You lookin' at me? (V 1.1)

I was hiking through Peace Valley Park after we had received fresh snow.  As I walked, I spooked two doe from their hiding place and they returned the favor by scaring the bejesus out of me.  As I continued my hike, I had the feeling I was being watched and I was.  I decided to focus on the foreground to give this a different perspective. (V1.0 can be found here, V1.2 is forthcoming - I believe the doe in V 1.2 is this same doe, she's just not as scared as her friends.)

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/125 sec @ f4.0
ISO 400
Curves adjusted for contrast

Snowy branch

Merry Christmas all! Best wishes for a wonderful holiday!


Another shot from Peace Valley Park. 
I thought the snow accumulation on this
large branch was interesting with the late afternoon sun.





Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
Circular Polarizer
28mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/80 sec @ f6.3
ISO 200
No adjustments.

December Snow

I shot this during the height of the recent show storm.  It is shot from the bridge crossing the  Neshaminy Creek at the north end of Lake Galena.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens

24mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/80 sec @ f6.3
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

The long flat surface in the background is the stone wall that makes up the side of the bridge. 










Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
32mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f5.6
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Shadows

I shot this while hiking through Peace Valley Park the day after we received ~12" (30cm) of snow.  I love the way the sun was shining through the trees.  It was late in the afternoon as the sun was setting.

This was submitted to Reflection #14 for the sun reflecting off the snow.













Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
24mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/80 sec @ f6.3
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

Calm before the storm

So we're expecting major snow tomorrow.  Yee Haw!  I love snow!  We might actually have snow for Christmas, a rarity in these parts!  I live North and West of Philadelphia and storm predictions around here are usually wrong.  They seem confident that we'll get 'a bunch'.  I'm looking forward to getting out to Peace Valley Park tomorrow and/or Sunday to get some shots.  I was there today and had a lot of fun, which I'll be sharing soon!  I have a weather station and the bottom of this blog posts the current conditions.

I originally called this post 'Christmas Ornaments', but I decided with the expected snow, calm before the storm was more appropriate.

One of the Christmas balls from out tree.  I like the shadows and reflected colors.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 0.6 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

I thought this translucent snowflake looked cool with a backlight.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/4 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Holiday Reflections

A shot of the Christmas tree lights reflecting off the hardwood floor in our living room.  I'm posting this in advance of the Weekend Reflections #13, hosted by Newtown Area Photo.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
32mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/3 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Headache

Every day, I drive past the Eureka Quarry.  They have a small boneyard on site and it includes a crane.  In the 12+ years I've been driving past this Quarry, I've never seen the crane operate however, about 2 weeks after I shot this, I saw the crane lifting something (talk about patience!).  The crane is behind a fence, but the structure extends way beyond the fence. 

This link is to google maps.  You can see that crane in the middle of the map (ain't the internet grand?). 

Standing directly under the crane head and looking up at a potentially serious headache.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
24mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f8.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

A shot of the base of the crane are as the sun sets.

 Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens

24mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/500 sec @ f8.0

ISO 200

Curves adjusted for contrast

I rather like this shot - zoomed in on the structure.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
65mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f8.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast

A different kind of reflection

Yet another shot from Delaware Valley College.  They have a series of relatively new greenhouses and I happened upon them as the sun was setting.  I'll be submitting this for Weekend Reflections #12 later today.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
80mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f11
ISO 500 (yes, in digital world, this can happen)
Curves adjusted

I don't like Monday's

Another gargoyle from Grey Towers at Arcadia University. 

I though this was a fitting tribute to the start of another week. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
92mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/40 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted

First Snow

I shot these at Byers Choice.  We had our first snow today and I went out around 8:30PM to get some shots.  It was still snowing, so I got some water on my lens. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1.6sec @ f11
ISO 800
no post processing
 

I thought this came out pretty cool.  I really like the way the lamp light looks and the reflections off the water spots on the lens. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 2.5sec @ f11
ISO 800
no post processing

Reflections 1.2

I shot this a Delaware Valley College recently.  I had my circular polarizer filter on and was able to completely remove the reflection, which would have made a pretty boring photograph, so I spun the filter to bring the reflections back. I though this would be good for Weekend Reflections #11.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
45mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/30 sec @ f5.6
ISO 200
White balance adjusted

Yellow Balls

My wife has a glass container full of these yellow beads.  They contain fragrance and evaporate over time.  I saw these one day and said to me self "Self, you need to take a photo of that.".  A few days later, I looked at the container again and they had shrunk to minuscule little nothings.  She recently refilled the container so I got right on it.

I submitted this for Mellow Yellow Monday #58

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens

Exposure 2.5 sec @ f5.6 (Aperture Priority)

ISO 100

No post processing :-)

Funny Face

I apologize for the long-winded introduction.  There's some history to the photo.  Sorry to bore you. 

I September of 1976, I transferred from the University of Delaware to Spring Garden College (SGC).  I didn't care for a 'big' school and SGC was definitely a better place for me.  At the time, SGC was a commuter school and had no dormitories.  Non-commuter students could rent rooms in houses or Beaver College, now Arcadia University, made dorm rooms available to SGC students.  I opted for the dorm route. 

Arcadia's campus is located on the estate of William Welsh Harrison and includes a full-blown castle called Grey Towers, built in the late 1800's. I will be posting a few outside shots of it and some of the other original buildings on campus in the coming weeks.  The castle houses both administrative offices and dorm rooms.

A visit to Grey Towers is an unbelievable experience;  living on campus gave my friends and I the opportunity to explore it and the campus in-depth.  What a blast!

This is one of the many gargoyles on the castle.  I have others to post.  This was on the shady side of the castle late in the afternoon.  I love this face.  It's held up very well considering it's 100+ years old. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
67mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/50 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted

Basil

We have a large whiskey barrel planter in the back yard that grows parsley for the butterfly's and basil for cooking.  Here's what's left of one of the basil plants.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f11 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 800
Curves adjusted

Fence

I shot this at Delaware Valley College last weekend.  It happens to be very close to my home.  Del Val is known for it's agricultural programs and has a lot of interesting photographic subjects.  I used to be a member of the Adjunct Faculty in the Computer and Information Sciences back in the early 90's.

This is a fence (duh) around one of the pastures shot late in the day.  There are sign all over the place warning about the fence is electric and not to touch it.  There is a second fence inside the first and I thought that was the electrified fence.  If you look at the top rail, you can see the electric strap.  I came very close to getting a good  jolt :-(

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
73mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f11
ISO 800

Best Blog Award

I have been bestowed a great honor by David.  He has selected my blog to receive a "Best Blog Award".  I am very grateful for the recognition, although I know there are many others that deserve recognition before mine should even be considered.

As part of acceptance, I recognize 15 blogs that inspire me, amaze me, or I just like their 'stuff'. Here they are in no particular order. 

Marka's Meanderings in Photos
Glen Goffin Photography
Newtown Area Photo
Chandler A to Z
Marilla's pix
Shot by PJM
Peter Dewitt Photography
My Corner of New Hanover
Capture This Photography
Walk the Wilderness
Photo Phase
Bonjour Luxembourg
posted by pacey
Stephanie's Photoblog
Walking the Crosstimbers

Rules.
To accept the Award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the Award, and his or her blog link.
Pass the award on to 15 blogs you have recently discovered and think are great.
Remember to contact the bloggers you have awarded to let them know they have been chosen for this Award.

Pilgrim Bell

I want to thank James for his most recent 'Weekend Reflection'.  It was a BLAST!  I visited many new blogs and saw some amazing photographs from all over the world. 

This is shot of the Pilgrim Bell at Whitemarsh Memorial Park.  I set the exposure on the bright spot in the sky, then moved to the focus to the bell.  The second shot tells the story of the bell.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/400 sec @ f11
ISO 200
No post processing

'57 Chevy

As I mentioned earlier, I visited the America on Wheels museum this past Saturday.  I've been chomping at the bit to post this, but I've been a bit too busy to get to it.  This '57 Chevy Station wagon was one of many beautiful cars on display.  I love both the year (same year I was born) and color. I wish I was in as good shape as this car is!

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/13 sec @ f3.5
ISO 640
Curves adjusted

Grass bloom

I took lots of photos this past weekend.  I visited the American on Wheels museum in Allentown and will be posting some of those shots soon.  Yesterday, I has a chance to go 'macroing' around the yard.
Here's a shot of the ornamental grasses are going to seed.  Behind this shot is a large arborvitae, giving the nice green background.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/125 sec @ f3.2 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
no adjustments


Here's a different perspective. The grass is providing most of the background, so no nice color contrast, but you can see a little green back there. 

 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f4.5 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
White Balance adjusted

Fall Leaves

Here are a couple of close-up leaf shots from Peace Valley Park. I really like this wide angle zoom.  Photos taken with it rarely need any adjustments.  This was taken on a very cloudy day.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens
22mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f8.0
ISO 200
White Balance adjusted

Another fun shot.  I like the blur of colors on the left transitioning to the less colored leaves on the right.

 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/125 sec @ f7.1
ISO 200
White Balance adjusted

South East

A shot of the GPS on my motorcycle while stopped one day.  It just caught my eye.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens

75mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/160 sec @ f5.6

ISO 100

Curves adjusted for contrast

Halloween Pumpkins

I took some shots of our Halloween pumpkins.  I used the tripod and got some interesting shots. 

Here's a shot of the ghost pumpkin.  This is carved from a template.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have *zero* artistic talent.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
55mm Focal Length
Exposure 2.5 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Here's the same shot, but I cranked up the black fill in Lightroom.  I think it looks really cool.

Here's Dracula with the the black fill increased. I really like this one!

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
55mm Focal Length
Exposure 0.8 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Here's a freehand, done by my wife. I always like the freehand ones the best!

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
55mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/4 sec @ f4.0
ISO 800
Curves adjusted for contrast

Water Fountain

I came across this really neat water fountain at a park recently.  I like the wide angle effect.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f5.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Another foggy morning

I shot this on my way to work one morning.  I've shot this tree before on a foggier (more foggy?) morning.  This morning was different in that the sun was shining brightly, albeit there were clouds. I originally converted this to B&W, but there subtleties that seemed to get lost in the translation, so I left it alone.  I did crop the bottom a bit since I had to aim low to miss the direct sun.

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f5.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Jester

When we get Zephyr groomed, the groomer always adds something to her collar like a little artificial flower.  On one of her recent grooming's, she returned with the fashion accessory around her neck.  It fits her personality perfectly.  While shopping in Target this past weekend, we were looking over the cat and dog costumes and saw the jester ears, which are made for cats.  Since Zephyr is small for her breed, I suggested we go for it.  You can see the results. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens

90mm Focal Length

Exposure 1/60 sec @ f4.0

ISO 400

curves adjusted for contrast 

Here's another shot with birthday present bows stuck to her head.  She's a really sweet dog.  Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but makes up for it with unconditional love. 

 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
45mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f4.0
ISO 400
curves adjusted for contrast 

Halloween

For many years, I used a manual film SLR for all my photos.  Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the purchase of my first DSLR.  I've taken ~2,600 shots in that time, although it's hardly been linear, more like exponential growth.  I'm an Electrical Engineer by vocation and have never been 'artistic'.  I can't draw, I can't paint, I can try to take interesting photographs.  My wife and youngest sons both possess great artistic talent, but it's never worn off on me.  I'll stick with the camera.   

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought I'd post the following shots.  I shot this at the 2009 Lansdale Bike Night.  Pretty creepy, but amazing detail in the paint work.  I only took two shots that evening as it was rainy and rather nasty. 

Canon EF 24-105mm L f4 IS USM lens
105mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f4.0
ISO 400
Flash used, white balance corrected


Here's my wife's 2009 painted pumpkin collection.  She does an amazing job!  She's done the Flintstones and the Jetson's in past years.  This year was the M&M's. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
20mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/10 sec @ f4.5 (pretty good for no tripod!)
ISO 800
white balance corrected, exposure increased 1/3 stop.

Cold, Dark, Windy

I shot this at Peace Valley Park after the second of two Nor'easters passed by.  The second storm was not particularly bad, but between the two storms, we had several days of rain totaling ~2 inches.  After these storms leave, we typically get clear, blue, beautiful skies.  While waiting for the skies to clear, I took this shot.  It was unusually cold for October, but at least the rain had stopped!

I really like the effect of the wide angle and it just seemed right to go B&W with this. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.4-3.5 USM lens
22mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/400 sec @ f13
ISO 200
Curves adjusted, converted to B&W

I was roaming around the yard looking at the plants preparing for Fall.  I came across this plant getting ready to spread its seeds. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f5.0 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
Curves adjusted


Here's a different angle showing the seeds just peeking out. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens

Exposure 1/100 sec @ f5.0 (Aperture Priority)

ISO 320

Curves adjusted

Here's a shot inside one of the pods. 

 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/200 sec @ f5.0 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Lavender

Among the variety of flowers we have in the yard, we have a lavender plant.  I thought this was an interesting shot.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens

Exposure 1/100 sec @ f10 (Aperture Priority)

ISO 640

Curves adjusted

I took a shot of one of the single stems of the plant, attempting to 'compose' a shot and not have the object dead-center with a lot of empty space above the subject. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/640 sec @ f4.5 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
Curves adjusted

Industrial 1.2

This is a close-up of the headlight from my motorcycle.  You can clearly see the water spots from the last ride.  I have a Lexan protector over the headlight to prevent potential stone damage and you can see the scratches in the Lexan as well.

This is the last of these for a while. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/800 sec @ f2.8 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
curves adjusted

Industrial 1.1

This is the right turn signal from the front of my motorcycle.  I turned the ignition on, which runs the turn signals at 60% intensity to allow them to serve as running lights.  I happen to believe conspicuity is the most pervasive problem facing motorcyclists, so improving one's conspicuity is a *good* thing.

I think the conversion to B&W improved the photo.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/250 sec @ f2.8 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 200
Other than conversion to B&W, the only post processing was to knock the exposure down by a half.

Pansy pod

My wife showed me how pansy's go to seed this past Sunday.  This is a shot of their 'technique'.

I took a boatload of other shots that I'll be sharing soon.  

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens
Exposure 1/100 sec @ f5.0 (Aperture Priority)
ISO 250
Curves adjusted

Tall tree

Certain shots lend themselves to the distorted perspective given by a wide angle lens.  I think this is one.  Yes, this is a very tall tree, but the wide angle extends the tree even further. 

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens
10mm Focal Length
Exposure 1/20 sec @ f4.0
ISO 200
Curves adjusted.

Who did it? Katydid

This katydid was handing around the back door near the bug light, munchin' on small bugs.  I guess that  indicates that the bug light is not really effective, eh?  Since it was 9:30PM, I was too lazy/tired to get the tripod, so I used the flash instead.  It's like it's (she's?) staring directly at you. 

Canon EF 100mm f4 Macro USM lens
100mm Focal Length (no kidding!)
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f2.8
ISO 200
Curves adjusted for contrast
flash used