Dark-eyed Junco

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The Dark-eyed Junco is one of my favorite small birds. My favorite being the Black-capped Chickadee. These images were shot right out of my living room window. With my camera on a tripod, and with this little guy sitting still, I probably could have dialed down my shutter speed and ISO, for a cleaner image, but I’m pretty happy with these results. Next time!

These images were all shot at these settings: 1/2000 sec at f/7.1, ISO 2500, 500mm, Sony A7R IV.

I love the excitement of making the image. When you’re in the moment, pinning focus on that little bird as he hops from branch to branch, changing your composition in realtime, spinning dials under thumb and finger to properly expose the scene as he moves in and out of the light.

The vertical grip on my A7R IV is also so handy. I love that I still have access to the front and rear dials for shutter speed and aperture, and can still back-button-focus even when I’m shooting in portrait orientation. So handy. So comfortable.

Female Red-winged Blackbird

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I’ve really been enjoying shooting wildlife at 500mm. I’ve never shot at this focal length before, and the process has been a lot of fun. I believe I have found the “sweet spot” with the Tamron 150-500mm lens, regarding optimal sharpness and aperture size. That sweet spot seems to be at f/8. Although the lens offers a faster f/6.7 aperture, the images just aren’t as crisp when stopped down to this maximum limit. Case in point; the little bird below; shot at f/8.

1/2000 sec at f/8.0, ISO 500, 500mm, Sony A7R IV

Shooting film with the Leica CL

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Not long ago, I picked up this fantastic old Leica CL. This model, made in Japan, by Minolta was introduced in 1973 and discontinued three years later, in 1976. It’s an interesting story as to why. Click here to hear it. At any rate, it’s a beautiful old rangefinder. I am fortunate that the light meter still functions properly, which research has taught me is quite a rarity when you come across these old models. I shot the first 36 exposures putting my faith into the meter, in hopes that it still worked, and I was relieved when I picked up my photos at Cardinal Camera. I opted for high resolution scans of my images, when I dropped my film with the shop. Take a look at the images in the gallery below. The sharpness is razor crisp, which I attribute to the fact that it’s a Leica rangefinder and it’s paired with a brand new Voigtlaender 40mm f/1.4 lens. Being my first time using a rangefinder, I was second guessing the accuracy of my focus. It’s quite different from using a single lens reflex camera; there’s more work involved for sure. It’s a challenging and enjoyable way of focusing; essentially aligning two images until the overlay is as accurate as possible; while maintaining your composition and also properly exposing the scene. Add to this, the fact that this camera has absolutely no automatic functions. As a result, my captures, when using this rangefinder, are certainly more deliberate and intentional than when I am shooting digital cameras.

Camera: Leica CL

Lens: Voigtlaender Nokton Classic Lens 40 mm / F1.4

Film: Fujifilm Superia X-TRA, ISO 400

Paper: Fujifilm Chrystal Archive, matte

Snapshots from the Pine Barrens

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I popped down to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey today, to visit my buddy John and take some photos out amongst the evergreens and sandy back roads. Below are a few snapshots from the day.

1/4000 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100, 24mm, Sony A7C

1/1000 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100, 24mm, Sony A7C

1/800 sec at f/3.2, ISO 100, 24mm, Sony A7C

Wissahickon Waterfowl Preserve

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I’ve been enjoying bird photography lately. I’ve always kept a bird feeder, especially through the winter months and enjoy seeing the birds and squirrels go to town at it. Over the years, and unintentionally, I’ve developed a genuine interest in birding and have amassed a decent library of identification and reference materials. I’m particularly fond of the National Audubon Society’s Guides. I’ve got a nice set of binoculars and get a kick out of watching the antics of each type of little bird that visits the feeder.

Growing tired of shooting birds from my living room window, I decided to make an early morning trip over to the Wissahickon Waterfowl Preserve. My plan was to arrive at sunrise and capture a male red winged blackbird, perched on a cattail, backlit by those golden sideways morning rays with a wisp of steam coming from it’s open beak. Welp. That didn’t happen! This morning’s sunrise was a real let down; it was so overcast. Gee thanks Mother Nature! Still, I did enjoy using shooting at 500mm. focal length and am fairly happy with the results. I’ll definitely be visiting this Preserve again!

By the way… how sad is it that the little bird shown above is actually the female Red Winged Black Bird? Poor girl! I think it’s funny, that in the world of birds, the males are generally the more brightly colored ones.

A little DIY

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Slowly, I’ve been souping up my office. The other weekend, I made and hung some simple, dark-stained, pine wall shelving. And then yesterday afterwork, I pulled the trigger on my most recent plans for a classic gear rack/organizer for my mountaineering & photography gear. My house was built in the 50’s and the office I’m currently “souping”, albeit small, has some real potential for a hip, vintage, vibe. With this in mind, I opted for classic brown, peg board, mounted with brass screws and finishing washers for a little bit of style. Loving it so far!

Instant classic

It’s deceptively cold outside this morning! My son and I spent all morning playing on the floor. My house gets amazing light nearly all day long, so I grabbed the Leica Instant camera for some old school instant film fun.

Nature photography

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I’ve got a pretty great set up in my backyard for capturing shots of the seasonal birds who have been dining at uplandphoto Headquarters. I’ve always enjoyed watching the birds and even the squirrels who raid the feeder on a regular basis. All are welcome. Below are a few shots of a white breasted nuthatch, red-bellied woodpecker and house finch.

All images were shot at 1/1000 sec at f/6.7, ISO 6400.

Photo mash

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Thought I would post up a few images taken over the last couple of weeks. Typically, when I go out shooting, I try to post only my best one or two images from the day. Sometimes it’s hard to decide which images to post. These ones didn’t make the cut originally, but still have some redeeming qualities, so I thought I’d share them. Let’s call them a photo mash.

Washington Crossing Bridge

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I’ve always been interested in bridges. They’re a great mix of function and form. This bridge; Washington Crossing Bridge, spans the Delaware River very close to George’s icy night crossing back in 1776. It’s so narrow. It’s deck; made of riveted steel grid. Simple. Pretty.

1/320 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/250 sec at f/4.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/160 sec at f/4.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

Sleighton Farm School

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1/80 sec at f/4.0, ISO 100, 19mm, Sony A7C

The image below was fun to create. It reminds me of one of my all-time favorite photos I’ve ever taken waaaaay back in the day; 2006 or so (Check it out). Still, I had a hard time framing these hanging switches. One of the biggest challenges is in photography is composing your shot in an interesting way. I wanted the switches to be the subject and wanted separation between them and the background, so I stopped down to f/1.7 However, I left a bit unsatisfied with the way I framed this shot.

1/50 sec at f/1.7, ISO 200, 28mm, Leica Q2

Try again

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I’d taken a photo of this chair the other day on a walk around my neighborhood, but was lazy, and accidentally missed focus. Tonight I stopped back, fearing that I’d lost the light for the day. To my delight, the streetlights lit this scene perfectly for a hand held exposure and composition I am happy with.

Sometimes you just have to go back and try again.

1/50 sec at f/1.7, ISO 2000, 28mm, Leica Q2

Neighborhood Walk

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Despite the rain, I was able to get out for after work, with my camera today, and make a few images from scenes around my neighborhood. Rainy days can provide creative opportunities in the form of reflections.

1/200 sec at f/4.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/100 sec at f/3.5, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/100 sec at f/3.5, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/400 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/80 sec at f/3.2, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

Water Tower

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I’ve often considered working on a water tower series. I ought to do it. I find their stance, shape, and vintage signage so photogenic. It seems most of them are quite old; their paint bleached by the sun. The one in my images below, is no longer in use and has developed some great colors through it’s decay. The underbelly of that tank specifically. To me, those interesting colors are part of the allure of the urban decay genre, and why I enjoy shooting it so much. I like the thought that these complimentary colors, tones, and textures developed organically, so very slowly over time. Perhaps, just waiting for me to come along this afternoon and freeze the scene.

1/500 sec at f/5.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/500 sec at f/5.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/800 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

Old farm

Enjoyed myself today, making these images. I’m loving the effects created by the circular polarizing filter I have been using in front of my lens. It really makes those clouds punchy and pulls more contrast out of the scene. I love this old farm and enjoyed crawling all through it.

1/250 sec at f/5.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/200 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/640 sec at f/2.2, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2

1/500 sec at f/2.0, ISO 100, 28mm, Leica Q2