Moraine Lake, Canada -- June 2001

Nikon F4s, Nikkor 24mm f2.0, Kodak Royal Gold 200

Recent emails about travel photography reminded me how much I love travel photography myself. As you all know, family circumstances over the last few years dictated that Gail and I could not travel far from home. This picture was taken on our trip to Canada in 2001. It was our last trip out of the country, and it has already been almost 5 years ago. Fortunately, Gail and I have done some extensive traveling since the late 80's, and I've taken LOTS of pictures. I'll always have those pictures to jog the old memory. I'll need to scan some good ones to post here, but all in due time.

This is Moraine Lake, which is right next to Lake Louise. We decided to stay here for a few nights instead of at the busier and more touristy Lake Louise. This lake is frozen until late Spring/early Summer, so we actually delayed our trip until the Moraine Lake Lodge was open for the summer. Here, you can see that the lake was still half frozen (but melting fast). By the time we left, just days later, the lodge was getting ready to launch their canoe rental service for the summer. This trip was taken before digital cameras were practical, so I chose to carry my Nikon F4s with 3 manual focus prime lenses, 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm.

So I guess the bottom line is that I'm posting this picture to make a point. Just because the trend on FPCF has been towards discussions of photographic composition and design, doesn't mean that other forms of photography are not interesting to us. In fact, our discussions about composition and design principles are directly related to all types of photography, including travel photography. If one of us happens to go on a vacation somewhere, I fully expect our forum to be bombarded by marvelous pictures of interesting places. We just happen to be focusing our visions locally, because it's natural and convenient, and there are endless areas to explore in our own backyard.

In fact, I would say that "travel photography" is not so much a particular skill to learn, but I would submit that travel photography is merely an extension or continuation of your own photographic vision to where ever you happen to be at the time. In order to make good travel photos, you still need to meet the same criteria that you would need for any "genre":

1) A thorough knowledge of your equipment and medium
2) An understanding of composition and design
3) An understanding of lighting and exposure
4) An understanding of post-processing techniques and skills
5) A personal vision or "eye", or style, developed over time through practice, and trial and error

Thanks for reading.

--Warren

By Pat: PEPPER says "Kung Hei Fat Choy"

We need to agree on Feb.'s Project Theme

Hi Gang,

Following are the "holdover" themes and new ideas:

- Wintery Weather
- Self Portrait
- Spring
- Animals
- Love

I would like at least 2 or 3 people to participate, it's no fun to play alone, right? Let's wait for 2 or 3 people to agree on a theme.

Any new ideas?

Reflections (Jan. theme) was fun.

--Warren

By Eric: "The Haunted Barracks"

I was walking around the part of Crissy Field where the army barracks are located and I caught this barracks at an odd angle. The shadows are created by all of the supports under Doyle Drive. I was looking at this building and it was very interesting, but I didn't want to take the photo straight on. So, I took it at a rather odd angle. I took it w/my trusty new Sony DSCH1, the ISO was set at 100, the F-stop was 6.3, and the shutter speed was set at 500. I took it on 1/15/06 and the time was approximatley 230 p.m. When I showed my wife, Genie, she thought it was kind of creepy and I tend to agree with her. I didn't intend for this effect, but it came out that way.

I find that this new camera is giving me a rather valuable education in photography -and I don't have to wait for results or struggle looking at contact sheets. I am getting to know over and underexposure better. However, I think that in order to really practice looking at an object and knowing instinctively on what the shutter speed and f-stop should be requires a lot of practice on film equipment. This is truly a trick. I've only been able to do it a few times in the past. Like Warren said, it is very liberating.

Steve, if you see this, you and Warren have convinced me to upgrade my laptop and load on some photo editing software. At this time, it seems I am going to go for a Toshiba and check out the photo editing software you mentioned in the past. Thx for the assistance on this because I am not up on the types of photo editing software out there.

Later folx.

Ej

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

This is a photo from my archive probably made in 1978.

Happy Chinese New Year, Year of the Dog

Portrait of "Krystal Wong", Feb. 2003

Nikon D100


--Warren

Yosemite Valley Wedding Ceremony

Nikon F4s, Sigma 15-30mm @ 15mm, Ilford XP2

I've been meaning to post this one here, but have not gotten around to it until now. It was taken in February, 2004, almost 2 years ago. We just had dinner last weekend with the couple in the picture, Nancy & Kenneth, and seeing them reminded me of this picture.

They had a pro photographer covering their wedding, but they asked me to shoot some candids. I decided to use my Nikon F4s and D100 with 2 lenses, the 24-135mm and the 15-30mm. I was switching the lenses between the two bodies. I decided to shoot b&w with the F4s, so it was loaded with Ilford XP2. To get the composition and angle that I wanted for this shot, I raised the F4s above my head and took the picture by "feel". Since I was using the 15-30mm on the 35mm Nikon camera, I had it set to 15mm (ultrawide). This made it easier to guesstimate the correct angle.

For this post, I'm trying a full sized picture hosted by fototime.com, rather than using the thumbnail approach from blogger.com. How do you like it? Should we continue to post full sized pictures?

[Okay, I changed this post to use the blogger hosting instead. I used the "large" size thumbnail option with left justification. I like this better. --WT]


--Warren

So, what's it going to be for February? ..."

"...So, what's it going to be for February? ..."

Ah, that's easy!

All You Need Is Love

It's Only Love

P.S., I Love You

She Loves You

Love Me Do

Can't Buy Me Love

Real Love

-- SteveR

Are the photos on the forum a bit small in size?

Maybe it's my monitor and the resolution setting but does anyone feel that the photos posted on the forum appear a bit small? I'm using an Mac with a 15 inch screen.

I find I need to click on most of the photos to see any detail.

Also, are most of us using the Blogger photo hosting? I tried using it a while ago and went back to the hosting on Photobucket. I found that the photos using the Blogger system were too small and there was a loss in quality.

Jan. 26 Forum Update

Obligatory Picture Post:



Nikon D100,
Father & Child on Playing in Surf,
Sharp Park Beach, Pacifica, CA

Hi Gang,

I decided that rather than send an email via the Google Group, then copying the members who are not subscribed to the goup, why don't I just write my message right on the forum itself. Doh! Why didn't I think of this before? This will make our forum "feel" more like a real forum.

And I want to remind you, that this is an open forum, and that you should feel free to say what's on your mind here, like I'm doing right now. Just log onto Blogger.com and create a new post onto FPCF. You can write your own articles about photography, just for fun, or maybe because you've been thinking about it for a while, and wish to express your thoughts in words. Or maybe you're working on something, and would like some input from the rest of us.

There is no obligation to comment on every picture or article, but if you specifically want comments or opinions, you may want to mention that in your post so that we all know to respond. Just kick back, and enjoy looking at the pictures, and reading the messages.

I'm very happy that a few of us are getting into the spirit of the monthly projects. I personally found it very interesting and a bit of a challenge to go out shooting with the monthly project in the back of my mind. Sometimes, the shots are simply not there even if you're looking very hard for something relevant. And other times, it just comes easily. In any case, it adds another dimension to our enjoyment, I think.

So, what's it going to be for February? Shall we come up with something even more challenging than our Jan. project?

Jan. is not over yet, there is stil time to post Jan. project pictures. I know that Pat has been working on some, but I also know that he is very busy with his new job.


--Warren

Adventures with Wildlife -- Stalking a Hawk...(An Epic Story)

Subtitle: I Sure Could Have Used a Longer Lens
[Photos of Jill and me were taken by Gail]

Last Sunday, Jill (yes, our Jill), Bob, Gail, and I went for a hike along the shoreline and hillsides of Pacifica. I debated on what equipment to bring, Since we were hiking, I decided to travel light, so I only brought my D100 w/24-135mm and my Voigtlander Bessa R w/50mm Jupiter-8. As we walked along the trail, I looked up on the hillside, and I spotted a large bird sitting on an old fence post. I recognized it as some kind of raptor, so we stopped to get a better look. I wasn't sure exactly what it was. It was big, and I thought it might have been a golden eagle, but then I thought that it was not big enough to be an eagle.

This is what I saw when I happened to look up the hill from the trail:



As we were looking, it suddently took flight, and I immediately knew that it had spotted a meal on the hillside. Sure enough, it pounced down on its prey, probably a rodent of some kind. There it sat for a few seconds with its victim in its claws as we looked on in amazement. As it was eating, Jill started getting closer to it, and I followed close behind.

Jill and I decided to get closer to the bird:



Closer still:



Hawk standing on prey, which was hidden from view by the brush:



We were able to take a few pictures of it before it finished its meal and flew off. At this point, I was already wishing that I brought a longer lens, but at least the long end of my zoom was effectively a 200mm equivalent. I didn't have time to think to bump my ISO up for a faster shutter speed, so my picture of the hawk in flight was blurred. I made a mental note to be ready if I had another opportunity to shoot it in flight.

A little fuzzy, but at least I got something:




Gail got a great shot of us and the hawk in flight:



As we hiked on the trail, circling around toward the top of the hill, the hawk flew back to its favorite spot. This time, we were looking down at it from above.

On our way up the hill:



Bob and the intrepid wildlife photographers:



Again, we tried to get closer for a better shot. We were able to get pretty close this time, I would say within 15 or 20 feet, or so.

Jill beginning to down the steep hill, and closer to the hawk. It was keeping an eye on us all the time:



Jill waving to the hawk to get its attention:



You can see how steep the hill was. This is my favorite action shot by Gail:



I got a couple of good ones:




Then it got tired of us and took off. This time, I was ready for it. After I took a few shots of it perched on the post, I made sure that my ISO was set higher, and I was prepared for him to go at any moment. I managed to get one good shot off before he got too far.

My one nice shot of the hawk in flight:



Is anyone out there familiar with this bird? From my research on the internet, I think that this is a juvenile red-tailed hawk. The tail is not very red yet because the red feathers don't come out until its first molt.

Gail was hanging back all this time, taking pictures of Jill and me stalking the hawk. I guess I should have, but I wasn't expecting this opportunity to photograph this beautiful bird. It was a great experience.

I hope you enjoyed the story and pictures :).

--Warren

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach
Originally uploaded by bhwong.

Since we seem to be on a beach theme I thought I would share one from a few months ago. This was taken just below the Cliff House above Ocean Beach.

Meerkat

Meerkat
Originally uploaded by bhwong.

With a 2-1/2 year old daughter I don't have much of a chance to go out taking pictures. However, I try to get a chance whenever we go out. This is a meerkat taken at the SF Zoo. Warren's cow picture got me looking for an animal shot.

Posted for Eric! -- #2

Camera: Sony DSC-H1

The color photo was just something I saw while walking on Van Ness. I noticed how nice the colors were and wanted to see how it would look. The ISO was set at 64 and I took at a shutter speed of 250 and w/an f stop of 8.0.

--EJ

[brightness and contrast edited by WT]

Posted for Eric! -- #1

Camera: Sony DSC-H1

The b&w photo was taken at Crissy Field and it's the front of an old army warehouse. The ISO was set at 100, and I took it at a 400 shutter speed with an f stop of 5.6. It seemed like there was some good shadow action going on. It was about 3 pm.

--EJ

To Title or Not to Title...

...that is the question.

I brought this topic up before. I began to title my picture posts just because its a habit from posting pictures to other critique sites that do require a title for every picture. There are some people who feel strongly that pictures should NOT be titled because the title may mislead the viewer as to the picture's meaning. The meaning of a picture should be open to each viewer's own interpretation. I tend to agree with this idea. On the other hand, titles make it easier to refer to a particular picture. I suppose we can do generic titles like "Beach Picture #2", but that's not very exciting either :).

What do you think about this?

Here's my untitled picture for the day. It is from the same session at Pacifica's Sharp Park Beach.

--Warren

Gazing and Grazing

Nikon D100

We went for a hike in the Las Trampas National Wilderness at Bollinger Canyon last Saturday. The trail that we happened upon was shared by a number of grazing cattle right next to the trail. They were eyeing us suspicously in between grabbing mouthfuls of munchies.

--Warren

Here's an alternate cropping. I also brightened up the cow's left side, per SteveR's suggestion. What do you all think of this version vs. the original?

--WT

Weekend Walking

Nikon D100

I caught this couple walking by with the Pacifica public fishing pier in the background.

--Warren

Jan. Project -- Pacifica Beach

Nikon D100

It was an absolutely beautiful and crisp winter day at the beach today. There were lots of the usual beach activity photo opportunities.

Anyone tired of these beach shots yet? :)

--Warren

Jan Project - Truxton Park Walkway

Now this is one I took yesterday that I liked when I took it and also back home. Wouldn't you know, though, my Art Critic son didn't think much of it.

So once again, I open it up for debate.

Both photos taken yesterday as part of my ongoing trial of my new Canon A620. So far, after over 300 exposures, I like the new little camera a lot.

This is one shot where the tilty-flexi LCD viewfinder comes in handy - I had the camera well over my head to get a more downward perspective on the walkway and frame it the way I wanted - but I could see the scene just fine by flipping the LCD screen out and tilting it downward a bit.

I also shot some "stock" Annapolis photos on the same moring outing yesterday, and printed two of them at 12-1/2" x 17", and they look great... even to My Son the Art Critic!

Jan Project -- Untitled

Talk abut lazy - I can't even come up with a title for this one!

I thought this refelction of the stern of a power boat flying the Flag was pretty cool when I took it yesterday, but on seeing it at home, I wasn't so sure anymore.

At times like this, I turn to my resident Art Critic, our son Ben (age 19), who, to my surprise, gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

What do you think?

Jan. Project - Stormy Sea

Photo shot near the Cliff House in San Francisco between winter storms. I used a 35mm camera with black and white film.

A Grateful Immigrant

I posted this on my own photo blog this morning, but I thought it would be appropriate to re-post it here...

Fifty-five years ago today, my family came to America, bringing me, just shy of my first birthday, with them.

I won't go through the story again, but if you like, you can see it here.

I just wanted to say that I am grateful to the United States of America and to its generous citizens for bringing us here.

I am grateful for the crew of the troopship that carried us here, the USNS General C. H. Muir, and I am grateful to the staff at Ellis Island in late January 1951, who housed and fed Mom and me (I caught measles on the boat and had to be quarantined for 10 days) and took care of my medical needs.

Greetings to all my brother and sister immigrants! We've adopted and have been adopted into a pretty amazing and wonderful family.

Jan. Project -- Spirit

Nikon D100

I shot this last weekend. This cat took up residence in our patio. I shot this reflection of her off of our glass patio door. She looks a lot like our cat, Nordstrom, who has been gone for 5 years.

--Warren

Jan. Project -- Minimalist

Here's another one that I'm not at all sure about.

I was definitely going for a minimalist composition here - nothing much but fog and a bunch of pilings and their reflections.

Pier in Fog

I don't know quite what to make of this photo... sometimes I look at it and think it's quite good, and other times, it makes me go, "Ehhh!" (the visual on this exclamation is a dismissive shrug.)

So I thought I'd put it out for comment by my FPCP Friends.

This was actually the very last photo at the foggy marina last Friday. I used my new "walkaround camera", the Canon A620.

Positive Space, Negative Space

Thanks to Warren for getting us thinking along these lines.

I really don't know exactly where I'm going with this - but I played around a bit in Photoshop Elements with the magic wand selector to try to reduce a few of my photos to the positive space and negative space elements.

For what it's worth, here is my first crack at this....

Portrait/People Picture Composition Discussion

Hi Gang, I would love to hear your opinions about this topic. My photographic experience has been from a more traditional background. My wedding and portrait photography mentor, Edmund Lee (now retired), had a style that was uniquely his, but maintained traditional sensibilities. That's probably how I inherited my own compositional preferences. I am still learning and exploring today, and I know that I have lots to learn even though I've been a "photographer" for so many years now.

For this discussion, I want to talk about the recent trend that I noticed in people shots where the person is often framed very tightly, to the point where portions of the subject's head are cropped entirely out of the picture. I never really liked this extremely cropped "look" for portraits and people photography. I would often complain to my photo buddies about this strange new compositional phenomenon. Yesterday, I happened upon an article on the internet that talked about why this technique is used. The article is part of a series: Gestalt Theory and Photographic Composition: Closure. There are many other interesting articles on that site (Apogee Online Photo Magazine). Now that I understand the theory behind it, I am more open to these ideas, and I will add it to my arsenal of techniques to be used where appropriate. These sample shots may not have been the best examples, but it was an interesting exercise.


The first photo was already cropped from the original. Do you think that the photo #1 is "static" and uninteresting? Put it another way, is there a way to compose or crop the shot so that it adds a little "extra something"?

For the second version, I cropped closer to better emphasize the faces and to reduce background distractions. I also cleaned up the background on the left. What do you think? I like the 2nd version better. I think you can actually see the facial expressions much more clearly in #2. It's still not as extreme as some pictures of this nature that you often see exhibited. I think if done with restraint, this really works well.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing all of your opinions. It would make me very happy if some of you silent readers actually surfaced, and commented directly to the forum too! I know, it's probably too much to ask, but I had to ask it :).

--Warren

Jan Project -- Mini-Park in Fog

A small community park on the Severn River. It's on the way to work, and last Friday, I stopped there to take some foggy-morning photos.

Canon A620

Jan. Project -- Margueritaville

Boat hull reflection plus a very small part of the actual boat (upper right) at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland.

The rudder has an unusual, decorative design that protrudes above the waterline - that's what initially caught my eye and made me want to take the photo.

The name of the photo .... "Wastin' away again with my digicam?" -- nah, it's simply the name of the boat.

Another photo from my first couple of days trying out my new Canon A620 digicam. I tried a 13x19 print from this image, and it came out pretty good. If you look very closely at the print, you can see a bit of noise in the areas of even tone - primarily the triangular area at upper left (the reflection-less part of the water.) But the rest of the print is excellent, even with my nose right up to the paper. At normal viewing distance for this size print, even the "noisy" area looks fine.

Jan. Project -- Pond Leaves

Nikon D100

--WT

Jan. Project -- Fountain

Nikon D100

--WT

Magnolia Abstract

Nikon D100, Tamron 24-135mm


--Warren

I "Heart" Waterfalls

Nikon D100, Tamron 24-135mm

Another view of McWay Falls.

--Warren