I have been wanting to do this for sometime now, but my schedule or weather has hindered all attempts. The opportunity came again on Jan. 20 as a super moon coincided with a lunar eclipse. As the day approached the weather was rain, but on this day the skies cleared. The vantage point is from a small mountain, the locals call Buzzard's Roost, looking East towards the Cohutta Wilderness. There was the pleasant surprise of snow on the mountains. I do not use any Photographer's Ephemeris, only an App called Sky View, so I had an idea about where the moon was going to rise, but not exactly.

The moment the moon rose over the mountain, it looked like a bubble was forming. It was the perfect location. I was in awe and nearly didn't take any pictures. Some say during events like this it is best to not worry about pictures and just enjoy the moment. For me, I learned to "have my cake and eat it too." Having already set up the camera and its settings, I just held my remote trigger in my pocket, enjoyed the view with awe, and snapped away.

Being that the actual eclipse (blood moon) was near midnight and straight above, I when home and took the following pictures from my front yard.

What an awesome experience - the pictures don't even say it all. First, we learned of the launch and made last minute plans to visit the Kennedy Space Center the day of the launch. Because it was last minute, the "close" 3 mile observation was already full. We ended up at the Saturn V Center 6.3 miles away. Even at this distance the sound and feel of the launch was incredible!

Here are the details of the pictures:

Taken at 6.3 miles away to the launch site (I have no idea the distance it was before the Falcon 9 went behind the clouds).

Settings: ISO 200, 1/800, f/9, 400mm lens

At a distance of 6.3 miles, using 400mm lens, heat wave distortions due to refraction in the atmosphere are obvious at ground level, and the phenomenon fluctuated with sun and cloud cover. Once in sky, well above ground, this phenomenon stopped.

From launch to the time the Falcon 9 went behind the clouds was 120 seconds. I fired off about the same amount of frames.

See more pictures here: http://tonycarlson.zenfolio.com/p761171287

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch on April 2, 2018 SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch on April 2, 2018 SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch on April 2, 2018 SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch on April 2, 2018 SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch on April 2, 2018 SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch April 2, 2018 Falcon 9Just before going behind the clouds.

Back in 2013 I entered and was the lucky winner of a photo contest for Cloudland Canyon State Park. I finally took advantage of the two nights in their Yurts and the gift certificates for Canyon Grill. Below is the picture that was chosen:

Cherokee Falls, Cloudland Canyon State ParkTaken in 2013

Taken the same year is this photo of the "third falls" which has become the most viewed/visited photo as of yet in my gallery.

The "third falls" at Cloudland CanyonTaken in 2013

The below set are photos I took while staying in the Yurts. I'm sharing them on this special blog post as my way of saying thank you to Cloudland Canyon State Park and the Canyon Grill. (these and a few others can also be viewed in the 2015Nature Gallery)

Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Cherokee Falls, Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon Cloudland Canyon Cherokee Falls, Daniels Creek, Cloudland Canyon

 

 

 

It's been almost a year since my last post. I've really been in a photography rut. Most of the reasons can be found in this article http://digital-photography-school.com/6-signs-that-you-may-be-a-lazy-photographer/. Other reasons include: being a parent and full time teacher/coach. Well enough complaining - 

Recently, I've taken some shots that show improvement in composition and post production. I am excited and hope it continues. The attached pictures are a couple examples and more can be found in my 2015 Nature and Flower galleries. Hercules Beetle (female)largest species in the U.S.

Dahlia

Blackberry

View from Wernigerode's Castle

I had the great honor/pleasure of being asked to travel with some students to Germany as part of an exchange program from May 25 to June 15, 2014. The host school is located in Wernigerode. It is a small town nestled in the Harz Mountains. Though school was priority we did some side trips to Berlin, Leipzig, Wolfsburg and other small places. One host family took me on a weekend retreat, while another took me to Dresden. As far a photography goes, it was not a luxury photo tour vacation. I was there as a chaperone/teacher first. As such I was on a schedule with a group so setting up for the perfect angle under perfect light was not an option. There were a few short moments I got to breakaway  (in Wernigerode and Dresden) but most everything was done on the move. Looking back I learned some things, and in hind sight wonder why I didn't do certain things, but in the end I am pleased and, in some cases, surprised with the results. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

P.S. I have organized the pictures three ways, as Favorites, by Location, and by Date/Day (which includes a lot more student/group photos)

P.S.S. My primary lens was my EF-S 18-55 Kit Lens, as it was small, light, and cheap (in case it got lost or stolen). I did lug around my EF-S 55-250 Kit Lens as well but only took a couple of pictures with it as it was just too inconvenient to keep switching lens all the time. (I really do want the Canon EF-S  15-85 as a multipurpose walk around lens but cannot afford it right now. It would have served all my needs in one lens for this trip)

I can't believe I forgot to list my favorite "side kick." When ever I don't have my camera with me or if i want to do a test shot I rely on my iPhone Hipstamatic. Hipstamatic is an app that allows you choose various lenses and films to create nice photo effects. The trick is choosing the right combination for the right moment. Here are some examples: iPhone HipstamaticTaken with iPhone Hipstamatic iPhone HipstamaticTaken with iPhone Hipstamatic

Well it's deep into 2014 and my first exciting news is having a winning photo in a contest for Cloudland Canyon State Park. It was taken with my 18-55 EF-S kit lens.

Winning PhotoThis is the winning photo for the Cloudland Canyon State Park annual photo contest.

 

I have also had the great privilege over the past couple of years of having more students ask me to do their Senior Portraits. It gives me great joy to practice portraits while giving them lasting memories.

Kathryn

 

My current equipment (as of this post) is:

Camera: Canon 7D

Lenses: 18-55 EF-S (kit), 55-250 EF-S (kit), 28-135 EF, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 50mm 1.8, 40mm 2.8 "pancake", 100-400 EF L series (borrowed)

Post Processing: Apple Aperture (for most all work) , Photoshop Elements (minimal use)

I decided in 2013 I would shoot in RAW. Yes, yes it does make a difference. What is noticeable is clarity and color control. Even with my 18-55mm "kit" lens, I am able to sharpen the image so much more. Why I resisted using RAW for so long I cannot explain.

Sunsetat Grayton Beach

 

Now I need to work on doing better at framing, capturing the moment, ascetics, artistic value... and less FB type pictures

I am so excited to expand my equipment. I have upgraded from a Rebel XSi to a new higher resolution and more powerful Canon 7D. My first project was capturing images of the Battle of Tunnel Hill Civil War Reenactment on Sept 8, 2012. Immediate increase in resolution quality is noticeable. I also have to give thanks to my neighbors, Brian & Kim who have graciously let me borrow their Canon 100-400mm EF L-series lens. This allowed me to capture scenes  of the reenactment I otherwise could not get.

Battle of Tunnel HillFirst use of my Canon 7D

In addition:

My camera was a wonderful gift from my wife and I couldn't be more thankful. It came with two ("kit") lenses: 18-55 and a 55-250. All pictures taken in 2010 and 2011 were done with the original lenses.

I have learned that 99% of a great photo has nothing to do with the lens or editing. Photography is more about framing the image, background, lighting, and camera settings - all of which have to come together just right to make a good image. THIS is the biggest thing I am learning.

Thanks for visiting

Cumberland IslandA favorite from 2010