Remembering

White Bellied Nuthatch on the STICK.  

Remembering. After a little family vacation, I decided to take a moment to remember the values my Grandfather taught me many moons ago. Work hard for everything you want. Never take anything from anyone, because they will take more in return. And relax when possible. Never forget the important things in life. Here is where my story today kind of stems from remembering his thoughts. My family and I spent some much needed time at Cape Cod. I didn't shoot a lot. Nor did I really feel like shooting a lot. In fact I took a little break. I spent some time with my wife and daughter. And even played mini golf rather than capture an epic sunset. (It was epic too) This morning I took a few minuets to start my second busy season as a photographer. I love my profession with all my heart. But this break was much needed. Amelia and I captured this and a couple other images together when she woke up. I didn't care if we got great shots we got great moments together. I hope she remembers them many years from now.

image made with Canon 5d Miii and Tamron 150x600 on my Sirui N3204x tripod and PH-20 Gimbal head. Viewed and tweaked in On1 Photo 10 and Lightroom CC.  

Cape Cod Light.

A little long lens work at Cape Cod Light  

Morning light. I was shooting some early morning light at Cape Cod Lighthouse with my Tamron 15x30 and I noticed a bunch of birds flying in a near by brush area. So I switched to my Tamron 150x600 to hopefully capture them. Well as usual they didn't show themselves again. So while I waited I took a couple of hand held shots. I liked the Shadows. I didn't switch to Monochrome, I converted this in On1 Photo 10 and Lightroom CC. Remeber early morning light and lighthouses can really offer some cool perspectives. Image made on my Canon 5dMiii and Tamron 150x600 carried with Peak Design Slide Strap and Lowepro Flipside 500. 

Black and White Sunrise

A small Cove in Chatham, MA.  

I was driving along the coast from Chatham to Highland Light when I saw the light and shadows on this coastal area. I quickly pulled over and walked down the marsh. I snapped a couple color versions and then a couple monochrome. Though the light was golden and dictated a color composition, I was more pleased with how this looked. Image made with Canon 5d Miii in apeture priority f/11 ISO 100  shutter speed 1/500 of a second. In monochrome mode. Tamron 15x30 at 22mm. Carried with Peak Design Slide Strap.  

Are you Nuts-hatch?

White Breated Nuthatch on the Stick

I wanted to start this post out by saying thank you to every person I know on social media (the ones who matter :) for wishing me a happy birthday yesterday. I worked last night and today start my vacation. I have big plans on catching up around the house. So I think my photography work will take a back seat for a day or so. This morning the light was spotty and there were a lot of harsh shadows. This nuthatch sat there forever. Are you nuts-hatch? These little birds rarely sit still. Though a few years ago I trudged out in the deep snow to see if one had gotten caught in the feeder. I used the light to my advantage. And underexposed slightly to help balance out the overall exposure. Image made with the Canon 5d Miii and Tamron Di VC USD lens tethered to my a Sirui N3204x tripod and PH-20 Gimbal head with a Peak Design leash strap. Manual mode f/8 ISO 1600 shutter speed 1/250 of a second.  

The Stick

Young Male red Bellied Wood Pecker. 

Happy Fourth of July everyone. Independence Day! I have been fortunate to capture the Adults of this young male Red Bellied woodpecker. He has been coming every day at around 7 am and once he spots me doesn't come back. But I finally managed a so so shot of him. Independence comes fast for young broods. (If that's the correct way to say that) with in a matter of weeks the adults see their hatchlings into the world.  Our country was founded on the ability to make sound choices in life. And when we make mistakes we grow from them. I hope for generations to come our country remains free and independent. I hope everyone finds their second half of 2016 to be prosperous and filled with love and happiness. Image made with Canon 5d Miii and Tamron 150x600 on top of my Sirui N3204x and Ph-20 Gimbal head. 

Staying With A Subject

A Humpback Whale  

Captain Larry did just that. He kept the customers on subjects all day. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Crew were great. The trip was well narrated and the staff were attentive.  They attended to passengers having issues with the waves and even loaned out binoculars. We went out to Petit Manan Island to view Puffins and other sea birds. There was a seal lounging as well. Then he found us three Fin or Finback Whales and the Captain followed them for quite some time. Last he came upon this Humpback Whale. The whale took a deep dive and fortunate for me came up on the starboard side of the boat. I managed a couple shots, but I stayed on the tail until it was no longer visible. The point of my post is great photographers will often get to a site early and stay until they no longer have a subject. Image made with a Canon 7d and Tamron 150x600 Di VC USD lens. Hand held with the vibrations compensation on. 

Bluebirds!

Male Bluebird at the Stick.  

Female Bluebird

The new tenants. image cropped 30%

I'm sitting here taking some really great bird shots on the stick and stump. Red bellied family stopped in for some suet and peanuts. The Titmouse and Sparrows had some snacks too. Even a juvenile female Cardinal hung around. The albino pigeon and her mate the dove swooped in for some seed. As I was dozing off watching them, Mr. bluebird landed. I snapped about a dozen shots as he sat there watching me. Seconds later he flew away only to land on the bird house my friend Cecil Holmes sent me. Then came the Mamma Bluebird. As many of you know I've been longing to have a pair nest here. I pray they stay! David Akoubian and Cecil are already giving me tips to help nurture them to build and lay eggs in the house. I can't wait to see where this goes. Now for the technical mumbo jumbo. The image was made with my Canon 5d Miii and Tamron 150x600 Di VC USD lens on top of my Sirui N3204x tripod. ISO 1600 f/8 edited in On1 and LRCC.  

The Bubbles

Reflections of the Bubbles on Jordan Pond

During my recent visit to Acadia National Park, the skies were perfect for tourism. Not the greatest for photography.  My last trip here I spent some time at Bubble Pond rather than Jordan Pond. But this visit the winds were calm at Jordan and not at Bubble. And the Park for some reason, has the parking area for Bubble Pond shut down. I took a few shots of typical compositions. Then I decided to find something different. My traveling partner was standing diagonal to me so I strapped on the Tamron 150x600 Di VC USD lens on to the Canon 5d Miii. On top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and k-30x ball head.  I zoomed out to this glare area around these rocks and showed the reflections of the Bubbles in a little different perspective. I edited these shots in On1 Photo 10 and LRCC. Carried with Peak Design Straps and Lowepro Flipside 500 back pack. 

Jordan Pond

Slow exposure at Jordan Pond  

While I visited Acadia National Park this past few days, I went with intent on honing some skills that I don't always get to work on locally. I hoped to shoot the Milky Way, long exposures, HDR, Pano's and relaxation. Well I managed all of them but the Milky Way. Mother Nature didn't offer me the atmosphere I needed to accomplish that goal. On the morning of our last day in Acadia the rain gods delivered one heck of a rain storm. Rick and I were driving to the park and he said well we got two great weather days. I responded we got the best day today. Here is a 25 second exposure. I explained to Rick that this is what I needed to do some real slow exposures. Though the day before I did some 30 second exposures over Boulder Beach in night noon sunlight, to my vision this is what slow exposure is all about. Image made with the Canon 5dMiii and 24x105 lens. Tiffen IRND 10 stop filter f/8 ISO 100 25 second exposure. On top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and K30x ball head.  Edited in LRCC and On1 Effects.  

Bar Harbor

Sunset in Bar Harbor  

I had posted an iPhone shot the other day of this scene. Here is one made with my Canon 5d Miii with my Tamron 15x30 Di VC USD lens. I used a vertical composition at 15mm f/8 ISO 200 to show the colorful layers between the docks and the horizon. Showing depth in your composition is important. Turning a two dimensional view into a three dimensional view using the colors and other elements. The wide angle of this lens really allows me a new way to show my vision. It's tack sharp even at 2.8. With a working range of 15x30 the elimination of unwanted subjects is also available to you when moving your feet isn't an option. I used my Sirui N3204x tripod and K-30x ball head. Teathered to the tripod with a Peak Design Leash Strap. Carried with a Lowepro Flipside AW backpack. Viewed in On1 Photo 10 and edited in LRCC. 

Artistic Editing.

One of the boat houses in Cape Ann

When exploring an area keep an open mind to finding your next artistic image. I won't lie, I have found these little boat houses many times and knew exactly where to bring my students. The tides were low so we had to really work the area.  Rockport Harbor offers so many little options for creative editing. I explained to my group that I use my end vision through editing while I'm shooting. In other words, my experience in post processing lend me a visit on how I want to frame and shoot an image. Even ones I've shot many times. Image made with my Canon 5d Miii and Tamron 15x30 hand held VC on. Edited in LRCC and On1 Photo 10.  

Happy Fathers Day

My Dad, Amelia and myself 2016 image by Sonia Carrigan. 

I'm posting for Father's Day a little early. I will be pretty busy tomorrow and have a workshop Sunday morning. The remainder of the day will be spent with my baby. I never planned on being a Daddy. And though I've struggle being a good son, I never doubted how much I love my Dad. I hope Amelia always feels the same.  

I can say this with an open heart. I've never loved bein anything more than I love being a Son. Except being a Dad. My Dad and I had a fairly close relationship even though we were miles apart. There was a part of me who missed the daily relationship part but that's part of life. I knew my Dad was always a call away. And for some reason that mattered. And now with modern technology Amelia can have interaction with her PopPop anytime either of them want too. I have devoted my fathering to making sure my little girl is alway full of happiness and love. No matter what it takes. And honestly the love she has for my Dad is pretty amazing. Happy Fathers Day to my Dad! Thanks for being such a good PopPop to Amelia. 

What you lookin' at?

Female Downy Woodpecker.  

I capture so many typical shots of the birds who frequent the Stick sometimes the unusual ones make me smile. So this was a great way to end my day! Image made with my Canon 7d Tamron 150x 600 at 600mm in manual mode. ISO 640 f8 shutter speed of 1/150 of a second. I was using my Sirui N3204x tripod and PH-20 Gimbal head. Edited in Lightroom CC and On1 Photo 10.  

Innocence

Amelia at the Park

Innocence of a child is the simplest pleasure of a parent. You always hear about it, but until you are a Daddy you really can't understand it. (Or Mommy) With the recent terrorist mass killing in Orlando, I often wonder silently to myself, why did we offer this kind of world to our little girl? The answer is right there. Innocence. We can't balance out the evil and horror of the world without innocence and wonderful love that comes with a happy child. This image was made with the Tamron 150x600 at 300 mm hand held VC on ISO 800 f/8 shutter speed 1/500 of a second. On my Canon 5dmiii. Carried on Peak Design Straps and Acessories. Edited in LRCC and On1 Photo 10.5. 

Finding Subjects

A Farmer plowing his fields.  

I started my busy photography season May first. It would seem I'm always busy. But this is my busy event time of year. But no matter how much I'm doing with events like weddings and motorcycle runs or things like that. I never lose track of the things that matter most. I got to spend some time with my wife and Amelia at my Dads in Pennsylvania. Those farm images to come. This was on my way home from a wedding yesterday. The sky was very strange. One side it's was stormy the other was looking like a brilliant sunset. (And it was). Tomorrow I hope to get my sanctuary back to active. This image was made with my Canon 5d Miii  and Tamron 15x30 at 20mm. F/8 ISO 400 edited in LIghtroom CC and On1 10.5. Gear carried in Lowepro Flipside 500 and Peak Design Acessories.  

Tamron 15x30 Di VC USD Lens

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 A classic New England Barn in Sunderland, Massachusettes

I have Photographed this barn many times before. the weather today was hazy, hot and humid. I saw this little break in the haze and clouds if only for a little while. But thats less important than the post about one hell of a fantastic lens. I love it for so many reasons. The biggest reason is its incredible diversity for compositions. I can use this lens for just about ever type of photography I enjoy. With exception of course, birding. The 15x30 balances well on my Canon 5d Miii. Though its a fairly heavy lens in comparisons to most of my other Tamron Glass, I don't find it cumbersome at all. I will be purchasing a VU filter system for it sooner or later. Image made with the Canon 5d Mii and Tamron 15x30. On top of my Sirui N3204x Tripod and K-30 Ball Head. Edited iN lightRoom CC and On1 Photo 10. Carried with LowePro Flipside aw500 and Peak Design accessories.

Isolation

A tiny section of Bash Bish falls.  

I used my Tamron 150x600 to get really up close to this small section of Bash Bish Falls. I was shooting in midday light and there were sections that were in full shade areas. So I isolated the sections that I knew I could get a minimum of one second exposure without using filters. Image made with Canon 5d Miii and Tamron Lenses 150x600 at 320mm F/20 ISO 100 resulting in a 1.5 second exposure. I mounted it to a Sirui N3204x Tripod and K-30 ball head. Edited in On1 Photo 10.5 and Lightroom CC. Carried in a Lowepro Flipside 500 and Peak Design Capture Pro and Slide Strap.  

Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Falls.  

When we arrived at Bash Bish State Forrest today it was really bright and I knew I would have to Isolate smaller sections of the waterfalls to get nice images. I found this small section and spent most of my time focusing on tiny compositions.  Image made with Canon 5d Miii and Canon 24x105 L series lens. At 105mm I used a Marumi CPL and mounted on my Sirui N3204x tripod and k-30 ball head. Carried in a Lowepro Flipside 500 and Peak Design Capture Pro and Slide strap. Edited in On1 Photo 10.5 and LRCC.  

Not Forgotten

Black Cap Chicadee.  

I know a lot of people would rather raptors or Blue Birds. But sometimes the Chicadee is just as fun to take picture of. In fact they are sometimes the toughest to capture. They are small and fast! This image was made with my Canon 5dmiii and Tamron 150x600. F/8 ISO 1600 shutter speed 1/1000 of s second. I used a Sirui N3204x Tripod and K-30 ball head. Cropped and tweaked in On1 Photo 10.5 and Light Room CC. Carried with Lowepro Flipside 500 and Peak Design Accessories. 

Artistic Photography

Happy Hour.  

The hour before and after sunrise and sunset is Happy Hour for photographers.  The golden hours are the times when true artistry from Mother Nature takes place. This image is a creative artsy vision I had when I snapped a few shots of the fisherman going to work. If you have never visited fishing villages of Maine or Cape Ann in Massachusettes there are always cool images to be created with the many boats and compositions available. Go explore these areas and let your vision grow.  Image made with Canon 7d Miii and Sigma 70x200 F/8 ISO 200 shutter speed of 1/500 of a second at 110mm. Gear on top of a Sirui N3204x and K-30 ball head. Carried in a Lowepro Flipside 500 and Peak Design Slide Strap and Capture Pro. Viewed in ON1 photo 10.5 and created in Effects and Nik Color Pro 4 and LRCC. Join me in Cape Ann in June for a workshop.