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Category Archives: Landscapes
Spring is Here
I’ve been neglecting my camera lately. No good excuse, just doing other stuff. =) Luckily something whispered in my ear to take photos of the changes happening in my yard.
With one planted itself on the grass while I was shooting. He’s a pretty big change in the yard too. *wink*
Long Time No See
Hawaiian Diversion- Part Two
Hope you enjoyed the flowers and surf in the last post! I had such a wonderful time there and I really try to share all that I felt while I was there. The photographs don’t always carry the message, but I will never get tried of clicking that shutter!
This time I wanted to show you just a bit of the Big Island. We went on a helicopter tour of part of the island with Sunshine Helicopter Tours. It was my first time in a helicopter and it wasn’t as scary as I expected!
We flew over the Kohala mountains, the oldest part of the island. There were beautiful waterfalls, dramatic bluffs, and the lush rainforest all spread out wide before me. Unfortunately, there was quiet a bit of reflection from the windows and it spoiled quite a few shots, but I was able to get a few.
After the tour, we had a bit of time before we needed to head back to the airport to return to Oahu, so we went to get something to eat at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. As we tried to find our way to an open restaurant, I found a couple of views irresistible.
Check out this skylight in the main lobby. =)
Here’s an A-MAZ-ING view from a main balcony of the hotel. I wish I could have stayed here long enough for a fruity drink and a lounge chair while I drank in the scene. At least I’ve got the picture! =)
Here’s just one more from the drive back. I loved all the black rock along Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Hawaiian Diversion- Part One
Did you miss me? I haven’t been posting as often as usual because I found myself in paradise. Although it would be great to blog from Oahu, I found myself otherwise occupied. Forgive me! =)
The following photographs were taken on a visit to Waimea Valley, where they have a beautiful botanical garden. Since I’d visited before, I recommended it to my friends and we headed out to explore.The colors were SO amazing and I had a relaxing time buzzing from flower to flower.
After we had taken in the many varieties of tropical flora with a lovely walk, we decided to cool off at a nearby beach. I’m not sure what it was named, but it was just south of Waimea Bay off Kamehameha Highway.
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As we were standing on the shore with the waves lapping at our feet, we found that we were not alone in enjoying the water. A sea turtle was only about 6 feet away, just where the waves were breaking onto the shore. Can you spot him? =)
Keep your eyes open for the next couple of blog posts! I have a good amount of images yet to share!
How to Photograph a Waterscape
You are in a beautiful place, surrounded by moving water. You have your camera with you, but somehow every time you click the shutter, it doesn’t seem to represent the serenity you are feeling. Frustrating, right?
Here are some simple steps that will help you get photographs that will bring your waterscape to life and get a really great souvenir of your peaceful moment.
1. Bring your Tripod
To get a crisp clean shot, your best bet is a sturdy, lightweight tripod. This will help with dim or low light situations and to capture images with a long exposure time (the length of time the lens is open to capture the scene). Any shutter setting lower than 1/60 is VERY difficult to hand hold still enough to get a successful shot. A tripod can save you a lot of frustration and spare you a lot of blurry shots.
If you don’t own a tripod, you can get creative by setting your camera on a log, bridge, or other flat and dry available surfaces. I recommend keeping the neck strap on securely around your neck if you decide set your camera down on anything. Nothing that can ruin a nice moment like your camera getting dinged or dunked.
2. Use a Low ISO
In order to get the best look, you should select the lowest ISO available. Most DSLRs have ISO 100 as the lowest setting. I’m told that there are some cameras that will go lower (between 60-85), so select the lowest one available for your camera. This will help with creating the optimal shutter speed.
3. Use a Slow Shutter Speed
In order to get that rich and silky look from the ocean, creek, stream or river that your photographing, you’ll need to select a slow shutter speed. If you are new to taking your camera off auto mode, use the shutter priority mode on your camera. If you have a DSLR, this setting will be labeled “Tv”. Other point and shoot cameras may use “S” to indicate shutter priority mode.
Once you select the mode, set the shutter speed to the longest available setting. The longer you can set the shutter for, the more beautiful the water will look.
4. Create Depth
When looking through the lens of your camera, its important to look for elements that will enhance your photograph. Look to have something of interest in each of these three zones: the foreground, the middle ground, and the background. By paying special attention to these three zones, you’ll automatically ensure that your achieve some measure of depth. This will allow the viewers eye to travel around your photograph making them linger longer and help the audience feel as though they are actually looking into that space rather than a photograph of it.
Helpful Tip: In order to get a workable foreground, you may need to lower your tripod. If may be a little awkward to see through your lens, but it makes a big difference to the final image to get something in this zone.
5. Be Aware of your Surroundings
It’s easy to get preoccupied while setting up your camera and trying to find the best angles for your photographs. Make sure you wear good shoes and be confident in your footing while working. Steer clear of slippery rocks, high brush/grasses (ticks!!!), and animal life.
While taking these shots I was carefully running in and out of areas covered in poison oak. Make sure you watch your step so you don’t end up itching all over while editing your amazing shots later.
6. Take your Time
You might want to test out your technique by using a running faucet in your kitchen or bathroom or find a nearby fountain. This will help you get adjusted to your camera settings before heading out and save you some headache once you get to your location.
You are trying to create a work of art, and we all know that takes some time. Once on site, it may take a few minutes to get in the swing of things. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself the time to make adjustments. See what’s working and what isn’t. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the settings and see what a change will do. That is what your display is for!
Remember that any mistakes you make will help you make smarter choices in the future and give you valuable experience.
7. Send a Scout Ahead
It’s always a good idea to bring someone along to help carry some of your gear and enjoy taking a leisurely exploration of a beautiful area. What’s even better is to have someone who likes to wander and might find some great spots that you may not have seen yourself. It will also give your helper something fun to do while your distracted being an amazing shutter bug!
8. Put the Camera Away
This is something I’m learning to do myself. Every once in a while you’ll find that you’ve done more of your viewing through the lens of a camera rather than taking it in with your own senses. As wonderful as it is to have a record of the places you’ve been, it’s even more important to have a memory to make that photograph special.
So take my advice and dedicate some time to just enjoy yourself and the moment you are in. These are the experiences that make our lives rich and wonderful.
All photographs taken at Uvas Canyon in Morgan Hill, CA while on a camping trip with my mom last week.
Walk before the Walk
I walked across a stage last Friday to receive recognition for completing my undergraduate education, but earlier in the day went on an equally wonderful walk. I took my mom for a walk at the Alviso Marina that morning and I was able to capture a few more shots of this awesome area.
And here I am getting lined up and ready to go! I thought it was funny to be surrounded by photographers and yet I did an arms length self portrait! =)
Don’t be so Negative (or do!)
My friend is hosting a fundraiser next Tuesday featuring handmade items to support Autism Speaks. I offered to do something to contribute and I’ve been working at getting prepped for it.
Tonight I’m working on getting my digital negative together for some Van Dyke prints (hopefully to print tomorrow if the sun will cooperate).
I really enjoy negatives. So many people don’t use them anymore and I bet you if you asked a kid what a photographic negative is, they were look at you like you had two heads.
I mean really, how is the world going to do without something like this?
On the Move
Saturday I spent most of the day with my camera in hand photographing wonderful people. But in the moments when there weren’t smiling faces in front of me, whether because I was waiting for our appointment to begin or because we were on the move to a new location, my trigger happy hands kept shooting.
Here are some of my favorite photos that I took while in the in between moments.
The wind caught these California poppies and made them appear to be flames. I knew that is would be awesome the moment I felt the wind kick up.
The piers at Alviso Marina County Park which have the strange, yet wonderful, doorways peppered here and there.
This boarded up window may look familiar. I love it so much I decided to feature it in the header of this blog. Though it would be fun to show you the whole frame.
The Alviso Marina is located in the south shore of the bay. This beautiful pond sits near the the bay itself.
I love rolling green hills and this was a beautiful view to take in while waiting for my engagement session to begin.
Pettigrew Property
My uncle purchased some land in Redding, CA and is currently building a dream house for himself and his wife. Things have been moving along swimmingly, but long before they dug out the basement they had to clear the land.
These are the images I created when this piece of ground was full of only dreams, which are now coming to pass.
Sights nearby the property:
