SkyWatch Friday; Columbus moon

A few nights ago I was able to capture these photos of the

waxing crescent moon. All pictures were captured with my

Olympus attached to my tripod. I used the night setting for the

first picture. I wasn't pleased because it clearly wasn't what I saw

in the sky. I switch to auto without a flash and slightly adjusted

the ISO. Now that's what I was looking at when I saw the moon in

the south Columbus sky. Enjoy

*Click images to enlarge

My World Tuesday; Photo transformation

My Olympus Master 2 program has a free download addition that

allows you to transform your photos into cartoons, watercolors or

oil paintings.

The watercolor

The cartoon

and the oil painting.

*Click images to enlarge

Stillness of the Night...

Nick and I traveled to Cleveland on Thursday evening to

watch our son play hockey. As I was leaving the arena I couldn't

help but notice how still the night was, and the three flags I

photographed seem to capture that.

*Click image to enlarge

SkyWatch Friday; Helicopter in the sky

Once in a while a loud aircraft, of some kind, will fly over our house.

We live very close to Rickenbacker Airport and we get to see all types of

planes flying over our heads. This, however, was a police helicopter. And

if you enlarge the second picture, you can see an officer leaning out looking

at the ground.

*Click images to enlarge

My World Tuesday; Random leftovers

This is the Cincinnati Riverfront Radisson Hotel in

Covington Kentucky. It reminds me of the old Sands

Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

*Click images to enlarge

SkyWatch Friday; Until the Next Thunderstorm

These are last of my lightning

photos until the next thunderstorm.

The first 4 were captured with the

Olympus Evolt E410 adjusted to action/sport

setting with the flash turned off.

Nick, acting as my photo partner, used the

Nikon COOLPIX L18 also set to action/sport to catch

the last picture.

*Click images to enlarge

Still learning....the moon

I had a lot of fun adjusting the Olympus and trying capture an interesting picture. Earlier in the day I googled "how to photograph the moon with a digital camera" and a plethora of sites appeared. I felt like Goldie Locks, one site was too technical, another site tried to sell me a book and yet another was for antiquated 35mm cameras. Then I searched in blogs and found enough info to get me through the evening without purchasing an expensive telescope and lens adapter so my camera can capture the mountains, valleys and craters of the moonscape. The one tip I did not heed was having a pad and pencil handy to make note of the different adjustments. Some of the photos could be better or clearer if I knew what mode and ISO settings I had taken them in the first place. Oh well, I'll better prepared on July 22nd.

ENJOY!

*Click images to enlarge

Full Moon Columbus

Prior to my (learning period) attempt at capturing fireworks, I was

able to snap some good full moon photos. I'll be out again tonight

with the tripod and Olympus. A (barely visible) Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

will occur tonight and I'm going to see if I can capture something

interesting in the night sky.

*Click images to enlarge

My World Tuesday; Trying to Capture Fireworks

One of the things I like most about using the Olympus, is the

ease and simplicity of the camera. Last night was the first

time I tried to capture fireworks. The Evolt E-410 has multiple

settings to fit every situation, including a specific "fireworks" mode.

I had no intention of trying to capture fireworks this year, but I passed

by my family room window at dusk and saw the full moon rising in the

eastern sky. So, again I set up the tripod on the deck and captured

some awesome moon shots (to be posted later). Then the residual,

residential fireworks appeared. I quickly changed lenses and adjusted the

shooting mode to "fireworks"and waited.....

I did learn a lot and I'll be better prepared next time they light up

the night sky. ENJOY!

*Click images to enlarge

SkyWatch Friday; 4th of July with Old Glory

If you happen upon my town in central Ohio, you'll see

many signs that July forth is being celebrated. These

are just a few that I was able to capture this week.

G-d Bless America!

*Click images to enlarge