Smith Creek and my filter video

Smith Creek and my filter video.

 

I had several questions regarding the H&Y Filter system I use and why I chose it. Here is a video explaining why I chose it over several other systems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ogn_JWqDI

Filters play a large role in my landscape photography, especially a Circular Polarizer. There are a lot of choices out there and for my needs, H&Y Filters fit the bill.

 

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, Manual Exposure mode, f11, ISO 50, shutter speed of 1 second, H&Y Filters 5 stop ND Circular Polarizer, Sirui W2204 tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, Shimoda Explore 30L backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron2875mirrorless, #HY_Filters, #HYfilters, #SiruiUSA, #Acratech, #ShimodaDesign, #BearWoodsPhotography

Anna Ruby Falls 2

Anna Ruby Falls 2.

 

Another image featured in my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzvkjmajSSk.

This image was made at the viewing platform before the footbridge to the platform at the base of the falls. It is a great viewpoint for composition as it gives the photographer great leading lines in the image. I demonstrate my thought process in the video as well. Converging and leading lines really aid the visual journey in the image for me.

 

A little note about my videos. I hate being in front of a camera. I am at heart an introvert. Therefore these videos aren’t easy for me to make, just like it was and often is for me to speak in front of large groups. I do them for several reasons though, first someday I hope they will be an additional stream of income for me, secondly they help me review my own process of photography and improve my skills as a photographer and an instructor. I can always use feedback and welcome comments. Speaking of which…when I started doing more videos I thought to myself I would choose some soft relaxing music for my lead in and closings. Finally Cecil told me one day he hated the music, and he said he knew of a lot of folks who shared his opinion. I wasn’t hurt or offended, I asked folks what kind of music they would like to hear, and I am finding new music for the videos and will switch things up often. My point is I need to build my Subscriber base to create the revenue (it won’t be much revenue trust me) and the way I can do that is to make the videos so folks watch and enjoy them. So please in the future provide feedback and ideas as to what you would like to see. Thanks, and if you don’t subscribe, please do!

 

Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 50, shutter speed of 1.3 seconds, H&Y ND32 5 stop CPL, Sirui W2204 tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, Shimoda Explore 30L backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1728mirrorless, #H_YFilters, #HYFilters, #SiruiUSA, #Acratech, #ShimodaDesign, #BearWoodsPhotography

Anna Ruby Falls, plus link to video

Anna Ruby Falls, plus link to video.

 

This was from the footbridge over Smith Creek that leads to the viewing platform of the falls. Going on a cold and cloudy day minimizes the number of people that walk over said bridge, thus minimizing the vibrations during long exposures. It also gives you nice even muted light on the landscape, making the use of a circular polarizer(CPL), and in this case a 5 stop CPL. I used the Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens for the image of the falls and love the sharpness and lack of distortion the lens produces. I made a video while we were photographing that describes and demonstrates what the polarizer will do, and also my thoughts as to why I composed the image the way I did. Take a few minutes and check it out if you would to know more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzvkjmajSSk

 

Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, at 17mm, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 50, shutter speed of .8 seconds, H&Y filters ND32 5 stop dark CPL, Sirui W2204 tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, Shimoda Explore 30L backpack. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron1728mirrorless, #HY_Filters, #SiruiUSA, #Acratech, #ShimodaDesign, #BearWoodsPhotography

Smith Creek below Anna Ruby Falls

Smith Creek below Anna Ruby Falls.

 

Wednesday night my friend George Mraz and I decided to get up on Thursday morning and drive to Anna Ruby Falls to photograph. It was cloudy and perfect conditions for rivers and waterfalls. I will put together a video later today hopefully and get it out tonight or tomorrow. The temperature was in the mid to upper 30’s, so perfect for a nice little hike. When we finished photographing the falls, and me doing my video about filters and composition, we started hiking back down. Along the path we spotted this gem, a log covered with icicles. I worked several different angles before finding that getting my tripod to ground level enabled me to capture the icicles with virtually the same pattern as the water flowing over the rocks. This angle also allowed me to isolate the icicles against a darker background to have them stand out a little more. Slowing the exposure down to 1/4 of a second made the water more of a solid color that would aid in the composition as well. I love finding something like this when we didn’t even notice it walking up due to the angle of the log. Great morning of shooting!

 

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, Manual Exposure mode, f5.6, ISO 50, shutter speed of 1/4 second, Sirui W2204 tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, Shimoda Explore 30L backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron2875mirrorless, #SiruiUSA, #Acratech, #ShimodaDesign, #AnnaRubyFalls, #BearWoodsPhotography

The Helen Balloon Race 2017

The Helen Balloon Race 2017.

 

Yesterday I woke up really early to make the hour and 10 minute drive to Helen, Georgia for the Race to the Coast balloon race. I met a few friends over there from my local camera club, the Big Canoe Photography Club. I was kind of worried when I was one of 5 cars and there were no balloons. But within about 30 minutes a few vehicles carrying balloons and about 50 more cars showed up. I began to wonder what happens, this was my first balloon race event, when others talked about all the times they have been and the balloons never launched due to too much wind, not enough wind and other reasons. I saw a few of the pilots talking with some officials and they launched a little balloon. It went into the sky and drifted slowly to the southeast. Randy Lewis, from my club, returned saying they were launching and racing this morning. Things happened fast, balloons were laid out, fans expanded the balloons and the pilots cranked up the flames that filled the balloons with hot air. Once the balloons were upright, they would launch. Thanks to Randy we were able to go to a local business on a hilltop and photograph the balloons as they lifted high into the sky on their way to the coast. I’m one for one, maybe I should retire, well until next year anyway.

 

The information on the images:

The first image Tamron SP 10-24mm Di-II VC HLD lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 1600, 1/125th of a second.

The second image Tamron 28-300mm Di VC PZD lens on a Nikon D-750, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/60th of a second.

The third image Tamron SP 10-24mm Di-II VC HLD lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 125, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second.

All images are handheld using the Vibration Compensation feature of the lens, MindShift Gear TrailScape 18L backpack, processed in Lightroom CC.

#WithMyTamron, #TamronImageMaster, #TamronLensesUSA, #SiruiProfessional, #MindShiftGear

Bad weather, good light. Really bad weather, really great light!

During all of my workshops and lectures I talk about the quality of light when photographing.  Photography is pretty much painting with light right?  Well it doesn’t always mean you have to use vivid light.  Most all paintings have shadow and grey areas.  One perfect example of dull light is when photographing rivers, I prefer overcast or even drizzling conditions.  I use a circular polarizer to reduce the glare on rocks and foliage which adds saturation and contrast.

There are times though that you can almost take it too far.  This past Sunday was one of those times.  I couldn’t sleep Saturday night and I was trying to decide what to do with the upcoming day.  It was raining “cats and dogs” outside and I couldn’t do any yard work.  I knew I had a couple of workshops coming up in North Georgia (Unicoi State Park with Tamron and Rivers and Waterfalls of Rabun County with Backyard Shots), so I decided to do a little scouting.  When I arrived at Unicoi SP it was a “gully washer” as we say here in the south.  I did my scouting and decided to drive the extra 3 minutes to Anna Ruby Falls.  As I started out on the trail head I was speaking with a Forest Service employee who was befuddled at the idea of someone voluntarily going out into the rain to take photos.  I explained it is the best time and he just shook his head.  I picked up the only bag I own that doesn’t have a rain cover and was attempting to cover my bag with a plastic bag when he stated they sold cheap ponchos in the gift shop.  $1.95!  I would have paid 3 times that at the moment.  I bought 3, 2 for later if needed.  I suited up and headed off up the trail as the park employee giggled.

I arrived at the base of Anna Ruby Falls in a torrential downpour but I had just hiked 1/4 of a mile in the rain, I wasn’t about to stop now.  I set up the Vanguard Abeo Pro tripod and placed my Nikon D-300s and Tamron 18-270mm Di-II VC PZD lens on top.  At this point I had it covered with a plastic bag.  I would set up my shot and test to see how long of an exposure was possible before the front of the lens was covered with water drops.  About 2 seconds was the limit, maybe less in vertical orientation.  I shot about 20 images and then packed up to hike back to the Jeep.

I passed 2 separate groups hiking to the falls on my way down.  I wonder if they were ridiculed as they departed the gift shop?  Probably not because they actually had rain gear and umbrellas.  As I arrived my new found friend, the park employee was waiting with a grin.  He welcomed me with “Hey only 2.75″ of rain so far this morning” as he laughed out loud.  I couldn’t help but grin as well and I replied pointing to my soaked jeans, “That’s okay, I am taking a 1/4″ with me as I leave”.  He laughed and then asked how the photography was.  I showed him a few images on the LCD screen and he was as pleased with the results as I was.  You would have thought he had been there standing with me in the rain vs. in the dry comfort of the gift shop area.  That’s okay, I think I made a believer out of him as to why this was the perfect day to photograph.

The images below are shot with the Nikon D-300s, Tamron 18-270mm Di-II VC PZD lens, Vanguard Abeo Pro tripod, Marumi Circular Polarizer and a $1.95 red poncho from the gift shop!