Fall into Winter

 Walks  4 Responses »
Nov 112017
 

Last night in bed I heard what I thought was rain. In the morning, I saw instead it had been the sound of leaves falling as temperatures plunged below freezing. Our back yard and flower beds were covered in a carpet of gold. Not long after sunrise under overcast skies, it was too dark to take pictures. Then it began to snow.

After breakfast, I bundled up and went for a walk around the neighborhood with my camera. Still snowing, there was no wind—only quiet. Underfoot were leaves of green, yellow, and red, lightly blanketed with white. Pristine. Not yet trampled by pedestrians; just a few footprints.

Though I’d been a little disappointed at not being able to photograph my first impressions of gold, during that walk I discovered a different kind of beauty—and hope you enjoy these images.

[Click on any image to view large as a slideshow.]

Snowbound

 Nature  No Responses »
Feb 252014
 

Snowbound ©2014 April Siegfried

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Chicago has officially topped the 5 foot mark for snowfall this winter…so far. We’ve also “enjoyed” 19 days of sub-zero temperatures, with more just ahead and high temperatures running 30°(F) below normal.

Even so, when I do decide to bundle up and venture out, this winter is quite striking and beautiful.

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Nikon D300; 1/500 sec @ f11, ISO 200 (handheld);
18-200 mm f/3.5–5.6 @ 200mm (300mm EFL); focus distance 3.76m

Winter Slush

 Walks  1 Response »
Feb 032014
 

Slush №1

Slush №1
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Panasonic DMC-FZ40; f3 @ 1/60 sec, ISO 100 (handheld);
Focal length: 6.1mm (35mm EFL)

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Slush №2

Slush №2
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Panasonic DMC-FZ40; f4.5 @ 1/125sec, ISO 80 (handheld);
Focal length: 12.6mm (70mm EFL)

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Walking in Chicago winters, I spend a lot of time looking down.

First Snow—Montrose Harbor, Chicago (revisited)

 Nature  5 Responses »
Dec 092010
 

Version 2
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A crabapple tree laden with fruit after a snowfall on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Version 1
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Nikon D300; f4.0 @ 1/125sec, ISO 1100 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 27mm (40mm EFL); subject distance 10.59m

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The other day…I learned something about not over-processing an image.

Version 2 above is much closer to the original capture, and to what drew me to make the photograph that morning—in the dark and cold, with wind blowing snow into the lens.

At least I have knowledge about how to expand dynamic range, heighten contrast, and change  brightness that I can now throw out the window. 😉

First Snow

 Nature  4 Responses »
Dec 062010
 

A crabapple tree laden with fruit after a snowfall on the shore of Lake Michigan.

First Snow—Montrose Harbor, Chicago
{click image to view large}

Nikon D300; f4.0 @ 1/125sec, ISO 1100 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 27mm (40mm EFL); subject distance 10.59m

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A barren tree in a field after winter's first snow.

First Snow—Montrose Point, Chicago
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Nikon D300; f5.6 @ 1/180sec, ISO 200 (handheld);
18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 26mm (39mm EFL); subject distance 5.96m

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Just the other day, we had our first snowfall of the season and it was a delight to explore.

These trees were photographed in one of my favorite locations on Lake Michigan, the first at sunrise off the harbor and the second about an hour later in a nature sanctuary nearby.

Driving in the dark on roads not yet plowed with snow still falling was…surprisingly peaceful! Few were in such a hurry as to risk wasting time with an accident report, and the neighborhoods decorated with Christmas lights were so pretty to view along the way.

Winter Cheer

 Nature  7 Responses »
Dec 082009
 

Color swatch red Color swatch white Color swatch gray [¹]

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Just the other day…it snowed! Our first of the season. With no wind, early morning was a fairyland.

These crabapple trees immediately caught my eye in a nearby park, where I happily spent 1½ hours taking photographs just after sunrise.

I’m learning to work with my gear in cold weather, to stay comfortable but also have the freedom to move:

  • Stow pack in the trunk of the car, but choose only 1 lens for the camera to carry along with the tripod. Stash cable release somewhere handy.
  • Handwarmers activated in outside pockets, but wear only silk gloves.
  • Inside pockets hold an extra battery and memory card, along with the closeup lens and/or polarizer, car keys, cell phone, memo pad, pencil, and business cards.
  • Water bottle stays in car; but maybe next time I’ll take a thermos of hot tea instead. 🙂

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¹Colors of the day:

  • Red R:150 G:27 B:24
  • White R:124 G:216 B:218
  • Gray R:107 G:98 B:97