Community Photo Challenge - Landscape

This is my submission for the landscape challenge over at Community Photo Challenge.  It is a farm in Orange county New York shot in Infrared Black & White.  When you get out on the back roads there are some wonderful old farms to photograph.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Looking Back...

I started reviewing images from Harriman State Park over the years.  This is from the first time I took my first digital SLR out on a hike along StonyBrook in 2006.  I may have to go back over the 20 plus times I have photographed there and see what else I shot and did not edit.  There may be more winners in there waiting...

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Harriman State Park - The One That Almost Got Away.

I was going thru the raw captures from Sunday Morning's shoot with Mom at Stonybrook.  I just wanted to make sure I had not missed any images that were worth looking at when I stumbled on this little Gem.  I really love the orange color of the rocks in the shallow water and the green gold at the little waterfall.  It really packs a punch.  I am reminded again to wait a few days after initial editing and review my images with fresh eyes!  I am glad this one did not get away.

Keep Takin' Pictures!

Carl

Harriman State Park- Tiorati Brook

Saturday was a 'two-fer' I got back out into the park a second time and hike up along Tiorati brook.  I have enclosed color and black and white images to show the differences.  Which way do you prefer them?

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Harriman State Park - Stonybrook

Today I went for a hike with my Mom in Harriman State Park along Stonybrook.  I intentionally started out a bit later than normal hoping to be able to capture some nice colored reflections in the stream.  I felt conditions were right for it.  We got there at just the right time.  Here are some of my shots.  Mom got some awesome shots too.  All in all a great morning out in the woods.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Peaceful Morning - Hudson Valley

Nothing new to say today.  Just sharing a favorite image.  I was driving by the spot at 6:30 this morning as was reminded that I need to get back there and shot it again.  It is a great spot for fog and reflections when the sun is coming up.

Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Waterfalling Part Four - a Few Final Images and Impressions

I think I am done reviewing the photos from this past weekend.  I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I enjoyed getting out into the woods and photographing them!  This time of year every stream and trail has something for me to see and shoot.  I realized the other day that I had photographed in 6 locations in the span of 8 days!  That was so much fun.  I will be getting out again for a little while this weekend I hope.  I have other things I have to take care of as well but hope for a bit of time on Sunday.  Soon it will be time to turn inward to the studio and really focus on painting again.  So you may see some of these images again re-incarnated as watercolors!  I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful season full of color before the snows of winter set in.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Waterfalling Part Three - the Black & Whites

 I picked three images from both Watkins Glen and Buttermilk Falls to do as black and whites with a nice warm tone.  I am at a loss for which I like better.  The color shots are quite nice, but I think there is something very special about how they look in B&W.


What do you think?  Color or B&W?


Keep Makin' Art!
Carl

Waterfalling Part Two - Watkins Glen

Here the images from the second half of my Finger Lakes fall shoot yesterday.  These images are from Watkins Glen.  This maybe the most beautiful two miles of trails anywhere in the world.  Even the paths and stairs blend into the environment beautifully.  I don't mind when they are in the photograph.  I had the perfect combination of freshly fallen leaves still with color, some nice vibrant green and gold leaves still on the trees and wet conditions that helped bring out the most detail and color.  Rainy at Watkins Glen is even better than sunny.  In sunny conditions gorge is very contrasty and it is hard to manage the light and the exposure.  On a day like yesterday with clouds and rain I could skip the polarizing filter there was no need for it and the low light levels guaranteed long exposures.  Below are some must haves for photographing a place like Watkins Glen.

TIPS:

1. Have extra shoes and socks in the car... your feet will get wet and there is nothing worse than driving home with cold wet feet.
2. Be patient.  There will always be people walking or running on the trails.  You will have to wait for people to clear out of your way to get the shot as the trails go right thru and under some of the falls.
3. Bring a tripod!  You will be shooting long exposures (generally 1-8 seconds at iso 100 on a wet cloudy day)
4. Consider skipping the camera bag.  I have been to Watkins Glen a few times and am not sure why I carry my backpack full of gear.  It always ends up I shoot the whole day with my widest zoom lens (and maybe my fisheye) on the camera mounted to the tripod.  Wide angles are best to show off the curves in the gorge walls.
5. Bring plenty of lens cleaning cloths and keep them as dry as possible in a plastic baggie.  On the dryest of days you will get droplets and mist on your lens.  

So put on your hiking shoes and grab your walking stick and get out there and enjoy this wonderful place.  if you can not get there in person I hope these photos will help you feel some of the magic of the place.

Watkins Glen is surely the most famous of the Finger Lakes Glens.... but there are hundreds of them it is a great area to get out and explore.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Waterfalling Part One - Buttermilk Falls Gorge

Here are the images from the first part of my Finger Lakes photo trip this weekend.  these were taken at Buttermilk Falls Gorge.  I got there at the perfect time.  I don't think i could have waited another week or the trees might have lost all of there leaves.  This is a really beautiful trail.  I enjoyed it completely!

I'll post the second half of the trip (Watkins Glen!) tomorrow.  For now I am happy to be home and dry and warm.  It was really cold and rainy for the second half of my trip.

Keep Makin Art!