Ole' One Eye is actually a Fledgling. She's less than a week or two old. As a new bird watcher you start to recognize the behaviors of young hatchling compared to a seasoned birds. The young are much more curious and watch me as long as I watch them. It's a wonderfully relaxing hobby. So if you need help on how to set up a sanctuary, I can help as far as my basic knowledge goes I am as new to birding as Ole' One Eye is to the world.
Female Juvinile Cardinal on the "Stick"
My friend David Akoubian got me started on photographing every day song birds. He showed me the ropes on how to make sanctuary for my friends to eat. I have had some relaxing moments watching them and how they behave. When we were down in the Smoky Mountains Cecil Holme and I were talking about why the hell did we start this? Who thought we would be learning about birds and flowers. But I have really enjoyed it. I have been watching these Gold Finches the past few weeks. They are really quite the characters. They kind of get into being photographed. Yesterday a little female went as far as to actually appear to dance for me. Today the male shed his shyness and hammed it up.
Male Gold Finch
On my trip to the Smoky Mountains with Nature in Focus Workshops, Cecil Holmes put the group on every subject we could ask for. He had to deal with weather and crappy forecast to say the least. He did awesome! I talked to David Akoubian about how to really get a nice composition here on the lane. I struggled with up close and far away compositions. I couldn't see one that really made me happy. In post processing i feel a lot different. So when out their make the shot happen. Symmetrical or Asymmetrical it can be fun.
Sparks Lane Cades Cove Smoky Mountain National Park
April 4,2015
One year ago I will have held your little body for the first time. Experiencing the most amazing moment in any persons life. Thank you lord for blessing Sonia and myself with this amazing little girl. We are truly blessed! Happy First Birthday to you my little Monkey Butt!
Love,
Daddy and Mommy xo
A Birds Eye View
The image above is not how I would typically edit a nature shot. Not only that but it will never be entered in a nature competition or be in a magazine. But I did this edit to express my opinions on what is too much in editing. I see that said a lot. "its over edited" "it is too over done" so many comments. Many times on Social Media you will find people who plain out love an image because they are following a photographers work or because they just like an image. And others who will always find fault in everything. This was shot on my back yard feeders. and I took a bunch of shots because these little buggers are super fast. I'm not. I Processed this in Black and white in NIK Silver Efex Pro and Lightroom As an artist it is a really nice shot. It's technically wrong in all sorts of ways. It doesn't flow properly. The bird is backwards. The visual flow is pretty much in reverse, But it tells a story and says, "hey, look food" So enjoy your images however you like. But know their value.
As artist behind the lens, many shooters have a natural gift. An eye to really see ordinary things in beautiful, artistic ways. Abstract art doesn't come natural to me like various other types of photography. I was talking about this the other day and it really kind of bothered me. So I took out the Sony a7 and Metabones adapter and Tamron 90 mm Macro lens and took aim at the only living plant in my house. I liked this shot so there is hope for me after all! In an abstract way of course!
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Sandy neck Light Cape Cod, MA
2015! I hope the start of the year finds everyone happy and healthy! For those of you who aren't fortunate to be those, I wish you health and happiness in the months to come.
This year in photography is starting out very well. Westfield Camera Club has many exciting topics to cover in the up coming months. I have said before I am blessed and honored to be part of such a great group of talented photographers, The study group recently asked me how I approach my Black and white shooting. I typically just see a subject that will really look amazing black and white. I use my camera settings and composition when i can to create a strong image. As photographers we chase light to make images really pop. With black and white that holds true. But i also pay attention to structure, lines and shapes and most important shadows. I also keep my post processing in mind so that i can compose my image while shooting to make processing easier. I also suggest shooting in monochrome settings to really learn how your images will work for you when you get home to the computer. This image was shot on a moving boat the sky had zero clouds and the image was ordinary at best. So I applied some filters and went with this look. I think its is a really nice shot. Keep shooting and remember have fun!
There is this old house I have been wanting to capture for some years. I wanted to show my viewers how to see more than a standard composition and how it can change a subject quite dramatically.
Here I framed a full scene of the house and the landscape around it.
Here I framed only the front of the house
And finally I framed just the front door and the window above it. There is no wrong compositions, only different visions. There are clearly better ways to approach a subject. I believe we intend on sharing what we see with others, What made us want to photograph a subject to start with. There are so many other ways I could have framed this house these were what i was seeing at that moment.
I decided last minuet to take a couple shots of the moon tonight. I created three compositions of the moon alone. I used my Tamron 150x600 on my Canon 7D. The first is a bullseye composition. Followed by an off center shot and then a very cropped version of just the bottom of the moon. Remember when shooting the moon, we are metering to the suns reflective light so a lower ISO and Faster shutter is needed.
Please take a look at my work. I hope you find it relaxing and artistic. I have a love for black and white photography. I am primarily an event photography with a love for all subjects. I try to help you see the emotions and energy of the moment as seem from behind my lens. Enjoy!
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