Happy 4th from Cape Poge
Happy 4th to all. I am spending a few days with a dear friend in Cape
Photographed with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the Lumix 24-105 f/4 lens. Exposure triad: f/8, 4 sec, ISO 640.
Milky Way Arcs Over Bar Harbor
Captured from the top of Cadillac Mountain last weekend, June 16, 2018. Please click on the image for a larger rendition.
Lumix GH5 Image Stabilization
This image was captured last night July 30, 2017 at 9:45. Panasonic had sent me the relatively new 12 - 60 mm f/2.8 - F/4 Leica lens to show at SWMCCVC so I decided to take it out for a test. The lens is absolutely amazing but what is more amazing is the GH5 and it Dual IS II when combined with this lens. I tried this shot by holding the camera and framing the image using the articulating screen. I did not get very good results so I brought the camera up to my eye and used the EVF. The extra anchor of my face worked. The lens was at 34 mm (68 mm FF equivalent). The exposure triad is f/3.8, 1 sec at ISO 200. I was not very sure if this was going to work but it sure did. Post processed to correct the horizon, pull back the highlights and open up the shadows a little.
July 2, 2016 Fireworks in Boston
Fireworks
The 4th of July weekend is next. The weather forecast for the Greater Boston area looks good so why not try photographing fireworks. In addition to the annual Boston Pops concert and fireworks, the Boston Harbor Fest will also have a fireworks display on July 2, 2016. Here is an excerpt from the festival site: "Various sailors will decorate their boats and light up the Inner Harbor on Saturday, July 2nd. Live music on Long Wharf will lead up to an incredible fireworks display over Boston’s Inner Harbor."Here is a link to my tips page for photographing fireworks.
Cape Cod, Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons
Just finalized the 2016 Fall Photo Tours and Workshops in Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons National Parks and Cape Cod.Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons - October 1 through October 8, 2016 - Details HereCape Cod - October 12 through October 16, 2016 - Details HereIn addition, the September 2016 Iceland photo tour and workshop is nearly full - two spots are available - Details Here
PANASONIC LUMIX G LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm, F1.4 ASPH Lens announced
Following up with the release of the exceptional Leica 100 - 400 mm nature and wildlife photographers' dream lens, Panasonic has announced a new Leica 12mm (24 mm equivalent on MFT bodies) f/1.4 weather sealed wide-angle prime lens. Suitable for great landscapes and with this f/1.4 speed it will be ideal for astro photography. This will be Panasonic's widest non-fish eye prime lens in the MFT lineup. Hope to have one in my kit for my Iceland workshop in September.It will be available later this summer for $1300 (rounded).Here is the press release:NEWARK, NJ (July 1, 2016) – Panasonic unveiled a new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 24 mm) digital interchangeable lens for Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera based on the Micro Four Thirds standard. The new 12mm wide-angle lens enables photographers to capture beautiful group, event, and nature photography. It also allows indoor shooting in low lighting and produces an impressive, natural defocusing effect with its F1.4 aperture. In addition, the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. boasts a rugged, splash/dust-proof design (when combined with splash and dustproof LUMIX G Mirrorless camera models) to meet the needs of a wide-range of photographic situations.Integrating two aspherical lenses, two UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and an ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, the lens system is comprised of 15 elements in 12 groups. The adoption of five special lenses makes it possible to meet the stringent LEICA standard for exceptional image quality with high resolution and minimum distortion. In general, flare is commonly seen around the periphery of a point source with many high-speed lenses when a large aperture is employed. However, the new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. achieves high resolution from the center of the image to the corners by suppressing this flare. Users can take advantage of this lens to shoot a brilliant night skies or night scenes containing illumination to capture true-to-life images with minimal blurring and distortion at the edges. The multi-coated lens elements also minimize ghosting and flaring.Incorporating an inner focus drive system and a stepping motor, the new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. is capable of smooth, silent operation together with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system for both photo and video recording. It is also compatible with the sensor drive at a maximum of 240 fps to take full advantage of cameras with high-speed AF. This stunning AF performance is excellent for recording 4K videos, where precise focusing is essential.The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. comes with an aperture ring for direct, intuitive aperture control. Nine blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. A highly reliable metal mount assures durability for repeated use. The lens mount, the barrel and the hood are all made of metal to provide a sleek, sophisticated design that matches the entire line-up of LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) cameras.Specifications:
| Focal length | 12 mm |
| Maximum aperture | F1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | F16 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Special elements / coatings | 2 aspherical lenses, 1 ED lens, 2 UED lenses |
| Minimum focus | 0.20 m (7.87″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.1× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Stepper motor |
| Weight | 335 g (0.74 lb) |
| Diameter | 70 mm (2.76″) |
| Length | 70 mm (2.76″) |
| Filter thread | 62.0 mm |
| Hood | Yes |
Lucy Vincent Beach - Martha's Vineyard
Concluded a great photo workshop in Martha's Vineyard yesterday. A great group of photographers, and some great locations on the island. Inclement weather did not prevent us from photographing the opportunities that were presented. This image is one of my favorites where the last rays of the sun just kissed the rock on the shore at Lucy Vincent Beach. We stayed on to do some light painting and astro photography before winding up for the night. (More images to follow)
Day after New Moon
On a whim I set up the Swarovski scope to its lowest magnification at 30X. The camera was the Panasonic Lumix GH4 set at ISO 1600, and 1/60 sec shutter. The image when clicked on is the full frame from the camera 4680 X 3072 pixels. The adjustments made to the raw file are: highlight recovery of -29, white balance adjusted to 5700 Kelvin (to taste), noise reduction using Topaz Denoise version 6. A a touch of contrast and clarity to finish. All this in the hope the weather stays good and I can get a few images of Jupiter this weekend. I did not use a remote shutter release but will for the Jupiter images.
Light of Cape Cod - Photo Workshop
A 4 day 3 night photo workshop that includes lodging and site feesMid Spring in Cape Cod is a multi faceted photo opportunity with truly spectacular scenics and some wildlife. The tourists have not crowded the roads and traffic is not a nightmare. This very special workshop is for all levels of photographers from beginner to advanced. The Cape provides some of the most incredible landscapes and seascapes and the light during spring is exceptional. We will explore and photograph the Cape's classic sea shore, sand dunes, light houses and some wildlife (including migratory birds). We will determine schedules and locations based on weather forecasts, tides and sunrise/sunset times. We may even explore the opportunity to do some night photography.(CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)
Iceland - Sept 17 - 25, 2016
Plans for the 2016 September Iceland photo tour and workshop have been finalized. Exceptional fall colors and if luck prevails, the Aurora Borealis will make this trip exceptional.From the western peninsulas of Snæfellsnes and Reykjanes to the exquisite south coast including the exquisite black sand beaches and icebergs in Jökulsárlón and surrounding areas this trip is designed for all levels of photographers. This trip is limited to a maximum 10 participants.All Iceland photo tours and workshops for the past 4 years were fully subscribed within a few days so please register as soon as possible.CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Wild Flowers, Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove - Spring Workshop
April 17 to 22, 2016 - Six Day 5 Night Photo WorkshopGreat Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity over 1,660 kinds of flowering plants are found in the park, more than in any other North American national park. In fact, the park is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.” From the earliest hepaticas and spring-beauties in the late winter to the last asters in the late fall, blooming flowers can be found year-round in the park. Wildlife is fairly abundant in Cades Cove and we will have opportunities if lucky, to photograph bears. Landscapes, rivers, waterfalls and much more - a photographer's paradise.CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Ithaca, NY - A Waterfalls and Fall Foliage Workshop
Just concluded an incredible workshop in the Finger Lakes region of NY State. October 8th through Columbus Day October 12th, 21 photographers and two spouses hiked through the gorges of some of the most beautiful parks in New York. The first night we attempted some Milky Way and light painting photography in the upper lot of Taughannouck Falls Sate Park. The following day, we had an early start to Buttermilk Falls. Buttermilk Falls is the largest of the 10 falls of Buttermilk Creek. Larger versions of these may be viewed by clicking on the image. 
Following Buttermilk Falls we drove to Ithaca Falls but access was restricted as there was construction on the access way to the river bed. Next option - into Robert Treman Park aka Enfield Glen. Though it rained all morning the water helped saturate the color and the clouds helped defuse the light.Here are some images from Enfield Glen:
Later in the afternoon we went back to Ithaca Falls, a 150ft cascading fall at the end of Fall Creek before the creek empties into Cayuga Lake. Ithaca Falls is 175 wide and considered the region's most powerful.I had left my ND filter in the car so Nancy Marshal was kind enough to let me borrow her Big Stopper that I hand-held against the lens to get the following image:
Battle of the Barges - Boston Sept 5, 2015
After a very long time the Battle of the Barges returned to Boston. Piers Park would have been the ideal location but the crowds were overwhelming. Alternate East Boston location provided good views of the North End Barge.Please click on the image for a larger version.
Bridging the Gaps
June 12, I got to see the Greenway Project’s latest artwork a little over a month after its installation. Boston’s aerial rope sculpture created by the artist Janet Echelman is an exquisite sight at night. The ropes are over 100 miles long and the sculpture has nearly 550,000 knots. It is anchored to a few buildings and lit using multicolored led lights. A long exposure bridges the gaps between the ropes as I feel this signifies the coming together for all in this great city.
“My sculpture for Boston above the Rose Kennedy Greenway spans the void where an elevated highway once split downtown from its waterfront. Knitting together the urban fabric, it soars 600 feet through the air above street traffic and Pedestrian Park.The sculpture's form echoes the history of its location. The three voids recall the "Tri-Mountain" which was razed in the 18th-Century to create lands from the harbor. The colored banding is a nod to the six traffic lanes that once overwhelmed the neighborhood, before the Big Dig buried them and enable the space to be reclaimed for urban pedestrian life.” An extract from the artist’s statement.
Martha's Vineyard - Memorial Day Weekend Workshop
In case you’ve missed it, Adventures in Photography (AIP) has organized a 5 day/4 night workshop on Martha’s Vineyard over the Memorial Day Weekend where I will be instructing.This is rare opportunity for photographers and their non-photographer partners to share some quality time together.Photographers get to photograph the beauty and charm of this unique island community while their non-photographer partners explore the charming New England character of Martha’s Vineyard.Adventures in Photography (AIP) has reserved all of the Ashley Inn's 10 rooms from May 22nd until May 26th. We can accommodate 20 people based on double occupancy. The Ashley Inn is an upscale B&B and breakfast is included.We still have a few rooms available but expect that they will sell out.For a full description of this Adventure go CLICK HERE
No Aurora but the Milky Way
March 28, 2015 - Alaska Geo. Inst. forecasts a Kp index of 5 for the Aurora. Kp 5 means - if the Aurora occurs you should be able to see it low on the horizon in Massachusetts. Sounds awesome so we decide against going for the CamNats (Massachusetts Camera Naturalists) and head to Maine. Acadia is always a great spot so we head to the loop road. WRONG most of the roads are closed. A nice cop gives us direction on how to get to Sand Beach - so it is about midnight and we find our way to the parking lot. Poor visibility forces us out of there and heading further towards Otter Cliffs. The road is closed at the turnoff to Otter Cliff road. We pull over into a small clearing at one of the entrances to a parking lot and wait for the Aurora - nothing. Well the Milky Way rises over the cliffs so we wait. 3:15 and the Milky Way shows its full arc. It is cold, the wind does not help. I mounted the Rokinon 14mm on the Sony A7R to get this image. The foreground trees were light painted during the exposure.Please click on the image for a larger presentation.
A subsequent 7 image pano yielded the arc but the 14mm lend distortion is apparent.
Fog - In the Dark
In continuation of yesterday's post, the second image I had pre-visualized was a barn nestled among some dark trees with a figure in some vintage clothing standing in the foreground. I wanted to light the figure for some added effect. Driving in a nearby town I notice this barn or shack, so my wife and I decided to check it out. It was close to what I was wanting to capture. My wife put on this vintage coat and trudged through the slush to the shack. I in the mean while took a few test shots to check out the light and composition. I had not worn proper boots and was wearing a pair of slip ons. In the rush to get out and shoot, as luck would have it, as I carried the light stand and soft box to the shack I realized I was ankle-deep in slush and freezing water. Next my pocket wizards decided they would limit their range so I had to get closer than I wanted as all I had taken with me was the 35 - 100 mm on my GH4. To get the full shot I would have to take two images and stitch them. The final image is composed of two images stitched in Photoshop and then textured.Please click on the image for a larger rendition.
5:00 PM – Panasonic Lumix Gh5, 35 – 100 mm f/2.8 at 35mm. Exposure triad – ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/6 sec.
What else is in my bag - Part 1
Apart from cameras, lenses, filters we as photographers carry a number of gizmos to help our image capture. This is part 1 of my list of gizmos. These are all reasonably priced and many are less than $10. Most on-line photography stores carry these items and you should check them out.
- Gray Card – Get your exposure right. Available in cardboard and durable plastic these are one of the most valuable tools for your camera kit. The camera may be smart but it is easily fooled. It will under or over expose very bright or very dark scenes. You should use a gray card to set the exposure for much more accurate results. Some of the newer cards come as sets with a black and white card. This can also help you set your white balance. A step-up would be the X-Rite Color Checker Passport.
- High velocity blower - Never clean your lens without first blowing off any dust, grit or lint. The last thing you want is to scratch your lens as your clean it with a lens pen or lens cloth. A good blower costs under $10 - the one I like is the Visible Dust Manual Blower. Adorama and B&H have these.
- Lens Pen - This is another must have tool for your bag. There are many manufacturers and models available. The ones with a carbon bad need to be activated before each use. Others like the Allsop have replaceable tips. I keep an Allsop in each of my camera bags.
- Lens Cleaning Cloth - A good lens cloth is a must in your bag. Zeiss makes some of the finest and can be purchased from Walmart and B&H for $3 and up.
- 1 or 1.5 inch natural bristle soft painter's brush - An ideal too to get lager dust and sand particles off your equipment. Keep one in your bag - you will be happy you have it on those dusty trips.
- Small micro fiber or cotton hand towel - You never know when you will need it. These are great for wiping of moisture from your gear on those wet days. Grocery stores and Bed Bath & Beyond carry these.
- Spray bottle - You may not always get a dewy morning but you can create dew on flower petals and spider webs with a handy fine-mist spray bottle. Fine mist spray bottles can be found for under $2 at Amazon.
- Bubble level - A three axis bubble level for your hotshot mount will keep your horizons level. If you have an inbuilt electronic level in the camera then you can skip this tool.
- Elastic bands and small ziplock bags - You will find many uses for this combo. A lost lens cap can be a problem but not if you can put a ziplock bag around the front element and secure it with an elastic band. If your zoom lens tends to creep the elastic band can help keep it in place.
- Large garbage bag - During any outdoor shoot I always pack one or two large garbage bags in my bag or in the car. They are great when you need some rain protection, need to keep your equipment on the salty sand, need to lay down at ground level when shooting low to the ground. A black garbage bag acts as a great gobo when needed, translucent bags make great diffusers.
- Gaffer's tape - 1 inch width in black, a small roll is perfect to secure items when needed. This is a must have to tape down your lens at infinity when doing any astro photography. A small piece can be used to cover the eyepiece of the viewfinder, preventing stray light from spoiling the exposure. It is also a great all around repair tool.
- Parchment paper, issue paper, or rip (stock) cloth - A small piece about 4 inches square is good but larger pieces can be useful for other situations. You can tape this (using gaffer's tape to your flash to diffuse the light. If you keep a larger piece you can have someone hold it to diffuse bright sunlight while doing close-up or macro photography. Get parchment paper any kitchen or grocery store. rip stock can be purchased from a fabric store or on-line.
- White foam-core - This makes a great reflector, if you need a silver reflector keep some kitchen foil and fold it over the foam-core. You can use the foam-core as a gobo or even as a white background for small subjects. Staples, Office Max, Michael’s or A.C. Moore are ideal for this.
- LED Flashlight - a must have when you are in the dark. A great tool for light painting and when you need just that added light for filling in shadows or adding a highlight. My favorites are Coast and SureFire (SureFire lights are available from the SureFire website and Amazon). Others can be purchased at Home Depot, Amazon or Lowes carry great LED Lights
- Small notebook and a ballpoint pen - Journaling is key. Write down locations, notes, day and time of best light, etc. Draw sketches of what there is so you can come back for better images. If nothing else - you can use it to jot down names and contact info of fellow photographers you meet.
In the near future I will follow-up with additional items I find useful. Some for the bag and others that are good to have. In the mean time, why don't you use the comment link on the top of this post to share with us some of your special items.If you do plan on getting any of these items please use my affiliate links on the right column of this blog post or use the Products and Discounts Page for additional links.
Zakim - Three Views
Zakim Bridge is probably the most photographed bridge in Boston. Google search and one sees thousands of views of this iconic structure. The following three are my interpretations captured on August 23, 2014. These were shot from the park below the bridge. Please do click on the images to see a larger rendition.
