A Frustrating Development

So the other day I took a gentle stroll to a cove near to home with my camera at sunset. I was set to creating some photos taking advantage of the colour and light of the setting sun. There were numerous scenes that I wanted so I methodically went about setting up my tripod, the hot shoe bubble level for my horizon and for each scene I adjusted and readjusted the compositions until I was happy. At this stage of each respective scene, I was now ready to attach a graduated and a standard filter and set my camera for some long exposures. 

After a few shots I would naturally check my capture on the rear screen and by and large I was pleased with them. It was only after I'd uploaded them to the laptop did I see the problem.

Review of my captured images showed that one of my filters (later determined to be my standard filters; 0.6 and 0.9 ND) had physical blemishes that well and truly showed up on the images.

Not a happy bunny. 

Despite my near-obsession to maintain and properly store my filters it seems that these two had somehow been overlooked and ended being scratched and pock marked. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 16mm, 0.8s @ f11, ISO 100

 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 22mm, 13.0s @ f22, ISO 100

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 16mm, 10.0s @ f4.5, ISO 100

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 16mm, 25.0s @ f5.0, ISO 100

The upshot is that I'm now looking to replace those standard filters and upgrade my landscape kit. So staying positive. 

Stover Nature Reserve

A day in the life of someone with time on their hands will see them travel to various places just to get out of the house. Stover Nature Park is near to my home, not a stones throw from Dartmoor National Park and is a fantastic conservation area with developed habitats for many different species. I tried shooting some of the wildlife but the quality of my long lens was failing me and so I focused on landscapes. 

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 16mm, 1/5s @ f10, ISO 125

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 16mm, 1/5s @ f10, ISO 125

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 16-85mm @ 16mm, 1/3s @ f10, ISO 125

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

Shades of Grey: Part One

Most of the time I shoot in colour, typically as landscape photography lends itself to showing the natural world in vivid Technicolour (wait, we've progressed past Technicolour... right?), however sometimes circumstances lend themselves better to monochrome.

We all complain about the weather, whether it be too hot or too cold, too dry or too wet. Usually if it's not ideal outside we'd all stay indoors. Certainly in terms of photography, grey overcast skies are arguably the worst (for me) as they offer poor light, little contrast, nothing of interest and will dull the colours of everything around you.

But this should not keep you (as a photographer) indoors. The weather is constantly changing, potentially offering new opportunities of light and scenery. Besides which, if the landscape is persistently uninspiring there are always other options. As a basic you could always look at improving whatever images you have captured in a post-production suite like 'Lightroom 4'. Personally I prefer to capture an image as close to perfect (bearing in mind there's always room for improvement) in-camera and so will minimise the editing of my images.

Alternatively you could either focus on macro photography and delve into another (smaller) world altogether. Or you can switch your camera settings to monochrome. Doing the latter will neutralise all colour (obviously) but will also stretch your creativity by limiting the palette you're working with.

Of course there are far more occasions to use monochrome than just bad weather. I will always switch to monochrome, for example, when I'm shooting street. My intention being to use texture, shape and pattern as the focus of those images rather than hoping a bright and vivid colour doesn't misdirect the attention of any viewers.

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In September last year, I was walking through the City of Truro; a lovely City which to me feels more spacious and calming than most other cities I've spent time in. On my way back to the car park via the Lemon Quay subway I found a busker playing in the shelter of the subway. Unusually though, while most buskers play the guitar this one was playing the violin (and well too to my ear, I even left a tip).

I had my camera with me, my D3100 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens, and I decided to perch myself at the opening to the subway, on the opposite side to the violinist. It was a bright day and the sun was blaring at the subway's opposite opening creating quite a bit of contrast, but more importantly (for me at the time) the busker was being back-lit by the natural light.

I was aiming for a silhouette shot with the busker as the main focus (although back then I couldn't have described my intention so succinctly as just). Being a busker I figured he wasn't going to move anywhere in a hurry and so I had time to stop and experiment. I began shooting, gradually extending my focal length. I found the 55mm focal length was perfect. Well maybe not perfect, as I did have to crop out some undesirables that were within my frame (like an abandoned shopping trolley). 

I didn't move position to circumvent such problems. I doubt I subconsciously wanted to avoid spooking the violinist by getting to close with a camera. More likely I was happy with my perch, bearing in mind foot traffic passing frequently by, and I knew I had a crop tool on my laptop.

Nikon D3100, Nikkor 18-55mm @ 55mm, 1/50s @ f5.6, ISO 200

I had taken multiple shots, each as a single shot rather than continuously firing, with different levels of exposure. I knew from the in-camera reviews it was the lesser exposed images that were more what I was after. Showing more of a contrast between the subway shadows and the brightness beyond. I even liked the reflected light from the puddled water down the one side. It added a texture to the image (I felt). After a while I figured I'd captured enough shots and moved on.

Once uploaded, I cropped the most favoured image, (removing the offending shopping trolley) slightly increased the contrast level to properly make it a silhouette, and then I was happy.

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