3/30/2024 - Salmon River Falls

I was considering heading to a different park where there is a long gorge walk until I realized it was 90 minutes away.  Topping that off was not knowing if the gorge was actually open, I decided to go a little closer to home.  It has been a while since I climbed down into the gorge here, and the cold water was the only reason I didn't cross the river (more of a stream here).  There was a strong wind that you will see in several of the pictures with the center cascade.

I realized at the first switchback (first 4 photos) that I forgot my phone.  I generally use it as a remote shutter to prevent any camera shake for the long exposures.  I wasn't about to go back up to get it so took some time to learn a little more about the camera.  Using the touchscreen is easy, just not the best for checking composition in the bright sunlight.

Because I wasn't happy with color change with the variable ND filter I purchased, I bought a set of fixed ND filters.  Much happier with the results.  I also bought a polarized filter though I likely should have removed it rather than stacking the ND on top.  It's all a learning process!

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/exclude.standard.aura
Site Notes: There are a couple of overlooks that are 100% accessible and quite nice viewing locations!

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 56 mm; Shutter: 1/40 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 56 mm; Shutter: 4/5 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 55 mm; Shutter: 30 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 34 mm; Shutter: 1/40 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 33.5 mm; Shutter: 1/2 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 33.5 mm; Shutter: 8/5 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 33.5 mm; Shutter: 2 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70 mm; Shutter: 2 sec
Note: The leaf in the center of the photo caught my attention as I was amazed that it was still there.  We've had a very wet winter with clear signs that the river had a heavy flow...

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 47 mm; Shutter: 1/40 sec

Time: ; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 60 mm; Shutter: 1/40 sec

3/16/2024 - Chittenango Falls with an Upgrade

I've been considering a camera upgrade for quite some time and could finally afford to do so by going the used route.  I figured the best way to get some practice in with it was to go somewhere that I was at least a little familiar with.  While I'm very happy with the camera and the results, I'm not happy with the variable ND filter that I purchased.  The amazing thing is that I didn't have to replace the sky, even in the long exposures!  I will be looking for a set of fixed ND filters.  The other issue I ran into was the mist covering the lens during shooting.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/coherent.accepts.starts

Site Notes: Accessibility is limited to the viewing the cascades above the falls and overlooking the gorge below the falls.

Time: 12:54; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 1/500sec

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 1/500sec

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 70mm; Shutter: 1/500sec

Time: 12:57; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec

Time: 13:01; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 26mm; Shutter: 1/250sec

Time: 13:08; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 1/3200sec

Time: 13:12; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 3sec

Time: 13:13; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 24mm; Shutter: 4sec

Time: 13:17; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S;
Focal Length: 36mm; Shutter: 15sec

3/3/2024 - Pixley Falls

A fairly warm day so I decided to check out a waterfall that I'd never been to but seen a lot of pictures of.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there were actually 3 waterfalls here provided the feeder creeks are flowing.  I was only able to get one of the feeder creeks due to time.  But that just means I will have to head back this summer!

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/teachers.radical.vets
Site Notes: Accessibility would be limited to having something that will be limited to something that can handle rough terrain.
Website: Pixley Falls State Park

Time: 13:37; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 30 sec

Time: 13:42; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1/2 sec

Time: 13:43; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1/4 sec

Time: 13:45; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec

Time: 13:52; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 55-250mm;
Focal Length: 74mm; Shutter: 1/4000 sec

Time: 13:56; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 55-250mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1 sec

Time: 14:00; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 25mm; Shutter: 4/5 sec

Time: 14:02; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 36mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec

2/3/2024 - Oxbow Falls County Park

I've been meaning to check this place out for a while now.  It wasn't that far from my first stop of the day so I decided it was time as I wasn't in any rush.  I'm actually glad I came with no leaves on the trees as the view of the 2 separate falls may not have been so good with the leaves.  That isn't to say that I will not go back hoping to prove myself wrong.

Parking Location: Oxbow Falls County Park

Site Notes: It is an easy walk  but not really accessible.

Time: 15:28; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 18mm; Shutter: 1/160sec

Time: 15:28; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 18mm; Shutter: 1/400sec

Time: 15:31; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 18mm; Shutter: 1/80sec

Time: 15:32; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 18mm; Shutter: 1/80sec

Time: 15:39; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 30mm; Shutter: 1/80sec

Time: 14:41; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 30mm; Shutter: 2/5sec

I was attempting to capture the whole waterfall, I was not really successful with it.  Close though...

Time: 15:51; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 49mm; Shutter: 1/60sec

Time: 15:52; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 49mm; Shutter: 1sec

This is the best view I could get of the other falls...

Time: 15:54; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 4/5sec

Time: 15:59; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 55-250mm;
Focal Length: 96mm; Shutter: 1/400sec

2/3/2024 - Chittenango Falls

Due to my Raynaud's condition, I don't get out to take pictures too often during the colder months.  Today was a must as it was the first day we had where the sun was visible in 30 days so I had to get out (this is not opinion, check Syracuse weather for January).  It wasn't really warm but there wasn't a lot of wind.  My intent was to go to the bottom of the gorge, but I wasn't sure it was open and the flow was high causing a lot of spray so I didn't chance it.

Parking Location: Chittenango Falls State Park
Site Notes: All of these views are accessible.

Time: 14:00; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1/13 sec

Time: 14:03; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 8 sec

Time: 14:19; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 18mm; Shutter: 2 sec

Time: 14:21; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 18mm; Shutter: 1/15 sec

Time: 14:34; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1/30 sec

Time: 14:35; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 18-55mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1 sec

Time: 14:44; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 55-250mm;
Focal Length: 100mm; Shutter: 1/640 sec

Time: 14:44; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 55-250mm;
Focal Length: 55mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec

Time: 14:44; Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7; Lens: Canon 55-250mm;
Focal Length:250mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec

2023 - Experimental Editing

The weather has turned cold which means I'm not expecting to take many pictures over the next few months.  Raynaud's isn't something to mess with and there is only so much that medication can do.  I will try to get out on warmer days, but they are few and far between.  I decided to do a little experimental editing to see if I can enhance the photos in an artistic way.  Please let me know what you think...

This photo is of Ludlowville Falls, you can find the original post here.  While playing around, I thought this looked very good as a black and white.  It means it isn't much of an experiment but...

When I selected this one to work on, I wasn't sure it would be something I could improve on.  The original post can be seen here.  I'm still not positive this is an improvement but it is an interesting edit.

One of my favorite spontaneous things this year was the Commemorative Air Force’s World War II Air Power Tour stop is Syracuse.  The P-51 Mustang is one of my favorite plans of the propeller driven planes.  You can see the full post on the P-51 here.  With this edit, I went for the look of an old style photo rather than the ultra-crisp photo that it was based on.  It kind of reminds me of the greenish hue I always saw on M*A*S*H.

Another from the Commemorative Air Force’s World War II Air Power Tour, the T-6 Texan.  You can see the original post here.  I was going for a similar look to the P-51 but instead go something that looks like some of the videos I've seen from the era of the plane.

Next up, we have a waterfall I revisited this year, Carpenter's Falls.  Thought the Purple Haze effect was really cool and gave the look of a 1970s photo.

Next up is another waterfall revisit with my wife, Seneca Mills Falls.  I was playing around until I got to the mirror effect.  This picture worked so well, I stopped looking.  I really thought it was pretty cool!

This edit isn't necessarily obvious but it is 2 in 1, this is from Sylvan Beach Sunsets.  For the clouds, I applied a dramatic effect to accentuate the shapes within the cloud cover.  On the water, I added some waves of light trying to mimic what was in the air.  I thought it came out pretty good though not perfect.

This is a photo that I didn't post because for some reason the camera just wouldn't focus.  I thought the "colored edging" effect looked sort of like a charcoal effect.  It accentuated the splashes along the break wall.

Next up is Sodus Point Lighthouse.  I did the same effect on the Stonington Point Lighthouse before and thought it was kind of fitting for such an old building.  I will do the same at some point for Oswego when I get a closer view of it.

Lastly is the picture that sent me down this path today, a revisit to Tinker Falls.  Personally, I find this to be a really neat take on the photo, done int he style of an oil painting.  I went light on the effect.