TravelGram

Yesterday I took a quick trip into NYC for some music.  While I was there, I tried my hand at some ninja-cam….aka, used the cell phone for some photos instead of whipping out the DSLR.

My original intention was to try a new HDR app I had downloaded two weeks ago (and had yet to open!) but in true Creative fashion, I got sidetracked.  haha

These images – that I’ve decided to label “TravelGrams” – were taken with my cell phone, processed with the default camera program and uploaded to Instagram.  Since I’m sharing some love, I’ve thrown in one bonus TravelGram from my trip a few weeks back to Toronto.

I’m planning to go back to NYC next week, so if you guys like these, let me know and I’ll see if I can’t put some more together for you! =)

Happy Sunday, friends!

TravelGram – On the Road Again

TravelGram – Watch The Gap

TravelGram – No Feet on the Seat!

TravelGram – The Subway

Musings

Beavertail Lighthouse – RI

Let me start by saying, I’m not a “water” person.  I’m definitely an “I like my feet to be on solid ground, where sharks and alligators can’t eat me” kind of person.  I am also an “I almost had a panic attack while kayaking the other day” when my friend pointed out a snapping turtle in the water near us.

That being said, as much as I love being dry, I am drawn to be close to the water. It’s a powerful, beautiful force of nature and it makes a great addition to most photos.
Being at Niagara this weekend reminded me of how incredible, impressive and intense water can be.  There is a spot on the American side (in the Cave of the Winds) where you can stand under just a sliver of the Bridal Veil Falls.  The water slams into your skin, and the wind from the falls pushes you around on the deck – it is an experience that always takes my breath away.

As I walked away from the Bridal Veil this weekend, I turned to my friend and explained my feelings about water.  I don’t love the idea of being in it, but boy do I respect it.  And I love, love, love to photograph it in its various forms.  In fact, in the next few blog posts, you will definitely see some photos from the weekend.  But first…!

Today’s photo is one I’ve been sitting on for a few weeks.  It wasn’t what I envisioned when I drove to the coast in Rhode Island to take photos.  I have hopes of a colorful sunset on the horizon, rock formations in the foreground, leading lines, and somewhere in there, a lighthouse.  What I got was fog.  And some crazy powerful waves.  And lots of wind.  And raindrops on my camera lens.  And dangerous footing.  And about an hour of reflection – when nature acts up, it reminds me that we are just small (but mighty!) creatures in a gigantic (amazing, beautiful, wonderful!) world.

As I’ve had time away from the photo, it’s grown on me.  It is a pano, with only the rocks processed for HDR.  This was taken around 8:45pm, so obviously long exposure was used.  Also, as us photographers all know, the details make the shot.  It took me a few versions of this image before I realized I was missing the light from the lighthouse.  With it being socked in, I was hard to make out exactly what it was without the light so I had to begin counting the seconds per rotation.  Seven seconds per revolution, two second timer to allow the vibrations from my finger to dissipate.  So I set my focus, and began counting…at five seconds, I’d press the shutter and hope for the best. =)

Another Look…

HDR Pumps

Often, I will take the same or similar images and process them in more than one way to compare the results.  It has turned out to be a great learning tool for me.  After a little practice with any given technique, I can more easily visualize the effect an editing decision will make ahead of time.  For me, that had lead to more efficient shooting, as I can create a RAW image that falls more in line with the finished product.

Yesterday’s post was an image of abandoned gas pumps, to which I added texture and a vintage color balance.

Today, I tried the same pumps from a different angle.  This version was processed as an HDR image, and the colors were destaurated.  The end result is slightly different, but still has a nostalgic feel to it.  Obviously, it had a bit more in the way of tonal range so will have less of a “Polaroid” feel to it.  That being said, the desaturated colors still remind me of a time when black and white TVs ruled the world. =)

When you take an image for yourself, editing choices become a matter of taste.  So I wonder, which one do you guys like better?

Welcome to Connecticut

Gas(less) Pumps

I took a drive to Rhode Island the other day in hopes of catching a super awesome sunset by a lighthouse I discovered online.  That didn’t turn out quite the way I had hoped as everything around the island was bright and beautiful, but the area directly above the lighthouse was covered in dense fog.  I made the best of what I was dealt, of course, and will definitely share with you in the near future. 🙂

Despite the weather playing tricks on me, I did stumble upon a gem right on the CT/RI border.  This little gas station – long since closed – had so much character to it.  The light was dim (to say the least) but it was the perfect excuse to play with my new f/1.8 lens.

This is the first angle I tried. I envisioned an image with lots of texture and an antique feel to suit the subject matter. What do you think of the final photo?