Low Light Photography

While I've enjoyed taking low light pictures using my Nikon D5000, the camera itself didn't have a wow factor. I've been spoiled with the wow factor I get when I use my Nikon D40. My D40 is still an awesome camera with limited capabilities.

So what did I do? I sold my D5000 and bought a new D7000. I'm still in the playing phase with this new camera. I wanted to share some pictures with no flash. Yes, I was in the kitchen while I was experimenting in this photo session. I was waiting for my banana bread to finish baking in the oven. I shot in P-mode with auto settings. I wanted to see the results...kind of like baselining before I start to tweak. Notice the ISO settings in the following pictures.

King Arthur Flour (52mm, 1/30, F4.8, ISO 1800):



A bottle of vanilla extract (120mm, 1/30, F5.3, ISO 2000):



My lunch bag (135mm, 1/20, F5.6, exp +0.7, ISO 6400):



This D7000 has been touted for it's low light capabilities. So far, I'm sold.

Another Year of Cherry Blossoms

A few days ago my brother and I headed down to the Tidal Basin to take some pictures of the cherry blossoms.  Unlike last year’s clear weather, the sky was overcast and there was definitely a chill in the air.  It was a cold and breezy day.  I forgot to bring my fingerless gloves (slap my silly head) and my numb trigger finger kept pressing the shutter release button in succession that resulted in several continuous shots being captured.  Nothing Kodak worthy to publish. 

I did manage to capture these: 

 

 

We headed away from the Tidal Basin and walked towards the Mall.  We kept walking in order to get warm and stopped whenever we happened upon a photog moment:

 

We headed north and had lunch at Ming’s in Chinatown.  We had a spicy lunch special of General Tso’s Fish Filet, rice, spring roll and hot ‘n spicy soup.  It was delicious and our tummy was nice and warm.

After lunch, we retraced our steps (route) and headed south along 7th Street.  As we were crossing in the middle of the street, I glanced to my right and saw a photog moment.  For a dismal cloudy day, I enjoy seeing bright colors pop up:   

 

It was a fun filled day of photo opportunities.  The cherry blossoms were gorgeous.

 

Here’s my brother, pausing for a pose.  I kept reminding him that he needed another neck to hold his 2nd camera: 

Underwater Photography - Fish

Taking pictures underwater, is a totally different photography experience. First, one has to deal with water movements or currents. Second, one has to deal with moving targets...as in fish. Fish like to move fast, darting in and out of coral. Just when you think you're going to capture the Kodak moment, the fish is gone. Sometimes you have to anticipate it's next movement, but that's a true guessing game. Sometimes, it just requires taking the picture and hoping for the best.

Here's what we saw while snorkeling in the Caribbean:









The pictures above were taken using the Canon S90 point and shoot camera with a Canon underwater housing. The camera was set to "underwater" mode and the included flash diffuser was attached to the housing. I don't recall the flash going off as we were snorkeling in bright sunshine most of the time.

I have to admit that most photography guidelines are not used while photographing underwater. Creative composition is key meaning if you see something you like, snap away. I admire folks that can take a clear picture of fish or marine life, centered or not. It's not that easy.

More pictures to come...

Test Pictures

We’re getting ready for our trip.  I’m taking my netbook with me to store my pictures as well as do some basic photo edits, like adding copyright information and resizing my pictures for the web. 

I’ve installed Photoshop Elements probably the first version that came out.  A small footprint application that works nicely with the screen limitations of my netbook: 1024x600.   

Works beautifully for what I need it to do.  So, I’m doing a test post with a few pictures to see how my photo edits look. 

 

Before color adjustment:

After color adjustment:

 

Now to publish this post and see the results on a real computer. 

More Warm Thoughts

This was taken two years ago from our balcony. We were leaving Princess Cays on the last day of our cruise.



Some of you are probably wondering...what's up with all these Caribbean pictures? We are getting ready to go on vacation soon. I'm just prepping my blog for more wonderful warm thoughts.

Warm Thoughts On a Cold Day-Bonaire

I'm been feeling cold all the time. December has been a very cold month for us. We already had our first inch of snow over a week ago and expecting something wet this coming weekend. So, I'd thought I share with you some warm thoughts and pictures from our Caribbean trip two years ago.

No Name Beach - Klein Bonaire


Kralendijk Bonaire

Is this helping you conjure up images of being in the Caribbean?

It’s Cold Outside…Fingerless Gloves!

You’ve heard me mention before that I use photography to capture and record my other hobbies like knitting.  Well, I’ve managed to use my knitting skills to knit up a pair of fingerless gloves.  These gloves come in handy during the times I’m outside taking pictures in the cold weather.  With the gloves being fingerless, I can still grip my camera and access all the buttons and take a picture without having to worry that the camera will slip through my hand. 

My new gloves will keep my hands warm while I’m capturing my Kodak moments. 

Oh, I can also use them at work while I’m typing in my cold office.