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A Short Sunday Walk for Autumn Color

November 6, 2013

Mum's the word when you're surrounded by pine needles.

Mum’s the word when you’re surrounded by pine needles.

A recent Sunday held a higher than usual amount of sun.  Having a few unaccounted for moments, I decided to spend them with a camera. Time did not allow me to journey far from home, so I decided to photograph the color that was available around the house. I used selective manual focus for all images, and shot with an exposure compensation of -3, ISO setting of 80, and constant aperture of F4.

Using light to its best advantage.

Using light to its best advantage.

Since the back-light on these leaves was very strong, I decided to shoot them from the side away from the sun. Then I waited for a large white cloud to blow into the frame. Didn’t require too much camera skill…only a truck-load of patience.  Isolation is a wonderful (and cheap) technique to use when you want to concentrate the viewer’s interest.

Use manual focus to be more selective when using a large aperture, though you won’t really know what the image contains until you see it on a computer or other large screen. You will often be pleasantly surprised by the results of your efforts. Again, the luxury of time is what’s required for the photographer to use the light to best advantage. Take time to look for  partial color changes that can often be quite interesting and you don’t need a camera bag filled with exotic gear to capture memorable images and practice your photo skills.

Just when you're wondering "where have all the flowers gone?"...

Just when you’re wondering “where have all the flowers gone?”…

Time for a Change.

Time for a Change.

When was the last time you tried manual focus?

When was the last time you tried manual focus?

When the sun comes out, you'll often get a berry nice picture.

When the sun comes out, you’ll often get a berry nice picture.

How many shades of red will you find on an autumn stroll?

How many shades of red will you find on an autumn stroll?

Add a colorful background by changing your perspective.

Add a colorful background by changing your perspective.

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Weekly Photo Tip

Get an Infrared Filter to create snow

 

Infra-red filter creates eerie snow effect.

Magnus, the faithful camera clubhouse cat, thoughtfully dropped a B+H gift card in my Christmas stocking. I used the card to order an Infrared (IR) filter which, as you will remember knocks out all wavelengths of light below the filter rating. In this case, all light below 930nm doesn’t make it through the filter, and the wavelengths that do make it require 2 1/2 minutes of exposure time. This filter is so dark red, the composing and focusing must be done before the filter is attached to the front of the lens. In addition to a tripod and ballhead, it helps to have gloves and a mug of some type of warm liquid to keep hands and insides warm while walking around behind the camera for those 150 seconds while the shutter is open.

IR filters come in varying strengths which affect the price. Mine wasn’t priced in the low-end promo department, but the effects it creates are both enjoyable and worth the price. Get one and see for yourself.

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About Jack

A classically trained musician since childhood, Jack Carlson always had the “ear” of an artist. It was only a short step to develop the artist’s “eye” as well.

The portfolio of this certified photographer reveals images that emphasize mood and composition. Their purpose is to present a feeling in addition to portrayal of person, place or thing. Sometimes that feeling is nostalgia; other times it is serenity.

Each photograph tells a story.

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