H2O My

"Falling"

3/4 sec at f/20.0 ISO 100

"Water is the driving force of all nature." - Leonardo da Vinci

Days Gone By

"Speaker of the House"
1/1250 sec at f/3.9 ISO 200

"It's hard to be nostalgic when you can't remember anything." - Anonymous

Nay Sayer

"Rangefinder"

1/800 sec at f/11.0 ISO 100

"There are things hidden for all the world until photographed." - Craig Coverdale

Beary Cool Contest

Rate any photo in the Outdoor Photographer (Magazine) online galleries for a chance to win a Polar Bear Photo Adventure for two! Sweepstakes ends January 15, 2010.

Click here for more information.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Looking for some recognition for your photography skills? Consider entering in Delaware Today Magazine's My Shot campaign.

Click here for the details and to submit your image(s). Start clickin' people!

Petal Faster

"Daffy Dill"
1/125 sec at f/6.3 ISO 100

Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk. - Edward Weston

Awaken Your Imagination

"The Road Less Traveled ... Thankfully"
1/160 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

My gift to you is that I am different. - Duane Michals

Let Us Never Forget

"Memorial"

1/250 sec at f/4.1 ISO 200

The camera captures light, our minds capture images. - Anonymous

Native Images

"Papoose"
1/125 sec at f/3.8 ISO 400

"No matter what camera you use, it is not the camera but your artistic eyes who makes the photograph." - Taga Creekside

Sky King

"Flying High"

1/1250 sec at f/6.3 ISO 400

When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear. - Alfred Eisenstaedt

The Door of Opportunity

"Unlocked"
1/80 sec at f/4.0 ISO 100

"I find the still image more powerful than the moving picture, because it leaves me alone for a moment with my thoughts." - Anonymous

PhotoWalk Odessa DE

Okay, I can take a hint. Tomorrow's (Sun, Dec 20) PhotoWalk, rescheduled from last Sunday, will be CANCELLED. Please stay safe, don't push yourself on shoveling out and take some photos in your neighborhood.

Redesigned

"Just as I was about to click the shutter
I hit a raised hump in the road and it jarred the camera up.
I never saw the obstruction coming. Weird."

1/125 sec at f/4.2 ISO 200

"A technically perfect photograph can be the world’s most boring picture." - Andreas Feininger

Get Rich Quick Scheme #465

"Boom, Boom, Boom"
1/500 sec at f/8.0 ISO 100

"The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera equipment." - Anonymous

A Wing and a Prayer

"Airplane Gremlin"
1/800 sec at f/4.3 ISO 200

"When you buy a 1/4-inch drill bit, what you really need is a 1/4-inch hole. Clients don't need photographers, they need photographs." - Bill Westheimer

Low Point of View

"I shutter to think how many people are underexposed and lacking depth in this field." - Rick Steves

What's My Excuse?

"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." - Henri Cartier-Bresson

One Track Mind

"Letting Off a Little Steam"
1/13th sec at f/16 ISO 100

This sounds like fun. The Wilmington & Western Railroad is hosting a trip out west next year called "Historic Trains of California." It's a 10-day trip, September 5-14, and includes visits to San Franciso, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.

You can read more about the choo choo experience on their flyer here.

Frozen in Time

"Graceful Dancer"

1/400 sec at f/4.3 ISO 400

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." - Dorothea Lange

PhotoWalk Odessa DE

Update 9:30am

Event has been CANCELLED for today. We will re-schedule for Sunday, Dec 20 (same time, same place).

PhotoWalk Odessa DE

Let me start with, "rain never hurt anybody, " and then let me add, while rain is not a valid reason not to take photos it does play havoc with a socializing event like the planned PhotoWalk in Odessa DE tomorrow the 13th. So, and like my backside, this is still a BIG BUT, but we may postpone the walk one week.

If it's an intermittent rain and we can still walk and talk, we will go on with the Photowalk, otherwise we will hold off seven days and shoot for next Sunday at the same time.

Okay? Last minute decisions can be confirmed by calling my cell phone at (302) 723-2468.

Thank you.

P.S. Some wonderful photographs can be created during and after a rain. Especially watch for puddles, reflections, reflections and raindrops on leaves.

Can Fire Hydrants Have Weak Bladders?

"In Too Deep"
1/160 sec at f/3.7 ISO 200

Heavy rains in Delaware overnight left some huge puddles to contend with. So if one inch of rain equals ten inches of white stuff, we're under a snow emergency and I'm calling off work.

They Make Marines

Congratulations to Gab on her graduation from Parris Island. The Marines now have one more strong and determined body.

What Am I?

Any guesses?

ANSWER: It's the front end of a replica trolley bus in Philadelphia.

No Loitering

"Cannon Print Her"
1/60 sec at f/4.5 ISO 100

Historic New Castle (DE) has implemented a get tough policy on loitering. Anyone sitting on the benches after a "reasonable" time allotment will be met with a battle cry and a lighting of the wick.

And the Happily Ever After Starts Now ...

"Erin"
1/60 sec at f/4.1 ISO 200

"You May Kiss Your Bride"
1/15 sec at f/4.5 ISO 800

Congratulations to our nephew, Kurt, and his new bride, Erin, on their wedding Saturday in Camp Hill, PA. Thank you for inviting Jan and I to be part of your special day.

What's our vector, Victor?

"Short Runway"
1/60 sec at f/8.0 ISO 400

Flying a plane is no different from riding a bicycle. It's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.

— Captain Rex Kramer, in the movie 'Airplane.'

Their Future Awaits

"Love is ..."
1/1600 sec at f/3.5 ISO 200

Congratulations to Michael and Nicole as they start on their new voyage together as husband and wife.

Thank you for inviting Jan and I to be included.

A New Beginning

"With this ring ..."
1/80 sec at f/4.5 ISO 400

Tomorrow may never come, but Saturday is only hours away. Tonight was rehearsal for our niece's wedding which will take place under sunny skies on Kent Island. Best wishes to the bride and groom.

This Day in History

"Magic Marker"
1/250 sec at f/4.3 ISO 200

Twenty score and six years ago Our President delivered an infamous speech, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

May these words be heeded by every generation to come. Thank you, Mr. Lincoln.

Next PhotoWalk Set

On Sunday, December 13, another PhotoWalk will be held in the historic town of Odessa, Delaware. From 3:15pm until dusk (approximately 5:15), photographers of all skill levels will gather and stroll around the town, looking for photo opportunities.

PhotoWalking is a social event of like-minded people gathering to walk and talk photography. There are no fees associated with attending this event.

Participants should park, and meet, along Main Street (Route 299) in the 300 block, near Post Office and Fire Station). Pre-registration is not necessary, but helpful. Email larry@wildshotz.com

After the walk, we encourage all participants to upload and share their photos on the specially-created Flickr group here. http://www.flickr.com/groups/photowalk_odessa/

Delaware PhotoWalks occur on the second weekend of most months. Previous PhotoWalks have been held in Newark, Delaware City, Middletown and New Castle.

For more photography-related opportunities, in and around Delaware, visit the social calendar at http://fstopshere.blogspot.com

Larry Wilder is a photographer from Townsend with over 30 years experience in photography, teaches a digital photography class and sponsors periodic photographic workshops.

For more information call or text Larry Wilder at (302) 723-2468 - Email larry@wildshotz.com

What Am I?

Any guesses?

Answer: Two (2) fox kits playing at Bombay Hook NWR.

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.