Long Exposure Lighthouse Experiment

 

This was a creative frame taken with a twenty second exposure at dusk.  I started with the lens at 28mm to capture the wide angle view, counted to about 10 seconds, then quickly zoomed in to 135mm for the larger Lighthouse view for the remaining 10 seconds of the exposure.  Since there was no way to focus during the exposure, I manually set that prior to pressing the shutter.  By focusing on the scene using thw wide angle view and using a small aperture of f22, there was enough depth of field to keep the larger view reasonably sharp at 135mm.  I expected something similar to that of a double exposure like I used to shoot back in the day with slide film.  Yet, I was totally surprised by what happened with the actual beam from the Lighthouse.  As you can see, it created a trail from the wide vantage point to the tighter view.  An added trail stretches to the bottom of the frame and ends in a starburst.  

For post production, I brought the shot in CS5, converted to B&W and then added a Kubota "B&W Warm" action which gave it just a hint of sepia toning.  

I've photographed this Lighthouse dozens of times in all different seasons.  It's just a short drive over a bridge to the South Shore.  If you have a well photographed spot in your area, I'd encourage you to experiment with some long exposure techniques as well.  You just might see an old subject in a new way.  

Blue Angels Announced for Jones Beach 2012

Aviation chatter is back on Long Island, and this time it's about the Blue Angels confirming they will fly in the 2012 Jones Beach Air Show!  During Memorial Day Weekend, the skies come alive with the rumble of these magnificent F18A Super Hornets.  

The photo above was actually one of the first times I got to see the Blue Angels. It was at McGuire Air Force Base in NJ on an extraordinarily hot summer day.  The camera was actually the old Canon 10D which by the way, still works really well 7 years later.  The lens was a fixed 400mm, tripod mounted.

Summer is Slipping Away

Here's a photo taken at the Wantagh Park Boat Slip about 90 minutes before sunset.  The dynamic range of the scene far surpassed what could be captured with any camera.  In order to hold the detail in the sky while properly exposing the boats below, I stacked two grad ND filters (a 3, and 4 stop) basically creating a 7 stop soft edge grad ND.  If all of this sounds a little too technical, I'd recommend reading my previous post on "the most important filter in your bag."

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Hurricane Irene Aftermath, Wantagh NY

After Hurricane Irene was downgraded to a Tropical Storm, I headed out to photograph the aftermath. Since the ground was so saturated I expected to see downed trees, similar to the Noreaster in 2010.  What I did not expect however, was the very severe flooding in Wantagh, particularly in the area south of Sunrise Highway near Wantagh Park, and Cedar Creek Park.  Some roads were simply un-passable by car.  In addition, there were many live wires dangling dangerously low.  

My thoughts are with all who experienced property damage and were forced to evacuate.  Thankfully there were no deaths reported in the area, and the clean up has already begun.  

 

 

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Calm Before the Storm

 

A rich sky stretches over the north shore of Long Island at sunrise on August 26th, 2011.

On my peaceful morning hike, you would have never guessed a Hurricane was nearing.  Everything was very still, and just a touch humid.  The air smelled of freshly cut grass, and horses neighed in the distance.  I shot this with the 17-40 on a tripod to capture the moment.

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Waiting on Hurricane Irene

Although the storm is still a few days from reaching New York, the ocean is starting to look a bit turbulent. The lifeguards planted their red warning flags to caution beach-goers of the strong undertow. Of course this rarely prevents surfers from trying their luck, but the winds were not favorable and forced early breaking.

I shot this with a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 (non IS) on a Canon 40D. It was a particularly beautiful sunset, symbolic of the usual quiet before any storm.

 

Surfers study the choppy waves at Robert Moses State Park in New York on August 24, 2011 as the East Coast prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

Stay safe.

Fifi, the B29 Superfortress

I recently had a chance to photograph "Fifi", a four-engine propeller-driven B29 from the WWII and Korean War era.  It's actually the last of its type to still fly.  As her engines roared to life, thick smoke billowed out and I made this photo with a 400mm lens.  To show some motion on the propellers, the exposure was 1/200. The rig was mounted on a tripod for stability.  

To see Fifi take to the skies, check out the awesome video below:

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The Magic Cottage Revisited

 

Back at the Planting Fields Arboretum, each month brings a different set of possibilities.  I like to return to places often to observe nature's changes.  Sometimes just a few weeks will make all the difference in what's blooming.  In fact, just one month ago, this old play house was surrounded by Cherry Blossoms. 

Rain was a looming possibility so I took advantage of the cloud diffused light.  Set up was quick with a wide angle lens, tripod and small aperture for great depth of field. Camera settings: 17mm, f13, 1/25, ISO 800. 

The term "Magic Cottage" was something I first heard in the book "Creative Companion" by the inspirational author SARK.  I'd highly recommend her works if you're looking for a bit of a creative pick-me-up.

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A Rare Glimpse of the F18 at Rest

 

Sue and I found the F18 Super Hornet parked at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY.  I knew that if I underexposed the plane slightly, the inside of the dark hangar would fall to black, making for the perfect background.  The jet was at least 150 yards across the landing field, and we were behind an unsightly chain link fince.  Yet as I've mentioned here before, photography is all about creative problem solving, and I wasn't about to walk away with an empty memory card.  With my 400mm and an old technique I use to focus through the wire, I was able to capture a really unique shot of this incredible aircraft.

I hope you're all enjoying your holiday weekend.  It's been great fun sharing these photos with you the past few days. Today, we honor the men and women in uniform, our veterans, and military families.  Thank you, and Happy Memorial Day! 

iPhone image taken with Hipstamatic app

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Jones Beach Airshow 2011, Happy Memorial Day

Above: The A10 Thunderbolt makes a vertical climb at the 2011 Jones Beach Airshow

  

Above: Rarely seen vapor on the wing of the A10 Thunderbolt

Above: Check out the face paint of the A10, also known as "The Warthog"

Listen to the sounds of the Warthog's engine

 

Pictured above and below: Vapors from the F18 Super Hornet

 

The F18 ascends high above the ocean at Jones Beach.

Above: Another high speed pass from the F18 creating condensation on the upper wing.

Above: Landing gear down!

Above: The Staudacher S-300D flown by John Klatt of the Air National Guard.

 

Above: Smoke is on for the Whelen Extra 330SC 

Pictured Above: The Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team of pilots Bill Segalla and Bill Gordon

Above: The awesome paint scheme of the Iron Eagle against a clear blue sky over Jones Beach.

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