by Dave | 22 Aug 2013 | Blog
Patch Fire Sun
During the last while, we have been surrounded by wild fires. One of the fires, named after the area in which the fire was burning…Patch Canyon, was producing huge plumbs of smoke. Smoke from this particular fire was covering the valley and on 15 Aug, was at its worst. At about 1830, I had walked out to look at the smoke and noticed the sun, which looked a bit eerie. The scene being interesting, I grabbed a camera and took a series of photos. While taking the photos, I noticed a spot on the sun and thought, “Nuts, I have some kind of stuff on the lens or sensor.” But, as I continued to take photos, I noticed the spot remained in the same position on the sun. Ah Ha! I wondered, could this really be a sunspot? Checking the NASA and SoHO websites, I found that I had actually captured two sunspots; Numbers 1817 and 1818 – they are difficult to see on this photo, but they are visible on the full size, full resolution image. What I found interesting is that #1818 is actually larger than the earth. Below is an image of sunspots as seen on today’s SoHO images. Notice the graphic of the earth in relation to any of the sunspots…these are enormous. Photo: 300mm, 1/3200 sec @ f 5.6, ISO 160.
SoHO Image: 2013-08-22_09-14-29
by Dave | 12 Aug 2013 | Blog
Flying from Mexico City to Atlanta, GA early one morning last week, I kept my camera available in hopes of catching a chance to get a shot of Popcatépetl (El Popo, 17,802 ft.). El Popo has been rather active lately and been spewing ash. The volcano is one of two close to Mexico City and both are usually obscured by clouds, however that morning, El Popo and it sister volcano, Iztacchuatl, were out in all their glory (Popo in the background; Iztacchuatl in the foreground). While not as impressive as it would have been to see the glow of an active volcano at night, it was still pretty cool to see El Popo venting.
Popocatépetl & Iztacchuatl
While continuing on the flight and flying at 38,000 ft. plus over the Gulf of Mexico, I experienced an interesting phenomenon. I have flown over the Gulf may times, but have never seen such a display. As I watched the clouds over the Gulf, I noticed the water began to irides; first a light yellow and green shimmer and then a full rainbow of color formed fully, laid flat and spread over the water. Having my camera conveniently available from wanting to capture Popo, I was able record this marvelous display of color. The rainbow only last a few seconds and then it was gone. For a few moments, favorable atmospheric conditions aligned perfectly with the angle of the sun and position of the plane.
Rainbow on the Gulf
by Dave | 06 Aug 2013 | Blog
“Iris Perfection”
I was reading a book last night and the author stated that, “You can never go wrong with an Iris.” I suppose so. Irises blooming in the spring is a much anticipated event; we have some spectacular specimens. This particular Iris bloomed in its inaugural year and lasted about two days before being broken off by neighborhood kids; it was a singular bloom. Before its ultimate demise, it lasted long enough to provide an opportunity to capture a lasting image; one that can be visited as often as one wants, regardless of the season.
In response to a question of color: Imagination is sometimes better than reality. Isn’t the anticipation of a gift sometimes better than the gift itself? Color to the Iris is a gift of nature; the gift, in this case, hidden, imagined, and anticipated. This presentation exhibits the etherial qualities and delicate nature which is sometimes shielded by color – the fine curve of its petals, and mysterious portion hidden in a shadow, a fleeting sliver of light caught dancing on a fine contour. The Iris can be any color you would like it, or imagine it, to be – the actual color is not important, only that viewing it evokes an emotion and perhaps a remembrance of other beautiful and delicate things.
by Dave | 28 Jul 2013 | Blog
Old Pedaler, near Huimanguillo, Mexico
I have always been enamored with, and by black & white photography. I continue to study and develop black and white photos – they seem to capture the emotion, environment, and atmosphere – color does not get in the way and the photo can become quite personal. I find certain circumstances lend well to this medium, particularly interesting faces and emotion.
While driving through a small Mexican village, I had stopped to take some photos of some unique, indigenous, motorized carts that were lined up on the street. As I returned to the car, I noticed this gentleman approach one the three-wheeled carts that seem to be found everywhere in Mexico. No matter where one travels, these carts can be found transporting large loads of materials and products. Some are set up as mobile food vending platforms and can be seen loaded with large vessels of liquid. I found the circumstance interesting as the peddler approached the cart. He struggled to get the cart moving while pushing the cart to generate momentum on the slight uphill grade. I watched and became fascinated by the struggle between the man and the cart – who would win. As the gentleman got the cart moving, he mounted the saddle and began to peddle – not an easy task; there are no changeable gears. I think the photo captures the struggle and strain to move the cart. This cart happened to be empty; the old gentleman had delivered his load of goods. I hope you can feel the exertion and effort of the task.
Copyright – All Rights Reserved (All Photos Registered and Electronically Marked with Digimarc)
by Dave | 19 Jul 2013 | Blog
Occasionally, I go through photograph files, review images, and find some photos that I may have initially missed, made a mental note and forgotten, or that I have returned to, but skipped over. This photograph has always held something fleeting and each time I viewed it, I had the feeling there is something there. I vaguely remembered there was a small shaft of light in the slot and I tried to capture it while wedged as far into the slot as could maneuver. I had been disappointed when I loaded the files off my camera that I had not captured this pillar of light in the image. I was wrong, apparently I had, but was not aware of it hiding. As I studied the image and played with a couple of different exposure and contrast settings, the light shaft jumped out. I have no idea if the light was there or after I had wedged myself into the small slot; perhaps I was just lucky. I think the light makes an otherwise rather ordinary photo a bit more interesting. If you have never been to Sand Dune Arch (it is not on the list of most visited arches) here are a couple of images of the arch – the short hike through a narrow canyon to the arch is ideal on hot days – the canyon is pleasantly cool and shaded.
Recent Comments