A view from the back porch

A view from the back porch.

 

I am very fortunate to live in an area with fairly dark skies, even though I’m not sure why Jasper was lit up so bright last night. Seeing the stars on a clear night is great for the soul. I even saw several meteors while doing some images last night. I actually made this image for a presentation I am doing on Friday to show how accurate an APP is that I use. I went out earlier in the day and did an augmented reality image on my phone to predict when the Galactic Core of the Milky Way would be most visible. It is very close, maybe 30 minutes or so difference from what was predicted. The presentation is part of a 3 day event, Out of Chicago IN-DEPTH, you can get more information here: https://www.outofchicago.com/in-depth/

 

Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f2.8, ISO 3200, shutter speed of 15 seconds, Sirui W2204 tripod and Acratech GXP ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron1530g2, #sirui, #siruiimaging, #siruiusa, #bearwoodsphotography, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary

Blue Eyes, Juvenile Brown Thrasher

Blue eyes, Juvenile Brown Thrasher.

 

If you have ever seen an adult Brown Thrasher, they have some of the most brilliant yellow eyes. The contrast with their brown bodies makes them stand out even more. Every year we are lucky enough to have several juveniles spend some time in the yard with us, and to see their striking bright blue eyes make them stand out among the other birds. They will only keep the bright blue eyes for a couple months before they turn brilliant yellow.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2000, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron150600g2, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography, #birdnirdvana, #birdphotography

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler.

 

Things are really picking up in the backyard as fall approaches. 2 days ago lots of Warblers, Vireos, and Tanagers visited the backyard. I even had my first Cerulean Warbler of the year stop by! This is one of my summer residents, the Black-throated Green Warbler. I am seeing lots of young birds right now like Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Towhee, and a few Brown Thrashers. It is going to be a busy fall!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 640, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron150600g2, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography, #birdnirdvana, #birdphotography

Helton Creek Falls Vertical

Helton Creek Falls Vertical.

 

In my video about my trip to Helton Creek Falls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnJUJcRAnhY,

I discuss my decision to do a vertical image as well as the horizontal. I wanted the viewer to not be distracted by the area around the falls and by including a rock as a primary element in the foreground, I give the viewer and anchor point as well.

 

Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, Manual mode, f11, ISO 50, shutter speed of 30 seconds, Sirui AM 284 US tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, H&Y Filters K series ND32 CPL filter, Shimoda Action X50 backpack. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamronnewfelens, #tamron28200, #sirui, #siruiimaging, #siruiusa, #acratech, #shimodadesign, #hyfiltersglobal, #bearwoodsphotography

Helton Creek Falls and my latest video

Helton Creek Falls and my latest video.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnJUJcRAnhY&t=13s

 

I talked with my friend George Mraz late Monday about meeting up Tuesday morning to photograph somewhere. He suggested Helton Creek Falls. It was a short morning, but that is okay when you get everything you hoped to get quickly and early to beat the heat. We got to do some video while we were there as well. A nice conversation with George towards the end about his photography.

 

Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 Di III RXD lens on a Sony a7Riii, Manual mode, f11, ISO 50, shutter speed of 30 seconds, Sirui AM 284 US tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, H&Y Filters K series ND32 CPL filter, Shimoda Action X50 backpack. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamronnewfelens, #tamron28200, #sirui, #siruiimaging, #siruiusa, #acratech, #shimodadesign, #hyfiltersglobal, #bearwoodsphotography

Cosmos

Cosmos.

 

Sorry for a late post, seeing how I usually post by about 7am. Last evening I was talking with my friend George Mraz, and we decided to try and do an early photo shoot and video at Helton Creek Falls. As many of my shoots happen it is decided late the night before. Anyway, we had a great shoot this morning, and I will have the video out in a day or so. This is another image of the Cosmos in the garden. We bought the big bag of wildflower seeds to put out this year and with the heat and rain they have gone crazy! The pollinators love it and the birds are starting to go in the feed on seeds. I, of course, love all the photo ops I get!

 

Tamron SP 180mm Di 1:1 Macro lens on a Nikon Z6 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f5.6, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/80th of a second, Sirui AM 284 US tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron180macro, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #acratech, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography

What a camera sees vs. what I envision

What a camera sees vs. what I envision.

 

As I go through my creative process when I am making images, there are times I walk up to a subject and see the “finished” image vs what is in front of me. Photographing past their prime flowers yesterday was one such time. Seeing the delicate flower fade was pretty but giving it a warm black and white finish, to me, gave it more of a look that complimented the state of the flower. To me, it makes the small details in the flower stand out, whereas in the color version they would be lost competing with the soft pastels. What do you think?

 

Tamron SP 180mm Di 1:1 Macro lens on a Nikon Z6 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f5.6, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, Sirui AM 284 US tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron180macro, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #acratech, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography

Dew covered Bee on Zinnia

Dew covered Bee on Zinnia.

 

I was out to photograph some of the birds in the backyard and noticed a few bees still dormant on the flowers waiting to dry off enough to fly. I didn’t use a “normal” macro lens, but instead used my Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. It has great close focusing capabilities for a long telephoto and being able to separate your subject from the background gives nice isolation in the image.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 640, shutter speed of 1/125th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron150600g2, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography

Separation

 

Separation.

 

When I made this image I concentrated on two factors to make the flower in the foreground standout against the busier background. First a shallow depth of field was needed, and secondly making sure no part of the tips of the flower “merged” with the flower that is out of focus in the background. These two factors would naturally help to lead the viewer’s eye to the subject. This simply helps give direction to an otherwise busy image.

 

Tamron SP 180mm Di 1:1 Macro lens on a Nikon Z6 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f3.8, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/50th of a second, Sirui AM 284 US tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron180macro, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #acratech, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography

A little garden time

A little garden time.

 

With all the rain and sun, our gardens up here are full of beautiful flowers right now. I decided to do a little macro work with the Z6 and the vintage Tamron SP 180mm Macro lens. I was wanting to use a longer focal length because I would be shooting through other flowers hoping for a natural vignette in the images. Right now the Black-eyed Susan are loaded with opportunities. You may see a few more over the next few days.

 

Tamron SP 180mm Di 1:1 Macro lens on a Nikon Z6 via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f5.6, ISO 100, shutter speed of 1/50th of a second, Sirui AM 284 US tripod, Acratech GXP ballhead, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #withmytamron, #tamron, #tamronusa, #tamronlensesusa, #tamronimagemaster, #tamron180macro, #sirui, #siruiusa, #siruiimaging, #acratech, #bearwoodswildlifesanctuary, #bearwoodsphotography