OPTIC 2022
Come and join me at OPTIC 2022 from June 12 to 14, 2022. I will present Time-Lapse Imagery and host additional events at B&H and in New York City.
Details: www.bhoptic.com
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Texas
Female Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Ithaca Falls - Ithaca, New York
A 6 hour trip to Ithaca to photograph the waterfalls and the milky way. The falls were great but we got thrown out of the park as we were setting up for the milky way images. No point in arguing with NY Cops.
Rocks and Reflections
Ithaca Falls as the Sun sets
Ithaca Falls
Heres a link to the Youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VNW_LUKYMc
Cloudy Summer Sunset
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Beautiful clouds at sunset in Cape Cod. the setting sun created some fabulous reflected light on the water. I did not want to slow the shutter too much - a 2.5 sec. exposure left just the right texture on the water.
Photographed with the Lumix S1R and the Lumix S Pro 24-70 f/2.8 lens. Exposure Triad: f/16, 2.5 sec, ISO 100.
"Live Composite" - Swift River
A "Live Composite" image captured on August 29, 2020, with the little Lumix G100 vlogging camera and the Leica 8-18 f/2.8-4 lens. The individual image exposure triad was f/6.3, 40 sec, ISO 400.
The in-camera composite is of 9 images that resulted in a full-resolution RAW file. After the first exposure, I light pained the rocks and trees in individual sections watching the screen as the exposures were combined and displayed. The image was processed, perspective corrected. and cropped slightly and then converted to B&W.
Valley of Fire
I had a little time to myself today so I decided to check out Valley of Fire State Park. It is a little over an hour from Las Vegas. By the time I got there, it was Noon and the light was not good. Also disappointing was the sky. There were no clouds even though while driving there the sky looked promising.
The image above was taken as the sun dipped behind one of the many ranges in the park. I was using the Lumix S1R with the 24-105mm f/4 lens. Exposure triad: f/16, 2 sec., ISO 100.
The next image is from a more direct viewpoint and captured shortly after the first image. For a brief moment, the colors in the sandstone just came alive. Exposure triad: f/16, 2 sec., ISO 100.
Post Focus & Focus Stacking
Just posted my latest YouTube episode on Post Focus and Focus Stacking
Peace and Tranquility
f/10, 60 sec., ISO 200
Please click on the image for a larger rendition.
This image was captured earlier this year in Falmouth, Massachusetts. At about 7:00 PM the sun was low on the horizon. I wanted to do a long exposure capture but these pilings had a flock of cormorants perched on them, Fortunately, a noisy ski boat disturbed them giving me just enough time for this 60-second exposure.
2019 Favorite Images Part 2
I just posted the second segment of my 2019 Favorite Images and a few back story video clips.
Creative Photography
As I tend to spend more time indoors during the winter, I am looking for unique ways of image capture. I love using my Platypod - tripod alternatives as they are so convenient and maneuverable. For these images, I went a bit overboard, one Platypod Max to support my Lumix S1R with the 24-105 f/4 lens, one Max to hold up the LensBall, two Platypod Ultras with a Platypod gooseneck and a Litra Torch 2 each. A third Platypod Ultra with a gooseneck and a clothespin to hold the flower.
Tiny shifts in the camera angle or flower position create beautiful fluid lines since the Lensball acts like an exaggerated fish-eye lens.
I captured hundreds of images - here in this post are two that I really like a lot.
Light Table Photography on a Snowy Day
With 8 or more inches of snow and not being in a mood to go outside, I set up this composition on a makeshift light table. It is the top of a slide viewer placed on four plastic cups for support. The lights are three Litra Pros set at 5500 Kelvin and full brightness. 7 images were captured starting with a normal exposure for the flowers and then increasing in exposure by 2/3 stop for each subsequent image. The images were then blended in Photoshop 2020 with selective masking for this final result that gives the effect of translucency.
The starting exposure was f/14, 1/160 sec at ISO 400. Captured with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the 24-105 f/4 lens.
Pushing the Limits
It was very early morning when we spotted this young lion. He has been through some territorial fights - see the scars. The sun had not risen and I was not sure if I could get a decent image. Captured with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the S Pro 70-200 mm f/2.8 lens. I had the ISO on "auto", and I set the shutter speed to 1/160 sec (i wanted to be as close to one over the focal length I was at). The focal length was at 130mm. The aperture was set at f/2.8 and the camera set the ISO to 16000. Typically I set the limit at ISO 6400 but there would be no image at that sensitivity.
The image a direct conversion from RAW to JPG - no adjustments at all except a crop for composition. The noise reduction is at 0, sharpening at 0. Image processed using Capture One 12.
Please do click on the image to view it larger.
IMPRESSIVE!!!
Lumix S Pro 70-200 f/2.8 hand-held
One of the greatest features of Lumix cameras, the G and the S series is the incredibly good image stabilization. On the S1R was rated at 6 stops. With firmware version v1.1, the in-body IS system will reduce shake by an additional 1/2-stop, for a total of 6 stops with non-stabilized lenses and 6.5 stops with Dual IS-compatible glass. With the new S Pro 70-200 f/2.8, the stabilization is rated at 7 stops.
This image was captured hand-held with the S1R and the S Pro 70-200 and a 2X Teleconverter. The combined focal length was 400mm. Exposure triad f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 800.
Click on the image to view a larger rendition.
Lilac Breasted Roller
This bird is one of my absolute favorites. This avian lives in acacia country where there are well-spaced trees, bushy game lands, riverside areas, and cultivated lands. However, they do not associate with human habitation. They are about 14 in. long.
The Lilac Breasted Roller is also referred to as the Fork Tailed Roller or Mosilikatze's Roller. They typically perch at high points of trees, poles, etc. so the can spot thir prey close to ground level. they will swoop down to grab insects, scorpions, lizards and even small birds.
This specimen was photographed with the Panasonic G9, the Leica 50-200 lens with the 2X tele-adaptor. Exposure triad: f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO 250.
My impressions of the new 70-200 mm L mount zoom lens - LUMIX S PRO 70-200 O.I.S (S-E70200)
I had the pleasure of using two of these lenses, albeit pre-production, with two Lumix S1R bodies while on my trip to Tanzania. I used these with and without the 1.4X and 2X teleconverters in order to extend the reach as needed. With the high resolution of the S1R cropping is a viable option.
The Pro S 70-200 has one of the best image quality performance I have seen in a zoom lens in the range. The lens surely must meet or exceed certain stringent standards to be certified by Leica.
Leopard resting
Exposure triad f/63, 1/500 sec, ISO 2000
Tech details: 22 elements in 17 groups, the use of 2 UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses. Magnification .21X with a close focus distance of .95m. Focus range switchable from Full to .95m-5m and 5m to Limit. The lens is 208.6mm (8.2 in) long with a max diameter of 94.4 mm (3.72 in)and weighs 1,570 gm (3.46 lb). Filter diameter 82mm. It is dust and splash resistant and has a working temperature range of -10 C to 40 C (14 F to 104 F). The focus speed is rated at 0.12 sec. at the extended focal length of 200 mm. It has a focus clutch to allow manual - autofocus switching and the lens barrel has three programmable focus buttons. Dual IS - when coupled with a Dual IS2 body the overall image stabilization is rated at 7 stops. The provided lens collar has an Arca Swiss compatible foot.
African Elephant and Calf
Exposure triad f/8, 1/1000 sec, ISO 500
I found that the lens had exceptional focusing speed and now understand why. The lens uses a double focus system. A large linear motor is used for long-throw adjustments and a stepper motor is used for small incremental strokes. All focusing is internal and the focusing lenses are light so as to allow rapid movement during focusing. The focus frame rate is 480 FPS and the lens tracks subjects incredibly well. This combination clearly has the fastest focusing I have experienced in the Lumix lens line-up. The close focus distance is .95m or about 3 feet. Even at this close range, there is no visible distortion. in-fact the has little to no distortion over its entire zoom range even wide open at f/2.8.
Impala Stag
Exposure triad f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400
Cheetah Yawn
Exposure triad f/8, 1/1300 sec, ISO 3200
Wildebeast Migration
Exposure triad f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO 250
Wildebeast (Connochaetes gnou)
Impala on the run (one of the fastest four-legged animals)
Exposure triad f/6.3, 1/800 sec, ISO 320
Juvenile African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer).
Exposure triad f/11, 1/800 sec, ISO400
Lion Family on Kill
Exposure triad f/8, 1/800 sec, ISO 2500
Serval Cat (Leptailurus serval)- 2x teleconverter used. Exposure triad f/5.6, 1/200 sec, ISO12800
For the duration of the Tanzania safari, I never mounted either S1R on a tripod or any other clamp or mount. All images were captured hand-held and the image stabilization was amazing even at slow shutter speeds.
Note: Some images have been cropped and some have a vignette applied for presentation purposes.
Tanzania - October 2019
My Tanzania photo safari was truly one of the best wildlife photography experiences. I took a pair of Panasonic Lumix S1R full-frame cameras and the Lumix G9 micro four-thirds camera. Various lenses, a tripod, and ball-head that were never used. However, I did mount a Platypod Ultra with a ball-head to the armrest of the Land Cruiser. This provided all the mounting and support I ever needed for both camera systems. Yes I was over the weight allowance but was prepared and prepurchased excess baggage coverage.
The following are a few images captured with the Lumix G9, the Leica 50-200 mm lens and a 2X Tele-extender.
Exposure Triad: f/8, 1/400sec at ISO 640.
I spent the entire time at the Nasikia KasKaz Mara Camp in Northern Tanzania. The camp is a 45-minute drive from the Kogatendi airstrip. My superb guide Moodie is both a bird and leopard expert and a great photographer too.
This next image was captured at one of the many vast grasslands of the Serengeti. These Cheetahs are brothers who stay and hunt together and rarely stray beyond their marked territory.
Exposure Triad: f/8, 1/1000 sec at ISO 640.
Northern Serengeti has an abundance of bird species. It is truly a birder's paradise. The African Fish Eagle fishing is a fairly common sight along the Mara River. Here I am not sure who is eying who.
The pink flush on the stork indicates breeding status.
Exposure Triad: f/8, 1/640 sec at ISO 200 EV -0.3.
It was late afternoon when I spotted this Little Green Bee Eater. It grabbed what you see in this beak, swallowed it and then realizing it was not what it thought it was - spat it out with a vengeance.
Exposure Triad: f/8, 1/800 sec at ISO 1000.
The last image for this post is of a pair of Nubian Woodpeckers. It is most interesting to hear the pair call in unison.
Exposure Triad: f/8, 1/640 sec at ISO 320 EV+1.3.
Stay tuned for a lot more from this trip.
A Red Sunset
This was the sunset image from the same evening as the last few posts. After some great light we had an intense rain storm and then the skies started opening up just before the sun set. All the photographers left the butte except one other PSA member and myself. This image was the reward for sticking it out.
Captured with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the Lumix Pro S 70-200 mm, f/4 lens at 70 mm. Exposure triad: f/11, 1/125 sec at ISO 800.
Tending Fields in The Palouse - the incredible S1R
Before leaving the Palouse, I would really like to venture inside one of the giant combine harvesters that the farmers use. The are specially designed machines that traverse the steep inclines and slopes of the Palouse without tipping over. The cab is fully climate controlled and has computers that monitor and measure things like quantity of the grain being harvested, the moisture content and many other indices.
This is an image captured on Sept 20, 2019, in the late afternoon before the storm. I used the Lumix S1R with the Lumix Pro S 70-200 mm lens. I have cropped a slight amount on the top of the frame to remove a distraction. The performance of the S1R is exceptional. This was a normal (not a high resolution) capture. A severe crop of the frame just to get the farmhouse is shown in the image below. (Please do click on the images for a larger rendition).
Exposure triad: f/11, 1/15 sec, ISO 200. Focal length 200mm.