Mid Atlantic Nature Photography Exposition Entries
For my first foray into photography contests I submitted six images for display in the Mid Atlantic Nature Photography Exposition (MANPE). To my delight, the two above were accepted! The Galleries page contains higher resolution images for better viewing. Below is the standard “advertising” email MANPE sent to all photographers with images in the show. It contains info about the show plus some bragging (which I would never do :>)).
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I have some very exciting news that I wanted to share with you. For the past eight years in Northern Virginia there has been a photography exhibition and each year it gets more and more prestigious. This year I was selected to display my work. I feel very honored to have my work on display among some of the best nature photographers in the area. All of the juried photos will be on display at the Hylton Center for the Performing Arts on November 13th and 14th. The show runs each day from 9:30 to 4:30.
This show is much more than an exhibit. In addition to the exhibit there will be one hour photo lectures from a variety of professional photographers. These one hour sessions should be of interest from the beginner photographer to the advanced and all in between. In addition to the exhibit and lectures there are workshops, camera cleaning, opportunity to shoot birds of prey, photo critiques and over 25 vendors displaying and selling the newest in photography technology. There will be an opportunity to talk to the manufacturer reps for a variety of products as well.
Please come out and support me and my work displayed in the exhibit. For more information please visit www.NatureVisions.org <http://www.naturevisions.org/>
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Blackwater Falls, Blackwater Falls State Park, WV
The images above show how shutter speed could be used to improve your nature photos. These two images were taken at Blackwater Falls State Park, WV. The image on the right was taken at a shutter speed of 1/800 second. Note the choppiness of the water as it flows over the falls and how you can see individual drops of water in the splashes.
The image on the left was taken using a shutter speed of 1/6 second. Note how the water almost appears to be a veil covering the rocks. The left image appears to be more peaceful and less anguished than the right image. While the right image presents the falls as our eye sees them, the slower shutter speed on the left makes for a more pleasing image.
Of course, there are times when one would prefer the anguished look of the right image, but in general, waterfalls should be shot at shutter speeds less than 1/60. The slower the shutter speed, the more of a veil effect you can achieve. However, a longer shutter speed used on larger falls could result in a white blob on a rocky background. The shutter speed you decide to use will depend on the desired effect and how you want to compose the scene.
Tulips and Capital Columns, National Arboretum, Washington, DC
One way to capture unique images is to look at your subject from an unusual angle. I took this image at the National Arboretum in Washington DC. Near the end of my day there I was looking at the old capital columns trying decide how to shoot them. As I was putting down my gear I noticed the tulips along the edge of the sidewalk. I got down on my stomach, framed the image, and took several shots whole moving my tripod slightly to capture different variations.
My tripod was particularly helpful in this instance. On my tripod I am able to flip over the center column and hang the camera upside down. This allows me to position the camera closer to the ground. In this case the columns were located on higher ground than the tulips. Being able to locate the camera closer to the ground allowed me to aim the camera up and capture both the tulips and the columns.
The Live View feature on my Nikon also saved me of neck strain, but that is another story!
