Trick to Using a Graduated Neutral Density Filter

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

A Graduated Neutral Density Filter are not like the Neutral Density filters I have talked about in the past.  Those cut the light into the entire lens opening.  A graduated ND filter, is dark on one side and gradually goes to clear about half way down the filter.  They come in two sizes.  Circular sizes screw right on to a lens like any other filter.  Square ones are larger and cover more than the lens opening allowing one to move the graduated part around.  While you can get holders for the square filters, most photographers prefer to hold the filter in front of the lens.

Sunrise on Oneida Lake near Syracuse, New York.

GND Filter comparison of a sunrise on Oneida Lake near Syracuse, New York.

It is not as straight forward as you might think.  The trick I finally learned was to use the Depth of Field Preview Button on my camera (see your manual for where this button is located on your camera and how to use it).  Once pressed, I could see the effects of the filter.  If I did not press the DoF Preview button, I could not see it (or just barely). The camera keeps the aperture of a lens wide open for focusing purposes only stopping down the lens when you press the shutter.  The DoF Preview button stops down the lens to the aperture set so you can see the effects of a filter or tell what is in focus based on the aperture used.

I know many people would rather just do the work in their favorite photo editor.  That takes time.  In my case, it took me 10 minutes to get the photo on the left you see above to look like the one on the right.  The right side one only took a couple of minutes to do a little sharpening and pull back highlights and shadows.  That time adds up if you have a dozen or more photos to process.

For more expert advice on how to use a Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter, click here to visit Landscape Photographer extraordinaire Jeff Lynch’s blog.

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The Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

The Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge is a triple steel arch bridge over the Genesee River in Rochester, New York.  This photo was taken during the blue hour from the Genesee Riverway which affords scenic views of the Rochester skyline.

To get to this area, look for the Corn Hill Landing shopping and restaurant district.  The Genesee Riverway is behind Corn Hill Landing.  Oh, and if you like pizza, check out Tony D’s Coal-fired Oven Pizza restaurant.  Fabulous!

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Ride and Slide

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

A couple of years ago, I showed you the Slide portion of the CNY Reining Horse Association’s Ride and Slide competition at the NY State Fairground’s Coliseum arena. Thought I would show you the Ride part from this year’s show.

That was also the time I had borrowed a friend’s Nikon D700 FX dSLR camera.  Now, with my own, I think I improved on my results.  Using the same Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens as before.  Have I said lately this is the best lens in the world?  Thought so!

Riders show their skill in doing a pattern at different fast gaits by first loping and then going at full gallup.  The audience really got into it as the faster the rider went, the louder the cheers were.

Riding a horse at full gallup in a pattern shows the judges a rider's control.

Riding a horse at full gallup in a pattern shows the judges a rider's control. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/400s, f/2.8, ISO 6400, EV 0, 200mm focal length.

On Saturday night of the CNYRHA show, they have the Freestyle class.  Each competitor does a three to five minute routine performed to music.  Costuming of the rider and horse is allowed and adds to the fun.  Like this “bride” performing a turnaround move which are fast 360 degree spins around a horse’s stationary hind leg.  “She” came in first in the Pro division.

A "bride" performs a spin during the Freestyle class at the 2011 CNYRHA Reining Horse Ride and Slide show in Syracuse, New York.

A "bride" performs a spin during the Freestyle class at the 2011 CNYRHA Reining Horse Ride and Slide show in Syracuse, New York. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 4500, EV +0.3, 140mm focal length.

Still, the most exciting and crowd pleasing part of reining horse shows are the slides.  With dirt flying and the horse’s forelegs getting ready to dig in, this rider got a long and successful slide in during their class.  Something the judges are looking for.

Dirt flying and forelegs extended is a good sign of a successful slide by rider and horse during the CNYRHA Ride and Slide show in Syracuse, New York.

Dirt flying and forelegs extended is a good sign of a successful slide by rider and horse during the CNYRHA Ride and Slide show in Syracuse, New York. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/400s, f/2.8, ISO 6400, EV 0, 200mm focal length.

If you can attend a reining horse event, be prepared to see both horse and human atheletes compete as a team in fast and entertaining events.  I can only imagine the time it must take to build up the trust of an animal to perform at such a high level.

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View 180: My 2011 Memorial Day Weekend

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

I took a lot of photos over Memorial Day weekend this year.  Here’s a photographic recap.

Scenes from Memorial Day Weekend 2011.

Scenes from Memorial Day Weekend 2011.

1. Oneida indians performing a traditional dance at the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival at Mexico Point Park. 2. Interior of an 11th Century Manor House at Mexico Point Park. 3. Early evening fog obscuring the Power Plant in Oswego, New York. 4. Statue of Edward Austin Sheldon, teacher and educator, on the State University at Oswego campus. 5. Young boy in Indian Face Paint. 6. Play at home plate during a Syracuse Chiefs baseball game. 7. Veterans await the start of the Baldwinsville (NY) Memorial Day parade. 8. Fireman in full gear in the Baldwinsville (NY) Memorial Day parade.

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Bridge of Hope Online Auction

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Scott Thomas Photography

A friend of mine who is a cancer survivor runs online auctions of items donated to her.  Last year a print of mine raised over $1,000 for her charity.  While I do not expect the same results here, I thought I would offer a special print of mine for people to bid on to raise funds for my Relay for Life team in support of cancer research by the American Cancer Society.

The print is called, Bridge of Hope…

Bridge of Hope Canvas Print Online Auction

"Bridge of Hope" - Spring comes to the gorge in Taughannock Falls State Park near Ithaca, New Yorik.

Bridges to me symbolize a journey one takes to get from one place to another.  In the case of someone fighting cancer, the journey is long and full of obstacles.  Bridges are held up by pillars. For a cancer survivor those pillars are the people who love and support them and the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who do what they can to cure them.  The goal is to complete the journey to the other side of the bridge. The journey often does not end as we’d like but some do bringing hope to all.  The waterfall is another symbol…for me it is the enduring human spirit.  In whatever you see of the print offered above, please, consider placing a bid.

AUCTION DETAILS & INFORMATION

ITEM DESCRIPTION: 20″ x 30″ Bridge of Hope Giclée Canvas Stretched Print – Canvas Stretch/Staple mounting is a unique way to display your images like a fine art canvas. The print is stretched to the edge of a 3/4 inch thick wooden frame, and stapled around the edges, leaving the full image on the front. Suitable for framing or hanging as is.

CONDITION: Brand New

STARTING BID: $50.00  Bid increments must be $5.00 or more.  Bid high and bid often!

AUCTION ENDS: Monday, June 6, 2011 at midnight US Eastern Daylight Time

TO BID: You must leave a comment with your bid amount in US dollars. Once a few bids have been made, only the current high bid will be visible. 

The winning bidder will be notified via email with details on how to make the donation to my online Relay for Life Team account which accepts all major credit cards. The winning bidder will have 36 hours to respond to the winner email confirmation and make the online donation. Should the online donation not be made within 36 hours of the auction close, the bid will be considered abandoned and the 2nd highest bidder will be offered the item at the highest bid price.  If the 2nd highest bidder fails to make a donation, I will put the print back up for auction one more time.

Shipping is included.  If you have any questions, leave a comment or use my Contact form.

VERY IMPORTANT: All bids/sales are final. There are NO RETURNS and NO REFUNDS. In case of duplicate high bids, the earliest time-stamped bid will prevail.

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