the night…

Flash Hardly Done Right (HDR) 67/365

Another questionable attempt at HDR. Tonight I set my camera on a tripod at ISO 100, f/2.8 and 1/60 sec. I put the flash on the camera in manual mode and took 8 shots at power settings from full to 1/128 power. I tried very hard to stay away from extreme processing but I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know what I’m doing, pure trial & error. I also uploaded #4 in the series, straight out of the camera.   Any opinions?

HDR 66/365

Clearly the acronym stands for Hardly Done Right. That accurately describes all my experiences…..

Portrait Practice 65/365

I read about a portrait technique of using natural light, but not direct sunlight, coming in through a window to light your subject.  Then use shielded/defused fill flash to control the level and position of shadow for the other side of the face.

Since all my potential models were not in a cooperative mood today I used the dyed rose my wife received as a gife from our youngest daughter. 

As a learning experience I saw how changing the position and power of the light delivered the desired effect.  However, it didn’t translate well to a picture of a rose, so I selected one with a less dramatic affect. 

Lady Bugs 64/365

I went to the nursery yesterday and at the checkout counter they had containers of 500 Lady Bugs for $8.  I was shocked to discover they came with directions too.  FACT - Lady Bugs don’t fly at night. So the recommended release approach is to wait until after dark and then water the plants where you want them to nest.  Upon release the Lady Bugs will immediately seek out food and water.  Since its dark they wont fly away and having water right there increases the odds that they’ll stick around.

Strobist – Speedlight #1 camera left at 1/16 power shot through an umbrella.  Speedlight #2 defused, camera right at 1/32 power 

Old School 63/365

This is the engineer’s cab on an old diesel locomotive. They’re not used much these days, they aren’t very green but when it snows and there’s a foot of snow on the tracks they’re the only thing that runs.

Welcome To The Zone 62/365

The “Commuter Zone” that it.  This gentleman was catching up on his sleep and hoping to catch flies at the same time.  I realize it’s a bit stalkerish but I have no guilt, as he’s a total stranger. 

Big Apple Transportation 61/365

The most effective way to move about in the Big Apple is The Subway.  It can take you almost anywhere in the 5 boroughs, runs 24x7x365, its safe (relatively), and convenient.  90% of it runs underground, many parts of it are more than 125 years old, its noisy, and the ride is anything but smooth.   Its bumpy, jerky, prone to sudden stops and starts, and lets not forget the whims of the engineer at the wheel. Taking pictures of the tunnel as you’re rollin’ down the tracks has many challenges. 

Mango 60/365

Ripened to perfection, sweet, juicy and absolutely delicious.

Gerber Daisy 59/365

This is just 1 of the many flowers my wife planted last week.  

Still Life 58/365

Dual speedlights - #1 on the floor behind subject, snooted, and pointed at the vase at 1/8 power.  # 2 camera right at 1/64 power with DIY grill.  Both radio triggered. 

Cinco De Mayo 57/365

I was commuting home when I spotted this from the train window…..

The Langley 56/365

I copied this idea from a very talented photographer whose work I greatly admire.  His photographic hobby developed into a passion and now his profession.  Please take a moment to browse through his archives, I promise you’ll be impressed.  http://apl666.blogspot.com

The shot – Manual mode ~1/15 sec ~f/10 ~32mm w/12mm extension tube, speedlite at 1/32 power on a fully extended lightstand and bounce off the ceiling.   It took over a dozen shots to position the subject, the light, and the camera to create and catch the light spectrum on the CD.  

The Lil Escape Artist 55/365

The first few weeks we had Madison she would escape through this hole in the fence.  Now she can barely get her head through.

Avian Townhouse 54/365

This one is currently available,  only quiet tenants should apply.  

English Hyacinth 53/365

I was in the yard working all day and spied these around noon but decided to wait for better light.  Before I knew it, it was dusk and there was no light…

Strobist – Speedlight directly above at 1/16 power