Let the Coffee and Light be your guide

Main navigation

Polarizing Shenanigans

by Leave a Comment

On an early morning, I was standing on the New Jersey side of the Hoboken River. It was calm, there were just a few people passing by. In front of me, the Empire State Building.  In New York it sat in the light of the sunrise. With a twist of my circular polarizer, the clouds popped, there was drama and I was content with my frame.

For a while, now, I have been trying to keep my photography minimalist. When I am out with my camera I try to stick to using one lens, mostly a 35mm and that’s about it. Lately, though, my camera work has had me around water and glass. To make my life easier, I started using a circular polarizer again. I should have never stopped using one…. yes, yes I am an idiot

I used the circular polarizer to get the reflection in the window.

A circular polarizer is often placed in front of a camera lens in order to darken skies, manage reflections, or suppress glare. This filter also intensifies blue sky increasing contrast in the sky. On the Hudson river, working out of the side of a train and capturing frames at the other weird locations I find myself, a circular polarizer has become invaluable again. I think I need to order a few more.

Polarizing Shenanigans

Here are some of my frame rediscovering the usefulness of the circular polarizer. 

increased the reflection in this long exposure.
Reduced the glare on the water
Catching a quick window reflection
Out the window of a bus traveling to New York
Using the circular polarizer to kill my reflection in the window as much as possible.
Early morning in Hoboken

#We35Shenanigans Week 29

by

There was was very little time to explore the frontier this past week. While I did set aside some time for photo wandering, the less interesting parts of my day were spent doing tedious task. I did eventually make it to the weekend where I could relax with my camera a little more.

 we35shenanigans-20170722-00836

During the weekend I decided to find some more ways to use my time. I had a few quiet cups of coffee , communed with nature a bit and ignores my phone. I realized I needed to spend more time in the spots I find relaxing.

we35shenanigans-20170723-00861

#WE35SHENANIGANS 

As part of this year’s we35 project #exploringthefrontier we decided to hashtag our non-research as #we35shenanigans. I have been posting the images on my Instagram account but here are some of them, edited, for my entertainment.

#We35Shenanigans Week 25

by

It was a distracting week trying to explore the frontier here in New Jersey. My everyday photography aka diary camera did not see much action because my work camera was out a lot. Unable to get past the surrounding chaos I chose just to do good work and rest when I could. I did enjoy my camera work and there is still a lot to edit.

we35shenanigans-20170622-00201

 

As part of this year’s we35 project #exploringthefrontier we decided to hashtag our nonresearch as #we35shenanigans. I have been posting the images on my Instagram account but here are some of them, edited, for my entertainment.

#We35Shenanigans 

All was not lost though I did manage to get a few frames…

A Dark And Stormy Moment

by

One moment it was clear, and then suddenly, it was a dark and stormy night. A thunderstorm was moving fast through the area and I was relaxing, reading, with my camera at arm’s length. I noticed what was happening, grabbed my Sony A7 with its 35mm lens, put the camera into continuous shooting mode and started hitting the shutter.Stormy-20170531-09650

 

I rarely ever get to attempt lightning frames, but I actually succeeded this time. Over the years I always enjoyed looking at lightning photos, actually creating a decent one was satisfying.

Stormy-20170531-09790

#We35Shenanigans Week 21

by

As part of this year’s we35 project #exploringthefrontier we decided to hashtag our nonresearch as #we35shenanigans. I have been posting the images on my Instagram account but here are some of them, edited, for my entertainment.

 

we35 -20170527-09525

It was a typical week out here exploring the frontier. The weather was decent and people were stupid as I spent time capturing frames, in my travel, here in New Jersey. In between my camera work, I cooked a lot and took moments as they came.

we35 -20170529-09561

The end of this week we began Memorial day weekend. a time, in the United States, on which we honor all those who have died serving their country. It’s also marked the beginning of summer and families got together, shared good times. While the weather was not that warm it was enjoyable. Good food was shared and time marched on.

#We35Shenanigans

I think I caught the Air Show Bug

by

ThunderBirds-20160902-4150
It was a warm sunny day in September, before things went insane, in Hoboken. About a week earlier I got info from my friend and fellow photographer, Joe Holtz. The Thunderbirds, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, would be performing a public flyover on the Hudson river. So at the appropriate time, I was there to capture the moment. I think it gave me the air show bug. …

Read More

Being nice does not pay

by

It was a dark and chilly night. The coffee has worn off and the whiskey had kicked in. I was having a quiet moment reading comic books when my bride’s phone rang. It was an old friend, a musician, whom we have not heard from in a while.  The first thing I thought was ‘I have a bad feeling about this’

South Orange/Maplewood

…

Read More

Jay Maisel 60-Year Retrospective to be Held During #PPE2016

by

414938Out of all the photographers I have followed, Jay Maisel  has been one of the most influential. His work spans decades and at Photo Plus Expot this year, a 60-year retrospective of his work will be on display. At a few points during the confrence you will fine me there. The Jay Maisel 60-Year Retrospective will run October 20-22, 2016 during the PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (3 B Hall, Booth 1101)

…

Read More

Expedition Sakura 2016 Unicorn Hunting thingie

by

The cold had finally decided to take a break long enough to allow the cherry blossoms to appear. It was a spring day and with this warmer weather, ideas of ice coffee and hikes were on my mind. The winter, while mild, was a bit rough towards the end. In what is a tradition with me and my friends , we got out there to view and capture the sakura unicorns with our cameras.

Sakura-20160330-5119

…

Read More

Things I do to keep creativity in my camera work

by

I find creativity to be a dish best served with coffee, however when I am doing corporate work it can be limited. Work and play are often things that are not supposed to mix, especially in my field of work, however as a photographer, that rule can be warped a bit. I usually get assignments that say we need x, in a certain amount of time, for y. I would go through and just get the what I needed and moved on, but that was not fun. Now I make sure I maintain some creativity in my work by keeping these key things in mind. Hoboken-20160201-6855

…

Read More