It’s been a while since I was able to get out the door and finally take some photographs. Technique is all well and good, but you need fresh material. So to get back into the spirit I decided to rise with the sun. With all the haze this past morning the sun was like a fireball. It was exhilarating to witness. Just blinding to photograph. I recommend taking these images quickly, not pointing your lens at it constantly and quit staring at it! If not you may just damage your sight and that just isn’t worth it…right?!
Unfortunately I was only able to start a few days before spring. Many species are still making their way up north so selection was narrow, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. There were around 500 brant wandering the shore at Gateway National Recreation Area and I wanted to capture them in this perfect light. One problem? They didn’t seem to want me there. I walked closer and they walked farther. So composition was my only friend. One problem? the extra wing from his pal behind him.
Our friend the American robin is starting to gain his breeding plumage. One of the best reasons to get out there and start taking photographs! He was probing the area at Mount Loreto Unique Area before the field starts erupting with foliage.
Now I am not a fan of messy backgrounds. And I probably wouldn’t use this as an image for sale or publication, but it can help us get some insight. Using the ability to blur lots of foreground with your telephoto lens I fell you can tell a story despite the mess. Combine that with the right light only on your subject and the eye tends to not notice the distractions. Now this isn’t an image that will ever win a prize, but it’s something we can learn from. Isn’t that one of the greatest advantages in digital. To easily see and learn from our mistakes?
Do they pass inspection?
A native and highly threatened species here on Staten Island is known as the box turtle. He is being pushed out by many releasing an invasive pet species called red-eared sliders into local ponds and woods. Mr.T as this one is known was a fantastic subject that made me work for a good image. The trick to getting the colors to shine? Nope not photoshop, nah not capture nx2, not even some magic plugin. What was it? Water from a simple spray bottle helped to saturate those colors and give some punch to his often dry/pale looking shell.
Until next time me and Mr. T bid you adieu.
One Response to “My first day out in a long time”
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It always feels so good to get out that first time after a long dry-spell. It really doesn’t even matter what you are photographing, but all the better when you get a gorgeous sunrise. beautiful light on those brandt’s too. I’ve come across them wintering in my area a few times, but only once have they allowed me to get close.