Sunsets

Why do sunsets always give us such a good feeling?

As a photographer, it's a great time of day. The light is at its softest, shadows are darker and more dramatic and everyone loves a sunset photo, right? It can be a bit tricky though, the light from the sun will throw off the settings on your camera so sometimes all you see is the light from the setting sun and the details from other parts of the scene can be lost.

I've noticed that most new quick shoot cameras (those small one's that can fit in a shirt pocket or your small purse) have a sunset setting which will help with this issue. Or if you have a camera like mine that let's you configure your settings manually, you can play with the aperture and shutter to try and get different effects.

The pictures I'm including here are from the end of my day yesterday. There is a state park near me called Deception Pass Park. A large metal trestle bridge is the main focal point in this area, along with the amazing vistas. I drove through the park down to the beach area to get a shot from the shore. Fisherman (and one woman) were trying their best to catch the salmon that live in these waters. Though while I was there no one got lucky. What impressed me about this waterway is how fast the current runs, the water almost looks like a whirlpool in spots where current criss crosses itself. I wasn't brave enough to put my feet in at that point but I heard one small boy exclaim "that's cold!". I took his word for it.

There be Orcas!

Friday, September 4, 2009 was a good day. I got to spend it on an Orca Whale Watch out of Anacortes, WA (if you look for this on a map, find Seattle and look North West from there along the coast). It was a very good day.

About an hour into the cruise we came across a pod of 25 Orcas of all sizes; large males, females and three calves. One large male is known as “Ruffles” for the ruffled appearance of his dorsal fin. He was traveling with a female Orca named “Granny” who is actually his mother and she is estimated to be 98 years old! They have confirmed sightings of this particular Orca in these waters back to 1911. Can you imagine? Really, how cool is that? I wonder about their pod dynamics based on the fact that a 98 year old Orca was leading them. She seemed to be setting the pace, so (and this is totally my theory, no scientific backing here) maybe out of respect for her they let her set the speed knowing she might not be able to go as fast? I asked this question of the naturalist on board and she said she wasn’t sure but anything was possible with these complex mammals. As much as they know about Orcas, there is still more to learn.

What I learned was a lot. Orcas are part of the dolphin family and there are several types of Orcas. The ones we saw today stay in pods their entire lives and are known as “Resident Orcas” and researchers consider them a matriarchal society. At breeding times, they look to breed within other pods but then the calves stay with the mothers or their original pods their entire life. Female Orcas are pregnant for 18 months and the calves feed from them for 8 to 9 months before being able to eat independently. But what I found even more interesting is that there are “Transient Orcas”, one of the guides on the boat likened them to “wolf packs”. They are the aggressive ones you see in National Geographic specials tossing poor little seals around (and I would guess this is where the term “Killer Whale” started) vs. the ones I saw today that primarily eat the salmon and squid that live in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. The Transient Orcas will not attack their own kind but have been known to attack other whale types and smaller dolphins. Then there are the “Offshore Orcas”, not much is known about them because they live so deep out in the oceans they are hard to find and harder to study.

Bottom line, it was so much fun to see them within 100 yards of the boat and to hear their breath puff out over and over as they surfaced and dove, surfaced and dove. It was surprising too how quick and steady their pace is as they move through the water. I heard the ship’s Captain say they’ve used speed radar to measure the Orcas speed and they can go as fast as 30 to 40 mph.

I included a few pictures here but go to this link for the full gallery.

And if you are ever anywhere close to this area during Orca season--go on an Orca Watch!

Where does the time go?

Well, my last blog talked about an upcoming trip to California and I have been sorely remiss in updating this blog with that trip. The last day and a half of the trip I spent going to Joshua Tree National Park in California, about 2.5 hours north and east of San Diego. It was great.

What I love about that part of the country is how different it is from where I live. The desert seems bleak and lifeless at first impression, but as you walk around it or just stop and listen, it all comes to life. The hummingbirds, insects and lizards are just a few of the things that live in the desert - these are all I saw but there is more there than meets the eye. Honestly though, I was very happy not to run across a tarantula!

I was able to visit at what I think is the perfect time. It's hot, but not quite the hot of pure summer and there is no humidity so once you find shade it's more bearable. The park itself is impressive due to sheer size; over 700,000 acres are designated as part of Joshua Tree. Most of it isn't accessible by car, you would have to hike into it to see the various areas. Being that I was traveling alone, I wasn't that brave but would love to go back for deeper exploration. I did take one small hike and as when I was in Yosemite, being alone in these parks with literally no other person around you, the cell phone not working, you realize how small and insigificant you really are. It's scary and awesome at the same time.

Here are a few pics from the trip.





















Ironically, a month after this trip finds me heading back West to California for the upcoming week. Heading to Northern California this time and this trip will be a mix of business and pleasure as well. While I'm out there I'll be able to visit family I haven't seen in a while. Pictures of this trip will more likely be of family that landscapes, but aren't those the best kind anyway? :-]

West Coast Here I Come

Westward ho! This coming week I need to travel to San Diego, CA for business and while I'm on the left coast, I thought I would take an extra day at the end of it. My plan is to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Let me back up a second and say I LOVE our National Parks and have a personal goal to visit as many in my lifetime as possible - a few might get more than one visit. Yosemite being one of them but I'll get to that in a second.

Joshua Tree sits about 2.5 hours north east of San Diego so it is a bit of a ride from where I'll be but it will be worth it. The weather at this time of the year is warm but not unbearable and I should be able to still see examples of the Spring cactus wildflowers that bloom during this time of the year. There is also an abundance of birds at this time, per the park website. Finally, what really has me excited is the ability to do some stargazing and taking the opportunity to try some night sky photography. Living in the suburbs and the natural light pollution that goes with it, seeing a dark night sky is something I don't get to enjoy. I'm hoping I'll be able to truly see the Milky Way and constellations that I only know from photos other people have taken.

Photos to come after the trip.

Now a quick detour back to Yosemite. In February of 2007 I went to Yosemite as part of a photography vacation. It was about 4 days in the park and was initially supposed to be a Winter shoot so there would be snow. But that Winter the park hadn't really gotten much snow at the lower elevations. It was cold but not snowy. I have to say though, snow or no snow - it didn't matter. My quick memories that linger from the trip is first the vastness of Yosemite. The coyotes that you hear when the sun goes down. Getting lost and found on a hike (by myself!) and not seeing another person for almost 3 hours! The crystal clear water.

Here are just a few photos from the trip.

Bottom line - visit a National Park if you get the chance. You won't regret it!

Perspective

I've been thinking a lot lately about perspective. After attending one day, of a two day photography conference last Saturday, (CIPNE - Commercial Photographers of New England) it has been a topic on my mind. The morning session of this photography conference was a judging of photography in various categories. The three judges were made up of two individuals who have made a living in photography and the third was an art buyer. What has stayed with me is how much I disagreed with the one judge. Each image he found interesting and worthy - I didn't like - at all. Almost without fail I disagreed with him.

What struck me was that his reasoning for liking certain images usually stemmed from his perspective on his own work. I felt he read a lot more into the images than was in the actual image making his perspective biased in my opinion.

But I guess what it taught me more than anything is that we all have our own biased perspective when it comes to what appeals to us in art and imagery. And if I as a photographer, try to find a way to make my work appeal to absolutely everyone, I'll only become frustrated. So on this Saturday, in this cool, dark room watching the images flash before me I realized something important - my images will never appeal to everyone but it is more important for me as the conveyor of the image to find my own joy in what I take and that will come through.

SIDE BAR: Keeping with the perspective theme but going off on a tangent (those who know me well, know this is a trait of mine!), I'm including a series of images I always go back to and enjoy - the hummingbird. I took these last Summer in my friend's backyard. It's a female, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, who on a regular basis came to visit my friend's red Bee Balm flowers. I love Hummingbirds, they are amazing flyers and using my camera to capture stills of this one was such fun. I can't wait for her, and the two who have visited my own yard in the past, to return this year, which will be soon - if they aren't here already. Another sure sign of Spring!

Looking for Spring

I'm trying to keep hope alive that it will feel more like Spring one day. Truly, the calendar says April 8th, but it feels more like October 8th. It's down right chilly! And... wait for it... there were reports of snow flurries this morning in Rhode Island. So, to give us all a bit of hope I offer this picture of flowers I saw breaking through this past Sunday on my photo hike at Hammond Pond in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The day started sunny then moved to cloudy and finally ended sunny and warmer. But the morning felt more like Fall than Spring.

Overall, there wasn't a lot blooming but it was still a good day - lot's of good walking/hiking and a great group of people for the event. I took the opportunity to use my macro lens all day (Sigma 105mm 1:2.8). It's a fun lens, lets me get close for extreme detail but then if at a distance, can still bring things closer like the pond reed below.

So while the day was fun and productive, I continue to watch for the true signs of Spring. The tulips! They are popping up but have yet to bud. I'll keep the watch out - and post what I find.

Spring has Sprung!

Despite the up and down temperatures here in New England, it is officially Spring! (It better NOT snow again now that I've said that... seriously, worst. longest. winter. ever.)

So to celebrate Spring, I'm going on a spring hike/photography shoot this coming Sunday - weather permitting (crossing my fingers). I recently joined the Boston Photography Center group out of Boston, a group organized through meetup.com. It will be my first meetup event with them and really looking forward to it.

It brings to mind last Spring when I spent a weekend on Martha's Vineyard with my friend Katie who was training for the PMC (it's a great event - support a rider if you can!). Here are a two of my favorite pics from that time.

If all goes well, I'll be posting photos from Sunday early next week. Happy Spring everyone!

© 2009 MALundquist

An American PhotoGrrl in Paris

For my very first blog, I thought I would talk about my last vacation/photography adventure - my first trip to Paris. Simply put, it is as magical as everyone makes it out to be while also being a living, working city full of real people.

It was this time last year that I made the trip, with four of my friends, women from different sides of my life who somehow all came together into one trip. My friend, Katie, first came to me with the idea of going to Paris over Easter in March 2008. Hesitant at first that quickly fell away and as they say - viola! - it was happening. At Katie's suggestion we also investigated renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel. It was a terrific suggestion! We found a wonderful rental in Montmartre through Feels Like Home in Paris that really did make you feel like you were coming home at the end of the day. Investigate this as an option if you decide to go to Paris, it's comfortable and very affordable, for us at the time much more cost effective by far than staying in a hotel.

So, as it relates to photography, my advice if you get to go to Paris and want to photograph it is this, don't expect to see it all and photograph it all, the first time. This is a city you will need to see again (and again, and again). It's massive in its way but with neighborhoods (known as Arrondissmonts) that give you the feeling of hidden roads and byways to explore. Trying to photograph such a place and feel like you got it all in one trip - impossible!

Door detail, Versaille

One other observation is the weather. If you plan to go in March, plan for rain. But if you plan right, it's never quite a downpour and shouldn't hold you back from any adventure. I took the approach on this trip that I would be both tourist and photographer. It's impossible to forget the big things in Paris - like the Tower Eiffel (that's how the French title it). 

But I personally like looking for the little details that will remind me of certain places. The strange potted, yellow flowers in front of a small restaurant on the way down from Sacre Coeur in Montmartre (the 18th Arrandissmont, part of the Right Bank). The funny eatery called "Flunch" on the way from our apartment to the Metro every day. The amazing small doorknob details in Versaille, as brilliant and unique as the tapestried ceilings that loom overhead.

Remember that when you take photos it's not always about the grand photo of the magnificent scenery or famous tourist spot. It's the small details too that make you feel like you are in a different place, or even a different time and trigger a memory of that exact spot.

Finally, relax and enjoy! Remember, whether it's a trip abroad or a drive a State away - it's your vacation. Don't let your picture taking get in the way of just soaking in the people, the atmosphere and the excitement of being in a new place.

© 2011 MALundquist; blog modified 08.28.11
© 2009 MALundquist