Theme # 6 "Abstract"

These images were taken on the beach at Horton's Point, located in Southold, NY. I included two images so I could better describe how I arrived at my attempt for an "Abstract" image of the little rock. The first image is just a shot of two large rocks say 15' feet off shore. Notice the small green, moss covered rock in the foreground ( center ). It caught my eye because of the beautiful, shinny, green colored moss. I then took my zoom lens in closer and took about fifteen or so shots of the small tiny waves ( 6"-12" ) breaking over the rock. I choose the second image to post because of the wave action, and blurred movement of the water. Because I had the camera set in Aperture preferred mode and the f/ stop @ f/11 my shutter speed would change depending on the meter reading. I got lucky because the speed was changing for each shot from as slow as 1/10 th sec. up to 1/60 th sec. This image was shot at 1/40th sec. which is why I was lucky. I should have put the camera in Manual mode and kept varying both the aperture and speed to get the effect I desired. The image you see on the back of the camera is almost impossible to critique when outside in bright sunlight. I guess my next "toy" purchase will be a hood for the LCD screen so one can see what is what in bright sunlight. I have the Hoodman Loupe which fits over the LCD but is difficult to use when taking pictures. I hope I didn't loose you on this one but I learned that I must play more with the Manual Mode. I'm very comfortable with the Manual mode but more likely a little lazy. Hope you enjoy my attempt at an "Abstract".
Nikon D90 2009/07/19 17:41:04
RAW (12-bit)
Lens: VR 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 G
Focal Length: 95mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/40 sec - F/11
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
VR Control: On

Theme # 354 "Water's Edge "

This beautiful scene was taken at "Camp Hero" State Park, Montauk, NY. This is the first time I have been here and it was quite the treat. The Light house you see in the top left corner is the famous Montauk Point Lighthouse located at the eastern most tip of Long Island. Needless to say as you look east you are looking at the Atlantic Ocean towards our friends in Europe. As you can see the coast line here is hilly and rocky. No where else on the Atlantic coast of Long Island is this true. Just a few miles west of this spot the shoreline is beautiful, with sandy beaches famous word wide like the Hampton's where the pompous rich and famous live and have their summer compounds (who cares) with the like of the Kennedys, Speilberg, Billy Joel etc, etc. Camp Hero a former military base was originally a coastal defense installation during WW-II. During the cold war it served as a Antiaircraft Artillery (AAA) training site through the 1950's. It also served as a Revolutionary War Canon site during that era. The Park itself consists of over 400 acres with miles of heavily wooded trails, picnic areas and the historic military buildings. It is a beautiful place to take a long hike on Long Island.

Nikon D90 2009/04/26 17:30:13

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 17mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/30 sec - F/20

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A

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 # 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