35mm 1/45s @ f/5.6, ISO 320

I got back from the Reno Air Races Sunday.  It was a fantastic time as always.  The air races are probably one of the few events in the world that has the amazing numbers of flying warbirds all in one place.  It’s pretty incredible to be standing on the ramp and see five P-51′s spin up their props and taxi out to the runway.  The shot above is a P-51 named Wee Willy II.  I took it after the sun dropped below the mountains that circle the airport.  This made for soft light on the airplane and wonderful colors in the clouds.

Hey everyone I just want to do a quick post to let you know I’ve posted some of my favorite shots from Italy in a new gallery. Here’s the link Italy Gallery. You can always find the galleries in the links down the right side of the blog.

I just got back from Seattle, Wa. I traveled there for a friends wedding. It was a nice get away and a very nice wedding. I was the “official” photographer for the wedding. It was pretty challenging because it was a 12:30 service at a local park and whoever said the sun doesn’t shine in Seattle probably hasn’t been there. I had my trusty 580EXII in high speed sync mode so I could add some fill flash to all the shots. Anyway the skyline shot was made from a small park on W. Highland Dr. After seeing all the great mountains in the distance I think it won’t be long until I return to explore some of the natural beauty that Washington has to offer.

Exp: 1/350s @ f/8.0, ISO 160

Exp: 1/250s @ f/4.0, ISO 160

Exp: 1/1000s @ f/8.0, ISO 160

For the first 2 posts from Italy have a nautical theme.  Venice and the Chinque Terre are very connected to the sea.  Photographing in Vernazza was difficult because of the time of day we were there.  I normally prefer to shoot in the hour leading up to sunrise to 2 hours after sunrise.  We were here mid day and the sun was hot and harsh.  I struggled to find light that would make for a good image.  I liked this shot because I was able to get up high on the seawall and shoot down on these boats.  This allowed me to get a much better angle to bring attention to the bright paints on the tops and angular dock.

If you missed the first post you can find it here.

Exp: 1/90s @ f/4.0, ISO 320

Well I’m just returning from my honeymoon in Italy.  It was a wonderful trip and my wife and I had a fantastic time.  We visited Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, the Chinque Terre, and Rome.  I really used the time to unplug and relax.  My only computer was an iPhone that had limited connectivity because of the $20/MB roaming charges and spotty WiFi.  I also took a different approach to my photography.  Since the trip was not dedicated to photography I was looking for more artistic shots.  I haven’t calculated my keeper rate yet but I’m guessing it is going to be much higher than normal based on my first edit pass.  I’m slowing getting through my images so stay tuned for part 2.

When I go out to do photography I sometimes go with an idea of an image that I want to try to make.  This particular evening I saw that the weather forecast was dicey so I figured I might have a chance of getting good clouds and light over downtown Cleveland.  Fortunately the light on downtown never materialized and because of that I was watching for other things to shoot.  As the sun was setting this tug motored out to meet two incoming freighters.  The water texture and the sun glinting off the hull make this image for me.

Wallpaper

Exp: 1/100 @ f/4.0, ISO 400
Gear: Canon 40D, 70-200F4L IS

Exp: 1/640 @ f/4.0, ISO 100
Gear: Canon 40D, 70-200F4L IS @ 144mm, 25mm ext. tube