Eat My Dust!

For those of you who use Nikon equipment, I'm sure you have heard the announcement of the D300s. If not, be sure to visit Nikon's web site to get the facts. I bet there will be a "D700s" release before Christmas this year also! There is more news, two fantastic lens will be up graded with VR II technology. What's will you add to your wish list?

Arachnid

I final used the extension tube my father-in-law loaned me. I went old school, my Nikon D50 in manual, with Vivitar 12mm, 20mm, 36mm tubes (these are really old) and a Quantaray 70-300mm lens. With some luck and a less than steady hand I captured this spider. Its size is smaller than an aspirin pill. I was impressed with the detail and how easy to get such a close shot without disturbing the spider. Must use a tripod next time. The simple act of breathing took me in and out of focus making it difficult to get a good shot. This was the best of 15 pictures. I did some levels correction and cropped the photo. Given the time this week or weekend I will explore more of the bushes and garden at my home. I need to spray for spiders and bugs around the windows and doors also. I don't want any visitors in the house that can't ring the doorbell! Do you?

Flower

I have showed my softer side quite a bit lately. Someone asked me if I liked flowers. I said no, not really, they are close by and I have easy access to them as a subject. Flowers give me the chance to practice DOF and macro, which help make me a more rounded and better photographer. There is a lot to learn, and skills to develop in photography. Practice, practice, practice is what make us better and I sometimes get lazy. I off to find a new subject and get back into action! I hope you will stay tuned.

Sunflowers II

Sunflowers

I had driven past a large patch of sunflowers several time before "seeing" the potential go by. I was going to photograph them after work but waited untill morning for better light. What a treat. The flowers seemed to reach for the morning sun.
D200, Sigma 18-50mm lens, f3.5, ISO 200, AP Mode - 1/800 sec. & 1/1500 sec.

Crayons

Every child needs a box of crayons.
D200, 105mm macro lens, f10, 1/60 sec., ISO 400.

Marbles

D50, 105mm macro lens, f8, 1/125 sec. ISO unknown, used the R1C1 wireless speedlight system from Nikon.

Jacks

Hearts

Candy with a message for those we love!
D200, 105mm macro lens, f10, 1/60 sec. ISO 400

Circuitry

D200, 105mm macro lens, f10,1/60 sec., ISO 400. Both pictures.

Rusty Fire Hydrant

Taken with a Nikon D50 late at night using a SB-800 flash via a cord. The flash seemed to light the whole neighborhood. Luckily everyone was in bed and few if any car came by. I'm sure my neighbors find it strange to see me out taking pictures of the fire hydrant. When you need to practice and use new stuff (flash cord for off camera flash with the D50) or just get the urge to shoot, you forget what it looks like, and worry only about the possible outcome. I hope they enjoy the outcome and forget the hour it was taken.

Shells And Clays

This is one of my first macro pictures taken with a dslr. The Nikon D50 what a camera! I borrowed and used a 60mm macro lens to capture this and some other ammo shots. Macro is so much fun. I really need to get a new lens, what that is, not need but want! Like every photographer, pro or amateur, I suffer from LBA! Its made even worse by working within the industry. Oh, the torture and pain! I'll be able to suppress it for a while if I can get out and shoot again. Even with a borrowed macro lens! I have more macro shots to come, so stay tuned. D50, 60mm macro lens, aperture priority f9, 1/60 sec. ISO unknown.

Double Loop Roller Coaster

In one of the photography classes I teach there is a cool picture of a roller coaster. Every time I see it I want to leave class and go to the amusement park. I have tried several times to get a good roller coaster picture with little success. It has either been too cloudy and dark (need the light for a fast shutter speed), or raining a little. This shot, however, isn't to bad. At the top of the loop you will see streaks of lights belonging to the cars as they defied gravity through the loop. Of course, the screams of thrill seeking riders is heard, but the terror in there eyes will have to be captured at a latter date! My desire for the ultimate roller coaster picture is not an excuse for my children to beg for another day at Lagoon, sorry kids! D200, 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f18, 20.3 sec., ISO 100.

Lets Take A Swing

Loading the riders. I was a bit disappointed that many of the rides were missing lights. Remember budget cuts! There are several rides that look better at night with their lights all a glow. I was there to capture that glow. What's worse I'd invited a friend to come and even he made a comment about the lack care given to many rides. (Lights being out not safety or things of that nature.) Not all that big of a deal because we did get some real nice shots and learned more about long exposures with our respective cameras. D200, Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f13, 2 sec., ISO 100.


Swing them round and round, up and down!
D200, Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f18, 4.2 sec., ISO 100.


It looks like a spaceship. I wonder if ET will appear again?
D200, Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f18, 4.9 sec., ISO 100.

The Ferris Wheel At Night

I love that "Golden Hour" around sunset. These two pictures are taken within 20 minutes of each other. I have recently purchased a remote that will let me use the bulb setting for longer exposures. The picture on the left has a exposure time of .77 seconds and the one on the right has a exposure time of 2.5 seconds. I waited for the lights to come on and the Ferris Wheel to be in motion before taking the second shot. Duh! I think it looks better. May-be next time I'm at Lagoon, I get a picture from the ride. I wonder if they will let me? D200, Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f18, .77 sec and 2.5 sec. ISO 100.

Falling Over

Because I was so close to the Ferris Wheel when I took this picture, it looks as though it is falling over. A quick adjustment and everyone is safe to ride again!

"Wicked" Coaster Ride

Lagoon, local amusement park, is a Utah fun spot for people of all ages. This is one of the roller coasters you will find in the park. The "Wicked" as it is called, shoots you 90 degrees up, lets you fall 90 degrees down, and eventually turns you 360 degrees in a corkscrew motion. The screams, the terrors, the thrills, all of which we are willing to pay for and subject ourselves to! After riding for the first time, my youngest child proclaimed "THAT WAS WICKED!" No fear in this child, she rode it three times! More park rides to come later, I'm off to scout camp for a few days.

Dancing Lights

This was taken on the drive home from a late night at the amusement park. Leaning back in the seat a bit, I rested the camera on chest/gut and set the shutter for a long exposure. With my breathing and the skilled "Nascar Style" driving of my wife I captured this unique picture. D200, Sigma 18-50mm lens, f10, 6 sec. ISO 200.

Neighborhood Fireworks

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A!


ET is that you?


Fountain I


Fountain II

Neighborhood Fireworks II

Drive by sparkling!


Wigwag!

Happy Fourth Of July

This year I was hoping to catch a firework show with the amusement park in the background. Budget cuts! No fireworks! I have included firework from last year. Please try and image them together. What a picture, yuh! God bless America.

Take A Friend

Capturing the action at SLMX.


What are you looking at?


Getting the right angle!


Through the trees.


The view through the lens.

Capturing the world around me has given me hours of enjoyment, pleasure, and memories. It's more fun when shared with a friend. Even better if they have a new camera! Recently, I spent the better part of the day with Paul. I took him to the motocross track for some action photography and later to the top of a mountain to capture a panoramic vista. Taking a fellow photo buff with you will challenge, inspire, and teach you a bit more than going it alone. Grab your gear and lets go!

Looking Skyward

A View From The Top

Looking down onto the valley. The Great Salt Lake is not as great as it once was! Antelope Island is at the horizon and almost surrounded by water. For years now, you could walk across the lake bed to the island. Not much run off is making it to the lake. We need all the water we can get! Utah is the second driest state in the union, and we have been growing like crazy.

Peewee Motocross

There is an intensity in the eyes of this young rider, is it because of determination or fear? Is the number on his/her bike their age? Not seen in the photo is an older sibling leading the way around the track. Motocross is a family friendly sport, even at the age of five. This will be one of my favorite pictures from SLMX.

Mistake?

Reviewing the pictures from the other day, I decided to keep this one though it was blurry, and a mistake. I was not ready for the rider to come by and pulled camera over to start shooting. It looks rather cool. I remind people all the time to have their camera on and be ready when photographing action. The dust and heat were taking its toll on me and I was getting a drink of water. I could not get the water bottle back in its pouch in time. Sometimes we get lucky, a mistake becomes a reminder to work harder, and a picture we like. Lucky me! Taken at SLMX with my trusty D200 and 70-200mm lens, f5.6, 1/90 sec., ISO 100.

Quad Action

A state park for riding motorcycles and four-wheelers sit a rocks through from SLMX, (Salt Lake Motocross Complex). I had gone to SLMX in hopes to photography a race, but it was postponed so as not in conflict with the others motocross races being held that weekend. The state has a bigger plot with several tracks for the beginner, advanced, and pro riders. Four-wheelers ride on the track closest to SLMX. While waiting for some action to go by and the dust to settle, I would catch the occasional quad hit a jump or fling dirt. I had not seen the track up close but found it to be a nice surprise for both riders and spectators. With me was a fellow shooter (Paul) who was willing to go anywhere to catch some action with his new camera. Paul and I endured the blazing sun and dust to get some cool shoots. Dust or dirt helps make a picture but plays havoc and the lungs and gear. More pictures to come!