Strawberry

This last weekend, Nikon representatives were in town to do some employee training. They brought with them tons of goodies (camera bodies and lens) for us to use for the day. A special thanks to Paul and Bill for coming and setting up several shooting stations. I took this picture using a D300s, 105mm macro, and a SB600 flash. A fish tank was filled with water, the flash set at one end of the tank, the camera/lens was set on a tripod and I just had to drop the strawberry and take the picture. Honestly, not as easy as it sounds. The D300s was in commander mode to remotely trigger the SB600 off camera. The timing had to be just right. This shot is one of my better ones. Slight level adjustments and cropping have been done to enhance the picture. Thanks again Paul, Bill and Nikon, your AWESOME! I think David needs a D300s!

Nature's Palette

Battle For The Island...

... and the "ladies"!

Antelope Island actually has antelope roaming freely on it. There were many years without them, but now you will find a diverse group of animals on the island. Antelope, bison, coyote, and birds, lots of birds. This is a great place to visit for the day, they also have over night camping, horseback riding, hiking, a beach, visitor center and a old family ranch that is now a museum. On the southeast end of the lake there is sailing. Bring a camera, of course, and BIG bottle of water. It is after all, an island surrounded by water that is at least eight times salter than the ocean.

Fence Line

Horizontal and Vertical

Shooting a subject both horizontally and vertically can give two distinctive looks. For the most part, we all shoot our pictures in the horizontal fashion. What a change or fresh look? Shoot it vertical! It sounds so simple. It is simple, yet photographers of all skill levels forget that simple things often make a photograph worth while. We can get so caught up with the settings of the camera, what lens to use, etc... that the simple act of rotating the camera to a vertical position does not come to mind.
I took eight shots of this tree stump horizontally and only two vertically. The horizontal pictures look so much the same, however, both vertical pictures are visually different from each other and the group of shots. Each picture tells a different story. What do you see?
I try to learn something or practices a different technique as I take pictures. There is so much to learn in photography. It will be a life long challenge. Fun and rewarding, frustrating and disappointing all in the same afternoon. The simple steps are often the most frustrating! Forget to change the ISO? Whitebalance? Or bring a CPL filter?
Rotating the camera to a vertical position to take a picture can reveal a new perspective through the view finder. A simple reward and a challenge! Will I shoot as many vertical pictures as I do horizontal? Are you up to the challenge?
D200, Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 lens, f/13, 1/20 of a sec., ISO 100. Used a tripod and the timer function, because I forgot the cable trigger! This is on the Great Salt Lake, just off the road heading towards Antelope Island.

About Two Feet

This young boy would drop-in at one end and pop out with about two feet of air. Both he and his dad were encouraging his younger brother to try it as well. You can see him in the back ground just out of focus, in the top left picture. With the exception of the first try he landed on his skateboard each time. Little brother saw the crash and wouldn't try it at all. I wouldn't do it either! Would you?

Alien Landscape

D200, 18-50mm f/2.8 lens, f/7.1, 1/320 sec., ISO 200
Some levels correction done.

Waiting For The Wind

I believe this is a milk weed, willing to share its beauty were ever the wind takes it. Growing in a yard near you! Shot using a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and a 10.5mm fisheye lens. Some levels adjustment to each photo also.

Kite Carting

Going this way...


Going that way...


Fighting the wind.

As we were leaving Antelope Island, this gentleman was getting his cart out of his vehicle. He was about to take the long walk down to the beach like area to ride with the wind. I asked if we could tag along and take pictures. "No problem, I just hope the wind keeps blowing!" he said, and down he went. It took much longer for us, me and a friend, to make it down and back up for that matter! As it turned out, all three of us were "off trail", meaning we should not have been down in that area. Almost got a ticket. With a lecture and promise not to do it again, we left, hoping we caught some great pictures.

In Honor Of The Day!

Skateboard Action

Nikon fisheye 10.5mm lens, f/9, 1/400 sec., ISO 100



Nikon fisheye 10.5mm lens, f/13, 1/200 sec., ISO 100



Nikon fisheye 10.5mm lens, f/11, 1/200 sec., ISO 100


Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f/8, 1/200 sec., ISO 100

Spent part of my labor day shooting at several skate parks. This young man was willing to do a few stunts for me. The last picture with the one wheel grind along the rail is a favorite. He called something. All the tricks have names, of course I haven't a clue. Thanks bud.

Antelope Island Balloon Festival

Good morning sunshine.
D200, 70-200mm f2.8 lens, f14, 1/250 sec., ISO 200







I dragged my family out of bed early Saturday morning to see the kite and balloon festival on Antelope Island. We had gotten there early with hopes for good weather and early flights. The wind was blowing, nothing was flying, and I was getting dirty looks. Thankfully a break, from the wind and dirty looks! I crossed my fingers, while the balloonist laid out there crafts and began to inflate, when you guest it, the wind came back!

Cameras of all types began to click and capture the colorful balloons filling with hot air. Some managed to fill and begin to stand only to struggle with the wind blowing them back and forth like sea grass in the current. I recognized many of the faces behind the cameras. A few I work with, others are regular customers. I'm sure I will get to see some great pictures. If the wind quits blowing and they stick around longer than I can. Antelope Island can provide specular opportunities for capturing wildlife, and landscape photos.

Pictured above, I watched this man fight to keep his feet planted and the balloon in position. He lost the fight! We all did! Not one balloon would take flight and it was time to go. I needed to be at work and my children needed some breakfast. May-be next year we will have better luck. D50, 18-50mm f2.8 lens, f/8, 1/160 sec., ISO 200.

Balloon II

I was amazed at how easy and fast it was to "take down" the balloon. I bet it is much harder when it is windy and when there are less hands to help. I look forward to Saturday mornings stampede on the island.

Balloon

These were taken at a local elementary school. This weekend is the annual Antelope Island Balloon Stampede. Balloonist from far and wide will be lifting off the island in what I hope becomes a picture postcard moment. If the weather is bad (to windy) the balloons will not fly, however, it is also a kite flying festival. In either case I get the chance to take pictures. The owner of this balloon came to speak with students and put on a little show. I'm glad to get these shots, and hopeful for others this weekend. Stay tuned. D200, Sigma 18-50 f2.8 lens, ISO 200, Shutter Priority.