Love is in the Air

"Falling for Each Other"
1/200 sec at f/3.5 ISO 200

Congratulations to Brandy and Andrew (above) on their upcoming April 2010 wedding. I had the wonderful opportunity to shoot some engagement photos for this dynamic couple last weekend at Rittenhouse Park in Newark. The weather was perfect, the park grounds made for a great backdrop and Brandy and Andrew were delightful to be around. Best wishes to you both!

Fly Like an Eagle

About 10-15 photographers turned out Saturday for our Conowingo and Port Deposit (MD) PhotoWalk. A spectacular morning supplied the backdrops for our first stop at Conowingo Dam and then ending up across the Susquehanna for a quick walk thru Port Deposit.

> As always, the Bald Eagles were amazing to watch. I've been coming here for four years now and these majestic masters of flight never cease to captivate my attention. Although, I do not have a monster lens to capture them as close as I dream of, I love seeing the other photographers in action and their results.

Using Flickr, we've created a collaborative online photo album and have asked the photographers to share their best shots from the walk. You may view all the participants photos here (check back often as the album will grow considerably in the next 72 hours).

---------------- About Delaware PhotoWalks

PhotoWalks take place on the second weekend of most months (weather permitting) ,at a different venue each month, somewhere in the local vicinity on either a Saturday morning or a Sunday afternoon. This a social networking group and there is NO cost associated with the events (unless we go somewhere where there's an admission fee or something similar).

Our next PhotoWalk is Sunday, December 13th in Odessa DE for Christmas lights. Drop me an email to be put on our notification list.

Engagement Euphoria

"Autumn Stroll"
1/160 sec at f/3.7 ISO 100

"The Kissing Bridge"
1/500 sec at f/3.5 ISO 100

Congratulations to a great couple, Marcy and Ron, on their recent engagement. I was honored to be asked to take some pictures for them, so we took advantage of the gorgeous weekend weather and headed out to Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin. Marcy is the beautiful daughter of good friends, Paul and Nancy Bargstadt.

P.S. Since we share many of the same readers, I purposely chose these shots as not to spoil the couple's excitement in posting their favorites on their own sites.

Kiss her already, will ya?!

"The Purple Cougar"

1/50 second at f/4.1 ISO 800

Congratulations to Victoria and Christopher who started a new chapter in their life together as husband and wife Friday evening. We wish you two nothing but happiness, laughter and crispy music!

I have Lens Envy

Man, photographers can really make you feel inadequate! This was part of the scene yesterday when we went on a PhotoWalk to Conowingo, MD in search of bald eagles. Up and down photographer's row, every person you looked at, had a bigger lens than the person before. Geesh! It looked like the red zone at a professional football game.

So, like I admitted to my group, "Hi, my name is Larry. I have 150mm lens and I suffer from LE (lens envy)." I wonder if they have a little blue pill that will help with this???

What Am I?

Any guesses?

Answer: Front tire of a bicycle "chained" to a post.

Conowingo, the Eagle has Landed

This Saturday morning, the 7th, we're heading northwest to Conowingo Dam (MD) to shoot bald eagles (yes, with a camera). I took a quick trip up there this afternoon to scout locations and prepare the way for our November PhotoWalk. The eagles were out and showing off their magnificent beauty.

After some time at the Dam, we're going to do a mini-walk through neighboring Port Deposit (MD). The architecture and stone walls of this river-side town are a photographer's dream.

I think we're going to have a great time. Won't you join us? Drop me an email for directions and timeframes.

P.S. December's PhotoWalk will be December 13th in Odessa DE.

The Power of a Smile

I was afforded a wonderful opportunity this morning. I was asked to do a PhotoWalk with the young adults of Christiana School District's Networks Career Training Program. With borrowed cameras in hand, a group of us ventured out on to the busy streets of Newark to photograph the city as it awakened under a beautiful sky.

The sun was warm and the smiles on the students faces blossomed as they started noticing the shapes, textures and colors of the everyday objects that surrounded them. The constant click of the cameras was a glorious sound as the young men and women took in the sights of a bustling college town. Two hours flew by in no time and we found ourselves scurrying back to the Center.

I plan to return in a couple weeks to check out the work of the students after they've had a chance to review their photographs, print some enlargements and practice their craft as frame makers. I am anxious to see the results. I think we may even have a couple promising new photographers to challenge us old timers (which never hurts).

As Ansel Adams said, "The most important part of the camera is the twelve inches behind it."

Special thanks to Ms. Horney and the staff at Networks for the opportunity to share my passion with some very special people. Read more about the Networks program here.

On a side note -- If any of my readers are planning to upgrade their digital cameras this holiday season, please think about donating your old camera to the school. I am sure there are some worthy students who would be very grateful to receive such a gift.

Legend of the Swamp Monster

"The Swamp Thing"
1/30th sec at f/3.9 ISO 100

I know it's out there somewhere. Lurking in the ankle deep waters. Hiding behind a six inch tree trunk. It's creeping me out, people!

Honk If You Love Snow Geese

What a gorgeous afternoon it was yesterday. A perfect day to take a drive and check out the fall colors.

It's also that time of the year when tens of thousands, and soon to be hundreds of thousands, of Canadian and Alaskan snow geese make their trek southward with a rest stop at Delaware's Bombay Hook National Wildlife Reserve along the eastern shore.

A sight that has to be witnessed to be truly appreciated. The late afternoon sun reflecting off the white wings of these birds against a dark blue sky is just mesmerizing to watch.

How to Make Your Fall Foliage Photos Pop!

"Mt. Cuba Center"
1/100 sec at f/3.7 ISO 100

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year. It's when your neighborhood and state turn into an artist's pallet of spectacular color. And now is the perfect time to dust your camera off and take a walk outside. Follow these few simple tips and you can capture the saturated reds, browns and yellows that make the crinkle of the leaves under your feet such a joyous sound.

Camera Choice

One of the biggest misconceptions about photography is that you need an expensive camera to take great photos. To the overwhelming majority of the general population this could not be any further from the truth. An expensive camera in the hands of a novice will not, alone, produce a better photo. However, those with the passion can, and will, create memorable images with a simple, disposable camera.

Before I incur the wrath of my colleagues with that previous statement, it is important I acknowledge the professionals, who have perfected their craft, can, and do, benefit by the better glass and improved mechanics found only on the top models. The rest of us have very little need for that type of expensive perfection.

Camera Settings

Understandably, most of your photographs are probably taken from the camera's "automatic" setting. It's that comfort zone where most of us may stay forever. However, with a few simple, but brave clicks of your camera dial you can bust out of the mold. First, look for the ISO setting (a sensitivity to light) in the menu and, presuming it's daylight, set it to 100 or 200. Now, take a chance and turn off your automatic white balance setting and choose the "daylight" setting (might be an icon of a bright sun or something similar).

When to Shoot

The time of day can make a huge difference in your final image. Even without your camera, notice how the same situation looks at first light, midday and late afternoon. The sun's light is your friend. Use it to your advantage. Scout out your location at different hours and see how the sun reflects off or through the leaves. How do you want your final image to look?

Composition

Keep it simple. 99% of amateur photographers will photograph a scene from a standing position, holding the camera at eye level. By changing your vantage point, ever so slightly, you can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Try shooting your subject from down on your knees or maybe stand up on a bench. Notice how one simple change can make the all the difference in the look and feel of your image. Feeling brave? Try moving your subject off center in the viewfinder. Now move your feet; move closer two steps or slide to your left a half a foot. Consider all the different compositions before you.

In Conclusion

I challenge you to take your camera outside at this beautiful time and try one or more these simple techniques. Allow yourself the freedom to experiment and feel the passion that digital photography holds for you.

Suggested Areas

Check out Killens Pond State Park, White Clay Creek State Park, Ashland Nature Center and Mt. Cuba Center.

About the Author

Larry Wilder, 51, is a professional photographer from Townsend, DE. With over 30 years experience in photography, Larry hosts digital photography workshops, teaches a photography class for seniors and hosts social networking PhotoWalks throughout the First State. For more information, visit his blog at http://fstopshere.blogspot.com or email him at larry@wildshotz.com

In Search of Follicle-Challenged Eagles

Next PhotoWalk Announcement

Our next photowalk will take us to the small Maryland towns of Conowingo and Port Deposit on the Susquehanna River (just before it turns into the Chesapeake Bay). Saturday, November 7th we will venture south, down I-95 just a little bit, to photograph the magnificent bald eagle and then walk an architecturally-pleasing riverside town.

We will meet at 9:00am at a location to be divulged in a private email to those who RSVP (about 45 minutes drive time from the I-95/Route 896 interchange in Newark). After a fair amount of time we will move on to Port Deposit for a mini-walk and then a dutch lunch to show off our pictures of the day and talk photography.

> PhotoWalks are social networking outings, arranged by myself, and have no costs or fees associated directly with them.*

I hope you can join us!

Drop me an email if you will attend.

* Admission fees or costs may be incurred if we visit historic buildings or parks; have lunch or drinks somewhere afterward and, indirectly, you will have to pay for gas to get to the destinations.