Category Archives: 2016

Winter Solstice Hike by the Morris County Park Commission

by in 2016, Nature, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Winter Solstice Hike. 12/21/2016 led by Morris County Park Commission‘s Senior Naturalist Douglas Vorolieff.

We met at the visitor center for Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area pre-dawn and ascended up Turkey Mountain to meet with a colorful sky on the official first day of Winter.

Thank you to everyone who attended, it was quite a fun outing and a great way to kick off the season.

Future Morris County Park Commission events can be found online here -http://m66.siteground.biz/~morrispa/index.php/calendar/

 

Scenic overlook at sunrise. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Taking a break on the trails. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Scenic overlook at sunrise. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Scenic overlook at sunrise. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Scenic overlook at sunrise. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Scenic overlook at sunrise. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Footbridge crossing. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Hiking group on trail. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Old quarry. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Moon shining in pre-dawn sky. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission
Dawn sky. Winter Solstice 2016 Hike by the Morris County Park Commission

Intro to Landscape Photography Course- Visual Arts Center of NJ

by in 2016, Landscape, New Jersey Fine Art Photography, Press Release, Uncategorized and tagged , , | Leave a comment

I am very excited to be offering a 5 week course, Introduction to Landscape Photography, this fall on Thursday nights at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, New Jersey.

We will take a look at all of the building blocks in making a successful landscape image as well as the best camera settings and accessories. Given enough time, we will also broach on classic landscape compositions and modern digital landscape photography techniques. The goal is for participants to make consistently impactful photos and of course a greater appreciation for the arts.

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Landscape Photography (16F-1109)
Instructor: David Blinder
Experience Level: All Levels
Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
5 sessions: Oct 20, 2016 – Nov 17, 2016
Members: $ 160.00 – Non-Members: 190.00
Lab Fee: $ 35.00

Registration info in link below:

http://public.artcenternj.org/public/AdultClasses.faces?medium=photography+%26+digital+media

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Landscapes of New Jersey artist’s reception

by in 2016, New Jersey Fine Art Photography, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Details for my artist reception this coming Sunday

When:
Sunday, 9/25/2016, 2PM

Where:
New Jersey Audubon’s Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924

 

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“Landscapes of New Jersey” fine art photo exhibit by Dave Blinder

Details:
My “Landscapes of New Jersey” photo exhibit is being displayed in the Wayrick Gallery on the 2nd floor. Please feel welcome to drop by and also visit the terrific nature trails and bookstore. Refreshments will be served. Cost – free and open to the public.

For more visitor info on the Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary click here –

http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionCenters/SectionScherman/AboutSchermanHoffman.aspx

 

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Fog on Muriel Hepner Pond.  A featured piece from my “Landscapes of New Jersey” collection.

Firefly Photography Workshop at Duke Farms

by in 2016, Night Photography, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On July 1st, I will be leading a photography workshop at Duke Farms where we will be capturing the luminescence of fireflies.

Each participant will hang their best image in the Duke Gallery for the annual Firefly Festival that attracts over 3000 visitors annually.  I think this will be a great challenge for all participants, a way to create very unique nature art, and also a great excuse to chase glowing insects around at night.

Firefly Festival

A DSLR or camera with manual controls will be necessary, and don’t forget to bring your tripod.

Payment and registration info for the Firefly Photography Workshop at Duke Farms is in the link below.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/firefly-photography-tickets-24807047547

Tamron SP 15-30mm lens, first impressions

by in 2016, Tamron and tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It has only been a couple of weeks now since I purchased the new Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC  wide angle lens for full frame.  I bought the lens to further invest in my real estate / architectural photography work, but naturally I will still give the SP 15-30mm a workout with my outdoor shooting.  I am pairing the lens to both my Canon 6D and also my Sony A7R (via Fotodiox Pro adaptor).

As expected the lens was ready to go as soon as I opened the packaging.  The frontmost element is bulbous, which is just a fact of the matter when using such an extremely wide POV with a fast F/2.8 aperture.  The finely crafted incorporated lens hood and also the slide-on lens cap do well to protect the front element.  There is also no threading for filters on the SP 15-30mm, although after market adapters seem to be springing up.  I have not tried any filters with the lens yet.

So what do I really think of the SP 15-30mm VC?

It is wide on full-frame, very wide.  When effectively composing a landscape photo at the lens’s broadest field of view we get a grandiose amount of scenery captured in a single frame. Knowing how to use an ultra wide lens to its full potential will be a challenge to new comers.

The SP 15-30mm VC is also extremely sharp.  Fine detail is recorded throughout the entire frame.  I am confident that my landscape photography will come to life in large prints after reviewing my camera raws. Expectedly, there is an acceptable level of distortion in the corner of the frames. I actually enjoy the slight “cathedral-effect” on my nature photographs but distortion is easily corrected in all camera raw converters.

Tamron’s SP 15-30mm VC is a sleek and attractive full frame lens capable of creating sleek and attractive photos.  I look forward to using the lens for future low-light and night sky shooting.  With the current retail price-point near $1200 Tamron has provided a great deal of value at a nice price point.

To view my most recent uploads:

Flickr or Instagram

For Fine Art prints or updates on my upcoming gallery showings contact me at daveblinderphotography@gmail.com

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Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Sony A7R.  1/15th F/14 ISO 80.  Buttermilk Falls in New Jersey

 

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Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Canon 6D. 1/50th F/11 ISO 320.  Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey

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Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Sony A7R. 15mm F/14 ISO 50. Black River Park in New Jersey

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Tamron SP 15-30mm VC + Canon 6D. 15mm F/14 ISO 100. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.

2016 Maple Sugar Fest photos

by in 2016, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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I volunteered for a few hours of photography and also videography yesterday with the Morris County Park Commission at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham New Jersey.  The event, 2016 Maple Sugar Fest, drew out hundreds of local families and got them involved in fun stories, hikes, and even tastings of local Maple products.  Maple Syrup use dates back to at least the Lenape natives and is an important part of our local heritage.

 

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My favorite part of the event?  Seeing so many happy faces of all ages and colors involved in high quality outdoor education.  I could see the faces of future conservationists and environmentalists in the children that attended.

 

 

My Winter Photography Article with Tamron USA

by in 2016, Published Work, Tamron, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hi everyone – I have just completed a new Q&A article with some of my thoughts on taking photographs throughout the winter season and detailed information on how I take the pictures and also how to prepare for them.

My Q&A interview was conducted by the very talented author, Jenn Gidman.  The article is an easy read and the entire e-newsletter is very informative and packed with recent photos taken with Tamron USA’s extensive digital lens line-up.  Check it out if you get a chance.

Click here to read Tamron’s February 2016 e-news