Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__TS-E90mmf/2.8+2x Extender__1.5 sec at f / 19__ISO 100

On Sunday morning, I discovered these great ice patterns in my bucket of landscape pebbles.  The “bucket” is a rectangular cement mixing bucket which I bought when I was building my waterfall feature on my back patio 9 years ago.  At the time, I noticed how vivid the stones were when wet, and started an ongoing series of the wet stone details.  Last year, I sold a 5×8 foot print of one of those!  Then, in winter I’ve noticed the bucket, filled with rainwater, will freeze over on cold, clear nights.  So now I also have a collection of ice pattern images!

If you are disappointed in learning that I didn’t make this image of a natural scene, I have my misgivings too.  For various reasons however, not least of which is that I am busy “surviving” in this economy and raising two children, this is where I find the most inspiration these days – in my back yard!

This photograph was made with my 90mm TS lens plus 2x Extender, camera turned horizontally, with front tilt near max to obtain full sharp across the ice.  I created five frames using the lens’s Shift function with incremental turns from far left to far, then stitched together with PS4′s Photomerge.  Even with the five background layers flattened, the final file is over 300MB.  Not quite as big as some of my 4×5 layered master files (which can be up to 1GB), but still very high res!  One has to enlarge the image in PS, or else print it at least 24″ to fully appreciate the intricate filigree patterns in the ice.

Other Bucket images:

Stones

Stones and Reflections

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__TS-E90mm f/2.8__1/6 sec at f / 19

On Sunday, we had rain.  Unusual for August.  Here is an image from the many frames I made.  Given the brown and dry surroundings of my backyard, I enjoyed this lushness!

Starting September 2: Inspiring Nature Photography:  The Essentials (four week course)

I hope that you are enjoying the new blog!  Tomorrow I have another One-on-One workshop.  Have a good weekend.

Cheers,  Bill

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__TS-E90mm f/2.8__1/3 sec at f / 13__ISO 200

As you can see, my new photoblog is up and running!

The blog now matches/blends in with the new web design.  My goals are the same -  to share my thoughts on landscape and nature photography in general, as well as sharing information specific to my own photography.  I will continue to include links to the work by other photographers I find inspiring, plus products and resources that I find useful.

Please update your bookmarks, RSS feeds, etc.

New Photoblog address: http://www.williamneill.com/blog/

The photo included was made in my backyard pond.  When I noticed the pattern that the pads form, I visualized a B&W photo.  This was unusual for me, but since John and I developed the Meditations in Monochrome ebook, I am “seeing” in B&W more often.  I also made dozens of color frames on Saturday and Sunday.  Sunday was especially good since it rained here!

I look forward to your comments and feedback.

Be sure to “follow” me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter too!