Pond Run Creek

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Today I made the drive from New Jersey to the not-too-distant scenic destination of Bushkill Falls.  The walkway around the series of waterfalls can be very busy on weekends, but a cool and overcast Monday morning only brought a few dozen admirers out to explore the network of trails.  I did shoot some panoramas as well as straightforward single frames of the cascades, but I really liked the view of the clear water in the creek bend that you can see below:

Fine Art Nature Photography

A wideangle lens angled downwards provide a dramatic view of a bend in the creek at Bushkill Falls in Pennsylvania. Photo taken with the Canon EOS-M camera and the Tamron 18-270mm VC lens.

The above photo was taken with the Tamron 18-270mm VC lens and the tripod-mounted Canon EOS-M mirrorless camera.  Exposure settings: 1.6s F/14 1SO 100

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New Jersey Landscape Photo: Rainbow Over Reservoir

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We had dramatic clouds earlier this afternoon, and I’d previsualized photographing in such conditions at the very scenic Splitrock Reservoir.  So off I drove with my Tamron zoom lens and Olympus compact camera to “see what I could see”.  Unsurprisingly a light rain began midway through my short drive, not an issue for me because I try to keep camera rainsleeves in my car at all times.

The rain broke just as I parked my car for the hiking trail.  Initially my view of the horizon was obscured but as I walked towards the slope of the reservoir a vivid rainbow did present itself on the opposite shore.  Frustratingly, my view of the rainbow was intersected by many trees and when I made my way to my first clear vantage point the rainbow had all but disappeared.  Feeling dejected that the opportunity seemed lost, I pressed on towards my favorite vantage point along the shore.

Alas, a new refractive arch of colors presented itself…

NJ fine art photo

After a rain shower a rainbow pierces through the clouds above Splitrock Reservoir. Taken with the Tamron 14-150mm All-In-One lens for micro four thirds cameras.

Above photo taken with my tripod mounted Olympus PEN E-PL3 m43 camera and the Tamron 14-150mm Di III zoom lens. Exposure settings: 1/125 F/11 ISO 200

Don’t Forget to Photograph the Small Things

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This featured photo is from my most recent trip to Ricketts Glen State Park, a stunning place for nature photography.  With abundant waterfalls and silky streams, one can’t help but try to include as much scenery as possible in every frame.  I did shoot broad views of the falls and was thrilled with the results.  However, the range of captures shouldn’t end with the typical photos of the falls, there is a world of more intimate scenes that can hold their own as art.

Nature closeup photo of Autumn leaf

Closeup view of a fallen yellow Maple Leaf with softly running water below. Taken with the Tamron 14-150mm Di III lens for micro four thirds cameras.

Above photo taken with the tripod-mounted Olympus PEN E-PL3 camera and the Tamron 14-150mm All-In-One lens.  Exposure settings: 6s F/10 ISO 200

Autumn at Lake Ames

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Below is a panoramic landscape photo taken yesterday morning in Morris County, New Jersey.  My initial photo was a single capture of the prominent yellow tree (near center of the frame).  Having read recently that “the best time to shoot a vertical shot is right after shooting a horizontal one” I have started thinking that “the best time shoot a panoramic image is right after shooting a single image”.  In other words… just do it!

New Jersey Fine Art Panorama Art

A sweeping view of the lake’s shore shows us the gentle slopes of changing trees at Lake Ames. A distant hill is also reflected in the still water. Taken with the Tamron 14-150mm Di III All-In-One lens and Olympus PEN E-PL3 micro four thirds camera.

The above panoramic art measure over 17,000pixels of leafy goodness.  Taken with the tripod mounted Tamron 14-150mm Di III All-In-One lens and the Olympus PEN E-PL3 m43 camera.

Reflections of Rockaway

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This morning was another overcast day in Northern New Jersey, so I thought I would visit some of nearest natural bodies of water and see what Mother Nature was offering up for landscape photography.  The two trees shown below were the most vivid on Lake Hudsonia and I chose a vantage point where their reflections would be uninterrupted from lily pads and other vegetation.

New Jersey Fine Art Photo

Reds and yellows of Autumn reflect on a still lake in New Jersey. Taken with the Tamron 14-150mm Di III lens and the Olympus PEN EPL3

Exposure settings: 1/20th F/9 ISO 200

Stream and Snow

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If I said I remembered taking this frame, I would be lying.  I do have many RAW files from 2014 that I’ve skipped over on my hard drive.  I will often process my favorite shot or two from an outing, and then not look in that folder again.  Maybe I need to do some “Fall cleaning”?

The below Winter landscape photo was taken on January 3, 2014 in Morris County, New Jersey.  Looking at it now, I really like the leading lines that guide my eyes into the forest.  There also seems to be a good balance of shadows and highlights so that there is both minimalism and detail within the image.

NJ fine art photo

New Jersey Winter landscape photo. Taken with the Tamron 18-270mm VC lens and the Canon EOS 7D DSLR.

Exposure settings: 1.6s F/11 ISO 100

New Jersey Panoramic Photography: Forest and Old Foundation

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Today was not so much a photography day for me, more of a hiking day but I did take along my compact shooting equipment because… The best camera is certainly always the one you have with you.  My Olympus PEN coupled with Tamron’s 14-150mm all-in-one lens easily tackled the five photos stitched below.

New Jersey Fine Art Nature Photoraphy

Five shots stitch. Taken in New Jersey with the Tamron 14-150mm Di III lens and the Olympus PEN E-PL3 micro four thirds camera.

A 52mm circular polarizing filter was used to make this image and my Manfrotto 055x ProB tripod provided the stability needed on an overcast day in shaded conditions.  I didn’t find that a single photo would have done this scene justice, and it does seem that the width of my panorama gives this stone foundation “plenty of room to breathe”.

Exposure settings: 1/8 F/7.1 ISO 200

Skateboarding Photography: Feeble Grind

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I was recently watching some YouTube videos about professional skateboard photography by Michael Burnett.  I can’t remember hearing his name before, despite subscribing to TransWorld Skateboarding for several years when I was younger.  Anyways, the photos and techniques he displays in the instructional video are nothing short of top notch.  Being an industry pro, a great technician, and an artist, I just don’t don’t see how a person could be a better shooter than Michael Burnett.

He emphasizes the importance of showing the surroundings in skate shots which makes a great amount of sense.  It’s also pretty clear that his job is showcasing specific professional skateboarders, because the public and the skaters’ sponsors need to see the person doing the 360 flips or whatever.  However since I am predominantly a nature photographer and artsy fartsy person by design, I find myself drawn to shooting “just the details” of the sport at times.

Sk8 pic

A closeup view of Joe Rajsteter grinding a flat rail in New Jersey. My eyes keep getting drawn to the shadow… and I like that.

Above photo is of my friend Joe Rajsteter executing a Feeble Grind.  Photo taken handheld with the Tamron SP 70-200mm VC F/2.8 lens and the Canon EOS 6D.  Exposure settings: 1/1000 F/5 ISO 100

Birdscape: Vulture and Clouds

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I went outside for a relatively short duration this morning, and with intermittent clouds and harsh late morning sun I envisioned it as time better spent photographing wildlife than landscapes.  Once I got to my destination I was excited to see three Red-tailed Hawks (our most common Hawk) flying near each other.  Unfortunately, they dispersed quickly so the photo opps were limited.  Shortly thereafter, two Turkey Vultures (common large scavenger) lofted above the treeline and into the clouds.  While not the most graceful or attractive bird, they are interesting in their own right and I will often photograph them if the conditions are right.

Cathartes aura

A Turkey Vulture soars through dramatic clouds in the skies above New Jersey. Image taken with the Tamron SP 150-600mm VC lens and the Canon EOS 7D.

This was my favorite frame of a Vulture flying from today.  I like this angle of its wingspan, and that its flight path is parallel to the seam in the clouds.

Photo taken with the tripod-mounted Tamron SP 150-600mm and the Canon EOS 7D.  Exposure settings: 1/1250 F/10 ISO 100

Autumn at Ken Lockwood Gorge; #2

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Having walked up and down the river bank on Saturday, I realized that even with an overcast sky causing diffusion the sunlight was still angular.  This resulted in fairly flat tonalities within the foliage as seen below, but a noticeable amount of backlighting when looking in the opposite direction.  Both views were prone to photography, but the mood would be very different.

NJ nature photographer

A view up the South Branch of the Raritan River. A line of lichen and moss covered rocks form a natural wall while leaves of yellow, green, and red fill the back of the frame. Taken with the Tamron 14-150mm Di III lens and the Olympus PEN E-PL3 micro four thirds camera.

A 10-stop neutral density was used in the above photo.  Without it, the running water lacked character.

Photo taken with the Tamron 14-150mm Di III lens and the Olympus PEN E-PL3 m43 camera.  Exposure settings: 50s F/9 ISO 200, 31mm