#229 Two Photo Subjects

#229  Two Photo Subjects

A Friend’s Garden

Cosmos and Bee, 157mm Macro @ f6.3, 1/640, ISO 1000

Purple Cosmos, 157mm Macro @ f4.5, 1/320, ISO 1000

Susi invited us over because she knew I was looking for photo opportunities. I took my Nikon Z50ii DX camera with two full-frame lenses, a Nikon 105mm f2.8 Macro lens (equivalent to a 157mm) and a Nikon 28-400mm f4.0-8 Zoom (equivalent to a 42-600mm). The combination gave me a good variety of features and a chance to see what works best with my continuing Parkinson’s tremors.

Sunflower with Bee, 157mm Macro @ f7.1, 1/800, ISO 1000 

Pink Cosmos, 157mm Macro @ f5, 1/400, ISO 1000

Yellow Cosmos with Bee,  300mm Zoom @ f8, 1/320, ISO 1100 

Orange Cosmos with Bee, 300mm Zoom @ f8, 1/320, ISO 1700

I had a couple of techniques I wanted to play with—shooting short bursts of photos to get images between tremor shakes and using higher ISO to allow faster shutter speeds. I’ll include technical detail on each photo for anyone who may be interested. I will also include my conclusions before I move on to the second photo subject. Now join me as I continue my visit to the garden.

Pink Dahlia, 157mm Macro @ f5, 1/400. ISO 1000

Orange Dahlia, 157mm Macro @ f5, 1/400, ISO 1000

Got a Name for This? 42mm Zoom @ f8, 1/250, ISO 1000

Hydrangea, 277mm Zoom @ f7.6, 1/3200, ISO 1900

Conclusions. First, thank you Susi for the invite to photograph your lovely garden and yard. As to what I learned about using a short burst of shots to counter my Parkinson’s shakes, results showed many examples of where my first shot of a burst of two or three less clear than the second or third photo in the burst. I attribute that to being  less steady as I push down the shutter release. I think I already knew this would be true, but my test showed me proof. Next, my use of higher ISO setting allowed me to use faster shutter speeds (less possibility of camera shake) and still have acceptably clear photos. Even at high ISO my images were sharp enough to make 8x10 or even 11x13 enlargements. 

Green Tomatoes, 105mm Zoom @ f8, 1/200, ISO 1000

Red Vein Sorrel, 105mm Zoom @ f8, 1/500, ISO 1000

Birch Trunk, 118mm Zoom @ f8, 1/200, ISO 1100 

Hummingbird 1, 600mm Zoom @f8, 1/640, ISO 2800

Hummingbird 2, 600mm Zoom @ f8, 1/200, ISO 28000

In the end I proved to myself that I can still take acceptable (computer use or printed copies) handheld images, at least in a garden setting, despite my progressing Parkinson’s condition. 

My Favorite Photo Subject (not counting Anne)

The Ranchos de Taos Church from the parking area at back of the church.

It is likely the most photographed church in America. It has been a favorite subject of great artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and photographers such as Ansel Adams, Paul Stroud, and Ned Scott. 

"Ansel Adams, Photographs of the Southwest," New York Photographic Society, Boston. Titled "Saint Francis Church, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico." c. 1950

"Ranchos Church No. 1" Georgia O'Keeffe 1929

"Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams, Natural Affinities," Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Little Brown and Company, New York 2008

I saw this winter image of the church in a Taos art galley. I didn't get any information about it, but I believe it was in the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House.

The San Fransisco de Asis Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos, NM, is a lovely late 18th century adobe church four miles south of the main town of Taos. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 and later a World Heritage site, the church was built between 1772 and 1816 and has been restored several times since. The adobe building with large supporting buttresses is annually re-plastered by the local community and parishioners. 

Buttress shows some sprouting of grass used in re-plastering.

The three colors (sky wall, and shadow) are the heart of the photo.

The church is centered in a formerly fortified plaza to protect against Comanche attacks. Although the defenses are no longer needed, the church is still active with a full schedule of masses and events. 

The church is great for abstract images or textural studies.

Do the light clouds add or detract from the image?

The church is also filled with tourists most of the day, but early morning and late afternoons are least crowded. The church is lovely any time and all condition—look particularly for bright blue skies, dramatic storm clouds, shadows on the walls, and reflections off puddles. 

Can you find at least six crosses?

This was just a portion of the cycles here this day. It was either a large riding club or a special mass for motorcycles.

A special project is to see how many “crosses” you can get in one image from the front of the building. Any time I spend in Taos also includes several visits the church and I’ve been known to visit three times in one day. There is also much to photograph in the surrounding plaza.  

Not in the plaza but only a few miles away is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

Autumn cottonwood colors just outside Taos.

In the Plaza

When I booked a day tour with local professional photographer Geraint Smith he began the tour at Ranchos de Taos church and ended the tour there as well. Beautiful lesson in the way lighting changes a location. I never tire of this subject.

Did I save the best for last?

NEXT: I'll see what I can find.