Photographic meanderings

Enjoy!

Last night my friend and mentor Chris Loberg and I decided to head out to the meadows for some possible moonbow shots of Yosemite Falls. Our meanderings lead us back eventually to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, just in time to capture this and other images of one of the strongest moonbows I’ve ever seen. While I could not see this much color with my own eyes, for the first time ever I did see some color in the prominent bow arching across the bottom of the falls.

Nice, polite bunch of visitors crowded there, too, cheerfully making room for us latecomers.

Breezes were warm, and spray was at a minimum. “…And fun was had by all.”

Lake Tenaya from the west end shore. 4 image pano stitched with DoubleTake software. Enjoy.

One of the challenges of my new camera is learning to photograph with a new focal length. The lens I have now is a Tamron 28-80mm, and my little Olympus C7645 had a really good zoom lens. I find myself frustrated at the zoom capability of my camera.

I went to Olmsted Point on Saturday night with the intention of re-photographing this shot; As I tried to get the shot composed, I realised I was not going to be able to zoom in close enough. Frustration blossomed and then bore strange fruit.

I noticed the woman standing next to me had a Canon as well, and before I could stop myself I blurted out “You wouldn’t happen to have a long lens I could borrow, would you?”

I didn’t even have time to be mortified at my temerity. “How long do you need?” was her immediate response. I told her what I was using and what I wanted to do, and she offered her Sigma 28-300. I handed her my lens and put the Sigma on my camera. I looked through the viewfinder and almost squeee’d with delight. This was EXACTLY what I needed.

I introduced myself at one point, and she told me her name was Jennifer, and that she knew my work! She reads Yosemiteblog.com, and apparently reads LittleRedTent.net as well

So Jennifer, pick a picture or two, or at least send me your snailmail address; I need to send you your lens cover at the least.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust and generosity.

Message to Jennifer: I have your lens cap! Contact me with your address and I’ll send it to you.

Over the dunes it crept…

Chemical erosion formed this arch in the Alabama hills, Eastern Sierra Nevada, CA.

Was browsing some of my archives tonight and ran across some images from the Ancient Bristlecone forest. I look forward to going back there this summer!

Enjoy.

(With thanks to Brodiaea for allowing blogging!)

Vignetting is one of those things that either is loved or hated, it seems. Personally I like it, it tends to frame an image nicely. Of course tastes differ, and some folks see it as a flaw or a distraction.

In this image, the dark upper corners follow the curves of Half Dome nicely, and the bottom has weight. I find my eyes drawn into the picture because of the use of vignetting.

Dan Mitchell seems to be one of my online mentors; He often drops gems of information at the right time. My recent infatuation with night photography has had to be put on hold while I wait for the skies to clear, and low and behold Dan puts up one heck of a resource on his blog!

Night Photography Blog is written by Andy Frazer, who has also produced a lovely short film about night photographers; Night of the Living Photographers

Dan, thanks for the heads up! Andy, I’ve added you to my list of blogs for daily reading. I’ll be adding you to my onsite blogroll shortly!

Now if these clouds would clear up enough for me to do some night shooting!