In My Dreams I Can Fly...

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...

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• #6 Comment from sepintx 
  4/14/08 11:16 PM | Permalink

  I like the light in all three. I do like the first image though. Hard to zero in on a anchoring subject in woods, or at least for me. I look for obvious but you've shown me subtle arrangement with composition. Very nice :-)
• #5 Comment from boiseladie 
  4/13/08 12:24 PM | Permalink

  Glad to see you're exploring your new territory.  Great shots, as always.  I like how your fog shot turned out.
  http://boiseladie.blogspot.com/
• #4 Comment from radar446 
  4/13/08 4:54 AM | Permalink

  Hey Kat, you have had a busy week it sounds like.  Your experience on your hike reminds me of several hikes I've taken.  While I haven't come away with all I had intended photographically, I have met folks that I've found very fun to talk to.  The Photographer's Federation sounds like some of the clubs around here...that I don't belong to for the reasons you mention.  People get way to tied up in competition.  You are right photography, and all art is quite subjective and there is no way to score it fairly and consistantly.  I hate when a new photographer gets discouraged after entering some of these competitions.  The ones around here are largely based in the good ole boy network.  The same folks always win regardless of what they enter.  It is a name recognition thing I believe.
  
  Greg
• #3 Comment from mariebm56 
  4/12/08 10:13 PM | Permalink

  These are wonderful, Kat, glad to see you exploring the Island.
  Marie
• #2 Comment from inafrnz247 
  4/12/08 9:08 PM | Permalink

  Kat, you take the most amazing Macro nature shots...  I especially liked the second photo.  Your early morning fog photo is stunning in my opinion.  
  
  Yes, I do believe Spring has finally sprung!  Glad your taking time to enjoy it.
  
  Chelle