June 2, 2010, Early Corn Fields

The corn in the local fields is just starting to sprout out of the ground.

On my way to the photo club, I looked out the window of my car and this is what I saw.  Luckily I left early for the meeting, and had time to snap a few photos. 

Corn fields attract me for some reason.  Perhaps it was playing hide and seek in them as a child, or building forts for snow ball fights out of the stalks in the winter that bring back pleasant memories.

Lessons Learned:

• Once again, it was just keeping my eyes open.

Photo details: Exposure time 1/13 sec, Aperture f/18.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 34 mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, tripod, post processing to better balance the colors between the sky, and the field..

Week 50, Day 349, April 13, 2010, Low Clouds

I had some fun with today's photo.   I began by taking photos of  the long shadows of the trees across the corn field.  At first I was attempting to take photos of just the shadows.  Then I noticed if I walked down the hill the shadows were looking much more interesting from the bottom of the hill.  I then tipped the lens up and started to see the cumulus clouds.  I liked how the shadow of the trees began to look like the shadows of the clouds.  Now all we need is some cool mountains to set the tone. :-)

Lessons Learned:

• Taking photos up a hill can make the clouds in the sky look closer to the ground.
• I can really see the effects of the circular polarizer filter in the sky.  I like the effect, but it definitely doesn't look completely natural.    I may tone it back a little next time.  What do the rest of you do?

Photo details: Exposure time 1/100 sec, Aperture f/8.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 17 mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, handheld, circular polarizer filter. 

Week 50, Day 348, April 12, 2010, Corn Husk

I'm not sure why, but I find myself drawn to photographing corn.  I was walking through a corn field tonight and found the husk left from last years crop very interesting.  I think I have a collection of corn at it's various states from the past year.  It might be interesting to put them in a collection.

Lessons Learned:

• I forgot one lesson from yesterday. Taking 5500 photos tires the index finger.  I had to switch to using my middle finger to push the shutter button during the end of the race.  I didn't have enough strength left in my index finger.  I didn't mention it to the runners, because I don't think they would show me any sympathy. :-)
• Trees are blossoming all around, but I don't feel drawn to photograph them.  I enjoy their beauty, but somehow they seem to obvious a choice for photography.  I've taken several photos, but I just don't seem to like them very well.  It could be that I just haven't captured them in an interesting or new way.  What are your thoughts?

Photo details: Exposure time 1/80 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 40 mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, handheld, circular polarizer filter.  

Week 47, Day 326, March 21, 2010, Dinner for One

I went for two walks this afternoon.  The first one I took my cameras and our dog Tank.  Needless to say, there wasn't much photography.  I took Tank for a walk in the woods with the neighbor, and his dog.  They had a great time together, and I got a work out trying to hold the leash.  He seemed to have a great time smelling everything in sight.

The second walk I took only my cameras.  I walked through the old orchard behind our house.  This led to a field with a hedge row.  I followed the hedge row to the woods beyond the field.  There is an old stone fence all along the hedge row.  In some parts it has fallen down, in others large trees have fallen on it.  I took a lot of photos.

On the way back I noticed something on one of the tree branches.  When I got closer I notices it was part of an ear of corn.  It looks like some animal took and put it on a branch to chew, and look over the fields.  It is a seat with a wonderful view.  All that is needed is a candle.

Lessons Learned:

• I tend to find many things to photograph when I take walks in nature.  It's a good way to get a photo for the day.  Many times it is difficult to choose which photo to use.  
• I can more easily see what light works, and what light doesn't work when I'm getting ready to take a photograph.  This helps in that I don't waste as much time with things that I have a pretty good idea that won't work.  I guess this could be a blessing or a curse, in that I might miss some serendipitous photos.

Photo details: Exposure time 1/160 sec, Aperture f/4, ISO 400, Focal Length 34 mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, hand held.

Week 27, Day 193, November 2, 2009, Corn Focus, Weekly Winner in Online Viewer Poll

I found it interesting in my photo from the other day how monochromatic the corn fields seem.  Then I noticed the little patch of yellow from the corn.  Today I went back to the same spot, and took a closer photo of the corn.  I highlighted it in this photo.

Any opinions on this approach of highlighting a portion of the photo?

Lesson Learned:

• Many times I find something very interesting in my photos after I have come back to the computer, and looked at them for a while.  For this photo, it was fine because I could easily return to the corn field is across the road from where I live.  Other times I may not have a second shot at taking a photo.  Maybe a new camera with a larger LCD will help. ;-)

Photo details: Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 17 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 27mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, hand held, circular polarizer filter, color manipulation with Picassa.

Weekly Winner in online viewer poll.

Week 27, Day 191, October 31, 2009, Evidence of Wind II

It was very windy this morning, and we had sunshine for about 15 minutes.  I grabbed my camera and ran outside to take some photos of the wind blowing the corn.  I like the effect.

Lessons Learned:

• Have your camera ready to shoot on a moments notice.  Photographic moments come up all the time.  I'm driving some people crazy with the comment, "That would make a neat photo."  I guess I should back off on that statement, and just think in internally.

Photo details: Exposure time 1/125 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 21 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 34mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, hand held, circular polarizer filter.

Week 17, Day 115, August 24, 2009 "Corn Field Part II"

This is my second attempt at this photo. I do like how this one turned out. It looks as if there is a long tunnel.

It's amazing how dark it is in a corn field with all the leaves above my head. So far I have been unable to create a blue sky so far because it is so dark. Maybe some of you photographers would have some suggestions. I may try some HDR processing in the future. At this time, I don't know how to produce an HDR image and then add it to the blog. Do any of you?

Lessons Learned:

• This time I used an row of corn planted in an East - West direction instead of a North - South. At first I shot toward the sun, but after some attempts I realized that shooting away from the sun was working much better. I think that using an East - West direction gave me a little more light to create a better photo.
• Take an extra battery. My battery died, and my second one was back at the house.
  

Photo details: Exposure time 2.5 sec, Aperture f/22.0, ISO 800 (it was a very dark under the leaves), Focal Length 29 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 47mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, camera bag as a tripod.

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Week 16, Day 110, August 19, 2009 "Corn Tunnel" Winnder of Week 16 in online viewer poll

Tonight shot is from a Corn Field. I like the effect that it has, but I can get it much better.

The sky was to bright when I took this photo. I'm going back when it's earlier in the morning, or later at night. I also made the stupid mistake of leaving my camera set at 1600 ISO. I would think that I would know better by now. uurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Tonight I ran out of time in between this shot, making and eating dinner. Talking to my daughter on the phone, and then getting out there to late. I might try again tomorrow.

I think that I can do better, but I still like this shot.

Lessons Learned:

• In my life there are many things that are more important than photography.
• I still make a lot of stupid mistakes.
• My camera bag makes a great tripod when I need to photograph down low.
• I did remember to use the Focal Length of 17mm to give more feeling of depth.
  

Photo details: Exposure time 1/4 sec, Aperture f/10.0, ISO 100, Focal Length 17 mm, 35 mm equivalent focal length 28mm, Lens Canon EF 17-40mm, camera bag tripod.

Winner of week 16 in online viewer poll.