Theme # 275 "Sense of Motion"

This wind generator is located at the Town Of Brookhaven center where all their offices are located. I had to go there today to file some property tax papers for my mother. It was very windy with gusts in the 30-40 mph range and was also drizzling on and off so I took this image while in the front seat, window down in the parking lot. The advantage of digital becomes more apparent to me as I took about 25 shots and this probably the best one. And at no cost just delete and bring some home to post process. I had a lot of difficulty as the wind was blowing so hard and that tail assembly is hinged so it was swinging back and forth as the gusts were from slightly different directions. The tail would move the whole assembly from right to left and the speed of the propeller would change so in essence I was shooting a erratic, moving, jerky target. In order for me to get the sense of motion of the whirling propeller I had to keep changing my shutter speed up and down. It seemed to me I was always behind one or two steps as when I would increase shutter speed the propeller also did. I was trying to get the optinum shutter speed matched with the wind speed so as to get the most "sense of motion " with the blurred propeller. I could have done better with a tripod but I did not want to get my camera wet and I did not have my rain coat for my camera with me. I think the guy upstairs was playing games with me. Any way I got what I got.

Nikon D90 2009/02/27 16:15:48

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 170mm

Exposure Mode: Shutter Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/60 sec - F/20

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

Hand held

Theme # 326 "Things With Wings"

Look at the wings on them geese or is it goose..
I made my "Do It Yourself" light box today and it seems to be working out pretty good. These Grey Goose bottles are pretty tall so you can see the seam between the back panel and the top panel. But I have only two lights and I believe a third light (pointing upwards toward the ceiling) would make that joint seem less. If you notice the bottle on the right is 3/4 full while the one on the left is empty. This stuff goes down really smooth like water and really works wonders when you are constructing a light box. I had the stereo on blasting some Rock music from Pink Floyd and Meat Loaf and my wife had to lower the volume at least a half dozen times. But I'll tell you I had a great time making the light box. The first attempt the light box came out round.......Only kidding around. It only took about a hour to make. Actually very simple.

Nikon D90 2009/02/25 00:22:58

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 27mm

Exposure Mode: Manual

Metering Mode: Spot

1/6 sec - F/25

Exposure Comp.: 0

ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

Theme # 271 "Second Hand"

Finally I'm back to post a new image. There is no big story about this except this is my Seiko watch and as you can see the second hand is ticking away. I used my macro lens and it looks acceptable but really should be much better. The problem I had was lighting. I really have to make a light box out of Styrofoam and few other miscellaneous items. The color temperature of the lamps I used were too low and I have to go to Home Depot and get the right ones. Knowing that I never shoot Macro I now must practice up. I really struggled to get this image.

Nikon D90 2009/02/22 21:48:13

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 105mm F/2.8 D

Focal Length: 105mm

6 sec.-F/40

Exposure Mode: Manual

Manual Focus

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV

ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

Theme # 267 "Sandy"

This is my first post in a few days so I feel I must apologize for not visiting all the other post's and blogger's but I have been so busy. It's good to get back in the groove as they say. This picture was taken at Smith's Point County Park, Shirley, NY. I took this the same day that I took the other fence image and the image of the TWA Flight 800 Memorial. It's funny because I rejected this image from being posted as I initially did not really care for it that much. But I kept going back to look at it and realized that I liked it. It was a beautiful warm day about 40 degrees Fahrenheit and there were a lot of people visiting the park. A young couple in love (constantly kissing) were watching me take pictures and when I stepped off of the sand dunes and walked toward the beach the young man asked what was I taking pictures of. I tried to explain to the both of them that the late sun, beautiful textured white and light tan sand and the fence with the shadows was so interesting. But I know that he could not see these things. When I got about 100 feet away he walked over where my foot prints were and looked down where I was looking and told his girl friend that there was nothing there. I was taking pictures of the pretty rough surf and really was not concentrating where I was walking or in what direction and the next thing you know a larger then normal wave came in and I got soaked way above my ankles. I didn't panic, drop my camera or tripod but very nonchalantly walked out of the surf back to the sandy beach. A lesson to be learned concentrate on what you are doing not on a young couple. They thought it was quite funny. Well needless to say that ended my photographic journey of the day. Homeward bound to change sneakers, socks and pants. It looks like snow but the sand is almost pure white very fine and then turns to a golden tannish color.

Nikon D90 2009/02/07 16:24:32

RAW (12-bit)Lens: VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 18mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/320 sec - F/6.3

Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance:

Theme # 362 "Windows"

This beautiful window is part of an old building situated on the grounds of the old Woolworth Estate. There are many buildings here and one by one they are renovated and repairs made as appropriate. I believe all the buildings are barn red and have the older double hung windows as you see here. At one time this particular building was servants quarters and now is used for storage. If you look at my first post you will see a window similar to this and I titled that image "If only windows could talk". That title is very appropriate for this image also. All sorts of stories, gossip and who knows what else would be learned about the ultra rich when they lived or visited the estate. One for sure could write a book about it. Items such as this window always catch my eye even though it may not necessarily be the most photogenic window in the world. But the colors, warm late afternoon sun light and reflections help to make this image passable. I also like the idea that the outside ivy has some how made it's way inside out of the harsh winter elements.

Nikon D90 2009/02/14 16:04:39

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 24mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/60 sec - F/7.1

Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 239 "Power"

Not too much I can say about this image other then these high power lines supply eastern Long Island with some of their electricity requirements. They are running basically East and West. The low setting sun is directly behind me. It's kind of difficult to capture these enormous, high towers but the warm light , the towers and the fall like colors drew my interest. Take note that the whole image is in acceptable focus. I focused on the tall grass on the left foreground only a few feet from where I was standing. This location is a few miles from my home and I figured I'd give it a shot.

Nikon D90... 2009/02/14 16:18:04

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 24mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/100 sec - F/11

Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

Theme # 196 "Navigational Aids"

There is not too much I can say about this image other then it is exactly like the theme says "Nav Aids" used by the FAA. It located across the street from where my last post (Warnings) was taken. There is not too much data other then that which I got when I goggled that site.

I don't no if you have noticed but I am using my new found toy the Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 lens which through a series of sales and trades I purchased from the Nikonians used equipment forum. I absolutely love this lens because it now gives me the capability of some wide angle shots which could not be done before with my other lenses. Since the Nikon I have has a form factor of 1.5 this lens at the widest is really a 18mm (compared to a full frame 35mm sensor).

Nikon D90 2009/02/11 14:27:41
RAW (12-bit)
Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/80 sec - F/22
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 351 "Warnings"

This secured gate and fence surrounds the 2921 acres of the old Grumman Aircraft Flight Test Facility located in Calverton, NY. At one time when Grumman was still in operation here this gate was the primary entrance for Plant 7 and the Flight Control Tower. The previous image of the F-14 Tomcat was taken no more then a half mile down the road along this fence in Grumman Memorial Park. From this vantage point one cannot see the enormous hangers which housed all the aircraft when being built and flight tested. The reason I mention this is that when TWA Flight 800 went down and parts of the wreckage were found the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) needed a facility large enough to try to piece together the aircraft. At that time Grumman still had possession of this property and allowed the wreckage to be pieced together in one of the hangers. If you want you can see this in some of the pictures that are in the link I provided in the previous post. I personally went thru this gate thousands of times while gainfully employed by Grumman.

I believe that this pretty well fits the theme but I wanted to add a foreboding look to the image so I played around in Lightroom, converted to Black and white and finally settled in on a sepia toned image as I thought it added a dramatic effect telling one stay out or else. I added a little vignetting effect to focus in on the sign and barbed wire fence. At one time these fences were paroled by armed guards and no photographs were allowed. It's really funny because as I was taking this image I kept looking around for the guards which are no more. I guess it was ingrained in my memory bank absolutely ... NO PHOTOGRAPH'S.

Nikon D90
2009/02/11 13:54:06
RAW (12-bit)
Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G
Focal Length: 12mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/125 sec - F/20
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 250
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 188 "Monuments or Memorials" Part 2

This probably should have been the first image but I'll leave the best for last. This is the front of what you saw partially in the other image. This side signifies the release of 230 sea gulls into the sky from the ocean waves. On the other side as you saw in image #1 all 230 names of the crew and passengers lost on that flight were inscribed in the black marble surface. If you look closely at the image above you can see reflected on the surface the 14 flag poles ( middle left side) which represent the 14 countries from which the victims came from. You can read all the details at this site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_800

I converted this to Black and White in Adobe Lightroom-2

Nikon D90
2009/02/10 15:01:10
RAW (12-bit)
Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Spot
1/80 sec - F/8
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 500
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 188 "Monuments or Memorials"

This is only a very small section of the Memorial dedicated to Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 800. Flight 800 was a scheduled international passenger flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, Italy. On July 17, 1996, at about 20:31 hrs. EDT, the Boeing 747 exploded in mid-air and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the shores of Long Island near East Moriches, New York. All 230 people on board (two pilots, two flight engineers, 14 flight attendants, 212 passengers) were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. A good link for more details on the accident can be found here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_800#TWA_Flight_800_International_Memorial
I am not too sure about this image but figured I would post it any way and go back again to the memorial and try again. This was my third trip to this site and very few pictures if any can do it justice. I tried early morning, late evening right before sunset and today a little earlier in the afternoon but cloudy, overcast dreary sky. The problem was that the monument itself is highly polished almost black marble and the sun and blue sky reflecting off it would drive me crazy. Every thing around would be reflected like a mirror and it was sort of difficult to really see the etched names and designs in the marble. Today's reflections look like I converted it to Black and White but that is not the case. It's in color. I know what image I want but have not been close as of now. If you browsed the link I provided you can see the whole Memorial and get a better feel for what it looks like.

Nikon D90
2009/02/10 15:08:37
RAW (12-bit)
Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G
Focal Length: 19mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/50 sec - F/8
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 500
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 98 "Fences"

Today, here on Long Island it warmed up to a sizzling 45 or so degrees. I just had to take advantage of the heat wave so naturally went down to the beach to see what I could find. This scene is situated at Smith Point County Park, Shirley, NY. It is a beautiful park located on the ocean front and has swimming and camping facilities. It is also the home of the Memorial of TWA Flight 800. I went there to take pictures of the Memorial and what ever else captured my interest. When I saw this fence and the golden colors of the tall grass I knew I had a winner. The fence itself is only about two feet high. I wanted the best depth of field possible so I went back to the car and got my tripod. I cranked up the ISO to 320 and stopped down my aperture to f/25 and took 3 shots at different zoom settings. The reason for my choice of a higher ISO was that it was pretty breezy but I still wanted a fairly fast shutter speed to stop the wavy tall grass. What amazes me the most is the depth of field I got with this lens. Its my general walk around lens that at times I have been known to say is a little too soft for my liking. I actually focused on the bottom of the left most post and I guess coupled with the f-stop chosen came out smelling like a rose. I really did not expect this with a so called general purpose walk around zoom.

Nikon D-90 2009/02/07 16:18:58

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 32mm..1/50 sec-f/25

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 320

White Balance: Auto

Tripod mounted

Image count: 27/365

Theme # 3 "A Movie Title"

This is the under belly of a Grumman F-14 "Tomcat". Fame and recognition by the general public came about with the release of the motion picture "Top Gun" on 16 May 1986. Tom Cruise was the Hollywood actor trying his best to be a tough Navy pilot attending the elite Top Gun flight school. This particular F-14 has found it's final home at Grumman Memorial Park situated a few miles from my home. It's located on the old property of Grumman's Flight test facility in Calverton, NY. I worked for Grumman for 34 years starting out as a Electronics Technician. After completing my BSEE I continued on with Grumman for a rewarding career.

I took the liberty and copied a little historical data on the real Top Gun Flight school.

The United States Navy Fighter Weapons School was established on March 3, 1969 at NAS Miramar, California after a United States Navy study (sometimes referred to as the "Ault Report") directed by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) at less than desired performance of fighter aircraft, aircrews and weapons. The head of the study group, CAPT Frank Ault recommended that a graduate-level school be established to train fleet fighter pilots in air combat tactics to improve the relatively poor air combat performance of Navy aircrews over Vietnam.
The school was initially formed and placed under the control of Miramar-based fighter squadron VF-121 "Pacemakers", an F-4 Phantom Replacement Air Group (RAG) unit responsible for providing type-qualified air and maintenance crews to first-line units of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet. It received relatively scant funding and resources and built its syllabus from scratch, while borrowing aircraft from its parent unit as well as other units to support the practical aspects of their operations.
Its objective was to develop, refine and teach Air Combat Maneuvering tactics and techniques to selected fleet air crews, using stand-in aircraft that could realistically replicate the nimble Russian-designed fighters that they were most likely to oppose in combat. At that time the threat aircraft were in the form of the transonic MiG-17 'Fresco' and the supersonic MiG-21 'Fishbed'. This teaching concept is known in military aviation parlance as DACT, or Dissimilar Air Combat Training, and presently is widely used in air arms the world over.
Air crews selected to attend the TOP GUN course were usually considered to be the best that their units could offer. Upon graduating they would then return to their parent fleet units to relay what they have learned to their fellow squadron mates, in essence becoming instructors themselves.

Camera: Nikon D-90

Date/Time: January 29,2009@ 14:53:44 hrs.

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 18mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/50 sec - F/8

Exposure Comp.: 0

ISO 200: White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A

Filter: Nikon Circular polarizing

Software: Adobe Lightroom 2.2, CS-3, PSE-7
Image Count: /365

Theme # 141 "Hangs on a Wall"

If you read the history on the prior post about the Woolworth Estate I mentioned the Elephant Room. Now you know why we call it by that name. This trophy was bagged by Mr. Woolworth Donahue in the early 1930's. This trophy has been "Hanging on the Wall" for around eighty years. This room is where we have our monthly meetings and many formal affairs are also held here. I have the honor of being the committee chairman for the annual installation dinner held in this room every year in early December. We can sit 150 people comfortably with banquet tables and have a large area for dancing and band. It is one of the nicest yearly affairs that my wife and I go to.

Date/Time: February 1, 2009 @2:14:25 PM
Camera: Nikon D-90
Lens: Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.0
Shooting Mode: Aperture Preferred
Image Format: RAW
Metering Mode: Matrix Multi-Pattern
ISO: 800
White Balance: Auto
Shutter Speed/Aperture: 1/60sec. f/11, Focal Length: 29mm
Technical Notes:
Flash: SB-800
Location: Long Island
Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom 2.2, CS-3, PSE-7
Image Count: /365

Theme # 331 "Times Gone By"

If you have been reading my previous posts then you will remember that I am heavily involved in the shooting sports. I feel that I must add that I do not hunt any more as there is no need to provide food from the wild on my table. I belong to a sportsman club here on Long Island that is probably one of the premier clubs on the East coast. Our facilities is situated on the Peconic River hence the name "Peconic River Sportsman Club. The history of the grounds and buildings is fascinating. In the early 1920's this private estate was sold to the Woolworth family. In the early 1930's it was enlarged for Woolworth Donahue ( his wife being TV celebrity Mary Donahue). It consisted of about 400 acres and was used primarily as a hunting retreat and had a 75-acre private lake stocked with fish, along with small bore and hi-power rifle ranges. Over the early years it was expanded and many more buildings added. Woolworth's hunting lodge on Long Island was known to the select few as just Riverhead. The very large Room called the Adirondack lodge became a trophy room supporting the vast elephant head hanging over the imposing stone fire-place . The trophy room also contained some of Africa's greatest treasures including prize animals that Woolworth bagged in his hunting episodes. This image is just one small portion of what the interior looked like. The days of so called "Camps" of the ultra rich are "Times Gone By" with the advent of almost instant travel to any where in the world. I just love the simple elegant design of wooden beamed ceilings. This view is looking up at the ceiling of the main entrance into the so called "Elephant Room".

Date/Time: February 1, 2009 @2:09PM
Camera: Nikon D-90- .
Lens:Nikkor 18-200 VR
Shooting Mode: Aperture Preferred
Image Format: RAW
Metering Mode: Matrix
ISO: 800
White Balance: Auto
Shutter Speed/Aperture: 1/60sec. f/11 Focal Length: 32mm
Technical Notes:
Flash:SB-800
Location:Long Island
Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom 2.2, CS-3, PSE-7

Image Count: /365

Theme # 266 "Rusted"

This image would fit numerous themes but as you can see there is some rust in the picture. A cemetery would probably be the last place to look for a rusted item other maybe a gate or something. This is a headstone with the triangular shaped iron chime. There is no name on it or for that matter no writing at all. It's located in the older section of the cemetery so I would presume that it dates back to the mid 1800's or so. We live across the street and up the hill so this is the perfect place to walk my dog "Honey" whom you met in a previous post. I've tried to capture this headstone before but to be truthful could never get the right lighting. It's up on a pretty hill and today the setting sun did it justice with it extra warm tones and shadows. I had to take it on this angle as my shadow would get in the way. I couldn't kneel down as the grass was a muddy sponge. It was quite breezy today and the chime has a surprisingly beautiful deep bong sound similar to a sea buoy. Maybe he or she was a sea Captain or loved the sea. I know I will re-visit this headstone to really get it right as I'm not too sure about this one. The whole picture does arouse my interest because of it's different open shape, the chime and of course the shadow and warm lighting.

Date/Time: February 1, 2009 @ 3:41 PM with Nikon D-90

Lens:Nikkor 18-200 VR
Shooting Mode: Aperture Preferred
Image Format: RAW
Metering Mode: Matrix
ISO: 320
White Balance:Auto
Shutter Speed/Aperture: 1/160sec. f/8 Focal Length: 27mm
Technical Notes:
Flash: none
Location: Long Island
Editing Software: Adobe Lightroom 2.2, CS-3, PSE-7
Image Count: /365