Good-by to 2018. What an enlightening year for me, photographically speaking. And really it was the last six months.
My interests expanded, some of my techniques improved and I'd like to say my tastes evolved. Butterfly.
In blog post numbers, from August to year end I had 92 posts. Funny enough, that was not the most for a year. In 2010 I had 94 posts. What was I talking 'bout then? But for this year, I had a grand total of 4 posts through the end of February. Then August hit.
August started with a purchase of the 70-300 lens. There was a lot of time spent in looking what lens to get with the stated purpose of taking to the Air Races in September. I wanted to get a few shots of practice before going out west. After the purchase, I went out to Port Huron for to my 'seagull' testing. At some point during that time, I also decided to go to the Shiawassee Nature Refuge to do the auto tour. I had hiked out there before, but not the auto tour. Word of advice, take the auto tour.
On my first time on the auto route, I was overwhelmed. There was so much going on in August. Days are still long, kids are feeding and most of all, still great weather. I didn't know where to look! For as much as I saw, I bet I missed more.
Half way through the tour, this happened. The Juvenile Bald Eagle.
What an experience. I've never been a nature or bird enthusiast before. And not that I'm fully invested now, but I can see where others find the enjoyment. This was an awesome moment for me. Side story here, but one of the more defining moments of my life was seeing turtles coming out of the ocean on Ascension Island and laying eggs. This event has been going on for centuries. And I could see it - not on Nova. And back to the present, to see a juvenile bald eagle, the one day symbol of our country. Wow.
One other item I noticed, was the improvement of the quality of my images. Was it because of ability?, Equipment? Not sure, but this had a great impact on personal interest on perfecting the craft. Three things happened simultaneously that could have contributed. First, and what I believe the primary reason is was the new lens, and it being a FF lens. I believe that there is better quality in a FF lens versus a DX lens. One of the other reasons could be I changed the UV filter on this lens, I didn't skimp. The third possibility was I had to upgrade the firmware on the D7200 to accept the new lens. Any one of those fixes alone or combinations of those fixes could be the reason for what I think are higher quality images. But I will add, that since changing the UV filter and the upgrade on the D7200, images with my other lenses have been improved as well. I go with 75% FF lens plus the improved quality on UV filter. I will not be adding any new DX lenses - FF now.
So a lot of August was spent going to the refuge once a weekend. Saw lots of ducks, egrets, cranes and hawks. The new lens got a workout.
Then in September was the Air Races.
What fun. Even with all the research and talking with friends about what to do and how to do it, I still could have done much better. Nothing like personal experience. But what experience I did get, was great. The most interesting challenge for me was the change in environment between Michigan skies and Nevada skies. You just have to be there. For my first time there, I did OK. Very few technically 'bad' or unusable shots. But aesthetically, I have a long way to go. A reason to return in 2019. The prop driven airplanes were the toughest to capture correctly. I could have done much better, but I did learn and can move forward this year. The jets were, not so much easy, but more friendly to capture. However I went in with too much ISO all around. The final images could be much better.
But sometimes you get lucky.
I know, not exactly perfect. Room for improvement.
The week after returning from the Air Races, time for the annual Detroit Model Railroad Club shoot.
This is the third year for this event for me, and I have learned along the way. This year I went prime lens all the way. Huge difference. The lens I used was a 50 mm (FF) which is equivalent to a 75 mm on the D7200. That cause a few framing issues because of the cramped areas on the layout, but I just had to be smarter. The shots came out crisp and clean. Again, technically good. For these shots I used a focus stacking technique and specialized software. I also ditched the bean bag that was used in previous shoots, as I believe it was causing some havoc with the focus ring. I found a small plastic tripod that did well. One issue to fix this year is with this tripod and battery grip. The point of reference is too high. The angle of the shots could be better. The battery grip will be removed. I'll be ready this year.
In October, I purchased the D500. Up to this point I was using the D7200, which is a fine camera and I will continue to use it. But the D500 is in another league. Upgraded sensor. Faster FPS. Larger buffer.
First major trip out with the D500 was a quick weekend in Pittsburgh. Of all the time I've spent in town, I really don't have any good shots, other than a few of Pitt's Cathedral of learning. I now have a few. Of the shots I like the most is one of Pittsburgh's iconic incline cable cars.
Right time of year and sunny. Lucky. (Knowing you have to make your own luck.)
In December, a few of the camera club wanted to take a few shots of some large steam train that was running in Michigan. They invited me to go along. Make your own luck sort of adventure. Thus began a new 'interest' affair.
The train is the Pere Marquette #1225. The history and extended stories around this vehicle was fun to research. Fascinating story. And chasing the #1225 was an incredible amount of fun. Looking forward to next year's #1225 schedule.
On a technical note, this was probably the most correct image I've taken all year. Everything was right. Speed, Aperture, ISO, framing, focus, subject. All there.
On the software side, I continue with Photoshop as my main processing program. I upgraded my On One to 2019 edition for some post processing work, mostly sharpening and mask work. I also continue to use Photomatix for HDR, although my tastes in HDR is not so much for effect anymore but to work light levels. Less is more. Still worth the price. The Helicon programs, Remote and Focus, are still my go-to programs for focus stacking. I picked up a new software program to help with altering photographs with an artistic twist. I'm not happy with PS's sketching offerings, I was looking to do better. I found a program that with do a 'paint' effect. It's not for everything, but sometimes it is awesome.
The last six months have been a lot of fun. Time to move forward. Like most people, I'm my harshest critic. I'm an amateur with professional expectations. I have to learn from each outing. My 'growth' expectations for 2019 are high.
On the schedule for 2019 is a return trip to Reno in September for the Air Races again. In a few weeks, I'll be going to the DMRRC. New on the schedule is a trip to SC for an Air Show. (The air show will be fun, I'll be going with a veteran air show photographer who will not let any of my crappy thoughts or efforts slide. Boot camp.) Also looking forward to train chasing, in whatever form presents itself.
Hello 2019. No pressure.
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