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Moods of Lake Erie
To Paul, who liked this beach very much and introduced me to it
The night before was wild with rainstorms and downpours and I could see the effect on Lake Erie right as I got out of the car at Sturgeon Point. The wave action was rather impressive for a lake and I started having second thoughts about my intentions. For a baseline, here's a video of what things looked like at the water's edge.
Waves of Lake Erie in MotionOvernight Downpours Churned the Lake Up
Waves of Lake Erie in Motion. Overnight Downpours Churned the Lake Up
I wanted to capture some smooth long exposures of the lake, which I had not done in a long time. But seeing the action, I felt obligated to alter my plans. I was not going to give up on the long exposures. In fact, the wild action could provide the best set up for those. However, I didn't feel that the long exposures represented the reality.
Wild Lake Erie MoodLong Exposure
Wild Lake Erie Mood, Long Exposure
From the opening video, through the original plan of a long exposure, to the opposite approach and going for a fast shutter by my favorite part of this beach. The shale rocks sticking out into the lake are such a gem and I can't get enough of them. It is always a challenge to return with new compositions as this area is like a magnet to me.
Churning at the LakeshoreFast shutter
Churning at the Lakeshore, Fast Shutter
It was not only the water that had different plans than me but the sun too. In general, sun had been messing with me for a few days already. I kept trying to take some infrared pictures around town and sun would be shining while I was in the house. But the moment I'd hop in the car it would immediately start playing peek-a-boo with me.
And this day on the beach? Just the opposite. I left with a pretty dense layer of clouds overhead and it looked like it would rain any moment. That was what got me thinking of long exposures. Low and diffused light is a good recipe. By the time I got to the location, the heavy clouds were mostly gone and nice puffy white clouds were rolling around, with the sun popping in and out all the time.
Lake or Ocean, Two Sides of one Coin, this one showing the wild side of Lake Erie
To make it even more apparent how the choice of technique can influence the resulting photograph, the above and below photos are photographed from the exact same tripod location approximately 2 minutes apart. For the action stopping photo above I removed the neutral density filter from my lens and changed camera settings to allow for a fast 1/800 sec. shutter speed. For the long exposure below, I re-attached the ND filter and altered the camera settings for a 13 second exposure. Thus, the exposure time for the above photograph was 10,400x shorter (quicker) than for the photo below. Nothing else changed. Look at the rocks, they are all still in the same place.
Lake or Ocean, CalmTwo Sides of one Coin, this one showing the quiet and moody side of Lake Erie.
Lake or Ocean, this one showing the quiet and moody side of Lake Erie
What do you think? Pretty crazy what a choice of shutter speed can do to a photograph, right? Which one do you like more? Why?
Thanks for stopping by! :-)
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
Boulders, Rocks, and Setting SunBeautiful Lake Erie
Water & Rocks at SunsetBeautiful Lake Erie
Sunset Awe at Sturgeon PointBeautiful Lake Erie
All Quiet on Lake ErieBeautiful Lake Erie
The First Light over Hamburg BeachBeautiful Lake Erie
Cyanotypes XVI: Nostalgic Pernštejn
To my mom
Another Cyanotype travel journal, this time full of nostalgia due to its subject's location in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands where I grew up and also where I spent many weekends and summer holidays at my grandparents. The castle itself has a unique charm too, with its imposing simplicity and awe inspiring views as one enters through the castle gates. I have also always loved the small houses on both sides of the path to the castle providing a stark contrast of the different standards of living, as well as a beautiful visual path towards the castle. And finally, some moons ago my mom was briefly a tour guide here at Pernštejn.
Pernštejn Castle CyanotypeGem of the Highlands
Pernštejn Castle Cyanotype, Czech Republic, An Original Hand-Made 5" x 7" Cyanotype
Chemically Printed on a Hand-Coated Shizen Design Cold Press Recycled Watercolor Paper
The next print is literally from the opposite side of the path taking visitors through the castle. At its end, you'll turn around ready to head back and this view will be right in front of you. I loved the double archways and tried to align them. I was also very glad to see the large stacks of wood off to the side. Clearly, the castle was ready for the winter in the Highlands. And sure, a nice wooden picket fence never hurts a photograph, does it?
Stacked Wood at Pernštejn Castle CyanotypeA Gem of the Highlands
Stacked Wood at Pernštejn Castle, Czech Republic, An Original Hand-Made 5" x 7" Cyanotype
Chemically Printed on a Hand-Coated Shizen Design Cold Press Recycled Watercolor Paper
Thanks for visiting, hope you'll be back :-)
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Previous posts in the Cyanotypes series: 1. First Cyanotype - 2. More Cyanotypes - 3. Highlands Cyanotypes - 4. How do Cyanotypes Happen? - 5. Cyanotypes V: Tweaking the Curve - 6. Cyanotypes VI: Toning - 7. Cyanotypes VII: More Toning - 8. Cyanotypes VIII: Toning Different Papers - 9. Cyanotypes IX: Horní Rozsíčky - 10. Cyanotypes X: From Black and White or Color - 11. Cyanotypes XI: Moravian Countryside - 12. Cyanotypes XII: Prague Castle - 13. Cyanotypes XIII: American History - 14. Cyanotypes XIV: Gulf Shores, Alabama - 15. Cyanotypes XV: Different Take on Travel Photography - 16. Cyanotypes XVI: Nostalgic Pernštejn
If you like cyanotypes, you can explore the Cyanotypes Photo Gallery dedicated to my growing collection of them. Would you like to browse through traditional darkroom wet prints? Visit my Darkroom Photo Gallery and enjoy!
House of Memories, Cyanotype IICyanotype Nostalgia
U Vlachů, CyanotypeCyanotype Nostalgia
On the Way from School, CyanotypeCyanotype Nostalgia
Alabama 2023, Part VI, Fairhope
Here's the sixth installment from our road trip to Alabama, this time visiting a charming town of Fairhope, Alabama. Fairhope is a true gem with a lot to see and makes for a wonderful relaxing day.
Oak Haven CottagesFairhope, Alabama
Oak Haven Cottages, Fairhope, Alabama
I also enjoyed the fact that despite the beginning of spring break, as this was a February 2023 trip, and the gorgeous weather the town was not crowded with tourists. That made walking around, visiting small shops, or taking pictures so much easier. I almost never do street or people photography, just the opposite. Here, I did not have to wait for people to leave my framed scenes.
A House on Nichols AvenueFairhope, Alabama.
A House on Nichols Avenue, Fairhope, Alabama
We easily found parking and started our walk through a very nice residential neighborhood, with houses and cottages for both residents as well as visitors.
Welcoming HouseFairhope, Alabama
Welcoming House, Fairhope, Alabama
Spanish HouseFairhope, Alabama.
Spanish House, Fairhope, Alabama
Eventually, we found our way to the downtown area and spent quite a bit of time wandering the streets, enjoying the architecture, and even visited a few of the small shops. And it's not accidental that I am sharing a photo of the Fairhope Soap Company. There are still a few bars of different scents left to enjoy but we are starting to run low now.
Downtown Fairhope ShopsFairhope, Alabama
Downtown Shops, Fairhope, Alabama
Fountain in a Downtown PassageFairhope, Alabama
Fountain in a Downtown Passage, Fairhope, Alabama
Fountain in a Passage, Black & WhiteFairhope, Alabama
Fountain in a Passage, Black & White, Fairhope, Alabama
Nikon FE, Ilford Delta 100, D-23
The shop windows definitely drew my attention and I had to hold myself back from going completely crazy. I am not sure if I was successful but I really enjoyed the arrangements behind the glass and played with the amount of reflections and glare I wanted in the photos Opportunities were endless.
Goodies in a Shop WindowFairhope, Alabama
Goodies in a Shop Window, Fairhope, Alabama
Old Lady in a Shop WindowFairhope, Alabama
Old Lady in a Shop Window, Fairhope, Alabama
Masks in a Shop WindowFairhope, Alabama
Masks in a Shop Window, Fairhope, Alabama
The final section of our visit was at the waterfront by Mobile Bay and the Fairhope Municipal Pier. We stayed till dusk to enjoy the bay in different light. It also allowed me to capture a blue hour long exposure. I used to take those extensively some years ago but had not done it much recently. So this evening provided a great opportunity to remember how to do them right.
Through the ReedsMobile Bay, Fairhope, Alabama
Through the Reeds, Mobile Bay, Fairhope, Alabama
Nikon FE, Ilford Delta 100, D-23
The Pier Bar & GrillFairhope, Alabama
The Pier Bar & Grill, Fairhope, Alabama
Nikon FE, Ilford Delta 100, D-23
Fairhope Municipal Pier at DuskMobile Bay, Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope Municipal Pier at Dusk, Mobile Bay, Fairhope, Alabama
If you find yourself within driving distance, I would definitely recommend a visit to Fairhope, Alabama whether you only have a few hours, a whole day, or even more. Cheers and until the seventh installment from Alabama!
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, Alabama 2023, Part VI, Fairhope
Orange Bicycle, Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, Florida
Oak Alley at Oak StreetMagnolia Springs, Alabama
Tarragona StPensacola, Florida
Toronto Film Shooters (TFS): The May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
I tried to inventory my participation at the Toronto Film Shooters events and failed. That is what I get for not adding a common tag to the photos, like TFS. Going by memory and a brief browse through my photos, I identified at least four. Two in Toronto, one in Niagara on the Lake, and one in Burlington.
La Boheme Café, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
La Boheme Café, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Unfortunately, the Burlington one, called Winter Stoic 2020, was my last one for a long while. It was at the end of January 2020 and most will remember what happened shortly after. When the world reopened, I was very slow to rejoin the TFS walks. We made a few family trips to Canada, including Toronto, but it was not until May 25, 2024 that I finally joined the group again for The May Midtown Walk.
Duke of Kent Pub, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Duke of Kent Pub, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
For this walk, I packed a single camera, my Nikon FE2. While it’s my Nikon FE that holds the most nostalgia and also stays as my most frequent go-to camera, I have given the FE2 much more use in 2023 and 2024. The initial lens of choice was the original metal version of the 50mm Nikkor f/1.8 pancake lens while the backup was a 24mm f/2.8. In the end, the 50mm lens stayed on the camera for the whole walk.
Younge Street Construction, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Younge Street Construction, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
As far as film went, I waited to load the camera until the last minute. It was cloudy, raining, and dark, but it was supposed to improve. When it became clear we’d head out of the La Boheme cafe under overcast skies I loaded Agent Shadow 400 and set my ISO dial to 800 for a later +1 stop push in development. While the weather did improve in the end the 800 speed did not prove to be problematic. I figured that if any blue sky showed up I’d just add my favorite orange filter, thus knocking the exposure value down to 200. I never ended up doing that.
Zezafoun Syrian Cuisine, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Zezafoun Syrian Cuisine, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
The starting point was at La Boheme. While most TFS walks start with a breakfast and coffee and end with lunch this was a later walk starting with lunch and ending with, well, beer. The basic outline of the root was a simple U. Heading south on Yonge Street, veering off a bit to the west and returning east via the Kay Gardiner Beltline Trail, eventually winding north onto the Mt. Pleasant Road. The reward was waiting at Belsize House but I did not feel I deserved a reward in the form of another meal. Thus, a pint of beer it was.
The Study Academy Doors, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
The Study Academy Doors, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
After a relaxing hour or so, I decided to walk downtown to re-join my family. They joined me for the drive to Toronto but went about their own exploration. I expected a long walk but it was even longer in the end. I finished the day with about 23,000 steps and definitely deserved a dinner at that point. The choice was Thai Red Curry.
The Study Academy Walls, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
The Study Academy Walls, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
The Study Academy Bell, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
The Study Academy Bell, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Residential Parking, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Residential Parking, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Global Pet Foods, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Global Pet Foods, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Nevizadde, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Nevizade, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Best Coffee Ever, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Best Coffee Ever, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Fresh Buy Market, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Fresh Buy Market, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Subway Trains, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Subway Trains, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Subway Tracks & Train, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Subway Tracks & Train, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Daily Food Mart, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Daily Food Mart, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Starving Artist, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Starving Artist, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
Regent Arts Centre, Midtown TorontoToronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Regent Arts Centre, Toronto Film Shooters (TFS) May 2024 Midtown Photo Walk
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film
I look forward to joining another walk sooner than in 4 years!
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. And for more black and white photography hop over to the World without Color photo collection.
Mardi Gras Masks, Pensacola, FloridaTravel Photography
Plaza Ferdinand VII Sculpture, Pensacola, FloridaTravel Photography
Chautauqua BelleTravel Photography
Cyanotypes XV: Different Take on Travel Photography
I really enjoy printing photographs, holding the prints in my hands, flipping through them, letting my mind be triggered and go places. However, storage of large amounts of prints is definitely an issue. There is no room for that, whether in albums or in boxes. And it seems like boxes just defeat the purpose, don't they?
I also enjoy analog printing processes, whether it be a traditional wet darkroom or alternative processes like cyanotypes. Both methods require a good chunk of time and that forces me to pick and choose carefully, print sparingly, and thus it solves, at least partially, the storage issue. So far, my black and white darkroom prints fit in a single portfolio album and my mostly 5" x 7" cyanotypes go into sleeves in a large 3" binder. And both of those are easily accessible anytime I want to take a trip down the memory lane.
Bon Secour Alley, Cyanotype, Alabama, An Original Hand-Made 5" x 7" Cyanotype
Chemically Printed on a Hand-Coated Artist's Loft L2 Watercolor Paper
I also enjoy participating in various photo exchanges to send my memories around the world. My most favorite ones are the most simple ones where a single photo postcard is sent out and in exchange one received back. It's an old-fashioned version of social media. It's a bit sad that snail mail for interpersonal interaction seems to be disappearing. Yes, it takes time to prepare the photo, the accompanying text, to get the envelope ready, and to mail it out. But without that care, what is it all about? Just dumping tons of pictures into various social media sites screaming me, me, me, and wanting (hoping?) someone will come by and look at them, and I mean truly look at them, notice them, think about them, allowing them to remind the viewer of their own memories. No, that does not really happen, I am just a dreamer. More likely, someone just blows by them at a scroll speed of 5 frames per second or whatever the current average scrolling speed is.
Laundry, Třebíč, Czech Republic, An Original Hand-Made 5" x 7" Cyanotype
Chemically Printed on a Hand-Coated Artist's Loft L2 Watercolor Paper
Thus, today I have shared just two digital copies of two physical prints from somewhat recent travels. The first one if from our 2023 family road trip to Alabama. The Bon Secour nature preserve was very nice and I really like how the cyanotype on smooth watercolor paper turned out. I usually prefer my cyanotypes on (very) rough textured water color paper but that requires a certain vibe of photographs where detail does not matter. These wonderful trees really benefited from the opposite approach and printing on a very smooth watercolor paper. And it did not matter at all it was a really cheap one.
The second print is from 2022 and a visit to my sister's who was our guide on a day trip to Třebíč. At one point we made a left turn onto this cobblestone alley and someone was drying their laundry there. It was colorful and that initially caught my eye. About a year later I attempted my first gum bichromate print of this scene hoping to reproduce the vibrant colors in a more nostalgic subdued palette but my attempt failed completely. I am not even sure why but I probably made several mistakes along the way resulting in no usable image at all. And I must admit, despite having worked with various photo chemicals for years, I did not feel comfortable with these. Anyway, another year later and here we have the scene in monochrome blue. I picked one of the color separation negatives originally prepared for the bichromate print and used it for this cyanotype. What do you think? How do you like looking at your photographs? And how do you try to preserve them for the future?
Thanks for visiting, hope you'll be back :-)
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Previous posts in the Cyanotypes series: 1. First Cyanotype - 2. More Cyanotypes - 3. Highlands Cyanotypes - 4. How do Cyanotypes Happen? - 5. Cyanotypes V: Tweaking the Curve - 6. Cyanotypes VI: Toning - 7. Cyanotypes VII: More Toning - 8. Cyanotypes VIII: Toning Different Papers - 9. Cyanotypes IX: Horní Rozsíčky - 10. Cyanotypes X: From Black and White or Color - 11. Cyanotypes XI: Moravian Countryside - 12. Cyanotypes XII: Prague Castle - 13. Cyanotypes XIII: American History - 14. Cyanotypes XIV: Gulf Shores, Alabama - 15. Cyanotypes XV: Different Take on Travel Photography
If you like cyanotypes, you can explore the Cyanotypes Photo Gallery dedicated to my growing collection of them. Would you like to browse through traditional darkroom wet prints? Visit my Darkroom Photo Gallery and enjoy!
Paradise Isle Resort OfficeCyanotype
Paradise Isle Resort OfficeToned Cyanotype
Fort Morgan Wagon WheelCyanotype