May 15, 2013

Photo of the Week



Every week I choose one of my favorite photographs of the week from my Fine Art landscape, seascape, cityscape, flower, abstract and macro photography collection and offer it throughout that week at a discounted rate. This week's photo of the week on sale is Yellow Tulip, a tulip floral blossom from my flower art galleries.

Starting today through this week and the week of 20 May 2013 this beautiful flower macro photography image from my Flower Art Gallery, available as art photo print, acrylic print, metal print or on canvas, is on sale.

May 13, 2013

Moth ~ The next superfood?



In some parts of the world, Moths are a major food source for people too. More than 90 percent of people in some African countries eat moth and butterfly caterpillars, according to a 2004 survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Caterpillars are packed with protein and healthy fats, and research shows that 100 grams of these insects provides more than 100 percent of the daily requirement of some vital minerals, such as potassium, calcium, zinc and iron.

Find out more things that you don not know about Moths at Our Amazing Planet Dot Com.


May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day to All Mothers

Celebrating mother and Mother's Day in this post of inspiring flower photography pictures and quotes, sayings and wisdom ~ enjoy!
 
 
 
“If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.” ~ Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

“Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” ~ Unknown

“A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” ~ Irish Proverb


“Men are what their mothers made them.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher 


“A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go.” Author Unknown

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” ~ Lin Yutang


“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” ~ Unknown

“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.” ~ Jewish Proverb

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.” ~ Mildred B. Vermont


“Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.” ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” ~ Sophia Loren

“A mother understands what a child does not say.” ~ Author Unknown 


“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

"Who ran to help me when I fell, and would some pretty story tell, or kiss the place to make it well? My mother" ~ Ann Taylor












May 11, 2013

I love New York ~ the City that never Sleeps


 
The other week we visited family in New York City. For quite some time I was planning to explore the skyline photography opportunities from the top of the Rockefeller Center. Before we left on Thursday I checked the weather forecast for clear or sunny to cloudy condition and since positive, I pulled the trigger and bought a ticket online for Friday at 6:30 pm. Equipped with my entire gear, except my tripod (not allowed), I made my way over the entrance to the Rockefeller Center on 55th street between 5th and 6th avenue. There was a small line for buying tickets which I was able to skip due to my advanced planning. The elevator line was small and after a 5 minute wait I made the 45 second trip to the viewing platform on top of the Rockefeller Center. I went straight for the second floor platform as there are no protecting windows in front of you and one has an open view of the midtown and downtown New York City. The cityscape views are amazing and one gets demanding views of the Empire State Building, midtown and downtown New York. To the other site Central Park and uptown lies in front. As I was way too early I checked out the views and once I decided I figured I make my way to the front row and see what happens. After securing the front row spot I never moved thereafter until well after sunset. Let me tell you, the location did not disappoint. Once the sun set and Twilight and City Lights became one the magic unfolded right in front of us. Since there are no tripods allowed I used the stone socket to rest my camera during the long exposures. Although I would have preferred my tripod this was a great substitution for higher quality photography images of this magnificent skyline and cityscape.  

In the first picture I choose a portrait format to solely focus on the Empire State Building in front of me. The aperture at f/11 resulted in a 20 second exposure time at ISO 100. I usually select the lowest possible ISO at 100 as it provides lower noise levels and better skyline photography results. The second cityscape photograph shows more of the New York City skyline icons and besides the Empire State Building, the Freedom Tower, Bank of America building, Condé Nast building and the Statue of Liberty are seen in this picture.  The aperture in this cityscape photo was set at f/11 providing a shutter speed of 13 seconds at ISO 100. No filters were used in both images. 

During post processing of both photographs I removed dust spots and minimally adjusted contrast, lighting and color saturation before sharpening the final city photograph of New York City and its magical skyline.


May 6, 2013

Boston Acorn Street of Beacon Hill Night Photography


Last week I visited Beacon Hill, a beautiful hilly neighborhood around the State House. It is famous for its old colonial brick building and romantic streets lit by lanterns.  When pursuing Night Photography and shooting the Boston Skyline  I always try to arrive well before sunset to allow scouting for a suitable location and composition. This particular street stood out because of its beautiful tree blossoms and the wonderful evening light. After capturing this first image I made my way quickly over to famous Acorn Street. This narrow lane paved with cobblestones is located near Louisburg Square, the most prestigious address in Beacon Hill. It is also often mentioned as the most frequently photographed street in the United States of America.

I set up the tripod at a medium height level, equipped my camera with a 24-70mm zoom lens that was adjusted to 70mm. The focus point was laid on the cobblestones not far from my camera to allow for maximum sharpness in the image. Aperture in this second image was f/8 providing a shutter speed of 30 seconds at ISO100. 


Happy Monday,

Juergen 


Looking to learn more on skyline photography images and how to take them:

Twilight City Photo Tips




May 5, 2013

Examples of Beautiful Tulip Flower Photography


When I am not hiking or wandering the beautiful state and national parks/sites of the beautiful Northeast or shooting the Boston Skyline I keep myself occupied with local flower photography. I frequently visit my neighbors and public  neighborhood gardens in and around Boston and Brookline. The parks provides plenty of photo opportunities during the most beautiful light in the morning or late afternoon into the evening. This blog post compiles 20 of the best Boston skyline photography images and city scenery ~ enjoy!











More Reading and Photo Tips you may enjoy:
 

Photo Tips for Better Spring Flower Photography Results
 
Favorite Flower and Gardening Quotes 

Painting with Light like Georgia O'Keeffe 

Springtime Quotes and Spring Entertainment


Photo of the Week


Every week I choose one of my favorite photographs of the week from my Fine Art landscape, seascape, cityscape, flower, abstract and macro photography collection and offer it throughout that week at a discounted rate. This week's photo of the week on sale is Ignorance is Bliss, a daisy flower blossom from my flower art galleries.

Starting today through the week of 06 May 2013 this beautiful flower macro photography image from my my Flower Art Gallery, available as art photo print, acrylic print, metal print or on canvas, is on sale.

Apr 29, 2013

Shine on Boston


Last week the daffodils along the Charles River were in full bloom. For many years i had this picture on my bucket list and I am glad I finally made it over there to capture the flowers in front of the Boston skyline and a blue twilight sky. The cityscape features famous Boston Landmarks such as the John Hancock building, the Prudential Center, parts of the Massachusetts Avenue bridge and of course the Charles River loved by the people of Cambridge, Bostonians and rowers. I arrived well before sunset to allow scouting for a suitable location and composition. The best array of Daffodil flowers were in front f the Hyatt hotel on Memorial Drive. I set up the tripod at a low level, equipped my camera with a wide angle lens and focused on the skyline. Aperture in this image was f/11 providing a shutter speed of 13 seconds at ISO100. There was little wind that allowed appropriate sharpness of the Daffodils.  

Happy Monday,

Juergen 


Looking to learn more on skyline photography images and how to take them:

Twilight City Photo Tips





Photo of the Week


Every week I choose one of my favorite photographs of the week from my Fine Art landscape, seascape, cityscape, flower, abstract and macro photography collection and offer it throughout that week at a discounted rate. This week's photo of the week on sale is Pink Abstraction, an abstract pink and yellow inside of a tulip blossom from my Forms in Nature art gallery.

Starting today through the week of 29 April 2013 this beautiful butterfly macro photography image from my Forms in Nature gallery, available as art photo print, acrylic print, metal print or on canvas, is on sale.

Apr 13, 2013

20 Examples of Magical Boston Cityscape Photography

When I am not hiking or wandering the beautiful state and national parks/sites of the Northeast I keep myself occupied with local cityscape photography in and around Boston. The Boston cityscape provides plenty of photo opportunities for the local or visiting travel photographer. The unique mixture of old and new buildings, its busy streets and sites are pristine photo material and the New England light paints the landmarks beautifully during the morning or evening golden hours. This blog post compiles 20 of the best Boston skyline photography images and city scenery ~ enjoy!