Going ... going ...

Sundown

The summer sun is sinking low;
Only the tree-tops redden and glow:
Only the weathercock on the spire
Of the neighboring church is a flame of fire;
All is in shadow below.

O beautiful, awful summer day,
What hast thou given, what taken away?
Life and death, and love and hate,
Homes made happy or desolate,
Hearts made sad or gay!

On the road of life one milestone more!
In the book of life one leaf turned o'er!
Like a red seal is the setting sun
On the good and the evil men have done,--
Naught can today restore!

[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]

Come Sail Away

"I look to the sea,
Reflections in the waves spark my memory,
Some happy, some sad,
I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had,
We lived happily forever, so the story goes,
But somehow we missed out on the pot of gold
But we'll try best that we can to carry on ..."
Come Sail Away [Styx]

 I hope you're carrying on into 2014. If you need a momentary break from winter, then close your eyes and come sail away with me (click on the link below the photos) ...

The Harbour

[after the shock - to some - of the subject of the last post, I was asked if I would post something a little more pleasant. Alright then ...]

I went down to The Harbour (yes, that's the spelling of the name of this place even though it's in Florida) to catch a sunset. We shall soon be saying a temporary goodbye to places like this for a long, but brief, trip up north to celebrate Christmas with family.

Given the late hour I'll share just a few shots with you - will post the sunset in a few days.

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly ...
(Lucy In the Sky ... The Beatles)

Looking on the bright side

"You know it's going to be a long day when you yell 'Seriously?!?' at your alarm clock." (author unknown)

Ah, the benefits of airline deregulation. When I was young, people flew at a decent time. But now, to get a good airfare, it's the early bird who catches the plane. And so the alarm clock rudely jolted us out of bed, prematurely, so we could get our daughters to the airport by 04:00 am (!!) for a 06:00 am flight. It was early, but on the bright side there was no traffic (everyone else had wisely chosen to stay in bed) - the usual 45 minute trip was done in under 25.

There was another bright side to this equation. I'm rarely up to witness a sunrise but since I'd already paid the price, I was treated to the following, which in my estimation was adequate compensation.

Change of mind

I was going to continue posting a few more photos of my recent winter wanderings, but I changed my mind (I've rescheduled them). After we walked around the harbour this afternoon, I decided to return later to add to my stock of sunset shots. I did get a few but I changed my mind about posting any tonight (I've rescheduled those too). Although dusk was rapidly approaching, there was still enough light to capture some of the colour around the harbour. My son had sent some photos of the freezing rain and snow they've had over the last 2 days - I thought he could use a little more colour in his life right now.

Our internet connection here is something I could only dream about a week ago. I'm slowly catching up on responding to your comments and coming round to visit you.

(18-55mm  f11  3 different exposures each 2 stops apart  ISO100)

(Belated) Phriday Phun

Well, the phun was all had on Phriday - it's just that I didn't get phinished with the photos until past midnight (EST) - although it's still Phriday to the west of us. (Scott started the Phun Phriday posting - you may want to check him out).

We visited Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda this afternoon. While my wife browsed through the many shops there, Sasha and I dragged ourselves away and scouted the surroundings for some photo ops.

You wouldn't think that a place that bills itself as 'Fishermen's Village' would post signs like the one in this photo, would you ? Perhaps that's false advertising aka 'bait and switch'. I mean, what's a fisherman to do ?

Now being from up north I happen to know that Santa gets around via sleigh, but I've wondered how he does that in Florida where snow is as rare as a politician (anywhere) that can balance a budget. I discovered his secret and I'll share it with you here. Shhh - don't tell the kids.

Well, after all that time wandering around in the sun, I couldn't tell if my eyes or my camera were playing tricks on me in this last shot.

I hope your Phriday was phun too.

Speechless Saturday

(well almost ...)

No, I'm not starting a competition with Wordless Wednesday ;-) I had a lot of thoughts running through my head as I was reviewing shots from a recent evening photo shoot, and in the end I decided just to post the shots. There, I've already said too much.

Venice Venture

Pack a lunch, bring some chairs, and settle back on one of the beaches in Venice (Florida, not Italy). It's summertime - the living is easy, the weather is hot and humid, and the tourists are few. You'll almost have the beach to yourself.

We sat in the shade of the Australian pines and did what you can only do when it's 34C/94F - nothing. Well, we did walk out on the jetty to see what the few fishermen were catching - not much, besides plenty of sun. And we took in the beauty of the place.

(10-22mm  f11  1/320 sec  ISO400)

the view from my chair

(70-200mm  f8.0  1/2000 sec  ISO400)

 looking west down the jetty
(10-22mm  f8.0  1/1600 sec  ISO400)

view across the inlet to North Jetty Park
(10-22mm  f8.0  1/1600 sec  ISO400)

in the shade of the Australian pines
(10-22mm  f11  1/250 sec  ISO400)

Peaceful feeling

Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers through your comments on my last posts. I hope to be back here on a more regular basis, and to come by and visit you.

(18-55mm  f9.0  25 sec  ISO200)

Serendipity

I went for a very late evening stroll along the waterfront while we were visiting our daughters this weekend - I had intended to come here on other occasions to capture some night scenes. All was calm and quiet, and only a few other people walked by. I could have stayed longer - the lights and scenes were mesmerizing, but it was getting rather early. I felt comfortable with the shots I'd been able to make, and left something for another night.

Of course I had to download them when I got back, despite the hour. But I didn't get the chance to go through them carefully until this evening. Imagine my surprise when I came across this one and discovered a fellow Pink Floyd fan !

(18-55mm  f7.1  25 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

Sailing into the sunset

[hopefully we're getting near home by now - 2,500 km/1,500 mi later]

I had to put up one last sunset from the south since it's unlikely I'll be able to get any shots tonight.

I hope to get around to see you all again within the next day or two. Hope your weekend was a very good one !

(18-55mm  f13  1/60 sec  ISO200)

Thoughts by the sea

Walk with me by the shimmering sea
And you will find, as the waves gently
Caress the shore, that you more and more
Yearn for simpler times and the days of yore.

(70-200mm  f11  1/1250 sec  ISO200)

Come sail away

Ok, hands up all of you who've dreamt about leaving the 9-5 routine, life in the suburbs, the daily commute, the rat race ... behind. C'mon, sure you have - probably the last time you were in a warm place in the winter time staring at yachts in a marina ! Sell the house, sell the car, keep the kids and dog and just sail away.

Well, turn the volume up, click here, and pick your boat out on the photo below.

Happy sailing !

(10-22mm  f7.1  1/2 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

Sans artificial light

I may have mentioned a little while ago that I got a (paid) photography assignment via the business where my son works designing custom kitchens and bathrooms. They needed to update their portfolio for use in sales and marketing and wanted someone to shoot some of the work they had done over the past few years. I was a little leery about taking this on since I have zero/zilch lighting equipment and it's close to impossible to get exposures correct indoors with bright outside light streaming in through the windows, without lighting up the interior. To make a long story short I did more research into HDR (High Dynamic Range) software - around the same time Scott and Karen were experimenting with HDR - and trialed a product called Photomatix, which allows you to blend multiple exposures into an HDR image.

Now, after about a week of using it to blend the many interior exposures I made doing the assignments, I'm far from an expert. There are a lot of options to experiment with and I have a lot more to learn. I have been able to produce images though where the interior is exposed properly and you can also see a properly exposed view out of the window.

But - all of this preamble was just to say that while I was out at the harbour this evening looking to shoot a sunset, it dawned on me (no pun intended) that I should try shooting multiple exposures and blend them with Photomatix.

Here's the result.

(shot with a 18-55mm lens at f8.0, ISO200 and shutter speeds ranging from 10 to 30 sec)

Oh, and I didn't forget about Sunset Sunday either. If you click on the shot you'll notice snow in the foreground - no, not in Florida - I shot this the week before we came down here.

(70-200mm  f32  30 sec  ISO200)

(Day 349) Seconds

My 365 photo quest today was to find a canal that was lit up with coloured lights. I left just before dusk along a route where I knew I'd have a clear view of some canals from the road. Well, to keep a long story short I didn't find what I was looking for, so I settled for this.

(18-55mm  f8  1/5 sec  ISO800)

And I couldn't help slipping this one in either.

(18-55mm  f8  1/8 sec  ISO200)

And wouldn't you know it - I found what I was looking for on the way back but there was nowhere to stop. Maybe I'll try for that another day. But I was pretty happy with what I did find today.

(Day 343) A salty dog

Thursday Dec. 9, 2010

I have to give the weather forecasters here some credit. We awoke this morning to steady rain and heavy skies. We had planned to go on a sunset dinner cruise with good friends but it looked like those plans would have to be rescheduled. The forecasters had 'promised' clearing skies by noon, but we doubted them and discussed an alternative date. Well, wouldn't you know it - right on noon hour the rain stopped, the skies lightened and by a quarter past noon, the sun was even shining !

Late this afternoon we made our way to the harbour near Sanibel Island to board our ship. It seems there were many more doubters because the ship originally had 50 places reserved, but we sailed with 10 ! That allowed plenty of time to chat with the experienced captain at the helm.

Oh, the sunset was wonderful, but you'll need to wait a few days to see it.

(10-22mm  f16  1/80 sec  ISO100)

(Day 264) Sailing off into the sunset

Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010

Today we were not only in two different countries, but also on two different continents within a few miles of each other. We sailed out of Rhodes harbour and about 2 hours later we entered the harbour at Marmaris, Turkey. It was a very interesting experience, especially visiting the Grand Old Bazaar.

In the late afternoon, our ship returned to Rhodes and as we neared the harbour I saw the large cruise ship I'd seen tied up there in the morning getting underway. It passed to the west of us and we watched as the ship with its hundreds of passengers and complement of crew sailed off into the sunset. We still had several days left to enjoy this wonderful island.

(10 - 22mm  f11  1/200 sec  ISO200)

(Day 263) Near the end of the day

Monday Sept. 20, 2010

We made our way to Faliraki harbour this evening after putting in a 'hard' day at Kolympia Beach - it's amazing how tired a day at the beach can make one feel. All sorts of small vessels come here at the end of the day - some used for cruising to various beaches along the coast of Rhodes, others used for water sports, and many that are still used for fishing.

When the tourists have gone off to a cafe for dinner, many of the boat operators are still busy with cleaning their boats, readying them for the next day's outing. We watched as fishermen were mending nets and checking their equipment. While it was nearing the end of the day, they were not yet nearing the end of their work.

(10 - 22mm  f11  1/100 sec  ISO200)

(Day 255) The strife is over

Sunday Sept. 12, 2010

We're told that the harbour at Rhodes was the site of one of the wonders of the ancient world - the Colossus of Rhodes - a giant statue which stretched across the harbour mouth. The Knights of St. John also built fortifications, visible at the right in the photo. We were here today to enjoy the beauty, and serenity (once we found this secluded spot). No wars plague this area now and the former fortifications only serve as reminders of a strife-filled past. May it remain that way.

(18-55mm  f11  1/1250 sec  ISO800)

(Day 253) Rugged beauty

Friday Sept. 10, 2010

I haven't checked any sources (yet) regarding the formation of Rhodes, but from looking at the seashore rocks, and the mountains and hills, I would venture that Rhodes came about as a result of volcanic activity. Certainly by the seashore in many cases there appears to be a lot of lava, and many of the hills seem to be made of hardened mud, filled with fist-sized stones.

Tonight we made a point of being near Charaki with its beautiful semi-circular beach, to catch the sunset on the rugged rocks at the outer ends of the beach.

(18-55mm  f11  1/125 sec  ISO200)