Theme # 315 "Symbols"

What better image could I post for "Symbols" then our National Symbol our flag. The lower flag is of course the United States Marine Corps flag. This shot was taken at the air show at Jones Beach , NY. As you can see it was very windy and gusts in the 25-35 mph range. The flag pole was a couple of hundred feet away from me but I just could not resist and had to take at least one shot. I've posted a few other flag shots so now I'll be considered a flag-aholic. Julie commented in my last flag post that the flag appeared to have depth to it. This was true as I sort of, if I can say, nailed the exposure of the flag pretty well ,which then enables one to get the most contrast which in turn gives that depth to the two-dimensional image. You can see the shades of grey on the white portion and that gives the 3-D effect. I remember this from the old film days but the theory is still the same with digital. I wanted to see a little movement in the flag so I lowered my shutter speed a little. You can see the curl in the flag at the right most edge and to me it adds a little flavor to the image. I really do not particularly care for that guys head in the fore ground but its a beach scene, what can I do. Good thing it was not a bikini clad young lady as I never would have noticed the flag or the air show for that matter.:)

Nikon D90 2009/05/23 13:35:52

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 125mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/320 sec - F/11

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-C

Theme # 345 "Upside Down"

I was at the Air Show on Saturday during Memorial Day weekend and these pilots put some show on. They were the Canadian Snowbirds in their CT-114 Tutor jets. Because I was taking the pictures I could not pay attention to the announcer and hear exactly what you called this maneuver. Originally there were nine planes and when these planes went straight up, two pealed away then the seven which you see here completed the inside loop then from other points of the compass the other two rejoined the group. As you look at these planes they are belly up meaning they are flying upside down at this point with the cockpit inside the loop at all times. Completing a inside loop as they say is difficult because of the overall dynamics of the maneuver. Any way it was quite the show. These planes were pretty far away and was hard to keep in focus no less sharp focus so I closely cropped to enlarge and you will see some noise in the sky. I also added some more then usual vignetting to help the eye focus on the planes better (IMHO). As mentioned in my other post I had the camera on what Nikon calls "Continuous Focus" which means that if I keep the subject on the focus bracket and pan at the same time and keep the shutter button half way depressed it will track the focus and when fully depressed it should be in sharp focus. Because the Nikon D-90 has only 11 focus points I sometimes had trouble keeping the subject locked in on one point. Practice makes for better images and I had a lot of training that day.

Nikon D90 2009/05/23 11:51:34

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 300mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/1250 sec - F/9

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-C

Theme # 47 "Childhood Antics"

Now who do you think those two young senior citizens may be. Correct, it is yours truly and the bride of 49 years. We just got done with the sight seeing and grand tour at the "Manor of St. George and on our way out of the parking area I saw this contraption and begged the bride to let me take a picture of her. No way she said but she offered to take one of me. So Eveline took one of me and just then the tour master asked if we would like one taken of both of us together. Of course before my wife could answer I accepted and got my camera all set up and locked myself in the contraption of captivity and we were digitally immortalized for the time being. Lots of fun. This was made for tall people as I had to stand on my toes in order not to break my neck and choke my self.

Nikon D90 2009/06/07 16:27:42

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 22mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/125 sec - F/9

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-S

Theme # 191 "Museum" #2

I tried to visit this museum two or three times before but it has always been closed. Today we had good luck. "The Manor of St. George" and its 127 acre site located in Mastic, NY and is now a public museum and park. It constitutes an important chapter in the history of these United States and the Colonies that preceded them for a span of over 261 years. It is an action-filled chapter that revolves basically around the life of Col. William "Tangier" Smith, first Lord of the Manor of St. George. A complete history of this site can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manor_St._George

It is a very interesting read if you have the time.

Nikon D90 2009/06/07 16:03:55

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 24mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/125 sec - F/11

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-S

Circular Polarizer used

Theme # 195 "National Pride"

This is of course a replica of the "Grand Union Flag", which is the first flag adopted by the Continental Army back in 1775. A very good description of this flag, its origins and history can be found here.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Union_Flag

I found this treasure at the "Manor of St. George" located here on Long Island in Mastic, NY.

Nikon D90 2009/06/07 15:59:23

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: VR 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 G

Focal Length: 70mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/400 sec - F/11

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-S

Circular polarizer used