Category: Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

“(i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; only something in me understands the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)” ~ E.E. Cummings

Posted in Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nikon, Photography, Still LifeTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment
While I have my stand with umbrella out I thought I’d compose a couple of still life scenes with a Valentine’s theme.

"(i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; only

I purchased a kit of CTO gels for my Speedlight, and have been playing with those too. I hope to create something good enough to share in the future.

I bought the Rogue Universal Filter Kit.
The gels go on easily, and seem to be of good quality. This is my first gel kit, so we’ll see.
I bought my kit at a  local camera store, but Amazon has it too.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 50mm @ f/8| 1/200s| ISO 160| SB600 @ 1/4 pwr camera left| Hand-held

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Sora

Posted in California, Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nature, Nikon, UncategorizedTagged , , , Leave a comment

Sora, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2013 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

While out birding recently my friends Dali, Rainey, and MamaZ ; Dali and I spotted a Moorhen, but it kept ducking in and out of the reeds so I wasn’t able to get a clean photograph of it so we decided to go around the marsh once more before the light faded. Dali spotted this Sora busy hunting for food. I thought at first it was a big Sparrow, but was thrilled when I got a better look at it. This was the first time I’d seen one!

I didn’t get clear view of him. He too liked the privacy of the reeds, but at least he was close enough to get a picture of.

The migration back to the North seems to have started as there are fewer birds around the marshes we visited. I probably won’t be visiting this area again until Spring.
It was great getting together with Dali, Rainey, and MamaZ.   We even splurged on Guacamole Burgers and fries. I’m looking forward to our next get together!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 80-200mm @200mm| f5.6| 1/800sec| ISO 1000| Manual Priority| Hand-held

 

Woody Studies the SB600

Posted in Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nikon, Photography, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , 2 Comments

Woody Studies the SB600, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2013 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I’ve been using my SB600 Speedlight quite a bit the last month; on camera most the time, but did pull out my umbrella,and stand this past week-end to soften the light. It’s been so long since I last set up my Speedlight in Commander mode for off camera use that I had to get out my manual.

Inspired by two photographer friends who have been using some really cute toys as their photographic muses recently I dug out Woody to play with. The light is pretty boring in this shot I’m afraid. I wish I was as creative as Rubbah_Slippahs, and Nikki!

I want a Danbo!

D700| 24-70@62mm|f/3.2| 1/160s| ISO 640| Manual Priority| ISO 640| Eiko 4600K bulb & clamp light bounced though umbrella.

Here’s the set up shot:

Woody set up shot_4063

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White-tailed Kite

Posted in Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , Leave a comment

Copyright © 2013 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

A photo I took of a White-tailed Kite recently while trying out a friend’s lens.

White Tail KiteI wanted to see what 500mm looked like and how much closer I could get the birds, and test the weight of it.
It’s a pretty light lens actually. I got a lot closer view of this Kite!
This Kite is  calling its mate or parent, I’m not sure which.  Just a short time later a second Kite flew below this one. Together they flew off to another nearby perch. My friend and I moved our position to continue photographing them and discovered the second one brought a Vole for dinner. The  Vole is in the talons of the second Kite which unfortunately is hidden behind the branch, but it’s the best shot of the Vole I got before they started to consume it.
Kites with Vole_3576
Thanks Dali for letting me try your lens! I definitely want a longer lens for birding. I have to keep saving.

Nikon D300s| Tamron 200-500mm @ 500mm| f11| 1/1250s| ISO400| Manual Priority| Tripod

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San Francisco Moonset

Posted in California, Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nikon, PhotographyTagged , , , , Leave a comment

Copyright © 2013 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.San Francisco Moonset

I set out Sunday morning to photograph the Moonset over San Francisco,  the first location I wanted to go I wasn’t too comfortable going alone, so Diva Dog and I moved to plan B where we watched the Moonset. I can’t complain too much about plan B’s location the Moon was gorgeous, big, and the colors in the sky were lovely!

I spent the rest of the day with No 1 Grandson and family. I hope you all had a beautiful Sunday, and have a great week.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300@ | f9| 1/15s| ISO 200| Manual Priority|Tripod| 2 Frames blended

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Granuja Falls

Posted in Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., hikes, PhotographyTagged , , , , , Leave a comment
Granuja Falls, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2013 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

My mind turned to photographing waterfalls when we had several days of rain in Silicon Valley. I knew the falls around the Bay Area would be running full. The day was supposed to be partly sunny/cloudy, and not too cool. Since it was a week-day there probably wouldn’t be too many others around. I hadn’t been shooting long or got very far up the trail when it started to sprinkle. I hadn’t packed my rain sleeve so it was time to head back. Before reaching the parking lot the cloud overhead opened up and just poured!

I’ll have to get back soon.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 2470G@ 50mm| f5.6| 25 seconds| ISO 200| Manual Priority| Tripod|B+W 1.8 ND filter