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Long Exposures at Woodlawn Beach
The sunset outing to Woodlawn Beach had a dual purpose this night. I wanted to try out a new gadget, a remote cord and timer by Shoot, and use very long exposures to create some interesting natural abstracts. There were some nice clouds floating in the sky about an hour before sunset and it was windy enough to keep the clouds moving so conditions seemed favorable.
In the end sunset itself was a no show. A thick band of solid clouds covered the horizon just in the direction of the sun. All was snot lost though since the openings to the left and right allowed some color through and there was plenty of opportunity to have fun with the moving clouds and colors.
This is the shortest exposure of the series at only 5 seconds. The crescent moon was peeking through the cloud layer and wanted a portrait before clouds consumed for the evening. I know, tough to see in this small version - can you find it?
Now for the longest exposure of them all, here is a 470s photo of the remaining colors long after sunset. Why 470 seconds you ask? I'd like to know too, and I suspect I do. The manual for the timer did say the timer was not as accurate as a normal watch or something along those lines. I figured a second here or there but clearly, they were serious. This thing was off by 10 seconds on an 8-minute exposure. Not that it matters so much at these extended times but it's 2013 and how difficult can it be to include a more accurate timer? Add the surprisingly large size that prevents me from keeping it in the bag at all times and I think it's going to the return pile. I'd say not worth the $15.
Anyway, back to the abstract intent of the night. I kept Lake Erie to a minimum in this photo and gave as much space as possible to the moving clouds. The distant orange opening did not move as much relative to the more overhead cloud layer and it seemed to have created a more horizontal motion where the overhead clouds moved diagonally across the frame.
The moon also created an interesting effect, almost something like a triple exposure would do despite this being a single long one. I guess the clouds covered it up in full several times during the exposure making it seemingly appear at three different places. I was not sure at first what I thought about the look of it but decided it fits the abstract concept and adds additional intrigue.
There was other entertainment available as the camera was busy taking these long exposures. Seagulls were first organizing on the beach going through a mission prep and took off in a flock couple times returning to the base for a debrief. Then they disappeared without coming back. However, a flock of geese floated not far from the beach in a single line formation. Watching the birds made the long exposures go by quicker. Now, where do seagulls go to sleep?
For the night I liked this last exposure the most. From the exposure length point of view, it was the middle of the pack at 117 seconds, which was meant to be 120, i.e. 2 minutes.
Have fun with your sunsets, abstracts, long exposures, and other ways to express your vision!
Equipment used:
- Nikon D600
- Nikon 24-85mm Nikkor Lens
- Manfrotto tripod (055MF3) and head (496RC2)
-
NEEWER Digital Timer and Shutter Release Remote Cord
(I do not recommend this remote release. While cheap at under $15 and functional, it is very inaccurate as described above and it is also rather large making it difficult to keep permanently in my Speed Demon. I will be replacing it with a smaller solution. This is one catch with online shopping - pictures do not show you the size, you have t pay attention to posted dimensions.) - Think Tank Speed Demon Waist Pack, Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp (always in the bag just in case), SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Cards
- Nikon Capture NX2
Using my links to buy your equipment keeps me going and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything not mentioned here. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
Road Trip: Des Moines, Iowa
Road Trip 2013 - Day 2 - June 12 - Indiana, Illinois, Iowa - Stop 3 (Indiana Dunes, De Immigrant, Amana Colonies)
The third and final stop for the day was midway through Iowa, in today's Iowa capital Des Moines. Timing worked great for us and we arrived as the sun was ready to set behind and just off to the side of the Iowa State Capitol. The sky looked great with all of the sunlight from below and the golden dome stood out clearly. Being late in the day, the whole Capitol area with all of the monuments surrounding it was empty with no people around. After a long drive the area provided a great opportunity to walk around, stretch our legs, and take a quick peak into history.
Iowa became the 29th state to join the United States on December 28, 1846. The capital city is Des Moines. The highest point is Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet.
The State Capitol, built in a modified Renaissance style, was completed in 1886 and is unique with its five domes, four on corner towers and one golden dome in the center. The original state Capitol was in Iowa City but was moved to today's Des Moines.
The Supreme Court building is new a five story facility, completed in 2002, separated into a formal wing and an office wing. It incorporates a dome-capped rotunda and other classical elements to keep it in harmony with the Capitol, yet, has a simplified modern look.
The last photo here was actually photographed first. The setting sun was shining beautiful light on the Lucas Building and the blue cloud-filled sky was a great back-drop. Despite the Capitol building being right behind me and the Liberty Bell replica to my right, this building was just asking ot be photographed.
Compliments of the very low sun, shadows were long, giving me an interesting opportunity for a self-portrait in front of the building. Even though the foreground was mostly in a shadow the gap between the two shadows was just enough to get myself into it.
The Lucas State Office Building was completed in 1952 and got its name in 1966 after Robert Lucas, Iowa's first territorial governor.
Day over, hotel, rest, and Day #3 awaits!
Enjoy your summer vacation, wherever your plans take you!
- Iowa on 50States.Com
- Iowa State Capitol on Wikipedia
- Iowa Supreme Court on Wikipedia
- Iowa Judicial Branch Building Visitor Guide
Equipment used:
- Nikon D600
- Nikon 24-85mm Nikkor Lens
- Promaster 72mm Circular Polarizing Filter
- Think Tank Speed Demon Waist Pack, Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp (always in the bag just in case), SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Cards
- Nikon Capture NX2
Using my links to buy your equipment keeps me going and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything not mentioned here. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
Abstract Landscape
This one goes back to last year, back to that special day when we had a unique opportunity to watch Venus Transit, a sight not to be repeated for those who witnessed this one.
When it was all over it left me wondering about the relativity of time, and the (in)significance of human beings in space time. I've just seen something that has been going on for millions of year and will keep on going for millions of years, yet, I won't see it again.
This telephoto landscape along with the 4-second exposure resulted in a somewhat abstract rendering of the scene in front of me. The telephoto compressed the distance into layers stacked on top of each other and the long exposure turned Lake Erie into an undefined bright substance between the two dark silhouetted shorelines.
So is this more of an abstract or a landscape? I am left wondering. An abstract landscape.
To complete the story visually, I've also added a photo of the Venus Transit itself. See the tiny speck? Yep, that's what all the fuss was about!
Have fun with your celestial projects!
Lines, light, and shadows at Summer - Best in Buffalo
This black and white photo is what I have selected for my Buffalo & Vicinity Gallery. And since it lacks color, it's also featured in the World without Color Collection.
The color vs. black and white was an interesting dilemma for me. I actually enjoy both versions. Each showcases different elements of the concourse interior. With the black and white, the lines of the side and roof windows take front seat a well as the grill shadows on the floor. These lines lead you forward into the photo and down the escalator and may leave you wondering what's down there, or maybe you're waiting who is going to come up.
However, while at the station, you're surrounded by intense colors, including those on the steel sculptures by George Sugarman (1912–1999), New York, NY. So for comparison, here is the same photo in color. Do you have an opinion? Do you prefer the black & white version or the color one?
Please, click on the Leave a Comment link at the top just under the headline and let me know what you think.
Have fun in your world with or without color!
A dose of history:
The steel sculptures at the station are by George Sugarman (1912–1999), New York, NY. Signature elements of George Sugarman's work were bold colors and the lack of pedestals.
The public transit rail system in Buffalo, NY is called Buffalo Metro Rail and is operated by NFTA (Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority). It's a single line running along Main Street running between First Niagara Center and the south campus of University at Buffalo. The southern portion operates at the street level at slow speeds like a tram, while the northern part underground at high speeds like a subway. Heading north (outbound), the trains enter the tunnel just past the Fountain Plaza station (past Shea's where construction is in full swing now [7/29/13]; the station replaced the permanently closed and demolished Theater Station that did not fit in the project design for combined train and automobile traffic). The underground section has 8 stops. The first three are in a shallow cut & cover section, the remaining 5 in a rock tunnel. The Delavan / Canisius College is the deepest one.
The Main Street metro rail line was built between 1979 and 1986.
Wondering why the mass transit in Buffalo does not enjoy as much popularity as in other cities? I am sure there are many reasons but I've also found out that a 42-day strike in 1969 had quite a bit to do with driving many customers away, possibly forever. Yes, population decline, and suburban malls did their part too, as did the comfort factor, and the snob factor. These days you will also hear people opposing the whole idea of mass transit just because they do not want it in their neighborhood. In my opinion, if mass transit expanded to cover all suburbs and areas well a lot of these would be moot points. The transit would be everywhere, in everybody's neighborhood, and as such that issue would go away, and once people could get from anywhere to anywhere I believe they'd actually start using it. And as more people use it it would be deemed safer and it would become the new norm. It could take time but it cn be done. It works in so many places, why not Buffalo?!?
Another interesting fact is that fare zones and transfers were eliminated in 2010, simplifying the use of the Metro system in Buffalo. From my own experience that helps especially visitors who no longer have to figure out what ticket to buy. Try making sense of the New York City system, or even better, something like the system in Prague, Czech Republic.
Equipment used:
- Nikon D600
- Nikon 24-85mm Nikkor Lens
- Handheld, no filters
- Think Tank Speed Demon Waist Pack, Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp (always in the bag just in case), SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Cards
- Nikon Capture NX2
Using my links to buy your equipment keeps me going and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything not mentioned here. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
Road Trip: Amana Colonies, Iowa
Road Trip 2013 - Day 2 - June 12 - Indiana, Illinois, Iowa - Stop #2 (Indiana Dunes, De Immigrant)
The history of Amana Colonies begins in the eighteenth century in Germany. A community left there and went to America to seek religious freedom. They initially settled near Buffalo, NY but when more land was needed they looked to Iowa where land was available and prices reasonable. They arrived in Iowa in 1855 and chose Amana ("remain true") for the name of their six new villages: Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana, and Middle Amana.
After our stop at Fulton, IL, we did not make it to Amana until about 5 PM. Unfortunately, most places were already closed One exception was the Amana Woolen Mill and it was a fun browse both through their products and the history. Even here though, the late hour prevented us from seeing the mill in action.
After looking their current and historical machinery over and checking out their wool blankets we still had daylight left to walk around the now deserted and very quiet village. There's a small creek right by the mill, and a lot of interesting old buildings. To my dismay, the oldest brewery in Iowa, Millstream Brewing Company, was also closed. Past the brewery was a short path to their old train station shown in the first photo above. Its bright orange paint made it stand out. I really loved all of that thistle that the station was overgrown with. They were blooming and looked great. There is something about the thistle plant in bloom. They're very pretty, yet, they're prickly and they're weeds. An interesting combination, like a beauty and a beast all in one. But then again, who gets to decide what's weeds? A rose has thorns too.
Also by the station luck brought me some lost shoes. Lost shoes you ask? Yes, that all started a few months back in New York City where I found some old lost shoes on the street and had fun finding the right perspective. So here, I could add another pair to my collection. It will be fun to see how far my collection will grow over time. If those shoes could talk!
It was getting late and we still had one more stop to make on this road trip day #2 so off to the car we were. Overall, a nice and relaxing stop with lots to see. Only next time, arriving a bit earlier would come handy, although the photographer had no complaints.
Enjoy your summer vacation, wherever your plans take you!
Equipment used:
- Nikon D600
- Nikon 24-85mm Nikkor Lens
- Promaster 72mm Circular Polarizing Filter
- Think Tank Speed Demon Waist Pack, Petzl Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp (always in the bag just in case), SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Cards
- Nikon Capture NX2
Using my links to buy your equipment keeps me going and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything not mentioned here. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!