A pair of flowering trees at the Missouri Botanical Garden. This is in the popular Japanese Garden area.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-8DpxzTX/A
Cherry Tree Blossoms
My wife and I took an Easter Weekend walk around the Missouri Botanical Garden. As usual the Japanese Garden was spectacular. Early blooming trees provided the color and in the next few weeks the Tulips and other ground cover be out.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-wKGJpWB/A
Photo tip – invest in a good tripod
Tripods improve your photos by providing sharper images, by allowing you to take longer exposures in low light situations and allowing you to take photos in harsh environments. Tripods come in many different price ranges ranging from $30 to $500 or more! This is an area where you should not scrimp. A good solid tripod will be more stable, last longer and be easier to use.
The photo to the right is the Me-Foto I use. Their Road Trip model only weights 3½ lbs. and reached to 61 inches high. These are moderately priced at $150+.
The photo below is a three shot HDR taken in 40mph winds. A light support would not have worked!
So, you want to buy a new camera….
By: Ted Engler
Are you thinking about taking better photos? Perhaps you have been using an iPhone camera or other cellphone device and want to produce something more interesting. If you want outstanding photos, there are two things that you need to do: 1. Invest the money in equipment and software and 2. Invest the time needed take the photos and process them.
You will need higher end cameras and software. Using digital cameras eliminates the need for an investment in film. However, you will need to invest in software needed for processing the photos and spend time learning to use that software. Entry level Nikon cameras cost about $450 and go up to $750 for the higher end entry level camera (if you are wondering, the highest pro level DSLR is the Nikon D5 at $6,500. Other types of cameras go far above that). Here is a link for Nikon’s entry level cameras. I also suggest you look at Cannon, Pentax and Olympus.
In the Nikon category, I would suggest the D5500 at $750 ($1,050 with lens). This will give you some great options that the D3XXXs do not have.Continue reading “So, you want to buy a new camera….”
Bearskin Trail
The Bearskin Trail crosses lakes and marshes providing a wonderful way to view scenic Oneida County in northern Wisconsin. This old railroad trestle serves as the starting point out of downtown Minocqua.
Curious horse
A break in the cold weather called to a trip to the country. This horse was interested in my camera and perhaps some sort of treat!
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Portfolio/i-pSHVdsh/A
Demise of a bridge
The old Boone Bridge that crossed the Missouri River has finally been replaced. For decades this narrow and dangerous bridge served as one of the few connections between St. Louis and St. Charles Counties. This series of photos was pulled from a video of the complete explosion of the bridge. The second photo shows the explosive charges going off but the first photo shows a mysterious fire microseconds before the detonation. This is possibly caused by the extreme concussion caused by coordinated firing of the explosives. The third photo is of the trusses falling into the water.
Using Flickr to improve your photography
If you are looking for a way to see what other photographers are doing or are looking for feedback on your photos, I would suggest using a service called Flickr (flickr.com). Flickr is a great place to show off your photos for friends to see, get feedback and find other great photographers.
You can find the type of photographers that may be of interest to you. This includes style, subjects or location. I have a particular area of the country I like to visit and follow photographers from there. You can “follow” particular photographers but they do not have to “follow” you back to be able to see their work. The more people you follow, the more people that will follow you and see your work.
People that follow you will be able to rate your work by either clicking a favorite star or by commenting. Flickr is able to rate your photos by numerous methods including “interestingness.” This is a combination of views, favorites and comments received by your photo over a period of time.
According to Flickr, the above photo is my most interesting photo. To find this little house on the lake, I used Flickr to show me photos taken in Star Lake, Wisconsin. Others had visited this location and taken this photo so I was able to find it on a map so I could find this hidden treasure. An overcast Fall day made for an interesting scene.
Click here to see my Flickr site
Click here to find out more about this structure
Click “Photography Tips” above for more suggestions.
Little Church
Here is a scenic little church on top of a high hill in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This is next to the haunted Crescent Hotel. Eureka Springs is an interesting little town near the Missouri border. Plan to spend the day exploring.
Chapel
This is the chapel on the grounds of the White House Retreat in South St. Louis County. Retreats last several days and are held in silence. This chapel overlooks the Mississippi River on this cold foggy morning.
Great Rivers Imaging 