Let me introduce myself... (with photos too)

[alkaline9]

I just found this place, so I'm new to the photo group, but VERY happy I found you all!

I got into photography about a year and a half ago and I really only photograph when the mood strikes me or when there is a good reason (like these monthly contests!). I look forward to posting, commenting, and learning along with everyone here.

:grouphug: and :toast: for all the wonderful photographers in here.

Here are some of my favorite photos that I've taken in the past 18 months... hope you enjoy, and again GREAT to be here!

[F.Gordon]

1. Dude (may I call you dude?)

:wow:
Those are pheenomeenial. Eye no spel sew gude.

Beautiful captures using different degrees of light. Awesome.

Hope you keep your promise to hang and play here for awhile. I think there's a contest coming up where you have to take a photo of a bugs ass or sumtin'. :crazy:

[alkaline9]

2. haha... bug's ass

Well thank you very much. I have come to realize that if I see something I want to photo I don't always get it right the first time (thank goodness for my digital camera!!). I must have taken 1000 photos to come up with these 6... so I guess there's a little skill and a LOT of luck involved.

This is my new favorite place! I'll definitely hang around as promised. And yes "dude", "buddy", "hey you" ... they all work just fine :-)

[GOPFighter]

3. Those are great!

Glad you found us. What camera do you use?

[alkaline9]

4. Kodak DX6490 I believe

They are the 4MP 10x Optical zoom ones. They went on sale right when the 5MP version came out. Apparently now they have a new version same specs with a new number. I don't think I'll be buying a new camera anytime soon though. I've been thoroughly happy with this one :D

[GOPFighter]

9. I would love to have a 10x optical zoom

My Olympus only has a 3x zoom.

[alkaline9]

10. it was the main reason i spent the money on this one

...plus I like to take photos of the moon and the zoom sure helps! Too bad there's so much smog in NJ its hard to get a crisp photo of the moon hahaha

[F.Gordon]

11. I can't pick a fave.....because they are all great

... but my "farm boy from Iowa" really likes the cornfield shot. Love the sky in that photo.

[alkaline9]

12. Thanks Again

I REALLY liked the clouds that day (I was out in Reading, PA visiting my g/f at her college) and I decided to drive around and look for a good place to shoot them from. I came across this corn field just ripe to be shot! Unfortunately after driving around a little while the clouds weren't quite as magical as earlier, but still nice. Also I didn't realize until later that my camera was only set to medium quality, not high... oh well, still came out ok!

My favorite is the 4th one down with the really colorful sky... that was just a magical night that I happened to decide to shoot the sun setting. The photo doesn't even begin to describe how beautiful it was that night. :-)

[F.Gordon]

17. You're pulling my leg

When we were in PA I never saw the sky that blue.
:silly:

We loved it there. Want to go back in the summer.

Your fave is great. I was just reading in a mag I bought last night about doing "that" type of photo. You followed all their suggestions exactly. I never seem to be with camera at sunset or sunrise.... but I did do a midnight snap.... click on my sig line link... in my gallery... "Midnight Fishing Hole or Spot.. can't remember" Taken around midnight. This mag said how you need really calm water to shoot long exposures with reflections.

[alkaline9]

18. as much as I hate her being away at college...

...I love getting to see new scenery. PA is just far enough away from the jersey shore that its got totally different landscape! I'm out there about every other weekend and this was the first time I saw the sky and clouds like this... I consider it a lucky day.

Now about your Midnight Fishing Spot... How long was your exposure? Was there lots of moonlight? Fascinating!! I will have to try out that technique.

[F.Gordon]

19. 30 second exposure

No moonlight. City lights reflecting off the clouds. A lucky thing like you talk about. The clouds were very low... created a natural "light reflector". The snap is technically over-exposed .... notice the green. But I liked it.

[CC]

22. You came out at the beginning of

the cloud cover season. And during a week of lousy weather. Now if you want blue skies and sunny weather July is a good bet. But it will be hot and humid.

[Ms. Toad]

23. Forget the sky....

Corn like that in PA????

Looks more like your first guess of Iowa (or maybe Nebraska)!

[CC]

24. I live just below the PA line

and yes corn like this in PA, and everywhere around me. And you should see the Amish corn, it grows no matter what, drought it grows, too much rain, it grows, perfect weather it just grow taller.

[F.Gordon]

25. That was my first thought...

Oh... kewl... someone from Iowa is hangin' here. The sky messed with my head having just been in PA.

My first paid "job" was workin' the child labor crews de-tasslin' corn. Got fired. I should have took that as a sign that I could never work for someone else.

[Ms. Toad]

27. My first out of the home job too.

That and roguing.

My parents were dumb like fox folks and figured out that payments to kids were legitimate business expenses so we were always paid to work at home. It had the side benefit of helping us learn to manage money. Senior year in high school was the first time they let me work away from home and detasseling was my first job.

Tromping through dew-wet rows of corn, 4" deep in 55 degree irrigation water at the crack of dawn, covered in pollen, any bare skin rubbed raw by the corn leaves, and the temperature rising to 95-100 degrees by midafternoon. Tons of fun! For those of you who haven't had the fun: http://www.mindfully.org/Farm/Detasseling-Faces-Extinction9aug02.htm

[Boo_Radley]

5. Hey, those are fantastic

You've got a great eye for this. I look forward to seeing more.

For what it's worth, I also took photography up as a hobby about the same time, and have also just started posting here. We're like twins!

[alkaline9]

7. Thanks, bro!

You're very kind. I hope we can progress in our skills together!

I think the main reason I decided to run out, buy a camera, and start shooting a year and a half ago was that my g/f was off to college and I was bored. But now I do it for the reward of taking a good photo one in every 500 shots or so :-)

What made you take up photography?

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Very nice, Alkaline9, and welcome to the group.

:hi: I really like your photos. You pick the same kind of topics I do. ;)

[alkaline9]

8. Thank you, glad to be here!

I'm very fortunate to live within a few miles of one of the best places to take nature photos in NJ... Sandy Hook National Park :D

I love to travel and take photos too... I can only imagine the beautiful scenery you must get to shoot in AK (I'm jealous). I'll have to plan a trip there soon ;)

[priller]

13. Those are excellent!

Great landscapes.

[alkaline9]

15. Thanks!

I'm just lucky I have such pretty scenery nearby to shoot.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. Very nice. Next time you go to the beach, look to the east

and north... and wave, I am over there.

[alkaline9]

16. Long Island side I'm assuming...

Thanks. I thought I saw someone waving ... but my 10x zoom couldn't quite make out who or what it was :P

Do you ever get down this way? Sandy Hook is beautiful for taking photos at... although most people just appreciate the nude beach :shrug: lol

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

20. Yep, that was me!

welcome.

[CC]

21. Beautiful photos

and hard to pick a favorite. Welcome to the photo group,post lots of pictures cause I can tell I am going to love seeing them.

Edited to add- I really really like the 4th one, but for more than just the sunset, love the lines with dock and beach and all.

[alkaline9]

26. Thank You!

I promise when I shoot a keeper everyone here will get to see it :D

I think that #4 has a good balance to it. Like you said, not just the sky... I got lucky!

[PitbullTed]

28. Great shots, alkaline9!

I'm quite new here, and was just looking around when I came across your beautiful pictures! Lov'em all :hi:

[alkaline9]

29. Thanks!

That's very kind :-)