LENS CAPTURE

Vol. 2 No. 40


Three days since a blizzard dumped 20+ inches across New York City, a Glendale Queens resident wonders when a snowplow will visit 68th Street.   A winter wonderland???

Nikon D300 35mm f/5.6 1/125sec ISO 200

Vol. 2 No. 39
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

50mm f/1.4 1/90 sec. ISO 1600

Vol. 2 No. 38

With the holiday season upon us, I thought I should take a few moments and present some gift ideas for the ladies into photography.  Until recently, there have not been many items specifically designed for the female photographer.  Over the last year it appears the photo market is changing.


Kelly Moore Bags
Kelly Moore Clark started by sketching out her ideas for a handbag/camera bag a few years ago.  Now here ideas have been realized in a line of handbags for the female shooter.  She has produced four different styles for women and one for men.  The bags available for women are the Classic, the Posey, B-Hobo and the mother of them all, the Juju.  These bags are available in numerous colors to suit your wardrobe and taste. Here's a short video with Kelly demonstrating the features of the Kelly Moore Classic Bag. 

Anyone who has attended one of my photowalks knows I  am a big fan of the Black Rapid Camera strap.  I love this camera sling system because I can "run & gun" with my camera securely slung across my body.  No strap slipping from my shoulder.  My camera hangs upside down at my hip ready to maneuver into both landscape and portrait shooting position, sliding effortlessly along the strap system.

BlackRapid has introduced a camera strap specifically designed for women.  The BlackRapid RS-W1 strap focuses on the perfect fit for the female.  Here's a tutorial video showing how to use the RS-W1.

Vol. 2 No. 37

Singing sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and carpets of wildflowers are all found at this 1.6 million acre park. A visit to its canyons, mountains and mesas will reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts. Located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mojave provides serenity and solitude from major metropolitan areas.

Vol. 2 No. 36


We soared from the top of Red Mountain in Bootleg Canyon Park just outside of Boulder City, Nevada.  It was a exhilarating aerial experience that took us across more than a mile and a half at speeds up to 50 mph.  The views were breathtaking as we soared high above the mountain terrain with Boulder City, Lake Mead and the Eldorado Valley off in the distance.

View the Bootleg Canyon Set in Flickr.


The bird's eye view this adventure offers is something that must be experienced.  If you are in the Las Vegas area, reach out to Bootleg Canyon Flightlines for an experience you'll never forget.


-30- 

Vol. 2 No. 35

It's been several weeks since my last post.  I chalk it up to life spinning out-of-control.  Not an uncommon occurrence unfortunately.  I hope to be posting several times over the next few days as I am travelling through the Southwest of the United States.

I wanted to share an image to prove that there are many things to do in Las Vegas besides hitting the slots.  We took a short excursion to the Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, a 15-minute trip northwest of the Las Vegas Strip.  This is a very small 3-acre zoo that took about an hour to leisurely explore, but offered several photographic opportnities.

Vol. 2 No. 34


Where has the summer gone?  Here's a photograph I made at Socrates Sculpture Garden in Long Island City, Queens.  Captured handheld using a Nikkor 18-200mm VRII lens on a Nikon D300, my setting were ISO200 120mm f/6.7 1/1000th second.

Vol. 2 No. 33


I promised to post some images from our members that attended last Sunday's 5Pointz photo walk.  More are added to the LensCapture Flickr® Group everyday, so picking just a few is real tough, but here goes.



Photo by Conrad Tinney



Photo by Vicki Syrov



Photo by Douglas Palmer



Photo by Howard Schoenberger


If you get a chance, you must visit 5Pointz in Long Island City, Queens.  The artwork is spectacular, and the Aerosol Arts Center's collection is in a state of flux.  I have visited the location 3 times in as many weeks and have been amazed at seeing new masterpieces on every visit.


Have a great Labor Day Holiday and don't forget to bring the camera along.


-30-

Vol. 2 No. 32

See One from SeeOneArt.com working the wall art.

Vol. 2 No. 31


The Rumblers Car Club of New York City held their 10th Annual "Kustom Kills and Hot Rod Thrills" car show in Williamsburg Brooklyn this past Saturday.  While my attendance was a spontaneous one, this will not go unplanned again - trust me.  What an amazing gathering of classics, hot rods, kustoms, motorcycles and people!

Vol. 2 No. 30

Nikolay Edelman took the honors for our local outing along the Brooklyn Bridge Pier 1 and South Street waterfronts during the 2010 Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk.



I think Nik hit all the right marks by effectively directing the viewer's focus into and throughout the image.  The visual elements work together to express purpose.  The classic coin operated binoculars are beautifully exposed with nice sharp detail.  I want to drop a couple of quarters and turn the red knob to reveal the Brooklyn Bridge in all her glory.  Great job Nik!

The selection process was a tough one this year with so many of you making some exceptional photographs during our walk. 

Now on to the Worldwide competition.  Scott Kelby has chosen this year's Grand Prize and Honorable Mention winners.

You can see the gallery here - http://worldwidephotowalk.com/bestphotos/

You can also start voting for the People's Choice Awards from the over 1,000 local walk winners - http://worldwidephotowalk.com/peoples-choice/

Make sure to cast your vote before Noon EDT on August 23rd.

-30-

Vol. 2 No. 28


I had the opportunity to attend the Bear Mountain Native American Festival this past weekend up in Harriman State Park in New York.  We were treated to Native American singing, dancing, food, crafts and some great educational programs.  The highlight of the day was the grand entrance of dancers and watching the predatory birds in action.


A bright sunny day can present way too much contrast for digital photography.  Fortunately, I had my trusty Nikon SB-900 speedlight to add fill flash.  Since this is one of the more powerful shoe-mounted strobes available, I was able to add fill flash zoomed in to 200mm.  I was pretty impressed with its capabilities when I opened the resulting captures in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.

Vol. 2 No. 27


While Worldwide Photo Walk Officials sought out the problems encountered with the contest deadline, I thought I would share some of my captures.  Since I lead the walk, I am not eligible to compete.  I will be selecting a local winner who will go on to compete against other photo walk winners worldwide for some great prizes.


So here are a few of my shots...

Vol. 2 No. 26

What a great day we had photo walking the new Brooklyn Bridge Pier 1 and taking the ride on the Water Taxi to the South Street Seaport.  While the temperature soared to a record of 97ºF, with a real feel of 102º, it didn't melt the enthusiasm of our group.



Yesterday's 3rd Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk had a record breaking 1,111 photo walks with over 33,000 walkers participating around the globe.   

I'll be posting more photos from this great event and I'll also be sharing some of the images captured by our walk participants.  So make sure to check back.

-30-

Vol. 2 No. 25

Just a quick black & white of the schooner Pioneer as it heads south on the East River towards New York Harbor.  This two-masted sailing vessel was built in 1885 and is over 100 feet long.  The Pioneer sails from the South Street Seaport and is owned by the South Street Seaport Museum.

Vol. 2 No. 24


Since I was a few minutes late catching the sunset I had pictured in my head (always masterpieces - at least in my head), I took the opportunity to bracket 7 exposures and create the HDR image below.

Vol. 2 No. 23


Just a few images...

Vol. 2 No. 22


It's already the July 4th holiday weekend. This year is just zipping by!


If you plan on photographing a professional fireworks display, then you need to think things through. If you plan properly, you can capture spectacular shoots.




Here are a few links worth reviewing before heading out:

- Lens Capture's Guide to Fireworks Photography
(Vol. 1 No. 28)
In this blog post from last year, I discuss the importance of utilizing a steady platform, camera settings, lens focal choices, and camera orientation.  read Fireworks Photography

- Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider - How to Shoot Fireworks
Renowned author Scott Kelby provides sound advice and good tips to ensure your fireworks photography yeilds great results. read How to Shoot Fireworks

- Photofocus blogger Scott Bourne's 10 Fireworks Photograph Tips - Updated reinforces technique in these basic tips.

- Digital Photography School author Darren Rouse provides additional detail and a great section of tips from the DPS Readers in his article titled, "How to Photograph Fireworks Displays."

Well, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and let's now forget how lucky we are to be free! Our men and women in the armed forces, along with those serving in the police, fire and emergency medical services throughout the United States keep us safe and this Nation great! Thanks

-30-

Vol. 2 No. 21

I was privledged to be a media photographer at the eagerly awaited New York debut of the Red Bull Air Race this past weekend along Liberty State Park.  Flying through the race course at over 240 mph and as low as 25 feet above the water these pilots are world class.  The experience was incredible.  Hope you enjoy the images.



You can view the Air Race stills on flickr.

-30-

Vol. 2 No. 19

This Memorial Day weekend we were treated to an adventure with some good friends aboard the Patriyacht.  We left the docks in Oakdale Long Island and cruised to Ocean Beach on beautiful Fire Island.

Vol. 2 No. 17

Gallery Exhibit
LensCapture good friend Conrad Tinney will have his work, along with other members of the Park West Camera Club, displayed during the month of June at the Manhattan Borough President's Office. The show, titled "The Four Seasons," is scheduled to begin on June 2nd and run through June 30, 2010. The Manhattan Borough President's Office is located at 1 Centre Street, Manhattan in the Municipal Building on the 19th floor. Since this is a government building, remember to bring photo ID.
For more info - visit the Park West Camera Club website.

Camera Cases 4 Sale
In my attempt to spring clean and divest myself of some no longer used camera gear, I am offering up several camera bags for sale. These bags have served me well and are in great shape.

The first bag offered is the LowePro Pro Roller 1. This is a professional roller case with some great features such as extra-tough construction, a prop-up stand for easy access, in-line skate wheels and extended bumpers. This bag can easily accommodate 2 camera bodies, 3-4 lenses, flashes and other accessories. I paid around $350 new.



The second bag is the LowePro CompuTrekker Plus AW. This backpack bag is ideal for location photography since it allows you to carry both your camera gear and a laptop (up to 17"). It can handle 2 camera bodies and several lenses, flash and accessories. This is an all weather case that can easily brave the elements. This case is in excellent condition and ran me around $200 new.



The last case for sale is a Tamrac Velocity 7 Photo Sling Pack. This bag has been modified by me to include a Nikon SS-800 carry case for a flash which is stitched onto the side. This allowed me to carry a flash with the bag housing my camera body and several lenses. What makes this bag unique is the ultra-functional pack carries like a backpack, but by swinging it around to the front, provides quick access to your gear without removing the case. I paid $80 for this case and it's still in good condition.



If you are interested in any of these cases, leave me a comment with your email and make an offer. Thanks.

Vol. 2 No. 16

I wanted to take a minute to highlight some of the great images made by the 2010 Spring Walk Participants.  These brave souls, who ventured out in to the pouring rain last Sunday, took advantage of the opportunity to capture some wonderful subjects.  The following images were posted to the LensCapture Flickr Group.

© Diacritical


© Tinccat4


© DMLitvin


© Jadam113


© Katyp2


© Etccdb


© Sputnick002


© Tkacle