At the April 3rd meeting of Cayuga Nature Photographers, Mark Malkin will show us how to do macro photography without a macro lens. Spring brings a blossoming of macro subjects, but macro lenses can also bring a relatively large price tag. So, Mark’s demonstration will focus on the use of close-up filters, extension tubes, and reversal rings as inexpensive ways to get into macro photography. Bring your camera and tripod so you can try out some new toys and techniques! We have Nikon gear lined up, and we are looking for Canon gear. Spring is a great time to explore macro subjects. This will be a great way to prepare for spring. We will meet in room 404 of the Cornell Plant Sciences Building at 7:30 pm. All levels of photo skill are welcome.
Best in Show
by Paul Schmitt
At our annual photo exhibit, the members of Cayuga Nature Photographers selected by a strong majority as Best in Show the image Fire Island by Adam Baker.
The scene was a foggy sunrise at a lake in Vermont during autumn. Continue reading Best in Show
A “micro meeting” at Taughannock Falls
by Paul Schmitt
With apologies to those members unable to just pick up on a weekday and traipse off for some photography, I’m reporting on what Mike Goldstein has labled a CNP “micro meeting”. Four of us who were without work obligations ran up to Taughannock Falls this Wednesday for some cold weather photography. It was such fun that we are hoping to offer such “micro meetings” on weekends in January.
So, the gang of four were Mike Goldstein, David Dunneau, Ray Hunt and myself. We met at 8:30 am at the parking area at the foot of the gorge and immediately headed for the falls while the wind was calm and the light promising.
One of the cool discoveries was a nice reflection on the open water just above the bridge. I got this photo.
![facebk-Taughannock%20Falls%20SP-20131218_057-058_HDR[3]](https://cayuganaturephotographers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/facebk-taughannock20falls20sp-20131218_057-058_hdr3.jpg)
High ISO and Noise Reduction
by Paul Schmitt
The digital photography has opened a new era in low light photography.
In the film era, high ISO speeds meant grainy images. Not so now! Mike Goldstein and Paul Schmitt addressed the subject at our December meeting, first showing the increased noise in a scene as the ISO rose, and then using Lightroom to remove noise. Discussion re- vealed that many are unfamiliar with this and miss the opportunity to boost ISO enough to gain fast shutter speeds in low light. This is key to good subject sharpness. So, we will revisit this. The image at right has a wide range of tones from dead black to soft whites. Image noise is analogous to the static heard on a radio when the signal is weak. Dark tones have a weaker “photon signal” and are noisier.
Let’s look at the image noise in a small portion of this scene as the ISO steps up in a Nikon D300S camera. From left to right they are ISO200, 800, 1600 and 6400. (206×308 pixel samples).
Noise first becomes slightly apparent at ISO400, with it clearly growing in severity at ISO800. (Let’s use the highest ISO6400 so that the result is most apparent in the limited resolution of the present format.) Continue reading High ISO and Noise Reduction
Spring is finally here!
Very reluctantly, Spring has finally arrived in upstate New York. As it often does here, it seems to come in a grand rush in about two weeks. The talk among Cayuga Nature Photographers has been all about Spring wildflowers and, since I was unable to attend the recent meeting to see everyone’s images and show a few of my own, I decided to post a variety here as examples of what you may find as you explore the woods and nature preserves of our area. Most of these are older images of mine. I find it harder and harder these days to actually get out and shoot the way I used to. But these pictures are examples of the variety and beauty that typically are available if you take the effort to seek out the blossoms of Spring in the wild.
Among the first to show in our area is the Blue Bell or Virginia Cowslip. These were found on a roadside in Trumansburg.
Upcoming Events for Cayuga Nature Photographers
April means wildflowers in the Finger Lakes. On Sunday, April 28, members will meet at 8 am in the Caldwell Road entrance to Mundy Wildflower Garden on the Cornell campus. Bring your camera, a tripod and expect to find a multitude of plants in bloom. This will be appropriate for members at all levels. Beginning photographers can expect useful mentoring from other members.
The Trout Lily below is just one example of what MWFG presents at this time of the year.
If the weather creates any doubt about the success of the event, check your group email for an update the night before. Bear in mind that a light sprinkle can be a great time with full saturated colors and wonderful beads of water to add sparkle to the subject.
Any questions? Contact me at: pschmitt@stny.rr.com
At our next meeting, Thursday May 2, we will first continue last month’s review of post processing using Lightroom. We’ll walk through the processing steps with some examples that demonstrate how to fix and optimize images. This will build on Adam Bakers excellent review at our April meeting. After the Lightroom presentation, we will share images of spring, specifically the spring wildflowers found in some many places during April. I expect wildflowers to be plentiful from April 10 onward.
I hope to see you at both events.
Paul Schmitt
See Rock City (New York)
Growing up in Kentucky, my childhood memories include the road trips past tobacco barns displaying the black and white message SEE ROCK CITY. It was a tourist attraction at Lookout Mountain just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. The sign continued SEE 7 STATES. Never did see that Rock City, but on several occasions, I’ve driven just a little north of Salamanca, New York to see what I think is a more amazing Rock City. I did that again this early October.
Driving north on US 219 from Salamanca, take a left on Hungry Hollow Road where shortly after the pavement ends, you’ll see the sign post for New York’s Rock City.
A Beautiful September Day
Had a workshop to teach on Sunday at Cornell Plantations, and it was such a beautiful morning that I arrived early to spend some time in the Herb Garden. It is luscious right now. The iron gate into the Herb Garden still has the brilliant red Clematis.
Inside the garden, I found some very rich colors. Continue reading A Beautiful September Day
Reflections
Had the opportunity for a day trip into New York City yesterday to do some shopping at B&H PhotoVideo. With time to spare before returning to the plane, my wife and I walked thru Central Park, visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and found a nice deli on Madison Avenue for coffee and a terrific apricot danish. We arrived a little early for the bus back to the plane. So, we found a shady place in the plaza at the south end of Central Park near the Plaza Hotel. To that point, I had seen nothing that appealed to me for photographs. But, sitting there, I became drawn to the reflections on the glass building facades. With my little Canon G9 camera, I explored the possibilities.
The Harder Watercourse Garden- A Gardener’s Canvas of the Seasons
The Harder Watercourse Garden is a relatively new addition to the beautiful arboretum at Cornell Plantations. I found it recently and find it a photographer’s dream of textures and changing colors as the season progresses. First, let me show you where to find this place. It lies just south of the Neuman Overlook at the first parking area just past the overlook.
The view when you park is inviting……
Continue reading The Harder Watercourse Garden- A Gardener’s Canvas of the Seasons
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