Tag Archives: Lake Monroe

A Motionless Marina Morning

Sanford, Technique, , , , ,

The wind’s often calm before dawn (maybe this is why: https://www.chicagotribune.com/weather/ct-wea-1220-asktom-20151218-column.html). When you’re photographing around boats, even calm winds can move the mast tips (or the hulls) enough to blur them in a long exposure. But that wasn’t happening that morning at the Sanford Marina.

Glassy HarborGlassy Harbor (24mm, f/5.6 @ 25s, ISO 100).

My weather app said the wind was 2 mph – about as calm as it gets. Very good for low light photography. Not so good for keeping biting insects away, but artists have to suffer, right?

Paddle wheel and yachtsPaddle wheel and yachts. I Like the juxtaposition of the aft end of the St. Johns Rivership Company’s Barbara Lee with the modern yachts. (34mm, f/11 at 15s, ISO 100)

If the wind’s smearing your subjects, you can try making an extra frame at a higher ISO value to increase your shutter speed. Then you can blend the water and sky from your long exposure frame with the faster shutter speed frame to reduce bluring. But it’s not ideal: the higher ISO may reduce image quality and blending can be tricky with moving subjects. I’m glad I didn’t have to do that for these – things were stock-still!

Peaceful HarborPeaceful Harbor (24mm, f/5.6 @ 25s, ISO 100).

By the way, I was going to call this “Minimal Motion Marina Morning” but that seemed like too much alliteration, even for me.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Stay positive, be kind, take care of yourselves and each other. And if you can, make a motionless photo!

©2022, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved

Just Wandering

INSIDE FLORIDA, Sanford, Technique, VARIOUS, , ,

Morning Gulls on Lake MonroeMorning Gulls on Lake Monroe

Do you ever just go wandering around, exploring new areas?  Not to make photos, but hoping in the back of your mind that a good photo might show up in front of your lens?  Sometimes I do.  And sometimes it happens.

One day back in July of 2007, I drove over to Sanford, Florida and  stopped by the boat ramp.  As I watched the sun rise,  I kept my eye on some seagulls flying around over the water.  When the sun went into those clouds and the very pretty rays showed up – I framed my shot and started walking over toward the gulls, shooting in continuous mode.  I was hoping for something exactly like this, and when I got home I was happy with how it turned out.

So, I’m just wondering.  Would you ever drive to a boat ramp at sunrise for a photo-op?  Maybe, maybe not.  When you’re just out wandering around with your camera, your expectations are different.  The photo pressure’s off.  It’s OK to go home without a 4 or 5 star image.  But the opportunities for photos may be a lot more varied than if you set off with a specific photo goal in mind.  And if you do come home with a nice photo or two it’s a bonus.

So, just go wandering.  And keep your eyes and mind open to the beautiful nature show happening all around you.  And take a camera.

©2010, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved.

P.S.  We drove by the Lake Jesup wildflower fields this morning and they’re just about all gone.  If you didn’t make a photo there this year, you’ll have to wait until late next September for your chance.