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This pair of cattle egrets were hanging out at Jack Sinn the same evening as the previous image. I was able to quietly approach and take about 10 shots before they decided they were done with the photo shoot. Beautiful birds that fly gracefully through the sky.
Technical Details:
Canon 50d, 300 f/4l + 1.4tc, f/6.3, 1/1600 sec.
Jack Sinn Wildlife Management Area, Eastern Nebraska
Today’s image was taken at a little Wildlife Management Area called Jack Sinn just east of Ceresco, Nebraska – here is a place of solitude. The first three times I visited this area I was the only person out in the fields, it was only the wildlife and me. On this evening the atmosphere was calm and warm with nary any sounds except the chatter of the insects. I setup my photo gear and watched as the sun set, illuminating the clouds for one more brief minute. I captured a few images and then quietly packed up, determined to return once again to the quiet peacefulness that this area provides.
Technical Details:
Canon 5d Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 19, f/14, 1 sec.
Jack Sinn Wildlife Management Area, Eastern Nebraska
Following yesterday’s post, I went out last night to photograph some flowers that are blooming in a nearby field and found one that had gone to seed similar to the one I saw yesterday. I stopped and spent almost an hour photographing the patterns, contrasts, and small details that were contained within this little piece of nature.
On the technical side of things, something that really helped was the phenomenal high ISO performance of the Canon 5D Mark II. This photograph was taken at ISO 2000 with a little work from Noise Ninja. Back in the film days this would have meant high grain and loss of detail, but today’s digital is really pushing what one can do in low light. Today’s tools are simply amazing.
Technical Details:
Canon 5d Mark II, 50 CM lens + 25 extension tube, f/2.8, 1/60 sec.
Light Variation of Orton Effect
Where does one find inspiration? I can’t seem draw it out every time I wish. I wish I could head to the local supermarket and pick up a case of Inspiration, but of course, I can’t.
There are instances where months will go by without any Inspiration and then something unexpected happens and I am right back out in the field (figuratively and sometimes literally) ferociously creating images. It maybe something I saw, an old image, a new technique, something encouraging that happens. Sometimes, it is a little glimmer of Inspiration that causes me to capture something new. Other times I wish I had the energy to act on all the Inspiration I feel, because I know in the end, it will be gone as quick as a lightning flash in the dark of night.
Today, I saw a large flower that had gone to seed. The delicate, wispy seeds created a perfect sphere on the tip of the plant. I realized that I could create some fascinating images from this one small part of nature. Unfortunately, I could not act on this fleeting feeling of Inspiration, because I was involved in something else and had no gear with me. There is an intense rain projected and I know the odds are not good that the seeds will still be there tomorrow. The rain will wash the Inspiration away and I will be left searching once again.
Where will I find Inspiration next? Inspiration hides in plain sight, waiting. I always look, but I do not always find. Perhaps the seeds will be there tomorrow, or perhaps something else will be there that inspires. Wherever I go, I know I will be inspired again.
About a month ago, I noticed several purple flowers growing down by the Platte River. I don’t ever remember seeing these flowers blooming and certainly not in the magnitude that they seemed to flourish this year. Determined to get a shot I went down by Schramm a couple of nights while they were at their peak. Unfortunately, every time I was there the wind would blow the flowers around which did not make it easy to get a sharp shot. After review I decided that this image would be perfect for the Orton Effect. For more information on what this is visit http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0106/dw0106-1.html. Overall, it’s good to use this effect sparingly and there has been an increase in people thinking this effect has been overused recently. I still like it for an image like this, it seems to work well to bring out the contrast of the purple on green.
This photograph is currently a finalist in Digital Photo Pro’s Ultimate Creativity contest. If you wish to vote for it visit http://www.digitalphotopro.com/photo-contests/ultimate-creativity/finalists/contest/ultimate-creativity-finalists/1156-ethereal-plane.html.
Technical Details:
Canon 5d Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 35mm, f/13, 1.6 sec., Orton Effect
By Schramm State Recreation Area, Nebraska
For today’s entry, I am going to post one last photograph from my western Nebraska trip. This was a cool, serene sunrise, the ducks and I were the only ones there to witness the beauty of the rising sun reflected off the clouds and then again off the lake. The show lasted for only about 10 minutes before the sun rose behind the clouds. A relaxing way to start the day for sure.
Technical Details:
Canon 5d Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 30mm, f/11, .4 sec., 3-stop Singh-Ray ND Hard Grad
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska