Category: Manual Mode

The Early Bird Captures the Shot.

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Color, Dramatic Lighting, Finding your Zen, Landscape Photography, Location Shooting, Long Exposures, Manual Mode, Night Photography, Street Photography

During a recent exchange with a fellow early riser. We shared our appreciation for the pre-dawn moments when one can appreciate a sense of solitude, while enjoying that quickly diminishing moment, when the air feels fresh, as it entices your senses. Whether it was coming home from a night of debauchery or leaving your home for that long commute. Whatever the reason. These moments are to be cherished. Below is a capture taken during my now daily morning walk.

March 1st, 5:50 am Canon R6 Mark II RF 24-105 F4 30.0 f22 ISO 200

Abstract Moments

abstract, Art, Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Dramatic Lighting, Manual Mode

Working from home is one way of closing yourself off from social interaction. Enduring a dark, rainy day ensures I won’t be going very far. However, today’s combination of both did little to extinguish my desire to attempt anything remotely creative. Thankfully, the rain left its impression on our living space. As drops of rain collected on our windows and doors. Enough to make for a pretty cool idea. In working on using light, shadow, and other aspects to achieve my future goals of using natural light to create mood in my portraits. I find that experimenting with various elements will benefit me in the end.

Haunted House

Manual Mode, Roadside Attractions

After enjoying some Dim Sum in Hanover, we took a short cut through Laurel to avoid a long thread of highway traffic. As we were driving alongside Brock Bridge Correctional Facility. We came across some abandoned houses that warranted further exploration. With my history of trespassing, the “Let’s keep it safe.” motto of my wife, and my recent binge watching of “Stranger Things.” I decided to take a few shots without getting too close to the creaky house. Better safe than…

Composition

Art, Industrial Photography, Manual Mode, Sculpture, Street Photography

Below is an image I took outside our condo. As a born and bred New Yorker, I immediately thought of the cities countless bike racks. Having never seen a bike locked to it. I’ll assume it’s a sculpture. With some serious down time, I feel my immediate surroundings are providing little inspiration. With time on my hands and an itch to get out there and shoot. I’ve decided to take some steps to get back to the basics of focusing and composing. Here’s to the weekend.

Just for Fun

Finding your Zen, Happiness, Long Exposures, Manual Mode, Mental Health, Street Photography

Now that the temperature is rising. I’m looking forward to visiting the many places I’ve mapped out to take pictures. For now, though. I’m staying close and shooting what I can. In my prior post, I went out a bit too late to catch the rush hour traffic that passes our building each night. It’s been a while since I’ve delved into long exposures and night scapes. I’m looking forward to the days, weeks, and months to put those ideas to work.

Warmer Nights are Coming

Finding your Zen, Long Exposures, Manual Mode, Night Photography, Street Photography

Last night was the first in recent memory when snow didn’t blanket the earth and, the temperatures raised above freezing. Not that I don’t care for an arctic climate. It’s just that long exposures require a bit of waiting. Something I find difficult when every inch of my body is trembling and my fingertips are giving the rest of me dirty looks. Though I might have picked a bad time and place to capture the lights of passing vehicles, it felt good to step out and capture some long exposures.

Temperatures drop

Long Exposures, Manual Mode, Night Photography, Street Photography

Before heading out into the 28 degree night. I put on enough layers to keep me from freezing to death. Here’s a shot I took before wising up and thinking that, in a few months, I’ll be wearings shorts and a short sleeve t-shirt. Until then.


ISO 200 F/29 49.0 seconds

With a Little Planning

Commentary, Humor, Manual Mode, Snowpocalypse

Having a child like enthusiasm for things hasn’t always rewarded me as an adult. In all honesty, it gets me into trouble more times than not. As I’ve mentioned in the past, there are many things that raise the eye and perhaps, make me jump off the cliff before bothering to see what’s waiting below. For example, when I went to the gym today, I was able to see what you’re seeing in this photo. After just a few leg presses, I quickly headed back to my apartment to grab my camera. As I pushed the door of the community room open. I realized that, not only was I still dressed for the gym, but my walker lacked snow tires. After almost falling on my ass. I fired off a few shots before struggling to get myself back in the building. Lesson learned or put it on repeat?

Closer to Home

Long Exposures, Manual Mode, Night Photography

As we returned home from Baltimore, I asked my wife to stop the car just a few feet before entering the garage. If I wasn’t going to ask that she indulge me in another photography detour. I might convince her to stop for just a moment for me to try to capture a moment that I’ve been talking about more and more over the last couple of weeks. Knowing that we were just a few feet from our destination and being somewhat overcome by an enthusiasm equal to that of a just adopted dog on a ride back to his/her new home. She agreed and even left the car to see what all the hub bub was all about. As someone who has become obsessed with night photography and long shutter releases. The walkway that takes you from the front of our condo to the back was all the inspiration I would need.

Photographic Minimalism

Industrial Photography, Manual Mode, Street Photography

When thinking of photography and whatever approach I might decide to take in the near future. Much like life itself, I can’t help but think of minimalism. What that actually means? I’m not sure, but living out of a suitcase over the past months with a single camera body and a 50 millimeter lens has been difficult yet educating. Moving to Arlington, I’ve found a renewed interest in photography and documenting my new surroundings. With my newfound interest has come a desire to approach each picture with a new sense of purpose and focus. Asking myself, what attracted me to this image and what message, if any, do I wish to convey? As much as I’ve alway been to telephone lines and cell phone towers. I can’t help but think, with all these connections and gigabytes, we seem to be communicating less. Sure, we talk a lot. But, are we listening?