Windows of Photography: September 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Heaven Up Above

The above photograph shows the effects that a good Circular Polarizer filter can produce on sky and clouds. Notice the rich blue of the sky and the nice contrast of the clouds. The way to use a Circular Polarizer filter effectively is to turn the filter slowly until the sky appears as dark as possible through the viewfinder. The darker the sky appears through the viewfinder, the bluer the sky will be in post processing. Circular Polarizer filters can also be useful in reducing reflections on photographic subjects as well.

For a detailed description about The Science of Polarizing Filters visit the Camera Technica web-site.

As a personal note, the clock was one hour behind the actual time that I took this photograph. I hate to change my clocks also because of daylight savings time.

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Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/2000s at f/3.5, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 24m, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 1.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/03/2009 at 12:11pm, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008

Monday, September 26, 2011

Wildlife Wonders

A zoo is a great place for many photographers to capture images of wildlife that otherwise would be unavailable are inaccessible in the wild. In this case I photographed the above giraffe at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. That being said, I highly recommend photographing wildlife in their native element when the opportunity presents itself. But, I haven't noticed many giraffes in the wilderness of the United States lately. Realistically though, what may be considered exotic wildlife is diminishing along with their habitats. This is unfortunate and may be unpreventable because of human population growth along with growing resource demands. Like with many things in life there are no easy solutions. An upside is that many zoos today, through their breeding and exchange programs are attempting to preserver species that would otherwise become extinct sooner. Even with the noble efforts of places like the Audubon Nature Institute I am afraid that some animal species will be lost to us in my lifetime. As I have said many times before; I am on a journey to capture and create images that reflects life. I look to photograph moments, to stop time if only for a fraction of a second. This is why wildlife photography is important to me. To capture and preserve those moments that may not exist in the future. Be it in the wild or a zoo.

Visit the Audubon Nature Institute web-site to learn more about their conservation program.

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/160s at f/5.6, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 300mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 9.44 meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/05/2009 at 12:05 pm, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008

Friday, September 23, 2011

Time Changes Everything

Time changes everything, as the above photograph illustrates. This car could be a hundred years old now. When I look at this image I think of how long ago it was when automobiles were built with wooden spokes. My great grandfather may have driven an automobile like this one. Wow, it can mess with your head. If left alone, this car will continue to slowly rust and degrade until it will no-longer be recognizable.

Because time changes everything is one of the reasons I love photography. I can stop time for a fraction of a second and capture the moment. I cannot say that my photographic art will stand the test of time. But, I can hope. And, maybe future generations will look at my images and wonder.

As a Side note, if anyone knows who the manufacture of the above automobile was, please e-mail me the information so that I can update my data on this image.

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposure: 1/125s at f/5.3, ISO: 200, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: -1.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Subject Distance: 11.9 meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/05/2009 at 12:08 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5

Thursday, September 22, 2011

American White Pelican

I photographed this American White Pelican at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2009. It was August and very hot and humid. The best time to photograph the wildlife is early in the morning. It's not as hot in the early morning hours and the animals are more active. Most of the exhibits at the Audubon Nature Institute offer outstanding photographic opportunities in natural settings.

The American White Pelican is native to North America. They nest in large colonies of hundres of pairs. The average life span of the American White Pelican is 16 years. Unlike the Brown Pelican the American White Pelican is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

To learn more visit the Audubon Nature Institute's web-site.

Also, visit Wikipedia for additional information about the American White Pelican.

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/160s at f/5.6, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 300mm, Exposure Mode: Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Aperture Priority, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Subject Distance: 11.9 meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/05/2012 at 11:57 am, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008