Tag: Night Photography

Because the Night.

Long Exposures, Night Photography, Uncategorized

There are times when the only thing I can do to escape my thoughts is to head outside and take pictures of the evolving night. Aside from a concerned look from my wife and her assuring I bring my cell phone. I can head out without a thought. With minimal traffic speeding past my condo. Capturing a notable shot can be tricky. The key, however, is to find the light in the darkness. To find the light and the matching elements of darkness to surround and create the proper contrast to surround it. On this particular night. I didn’t have the energy to walk down to the main drag where the automobiles frequent and the train station sits. Luckily, that light I was searching for, lay just outside my door.

Cold Nights, Cool Lights.

Anecdote, Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

As Winter rolls in. The nights are coming earlier, while the temperatures are dropping like flies. With the arrival of freezing cold weather. It’s getting harder and harder to convince myself to bundle up in layers that once applied, have taken away most of the energy needed for such outings. However, last week, with my wife visiting family in Tokyo and the temperature at a steady 36 degrees. I left home twice with camera, tripod and a few other essentials to have a little fun on the dark, cold evening. When evaluating those moments. Armed with a sense of confidence that I packed everything I would need and the patience I often lack to properly set up the shot I wanted to capture by closely following certain rules regarding photographing under more challenging circumstances. I returned home knowing I achieved my goal without the burden of second guessing.

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

The Unintentional Power of Words.

Finding your Zen, Happiness, Long Exposures, Night Photography

In a recent exchange with a long time friend. The words “I just want to be happy.”impacted me more than anything they had said during our long, often embattled, friendship. Those five words summed up the ultimate goal we should all reach for. For me personally, creativity and, to be more specific, photography are integral in being, and remaining happy. As photography has gone from a hobby to a job, and back to a hobby. I still hope to learn and grow. While I no longer think of things in terms of competition or being the best. (Believe me. I never came remotely close.) I hope to achieve things that never seemed possible. In the end, photography is one of the most important keys to my happiness.

Light Trails

Dramatic Lighting, Finding your Zen, Long Exposures, Night Photography

As the weather gets warmer I hope to further explore my love for night photography, long exposure and the endless search for light. The image below was taken on Dolly Madison Blvd. at around 8:30 pm. There wasn’t nearly enough back and fourth traffic, but I really enjoyed the moment and the lights coming from the buildings across the blvd. I’m quickly learning that I enjoy things when I’m not worried about mistakes.

Because the Night.

Finding your Zen, Location Shooting, Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

Before returning home the other night, we stopped about a block from Dolly Madison Blvd. to capture the light coming off the buildings across the way. Throughout the freezing winter, I’ve collected countless ideas and places where I’d like to experiment with night photography and long exposures. With the warmth of Spring upon us and my wife’s willingness to stand idle, I was left to my own devices.

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.

Remotely Speaking

Canon lenses and equipment, Dramatic Lighting, Long Exposures, Night Photography, Street Photography

When we headed out today, I made sure to bring my camera, tripod and recently surfaced remote. Knowing that running errands has become an all day thing for us. I knew that by the time we arrived home, it would be dark. Me being somewhat obsessed with night time photography and how beautiful capturing the available light in the night sky can be. I asked my wife to stop a few feet from the garage and let me do my thing. Both shots were taken at f22 on a 30″ timer. The top image was taken with a 200 ISO.The second (or bottom) image was shot at 100 ISO.

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.