Getting Creative

I took some images on Sunday that are somewhat unique but seem to contain artistic value. I hope you find pleasure in viewing them. Here is what I did.

I was in the passenger seat of a vehicle with my Canon 5D and was thinking about how I could make an overcast day exciting. I have done a hundred shots from my car, but they all have looked the same. You have a road with streaking lines and maybe some lights from cars in the image. A pretty typical shot. Well, I mixed things up a little by panning horizontally with objects alongside the road. Slowing the shutter enough to capture motion, but just short enough to contain some sort of sharpnes. I really enjoy the emotion of these images and I hope they stimulate some sort response from you too.

I am off to Kansas City with my buddy William now. I have some real cool ideas that will hopfully turn out how I imagine them. I believe we will be hitting the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, but probably won’t even go inside. The architecture around the museum is outstanding! I highly recommend a visit there. I am thinking we will have to get under some lit up buildings and shoot the lights at night. Be ready for some HDR madness!!! 

MT

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NEW CAMERA: Canon 5D

 

Well, the time finally came for me to upgrade. Tonight I entered into the full frame sensor group of photographers. I bought the Canon 5D 12 megapixel DSLR. To go along with the stellar camera I bought a Canon 17-40mm L-series lens to along with it. This is a huge upgrade from my Canon 30D(still love thta camera too). Not only is the 5D more megapixels, the pixels themselves are bigger. Now for those that don’t understand what that means: it basically means better image quality. This better image quality will especially be shown when photographing in low light situations. For a landscape photographer that shoots mostly in low light, this is very important. I am excited to get this thing out on some longer expeditions than what I could tonight. Ahh tonight…thats a funny story in itself.

Well, to make a long story short I ended up driving around searching for the FedEx man who wouldn’t drop off the camera without a signature. Since I was in class and my landlord was out of the office, the package gets put back in the truck to be jostled for another day. Well we couldn’t have that! So back and forth I went, getting one place only to be told to go somewhere else. Finally I got “John the FedEx Man’s” phone number and met him in a Casey’s gas station for the drop off. 🙂 I drove sixty miles to pick up my camera 8 miles from my apartment. The sacrifices we make in the name of photography.

I uploaded a few pics from tonights expedition, including my first image with the 5D. Not alot I could do tonight considering it was dark, windy, and literally ZERO degrees. My fingers are still burning and tingling as I type this. Hope you enjoy and I will post more later.

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A Cold Day

Well I must confess that I could be out taking photos in the cold right now, but instead I am inside in the warmth and comfort. I blame my laziness partially due to some sort of infection in my head that is causing severe pressure and headaches. SO…I go back on some previously skipped images and edit them or upload them.

Here is an image from Lions Lake, here in Warrensburg. Perhaps it looks familiar to some. I have many decent images from the little snow we got before Christmas and decided that it fit the mood of cold and dreary I am feeling now. Hope you enjoy.

MT

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Turmoil on the Horizon

Taking photos of landscapes combined with unique cloud formations is something I feel I live for. When I stood out in this field, I was almost jumping with glee. I was in the right spot at the right time. I had the elements(lone tree, water, clouds, and field) to come away with some excellent images. Using a tripod and my Canon 30D, I bracketed each composition. Having the ability to take your hands off the camera and observe from different angles is crucial to my success. Many times I turn my head and look away from the sun and realize, the best shot is behind me. Having the most maneuverablity possible is very important.

I shot this at a friends farm just south of Warrensburg. I embrace the fact that exquisite photos can be taken out almost anyones back door. I have posted numerous shots on my flickr site from last nights trip. Please look at those as well. You can find a link to my flickr at the bottom right of this page.

MT

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Evening Convergence

Finding a calm palce to stand in the water, I set my tripod and began capturing the convergence of lines and colors.

As the sun sets the colors begin to transform, blend, and create a serene scene.

MT

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Hasty Photo Trip

After working all day, I was ready to get in a few images before the end of daylight. Heading down to the lake, I saw numerous opportunities for image capture. Always one for a good reflection, I used varying angles to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing image. I hope you enjoy.

Oh yea, as I was making this image a Bald Eagle flew over so close that I could hear its wings flapping through the air. Awesome.

MT

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Entering a World of Sepia

Having not posted in awhile, I figured it was time for some new stuff. Something maybe out of the ordinary. I have enclosed a collection of examples of my new favorite digital post processing technique: sepia.

The use of sepia has become more of a genre idea instead of the commonality it use to serve. Many say that sepia gives photos a sense of elegance or artistic quality. I found one website that regarded sepia as the tonality that makes everyday scenes into art. Well, I am all about taking ordinary scenes and turning them into art. I do go a step further and capture scenes that are common, but not ordinary. They are not ordinary because most people do not take the time to see them.

I hope you enjoy these images. I usually shy away from  extensive photo post processing, but I feel that I was not excessive. In order to enjoy some artwork, you must first put aside preconcieved ideas on how something should look.

MT

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I am a Better Photographer

A unique and awesome experience came before me tonight. I truly believe I left the woods tonight, a better photographer. Let me explain why.

I began the afternoon with fairly high hopes, but little did I know the evening would be as great as it was. The sky was very unpredictable, with variety of weather. It was windy and rainy, and then just windy. Then the sun would peak out for a minute and everything would come ablaze with radiant energy. I scrambled from one spot to another as if I were a squirrel harvesting nuts. The thing I soon realized was that I was becoming free of obstacles. Everywhere I looked, was a fascinating scene. One way was direct sunlight with vivid clouds, I turn the other way there is a perfect semi-circular rainbow. It was splendid! I took images with ease. I was not intimidated by the beauty. A confession I must make now is; I often feel unworthy or not cut out for the job of capturing the magnificent scenes I witness. Not tonight. I became comfortable with my camera and lens. I used filters without hesitation or confusion. I composed with surprising speed. I am not sure what happened tonight. All I know is that I have never felt so comfortable with capturing nature. Yes, I am always at home when in the outdoors, but tonight I felt confident. I wanted to scream with happiness! I knew before looking at my LCD that I had indeed captured my vision. A compelling phenomena. I absolutely believe I learned more tonight about myself and my equipment than any other journey before today. A bold statement that only my future images can attest to. I have chosen three photos that I feel tell the story of my evening. Maybe some other night, I will go into detail about the actual journey I went on tonight. I leave by saying that God has blessed me with the most magnificent blessing. That blessing is sight. An overpowering and remarkable sense, that is dominant over the other senses the human body possesses.

On my knees behind my tripod and camera, I prayed a prayer of thanks. The shutter closed, my eyes opened, and I blew a kiss goodnight to the glory before me.

 

MT

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Catching Up

I apologize for the delay in output of images. I have had a busy and at times stressful weekend and therefore had to prioritize. I now will upload a few images that were taken this weekend. The colors are great and the weather was great, no need to say more.

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Speeding On

Life goes whizzing by,

I am afraid I can’t comply.

The road is seen,

but is it known?

I will find the end,

It is only a matter of when.

MT

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