Category Archives: reflection

Delta Reflections

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

We all know I have a “thing” for a reflection. If I can incorporate a reflection into the image, the odds are good I will. The odds increase whenever I’m at Delta Lake, and they go through the roof when there is no wind at sunset.

Sunday evening the clouds had taken over the sky. I had a good thirty minutes until the official time of sunset but I was determined to stick it out and see what developed. It didn’t hurt I was joined at my spot on the beach by a grandmother and her two grandchildren. We chatted away the minutes, pointing out the changing colors as the sun marched into the horizon.

We were desperately hoping the sun would break through the clouds at the last minute and illuminate the trees at the edge of the point. I had managed a single image earlier when the color in the sky was a little flat. I really wanted another chance as the sky turned magenta. Alas, it was not meant to be…

My determination to see trees shine did allow me to capture the changing color reflected in the clouds. All in all, it was a good end to the day.

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; On the Edge

On the Edge
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/8s, 25mm, f/11, ISO 200

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; See it in the Sky

See it in the Sky
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/6s, 25mm, f/11, ISO 200

Bellamy at Both Ends

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor Park

Yesterday was supposed to be my trip to Ithaca, NY to explore a few of my favorite state parks. Luckily, before I headed out on my adventure I checked the state park website for each park and realized most of my favorite trails were closed. Taughannock Falls trails were open but I didn’t want to spend the two hour drive for only one park. I will be patient and wait until I can make a day of it in Ithaca.

With the change in my plans I quickly ran down to Bellamy Harbor Park for the sunrise… totally worth it! The trees are showing more of their green each day and the few clouds from the approaching rain caught the morning colors perfectly. I wish the water was a little smoother but at least the center caught the reflection of the Mill St. bridge.

Apparently my luck was not to improve. My grand plan for the sunset was to return to the Utica Marsh. I knew my normal trail into the area has been neglected over the years but I thought I had another way in. I failed to notice the bridge I planned to use had been blocked off by the city of Utica. I still think there is a way but last night I didn’t want to waste the sunset searching.

I drove back to Rome and parked at Bellamy Harbor Park figuring I could bookend my day at a familiar location. Mother Nature did not disappoint, she put on quite a show before sunset. I crossed the Mill St. bridge and captured the sunset from across the canal. The water was very smooth and the reflection of the clouds totally highlights Bellamy Harbor Park. I’d say my earlier misfortune was erased by this sunset…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; G'morning Bellamy

G’morning Bellamy
Olympus E-M1 Mark II , M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 0.6s, 31mm, f/11, ISO 200

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Highlighting Bellamy

Highlighting Bellamy
Olympus E-M1 Mark II , M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Delta Light

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the Mohawk Valley. I broke up the work-from-home routine by walking around the block at lunch. It was exactly what I needed after sitting at the desk all morning. In the evening I drove up to Delta Lake for the sunset. I was not going to let the day end with me sitting on the couch.

Driving into the park I couldn’t help but admire the wonderful light hitting the trees lining the body of water near the entrance. I was not going to let that light get away. I pulled the car into the main office parking area and assembled my team… the 12-40mm lens, the circular polarizer and my Giottos tripod.

I started at the most obvious location. It provided a great wide view of the trees and of course a beautiful reflection. It is the same view I captured last October that has become my favorite autumn image. After capturing last night’s view I didn’t feel I could leave the area without exploring more angles. I was especially interested in seeing how I could capture the difference between the light and the dark sections of trees. I’ll let you be the judge of how I did…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Delta Light I

Delta Light I
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/15s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 100

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Delta Light II

Delta Light II
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/25s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Delta Light III

Delta Light III
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/20s, 25mm, f/11, ISO 100

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Delta Light IV

Delta Light IV
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/8s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 100

Moving In

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor Park

I did something a little out of the ordinary for me yesterday. Well, at least something different in this work from home environment we are currently living in. Generally I am online for work by 6am, but yesterday morning I was itching for a sunrise image. The urge was especially strong once I noticed the approaching clouds.

I finished the first cup of coffee while posting my latest image, filled the travel mug with the remainder, grabbed the camera bag and headed down to Bellamy Harbor Park. The clouds were moving in fast. I setup the tripod on the edge of the wall supporting the barge canal flow control gates. It is my go to spot at the harbor as it allows the widest view of the park and it appears as though the camera is in the middle of the canal.

I still made it back home in time to be online at my normal hour but I was energized for the day. I think getting out into the morning air, even if it is to drive to work, gets everything going for me. It is what has been lacking while I am sequestered in my apartment riding out this pandemic storm.

Time to get dressed and do it again today…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Moving In

Moving In
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mmm f/2.8, 4s, 16mm, f/16, ISO 64

 

Water Mirror

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

When I was at Delta Lake the other night capturing the sunset there was another photographer on the beach. She had the best location and I tried to wait for her to grab the images she wanted before I interrupted but she was exploring a lot of different angles in that spot. I eventually realized she was not going to be done before the sun slipped away so I chanced walking up to her to see if I could share her location. She graciously agreed there was plenty of beach for both of us.

We chatted a little as we both went about our process. She was working on some long exposure images and I realized the conditions were ripe for doing so. For the last few captures, I threw my 4-stop ND filter in front of the lens and stretched the exposure out to 2.5 seconds. It was enough to smooth most of the water and create a nice mirror-like reflection of the sunset.

I photograph this section of Delta Lake quite often, some could say a lot! Maybe it is the easy access, maybe it is the direction of the sunset that makes it so easy. Either way, I never get tired of seeing this view, especially when there are a few lingering clouds in the sky to add a layer of color. I’m beginning to think orange and blue are my go to colors… 🙂

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Water Mirror

Water Mirror
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 12mm, 2.5s, f/16, ISO 64

 

Dover

Posted by Mike on

Oil Can Project – OCP20

The second image in my next wave of updates to the Oil Can Project. This oil can presented a few more challenges in the setup as well as the post processing. Most of the oil cans I have found are dark and well aged. This one is quite bright and shiny. The decal on the front is a very bright yellow which required some manipulation of the monochrome conversion in order for it to stand out against the oil can itself.

  

MLCreations Photography: Oil Can Project &emdash; Dover

Dover
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 15s, 27mm, f/11, ISO 200

 

Major

Posted by Mike on

Oil Can Project – OCP19

I have been way to complacent and it has been way too long since I truly worked on my Oil Can Project. I remedied that situation on Sunday. I was determined to find a good space in my apartment to use for my creative, indoor projects.

I have this extra long, pub height table in my dining area and I knew it could be utilized to my advantage. The large sliding glass doors are on the left and all the kitchen lighting is on the right. I figured out a way to hold the backdrops with one of my travel tripods and I cleaned up my reflective acrylic squares which I use to create the reflections. I had my new “studio”.

The light from the sliding glass doors was not as controllable as I had hoped but I could adjust the intensity of the kitchen lighting. Luckily when I bought curtains for the doors I selected light canceling ones. I adjusted the amount of light in the kitchen and was able to achieve the look I wanted. I definitely feel more comfortable with a static light setup than I do using a couple of flashes. I think my next big purchase is a Lume Cube setup.

This is the first result from my Sunday session. I have quite a few oil cans that I have picked-up over the last couple of years that I have not photographed. I guess this is a warning that my stream will be a little full of these images in the next few days.

  

MLCreations Photography: Oil Can Project &emdash; Major

Major
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 20s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 200

 

10 & 98 Come Together

Posted by Mike on

Mobile Bay, Alabama

I’m spending a little more time in Mobile, Alabama this weekend for work. Our only opportunity to get our tasks done was this weekend so I flew in on Friday evening. We had a good day yesterday, accomplishing most of our tasks so I had a little time this morning to get out with the camera (yes, I brought it this time!). If we have a good morning today I might go back to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park for better quality pics (fingers crossed).

This morning I stopped where Interstate 10 crosses Route 98 in the middle of Mobile Bay. I was hoping for a little more sunrise color in the sky but the clouds had not yet rolled past. You can see a sliver of orange barely above the interstate. It is all good, I do love me some light reflections on water…

  

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; 10 & 98 Come Together

10 & 98 Come Together
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6, 40s, 9mm, f/9, ISO 200