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Spring Made it to Western New York
Maybe it's just me but spring 2020 has felt slow to come to Western New York. Sure, it paid us a visit a few times, it teased us with pleasant temperatures, with a gorgeous blue sky, and with a good dose of sunshine. But then it always left, leaving heavy clouds, lots of rain, and cold temperatures.
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Sure, at least we can't complain about drought. It's actually the other way around and farms have struggled getting machinery into the fields to seed the 2020 crops. And the forecast still calls for the white stuff by next weekend. As my wife passionately points out, it always snows in Buffalo, NY in May. It still surprises me and mildly annoys me nevertheless.
Catkins, Blue ThemeSpring in Western New York
Catkins, Blue Theme, Spring in Western New York
Photographed on film: Nikon N75, Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105, Kodak Portra 160
All of these photos were taken about 5 minutes from where I live along a trail we walk almost daily. While I did not have a camera on me this day these beautiful catkins provided enough of a reason to finish the walk, grab a camera, and had back for more. Yep, no leaving it for another day!
Catkins, Gray ThemeSpring in Western New York
Catkins, Gray Theme, Spring in Western New York
Photographed on film: Nikon N75, Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105, Kodak Portra 160
For these close ups I took advantage of the macro capability built into the zoom lens. It's a really nice convenience that was common when shooting fixed lens cameras or many point and shoots. With SLRs, one gives that convenience up for gain in versatility and quality and needs to carry a dedicated macro lens or extension tubes. This 28 - 105 mm lens provides a nice compromise. While not a true 1:1 macro lens it can get to 1:2 magnification in a convenient and lightweight combo. I have really enjoyed this lens as an all purpose lens on the plastic fantastic Nikon N75 (or F75 outside of the U.S.).
Catkins, Green ThemeSpring in Western New York
Catkins, Green Theme, Spring in Western New York
Photographed on film: Nikon N75, Nikon AF Nikkor 28-105, Kodak Portra 160
I also had fun changing my point of view to get different backgrounds. I angled the lens slightly up and the blue sky provided a wonderful backdrop. I went straight and against the woods and there was a nice woody background. And finally, a little downward tilt and a move to the side and the grass provided yet another color background.
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
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Boathouse Row, Part III
With today's post we are wrapping up the Boathouse Row series (Boathouse Row, Part I, Boathouse Row, Part II in Black & White). We started in color, did a black and white interlude, and are back to color now. I hope you will all enjoy this dose of subtle colors as color is returning to the world around us.
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The first photograph was mostly inspired by the boathouse decorations. Paddles, water skis, signs, flowers, and more. The boathouses have a charm of their own but add a small decoration or two and it further elevates the whole experience.
Paddling through LifeCanandaigua City Pier
Paddling through Life, Canandaigua City Pier, New York
Photographed on film: Nikon N75, Kodak Portra 400
For the second photograph we're changing angles a bit and looking over the water at the boathouse backs. It's rather tempting right now to hop in a boat, open up the garage door and pull out for a fun ride.
On the WaterBoathouses of Canandaigua
On the Water, Boathouses of Canandaigua City Pier
Photographed on film: Nikon N75, Kodak Portra 400
And to close out today and the whole visit we are back to the decorations, this time prominent in the front. The old buoys definitely caught my eye and I knew I had to highlight them in one of my photographs.
Buoyed, Canandaigua City Pier
Photographed on film: Nikon N75, Kodak Portra 400
I hope today's post allowed you to forget the real world in a minute of daydreaming. That is what photography has been helping me with lately, whether standing behind a camera capturing new happy moments or reviewing images from the past, like these. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more photographs from Buffalo and Western New York? Visit my Buffalo Cityscapes and Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes and enjoy! For more travel photography, my Travel Photography gallery offers an interesting mix of places all around. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Boathouse RowCanandaigua
Boathouse Window in RedCanandaigua
Down the Pier in Black & WhiteCanandaigua
Boathouse Row in Black & WhiteCanandaigua
Gone
Going back in time today with two subjects that are never to be seen again. Both used to be on Buffalo's Outer Harbor. That's one of the powers of photography. It freezes time and stores it in a photograph potentialy for eternity.
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The first photo is of an old pier that always caught my eye when I walked by. There was something attractive about the missing planks. It always made me wonder whether it would get fixed or dilapidate even more. And then one day it was gone!
A Requiem to a PierBuffalo's Outer Harbor
A Requiem to a Pier, Buffalo's Outer Harbor
Photographed on film: Nikon FE, Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 pre-AI, Kodak Tri-X 400
The second photograph is of quite a bit larger structure with quite a bit more historic significance to Buffalo, NY. However, as with the pier, it bit the dust and is no more. A new development is planned for the location and it seems like the plans are still fluid. I personally am not a fan of a high-rise standing here neither would I like to see a swath of land being locked out for a private property. I have really enjoyed the revival of Buffalo's water front including the Outer Harbor and having public land on the lakeshore is wonderful.
Freezer QueenBuffalo's Outer Harbor
Freezer Queen, Buffalo's Outer Harbor
Photographed on film: Nikon FE, Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 pre-AI, Kodak Tri-X 400
And it seems like I am not the only on wiht that opinion. On warm days (under normal circumstances), you will find hundreds of people enjoying various activities along the lake. Buffalonians waited for many decades for that opportunity and I'd hate to see it go away.
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more photographs from Buffalo and Western New York? Visit my Buffalo Cityscapes and Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes and enjoy! Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
North Grand Island BridgeCover of Clouds
A Pier on Lake Erie, Buffalo, NYGone
International Railway BridgeNiagara River
Buffalo at Night
Today I am picking up where the Welcome to Buffalo, New York left off. Let's continue walking and looking around Buffalo, NY at night and see what the light shines on. Indeed, there was more looking than walking in this case as all of the photos are from a single location, a location that fit the bill for night photography perfectly.
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The first photo is a great combination of warm light coming from inside of a grain elevator and the cool outside illumination resulting in an interesting contrast of colors. I really enjoyed the scene and this photograph was a nice completely unplanned bonus. That's always the great thing about heading out with a camera. Whether the destination is planned or not some interesting surprises usually emerge and often become the best ones of the day or night.
Night at a Grain ElevatorBuffalo, NY
Night at a Grain Elevator, Buffalo, New York
Photographed on film: Nikon FM2n, AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D, Cinestill 800T
The next photograph is also based around a surprise. A grain elevator on the very left and then one partially demolished turned into a sculpture. Overall an industrial scene. And look, there's a London double-decker pulling out from around the corner!
Bus 'round the CornerBuffalo, NY
Bus 'round the Corner, Buffalo, NY
Photographed on film: Nikon FM2n, AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D, Cinestill 800T
Let's take a closer look at that bus. Is that a Routemaster?
Buffalo, New York, Night Urban Photography
Photographed on film: Nikon FM2n, AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D, Cinestill 800T
I hope you have enjoyed this second installment of night photographs from the city of Buffalo. And if you're wondering, wonder no more, this is not the end. I really enjoyed this different point of view and will definitely head out for more.
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more photographs from Buffalo and Western New York? Visit my Buffalo Cityscapes and Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes and enjoy! Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Welcome to Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, New York
Vintage USS CroakerBuffalo, NY
A Cadillac Theme
There's a place near me that's a photographer's treasure trove. I like to return there often and look for something new. Sometimes it's different conditions, other times different tools. This day I showed up with a Nikon FE2 loaded with a classic Fomapan 400 black and white film. And the lens of choice? A 55mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor.
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Thanks to the macro lens choice the obvious draw was to go for some close ups and I had not done those at the location before. For the first photo, the halogen headlights of an old Cadillac called for a photo. Do we ever take the time to study the glass covering the headlights?
Cadillac Headlight Close Up
Photographed with a Nikon FE2 on Fomapan 400 Black & White Film
For the second photo, we'll stick with the same Cadillac. This time, off to the side looking into the car, this masterpiece of a spider web was in place instead of the normal pane of glass. I considered my focusing options and decided to go for a sharp web with the interior for the backdrop.
A Web in a Cadillac Close Up
Photographed with a Nikon FE2 on Fomapan 400 Black & White Film
People sometimes complain when they are constrained by their shooting locations. I have definitely not reached that point. For now, revisiting locations is an opportunity to capture them differently and leave with different images then before. Sometimes the differences can be subtle, other times quite pronounced. This was my first time shooting a macro lens there and that alone could provide years of photographic opportunity.
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more photographs from Buffalo and Western New York? Visit my Buffalo Cityscapes and Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes and enjoy! For more travel photography, my Travel Photography gallery offers an interesting mix of places all around. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them (commission earned) and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Old Ladder in an Old ShedDetails
Drying GarlicDetails
Boathouse Row in Black & WhiteDetails