Lemonade Stand

Old Town St. Charles, MO is a very well done restoration of a business district. Not only can  you shop on Main Street but explore little alleys like this. This is a 3 shot HDR photo.

Old St. Charles

Rural America

Early morning in Iowa. Point your camera just about anywhere in the Midwest and you will find an interesting composition. This was taken about ten minutes before sunrise and is a 3 shot HDR photo: 32mm, ISO 400, f6.3 with an average exposure of ¼ sec.

Flowering Trees

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

So, you want to buy a new camera….

 

City Garden (33 of 1)
This is a three shot photo take with a Nikon D7100 with a Sigma 17-50mm lens at 17mm. The three photos were combined in Lightroom into a HDR Photo. Other specs on this photo: ISO 1000, average exposure: 5 sec., f7.1. A tripod was used and no flash.

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.

Minocqua, WI