Views Infinitum

Goodbye to Summer

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

The autumnal equinox occurs tomorrow morning at 5:04AM (9/23/2011 at 9:04 GMT) to astronomically end summer. Thought I would wave goodbye on this last day of summer with a scene I photographed back in July.

A young couple gets unexpectedly splashed by waves while watching the sunset from the Lake Ontario shoreline near Oswego, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/11, ISO 560, EV 0, 300mm focal length.

This young couple was watching the sunset from the rocky shore of Lake Ontario near Oswego, New York when a larger than expected wave came ashore causing the girl to embrace her date in laughter. Could this have the makings for a Nicholas Sparks novel about summer love?

Posted in People | Tagged 28-300mm, autumn, boy, couple, embrace, equinox, fall, girl, great lakes, Lake Ontario, laughter, love, man, new york, nikon D700, oswego, rocks, rocky, shore, summer, vr, water, waves, woman, young | 11 Comments

B-52G Mohawk Valley

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

The B-52G Mohawk Valley on display outside the Griffiss Technology Park, the site of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, in Rome, New York. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/400s, f/10, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm focal length.

The Mohawk Valley was a B-52G Stratofortress long range bomber which last flew out of the Griffiss Air Force Base (AFB) outside of Rome, New York. Its last missions were flown during Desert Storm over Iraq in support of the international coalition. It would take off with a crew of 6 from Griffiss AFB and return 24 hours later after delivering its ordnances where it would be maintained, reloaded and sent back out with a new crew and mission.

The aircraft is big (notice the vehicles under the wing on the left side) with a wingspan measuring 185 feet (56.4 meters) and fuselage of 159 feet (45 meters). Stratofortresses can carry approximately 70,000 pounds (31,500 kilograms) of bombs, mines and cruise missiles.

The base was closed in the mid-1990’s and is now the Griffiss Technology Park as the area does its best to recover from the economic impact of the loss of the base. The Mohawk Valley is a monument to the men and women who for over 60 years looked over our country’s airspace and protected us from harm.

Posted in Travel | Tagged 28-300mm, air force base, aircraft, b-52g, bomber, desert storm, griffiss, iraq, mohawk valley, new york, nikon D700, plane, rome, stratofortress, technology park, vr | 6 Comments

View 195: Clinton Square by Day

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

The last time I shared a photo of the historic Syracuse Savings Bank at Clinton Square it was during blue hour. This building is just as impressive during the golden hour.

The Syracuse Savings Bank building in Clinton Square during the golden hour. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/10, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 34mm focal length.

As much as I have shown you Clinton Square in Syracuse, New York over the last year, I thought I would show you some of its history. Back in the late 1800’s, the Erie Canal went directly through Clinton Square. Below is a photo from that time period used as an information plaque with what Clinton Square looks like today.

Banks of the Erie Canal informational plaque at Clinton Square in Syracuse, New York comparing a photo from the 1800's with the view you see today. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/16, ISO 900, EV +0.3, 28mm.

From left: Sailors and Soldiers Monument in tribute to those who fought in the Civil War, Third National Bank, Syracuse Savings Bank and the Gridley Building (with the clock tower).

For more photos of Syracuse and upstate New York, click here to visit my stock portfolio at IthacaStock.com.

Posted in Travel, Weekly View | Tagged 28-300mm, bank, building, clinton square, fountain, golden hour, gridley, history, ithacastock.com, monument, new york, nikon D700, photos, plaque, pool, sailors and soldiers, stock, syracuse, syracuse savings, third national, tourism, upstate, vr, water | 11 Comments

Competitions at Fairs and Festivals

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

Are you wondering where you can find competitions for the latest photo assignment? Here’s some ideas focusing around people competitions at local fairs and festivals. This time of year is popular for county and state fairs and festivals. Around my area this weekend are a half dozen festivals scheduled. Many of these events have competitions of all sorts.

A dairy cow seems to be saying, "Pick Me!", during a competition class at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 1600, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length.

Livestock competitions at fairs will have not only great people expressions but the animals have their own personalities. Makes for very compelling photos.

A judge looking over entries for a youth pumpkin decorating contest at the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest in Cortland, New York. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 200, EV -0.7, 18mm focal length.

Autumn in upstate New York has many seasonal festivals like the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest with its annual youth pumpkin decorating contest. For the farmers and gardeners, there is a biggest pumpkin contest.

A boy looks up from his pie eating to check on his competitors at the Golden Harvest Festival in Baldwinsville, New York. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/200s, f/9, ISO 400, EV -0.3, 200mm focal length.

Looking for excitement and kids having a good time? Look for kid events at a fair or festival. Talent and eating contests make for great photos!

Posted in Photography | Tagged 18-200mm vr, contest, cortland pumpkinfest, dairy cow, fairs, festivals, golden harvest, new york, New York State Fair, nikon D70, pie eating | 14 Comments

Patriotic Clinton Square

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

The fountains at Clinton Square in Syracuse, New York were lighted in Red, White and Blue this week in tribute to the heros and victims of 9/11.
Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, 8s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 16mm focal length, tripod.

For the week of 9/11/11, Syracuse, New York is lighting the fountains at Clinton Square in red, white and blue for the first time. I photographed this at twilight to get the deep blue in the sky and set my tripod low to emphasize it.