I got out two or three times this week specifically to take pictures. It was still a little early but we have had a couple of days of real spring weather and things are just starting to pop. I think this week we'll really see a lot of blooming and budding going on.
I checked out one new place...Connetquot River State Park. I hiked about 5 miles and barely saw a soul. I also didn't see much to photograph, but this is what I noticed as I walked along.
I got a little disoriented...the map was vague. It showed hiking trails but there were more than were reflected on the map. I finally got myself reoriented and came to a bridge where there was another woman taking pictures. She had an uncanny resemblance to someone I was good friends with in high school. No....it wasn't her. But, she was very friendly and we talked a while on the bridge. She was talking about the wildlife she had seen walking a particular angler's trail. So, we took a little walk down a very easy, very pretty trail. She said it's a place where the trees bud in all different colors in spring and it's just spectacular. So, I'm planning to try and get back there next week and have more photos to share.
We exchanged email addresses and she said she's there a lot...often with her husband. And she said I should get in touch next time I come down. So....I made a potential friend!
We've had a couple of misty mornings this week and I went out this morning to try and do something with the fog. I wasn't all that happy with the results as they are pretty grainy. I didn't bother with the tripod so I really had to kick up the ISO. I liked this image though...so I decided to work with the grain, texturize it and make it more a digital art piece than a photo. I'm pleased with how it turned out. It captures the mood.
Slowly but surely I'm developing some proficiency with Photoshop.
Last night I went to the Photographer's Federation of Long Island monthly competition meeting. It was a real reminder about how much I dislike competition. There were some excellent pieces there and there were a few real stinkers. But, the judges have to score them very quickly...just a go with the gut score. I frequently disagreed with their assessment. Many beautiful images were given average scores, and those that received high score for the most part surprised me. Judging is SO subjective....especially when it has to be a quick call. I really don't see the value to it. I would learn much more from a critique than a quick scoring number.
Later, a bunch of us were at a diner and there were some people with us who had been in the organization for 25+ years. They talked about how hard it is to get new interest in the group. And I thought...."well DUH....if you're going to judge novices to the same criteria as an experienced photographer....you're going to have a lot of discouraged newbies that bail." But these people all seem to thrive on the competition. I'm being pressured to put something in for our group for the next gathering. I guess I need to be stay a "team player."
I've got another story to share but I'm saving it for Walk...
