Photo Friday (Double Feature): The Mighty Missouri at Sunrise and TranquilityPosted by drfl on September 16th, 2011

Today’s post contains two images, one is from a popular location in Nebraska, one is not. The first image, from the bluffs at the the tri-state overlook in Ponca State Park, the Missouri is seen snaking through the lowlands during a pretty spectacular sunrise. This is what I would consider a recognizable Nebraska photograph. I do, however, strive to photograph new and interesting locations in Nebraska and while this would be considered “interesting”, it may not be considered “new”. About 15-20 miles from this location is Powder Creek Wildlife Management Area where I witnessed another spectacular sunrise. These images were taken on back to back days. To me the second is more memorable morning, I was alone on the shore with no other soul around photographing an area I hadn’t even heard about until I saw the lonely sign the previous day while driving down the highway. It was a place with its own beauty and serenity. From a marketing and business perspective, the first will probably sell better, simply because it is recognizable, but the second has its own meaning to me. Not to say that one shouldn’t seek out the Tri-State Overlook at Ponca State Park, to me that it is a must-see location in Nebraska, but sometimes there is value in blazing your own path.

Technical Details (The Mighty Missouri at Sunrise):
Canon 5D Mark II, 24mm TS/E II, f/9, Singh-Ray 3 Hard-Stop Neutral Grad, 3 vertical images stitched together
Ponca State Park, Nebraska

Technical Details (Tranquility):
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4 @ 17mm, f/16, 4 sec., Singh-Ray 3 Hard-Stop Neutral Grad
Powder Creek Wildlife Management Area, Nebraska

Nebraska – From One Extreme to Another – Day 10 – BreakthroughPosted by drfl on July 9th, 2010

For my final image in the “From One Extreme to Another” series, I present “Breakthrough“. This is probably, my favorite image from the day I spent at Ponca State Park. The sun and fog really added to the dynamic of this image. While the composition seems simple, something keeps drawing me back to this photograph. A good example of learning to photograph where you live. Interesting images can be made virtually anywhere, one doesn’t have to travel far to see some incredible things.

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200 f/4l @ 200mm, f/8, 1/2000 sec.
Ponca State Park, Nebraska

Nebraska – From One Extreme to Another – Day 9 – Here Comes the SunPosted by drfl on July 8th, 2010

Seeing the rising sun through fog has to be one of my favorite photographic experiences. Unique lighting, unpredictable effects, rays of light everywhere, all contribute to some outstanding circumstances. When fog forms, I go out!

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 17mm, f/13, 1/125 sec.
Ponca State Park, Nebraska

Nebraska – From One Extreme to Another – Day 7 – A Fox FriendPosted by drfl on July 6th, 2010

While traveling through Ponca State Park just before dawn, I found two foxes playing and eating by the side of the road. Still too dark to photograph, I let them be. To my great surprise, however, they were still there when I returned over an hour later. I was able to spend 15 minutes photographing them quietly before they decided they were done with me photographing them.

Technical Details:
Canon 50D, 300 f/4l + 1.4tc, f/5.6, 1/30 sec.
Ponca State Park, Nebraska

Nebraska – From One Extreme to Another – Day 6 – Crisp MorningPosted by drfl on July 6th, 2010

As promised, this week will be filled with images from Ponca State Park. Located on the far northeastern edge of Nebraska, the landscape is much different from that of Toadstool Geologic Park, the subject of last week’s images. Forests and Foliage dominate here which contrasts with the stark, rocky terrain of Toadstool. Today’s view is looking west from the Missouri River through the prairie and towards the bluffs. The late spring moon can be seen descending through fog in which a faded fogbow is still visible.

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 17mm, f/13, 1/30 sec.
Ponca State Park, Nebraska