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Cold, Rainy, and Colorful
Previously: Warm and Colorful
It's time for a fall classic! It would not be the season of color without a visit to and post from Letchworth State Park. Unlike last year, weather did not cooperate as much, and it was really gloomy and dark. Wet foliage can actually be fun to photograph, and a polarizing filter can cut through its reflections to deliver really saturated colors. One needs some light for that though!
The Wall, Letchworth State Park
It did not help, I will admit, that while I moved my quick release plate to the camera of choice for the day, I forgot my tripod by the door at home. That eliminated long exposures from my repertoire, and I had to bump up the ISO instead. It was so dark that the polarizing filter had to go back to the bag because I could not afford to lose the 2+ stops of light. However, the rain held at more of a drizzle and made for an enjoyable day outside.
Wall Curve, Letchworth State Park
I assume most of the people go to Letchworth State Park in the fall to enjoy the colorful show that Mother Nature puts on there for a few weeks. And I certainly enjoy that too! I also enjoy the interaction of manmade versus nature. In a way, my photography has shifted over the years in this direction. I used to carefully work to eliminate any signs of humanity from my photographs. Then, around the time we started doing longer family road trips, I started working the human aspects back into my photography. And you can clearly see that in today's post.
Winding through Seasonal WonderFall Colors in Letchworth State Park
Winding through Seasonal Wonder, Letchworth State Park
It would not have been too difficult to exclude the walls, the roads, and all the other manmade structures from my photography on this day but it would have resulted in different photographs. Some would change slightly, some more drastically and some just would not be captured as the human element became the main focal point.
Bridge over Wolf CreekFall in Letchworth State Park
Bridge over Wolf Creek, Letchworth State Park
The three main attractions in Letchworth State Park are the three main waterfalls: Lower, Middle, and Upper. But don't be fooled, the park has so much more to offer. As we have been returning for more for over a quarter century we are still finding more and more. And it's the more subtle, off-the-beaten-path locations I am growing to appreciate more and more.
Elements of InterestFall in Letchworth State Park
Elements of Interest, Letchworth State Park
I also grew to enjoy the things probably often overlooked. Yes, that takes me back full circle to the manmade structures. A wooden shelter could probably be viewed as obstructing some pristine natural views. But look at the tasteful wooden construction! And look at that beautiful stone chimney! And what can we see through the shelter's window?
Fall WindowFall in Letchworth State Park
Fall Window, Letchworth State Park
The park has breathtaking views all around and many of them are thanks to the Genesee River, which carved out a beautiful canyon through the cliffs. A lot of the views in Letchworth are from the cliff tops but there are a few trails that take you down to the river or to some of the tributaries. Either way, you will be rewarded for the steps you take!
River below CliffsFall in Letchworth State Park
River below Cliffs, Letchworth State Park
Stay behind the WallFall in Letchworth State Park
Stay behind the Wall, Letchworth State Park
Heck of a View!Fall in Letchworth State Park
Heck of a View!, Letchworth State Park
Relax!Fall in Letchworth State Park
Relax!, Letchworth State Park
The Portage Bridge in ColorsFall in Letchworth State Park
The Portage Bridge in Colors, Letchworth State Park
Do you have your 'Old Faithful' location you keep returning to? Letchworth State Park is definitely one of mine.
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
Gardeau Overlook in the Fall, Letchworth State ParkFall Colors
Wolf Creek Trail in the Fall, Letchworth State ParkFall Colors
Back at Hog's Back in the Fall, Letchworth State ParkFall Colors
A Walk through East Aurora
I usually try not to share too many photographs in a single post but a while back I did a post on a walk through Orchard Park, NY and shared all photos at once and liked that format too. Today, I am repeating that approach with photos from a nearby village of East Aurora, NY. Last year, I had about an hour of photography time many Sundays in a row and used that as an opportunity to get to know and photograph the beautiful village.
Zorki 4, Jupiter 8 50mm f/2East Aurora Sunday Walk
This was a vibrant day in January 2022 with a clear blue sky and not a speck of snow to be found anywhere, not common in Western New York at all. I usually stick to black and white film for the 6 months of gray but this day screamed for color. I decided to go the less familiar route of an ECN-2 film, specifically the Kodak Vision 3 250D movie film. Even now a year and a half later I must still say that I have not figured out how to effectively deal with the remjet removal and thus movie films remain a minority in my film photography journey.
For a change of pace, I loaded the film into my Zorki 4 range finder fitted with the standard Jupiter 8 50mm lens. While the camera has shortcomings it also has one huge advantage for me.
Since I wear glasses that have gotten stronger over the years I like cameras with a diopter adjustment. Unfortunately, most cameras do not allow for a strong enough adjustment. Even Nikons with their screw in diopter adjustment do not go high enough. However, this old Zorki 4 has a lever next to the viewfinder that allows for sufficient adjustment and then some!
Just briefly on the shortcomings, I recommend reading the manual before operating this camera. There are some quirks you must follow if you don't want to damage the camera. For example, first cock the shutter and only then set the shutter speed. Make sure the selector freely slides into the selected speed position.
Alright, enough on the camera geekery, let's go for a walk. We're starting at Main and Riley Streets heading east along Main Street.
Taste Us & Red's Beef on WeckEast Aurora Walk
Taste Us & Red's Beef on Weck, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
There are a few narrow passages connecting Main Street with the parking lots in the back. Above is one just like that. And you can choose which restaurant to enter based on your appetite. For the following photo we turn around and look back with the narrow passage on the right. I am a sucker for signage and was able to get three into a single photo here.
Food Parade - Red's Beef on Weck, Taste, Griffon Gastro Pub, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Next off to the next set of storefronts sticking with the brick theme, even if in different hues.
Kickstand Culture & Aurora Nail BoutiqueEast Aurora Walk
Kickstand Culture & Aurora Nail Boutique, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Even though the next section shares the same building and the upper floor remains in brick the first floor features a different siding for a different look.
Head over Heels & ErosEast Aurora Walk
Head over Heels & Eros, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
At this point we're moving further east across Church Street finding ourselves by the famous Vidler's. If you want to learn more about this magical store feel free to search for something like "vidlers east aurora history" in your favorite search engine. All I will say here is that it all started in the 1930s during the Great Depression.
Vidler's 5 - 10 & $East Aurora Walk
Vidler's 5 - 10 & $, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Despite the history going more than 90 years back the founder still welcomes people to the store from his perch on the rooftop.
Founder on the RoofEast Aurora Walk
Founder on the Roof, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
I love the large round analog thermometer by Vidler's! And on this sunny day with clear blue sky it was this thermometer providing clues about the time of the year.
30° FahrenheitEast Aurora Walk
30° Fahrenheit, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
For the next photo, we are traveling a little bit into the past as the storefront has changed in the meantime. Back in January 2022 Limelight Music was still located there. At this point, it's a home to the Revolver Records, a dangerous (for one's wallet) vinyl records store.
Limelite MusicEast Aurora Walk
Limelite Music, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Let's finish the walk without words, just scroll, look, and enjoy.
Country CupboardEast Aurora Walk
Country Cupboard, East Aurora Walk, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Bruce's AutomotiveEast Aurora Walk
Bruce's Automotive, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Charie's DinerEast Aurora Walk
Charie's Diner, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Gingerich Auto CareEast Aurora Walk
Gingerich Auto Care, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Taste & Red's, East Aurora - iSRD ONEast Aurora Walk
Taste & Red's, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Little Red Caboose, East Aurora - iSRD ONEast Aurora Walk
Little Red Caboose, East Aurora, NY
Photographed with a 35mm Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 lens on Kodak Vision 3 250D Color Negative Movie Film
Alright, that's it for today's visit to East Aurora, NY. If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear from you. Please, use the "Leave a Comment" link under the headline to share your thoughts.
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.
Balcony View
I was on the road for a bit and took a break from my blog for a few weeks. However, it is time to get back to it. I would love to finish up some of the ongoing photo stories and also have some new material I'd like to post. To get back into blogging quickly, I'm starting with a short one today.
It's a continuation of the 2016 trip to the Czech Republic. For a few days we stayed at a cabin near Červený Kostelec. It served as our base for daytrips to the nearby rock cities. It was by a beautiful small lake that offered wonderful morning and evening walks and photo opportunities. And the cabin itself could also be used at the base for my tripod as in this photo captured from its balcony.
Tree at Night under the Stars
It was a great quiet moment with thousands of stars above and a dose of city glow in the distance just over the horizon. And of course, a lone tree just happened to grow in the middle of it all.
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more landscape photographs from places beyond Western New York? Visit my Landscapes Faraway or Travel Photography galleries and enjoy!
Mound of Death, OstašCzech Republic
Rock City OstašCzech Republic
Devil's Car, OstašCzech Republic
Špinka in FogCzech Republic
In a Fairy TaleCzech Republic
A Photo Served
Sometimes, photo expeditions are planned, sometimes not. And sometimes, they are not even photo expeditions at all! This visit to an ice skating rink was definitely for a different occasion than photography. When things were over and I walked by these doors on the way out I could not help but taking a photo. It was literally served to me on a silver platter and all that was missing was to capture it. Have you heard the saying that the best camera is the one you have with you? For me on this occasion, it was an old iPhone 7.
Red LockersPatterns and colors sometimes show up in the least expected places, like these red locker room doors at a ice rink.
July 4 Fireworks, Two Bursts, Orchard Park, New York
The most difficult part was capturing this quartet head on keeping vertical lines vertical, horizontal lines horizontal, and maintaining all of the right angles. I fiddled with the scene quite a bit but the resulting photograph still needed a minor tweak afterwards. Now I need to plan a photo op and return with a "real" camera.
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
July 4 Fireworks, Handheld AbstractAn Abstract
Pineapple PatternA Pattern
Bug Ranch AbstractAn Abstract
Alabama 2023, Part V, Magnolia Springs
Even the last road trip's photographs are now growing old without being seen. The couple I am sharing today are from almost the same place. One beautiful old oak tree alley from its two sides. First, we're looking one way in color.
Old Oak Trees of Oak StreetAlabama
Old Oak Trees of Oak Street, Magnolia Springs, Alabama
And then we are looking the other way in black and white. Old trees may be a photographic cliche, but I really do not care. Finding a beautiful old tree is always a good reason to bring the camera to my eye and click the shutter. And the oak trees of the American South are gorgeous. Their crowns tend to create these beautiful tree tunnels. Add some Spanish Moss and the Southern vibe is complete (even if it's neither Spanish nor moss)!
Oak Alley at Oak StreetAlabama
Oak Alley at Oak Street, Magnolia Springs, Alabama
Nikon FE, Ilford Delta 100, D-23 7 minutes
Alright, that's it for today's duo from our 2023 road trip to Alabama. Which version do you like more? Color? Black and white?
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Alabama 2023 Series: Part I, Houses on Stilts, Part II, Ends of Day, Part III, A Hop to Pensacola, Florida, Part IV, Mardi Gras, Part V, Magnolia Springs
Seville QuarterPensacola, Florida
Plaza Ferdinand VII Sculpture, Pensacola, FloridaAlabama
Office & Palm TreesGulf Shores, Alabama