Theme #10 "Aged"

I just could not end the year without at least one more image. This was taken when my wife and I attended a ships reunion in Norfolk, Virginia. While there we visited President Thomas Jefferson's Home and had a fantastic day touring. This particular photo was taken in the wine cellar of his home. Side lighting was coming in the basement window from the left and I used the on camera flash as a very small fill. I don't know how long they aged the wine but I bet it was good.

Theme # 256 "Reflections"

I belong to a couple of other photography forums and one member suggested that I make a "Motivational Poster " from my Autumn image ( a few below this one ). What do you think?

Theme # 121 "Ghosts, Ghouls, or Gobins"

We took the kids on a hay ride at the Holloween Party and saw this guy holding his head screaming as loud as can be that he had a horrific head ache. I wonder why. We were bouncing around on this hay ride so I don't know he stayed in focus. Had a great time.

Theme # 57 "Clown"

We went to a Holloween Party and my my wife posed with non-other then "Bozo-the-Clown". Fun Day.

Theme # 15 "Autumn"

My wife and I and my neice went over to the Sportsman club I'm in and had a very nice day at a Holloween Party. Plenty of food, hay rides, scary stuff and a magic show. After the festivities I saw the late setting sun and went over to the Peconic River's edge and saw this scene. One of those magic moments.

Exif data: Nikon D-90, 10/25/09, !8-200VR lens @ 18mm, ISO-400, 1/100sec f/3.5, VR on, Polarizer used, hand held.

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 # 244 " Public ( Military ) Transportation"

My wife and I needed some relaxation so we took a nice Sunday afternoon drive out on Eastern Long Island. It's a very rural area with a lots of farms and wineries. We stopped at the Hallockville Museum Farm which was having their annual LIAPA Tractor Pull and Show with demonstrations and displays of antique farm machinery by the Long Island Antique Power Association. In addition to the antique farm machinery there was displayed all kinds of antique cars and trucks. This Jeep is a original 1948 and in good running condition and shape. We got there late which worked to our advantage as the spectators were at a minimum. I couldn't resist to take this shot with the two flags and the bright blue sky. As you can see I used my polarizer to full advantage. A couple of links on the history of the jeeps are below.

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_jeeps_origin.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep

Exif Data:

Nikon D90 2009/07/19 15:55:01

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 18mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/25 sec - F/14

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-S

Utilized Circular Polarizer.

Make your own theme......"Answer this question"

I'm so glad to be back after a too long R & R. I hope you all enjoy my weird sense of humor on this post. Now pay attention real carefully, this will be very difficult for some (Ron). The theme is "Answer" this question.......... "What is the name of the town located in Pennsylvania where there is a rather large localized area of Amish immigrants". A very good clue is located somewhere in the image.

After you have discovered the clue and know the answer here is a good link which describes the area. http://www.800padutch.com/intercourse.shtml

I know I'm bad.

Nikon D90 2009/07/19 16:35:23

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 15mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/80 sec - F/16

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-S

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

Theme # 348 "Vapor"

Now this is what I call a "One In A Million Shot", Taken today by me at the Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island, NY. Before I go any further here is an explanation of what and why's of this vapor plume.Quote: At sea level a plane must exceed 741 mph to break the sound barrier, or the speed at which sound travels. The change in pressure as the plane outruns all of the pressure and sound waves in front of it is heard on the ground as an explosion or sonic boom. The pressure change condenses the water in the air as the jet passes these waves. Altitude, wind speed, humidity, the shape and trajectory of the plane - all of these affect the breaking of this barrier. The slightest drag or atmospheric pull on the plane shatters the vapor oval like fireworks as the plane passes through it.This plane is a Navy Super Hornet F/A-18F Jet stationed at NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. I got three shots of this jet with the plume in various stages of shapes and sizes. The actual speed of this plane according to the MC was 2 mph less then required to break the sound barrier. If the pilot was going just a little faster we would have had a lot of broken windows in the area. I wonder what effect that phenomena has on my camera lens glass ?Here's a link (a must read) on what happens but also how lucky I was in capturing this shot.http://www.rense.com/general8/boom.htm There is also a prize winning photo of the plume and my image is almost as good (IMHO). I'll bore you with the details as I am soooo excited. I used my AF-S VR Zoom Nikor 70-300 mm f4.5-5.6 G IF-ED lens. I had my focus set to continuous which means that the camera will try and maintain focus if the subject is moving and believe me the subject was moving. I did not use burst release mode but single -frame release mode. So in essence I squeezed off three shots of this bird in three seconds according to my exif data. The reason I used single-frame release mode is because I shoot in RAW and I did not want a couple thousand shots.

Here is the exif data. Nikon D90 2009/05/23

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 270mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/640 sec - F/11

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-C

The three images above are Photo # 2, 1 and 3 in that order.

Exif data shows the times for each shot are as follow:

Photo#1 May 23, 2009 @ 13:09:35 (Middle photo)

Photo#2 May 23, 2009 @ 13:09:36 (Top photo)

Photo#3 May 23, 2009 @ 13:09:38 (Bottom photo)

Sorry for the confusion but when I posted the images they got out of order and I had all the typing done and I did not know how to fix it up. I like The last one #3.

Theme # 177 "Looking Down"

These swan's are swimming in the Peconic Bay located right behind Main Street, Riverhead, NY. Probably about 100 yards to the right is where the Peconic River empties its water into the bay. This area is affected by the normal tidal action of the bay. This family of Swans were on the other side of the river/canal and I kept calling them softly and throwing pebbles into the water hoping that they would come closer. But they would not follow my lead. I went back to my car to get my big glass (70-300mm) and a bunch of kids came over and started making a whole lot of loud noise and the Swans came right over. The Moral of the story is that Swans are hard of hearing so yell louder. They came to my side and I almost had to look straight down at times as the dock is say 6-7 feet above the canal. Cute little family aren't they?

Nikon D90 2009/05/17 16:50:19

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 22mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/30 sec - F/11

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-C

Theme # 33 "Break the Rule of Thirds"

I was in Riverhead today taking pictures and I spotted this restored 1933 Packard in absolutely mint condition. These old spoked wheels enticed me to take a few shots but here is a good example (IMHO) to break the rule of thirds, golden ratio or the golden spiral. Are not these wide white walls the neatest. I had a 1949 Ford coupe in HS with wide white walls like this. I know I'm dating myself, but I truly love the old stuff.

Nikon D90 2009/05/17 17:27:43

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 35mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/25 sec - F/6.3

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-S

Theme # 199 "No Exit"

The location is Meeting House Creek Dock, Aquebogue, NY.

What you see is a natural tragedy which happens every once in a while. These fish, Atlantic Menhaden commonly called "Bunkers" are on the food chain for Striped bass and Blue fish. The bunkers travel in very large schools measured in area (miles/km's) and most likely were being chased by Blue fish and ended up the creek with no way out/no exit. Due to the size of the school and quantity of bunkers, no exit, no oxygen they die. It is such a shame but sometimes nature in its purest form is cruel. Meeting House Creek empties into the Peconic Bay which is in the upper most part of the image. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_menhaden

Nikon D90 2009/05/17 15:21:45

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 12mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/125 sec - F/16

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 340 "Fowl"

This is the infamous "Big Duck" which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places located in Flanders, New York. In 1931, Riverhead duck farmer Martin Maurer and his wife Jeule decided to construct a giant duck-shaped duck shop. They hoped to sell the Peking ducks they raised to passing motorists who would surely be drawn to the striking form of a "Big Duck" along Riverhead's West Main Street. The Big Duck roosted at this location till 1936 until it was relocated to Rt 24 in Flanders. Long Island duckling can still be found as a menu offering at the finest restaurants around the world. Here is a little more trivia about Mr. Big Duck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Duck

Nikon D90 2009/05/17 14:53:30

RAW (12-bit)

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

Focal Length: 27mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/250 sec - F/8

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 154 "Humor"

This one half of a "Tin Man" was found at the junk yard where I took the picture of the VW posted below. As you can see I cropped the lower extremities of Mr. Tin Man off in order to not violate the regulations of posting X-rated material on this blog. Need I explain any further. When I first saw this creation I could not stop laughing. The artist certainly had a sense of humor. It's mounted and chained to a trailer that can be towed by a car or whatever. It appears that he has three kegs of "Beer" hoisted above his head and he is showing off his masculinity, male proneness and strength. I would love to know where this was displayed and what for. My DW said this was x-rated and could not post it. But with my sense of humor I could not help myself and had to just show a portion of the piece of local folk art. I will find out the history of this piece of local folk art and update the post.

Nikon D90 2009/05/06 16:15:27

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 18mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/50 sec - F/20

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A

Theme # 28 "Blue"

This junk yard is right up the street from the old church in Yaphank which I posted below. Nothing special just an Old Blue VW dating back to the mid-fifty's. The battery was still there and it was 6-volts and the tail lamps were the very small ones which dates this VW back to the 1950's. Back in 1960's I had a 1956 VW Bug and used it to commute back and forth to work.

Nikon D90 2009/05/06 16:14:27

RAW (12-bit)

Lens: 12-24mm F/4 G

Focal Length: 20mm

Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority

Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern

1/50 sec - F/20

Exposure Comp.: 0 EV

Sensitivity: ISO 200

White Balance: Auto

AF Mode: AF-A