Nikon CLS Trial

I'm trying out my Nikon D200 with SB-800, SB-600 using the Creative Lighting System (CLS.) Here's the setup in my family room. Tripod is nearest; I didn't have a model, so I used the 10-second self-timer. I wanted some depth in the self-portraits so I had the D200's popup flash in commander mode with the setting "---", supposedly not contributing light to the exposure, but I think that it does. Had the SB-800 on the umbrella, channel 3, group A. SB-600 is behind, group B, channel 3.

What's on my head?

The above picture had the SB-800 into the umbrella set at -2.3; the rear flash was -3. Use a Nikon AF-D 28-105mm lens at 62mm, 1/60 sec at f/4.2. Auto white balance; ISO 100.

OldTown Trapper

OldTown Trapper, 15', about 45 pounds. Best $300 my wife ever spent at a yardsale.

Wrote to OldTown giving them the serial number. They sent me a copy of the building/shipping receipt: Shipped August 8, 1966, to Miller Boat Sales, 408 No. Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, Penna. 15' Featherweight. DACRON, not canvas; design #46.

Had an Amishman near New Wilmington re-cane the aft seat. Only charged me $30.

The Eagle has landed!

A friend told me about the eagle and nest near our house. Found it and visited it a couple times. This morning, after about an hour's wait, at about 7am, I saw an adult eagle on a branch next to the nest. The picture above is a normal view of the nest -- which is in a tree with the back line of pine trees. Taken with 35-70 AF zoom at 48mm.

The image below was taken with a Tokina 300mm MF F/2.8 lens with Tamron 2x teleconverter. Wide open, 1/1000 sec., ISO-800, spot metered on the bird, aperture priority. Adjusted in Photoshop Elements 4.

Hell's Hollow

Went to McConnell's Mill State Park and Hell's Hollow with some students. The falls in the hollow were tough to photograph because of sunlight on the falls -- high contrast, but this little ripple was a gem. I have to go back and spend some more time there.

Data: D300, Nikon 35-70mm AF f/2.8 lens @ 58mm, 1/6 sec. @ F/22. Manual mode; this was about 3/4 stop under. Matrix metering.

Refueling off the cost of Virginia

One of the cooler things that I had the opportunity to do: spent an afternoon flying from Pittsburgh in an Air National Guard refueler to refuel another plan off the coast of Virginia. Rode in the cockpit; took multituninous amounts of pictures. Cool! June 27, 2007.

Note left that we're close enough to see the pilots in the other plans. Note also the shadow of the boom.

In the cockpit, they gave us a headset and let us listen in on the conversation.

Cloudy Pittsburgh

Went to church in Pittsburgh today, and on the way I snapped this shot of downtown from the Jones Overlook on Mount Washington.

D200, Nikon 18-70 AF-S lens @29mm, 1/125 sec. @ F/5.6, ISO-100. Levels, Shadows/highlights, contrast adjusted in PSE4.

Brunswick -- Cavaliere

Downtown Brunswick: the wife is shopping. I'm wandering around. Sweet "Cavaliere" in front of a restaurant. The server told me it was for sale -- the guy living upstairs owns it. Looks like an Austin Healey to me, but I couldn't find that label on it. Sweet, though! Didn't ask the price.

Both shots: D200, Nikon AF-D 85mm f/1.8 lens, 1/160 sec @ F/6.3, ISO-100.

Brunswick Docks -- Shrimpboats

Gerri decided to sleep in a bit, giving me a chance to do some shooting on my own. The sky was overcast -- which is good for shooting -- but it was sprinkling off and on. It was a bit cool even for January in Georgia.

The dock there with the commercial boats is not that large, and, generally, didn't seem too prosperous. But, I'm a poor judge; I'm not even sure if they are shrimpboats as I've called them.

Interesting docking of the boats there. How do you get out if you're on the inside?

Nikon D200, ISO-100, Nikon 18-70 AF-S lens @ 35mm, 1/320 sec @ F/9, according to the EXIF data. Photoshop Elements 4 (PSE4): adjusted levels, used shadow/highlights, and adjusted brightness & contrast.

Brunswick Docks -- The First Mate

I wasn't about to "board ship!" In fact, I wasn't even going to get out of the car! The "First Mate" was on watch -- his bark and watchful eye were enough to give me pause. I drove down the docks, considering a drive-by "shooting," and checking out the other shrimpboats. (Nikon D200, Nikon 70-300 AF VR @ 122mm, 1/250 sec @ F/8)

I came back later. Aye, the Captain was there now, and I asked him about the dog. "Is he friendly?" I inquired. "Sure, HE is, but all his brothers and sisters were mean!" the Captain replied.

I asked if I could take a shot of the two of them and they complied, athough I used the same lens and kept my distance! They were a friendly pair. "Crew" picture, same body and lens, 1/160 sec @F/6.3.

One more shot of the "First Mate":

Woah! Welcome!

I had stopped to take a picture of this seemingly ancient,frail little church. I had only snapped a few shots when an old car pulled up. The older black woman in the car asked what we were doing. "Just taking pictures," I said. "Well, we've had troubles with vandals and thieves in this church," she advised us. We talked a bit -- she was a woman of considerable standing in the church. "Perhaps a donation to the church would be appropriate," I suggested. The storm clouds lifted and we were invited in for a full tour!

Needwood Baptist Church, Georgia

Hey, the picture, no one liked -- not my wife or the camera club to which I submitted during the night's competition theme, "Churches, Inside or Out." I like it. It was an attractive little church in the countryside of Georgia near Brunswick, Needwood Baptist. Took the pic with my Nikon D200, Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF lens, 1/250 sec @ f/8. The sky was boring, though, so I goosed up the saturation in PE4 and applied the Fresco filter. I thought of straightening it out, but I like it better this way.

Neewood Baptist Church, early African-American vernacular architecture.