A Day at the Zoo Part Two

The first day of sunshine in recent weeks following such devastating wind and rain and I'm down at the zoo. The sun shone brightly, casting long shadows and creating some lovely contrast. It being a zoo some of the backgrounds were less than desirable but you work with what you're given. 

The giraffe is a fine example: haloed by the sun, I framed a portraiture of the giraffe but the building behind is unsightly. Oh well, I didn't have an alternative on this occasion. 

I was/am having further issues with my long lens. Tamron 70-300mm has always displayed a lack of sharpness at certain focal lengths as well as a basic lack of clarity between the features of the picture. This issue is now coming to a head and I am currently researching which long lens I should upgrade to.

Any thoughts? Recommendations would be welcome...

In the meantime I make do with it.

I was unfortunate in being unable to capture the new baby giraffe at Paignton zoo, as a new parent the mother was keeping her new born close at hand. This beautiful specimen is a part of the family.

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/1000s @ f5.6, ISO 1000

This Rhea was seen idly grazing in its own habitat. I felt this composition was more appealing and interesting than the usually walking shot. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/1000s @ f5.6, ISO 1000

In the sunshine, a pair of Sulawesi Crested Macaques played and wrestled. I watched them tussle on the grass, chasing each other over and around the features of their habitat. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/1000s @ f5.6, ISO 1000

Hamadryas baboons are fascinating to watch. Often they'll be seen lounging around on their rock, preening and grooming, which as is described on the various information plaques is more a social practice than for hygiene. It did however take a comical turn when a male baboon viewed the rear of a nearby female before examining it more closely. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 135mm, 1/1600s @ f5.6, ISO 640

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 135mm, 1/1600s @ f5.6, ISO 640

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 135mm, 1/1600s @ f5.6, ISO 640

Another group of baboons, huddled together. In terms of its composition I like this image, but it does show what I was referring to earlier with the lack of sharpness. This group had settled down and weren't showing signs of going anywhere fast so I figured I had time to check my auto focus settings. With the shutter speed at 1/5000th of a second and the camera having focused properly, there should be no reason for such a lack of sharpness, and yet here it is. 

Grrr

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 280mm, 1/5000s @ f5.3, ISO 1000

Tapirs apparently grow the white tips out of their ears, but on this one, they are still shown. Probably not the most flattering shot.

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 230mm, 1/2500s @ f5, ISO 1000

I have a friend who when seeing these next two images may think "Ooh, a giant hamster!", (Chuckle I'm looking at you). The Capybara (shown) like to live near water and their write-up on the zoo website states that their eyes, nostrils and ears are all at the top of the head and stay above the water when swimming. Funny then that I saw them diving the other day. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 116mm, 1/400s @ f4.2, ISO 1000

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 240mm, 1/400s @ f5, ISO 1000

Lionesses sort of speak for themselves... lazy sods

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 230mm, 1/320s @ f5, ISO 1000

Chilean Flamingos

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/8000s @ f5.6, ISO 1000

One of the King Colobus Monkeys, this one casually grazing. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 185mm, 1/3200s @ f4.5, ISO 1000

Two East African Crowned Cranes, of of which is outstretching its wings. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 125mm, 1/3200s @ f4.2, ISO 1000

Emperor Tamarin... posing.

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/2500s @ f5.6, ISO 1000

A Day at the Zoo Part One

A day at the zoo is often relaxing, informative, and amazing in that it allows visitors to marvel at the various creatures protected within. Sometimes these animals, or birds, are new to us or they may be familiar. They may be exotic or they may reside a little closer to home. They could even have been popularised by television advertisements (Meerkats, I'm looking at you).  

On this day I visited Paignton zoo, the weather was not on my side. What little sun there was was high, the air was cold and wet. Rain persisted through the day with short yet harsh showers. As such many of the animals, understandably, remained hidden in the comforts of their own beds. 

There were a small few who were out and about and of who I strained to capture digitally. I look forward to revisiting the zoo with more inviting weather where hopefully its residents will be more accommodating. 

Through the foliage, Here I see

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300m, 1/80s @ f5.6, ISO 4000

Slim Pickings

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/1250s @ f5.6, ISO 4000

Basking in the sun lamp

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 98mm, 1/640s @ f4, ISO 2000

There's Something in the Water...

D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 70mm, 1/400s @ f4, ISO 1600

 My Little Friend

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/250s @ f5.6, ISO 5000

Keeping a Close Eye

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300mm @ 300mm, 1/250s @ f5.6, ISO 5000

The Last Shots of 2013

Time out with some of my family in recent days to view a village in Cornwall famed for its Christmas light did not it seem reap too many images of decent quality. Hey Ho. Even so I did capture a small handful I thought were suitable to share.

The Village of Mouse Hole (seemingly pronounced Mousall) annually displays Christmas lights in and around its harbour walls. On this occasion the tide was thankfully out and so I managed to descend to the small crescent-shaped beach where numerous row boats had been grounded.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 35mm, 1/10s @ f1.8, ISO 800

Unfortunate that it is, dogs are frequently not allowed into shops (unless of course they give guidance). As such I often found myself standing out in the not-too-cold post-Christmas drizzle with Rolo, one small black and tan Border Terrier who has selective hearing, attention deficit disorder and a good hand in being cute. 

Standing outside one particular shop I decided in pass the time with a touch of abstract photography.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 35mm, 1/15s @ f1.8, ISO 800

Near to my home, there is a picturesque chapel with a large cemetery. With the early morning sun painting the chapel and the headstones with light, I took my camera over to see what I could get. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 35mm, 1/500s @ f8, ISO 400

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 - 85mm @ 68mm, 1/320s @ f6.3, ISO 400

And so finishes 2013. I look forward to 2014, I think it will be a good year (undoubtedly with a few ups and downs). Everyone faces changes and I'm no exception. I plan to travel more as of 2014 and spend more time and energy pursuing my own passions and interests (not to mention quality time with my family). 

Happy New Year to all and may your dreams come true.

Shades of Grey: Part Three

While the term "the other day" can be used in reference to anywhere within the last 18 months, in this instance I do actually mean in the last two or three days. I had been wondering where I could go on my day off (precious and few that they are) and was suggested to try a place called Dodman's Point south of St Austell, Cornwall.

So I did. I drove there, without my Sat Nav on this occasion as I'd lent it to a work colleague, parked and went wandering.

Gorran haven is a quaint, little fishing village with a private, working harbour. When I arrived the tide was out and families were out on the harbours' sandy beach and harbour wall. A collie dog was chasing a toy across the sand and returning it up the harbour wall steps to where an elderly woman and a young girl sat. Elsewhere on the wall an old couple walked towards me.

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 @ 210mm, 1/50s @ f10, ISO 100

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70 - 300 @ 70mm, 1/40s @ f10, ISO 100

Walking towards the wall I spotted a couple of fishing boats sitting at the bottom of the stone steps. There were a couple of guys working on them, but this was the best image and sadly does not include them. You can see the collie racing from the lower stone step though. 

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70 - 300 @ 125mm, 1/15s @ f10, ISO 100

Standing atop the harbour's stone wall, I looked around and found a family down on the beach, one of the children playing in the surf.

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70 - 300 @ 70 mm, 1/400s @ f5.6, ISO 125

Leaving the harbour for the Coastal Path, the sun was slowly on its way down but I still had time. There was little of interest for a good part of the way until I came upon a large white mushroom. Continuing on towards the next beach there was a pole fisherman standing out on the rocks. At the end of the path before the next beach I saw the headland opposite with a bank of fog shrouding the top. The low sun was partially hidden by cloud cover and it looked spectacular. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 -85 @ 85mm, 1/80s @ f8, ISO 125

Nikon D7000, Tamron 70 - 300 @ 220mm, f16, ISO 125

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 - 85 @ 16mm, 1/40s @ f10 ISO 125

After a while I'd returned to Gorran Haven through the harbour and found the tide had come in. The same two fisher boats, moored to the wall now floated (obviously) over where they previously sat in the sand. Every one seemed to have gone in with the cold weather and so I headed back to the car and drove home. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 - 85 @ 35mm, 1/8s @ f8, ISO 125

However on my way back the setting sun offered some attractive opportunities, so pulling up in a lay by I strolled over towards some small farm buildings. On the way I stumbled and nearly crashed into a spider's web. In the end, I switched my settings back to colour for the warmth of the setting sun. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 - 85 @ 85mm, 1/13s @ f11, ISO 125

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 - 85 @ 85mm, 1/80s @ f16, ISO 125

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16 - 85 @ 16mm, 1/40s @ f7.1, ISO 125

Shades of Grey: Part Two

Since capturing the violinist in the subway I progressed through the year utilising monochrome as and when I felt it was appropriate. Usually this was when there was a higher level of contrast in the scene and no real colour to speak of. Or if I was out doing some sort of street photography; my general preference for shooting people being in monochrome.

There have been occasions where I’ve walked into my workplace (out of hours of course) to see what images I could capture in their. On one particular day I’d gone in and found there wasn’t a great deal happening which was unusual for this kitchen. It was more or less quiet, people weren’t in a mad haste to get ready for that evening’s service, all in all it was rather calm.

I’d entered through the side entrance, to my left was the kitchen porters area where all the pots plates and dishes were washed. Nothing was happening there, certainly nothing visually interesting. However after a moment of attuning to the new environment, I saw movement through the hole in the wall directly in front of me. Looking past the metal shelving that stood on the other side of the wall I saw saucepans stacked up stock pans boiling away with the kitchen’s sous chef in the distance busying himself with something on the far table. 

I'd already increased my ISO after testing the light levels once I'd come inside. Wanting to take the shot quickly I stepped towards the hole in the wall and drew the viewfinder to my eye. Making a quick composure, I thumbed the dial to adjust for exposure. Using the nearby pans as my focal point I fired the shutter, once, twice. 

A visually interesting image (for me) which continues to intrigue me. 

Nikon D3100, Nikkor 18-55mm @ 32mm, 1/200s @ f4.8, ISO 1600

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Walking the southern Cornish Coastal Path past Nare Head, I happened upon a small sheltered cove known as Kiberick Cove. I deviated from the path and ambled down the relatively steep grassy slope, hesitating in parts as I negotiated mud and gravel slides. 

The tide was out and I saw that Kiberick Cove doesn't have a beach (not even a pebble beach) but rather a ton of large rocks and boulders, most of which are covered in slimy seaweed (making it treacherous under foot). I scrambled across a few rocks to see what was around. I'd guessed most (if not all by the looks of things) of the marine life had been washed out with the tide. As per usual the sun had barely shown it's face and the day was instead marred with the drama of a coming storm (at least there was definition in the sky). 

As I looked out to sea I saw Gull Rock nestled on the horizon and I knew I wanted that as the background to a shot. I made my way towards the waterfront, struggling as I went against the seaweed and sometimes precariously balanced rocks that seemed so stable before putting my weight on them. Movement caught my eye in the last moments of my foot descending for a purchase and I halted suddenly. A small crab, half the size of my palm, had darted out from under a rock and had stopped just where I was about to land. It was all I could do to not crush the little blighter under my weight. 

As I regained my balance and footing, I wanted to capture (digitally) my new companion but before I could even turn my camera on he'd scarpered back under a rock. 

I continued on, a little more cautious with my footfalls now, and finally came to a sandy area on the waterfront. Ahead of me sat a trio of lichen covered rocks. The sky was sullen as I composed my shot and it was the influencing factor in changing from colour to monochrome. 

Click,

Nikon D3100, Nikkor 18-55mm @ 18mm, 1/60s @ f16, ISO 100

For me this image became a turning point in my photography. I had raised my own bar and I was no longer content to take mediocre shots. I became more selective in editing through my images (never before had my delete button seen so much use).

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