The Cloud

Puget Sound from Carkeek Creek, 2013

From the middle of the creek. Thank goodness for insulated, waterproof boots. 😉

1/15 second at f/8, ISO 100. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4.

 

A Walk with the Zeiss 25/2.8 (A Mini Lens Review)

1/200 second at f/2.8, ISO 200

A geeky post today, sorry. If you’re not into this stuff, I hope that the images are interesting anyway.

These street images were made while photostrolling with the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZF.2. All were shot with a Nikon D800E body. One of the things I wanted to see was how the optics would stack up against the high resolving power of this body. Even wide open, I was blown away by how sharp the thing is. But with a fair amount of chromatic aberration which even my untrained eye could pick out. However, this was easily take care of by Lightroom or, simply by stopping down.

1/640 second at f/4, ISO 200

One of the love-it-or-hate-it characteristics about this lens is the heavy vignetting at f/2.8. I mostly shoot with rather clinical Nikkor glass and thus found the romance imparted by the vignetting to be rather enjoyable.

1/640 second at f/2.8, ISO 100

 

 

Dusk on a Rainy Day

Puget Sound from Magnolia, 2013

It has been one of those typical Seattle winter days. Liquid sunshine had come down all day long, sometimes pelting, sometimes a mere mist. Then, just before sundown, it cleared. I got about 20 minutes to make some images before it started again.

4/5 second at f/13, ISO 640. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

Forest Light

Hoh Rainforest, 2012

1/20 second at f/8, ISO 800. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

Respite

Foggy Puget Sound, 2013

On Sunday, the fog that had shrouded the region for days lifted long enough for us to enjoy a couple of hours of clear skies and a pleasant sunset. About an hour after I made this image, we were engulfed again.

1/160 second at f/8, ISO 1600. Nikon D800E + Sigma 50-500 f/4.5-6.3.

Winter Monochromes

Some images that I made while messin’ around the other day…

circuitous

1/100 second at f/4, ISO 800. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

big things start small

1/1000 second at f/2.2, ISO 800. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

 

he went that way

1/250 second at f/2.8, ISO 800. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

 

all bark and no bite

1/60 second at f/4, ISO 1600. Nikon D600 + Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

Skagit Bay Twilight

Skagit Bay, 2013

Yesterday, we’d gone out to the Skagit River to see the bald eagles. But the combination of patchy light and freezing weather kept them high in the trees, making for a rather disappointing outing. On the way home, we made a “maybe we can salvage the trip” detour through Fir Island to try to catch some snow geese. No luck either. But nonetheless, mother nature was generous with us.

Thank you, Sai, for accompanying me on my oft-nutty adventures!

2 seconds at f/11, ISO 100. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

Through The Trees

Olympic National Park, 2012

I shot this on the hike out to Second Beach with Sai and Ed last year. We were behind schedule and were hustling a bit but when the light from the setting sun cut through the mist and trees, stopping was a no-brainer.

1/3 second at f/8, ISO 800. Nikon D800E + Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4.

 

 

New Year, New Distraction

new year neopan

My new year’s distraction 😉

1/80 second at f/5.6, ISO 1600. Nikon D800E + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G.

View From The Top

Rainy Seattle, 2012

Some friends were passing through town on Thursday evening. It was their first time here so we did some sightseeing. The weather started off okay enough but things quickly went south and by the time we got to the Seattle Center, it was coming down pretty hard. I made this image from the observation deck of the Space Needle. The raindrops were blowing in sideways so I ended up shooting with the 50 mm, a fast lens with a deep hood.

Handheld at 1/15 second at f/2, ISO 1000. Nikon D800E + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G.