Morning Shooting

Nothing beats the light in the morning and evening for taking pictures. The first hour in the morning and the last hour of the day is known as the golden hour to photographers. The bees were very busy going from flower to flower and a young praying mantis. The mantis was trying to capture a bee and was having no luck. The color of the flowers seems brighter in the morning. The images were taken in Eldersburg, MD.

A Moment Revisited

A couple of weeks ago a wrote about moments. This week it came front and center as I returned to shoot the fence post on Klee's Mill Road. It rained one day this week and I wanted to try for a blue sky. I decided to go for the blue at dusk just after the sun sets. So I returned and guess what, the Queen Anne's lace was mowed down. The image with the blue sky was shot with a wide angle lens and the other with a telephoto. So when you see it, shoot it. Here are a few shots from last night, it's not a bad shot, but I liked the Queen Anne's lace in the image last week.

Seeing

This is a post about seeing something, but not seeing it. Right now you are saying "What does he mean?" I have driven past a spot on Klee's Mill Road in Carroll County hundreds of times. When I was working, I drove by the spot at least twice-a-day. So Wednesday I ran an errand and on the way back a light went off over my head as I saw a post and Queen Anne's lace. I shot the image then, but knew it could be better. I knew that the day after it rained the sky would be a deep blue which would make a great background. I know the images in my head never turn out the same in reality, sometimes they are better. After shooting the picture, bless her heart for all Shirley heard about for a short while, she didn't tell me to change the subject. While at soccer practice I watched clouds move in. We went to Safeway after practice. I had the image of the fence post and flowers in my mind. So I figured I would have to wait for a rainy day or did I. Dusk was setting in as we left the store and there was a break in the clouds. I took a chance and drove to the fence post. I was rewarded with a nice sunset, but had to work fast as the light was fading. Shirley didn't question what we were doing as I spent about five minutes shooting the image vertically and horizontally. I shot the first images vertically, but I believe the horizontal one works best with the sunset. I am happy with the image, but will return after it rains and will also shoot another sunset.

4-H Fair

Saturday we headed to a traditional Carroll County event - the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair.
This is the 112Th year of the fair. I've seen the last 35.
I have judged the photo contest a few times in the past. I would also shoot for two special sections at the newspaper I worked for.
This year I was able to enjoy the fair with the family.
There's a lot to be said for seeing the fair through the eyes of children. We walk by and say yes, that's a goat, but they see more. They show wonder and happiness in their faces.
Don't forget to take a camera to capture their delight and shoot images of the animals.
You get a chance to photograph animals up close. There are interesting images to capture. Like two pigs sleeping together, goats like to look around above their pens also close-up of animals.
You can also use light in some of the exhibits like in poultry and photography.
The fair makes for a nice family outing and there is good food so you could have lunch or supper. With the heat, they have you covered from ice tea to ice cream.

Shooting the Moon

One of the things I like to aim my camera at is the moon. Man has looked at the moon for years. There are songs, books and other works about the moon. This week we celebrated 40 years since man set foot on the moon.
The moon landing is one of those events you remember where you were. That July evening in 1969 I was huddled with the family in the family room in Union Mills to watch the event.
We were afraid we would miss it as a thunderstorm hit. We always turned the television off during storms, something Shirley and I still do today.
Any way the storm passed and we got to see history.
The moon isn't hard to shoot when it is rising. It's just a low-light front lit scene.
Start by metering the sky, adjust your shutter speed, compose the scene and use the camera's self-timer or cable release.
Check the calendar for the next full moon and then shoot the day before. Why, because the eastern sky and the landscape are close to the same exposure.
The exposure will work out close to F/8 for 1/8 second with a long lens.
Take the time to watch where the moon rises. Also scout out the landscape ahead of time.
It's best to shoot the moon rising or setting. It's not as bright and has a nice glow.
The shot with the tree is the moon setting. I had seen that tree before and kept an eye out when ever I passed it on Old Washington Road.
The corn framed by the moon is setting early on a fall morning.
The windmill along with the geese and boats are also a rising moon. The windmill was shot in Eldersburg. The geese and the moon were shot on the Eastern Shore. The boats are in Wachapreague, Va.

Irish Festival

Saturday found us in Gettysburg for the 10Th annual Adams County Irish Festival.
A few days before Saturday, I got an e-mail from Celebrate Gettysburg magazine asking if I could do a last minute assignment.
Let's see, I can take Shirley with me, it's Gettysburg and Irish music. No problem.
A few words about Celebrate Gettysburg. The magazine is a few years old and reflects the community.
This is my third assignment for them. The first one was an artist and the second one was the tech prep program for Adams County, both were fun.
After 34 years in newspapers, magazine work is a different animal. Not as many deadlines and a slower pace. There is no spot news or sports which were my strength, but I always had the most fun showing features.
I like the idea of shooting features. The folks at the magazine have liked my work, which makes the assignments more fun.
This was my first visit to the Adams County Irish Festival. I had thought about it in the past, as I wrote about it in a publication I was responsible for when I was in newspapers.
I like Irish music, so it was easy to get in the swing of shooting. There were times when I started singing or tapping a toe to the tunes.
The food was really good. They served something for everyone from a fruit cup to corned beef on rye to fish and chips.
The event was held at Moose Park, outside of Gettysburg. I figured we would be there for about three hours and we were there just short of five.
The festival is the third Saturday in July, so mark it on the calendar for next year.
www.celebrategettysburg.com
www.adamscountyirishfestival.com

Renewing vows

I had the pleasure of shooting John and Donna Warner renewing their marriage vows this past week.
They were celebrating 35 years of marriage. They have had their shares of ups and downs. Donna is a cancer survivor, as she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006.
She missed the Westminster High School Class of 1971 (we are both members of the class) reunion that year and she had done must of the work. So it was good to share one of the ups.
They held the event at Emory Grove in Glyndon, a Methodist retreat. Some of the building are on the historical register.
It was a great step back in time. The cottages at the site are interesting to look at.
Donna and the wedding party walked between the cottages to get to the tabernacle, where the ceremony took place.
The wedding party was the original party of 13, who returned to take part in the special day for John and Donna.
It's important to note that Donna wore her bridal gown from 35 years ago with very little alteration.
One of the best part of the day from a photography angle is emotion. One of the main jobs of the photographer in capturing the moment.
I was quite happy with the results.
To read a story of the event from the Owings Mills Times click on www.owingsmillstimes.com

Concert in the Park

Friday evening we headed to the first Sykesville Concert in the Park of the summer.
The price was right, it was free.
Front row seats didn't cost a week's pay. You could sit where ever you wanted.
It was family entertainment. Children played on the playground, danced and as it got dark, they caught lighting bugs.
We listened to the music of No Stringz Attached, which made for a good evening with the family.
I took the camera and got nice images of the family enjoying the event. I also shot the band, which was fun.
If you are looking for a good evening to spend with the family head to Millard Cooper Park in Sykesville. They have snacks including Hoffman's Ice Cream.
On July 24, Hightest will be playing. For more on the event visit www.sykesville.net/main