Picking Apples

The fall months of October and November have come and gone without my one desire being met of capturing the Milky Way during one of the new moons during those months. I’m beginning to realize that I must, indeed, plan in detail and in advance to get local shots (i.e., in Rhode Island) with local foreground objects (like light houses) in these Milky Way dreams.

I had tried to substitute for the above lack of opportunities by getting to know my State of Rhode Island better. I chose the northern part of the State since it is one I do not know and one which has remained somewhat resistant to modern changes. This part of Rhode Island is definitely historical and has beautiful rolling country sides of farms and orchards, with small villages and quaint farmhouses. There are many apple orchards and this currently posted shot of a farmhouse sits among one of these orchards.

The shot was taken on a windy, coolish fall day in the afternoon with the low angled sun behind me. The house was situated on one of the corners of a “busy” intersection. There definitely was not much traffic, but it still required being aware and off the road when traffic did show up. I parked at an apple orchard barn and asked the person there if I could park and shoot around the area (not going on the property, but simply shooting from the roadside). He stated there would be no problem. I had taken several hand held shots, but decided I’d like to use my tripod to make use of some of my neutral density filters  to diminish the bright light of the angled sun. Before I could fully extend my tripod legs, the gentleman who previously agreed to let me shoot freely, now stated he did not want me shooting with my tripod because the owner of the house I was shooting might not like it (the owner was not on good terms with the gentleman with whom I was talking). I stated I understood, packed up my gear and moved on.

What the above experience has reinforced in me is that shooting photography is like picking apples. There are apples which you are allowed to pick and there are apple which the grower does not want you to pick. Furthermore, in the wider scope of photography, we have to pick and choose what apples to pick to make the best pie (aka photograph).

The above photo was taken with a Canon 5 DS, EF24-105mm @ 45mm,  f/4L IS USM lens, f/10, 1/250″, 160 ISO, using DxO Optics Pro 11 in post processing, in addition to Adobe Camera Raw, PS CC (2018), a gradient map and Nik Color Efex Pro.

Staying in Shape

A few days ago I had a most frustrating experience photographically, one which I have not had in many decades—I could not record the shot(s) onto my CF Card (it was full).

The last time this ever happened to me was when I was shooting with actual photographic film (Kodak)—I had none in the camera.

The circumstances were thus: I had been hoping to get photos of the New England Patriots Plane taking off with the team on it to one of their games. I live very near T.F.Green Airport which is where the Patriots Plane is stored and from which the team departs to away games.

As luck would have it I was driving by the airport and noticed the plane loading with gear and players. I hurried home to get my camera and arrive at a City park right next to the airport which had a vantage point (not an optimal one, but acceptable for when the plane actually immediately lifts off) where I could shoot unimpeded. I was elated. But drawbacks were: it was cold with a northwest wind chill making it below freezing, and I was shooting into the setting sun.

Nonetheless, I figured that when the plane became airborne I would get some great clean shots. I was imposition and freezing (with numb fingers), the plane was lifting off a few yards from me, and the camera suddenly became unresponsive. All I could do is watch the Patriots plane fly beautifully off into the sunset without my glorious captured photographs of it.

My CF Card was full. I knew I had many photos on the card but was remiss in not deleting them.

The lesson I learned is you can not forget the basics of being prepared for the circumstances of shooting fleeting moments. Whether it’s weather, gear, knowing the circumstances, or things as lens cleaners, batteries, recording media, whatever. Attention to details means everything.

The posted photo is of  Sakonnet Point Lighthouse, RI, on a blustery day in November, 2016, where again I was not prepared, since because of the wind, I was not able to get as many clear photos due to camera shake. I was on a tripod and about 1.5 feet off the ground but nonetheless, I was not prepared. The photo was taken with a Canon 5 DS, EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens @ 185mm, f22,1/80″, -0/67, ISO100, post processing with DxO Optics Pro 11, Adobe Camera Raw, using a gradient map in Photoshop, and Nik Color Efex Pro.