Monthly Archives: November 2014

New Jersey Nature Photography: Maple Leaf and Tree Trunk

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I do often find myself pursuing complex compositions and camera techniques in hopes of creating compelling photo art.  Some nature scenes call for a very straightforward and simple shot though.  When my eyes caught this vivid Maple leaf already situated in a very aesthetic environment all I had to do was to adjust my focal length and tripod, and to trip the camera’s shutter.

I think some of the other fallen leaves have interesting curling taking place, and that they are essential visual accessories.

NJ Art Photo

A serene and intimate view of a forest floor in Bergen County, New Jersey. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS M mirrorless camera.

Above photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS M mirrorless camera in Closter, New Jersey.  Exposure settings: 1/13 F/11 ISO 100, 162mm

New Jersey Photography: War Memorial and Night Sky

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I found myself situated in a suburban park in downtown Ridgewood tonight.  As one expects in the NY metro radius there are many streetlights and plenty of air traffic that prevent definition on most stars even on the clearest of nights.  Tonight’s sky was actually partially cloudy, but one or two bright stars periodically beamed there way into my field of view.

New Jersey Night Photography

A long exposure taken at night in Ridgewood reveals a bit of cloud detail and a bright star. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens.

Above photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the tripod-mounted Canon EOS M mirrorless camera.  Exposure settings: 30s F/8.0 ISO 200

New Jersey Art Photography: In-camera Double Exposures

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The past few days I’ve been immersing my creativity in executing in-camera double exposures to capture “scenes within a scenes” with the intention of introducing the element of mystery to my nature photography.  I often find myself shooting each composition no less than ten individual frames, and after that I will see if a slightly different composition works better.  My goals for each photo are to have a good balance of detail, but also a compelling tonal range, and a balance of negative and positive space.  Post-processing is minimal.  Contrast seasoned to taste, perhaps a slight white balance shift (coming from Auto White Balance), and very soft-handed sharpening/noise reduction.

Both below images were taken with the mirrorless Canon EOS M digital camera and the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens.

New Jersey Art Photography

Single image capture of a rusty metal footbridge and a quick zoom outward to reveal the trail to the footbridge.

Exposure settings: 25s F/16 ISO 100

NJ Photographic Art

Singe image capture of reflected trees with a quick zoom outward to reveal a broader view of the stream.

Exposure settings: 15s F/8.0 ISO 100

New Jersey Nature Photography: Sweetgum Leaves

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When shooting nature photography, it would seem that the best opportunities occur as far off the beaten path as possible.  However, with a lens with closeup functions it is possible to eliminate all context from a photograph.  Also, a telephoto lens can draw in far away scenery with no relation to where the photographer positioned his/her feet.  The photo in this post was actually taken in a Target parking lot in New Jersey… but who have guessed it?

NJ Art Photo

Drooping yellow and red leaves on a Sweetgum tree indicates oncoming cold weather. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One Lens and Canon EOS 50D.

Above photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One Lens and the tripod-mounted Canon EOS 50D DSLR.  Exposure settings: 1/8 F/10 ISO 100

Impressionist Photography: Beech Leaves

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In the vast majority of my photographs, I’ve striven to make at least one element as sharp as possible.  I think there is certainly validity in that technique, but perhaps there can be greater validity to intentionally make no elements in the frame sharply defined.  Why do this?  Maybe it can create photo art that is more unique and personalized.  These camera techniques are very far from new, but I believe there are nuances within the techniques yet to be fully explored.

New Jersey Art Photography

A softly rendered view of large trees covered in orange colored leaves in late Autumn. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon 7D.

The above photo was taken handheld with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon EOS 7D.  Exposure settings: 1.6s F/14 ISO 100, 18mm.

New Jersey Lifestyle Photography

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Yesterday I went to several locations in NJ, my friend Joe being the subject, to make some skateboarding action photos as well as images that reflect the skateboarding lifestyle.  With all outdoor shoots, the weather can set the mood if you choose to draw in some of the environment in the frames.  For the main action shot, I only used natural light, the other frames are intentional combinations of ambient light and the harsh artificial light of one unmodified flash.

All photos were taken handheld with the Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8 Di VC USD telephoto lens and the Canon EOS 60D.  The flash I used was my Canon 430EXII Speedlite, triggered wirelessly by a pair of Yongnuo YN-622C’s.  As with all lifestyle shoots, it is my job to accurately portray the person, and also to gently direct the action.

Skateboard photography

Ollie over a backpack by Joe Rajsteter.

 

New Jersey Portrait Photography

 

New Jersey Portrait Photography

Joe steps up to the plate.

 

New Jersey Skate Photo

The essence of a noseslide.

 

New Jersey Skateboarding Photography

Behinds the Scenes shot

 

 

 

NJ Skate Picture

Fenced In

New Tamron Lens Samples

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I’ve created a new Flickr album for sample from my Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens for Canon APS-C cameras – https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidraymond/sets/72157649150979422/

Other albums for recent Tamron lenses –
Tamron 14-150mm All-In-One for micro four thirds – https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidraymond/sets/72157645892119636/

Tamron SP 150-600mm VC lens for Canon (Full frame or Crop sensor) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidraymond/sets/72157642268568645/

I get asked my opinion on these lenses from time to time, and am always glad to share a candid review.  However, as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding.

New Jersey Art Photo

An angled trail weaves through some of the last colorful foliage of Autumn. A long exposure renders the leaves as essences of color. Photographed with the Tamron 16-300mm VC lens + Canon 60D.

Above photo was taken yesterday with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens + Canon 60D.  Exposure settings: 30s F/8 ISO 200

New Jersey Landscape Photography: Muriel Hepner Park; Autumn

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I’ve just gotten home from a local photography art meeting at the time of this posting.  We engaged in critiques of photos from the traditional artist viewpoints of mood, composition, and uniqueness.  Quite a different mentality than looking for “likes on Facebook”.  I do think the photo I am posting here is a very straightforward composition, but at the same time the texture of the rocks and the wooden bridge provide character and personality to the scene.

NJ Nature Photo

The midday sun and vibrant Fall foliage provide a warm glow around a pond. Taken with the Tamron 14-150mm DI III Lens for m43.

Above photo was taken in Denville, New Jersey on October 18, 2014.  Exposure settings: 1/50th F/10 ISO 200

New Jersey Bird Photography: American Robin

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When we think of wildlife photography, and especially bird photography, we imagine filling the frame as tightly as possible with the subject and getting maximum detail on the subject.  There is certainly great challenge and also visual rewards in such an image.  Conversely, we may have pigeon-holed ourselves as artists by not giving the bird “space to breathe” within the frame, and also neglected to think of the greater commercial value of a more subdued composition.

NJ Nature Photo

A maze of barren tree branches and a featureless sky reveal an American Robin surveying its surroundings. Photographed with the Tamron SP 150-600mm VC lens and the Canon EOS 60D DSLR.

The above composition relies on the negative space of the sky, as well as several of points alignments to the rule of thirds.  Exposure settings: 1/320 F/10 ISO 200.  Taken with the tripod-mounted Tamron SP 150-600mm VC Lens and the Canon EOS 60D DSLR.

New Jersey Landscape Photography: Sunrise in Ocean City

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Not all sunrises are created even.  Before I began doing photography, I didn’t pay all that much attention to weather patterns and cloud conditions.  Slightly into my photographic venture, I assumed that no clouds = bright light = sharp shots = best shooting conditions.  Nowadays, I look forward to storm clouds and uncommon atmospheric conditions as I’ve begun to understand that compelling landscape photographs usually require dramatic light.

NJ Fine Art Photography

Intense crimson red colors briefly fill the early morning sky over the Atlantic Ocean in Ocean City, NJ. Photo taken with the Tamron 16-300mm VC All-In-One lens and the Canon 7D DSLR.

The above photo was taken 10/29/2014 at 7:04 AM looking eastward from the beach at Ocean City, New Jersey.  Exposure settings: 30s F/7.1 ISO 200