Photography is a never ending journey.
There are no one way roads and many exits to explore on your travels. There have been many changes since the first known photo and there will be many more. Be that change.
FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS
VIEW OF THE AMERICAN FALLS FROZEN.
When you think about cold places Buffalo NY comes to mind for its snow and - temps during the winter. Niagara Falls is just around the corner. In 2015 the falls became a winter wonder land of ice and snow. In 2014 I went to shoot the ice and missed it by two days. The falls really never freeze solid. The amount of splashing water and mist coats the area painting ice over just about everything. The coldness turns the ice a blue hue around the falls and the trees are frosty white. Niagara doesn't do this every year at least not like this. Photography becomes a challenge if you aren't dressed for success. At -1 or so with a breeze minus 30 can be the norm. Ten minutes on bare skin is the limit. It takes extreme cold to do this because the water temp is not freezing and will eat the ice rather quickly when the temp rises above 30. You may think you'd have the place to yourself. Quite the contrary. You have to stand in line to get a clear view of the falls. I like shooting water falls just about anytime of the year but this could be a once of a lifetime because you never know what the weather will do. If you go to the falls there is an American and Canada side. They both offer views however, I only had one day to shoot with the weather being snowy so I chose to go to the Canada side. Good choice for me. I wish I would have been able to shoot around the American side for a more intimate view of the frozen vegetation. Next time.
iS IT MORE OR LESS CREATIVE WITH A GROUP OF PHOTOGRAPHERS
EALY MORNING, FREEZING TEMPATURES AND SOLITUDE
When I first started to shoot I was out there everyday by myself with an occasional meeting with another photographer. I liked the quiet and could let my mind wander. The biggest thing was I got there when I wanted and left when I wanted. The more I ventured out the more people I met. More than not it was very helpful most of the time with picking someone else's mind on techniques. Photographers are a friendly bunch and most will go out of their way to help another photographer. If you are around a group the most heard comments or question is what F stop, Shutter and ISO are you shooting. It became a pet peeve. Most of my experience with others has been OK. However, the trips that went wrong sticks in your mind the most. One clueless person with no idea of group etiquettes can make you wish you would have drove yourself. I have spend many hours not taking any photos just hoping the other person wanted to go. It isn't all bad. I have gained a lot by watching others and asking about their thought processes. I am not a teacher nor do I want to be. I prefer to be shooting and showing things to someone. The biggest thing I see photographers do wrong is not reading the manual, shoot some and read again. You have to learn the terminology. Not all brands are the same. When I meet a new photographer who starts asking questions I ask some questions to see what they may know. Then I usually help them change some simple settings to help see if they are over or under exposing. If they are shooting auto I try to show them how they can be artistic by using manual settings. Not too much info at one time. If I know I am going to be with a newbie I will tell them to bring their manual. I am used to my camera and can do a lot more than the consumer ones. This type of mentoring is not good in the group setting. Many won't ask questions in a group, all questions are not stupid. They may not have an option I have. Sometimes you won't get a chance to not be in a group. Workshops or gaining access to some locations may be required or too expensive. Try some inclement weather, shooting in the night or gain access to restricted areas if you prefer to shoot alone. A BAD DAY OF PHOTAGRAPHY IS BETTER THAN A GOOD DAY OF NO PHOTOGRAPHY!
No matter what happens saying nothing is always the best policy. Burning bridges someone said is not a good thing.
THE WHEEL CHAIR AT PENNHURST
I just had to do another blog on the wheel chair at Pennhurst. I had never seen a wheel chair of this type. There were no back wheels so the patient could not roll them selves around unless you were doing wheelies. It had a stand on the back side that set on the floor. The more I think about being there the more I think I will be going back. I can't imagine what I didn't see. Even being there at another part of the day or a cloudy day would change everything. Light direction, quantity, intensity or lack of any will change the character of the chair. Maybe a subject in the chair.
The light coming in from the small crack in the window boarded up long ago tickles the outline of the chair with just the right amount to give it a mood of truly lost in time. Sadness, loneliness or nothingness comes to mind. The eye moves over the chair wanting to see more. Adding additional light would make it just another discarded item in the corner. I am sure that when Pennhurst was in operation the light was dim anyway. You may ask when is it too much light? That will be determined each time it is viewed. I believe the more diverse the opinions the more you have achieved what photography should do. 1000 words are just a beginning. Just as long as you are happy with it or you can go back with me on another trip to get it the way you want.
DARKNESS FALLS........ another Pennhurst
PENNHURST
While at Pennhurst this wheel chair was tucked in a room that you needed a flashlight to see your feet. This chair drew a lot of attention from all the other photographers. It reminded me of the gate at a concert waiting for the doors to open. To give the chair its due I did some light painting in the darkness. Then I moved it into the hall for a different look with different light. I could have moved this chair all day but the line was long so I stepped back and watched the others. I can always learn something by watching others approach. The chair never moved again as each person shot it where it was. Different angles, add some light or just a different exposure for effect.
All I could think about was how this chair was used and it was meant to travel these halls of gloom. When it was sitting in the darkness I thought about someone all alone locked away. If you go there read about the place first. I believe it will help you see the place differently than being just another abandoned place.
In photography light is everything and sometimes less is better. You can convey a different message by brightness or darkness. There are times you should subtract light especially with glassware. Light subtraction for a future topic. When you trip the shutter and you look at the picture, ask yourself a question. What does this say to me. Secondly what someone else may say. It should say something if you want to take better pictures.
If you look in the background the ghost of Jim Crawley is seen.
I NEEDED A STRIP SOFTBOX SO I MADE ONE (updated)
I just couldn't find one that I had confidence in using my speed lights and the ones available are expensive especially when you don't know when you might use them again. I want to do an experiment so we'll see how it turns out. If you are interested I used some things laying around.
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I used some 6 inch drain pipe (update, I wish I would have used 4 inch) and cut an opening leaving some room at the top and bottom to place caps. I lined the inside of the pipe with silver tape used to repair duct work found at the box stores. One roll is enough for two lights. Cover both insides of the caps to help bounce the light through the opening. I chose a five inch opening. The length is 32 inches. I did not glue the ends on so you can start with a larger size.
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Measure and cut a hole in an end cap to fit your speed light. I oversized and added some weather stripping. This end cap can be the top or bottom however, make sure you do something to hold the flash on. to mount the light on a stand I used a Manfrotto 5/8th short stud and Impact swivel umbrella adapter. I am going to dedicate the adapter to stay with the light so any stand will do.
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To attach the fabric use double sided tape around the opening. I split the tape in two. Peel the back off the tape a little at a time. It helps with positioning the fabric and makes it easier if you have to adjust. The fabric sticks easily. I used parachute material. The heavier the material the more light lost.
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Start at the top and work down. Leave an inch or so on the sides loose so you can take it off. It doesn't matter if there are some wrinkles.
The light was soft but a wider pattern that I hoped for. I decided to add barn doors.
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I used some black foil and taped it in front of the hole with gaffers tape. I then split the foil with a knife and folded the foil back. I inserted the flash and used a radio trigger for another test.
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I can see I will be using these often.
It took me awhile no blueprints make up as I went. Pipe free, cap $7.00 ea, some black foil, small amount of gaffers and two sided tape. 1/2 yard cloth, stud $8.00, swivel $16.00 and time served, I will be making a smaller version with 4" pipe for portability.
On to concept shoot and see what happens.