Progressions of a Photographer #2

Canon Rebel XSi, ISO 200, 55mm, f/5.6, 1/60th sec

Here we go! My second installment of Progressions of a Photographer. This photo was taken in March of 2009 while I was hiking in Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne Wyoming.

There really is not anything special about this photo, I just thought it is a good example to use for this progression series. At this point in time, I was still on the basic program mode on my new camera. I did not start experimenting with more advanced setting until much later in my progression. The camera chose to expose this photo at ISO 200, aperture at f/5.6 with a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second. I had the lens vibration compensation turned on, at this time I was still hand-holding my camera for everything so it is not a very sharp shot.

I decided on the composition for two reasons. The first thing that caught my eye, as I walked up the trail over a ridge, was the clouds and light on them. After I got up the ridge, I noticed the rock formation poking up out of the trees and simply thought that it would make a nice shot with the rocks and the sky in photo.

For post-processing, all I did are minor adjustments to in Lightroom. I bumped up the contrast a little, brought down the highlights, lightened the shadows and dialed in a little clarity. As you will see, in the coming months of this series, I try to take shots that need minimal post-processing. Not that I think that is the only way to make a good picture, it's just the way I prefer. Enjoy!

Progression of a Photographer

ISO 200, f/9 @ 1/500th sec and 250mm focal length

I have decided that I need to start being a little more active on my blog, so I though I would start by sharing some photos from the past few years. I have been taking pictures for over 20 years, although I would say I have only been a photographer making pictures for about 4. In 1992, while in the Philippines with the Navy SEABEES, I bought my first SLR camera. It was a Canon Rebel, and although I loved taking pictures of everything and anything that caught my attention, I never really learned what I was doing or left the P setting on the top dial.

Fast forward about 13 years or so and the Canon Rebel finally quit taking pictures, it just started producing black images, bummer! At the time, I was unable to buy another, so I went camera-less for the next 3 years when I finally got a super cheap point and shoot digital camera. It just wasn't the same but that did not stop me from taking thousands of photos with it over the next year or so.

Then, in 2009, I was able to get a Canon Rebel XSi and an extra lens, happy was this fella! About a month after I got it, I was out driving in Colorado, going up to Estes Park to check out what kind of pictures I could find. On the way up I came across some Mountain Sheep hanging out on the side of the road, I quickly jammed on the brakes and pulled off so I could get some pictures. I was not the only one, there were many folks out with their point and shoots, but one guy caught my eye. He was shoot with a rather large camera and an even larger lens. I introduced myself and we chatted for a few about what he does, he gave a couple little tips, gave me his card and we departed ways. As soon as I got home that evening, I got on his website and was amazed at what he does. That started me on a quest to study other photographers work, and to learn as much as I possibly could about what it takes to MAKE a picture. So, I would like to thank Vic Schendel for inspiring me to make the jump from taking photos to making pictures. Please click on his name and check out his work, you will enjoy it!

There is nothing special about this photo. It is simply the first decent photo I took with my new DSLR. I was using the Program Mode, so I had no control of the settings that the camera chose to use. I did use a tip that Mr. Schendel gave me, not centering you subject in the frame.

Photo Giveaway!!

How would you like to WIN a 12 x 18 print of this photo?

We are giving away a print of this photo over on our Facebook page. the is in celebration of our page reaching 150 likes.  It started today and will run for one week.

To enter, all you need to do is go to www.facebook.com/davidfrymanphotography and click on the the Giveaway button towards the top of the page, enter using your Facebook sign in or your email and wait to see if you get chosen. You can also click here, and go straight to the giveaway page. The winner will be randomly chosen by the app that is hosting the giveaway and notified by email within 48 hours of the contest ending, as per Facebook rules. 
Go check it out, and feel free to share the contest link with all your friends! Enjoy! 




 

What a Summer!

St. Mary Lake, Glacier National Park

Wow! I can't believe that summer is just about over already. Where did it go? Seems like we just moved here to Montana, and now we are thinking about winter again. It's been a crazy, exciting, and fun summer though. I've done some photography that I have never done before, and learned a lot in the process. Sports, it's a whole new challenge for a Nature Photographer. First of all, the subjects are moving. Second, the lighting is usually not cooperative, since most outdoor sports do not take place at sunrise or sunset when the great light is upon us. It's been fun, and I can't wait to start shooting some High School football games this year.

This area of Montana, the Flathead Valley, has proven to be a great place to live as a Nature/Sports photographer. There is no shortage of scenery to photograph, that's for sure. Glacier National Park is simply amazing, I see something new and different every time I visit there.

Kayaker competing in the races during the Big Fork Whitewater Festival

As far as sports. Well, there are the typical High School, and Little League stuff going on. But, there are also a lot of outdoor adventure sports happening during every season. From Mountain Biking, kayaking and rafting, skydiving, skateboarding and auto racing in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter. All within 20 miles of where we live.



I am using this year to learn new techniques to capture these kinds of sports, and hopefully next year I will start advertising for paid assignments. We will see what God has for my future photography.

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy

Relocated

Well, it has been quite a while since I've posted anything on my blog. My wife Teri and I have been pretty busy with school, and then with our move to Montana. That's right, we have relocated and are now based in Kalispell, MT. We both love the area and are extremely excited to be here. Just 30 miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park, this move should provide some spectacular photo making opportunities. Of course, that is when the snow melts and the park opens back up. Until then, I will have to wonder around the area and check out places where I can get to and create some photos.

This photo was made on the Swan River near Big Fork, MT. It didn't come without a price, though. I ended up with tore up leg after jumping off a rock and slipping into the river. Of course, I thought nothing of it until we got home a couple hours later and finally looked at it. It felt as if it were broke, but me being a stubborn man just kept on going like it didn't happen. As the days went by and the pain increased, I was finally forced to go have it looked at. I had woke up one morning and my leg was red and swollen from the knee down. As it turned out, I had and infection. So that brings me to the present, orders to park myself in a chair and elevate my leg along with choking down 6 giant antibiotic pills a day and it is finally getting better. Four days of not being able to do anything is worse than being strapped to a water board! I finally got out and wondered around the property where we live and took a few shots, but then it was back to elevating the leg. Ah, the price I pay to get the shot. I was told by my wonderful, awesome wife, Teri, that I am no longer aloud to jump off rocks (like that is going to happen). Anywhoo! It's not the greatest shot, but I sure did pay for it.

On a side note; I am working on a new website to replace my SmugMug site. I will debut it in the near future. You can see most of my work on my Facebook page in the mean time.

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The "K"ennewick

Well, once again I had a terrible time figuring out what to shoot for the letter "K". When Teri and I decided to take a ferry ride to Port Townsend, it hit me. I knew there were a couple ferries that started with "K". I took a look and found that the ferry that runs from Port Townsend to Coupeville on Whidbey Island was named Kennewick. Perfect! I took some pretty good shots, as best as I could get with the crazy wind that was blowing that day. I cropped in supper close to get the name plate below the bridge, so forgive the not so nice picture of that, I just had to show the name (for proof).

The Kennewick is a pretty new ferry. It began its service in February of this year. It is one of the smaller ferries in the Washington Ferry system at 273' 8" long. It holds a max of 64 cars and 750 people. It has two engines making 3000 horsepower and pushes itself along at 16 knots (about 18.5 mph). Rumor has it (wikipedia), that the name Kennewick was suggested by a favorite actor of mine, Micheal J. Fox.

Kennewick is a word from the Yakima Indians Suhaptin, Plains dialect. The meaning, according to the Washington State Ferries website is “winter paradise; winter haven; grassy place; grassy slope”.
Enjoy!



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Letter of the Day.......J

I'm back. I've been on a photo vacation. I have been busy with other things so the Alphabet Assignment got put on hold for a few days. This photo was quite fun to figure out. It took quite a few shots, over two different days, to get it. I do think I need to practice this technique a lot more though. I used my 28-75 mm lens set at f/22 with a shutter speed of 8 seconds, ISO at 100. It was very difficult to sit still so that I wasn't just a blurry blob in the photo. I can see endless fun and possibilities making pictures like this. We shall see where it goes from here.
Enjoy!



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