INSPIRATION: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

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IN THE FIELD: Not Your Ordinary…

Last Thursday I was out shopping in one of the local stores in the area and discovered these brightly colored objects. I have never seen these ordinary, utilitarian, useful, and handy items in such vibrant colors. They brought a smile to my face and I had to get a photo. This shot was taken with my iPhone.

 

IN THE FIELD: Best To Reset

Digital cameras are so sophisticated and full of technology it can be hard to keep track of the multitude of settings available to create a good photograph. Especially since every situation or outing is different. So how does one obtain consistent results from day to day? Have no fear…there is an easy solution.

I have found the best way to insure predictable results is to reset my camera back to the settings I use the most, before I put the camera away for the night.

Here are a few examples of what I double-check after each photo shoot.

Exposure modes. I always shoot in full manual mode so that’s an easy one to keep track of. No need to fix that setting.

ISO is another setting I don’t change often since I primarily shoot outdoors. I normally have it set between 100 and 200. Occasionally I will shoot indoors and may need to bump up the ISO level if I’m not using a flash. This is the one setting that seems to elude my easy solution. I‘m not sure why, but it does. Bad David.

White Balance is another setting I double-check. Sometimes I’ll change it for different effects, but I always put it back to the cloudy setting. I like the warmth the cloudy setting provides.

Every so often I’ll use exposure compensation. This is another important selection to put back to zero after the day’s shoot. If not, every photo taken after will be either under or over exposed. Bummer.

There are times my on-camera flash will be put to use for a little fill light. I always check to be sure the output levels are reset to zero if they were changed…wouldn’t want to under or overexpose that next scene.

And then there are the focus modes. If I employ the use of manual focus, I double-check the camera and lens settings and change them back to auto focus.

By resetting the camera back to my most often used settings, I know that when I pick the camera up the next time, it’s ready to go…with no surprises.

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IN THE FIELD: New Discoveries

Now that we are pretty much settled into our new home, I’ve had a chance to get out and do a little exploring. My last post featured the view from our backyard at sunset on our first night, which showed a church steeple on the distant horizon. And yesterday, I found the church. Turns out the original church was built in early 1700’s and has gone through renovations and expansions over the last couple hundred years.

We now live closer to civilization where running errands is not an all day affair as it was in the past. And at the same time we are still in a rural area with plenty of elbow room. So I’m pretty sure I will be able to make many new discoveries in our new locale.

I can’t wait to see what’s out there!

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IN THE FIELD: The First Sunset

The big move to our new home a few days ago went smoothly and was mostly stress free. Rain was predicted for the morning but thankfully it never amounted to more than a drizzle.

On the first night, furniture was placed, beds were made, makeshift curtains were hung for a semblance of privacy, and other necessities of life were located and unpacked. Take out food was the dinner of choice…after a long day, I really didn’t feel like cooking. Besides…all the pots, pans, and utensils were still in boxes.

As the eventful day was coming to a close, we went outside for some fresh air and were treated to the first sunset at our new home. This one lasted quite a while and we were able to relax outside and enjoy it before heading inside to eat dinner.

This view is looking due west. In the lower right hand corner of the photo, the steeple of a church is visible. The bells in the tower chime the time of day every hour on the hour. After the time is announced, a few stanzas of the song of the day is then played. How cool is that!

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IN THE FIELD: Busy Busy Busy

Where’s David been ???  Well here goes…we have been getting ready for the “big move.” My wife and have built a new home. It is something we have talked about doing since we first met.

For the last year we have been renting a small house while our home was being built. During the last few weeks of October, we have been busy with settlement on the home, and moving all the stored items (80% of our belongings) to the new house. Additionally, we have been packing the remainder of our stuff, organizing various contractors jobs, shopping for necessities such as window treatments (we do have neighbors), a new refrigerator (have to keep food and beer cold), and new bed coverings (winter is on the way) along with other odds and ends.

I have even managed to free up some time and shoot 4237 photographs of the Autumn foliage all across the northeast part of the country.

Okay, so I didn’t shoot 4237 photographs of Autumn foliage. But I did manage to find a few minutes here and there to document the whole building process of the house and to photograph some classic cars and trucks. It feels odd not being out with my camera, but soon enough I’ll be out exploring our new territory and sharing what I find.

I do miss all of your stories and wonderful photos you include with them. My new office will be the perfect place to catch up and I look forward to seeing what all of you folks have been up to.

I would also like to thank you all for the likes and the follows…they are truly appreciated beyond words.

The final move is soon upon us….then we get to unpack.

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