Nebraska Corn fields during the summer
The clouds in Nebraska take on a life of their own and offer a landscape panorama that takes your breath away
Summer Softball- photography lesson
Last week I had full permission from my daughter to take my camera (Canon Rebel XS) out at her softball game. So I did, and did I ever experiment with night action photography. Not easy, but I finally did get the hang of it. I set my camera on manual and just played until I got it right.
The above picture was taken with at 1600 ISO, 5.6 F stop, and a 1/160 shutter speed, 75 mm zoom with a continuous burst with the camera file size at small for a faster response. With the exception of the graininess at the high ISO I’m pretty happy with the results.
Pitcher concentration
Again graininess with 1600 ISO, but right now I can’t see anyway around it, 800 was too dark with the needed shutter speed. The second photo was on large/RAW file size and was a little dark in the original image. With the lens resting on the fence I shot through the chain link at 300mm focal length, 1/160th of a second at a 5.6f
I increased the exposure in Lightroom, cropped the original horizontal shot to vertical, decreased the white and decreased the shadows. Don’t like how the grain distorts the background player, but couldn’t figure out a way to compensate.
400 ISO, 1/125 sec, f10 focal 105mm Aperture Priority
The last photo was obviously taken earlier in the night before the sun went down. All I did here was decrease the exposure, increase shadows, and warm the white balance. My camera tends to shoot cool (blue) and a the sun was glowing on all the players. I try really hard for realism in my editing and this is what my eye saw.
My daughter has played softball since T-ball in preschool starting at Elmwood-Murdock, then Lincoln Y-league, Eagle, and the past three years for Louisville. They joined the Omaha leagues a few years ago and the first year they didn’t win a game, the next was about a 50:50 record and this year it’s a little tougher.
A lot of the girls play on two teams, most of the teams are Select and have the intimidating matching travel bags, and “muscle” jerseys. Most play school ball, but it doesn’t matter what they look like, can they play? My daughter loves the game, she only plays during the summer and she has a mean steal and isn’t afraid to use it and slide to where she wants to go.
Taken and posted to WordPress on my Android phone. Was curious on how it would look on the computer compared to my phone. Of course I want to work it up in Photoshop, but I’ll think I’ll leave that for another day.
My son loves cheesecake. So, when I asked him what he wanted to eat out for his last meal before he left for boot camp in the US Marine Corp he said, “Somewhere with cheesecake” Although I had never been there I figured the place with the best variety of cheesecake would be the Cheesecake Factory.
What a choice. He couldn’t make up his mind so he asked. “Can I choose more than one?” Who am I to say no to a son that will be leaving the next day for boot camp. Of course he could have two.
Cheesecake, cheesecake, and more cheesecake
Can't get enough cheesecake
My son at Military Entry Processing Center (MEPS) Omaha, NE, leaving for the US Marine Corps
As winter approaches, it’s nice to think about the lazy days of summer. Did I say lazy? Baseball games, softball games, go carting at Joes Carting in Council Bluffs, and a few barbeques thrown in between. I tried to fill the last few days I had with my son before he left for boot camp in the U.S. Marine Corps.
David playing American Legion baseball. Short on catchers that night, he filled in for a few innings. Didn't do too bad either.
Joe's Carting, Council Bluffs IA
Races continue after Joe's carting. Jennifer won in the virtual world too.
Ribs on the Grill. Can't you just taste them??
August continues with some photos from Sunken Gardens in Lincoln Nebraska just before a storm and a few Nebraska sky images.
Summer sunset west of Lincoln Nebrasa
Lincoln Sunken Gardens
Koi Pond at Sunken Gardens, Post production with Poster Edge in Photoshop
Rain clouds in Nebraska
Ok, I’m officially lost. I took pictures throughout my absence from this project, but for the life of me I’m sure I can’t figure out what number is which. All I know is I should be on Day 329 and I left off on Day 243 with a few in between thrown in for good measure. That means I’m 86 days behind. Which in reality I’m not going to be able to make up. So I’m going to post my photos in groups and maybe number them.
Enjoy catching up with my life the past few months.
Here are a few snapshots of August.
Welcome Home!
Cattle in all the Colors of the rainbow at the Cass County Fair, Weeping Water Nebraska.
Super friendly pig at the Cass County Fair, Nebraska. He acted just like a dog and loved the attention, even rolled onto his back and woofed like a dog.
Midway at night, Cass County Fair, Weeping Water, Nebraska
Now I’m four less behind, how many more left to go? I’m trying…but might not make it.
Pearls and Starfish
I love shopping and I this necklace from Block Island just radiates summer. Perfect with my tan from summer vacation. I could have stayed on the beach a week and never been bored. Maybe next time I will. Until the next summer on the island, farewell until we meet again.
Wilderness Lake
This lake in north eastern Connecticut was perfectly still and calm, we walked down to watch the girls go swimming and just drank in the peaceful vista around us. Oh to have a deck chair now and watch the fall colors turn and reflect off the water.
Ripples in Wilderness Lake
Sachem Pond, Block Island
My last Block Island post, sad and reflective at the same time. Was the trip what I expected? Yes. Do I wish I had more time to sit and relax? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Block Island is a mixture of personalities, the wild untamed Mohegan Cliffs to the calm water on Sachem Pond. It’s invigorating and calming at the same time.
I ate amazing food, took a moped around the island and found out that yes, mopeds can go 50 mph, laid in the sun and did absolutely nothing. There is nothing like salt air and open skies to cleanse the mind and rejuvenate the spirit.
Narragansett Inn
When I return, and I will return, I will head back to the Narragansett Inn. It was the perfect place to stay on a perfect island.
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