B Company

That’s what my grandfather used to say every time he was asked if he served in WWII, B Company.  What on earth is that?  His answer… 

“Be here when they go and be here when they get back.” 

John Dodgson circa 1940s

Although both my grandfathers never served in the military they did serve their country in very important jobs.  One had worked in the coal mines of Northern PA and the other in the NY ship yards. 

The point is while on this day of thanks to our “real” veterans who deserve our debt of gratitude, let us not forget those back at home who support the troops by doing their jobs and providing the necessary equipment, supplies and support both here and abroad.  We should never forget all the women who stepped out of the kitchens and into the factories to produce tanks and airplanes along with all those like my grandfathers who were unable to “serve” but still did their part right here at home to keep us safe. 

So on this veterans day I’d like to thank all our troops active, retired, dead and alive and all those ordinary citizens throughout our history and today who provide supplies and support to our military insuring that they can complete their mission.

Keep us safe and Thank You.  

Halloween Ghosts

So the image in this post are a couple years old but I thought it was appropriate and I haven’t done a How To post in a while. 

First the image.. 

1D Mark III w/ EF17-40"L F/4 @17mm, F/8, 6sec, ISO 100

The ghosting technique is really quite simple. 

The camera is set on a tripod and exposure is set for the ambient light.  In this case I used and aperture of F/8 for a pretty deep depth of field and  to help slow the shutter speed.  An aperture of F/8 dictated a 6 second exposure.  Now, to achieve a translucent Caroline I held my flash off camera left and dialed it down just enough to light up her face.  It was fired first curtain and then a second or so into the exposure I had Caroline step out of frame.  The initial blast of the flash sets her image and because she’s not in the shot for the full 6 seconds she appears translucent.   

The fun part about this technique is you can play around with just how translucent the subject is by varying the length of time they remain in frame during the exposure.  You can also govern how much blur is exposed as the move out of frame by varying the shutter speed and/or the speed by which they leave the frame.  The faster the subject steps out of the frame or the longer the exposure time, the less movement is captured and the more translucent they appear.  

Three More from Cumberland

Nothing spectacular, just three images that I like.  

A Budding National Geographic's Photographer

She looks like a natural doesn’t she?  

And the subject of her attention?

TJ’s Place

Monticello is known as Jefferson's experiment in architectural design and engineering.    Unfortunately there’s no way my words and photographs can do it justice but the Monticello website has a fantastic virtual tour. 

That said I did take a few exterior photos; interiors are not permitted. 

A view of the South Portico shot from beside the Wash House at the end of the North Dependency.

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/125, f/5.6, EV –2/3, ISO 100

Another shot from the north side along the gardens that wrap the lawn.

1D Mark III w/ EF17-40 f/4L 1/60, f/9, EV –2/3, ISO 100

Anyone have a nickel?  Your standard South Portico shot, the same view depicted on the US nickel

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/200, f/5.6, EV –2/3, ISO 100

South Portico reflecting off the Fish Pond near the South Dependency

1D Mark III w/ EF17-40 f/4L IS 1/500, f/4, EV –1, ISO 100

The Vegetable Garden Terrace just to south side of the house.  Visible is the Vegetable Garden Pavilion a place Jefferson would use as a quiet retreat to read. 

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/800, f/2.8, EV 0, ISO 100

And I’ll end with a picture of Caroline and Terry sitting on a bench clearly in some deep conversation most likely spurred on by the guide book Terry has in her lap.

1D Mark III w/ EF70-200 f/2.8L IS 1/200, f/2.8, EV –2/3, OCF on w/ +1 FEC, ISO 100