Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Monday, February 20, 2017

Springtime on the California Coast

Season of Renewal

I have spent a lot of time photographing the California Coast over the years. I have countless happy memories from those adventures, everything from the sights that I have seen and the images that I captured, to the restaurants where I stopped for lunch. Every detail mattered. Every experience was meaningful. 

Each year about this time, I feel a longing to return, not just to take more pictures, but to experience the beauty of California first hand, to renew mind, body, and spirit in this magical, incomparable part of the world.



Springtime on the California Coast



The photograph above was taken at sunrise. It might appear to be a sunset, since the color in the western sky. But that's the amazing thing about the Pacific Coast. The skies are unpredictable and dynamic. The color of a sunrise or a sunset can appear in any direction. It keeps you on your toes. If you're not in tune with what's happening in the moment, you'll miss an opportunity like this one. Be in tune with the moment is critical not only to getting the shot, but to making the most of or your California adventures.


Camera:    Nikon D810

Lens:        PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5 ED Tilt/Shift

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2017 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved



Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Love

Composing An Emotion

I came across this lovely sculpture while walking through the town of Evora in Portugal. I believe that it was located in a small park near a church, but I would be hard pressed to find it again. 

I took this photo several years ago when digital photography was in its infancy and film offered the best resolution. This particular film (I believe that it was Velvia 100) rendered the colors of the darkening sky wonderfully.


a photo of a sculpture from evora portugal of two abstract figures in love
Love - Evora, Portugal


The figures in the sculpture are abstract. Are we looking at a man and a woman? A parent and a child? We're not certain. They could be two playful bears or penguins for all we know. 

What's clear is the quality of the interaction between the two figures. It's an intimate interaction. It's caring, comfortable, tender. To me, the sculpture represents love, love in its purest form, two beings adoring each other in a perfect moment of oneness.

The photograph required some creative decision making. The first decision was to backlight the figures and present them as silhouettes against the colorful sunset. The stones are actually white. - This is really quite an impressive piece of art, and I would encourage you to visit it if you can (and if it's still there)!

The second decision involved the placement of the figures. I decided to place the larger figure at the edge of the frame. It looks as though the smaller figure is approaching the larger figure willingly and joyfully. If I had put the smaller figure against the left edge of the photo, it would have looked as though the larger one was dominating.

I could have put everything smack dab in the middle, but pushing one of the figures toward the edge added more drama, in my opinion. He's up against the wall, and she's moving toward him lovingly.

It took a lot of photos back in my films years. This is one of my favorites.


Camera:    Pentax 67 II (Medium Format Film Camera)

Lens:        Pentax 75mm Shift Lens


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Sunday, November 20, 2016

The Power Of Nature - Gulf Of Corinth

Along The Road

We all face challenges and disappointments in life. 

Never underestimate the power of nature to soothe the soul. Sometimes, all you have to do is pull over to the side of the road, and there it will be waiting for you.



a photo of the gulf of corinth greece at sunset




Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Friday, September 30, 2016

Cleaning The Square - Santorini

Welcoming An Unexpected Guest

There I was, spending a beautiful morning in an exotic location trying to capture as many shots as I could before the light faded to the bleached drab of mid day. I didn't want to waste time, so I moved from location to location as quickly as possible.

This square is adjacent to a famous church. When I finished photographing the church, I noticed this coral-colored wall with two benches. I thought that it would make an elegant composition if I could get a shot without people in the frame. (This spot is along the main pathway to the bus station. Lots of people pass through.)

Since, I wasn't planning to include people in the shot, I set my camera to base ISO and a slow shutter speed. I put the camera on the tripod and framed the composition. Just as I was about to take the shot, in walked this gentleman.



a photo of a man cleaning the square in santorini
Cleaning The Square - Santorini



Now, I had a choice to make. I could move on to the next spot, but that would mean losing a composition which could never be repeated exactly.

I could have waited for the man to leave, but I wasn't sure how long he might stay, and the tourist traffic was increasing by the minute.

The final option was to include the man in the photo. I figured, what the heck? I can try to get a shot when he leaves; I might as well try to get one that includes him, as well. When I get home, I can select the one that I prefer.

I knew that I had to make an adjustment to capture the shot with the man in it. My original shutter speed would be too slow. People move, and movement at slow shutter speeds is rendered as a blur.

I made a quick calculation and boosted the ISO from 100 to 400. This enabled me to quadruple the shutter speed with minimal impact to overall image quality.

After the man moved on, I dialed the ISO back down to 100 and took a shot of the original composition with no people. I prefer the shot with the man included, so I'm glad that I took the extra steps necessary to capture the moment. I would like to thank him very much for dropping by. His presence made the shot.



Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II



Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Place D'Armes - Montréal

Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal on Easter Sunday

It was Easter Sunday, but the -6C weather felt like the middle of January. By the time I finished shooting in this square (La Place D'Armes), my hand were numb. 


a photo of la place d'armes in montreal by daniel south
La Place D'Armes, Montréal - Easter Sunday


But what a beautiful basilica! And what a beautiful view from the square! This shot was worth a bit of discomfort.



Camera:    Nikon D810
Lens:        Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Amsterdam After Dark

Blue Hour On A Tranquil Canal

Amsterdam is a delightful city, fun, appealing to the eyes, easy navigate on foot (and probably by boat - I just haven't had the pleasure).


a photo of the canals of amsterdam at night
Amsterdam After Dark



I captured this evening shot during one of my walks. I didn't have a destination or a schedule in mind. I just wandered through the center of the city to see what there was to see. 



Camera:    Nikon D800E

Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED



Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Sunday, February 14, 2016

Through the Doorway - Mexico City

Things To Photograph While Your Travel Companion Is Shopping


Our poor, long-suffering travel companions! They don't always understand our compulsion to stop and take photographs. 

In all fairness, waiting for someone to stop - shoot - stop again - shoot something else - can become tedious after a few hundred clicks of the shutter.

But on those occasions when our companions are busy looking for bargains, photographers recognize that we have been granted the ultimate green light - guilt-free shooting time!


a photo of a doorway to a quiet alley way in mexico city
Through the Doorway - Mexico City



My suggestion: make the best of it before they finish at the checkout counter.


Camera:    Nikon D810
Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G ED

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Saturday, February 6, 2016

Trellis On A Beach - Puerto Vallarta

Wedding At Sunset




a photo of a wedding trellis on a beach in mexico
Trellis On A Beach - Puerto Vallarta



Camera:    Nikon D810

Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G ED

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved





Saturday, January 30, 2016

Dolphins on the Malecon

Puerto Vallarta

The Malecon is Puerto Vallarta's boardwalk, famous for its eclectic collection of statues.


a photo of the dolphin sculpture on the malecon in puerto vallarta
Dolphins on the Malecon - Puerto Vallarta


These dolphins, in my recollection, form the only statue that doubles as a mini-fountain. The falling water provides a small zone of "air conditioning" to help offset the power of the Mexican sun.



Camera:    Nikon D810

Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G ED



Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved




Saturday, April 11, 2015

My Favorite Sunrise

Magic On The San Mateo Coast

I have been photographing the Pigeon Point Lighthouse for many years. It's a magnificent structure, tall, well-maintained, and painted in bold white. It's brilliantly situated, towering over an unspoiled coastline of wildflowers, dark sand, and jagged rocks. 



a photo of the lighthouse at pigeon point california at sunrise
Pigeon Point Sunrise



But the most fascinating feature of the San Mateo coast is the light that shows up here at certain times of the year and certain times of the day. Granted, I've been here when the light wasn't particularly appealing. We can't expect magic to happen all the time; otherwise, it wouldn't seem like magic.

But on days when that very special light reveals itself, it's breathtaking. And it can make for a pretty nice photograph if you happen to be standing around with a camera in your hands.

This is my favorite sunrise photo of all time. Thank you, Pigeon Point! Thank you, San Mateo Coast!


Camera:    Nikon D810

Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED



Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2015 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Red Crosses White Chapel - Santorini

The View from Oia

Words can't describe Oia. So when you go, take lots of photographs. Lots and lots of photographs.



a photo of red crosses on a white chapel oia santorini
Red Crosses on White Chapel - Santorini



Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VRII

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved



Sunday, July 27, 2014

Dilapidated House - Eastern Sierra

Our Compelling Fascination With Decay

An old house crumbles in a cruel and irreversible battle with time. From disrepair to rot to ruin, it decomposes before our eyes, its elements returning to the Earth, inch by inch, splinter by splinter.

How did you end up this way, Old House? Who lived in you, and why did they leave? Why did they stop repairing you? Do they still drive by? Do they remember living comfortably, protected from the elements by your once-viable roof and walls? 



a photo of a dilapidated old house in the eastern sierra region of california
Dilapidated House - Eastern Sierras


We are compelled to look and to wonder. Perhaps this old house, disintegrating into the elements of a remote and unforgiving wilderness, serves as a metaphor for our own inevitable decline.

Of course I wanted to take a photo as I drove by, but I told myself to keep going. I didn't have much time. The drive to San Francisco would take most of the day. I had to keep on schedule. 

But a mile down the road, I made the decision to turn the car around. I couldn't leave this old house forgotten. I needed to make the photograph, to capture the dignity of this lonely, crumbling house while it still stood.

Thank you, Old House, for sheltering a family, for being someone's home, and for capturing our imagination.



Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S 

(Shot handheld while leaning over a fence)



Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Monday, July 21, 2014

Point Sur Under Textured Skies

Reshooting a Favorite Location

This is one of my favorite photographs. 

The Big Sur coast is magnificent beyond description. There are scores of impressive viewpoints along the roadway. I have always enjoyed this quiet spot where one can watch the waves roll onto the beach in the morning light.

I have taken a number of photographs from this point over the years. The silhouetted cliffs provide an interesting foreground framing element. A lot of folks take photos from here, however, so I try to look for unique compositions.



a photo of point sur under textured skies big sur california
Point Sur Under Textured Skies



On this particular morning, a series of high, wispy clouds passed above the rock. For a moment, two separate sets of lines led toward the lighthouse - the beach and the waves below, and the clouds above. 

I had to work quickly; the clouds were fast moving and stayed in the frame for less than a minute. I tried to time my shot as they passed over the center of the frame. 

Several elements came together to make this shot, the lines and silhouettes, the clear, haze-free air, the color and angle of the morning sun, the glow in the distant sky - and of course, a uniquely beautiful location. I'm glad that I thought to stop and shoot once again from a favorite location. Persistence met with good fortune, and the results were magical.



Camera:
 Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lens: Canon 24-105 f/4L IS


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved