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Alaska....Teaser entry
Photo Copyright © 2008 Jennifer Kiser
Well, my RAW images are still locked away in my camera, fortunately though, we also had Jennifer's camera with us which shoots jpeg images that are easily downloaded and viewed on the computer. I decided to post this picture to show that I actually did take some pictures on this last Trek even though I have posted none as of yet.
This picture actually shows something that you don't normally see...I'm shooting without a tripod. For parts of the trip, the tripod was just too cumbersome to take (like walking around downtown Anchorage), or not allowed (like the day cruise). At any rate, I did shoot a fair amount of my pictures handheld which I am not wild about doing. However, there are some tricks available to the photographer to help provide the most steady platform they can while shooting handheld. You can see that my elbows are firmly placed on the railing, and actually there was another position I used as well that put my arm pits squarely on the railing with my feet diagonally behind me. With this stance and the Image Stabilization, I am pretty sure that I can still achieve tack sharp images without a tripod.
This picture also gives you an idea about how Anchorage looks. You can see the gaggle of buildings in the immediate vicinity with the picturesque mountains in the distance. This was unlike the Alaska that I had envisioned and really caught me off guard with my previsualization. It also made it quite difficult to get in tune with the land around me so that I could understand how it wanted to be photographed. That's right, when I am creating a picture, my best work comes when I listen to the subject of my photograph. If you pay close attention to what it is you are photographing, it will actually tell you how it wants to be photographed. If you get too many signals at once, your photograph will be a confused jumble. By listening, and filtering the information you get, the picture will almost take itself.
I think this is the key to photography...more than composition, exposure, equipment, or any of the other things I have talked about in my Tips and Tricks. The real key is getting in tune with your surroundings. Your pictures should tell a story about its location. There should be more to it than just a tree, or a building. There should be a feel associated with the picture, and there should be a sense of connection with what the photographer has seen and chosen to share. These are the images that speak to people, and therefore make significant photographs. Of course, I strive to do this with each of my photographs, and hope that I succeed. I am fortunate here at Photo Trek to have a forum by which I have received some very positive feedback over the years that makes me think I am doing something right.
I am on track to have the pictures done and on display sometime Tuesday night if all goes well when I get back home. I have heard from many of you that you are anxiously awaiting the new pictures....rest assured so am I. I have been resting the last couple of days so I should be able to get the pictures sorted out in just a couple of days. Keep in mind that there is possibly going to be a new room to the gallery, so keep an eye out for that in the next few days.
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The mountains are so beautiful, they almost look fake! Nice job Jennifer.
Lisa -
Nice job there Jennifer! Hope you both had a wonderful time.
And Greg....a "gaggle of buildings"?? You crack me up. Although I thought gaggles only applied to geese, I'm probably wrong. But who says that?? Only Mr. Greg! lol
Nancy -
Nice shot Jennifer.....(too bad it's only waist up - ROFL). Anchorage looks facinating and I'm sure you got some awesome shots Greg.
Sharon -
What a great picture. It's nice to put half a face with the journal & the name. Having been in Alaksa myself, I'm not surprised at the background. This picture looks alot like what we found in eastern California, Nevada and Oregon when we came home from our road trip in mid-March. No wonder your pcitures are so stunning. You've got a lot higher tech camera than most of us do. I'm using a little old HP digital. Can't wait for the rest of your pictures.......Linda in WA http://journals.aol.com/lsfp1
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6/8/08 6:47 PM