April

Jan 302012
 

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Seen in a parking lot while running errands. Having a camera on hand makes daily chores a lot more fun!

Nikon D300; f9.5 @ 1/60 sec, ISO 1400 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 55mm (82mm EFL); focus distance 2.66m

Jan 292012
 

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Noticed from the corner of my eye, this scene caused me to do a double-take in passing.

The first captures, attempted by shooting over a fence, were marred by an intervening snowbank. I got lucky with clear skies again the next day, and was able to return at the same time to discover a better vantage point—without trespassing too far.  😉

Nikon D300; f9.5 @ 1/1000 sec, ISO 200 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 65mm (97mm EFL); focus distance 4.73m

Jan 192012
 

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Revealed in snowmelt, about a week after Chicago’s one major snowfall this winter—so far!

Nikon D300; f9.5 @ 1/90 sec, ISO 200 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 55mm (82mm EFL); focus distance 1m

Jan 142012
 

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Photographed near high noon, this capture reminds me there are delightful possibilities in hard light between the hours of dawn and dusk!

Nikon D300; f9.5 @ 1/75 sec, ISO 200 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 46mm (69mm EFL); focus distance 1.68m

Jan 072012
 

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Kinetic: “Of or relating to the motion of material bodies and the forces and energy associated therewith.”

Though the subject was stationary, a strong impression of movement and energy caught my attention in passing.

Typing the exposure specs, I’m wondering why on earth I used f9.5 when there wasn’t much depth in this scene? At f8 the camera would have dropped to a lower ISO to meet my minimum shutter speed of 1/180 sec for hand holding this lens. That, combined with its best aperture setting for sharpness would have led to an even clearer image without post-processing.

I think I got excited, and forgot to check. 😉

Oh, and Happy New Year!

Nikon D300; f9.5 @ 1/180 sec, ISO 1400 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 95mm (142mm EFL); focus distance 1.12m

Dec 202011
 

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I’m constantly amazed by how things appear to change even as they largely remain the same. “Simplicity №1” was photographed in this location back in May. Returning some weeks later, I was annoyed by new “No Parking” signs affixed to the wall. Yesterday, the signs were still there—but so were a number of parked cars.  🙂

Nikon D300; f9.5 @ 1/180 sec, ISO 1400 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 75mm (112mm EFL); focus distance 14.96m

Dec 172011
 

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One overcast day, the combination of light and my position in passing made this scene come alive for me!

Nikon D300; f8 @ 1/180 sec, ISO 720 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 70mm (105mm EFL); focus distance 21.13m

Dec 102011
 

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Imprints on a schoolyard door in our neighborhood. I had to go back the next day just to make sure it was not a painted design, but actually the result of children at play.

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune noted:

“When recess returns to all CPS elementary and middle schools next fall, many educators will be at a loss. Most CPS schools haven’t had recess in 30 years… There was one other interesting aspect that emerged in the reporting of this story, too. After so long without recess, do kids even know how to play all those old recess games—like four square, tag and dodgeball—at all?”

How sad!

Nikon D300; f8 @ 1/180 sec, ISO 560 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 82mm (123mm EFL); focus distance 3.16m

Dec 062011
 

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The other day I visited an exhibition of Charles James fashion design at the Chicago History Museum. Though photography wasn’t allowed in that exhibit, it was elsewhere. At some point I realized I didn’t have to absorb the information displays, but instead could simply enjoy the surroundings. This image is of one space that drew my eye.

You have to love a stabilized lens in low light! Too, DxO Optics Pro does a great job of noise reduction during RAW processing.

Nikon D300; f5.3 @ 1/45 sec, ISO 3200 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 95mm (142mm EFL); focus distance 10.59m

Nov 162011
 

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This may be me in a couple of months, after winter sets in!

No texture layers or painterly effects applied in post-processing.

Nikon D300; f5.6 @ 1/180 sec, ISO 360 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 70mm (105mm EFL); focus distance 2.24m