Penning Photography Daily

i wanted to bring out the green colors in the leaves, so I did some HDR mojo.

Sunset on Lake Lou Yeager, from the banks of the Shoal Creek Preserve.

Peaceful, Lovely, Restful.

I’ve been working on the album for a recent wedding.

It was a sunrise wedding.

This is the youngest son of the best man.

I was taking some photos of the first arrivals.

I noticed him checking me out.

I took advantage of the moment to play “peek a boo, I see you” with him and my camera.

Got him in one try. =)

I think he was enjoying the diversion.

I enjoyed capturing the fun of youth.

Scouting out a location for a commercial shoot.

I’ve been commissioned to create a nature scene to be displayed in a professional office.

This location, is on the shores of Lake Lou Yeager in Litchfield, Illinois. That’s about 45 miles south of Springfield, IL where I live.

Karen and I made quick tracks after I got off work tonight, to try to beat sunset. We got there with about 30 minutes to spare.

The preserve is 236 acres of natural forest on the eastern shore of the lake, which is used as a primary source of drinking water for the town.

Tripod, backpack and flashlight in hand, we trekked off into the unknown.

The trails are well marked but could be improved. It would be impossible to navigate in wet weather – mostly dirt. Some hills and gullys, not too challenging and not too far to the lake shore.

This is one of the last shots I took. A 25 second exposure, f8, ISO 100.

It looks west towards the lake and the painted sky after sunset. It was really quite dark, but I knew that I could pull something worthwhile out with multiple exposures from the RAW file and Photomatix.

I like the combination of textures and colors.

A great place for exploring nature, and photos. I believe we will go back for more, with more daylight available. =)

I like how this glows from within.

I was out with my camera in hand, looking for interest through my lens before choir practice tonight.

The sun was low in the sky – around 6:10PM – and peeking through the tree leaves and limbs.

I stopped down the Zenitar 16mm to f16, 1/30th of a second, and moved around looking for this flare.

I felt I got something good enough to work with after a few takes and adjustments, and moved on to other subjects.

This one spoke to me when looking at it on the big monitor at home.

I adjusted it in Lightroom until the glow in the tree and the sky was just right.

Here it is.

Light from the Sun.

Captured for all to see. =)

Another last minute photo.

I had retired to read in bed, when I recalled that my photo of the day was missing.

I didn’t even think about not doing it, nor what would be my subject.

I had the Zenitar 16mm f2.8 manual focus prime lens on, and it would do nicely.

Johanna, as is her habit, appeared at my side, seeking a bit of cheese or something. A hand to stroke her fur if nothing else.

She’s such a demanding companion. =)

I turned on my camera and, while explaining to my bride Karen what I was doing, noticed that Johanna had given up seeking something from me and retired to her spot in-between the sunroom and the dining room.

Perfect, I thought.

If I could just get her to stand still for 2 seconds.

I set my camera for a 2 second delay and a 2 second exposure at f4, ISO 100. Should be enough I thought. I propped up the lens from the floor with a par of scissors.

Johanna kept moving as I was moving.

She takes her cues as to what is going to happen next from my eyes.

A ha!

The next shot, I set up and started staring at her.

She neatly cooperated and stared back. For 2 seconds.

Just enough.

Karen is in the background, the latest Harry Potter book cradled in her arm, about to turn out the light. She paused as well.

2 seconds. =)

I’m busy, getting some photo work done on a deadline.

But not too busy that I forget my Picture of the Day. Never. =)

I like it, but then I’m biased.

I find it hard to take a self-portrait, holding the camera at arm’s length, and maintain a natural smile. Too much going on.

But then, that’s life.

So here I am.

That’s a lyric from The Kinks 1964 song reference in the title.

Yes, I really do remember hearing The Kinks in 1964.

Benefit from my older brother’s and sister’s cultural tastes in music.

Again – I took a different way today.

It brought me here – to Washington Park, home to a carillon, among other interesting and beautiful environs.

I needed a beauty injection.

Nature has a way of helping fix my moods to the positive.

Another of my photos in this group had a sidewalk leading straight to the carillon in the distance. I thought it looked ok, but not just what I wanted. This is it. More interesting.

Taken with my manual prime wide-angle lens – the Russian-made Zenitar 16mm. I’m finding more that I like about it, the more I challenge myself to use it.

It’s the newness of challenges and different paths which make them full of possibilities. =)