NEW EQUIPMENT + SNOW = FUN

   
     Well, my new camera equipment came in a couple days ago. I decided to go with a Canon 60D with an 18-55 F3.5 lens and a 70-200 F2.8 lens. I liked the options the 60D had, especially the video option, which I will be experimenting with in the coming weeks as the holidays near.
     On Wednesday night Rhinelander got a nice, fresh layer of about 2 inches of snow, so I decided to take a drive around town and see if I could come up with any photos using the new camera equipment. I did and it was fun taking the photos with the new camera.
     Rhinelander is the county seat for Oneida County and the courthouse is pretty neat. The green dome is lit up every night and I thought that it would be a nice spot for some photos last night. I was only out for about a half-hour, so I stuck around the downtown area.
     I'll be going out to play with the camera more this weekend and as the winter sports season kicks off. I'd like to try it at some basketball games to see how it does.
     Anyone have any big plans for the holiday season? My family and I will be visiting other family in the Green Bay area, so it's going to a busy next few weeks.
     Enjoy!

KEEP ON GOING

   
     As many of you may know already, my car was broken into on Sunday night and all of my camera equipment — my Canon 50D, my Nikon D7000 body and two lenses attached (a 70-200 F2.8 Sigma and an 18-105 Nikon) were stolen out of my car.
     It's the first time his happened to me and I'm not too happy about it. After filing a report with the Rhinelander Police Department, there isn't much more I can do except to wait and see what happens and save up money for a new camera and lens.
     It may take a while for that to happen, but at least my "Photo of the Day" Project will continue — all of those photos are taken with my Nokia Windows Phone.
     Speaking of my "Photo of the Day" project, I'm not up to 177 images as of yesterday, Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. It's been a challenge some days finding something to take a photo of, but it's fun to be challenged each day by it. Getting close-ups of items that you normally don't see that close, seeing what it looks like in black and white and making sure its the right image I want to post.
     Some of my favorites lately are posted below, but of all my favorites from the past couple days, the one at the top of this blog is probably my second all-time favorite since starting this project. It's just a simple autumn leaf laying on a grate walking path of a dock. All that dark stuff under is the calm water under the dock.
     Enjoy and don't forget to check out my Photo of the Day project by CLICKING HERE

COLORS SHOWING UP

   

 Autumn is officially here — as of Sunday at 3:44 p.m. — and the orange, reds and yellows are starting to show up in the leaves in Northern Wisconsin. Over the past week the colors have really started to pop a bit.
     On Sunday afternoon I gathered up the family and decided to take a little drive out to CAVOC (Ced A. Vig Outdoor Classroom) here in Rhinelander. It's a neat little area that the Rhinelander School District uses throughout the year. The trails are wonderful, paved areas and very easy access.
     Of course I dragged my camera along with me in hopes of catching some nice fall color-type photos. I found a few out there, but probably by next weekend there will be even more, maybe I'll take another swing out there if the weather is nice.
     For those of you who plan to go out and get some fall color photos, here are five easy tips:

1. GET CLOSE — You may be tempted to get those wide shots, of entire forests or hillsides with all that color, but try some up close photos too. A lot of great fall color can be found in the details. If you have a Macro lens, try that. If not, stand a little further back with a telephoto lens. 
2. LIGHTING AND TIMING — If you want that perfect fall color photo, you should try and go out into the forest/woods at the perfect time. The ideal times to shoot are during the golden hours — the first half-hour right after the sun rises in the morning and the last half hour before it sets at the end of the day. The sunlight will have that warm glow to it.
3. LOOK BEYOND THE COLOR —For most people, one of the most difficult aspects of fall color photos is looking beyond the color. Sure, you can just point the camera at a leaf and take the photo, but take a step back and look for a minute first. Look for the perfect subject, composition or lighting. Find something that looks interesting. Don't just point and shoot at the leaf just because it is a pretty red color.
4. TRIPOD — If you have a tripod, take it with you and use it. If you're using a Macro lens or trying to get a close-up photo of something, you'll want that camera stead and a tripod is the best way.
5. CONTRASTING COLORS — Look for color contrasts. Look for those bright red or orange trees against an evergreen background. It'll make the colors pop that much more.

     Here are some images that I captured this past Sunday. I'll soon have a link on my website for "Colors of the Season" where you'll be able see more of my fall color photos throughout this season.

     Enjoy!

REGULAR SEASON IS HERE

   Ah yes, the NFL regular season is finally here! Actually, it was last week, but this past Sunday was the Green Bay Packers home opener. The Packers hosted RGIII and the Washington Redskins for the home opener.
     The Packers gave the fans a real treat, defeating Washington 38-20 with a big performance by quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing for 480 yards and four touchdowns. Not a bad day at all.
     I was lucky enough to be on the field taking photos for a local paper and got several nice images, especially from Green Bay receiver Randall Cobb and running back James Starks.
     I was worried heading to the game as it rained the whole way from Rhinelander to Green Bay and I thought that it was going to be raining throughout the entire contest. Thankfully I was wrong. The rain lingered a bit into the first quarter, but after that it was dry, overcast and cool. Perfect football weather.
     One of my favorite photos from Sunday's game was when Green Bay's Sam Shields good a Washington receiver by the shoulder pads and whipped him to the ground. There was also some good emotional photos like players reacting after just missing an interception.
     It's just the start of the season and I have three more games that I'll be shooting this year. So far it's off to a good start.
     Enjoy!

GOING RACING!

 
     Don't worry, this won't be a post about covering sports, but there was some racing involved.
     This weekend marked Rhinelander's first Potato Fest with several activities to take part in. I wanted to check out the Couch Potato Racing event. I've heard of other communities doing something like this, but have never seen it. So, of course, I brought my camera along with me.
     The rules are pretty simple:

1. A couch on wheels with one person riding and four others pushing it. 
2. Halfway down the road, the person on the couch and to jump off and compete in a bean-bag toss.
3. The teams then raced down to the end of Brown Street, turned around and stopped again halfway back. 
4. This time the person riding on the couch had to play the ladder golf game and get one sting of golf balls on a bar before continuing. 
5. The fastest team won.

     There were only eight teams signed up for the event, but the crowds watching seemed to really enjoy it. I thought it was pretty neat seeing how the teams dressed up. We had a team there with the Duck Dynasty theme, a Charlie Brown theme, a sports theme, a radio station theme and others.
     There was some fun emotion to take photos of too, like teams cheering for each other as they pushed the couches, celebrating with a fast time and reaction if a wheel fell off.
     Here are some of my images from the Couch Potato Race held in Rhinelander.
     Enjoy!