My Amateur Photography Blog

Photography Project - Food

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:26:00 +0000

A Cappuccino in the North End of Boston tastes as good as it would in Italy, or so I imagine.

Cappuccino

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

Photography Project - Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:13:00 +0000

I was given a rude reminder that it is still very much the early days of Spring in the Boston area the other day while on a photo walk the sunshowers catching me off guard.

Trellis pattern

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

Photography Project - Handlebars

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:44:00 +0000

It's only been the second time I've headed out on my mountain bike this year so far but already I feel a theme coming on for a photography project this year. To capture the different terrain of the places I managed to find myself on my Trek 7100 when I head out not really knowing where the road or my whims may take me.

3/30/2013 - Mystic River Parkway

3/31/2013 - Lower Mystic Lake

3/31/2013

4/9/2013

4/28/2013 - Boston Marathon Finish Line

5/1/2013 - Spy Pond

5/13/2013 - Mystic River

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS - Good Super Zoom Camera?

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 21:41:00 +0000

Although the Canon PowerShot SX 230HS has been out for few months I still see from my Google stats that a lot of people are wanting to know how good the zoom on this little P&S really is. Well I had the opportunity in downtown Boston the other day to try and hopefully answer that.

Zoom - Custom House

While passing by the Marriott Custom House Hotel I thought a wide angle shot of this towering building would best capture the vastness of it's height with the overcast skies behind adding some interest. However, having the option to zoom in on the face of the buildings clock using the x14 zoom of the SX 230HS was a option that I can also very much appreciate. Of course I'm sure any DSLR with a half decent zoom lens would have this shot beaten hands down with less noise but as most photographers can appreciate I don't like lugging a large DSLR body and 300mm lens everywhere I go.

So in conclusion, I think there will always be a place for superzooms, the range they cover for the amount of room they take in your pocket cannot be beat and the major camera manufactures seem to agree with new models coming out every month that push the zooming to x30 and beyond now which makes me have zoom envy a little with only x14 but as shown above I'm finding this ample for my everyday photo needs when out and about.

The attached photos were taken within seconds of each other, hand held while standing on the uneven Boston pavements on a March 2013 afternoon.

Photography Project - Panoramic

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:47:00 +0000

The temperatures in Boston yesterday were very spring like but not a lot of people downtown seemed to notice, the Boston Waterfront was abandoned during my afternoon photo walk.

Panoramic of the Boston Waterfront

3 shots taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS handheld in program mode, flash did not fire, combined in to one frame and tone adjusted in post processing.

Photography Project - Transport

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:15:00 +0000

One of the major advantages of Daylight Savings is of course the extra hours of sunlight in the evening. I decided to take advantage of that, grabbed my camera and head out on a local bus to anywhere and see what opportunities present themselves.

Transport - MBTA Bus

This was shot on a local area bus heading in to Boston on the evening of March 26th. I had to wait a couple of stops for the bus to empty before taking this shot of the empty seats in front of me. Taken with the Pentax SMCP-M 50mm f2 mounted to my Pentax k200d DLSR.

Photography Project - Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:34:00 +0000

It is definitely not very Spring like outside, but with my new (used) lens arriving in the mail today I couldn't resist posting another topic from my list of 52 projects for the year.

The Pentax SMCP-M 50mm f2 is my first foray in to a full manual lens, manual Aperture ring setting and manual focusing. I'm no stranger to MF but having to actual the aperture manually is new to me and my K200d too, at first it refused to accept the lens until a setting deep in the Camera's menu to allow the mounting of none 'A' setting lens allowed me to continue.

The attached image is from my first batch of 'playing' with the lens in Aperture priority mode, the first thing I noticed was the center spot metering (not full frame) and the lack of a camera's ability to adjust for flash firing were the most surprising. So for now I'm going to be avoiding the flash and trying the Sensitivity priority mode to keep the ISO down, the camera was insisting and setting ISO to 1600 which made for some very noisy images.

Spring - Daffodils

I am going to have a lot of experimenting to do with this lens but feel that it's Bokeh should make for some fun portraits and macro shots in the weeks and months to come.

Photography Project - Train Tracks

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:44:00 +0000

With that 'almost Spring' feeling in the air a photograph walk was in order this afternoon and with shot of these Train Tracks not to far from where I live knock another topic off of my photography goals for this year.

Train Tracks

Taken handheld with my the Pentax K200d and a Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens attached with no flash. Taken on 'Landscape' mode with on body stabilization turned on.

Post processing to increase contrast and convert to B&W.

Note: Using a can of compressed air for cleaning a camara sensor probably would have some cringing but a very short burst of air before heading out for the day seems to have done the trick and a no longer have to do any post processing to remove those stubborn dust spots for the bottom right corner of all my shots. Bonus!

Photography Project - Water Refractions

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 16:09:00 +0000

Well it seems to have been an eternity since I had any time or motivation to post anything to my very neglected photo blog but here I am. So my plan going forward for the rest of the year is to pick from the subjects I chose in January in any order, no pressure, no timeline, just hopefully some fun and good photography is the end result.

Water Refractions

Water Droplet

Being inspired by water droplet photography I had seen on pinterest earlier this year I tried to mimic the setup with my the Pentax K200d and my Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens attached to a tripod with manual release cable, off camera lighting from the Newer LED light. A pre-focused the Macro lens manually aiming at the top of the water line in the glass and attempted to drop water on to it from a water dropper while shooting off over 120 shots all together. Unfortunately none of the actual water droplets were in focus when making their big splash or I had missed precise millisecond and the clear crown of a water splash I was hoping for was just not there.

The first image above was shot a board game in the background and it was actually the first shot of the shoot and came out the most satisfactory of the bunch I think. The second shot was one of the last after giving up with some frustration that I just couldnt get anything in focus. Post processing to remove dust spot and some color corrections to both frames.

Photography Project - Ice

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:43:00 +0000

I start off my photography project for this year with the goal of capturing an image (or images) of Ice. This seemed like a good topic to start with because of the frigid temperatures in the Boston area this holiday season.

Icicles On Back Porch

Taken with the Pentax K200d with the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens , shot with MF. No flash was fired. Post processing to remove dust spot and some color correction.

52 Weeks - A Photography Project Topics

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:30:00 +0000

Are you looking for inspirational ideas for your photos for this year? Well, here are the broad topics that I'm hoping to stick to for each week of my photography project for this year. I hope they give you some ideas for your own project, I'd love to see your own shots too if you wanted to follow along with me!

Rules: I have set myself the goal of capturing one (or more) shots over the course of the week following that week's theme and posting them in a timely manner is very important of course ;) I reserve the right to amend the topics if weather or circumstances prevent me from fulfilling the requirement of that week's topic, but I hope to stick to this closely as I possibly can!

Assignment 1 Ice
Assignment 2 Glass
Assignment 3 Games
Assignment 4 Train Tracks
Assignment 5 Sports
Assignment 6 Into The Sun
Assignment 7 Animals
Assignment 8 Fire
Assignment 9 Education
Assignment 10 Landscape
Assignment 11 Tilt-Shift
Assignment 12 Water
Assignment 13 Industrial
Assignment 14 Spring
Assignment 15 Rain
Assignment 16 Food
Assignment 17 HDR
Assignment 18 Repetition
Assignment 19 Action
Assignment 20 Macro
Assignment 21 Traffic
Assignment 22 Flowers
Assignment 23 Shadows
Assignment 24 Moon
Assignment 25 Ultra-Wide Shots
Assignment 26 Crowds
Assignment 27 Black & White
Assignment 28 Signs
Assignment 29 Unreal
Assignment 30 Transport
Assignment 31 Infrared
Assignment 32 Panoramic
Assignment 33 Waves
Assignment 34 Patterns
Assignment 35 Age
Assignment 36 Clouds
Assignment 37 Vertical
Assignment 38 Books
Assignment 39 Type
Assignment 40 Vegatables
Assignment 41 Home Sweet Home
Assignment 42 Fall Colors
Assignment 43 Distance
Assignment 44 Speed
Assignment 45 Retro
Assignment 46 Fruit
Assignment 47 Consumerism
Assignment 48 Alcohol
Assignment 49 Time
Assignment 50 Self
Assignment 51 Snow
Assignment 52 The Holiday Season

Happy New Year 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:07:00 +0000

Happy New Year 2013

A new year, a new goal. Last year's a photo a day project fizzled out towards the end of the year, this year I'm going to attempt several projects, a photo a week project, a 'good' photo, not just a photo of something taken on my phone because I need a photo for that day.

Also as side projects to my photography interests I'm thinking of starting a 'French Word of the Day' blog to keep up my French studies and also over the Christmas holidays my brother-in-law inspired me to learn chess. I've always known the basic moves but never really studied the tactics or played for anything or than a few times in my life, so I may post the occasional chess related rant or article as I aim to improve my skills.

Note: Image above acquired on Google image search, it's not my own, I forget where. If it's yours and you want credit let me know and due credit will be given, thanks.

365 Photo Project - Everything December

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:30:00 +0000

And that's all she wrote, as they say. That's it the end of my 365 photo project and despite missing a few days this month due to reasons I won't go in to here for the most part I have really enjoyed the project and having the determination to continue taking shots day in and day out and also being made to give them a description if some what brief I found to be helpful in my creative process.

I have no idea how long Google will keep blogspot going but I can only imagine looking back at fondness in a few years time over these shots and I hope if you were following along you enjoyed the journey too. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments.

366/365 Photo Project - New Year's Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:00:00 +0000

New Year's Eve

It's been way too long since my last post, having missed several days I became uninspired to continue and with the goal of the reaching the end of the year so close I am sure I will be kicking myself one day, however we end the year with a photo of the News trucks gathering in Copley Square earlier today for the New Year's Eve revelers.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

361/365 Photo Project - Winter Freeze

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:05:00 +0000

Winter Freeze

Christmas in Maine is even colder than Massachusetts apparently! That probably won't come as much of a shock to most of you, and as evidenced by the frost on this tree it certainly was true this holiday season.

Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS handheld, flash did not fire, tone adjusted in post processing.

359/365 Photo Project - Log Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 00:02:00 +0000

Log Fire

What better to keep you warm during the winter season than a log fire? The wood burning stove at my relatives Maine home kept the cold winds at bay.

Taken with the Canon PowerShot SX230HS handheld, flash did not fire, cropped and tone adjusted in post processing.

354/365 Photo Project - Through The Mist

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:39:00 +0000

Through The Mist

Yesterday's photo was of the fog in the Boston area, today's photo is of the man made mist created in this holocaust memorial in Boston's center. I stood there waiting for the person I could see walking towards me to make it in to the frame but still appear anonymous enough to not mind being posted on my blog.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

353/365 Photo Project - Foggy

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:30:00 +0000

Foggy

You might not believe it from this shot but there hidden somewhere is the Boston Financial District.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

352/365 Photo Project - Miniature Winter Scene

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Miniature Winter Scene

I'm not sure if it was intentional, but do you notice the lack of snow on the miniature scene in Boston's South Station this year? It must be global warming!

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

351/365 Photo Project - Easy Drive To Work

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:29:00 +0000

Easy Drive To Work

As the Christmas holidays approach I am noticing a definite improvement on my drive times to work, if only everyday of the year it was this easy! ;)

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

350/365 Photo Project - Cheers!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Cheers!

Cheers for the weekend, and alcohol!

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, filter added in post processing to make the photo look a more grittier.

349/365 Photo Project - Medford City Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Medford City Hall

Earlier this month I posted a image of Somerville Town hall, now it's Medford's turn to make my blog.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

348/365 Photo Project - Financial District Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Financial District Sun

While walking through Boston's Financial District today I was blinded by the sun reflecting off of the area skyscrapers.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

347/365 Photo Project - 12/12/12 Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:00:00 +0000

12/12/12 Concert

With work and home life taking over this week there was barely any time to capture a photo for today, so this shot Pink Floyd playing at the Concert for Sandy Relief will have to surfice.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.

346/365 Photo Project - Boston Public Library

noreply@blogger.com (Andy) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Boston Public Library

The US Flag hangs with the Christmas decorations on the facade of the Boston Public Library on this dreary winters day.

Taken with the LG Optimus Elite, No post processing.