Its an animals...and Kids world...enjoy the expirience.

Fox pups at Tawas State Park

Tawas MI

 

The challenge of taking pictures of wildlife, and kids, isn't that there isn't anything, or anywhere to shoot.  The biggest issue is the same with almost all non-studio photography...timing.  Timing is something that sometimes seems uncontrollable, and to a certain point is.  The trick to timing is the old Boy Scouts motto..."Be Prepared."  When your prepared, your chances of getting that great shot go up dramatically, if your ready for it to happen.  Basically, if you go to a zoo, have the camera in hand...and have a big (zoom) lens...I like having a 55/70 to300mm in hand...really can't go wrong with it...so if your going out to get that first DSLR buy it now...and don't just settle for the 200mm, buy the 300, or at least 250mm...its worth every penny, and your best pricing usually comes with initial purchase.  Sorry, a bit distracted there, but a good time to point it out to those that don't know.

 

My little Gizmo hunting through the sheets.

Home

Big Bear at the Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

www.detroitzoo.org

Peacock strutting his stuff.

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

 

 Kids aren't much different than animals, in that they are spontaneous, active, and the best shots somehow just happen.  The great thing for pictures of kids is that they tend to be more predictable in where they will be to shoot.  You still need to be prepared for their personalities to take over, that's when the magic takes over.  Planned shots are great, but I find that the pics I like the best are the "extra" shots that get one or more of the kids trying to mess up the shot...that's their personality.   Then there are times when its just them being themselves and their experiencing the world.  That is the special glow that just makes those pictures extra special.

 

Planned shot of the young nieces & nephews

The extra shot...control was slipping quickly...

 

Neices fooling around with brothers football

 

Alex in his first car...ok it was his brother's then too...

Now driving a real car...you've been warned.

 

My nephew Jeremy chill'n in the hammock

 

My niece Erica...too cute

 

Ericka, my niece, and her cousin playing a video game...

 

Te   wonders of kids and animals are what make life worth living, and the reason for having a camera for most of us.  When you pan to be out in the world living life be prepared to get that great shot.  it might come while walking in a park, at a family function, or just while your living life.  Great pictures are there for the taking...so take them...plz.

 

Jake, Alex and a turtle

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

www.virginiaaquarium.com

Virginia Beach, VA

 

 

So enjoy the process and remember your camera. It may just be a walk in woods, on the beach, or through a zoo when a great shot is available, so be prepared.  I have missed more great shots of kids and animals than I have taken, just because I couldn't get the camera set for the shot quick enough.  Be prepared.

 

Alex. Madison, and Brooke

at Christmas party 2011

Niece Ericka, & dad (Rick...Brother-in-law)

waiting...

One of the pups at Tawas St park

Tawas, MI

Gizmo being Gizmo...an in your face cat.

Brooke, Madison, Nate & Poppie enjoying a chance to play on a public bench.

Frankenmuth, MI

Butterfly at the Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

 

The late, great Snowball playing in a basket

Brooke, the dancer admiring one of her Christmas presents.

A squirrel checking me out in Elizabeth Park

Trenton, MI

Jeremy accepting his championship jacket for the Ernie Open 2011

A frog in the Rifle River

Aranac Co. MI

Cheap Thrills... Don't need an expensive camera to get great shots.

Zinc Road

near Maybee, in Monroe County Michigan

 

 

The whole idea that the cost of the camera or type of camera you use to take the picture is not the final determining factor in the outcome of the pictures you take.  the determining factor is much greater than that.  It is ow you use the camera you have.  All of the pictures on this page today will be from either a cell phone or a cheap (free) camera.  This is to show that any camera you choose falls can get great pictures, if remember the the basics...see my previous postings.  You just need to know your camera, think of what your shooting, and don't be afraid to work with what you have. 

 

Sunrise over BASF Park in Wyandotte, MI

Broken tree

Near Hillsdale, MI

 

The Board Walk

Oscoda, Michigan

The Bishop Park Dock at sunset

Wyandotte, MI

Trees behind 33rd district court

Woodhaven, MI

Tallest indoor waterfall / fountain @ time of the shot.

Compuware building lobby

Detroit, MI

Teri Jerome (sister in law)

The White's landing dock

Catalina Island, CA

 

Sunset over Avalon

Catalina Island Ferry to Delray, CA

 

If you have been doubting what a cell phone can and cant do, just realize that all of the pictures above were taken with my cell phone.  that isn't necessarily a big deal.  the cameras on phones are getting very impressive, but these are all dumb phones...not a smart one in the bunch...all from "free" phones.  The photos and phones all come down to the basics. Know your phone/camera and what it can and can't do in modes, effects, zoom capabilities. flash, and focus. set ups. 

 

After The fall

Wyandotte, MI



 

Modes...black & white, special effects programming that you can adjust things and the such. 

Effects are usually these days the photo editing apps that can be taken advantage of these days.  I don't use anything more than the basics of the system.  I try to get in the best position to do it in the moment.  If I can't go in with the camera set to what I want to shoot I feel that I have wasted my time, or will be wasting my time later trying to correct the image to what I wanted in the first place.  Why do that.  Know  what tools you have going in, and it will make the work that much easier...in the long run...and you will be looking for those opportunities to make memories, not just let them come.  You'll be up at sunrise or out at sunset.  Life will be more interesting. 

 



Elizabeth Park walking entrance

Trenton. MI
 

Zoom... getting closer without getting closer.  With your camera, and the zoom it may may not have there is one Small detail with these camera zooms is that they tend to be digital.  Digital zooms expand the pixels, so you need to shoot with a higher pixel level, so the stretching becomes less noticeable, due to the size of the picture is larger.  an optical zoom actually moves the lenses, thus moving the image closer to you.  With optical zoom you have much more clarity when playing with the pictures, if you want...and far greater clarity.in the long run.

Blue Spruce

Woodhaven, MI

 

Flash... You might be thinking this is a simple yes/no question...it isn't.  If you don't have a flash, you then to start moving people and ways of shooting around to have the light in the right place.  I have been trying to tell my family all this for years, but they still shoot into the sun so nobody can see anybody faces, for they all in solute.  Just shoot with the sun behind you, not them.  If your lucky enough to have a flash don't be afraid to use it, but also know how far its light goes out from the camera.  You normally won't be able to shoot a good picture with a flash more than a few feet away from your desired image.  play & know how it works...you will start getting far better pictures when you know where you and you subjects need to be to make the camera work efficiently.

Tawas Point Lighthouse

Tawas State Park, Tawas MI

The Fernell Lens at Tawas Point Lighthouse

Tawas State Park, Tawas MI

Labor Day Sunrise over Lake Huron

On The Mackinaw Bridge

Straits Of Mackinaw, MI

Top of a sunflower

... Farm

Between Carleton & Maybee, MI

 

The use of a free or very cheap camera doesn't mean that you can't do great things with it.  You might need to do some adjusting of the images in your computer.  I take the shot, and then use my computer to tweak it back into what I actually saw that made me take the shot in the first place.  My computer has, and I use windows live photo gallery to help me, when I need to. 

A gander in Elizabeth Park

Trenton, MI

 

early Fall 2012 in Elizabeth Park

Trenton, MI

Mackinaw City Light & The Mackinaw Bridge

Mackinaw City MI

 

So, in conclusion, do not be afraid to shoot with that cheap camera or your phone.  Just when you do, please keep in mind the basics.  Know your camera, pay attention to the lighting, and where its coming from, and what your shooting...see previous postings for more on all these subjects...and enjoy. 

 

Pinstrip...my cat ready to pounce.

 

A cool pic of Moffit Bridge and Maple Ridge Rd.

Rifle River Valley

Aranac Co. MI

 

Bridge the gaps... capturing the view of how people cross the gaps in life.

Big Mac from Mackinaw City, MI

Bridge the gaps...

One of my favorite subjects to photograph are bridges.  I find them interesting in so many ways, and can be captures in so many ways.  You can shoot from on them, below them, down stream from them, in parts, in whole, or as art.  It's all up to you, and your imagination.  The important thing is getting the camera out and taking the shot.

Walking under Big Mac span

Between St Ignace & Mackinaw City, MI 

Elizabeth Park bridge

Trenton, MI

Greenwood Rd Bridge over the Rifle River

Skidway Lake, MI

With bridges there are many ways to look at the structure.  You can be below, on , down stream, or from a distance.  The direction and angle, and setting, as seen above, can be a dramatic make or break for a shot going from just a nice picture to something very special. 

Moffit Bridge w/ old digital

Along Maple Ridge Rd in Aranac Co. MI

Big Mac & Mackinaw City Lighthouse

Mackinaw City, MI Labor Day 2011

New bridge from under the old bridge over the Au Sable River

Huron National Forest between Hale & Tawas MI

 

When taking bridge pictures the big thing is obeying the first 5 rules I gave you, but you should also keep your shooting options open to play around.  A not so interesting rust coloured rail bridge can look totally different and so much more interesting in black & white.  it makes a big difference.  Just see the difference from the Elizabeth Park bridges from fall colours & black & white.  Night lights can also be a major difference maker to the views you can capture, too.

 

The Railroad Bridge over the Huron River

Between South Rockwood and Rockwood, MI

 

Elizabeth Park entrance bridge in Black & White

Trenton, MI

Big Mac (The Mackinaw Bridge) at night from Bridge View Park

St Ignace, MI

 

 

So, in conclusion, go out this Labor Day weekend...here in the USA...and shoot away.  Walk Big mac, and take those shots of all its splendor from a view that's only available once a year.  take a walk in the park or down stream, or where ever you want.  Just don't be afraid to capture you own view of the beauty that comes in how we cross troubled waters, or move ourselves to a new place in life.

 

Go & shoot in peace.

 

The Boy Scout Bridge over the Rifle River

Near Skidway lake, MI

 

Moffit Bridge over the Rifle River

Maple Ridge Rd in Aranac Co. MI

 

Wood Canoe & Big Mac

Mackinaw City, MI

 

The old Bridge (now used for walking) over the Ausable River

Huron National Forest between Hale & Tawas MI

 

Morning view of the Moffit Bridge from Camp Fire Trail

Aranac Co. MI

 

The RailRoad Bridge over the Hron River

Between Rockwood and South Rockwood MI

Pathway bridge in Oakwood Metro Park

Van Buran Twsp, MI

B&W from the Bridge Walk

Over the Straits of Mackinaw, MI