07

Apr

April 6, 2013 Sunset over the Hudson, Tarrytown NY

Me and my Robert Ortiz Photography Mug

Me with my Robert Ortiz Photography mug for a Facebook contest!
Photo taken in Tarrytown, NY overlooking the Hudson River and the Tappanzee Bridge. Photo taken by my lovely wife, Alona :)

A photography friend of mine from Facebook, Robert Ortiz, is running a promotion in which he sent out free coffee mugs to people who requested them with the caveat that they had to photograph the mug in various locations and the photos would be submitted to his Facebook page for a contest.  The photo with the most “LIKES” wins… this is my entry!  So, please check out Rob’s page, LIKE the page and then LIKE my photo!

Robert Ortiz Photography on Facebook and my photo.  Remember, you have to LIKE the page as well as my photo.  Thanks for voting!

Sunset Over the Hudson by Richard D. Cole

The sun set over the Hudson River and the Tappanzee Bridge.
Canon EOS-1Ds, Canon EF 16-35 2.8LII
ISO 160, 1/160 sec @ f/6.3
Edited in Lightroom 4.4 and Photoshop CS6

My wife, Alona, and I went for a walk along the Hudson River in Tarrytown NY.  We went because I had an idea for the first image for the mug contest in mind, but we ended up finding a treasure of a spot for a walk and viewing the sun setting over the Hudson.

Sunset Over the Tappanzee by Richard D. Cole

The sun sets over the Tappanzee Bridge, Tarrytown NY
Canon 60D, Canon EF-S 18-200
ISO 100, 1/250 @ f/9.0
Edited in Lightroom 4.4

Sunset Over Immigrant Fisherman on the Hudson by Richard D. Cole

The sun sets over the Hudson River with the silhouette of an immigrant fisherman.
Canon 60D, Canon EF-S 18-200
ISO 200, 1/320 sec @ f/11
Edited in Ligtroom 4.4

During our walk we happened across several immigrant fishermen fishing the Hudson.  I asked them if they actually ate the fish and I was surprised to hear that, yes, they do!  In the short time we were there we watched them catch a Striped Bass and a Catfish.

Towards the end of our walk we saw this blacked out helicopter with no visible markings.  It kept circling the east side of the Hudson River at a very low altitude, almost as if it were searching for someone or something.  It was something right out of a conspiracy theory movie!

Sunset Over the Hudson with Government Chopper by Richard D. Cole

The sun sets over the Hudson River with the silhouette of a black government chopper.
Canon 60D, Canon EF-S 18-200
ISO 640, 1/800 sec @ f/11
Edited in Lightroom 4.4

73 days ago Short URL Comments

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26

Mar

March 24, 2013 Photo Drive in VT

Winter sheep eating hay.

This sheep was so enthusiastic about eating she jumped into the hay bin. Rupert, VT
Canon 1Ds, Sigma 75-300 (168mm)
ISO 800, 1/4000 sec @ f/5.0
Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4.3 > OnOne PhotoSuite 6 > LR4.3

Some of my earliest memories are of my family driving around Vermont, just to see what we could see.  With no specific no specific destination in mind we would all pile into the family car and just drive… roaming the back woods dirt roads looking to see a place or view that we had not seen before.  Friends that would come up and visit with us would protest, “But where are you going?”  Many people found it hard to imagine just getting in a car and driving for the sake of driving and looking at the beautiful country side with all of the rolling hills, farms, animals, streams and rivers.  Vermont is in my blood.  No matter where I live I will always come back to Vermont to see what I can see.

Red dairy barn with four silos in Rupert VT

A red dairy barn with four silos in Rupert VT.
Canon Rebel XSi, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6IS
ISO 200, 125 sec @ f /9.0
Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4.3 > OnOne PhotoSuite 6 > LR4.3

 

At one point many years ago dairy farming was a significant industry in Vermont.  In the Mettowwee Valley, where I have spent most of my time, there are fewer and fewer family farms each year.  Although, in recent year there has been a rise in other kinds of farms from goat cheese farms to alpaca farms.

Boiling maple sap into Maple Syrup

Maple sap being boiled to make Maple Syrup in a sugar shack in Rupert VT.
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55 f3.5-5.6IS
ISO 800, 1/80 sec @ f /5.6
Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4.3 > OnOne Photosuite 6 > LR4.3

Throughout Vermont’s rich history the making of Maple Syrup from Maple sap has always been present.  Today the boiling of the sap draws people from all walks of life and multiple generations together for this time honored tradition.

I can tell you from personal experience that nothing… I mean NOTHING tastes like hot Maple Syrup fresh from the evaporator!  Drinking it in is like getting a shot of pure adrenalin.

Boiling maple syrup brings multiple generations together.

Boiling maple sap to make Maple Syrup is an activity that brings people from all walks of life and all generations together in VT.
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6IS
ISO 800, 1/40 sec @ f / 5.0
Edited in Adobe Lightroom 4.3 > OnOne Photosuite 6 > LR4.3

85 days ago Short URL Comments

Photographs/Uncategorized

16

Feb

February 14, 2013 NYC Walk

City PatternsWindow Reflections

Whenever I get the chance I love to just walk around, whether I am in the country or in the city, and see what catches my eye.  Yesterday I was in New York City and got to walk around mid-town for several hours.  I love the lines and patterns of city architecture.  I find that people who live in cities tend to look down when they walk the streets… they have become immune to their environment.  Tourists are usually looking up trying to identify some landmark or famous building.  I must look like a tourist when walking the street of New York because I am always looking up and all around me… looking for that scene to capture with my camera.

The scene on the left caught my eye with all the various lines and textures.

The scene on the right caught my eye because of the reflections cast onto the brick by windows from another building.

123 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Photographs

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20

May

Read this Blog post if you are looking for a wedding photographer!

This is one of the best blog posts I have ever read by another photographer! If you are a bride looking for the best wedding photography possible… read this blog post and follow his advice!

http://bobbyearle.com/blog/the-knot-discounts-and-hurting-brides/

395 days ago Short URL Comments

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09

May

The Value of Prints & Albums

Here is a great blog post by another photographer on the value of prints and albums over high resolution DVDs!

http://www.bmerryphotography.com/blog/2012/05/09/The-Shoot-to-DVD-Market-vs-Wedding-Albums-and-Prints.aspx

406 days ago Short URL Comments

Other People's Blogs

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15

Apr

Fantastic Intro to Photography Book

One of the services that I offer as a professional photographer is photography classes.  For years I have been looking for a book to suggest to students that is easy to read, fun and comprehensive… I have found that in the book “Your Camera Love You Learn to Love It Back” by Khara Plicanic.  The book could be a useful tool to people of all skill levels, but is particularly helpful to people new to photography.  The author explains photographic terms, how to use various camera options, how to print and display photos in this digital age in a way that is easy to understand.  I highly recommend this book!

430 days ago Short URL Comments

Books/Photography

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13

Mar

The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan

I just started to read this book.  The author has some very interesting ideas.  Towards the beginning of the book the author states that photographers should be shooting 100,000 images a year!  I thought this number was really high, especially considering the life of most consumer and even pro-sumer cameras is about 100,000 shutter releases.  I’ll update the review when I finish reading it.

One interesting note:  The Kindle edition is $1 and change MORE than the printed edition.  How does that make any sense?

463 days ago Short URL Comments

Books

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14

Nov

Miriam

My brother and sister in law came over the other night to celebrate my wife’s birthday.  This gave me an opportunity to get my adorable little niece into the new portrait studio.

My adorable niece, Miriam, posing for me in the new Irvington NY portrait studio.

My niece, Miriam, posing for me in the new Irvington NY portrait studio.

 

583 days ago Short URL Comments

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14

Nov

New Irvington Studio Coming Together

I have been buying lighting equipment and back drops in preparation of opening a portrait studio in Irvington, NY (Westchester County)

First I bought the backdrops and stand.  Here are a few shots I took of my wife, Alona, with the new backdrops and the Speedotron lights without soft boxes:

My wife, Alona, poses for me while I get used to the new lighting equipment.

My wife poses for me while I test out the new back drops and lighting equipment.

The new light boxes and backdrops.

583 days ago Short URL Comments

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13

May

Business Tip: The Importance of Customer Service

In any business, customer service is just as important, and in some cases more important, than the quality of your product. I have seen mediocre photographers with very successful businesses because the proprietor was outgoing and knew how to interact with their clientele. On the other hand I have seen very good photographers who struggled with business because they were not “charming” enough. Even when dealing with a “difficult” client it is important to remain calm, polite and maintain the flow of communication.

768 days ago Short URL Comments

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