I love clouds but. . .

The last few overcast days have been keeping me at the computer waiting for some color or weather to give November images some punch. While I was  at the Badlands I was lamenting  crystal clear blue skies, I guess it is hard to make a photographer happy. Does the weather ever make everyone happy?

Prairie Headstand

The choice for these Turk's cap lilies was a background of green or blue. Green was an easy shot from the knees. Blue meant getting low which took some flexibility and effort, a perfect excuse for a reward at the DQ on the way home.

Technical: fill flash at -2 stops, on camera flash Sony RX10ii

Each one is unique

I was reminded of this when someone said each sunset has been different this week. So is sunrise but few of us see it on a regular basis. This was taken before sunrise last week at a small park on the edge of Madison Lake, MN. 

Technical: To clone the light or not? What would you do?

Lake Sakatah Rookery

I'm fascinated by the color of the sky and lake each morning I drive by these islands.

Big Sky Country

I just finished a long day in the car and am thinking about the countryside I passed through. The sky is indeed big  but the land has been filled. This shot summarizes my impression of North Dakota and Montana after a long day of driving. 

Lamar Valley Picnic

We snowshoed out to the valley floor for a winter picnic and this is an attempt to share the feeling of space we felt while eating our lunch.  For a sense of scale the road is at the bright line on the right. 

Sky Lights

I went to the Butternut Valley SNA a few nights ago to photograph the Milky Way in the western sky but clouds moved in and reflected all the ground lights.  To get an idea where the darkest skies are check this website: Dark Site Finder

Technical: WB 2800, shadows opened in Lightroom, light on prairie from farm lights. 2 minute exposure

A Slow Start

It has been awhile since my last post. A combination of circumstances have prevented me from getting out much. I am also concentrating on video in 2015 making the stories harder to come by and produce. Anyhow, enough excuses, this was shot last week when preparing for a night photography class. This is a composition test shot for star trails using a Canon 30D at ISO 3200.  Unfortunately I did not get a chance to do star trails that night, the joy of carrying a cell phone.

Technical: Marginally acceptable noise levels that shows how far sensors have come since the 30D was introduced.  I'm still working on the best color for the night sky. This is at about 2800k with blue saturation at near 100.

Prairie Trail

Winter is a great time to see animal signs on the prairie. It may a longstanding deer trail or you may find a story in the snow showing recent wildlife activity. Unfortunately the only thing warm about the prairie in the winter is its color. The wind can be brutal!

Winter Blue

It is a joy to see blue sky again! This was shot about half an hour after sunset as the bitter cold was setting in. Daylight WB used with minimal increase in saturation. Foreground lightened with Lightroom shadow slider.

Stormy Skies

Not everyday is a blue sky day in Yellowstone, in fact, it would be interesting to know just how few there are. The character of the sky adds to the mystery and excitement of the Park and I prefer the cloudy days which usually bring a little wind with them. Recorded at the top of the S curves.

Migration in B & W

During a walk yesterday we were under a million blackbirds, not necessarily an exaggeration, and took some time to photograph and film them. Sometimes you just can't fight the light. The stark trees and blackbirds with an overcast sky are a case in point so I converted to black and white. 

Uplifting

I like the sweeping diagonal lines of the clouds and the road leading into the horizon. Upward and onward is the message I see in this image.

Sky Glow

Night brings a whole new perspective to the sky.  During the day we marvel at the clouds with an occasional jet intruding into our vision but at night we cannot escape the influence of man.  The nearest town of about 10,000 people is over 30 miles away. 

Technical: no local adjustments were made to the milky way

An August Night

I was shooting the prairie sunset and early night sky last night. From my location the lights of 5 different towns were visible on the horizon. Despite city lights the Milky Way was brilliant in the southern sky. This month's Outdoor Photographer ties its brightness to Sagitarrius, I'll need to look that up. Choosing the white balance for the color of the sky is perplexing since it is black. A good explanation of this can be found at: Can the night sky be "authentic?"

Porcupine Grass and Sky

I spent the last evening at Cottonwood River Prairie SNA sharing it with 7 other photographers. The clear sky evening and light breeze made it a perfect prairie evening. After the group left I pulled out my camera for a couple shots. These are the first images of the month since my attention has been more directed to video.

Shooting to the Sky

I'm torn between showing hepatic bursting through oak leaves or showing them reaching up to a blue sky. Most of the hepatica I shoot is on a steep hillside making it easier to try both images. It all comes down to the message. Is the message life springing forth or incredible color on a drab hillside? I think there's room for more than one right answer.
Question: How much of an image needs to be sharp?
Answer: It depends.

Milky Way over Tree

Another image from the winter tree series. How small we are in the universe.

The Tree

I saw this tree a couple weeks ago and it just had to be photographed. At the time the ground was bare and brown, the sky was dull and gray. The tree just would not leave my mind, I was fixated on it. Finally the solution hit me, shoot it at night.

Technical: What is the best best white balance at night? In this image I decided to keep the sky black and let the cloud color fall where into place. 

The Sky is Full

My wife has been telling me about the number of birds in the fields she sees on the way to work. This weekend I had a chance to see them and take a couple shots. I am amazed at the organization of flocks.  Who leads? Who gives the fly and land signals? 

Technical: 200 mm focal length on Canon 7D, cloudy white balance. Image chosen from several because corners of frame were filled more than other choices.