Jumping The Boat's Wake

While out on a family outing, I saw this young man cruising on the lake. He was jumping the wake created by another boat. With my camera in hand, my brother-in-law at the wheel, we asked if he would be willing to jump the wake of our boat while I took pictures. He responded with a "Sure!" and pushed the throttle creating a wave and spout of water out the back of the wave runner. Throttle down and a quick turn he was headed back toward us. The first few passes didn't launch the craft very high, this was fine because I needed get the camera setting dialed in right. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to photography a moving subject, while moving up, down, and side to side yourself? Do they make Dramamine for cameras? Oh yes! Its called (VR) vibration reduction! The 55-200mm lens I was using, did not have VR! I have not used that particular lens in a long time, and forgot that it does not have VR. Work with what you have right! Time to kick up the shutter speed and spread the feet apart more and bend the knees. In the end I got a good picture, a little work out and a sunburn that only peeled a layer off of my face. D200, Nikon 55-200mm lens, f/4.5, 1/400 sec., ISO 100.

I Challenge You

I challenge you to come up with something unique, different, funny or even plain silly and photograph it 10 times. Shoot 10 different items or the same thing 10 different ways. In color or black in white, maybe some of both! October 10, 2010 is coming up, 10-10-10, do you see the theme. So I challenge you, your friends and anyone else, to post a picture(s) on their blog that is created with 10 in mind. Are you up to the challenge? Leave a comment stating you accept my challenge and I will visit your blog page on October 10, 2010 and leave a comment of my own. I have an idea already in mind! What will you do? Here is an example, I did this type of thing on 09-09-09! Click here! Don't be frightened just laugh!

Young Lady In Pink

I watched with some amazement this young lady in pink race around the track. She pushed the bike hard, hit the jump without fear and soared like a bird over them. She raced with a small group of others, all men, giving them a run for there money. If I were a betting man, I'd bet she could place in the top five or even the top three in a race. Who says a girl can't compete against a boy? Who wants to loose to a girl? Having two young girls myself, I say, YOU GO GIRL!

Rider # 105

Racing Around The Track

Recently, I took a customer, Judy, to one of my favorite places to help her learn to use her camera in something other than auto mode. I had not been to the dirt track for a very long time and knew we could get action shots there. After a few pointers and help setting her camera up we looked for riders on two or four wheels.
Using shutter priority, continuous focus, and continuous shooting, with a finger held down on the shutter button, captures amazing results.
I realize there will be a lot of pictures to go through, many of them looking the same, but it is the best way to capture action (sports) photos.
The above picture is a good example of this. I was panning and following rider #39 while he began his turn, spitting dirt all over. I have between five and eight pictures of him as he makes this turn. I do not keep all of them. I delete pictures from the memory card(s) at home on my computer. I get a bigger screen, 19" verses 3", to make judgements calls on sharpness, composition etc..., this way I don't delete the better photo of the bunch or group. I still look at them in the field. I check the histogram, highlights and a few other things to make sure I am getting good results. This photo is the best of the series with some good timing. The two riders in the background are on a different section of the track and happen to be speeding by at the right time! We all get lucky once in awhile! You can increase that luck by having your camera set up right, keep your finger on the shutter button even if it is longer than usual, following through (pan) properly and putting yourself in the right place to capture a great picture.
I love action shots! I feel as though I am right there riding along with them.
D200, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, f/2.8, 1/160 sec., ISO 400 with help from a mono-pod. Some edits, contrast and cropping.
Thanks for coming with me Judy, I hope you learn to love using your camera in some of its other modes and settings. Best of luck!

Colorful Sunset

Sunset captured at Bountiful Ponds. Cropped, horizon line leveled, other wise no enhancements have been done. Being at the right place at the right time with your camera equals great results, don't you agree? Its not always luck!

Red Canoe

This red canoe was a great subject to photograph. It is the perfect fit to the lake and scenery. I could have spent more time photographing it, but remember it was the vehicle for a romantic afternoon and I did not want to be in the way!

Mirror Lake is a destination place for a day trip. Pack a lunch, sun screen, a camera of course, and your fishing gear. I personal have a hard time deciding want to do, fishing or photography! This time it was photography and now I have an excuse to go again, I need to go fishing! There are several others small lakes and areas to visit near Mirror Lake. A day trip may be enough time to explore, but it provides a great diversion. There are time when you have to clear your head and reconnect with nature. Shot using a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 lens with some editing. Cropping and or levels adjustment to bring out the color.

A Bad Day Fishing

"A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work!", as the saying goes. The tangled line and bubble left here, make for a frustrating day fishing. I first saw the tree and branch and waited for the fisherman to float into the background to make the picture more interesting. I love to be in the outdoors. I even tried my hand at fishing. I caught two things, a sun burn and some great photos!

Green And Red Canoes

Summertime is passing by too quickly! These are just a few pictures from a day trip I took with my family. I want to go again. Image what this place would look like in the early morning hours. I will have to go by myself, the family is not willing to get up early for the drive.

More pictures of the red canoe will be posted later. I spent about 20 minutes photographing the canoe while the owner was "wooing" his date with wine and cheese! I didn't ask his permission because I didn't want to interrupt. It was just like the movies! Beautiful scenery, romance, and a canoe. To be honest, I almost started laughing when I saw the wine glasses and wine come out of the bag. I thought what next, cheese. Out it came! I am not the only one who has seen too many "chic flicks"! I do wish them luck.

Night Shots At The Amusement Park II

As you enter the amusement park you will see this water fountain. It is one of several. Kids of all ages (18 - 80 year old adults) are running through the water. Some to cool off, others to try and win a bet! As I went in I made a mental note, to stop and photograph this area before I left. It was about 10pm and the park would soon be closing and still there are people playing in the water. Who wants to grow-up? Music plays with the timing of the fountain and bursts of water. At night it is lite up. White, green, yellow, and blue lights give the viewer or participant a little show. Each picture is shot using manual mode and long exposures. Top - f/11, 2 sec., ISO 250. Middle - f/13, 4 sec., ISO 250. Bottom - f/13, 4 sec., ISO 250.

Night Shots At The Amusement Park

The box car or seats, riders loose there dinner in, can barely been seen. I had taken my big flash to use, but didn't check to see if it had batteries! I was not willing to buy them at the amusement park so I worked with what I had. Not on this photograph but others, I used the camera's flash to give me more light and a better ghostly image. It worked but I like this picture better. Nikon D200, Sigma 18-50 lens, on a tripod, 2 seconds, f/11, ISO 250.



I used the bulb setting on my camera to capture this picture. The "SKY RIDE" as it is called, had stopped. With the empty green chair sitting still I quickly captured this shot. I love the colors. The tall tower ride in the background is called the "ROCKET" and is a favorite of my children. You get to choose between a blast off or re-entry style ride. Fun if you like that kind of thing! I am more of a "SKY RIDE" person, but hate it when it suddenly stops and others try and bounce in their chairs. 0.62 seconds, f/5.6, ISO 400 with a tripod.



This is the first hill on a double loop roller coaster. After this downward twisted fall you are thrust into one loop and than another! The bravest of souls keep their hands in the air for most of the ride. Some scream, some gasp for air, others pray and hang on! What a ride! The last few years I have tried to get a photograph of this coaster with on luck. It has been to dark or rainy. I got it and I am happy with it. A little blur to show movement and speed. 1/80 of a second, f/3.5, ISO 250 with some cropping.

Fireworks

This shot comes from the east bench, looking west down into the city of Kaysville. They put on a nice show. Thought it was faint, we could hear the announcer, and music from our vantage point.
I could not get my remote trigger to work so there is a little wiggle in the picture do to my heavy finger. This was the best of the bunch. I am happy with it, but glad another city would be shooting off fireworks on Monday night.
I like firework shots that have something in them besides the burst. Some of the best ones I have seen have been of the US Capital or other major landmark. Think of the New Years celebrations around the world as you watch the news coverage. The Statue Of Liberty, New York, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France or the Opera House in Sydney, Australia. They look great all lit up by pyrotechnics. I don't live close to any of those spots so I work with what I've got.

These are from Monday night. My wife and girls are in the back of the truck enjoying the view. Three to four thousand vehicles (I really don't know the amount!) parked in an old shopping plaza to jockey for the best view. One might think two hours before the event would be enough time to get a great spot. WRONG! It wasn't bad but not the best.

For these pictures I used the rear-curtain sync to illuminate the truck and the back of the girl's heads. It worked out much better than I thought it would. I even reduced the flash out put. The top picture has the firework burst very sharp and my girls slightly out of focus. The bottom picture is opposite. I think both look good, but I can do better. I have one more chance to get them both sharp on July 24th when Utah celebrates Pioneer Days.