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Acadia National Park Adobe clouds Maine Nature Nik Software Photo Journal Photography Tone Mapping Water

Western Point – Acadia NP

Images taken at Western Point in Acadia National Park on Mt Desert Island, Maine USA.

Rocky Shorelines
Be sure to click all the way through to see the BIG picture!!
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4th of July Adobe Camera Chester County Events Lionville Long Exposure Nature Photo Journal Photography Tone Mapping

Fireworks & Super Moon

Yesterday was the annual Lionville Community day, which ended with a great set of Fireworks!!

Hope you enjoy!

On a technical side, this was my first real chance to use my new Canon T5i (700D), and for some reason, it takes SO LONG to cycle between pictures, even with a fast memory card!

I’m going to do some more testing, but my much older Canon XTi seems to be a much better camera for Fireworks.

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4th of July Adobe Announcements Chester County Downingtown Events Featured Holidays Information Location Long Exposure Photo Journal Photography Published Tech Talk Tips Tone Mapping

Fireworks time again!!

It is that time of the year again for fireworks!!

For those of you in Chester County PA area, here is a guide to local events that my friends of at County Line Magazine put together!

Where to Find Fireworks? (PDF)

My fellow photographer friend, Dan Potter, also put together a nice list of do’s and don’t when photographing fireworks!

I do take issue with his Bulb settings (#2) comment.

Looking back into my collection…

  • Canonet (circa late 1960s) – B on the Lens
  • AE-1 (circa early 1980s) –  B on the Dial
  • F-1 (circa mid 1980s) – B on the Dial
  • PowerShot A70 (circa early 2000s) – M on the Dial
  • PowerShot SX130 (circa early 2010s) – M on the Dial
  • Rebel XTi (circa 2007) – M on the Dial
  • Rebel T5i (circa 2014) – M on the Dial

What my data suggests, that you might be referring to an older analog film based camera, and if memory serves me correctly, Nikon did the SAME THING on their line during that time!

In both cases (Canon vs Nikon), it was the nature of analog film cameras to have the Speeds on the Upper Dial and the Aperture on the Lens itself.

These days, both are done via the various digital modes, one being (M)anual.

Dan also makes a good point to “know your location” and to be able to “adjust quickly”. (#4)

In the various years that I have photographed the Good Neighbor Fireworks, their launch area does seem to be a moving target from year to year!

In any case, enjoy the tips and have a GREAT 4th of July Weekend!!

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Categories
Adobe Black & White Chester County Digital Painting Photo Journal Photo Manipulation Photography Tone Mapping Water

St Peter’s Quarry

My sister has been talking about St Peter’s Village for some time now, and with the kids just starting vacation, I was looking for something quick and easy to do.

After taking a scenic 30 minute drive, we parked and walked up the small little hill to the quarry, and from there I took these quick images.

St Peter's Quarry 019
Images of the quarry at St Peter’s Village in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
St Peter's Quarry 013
Images of the quarry at St Peter’s Village in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
St Peter's Quarry 001
Images of the quarry at St Peter’s Village in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In image processing, I went with a higher saturation and vibrancy then normal, to emphasize the colors from the paints and chalk that have dripped down over the rocks from the graffiti art, but the greens of the trees became to “hot”.

I took the color image and converted into a Black and White layer, and from there I cut a mask to enhance the colors of the rocks.

Certainly not the image I had in mind when I stood there, but I kind of like it.

What do you think?

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Categories
Chester County Downingtown Nature Photo Journal Photography Science Tone Mapping Wildlife

Cool Moth!

Madison and I Were on the deck checking out the garden, and as I passed our dessicated cactus, I noticed something interesting, and said “Cool!”

“What?” said Madison, as she moved to my side, looking where I was staring. Then she jumped behind me once she realized what she was looking at!

After a brief moment, she moved forward and said “That’s cool!”

Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 01
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 01
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 02
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 02
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 03
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 03
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 04
Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum)? 04

The two of us spent a few more seconds looking at the moth before I went and got my camera.

If you have any idea what type of moth this is, please let me know!

It has been suggested that this is a pug moth, but with a quick look, one can see that there are hundreds of pug moths.

Many thanks in advance,

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Update

140516 15:36 – After joining BugGuide,net, I posted one of the pictures above, and within 15 mins, I was able to identify this critter as a Male Lettered Sphinx Moth (Deidamia inscriptum).

What do you think?