Maclearie Park - Small Park, Big Sunsets

Panorama with Sailboat

Maclearie Park

Maclearie Park is a small municipal park in Belmar, New Jersey. On one side you have a highway and the other side is the Shark River which leads into the Atlantic Ocean. Just east of the park is a marina where many charter boats dock; the marina is another great spot for sunsets but that is a story for another day. You may have already seen some of my images from Maclearie Park, if not check out Sunset and a Peek-a-Boo Moon where I not only got a sunset but the added bonus of a full moon peeking thru the clouds.

Sunset framed by a tree

My Introduction

I have to admit that I never thought about shooting sunsets at Maclearie Park - I had been there with my kids before and have driven by countless times but, for some reason it never got on my list of places to shoot. It wasn't until Dave Schofield (you remember Dave, he was the subject of one of my most popular interviews - Interview with Sports Photographer Dave Schofield. Read it if you haven't already.) Dave shoots there frequently, as well as the marina, and has set the bar high. It has since become a "go to" spot for sunsets and I am often surprised to find new compositions after I thought I had exhausted possibilities. That is one of the wonderful, and frustrating, things about landscape photography - you never know what awaits you.

"My" Tree

Trees

I think one of the things that makes the park such a special place to shoot are the trees - especially in silhouette. I have a favorite little tree at the far west corner of the park by a bench. This is the tree in the panorama at the top of the page and the shot with the great cloud formations on the right ("My" tree). I found this tree the very first time I went to shoot but I have since found others that I can use, depending on the conditions. It is easy to get caught up in the beauty of the sunset and focus on the colors but adding some foreground interest will really set your images apart from the rest. You can also use the trees to block out uninteresting stuff - the image above left (Sunset framed by a tree) is one that I found on my last excursion. The sky has some incredible cloud formations but there was also a large expanse of flat, gray clouds between the horizon and the interesting formations. I used this tree to hide the ugly clouds.

Shark River Hills Beach Club and Marina (HDR)

Look Away From the Sun

If you concentrate on the sun, you may miss out on some of the best light. The marina sits to the north of where the sun was setting, the image here was shot just a few minutes before the sun disappeared completely. I noticed the lights on the other side of the river and put on a longer lens and stopped down to f/22, knowing I would be able to turn the lights into starbursts. I also wanted the longer exposure so that I could smooth out the water as much as possible. This is one of the few "HDR" shots that I have done - I wanted a darker exposure to capture the warmth of the sky and water but I also wanted some detail in the building and shadows. This image has proven to be quite popular.

Lone Tree as Blue Hour Approaches

My last image for today is an example of a making lemonade when the world gives you lemons. I was at the park for what I thought would be a nice sunset but it wasn't very good. I started looking around and saw this tree with the pastel sky behind it. I was shooting towards the east, away from the setting sun and was initially struck by the muted colors.

In Closing

I hope I have inspired you to get out and shoot a sunset or two, maybe even at Maclearie Park! If you do go to Maclearie Park, I have a few suggestions:

1. Get there early! This is especially true if it is your first time there. You want to scout the park and look for your composition. I have been there in each of the different seasons and a composition that works in the winter, may not be there in summer. It is also a popular place for people to watch the sunset so you want to stake out your territory.
2. Bring insect repellent! Obviously, this doesn't apply year-round but definitely during spring and summer. The gnats and mosquitoes can be quite a nuisance and you will spend more time shooing them than shooting. I have been using "Deep Woods Off!" the last couple times I was there and it made a big difference.

These are just a handful of the many images I have of sunset in the park and just a fraction of the compositions available to the photographer willing to look. Have you been to Maclearie Park? If so, let me know what you think. What is YOUR favorite place for sunsets or sunrises? I am also looking for new places to shoot. So, if you find yourself in the Belmar area, looking for something to do - check out a sunset at Maclearie Park, you won't be disappointed. While you're there - if you see me, stop by and say "Hello!", I'll be the guy with the tripod and backpack.

Until next time - get out and enjoy the beauty that is nature!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Improve Your Photography: Event Photography, Part I - An Introduction

Always Capture a Banner of the Event

If you think about it, just about anyone who has picked up a camera has done event photography. The event might be a baby's first birthday or a special Mother's Day brunch. They are small, personal events but they are events nonetheless. I have done some work as an event photographer over the years and find the work to be quite exhausting and very satisfying. I have done everything from a surprise birthday party to the National Frisbee Festival in Washington, D.C. and the New Jersey Folk Festival. Weddings and sporting events could be included in this article but I think they are such big topics they should get their own treatment. I also believe that the objective of weddings and sporting events are different. Those events are all about the subject - the bride, the groom, guests, the star player, the winning goal, etc.... When I think of "event" photography the result should be greater than a sum of the photos - you should be telling a story. Wait! Isn't that photojournalism? Yes but not necessarily. The following snippet from Wikipedia explains (read the entire article here):

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Photojournalism is distinguished from other close branches of photography (e.g., documentary photography, social documentary photography, street photography or celebrity photography) by complying with a rigid ethical framework which demands that the work is both honest and impartial whilst telling the story in strictly journalistic terms. Photojournalists create pictures that contribute to the news media.

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So, you see, while event photography and photojournalism can be thought of as being essentially the same thing they are not. The event photographer can use his photos to tell whatever story he wants and shoot however he wants. He can also manipulate the images and subjects - ask them to pose, perform a certain action, etc.... He is not constrained by journalistic integrity or rules.

While working as the official photographer for the New Jersey Folk Festival back in the mid-80's I struck up a conversation with a photographer covering the event for a local newspaper. During that conversation he gave me the best advice ever - the shots that sell are children, pets, women and veterans/active military. He told me that if I shot with that in mind I would do well. Those words run through my head every time I shoot at an event. If you take away nothing else from this post, remember those four (4) things and you will do well.

It is important to show the "personality" of the event

Preparation

The first thing you need to do in advance of the event is to make a plan. Research as much as you can ahead of time so that you know what to expect and determine what the important shots are. Some questions to ask yourself are:

• who are the event VIPs?
• what are the most important aspects of this event?
• what will the photos be used for?
• where is the event being held? indoors? outdoors? both? large area? small area?
• when is the event - daytime? nighttime? both? season?
• why is this event being held?
• why do people come to this event?

If the event is a charity event try to learn about the charity before the shoot and make certain to pay attention to the volunteers, they are as important as the participants. If you are covering a local festival you want to know what the theme is, who are the organizers, are there featured performers and what are the most popular events? If it is a political rally you might want to consider if the politician is controversial and what protests might take place. A company picnic has quite a bit going on and photos of the executives are important, try to get them interacting with the employees. If you can get the CEO with a face covered in pie during the pie-eating contest you have yourself a winner! Remember the four keys to a successful shoot? If the CEO is staring face-to-face with a 3 year-old covered in pie, you have the perfect shot.

Whenever Possible Get Group Shots

The more prepared you are before you take the camera out of your bag, the easier and more successful the shoot will be. If possible, meet with the organizers prior to the event and create a shot list. This list isn't written in stone and is only a guide but it will give you an idea of what is important to the organizers. If there are photos that must be taken, make note of them and make certain they are taken. You may find that the list is limited to "you're the expert, we will leave it up to you." That's great! Right? No, not even close. While this may yield satisfactory results 99% of the time you will inevitably miss a crucial shot at some time. Imagine if you are shooting a wedding and the bride says "I want you to shoot the standard list of photos that all brides want." You do exactly what she asks and then even more but you didn't get a shot of the bride with her third-cousin-once-removed from Boise who drove for two days to get to the wedding. You just lost a happy customer. In this case, a simple "Do you have a list of guests that you want me to make sure to photograph?" would have made all the difference. So, ask questions keeping in mind the above list of who, what, where, when and why.

I think this is a good place to stop. I have given you quite a bit to think about and hopefully laid a good foundation for you. If you follow some of these simple guidelines you will notice your event photography will be vastly improved and easier on you! The next part of this series will cover "Charity Fundraising Walks".

Product Photography - a new venture

Product Photography

I have decided to try my hand at product photography and have found that it can be both frustrating and fun. It is also something that can be done virtually anywhere, any time with very little equipment. I got into it almost by accident, really. I had done some self-portraits in the woods - some of which showed me hiking with my Tamrac camera backpack. I saw some ads on Instagram that were similar and thought, "Hey! Why not?" I then set out to try to get some work shooting products for social media. It turns out, Tamrac used one of my self-portraits in their Instagram feed, with my permission, of course! (You can see it here - https://www.instagram.com/p/BhwxRV7FMxD/?taken-by=tamracphoto)

Victorinox "Climber" Swiss Army in traditional red

Swiss Army knife

Victorinox "Climber" Swiss Army knife

The first image of the Swiss Army knife was shot, handheld, with the knife resting on the hood of my car. The car is white with metallic flakes and this was shot a little after noon on a cloudless day. There was a little bit of editing but it is pretty much out of the camera. I then took the knife over to a post and took the next image. This, too, was handheld and had minimal post-processing. I used white foamcore to bounce a little light into the shadow and remove some of the distracting reflections - if you look closely, you can see it on the blade. Most of the post-processing involved the background - I decided to darken and de-saturate the background so that it wasn't competing with the knife. I have used this technique a few times, as you will see in some of the other images in this post. I like the effect, what do you think?

Leatherman Juice^®CS4 with deluxe sheath

Leatherman

This was my first "paid" job, I received the multi-tool (Juice^® CS4) directly from Leatherman in exchange for a negotiated number of images for them to use in their social media campaigns. I had a lot of fun with the Leatherman shoot and learned even more in the process. The original idea was to shoot it in a light tent, which I did, but I was looking out my backdoor and saw a tree limb had fallen. This is when I got the idea of shooting outside, too. I found this log, stripped of it's bark, laying just beyond my fence - I grabbed it and used it as the surface to lay the tool. I used some white foamcore to bounce a little light into the shadow and keep the camera from being reflected in the metal surfaces. I like this one but next time I think I need to get a little more light in the shadow - they might be just a little too dark. What do you think?

Leatherman Juice^®CS4
with deluxe sheath and retail packaging

I set out to create "catalog" shots and maybe one image of the tool "in-use" but in the end didn't do the "in-use". I had just received a table-top studio outfit from a friend - a 20" cube tent, two lights, a tabletop tripod and some backgrounds - so I set that up in my kitchen and spent the afternoon. The second image was done in the tent with lights at 90° and a white foamcore between the camera and the tent. I used the black "seamless" background that came with the studio fully intending to have the black just disappear. As much as I tried, I couldn't get the background smooth and so I decided to use the irregular background almost like "leading lines" by having the light lead to the products. This may have been a happy accident that lead to a more powerful image. It also helped to show off the black leather case a little better.

Ledlenser MH30 rechargeable Headlamp
with carry case

Ledlenser

When I was arranging the deal with Leatherman I learned that they were somehow affiliated and I could also work with them under the same deal. I received this MH30 rechargeable headlamp. I had been wanting a headlamp for a long time and this one was perfect for me. The first image was shot in the light tent with the black cloth background but I kept the background to a minimum by getting in tight on the product. Working with the headlamp proved to be a bit more challenging than the multi-tool, in part because of the elastic headband. It was very difficult to get everything to stay where I wanted it and to position everything exactly as I envisioned.

Ledlenser MH30 with carry case
and retail packaging

The second shot was taken outside with the headlamp and case sitting on the hood of my car, just like I did for the first Swiss Army knife shot. I didn't use any light modifiers or reflectors for this shot - it was strictly available light. The car, itself, was acting like a large reflector.

Self-portrait
with Tamrac Hoodoo 20 Camera Daypack

In closing

I am going to leave you with one of the images that set me down the product photography trail, one of the self-portraits I shot wearing the Tamrac backpack. This is not the same image Tamrac used in their Instagram feed but it was shot during the same session. While writing this post I decided to do a follow-up showing my "in-use" images featuring the Tamrac backpack and some other products I have done along the way. I like the "in-use" shots but they present a special challenge all their own and I will get into that in the next post.

Until next time - be kind to Mother Earth and get outdoors! As always, I welcome your comments and feedback below.

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See my Product Photography
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JoeValenciaProductPhotography/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/valencia32studio/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/Valencia32Stdio
• My website - https://valencia32studio.wixsite.com/products

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If you are a company looking for a product photographer, I would love to talk to you about your photography needs. Send an email to valencia32studio@gmail.com.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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May is National Photography Month (2018 Edition)

National Photography Month

Yes, among many other things, May is National Photography Month. This is not to be confused with World Photography Day which, in 2018, is 19 August. May is also National Mental Health Awareness Month, National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, etc.... I have written about mental health and bladder cancer on my other blog - see Out of the Darkness - Suicide Prevention and Mental Health and Did you know - May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month?.

Let's celebrate!

Do you celebrate National Photography Month? If so, how? In the past I have celebrated in different ways - in a previous blog that I wrote I posted a photo or collection of photos every day during the month. That started out sounding like a great idea but ended up being a bit exhausting. In 2017, the first year of this blog, I wrote nine (9) articles covering a variety of topics - including "National Photography Month", an article that included several images and a little background on each. This year I am taking somewhat of a different approach.

My celebration

This year I decided to focus less on photography and more on using my photography to help others. I am doing that by volunteering my time to act as an Event Photographer for fundraising / awareness walks for two deserving organizations - both of which are new to me this year. This past weekend I covered the "Jersey Shore Walk to End Bladder Cancer" in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. I learned that May is, among other things, National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, and the Jersey Shore walk has been held every year since 2011. I had not heard of it until last year when I heard Bill Doyle, the afternoon drive-time co-host on NJ 101.5 FM, talk about it. He was coming back after a long battle with the disease and talked about participating in the walk. To be honest, I had a lot going on last May and when he stopped talking about it, I stopped thinking about it. This year I decided to do something about it and contacted the organizer, Mary Ann Aregood. Mary Ann's husband, Jack, succumb to the disease in 2008 and she started the walk in 2011 in his honor. I wrote about the walk and my experience on my other blog, From the Mind of Joe Valencia. You can read that post here - Did you know - May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month?.

The other event I am covering in May is the 7^th Annual Mary's Place by the Sea Walk-A-Thon to be held on May 19^th in Ocean Grove. I have been aware of Mary's Place by the Sea for quite some time and knew they had an annual fundraising walk but the timing was never right for me to volunteer. This year all of the stars aligned and I will get my chance. They are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support women who are receiving treatment for cancer. Since their inception in 2009, they have helped more than 8,000 women and help more each day. I am looking forward to this event but, like all things I cover for the first time, it has me a bit nervous. I'm always excited about a new event until my participation is finalized and then I think "What have I done?" It isn't that I regret volunteering, it is all about the unknown. I don't know how many people to expect, how long the event lasts, how receptive people are to my photographing them, etc.... The uneasiness (apprehension) melts away about 5 minutes after I get started and I have never had an issue in the more than 10 years I have been volunteering. I will write more about Mary's Place and the walk in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

So, that's it for now. This post is a bit different than what you might otherwise expect to find here but I want to bring attention to these important organizations and events. If you are interested in participating, volunteering, or just want more information - check out the links below. Thanks for stopping by. As always, I would love to hear your stories and comments - please leave comments below.

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) - http://www.bcan.org
Mary's Place by the Sea - https://www.marysplacebythesea.org/

Copyright: Should You Ever Give It Away?

NO!

Wow! That is the shortest blog post I ever wrote! I know I am being a bit flippant but seriously - do not give away your copyright.

You may be asking, "Why would you even suggest the possibility?" Good question. If you are a regular reader of my "general interest" blog - From the Mind of Joe Valencia - you will know that I enjoy working as a volunteer photographer for a variety of organizations. This year I am booked for four (4) events for four (4) different organizations. In the past I have worked for others and there are some I would like to have worked for but, when I read their agreement, decided I could not. One such case happened to me just this week. Those are the organizations that prompted me to write this post.

I am not going to "name names" because they may, at some point, change their policies and that isn't the point of this post. The point is - do not give up the rights to your images without sufficient compensation. This particular organization considers this to be a "work for hire" situation, however, I don't think that would hold up if it were contested. Disclaimer: I am NOT a lawyer and have no formal legal training - the following is an OPINION based upon research I have done. A "contract" must provide benefit for all parties signing it. You do something for them, in return you get something from them. In the case of surrendering your copyright while getting nothing in return does not satisfy that equation. The paragraph below is extracted from a "Service Agreement" I was recently asked to sign.

Property of ABC_XYZ CORP. All drawings, models, designs, formulas, methods, documents, creative works (including photographs, audio-visual and other multi-media materials), tangible and intangible items and work product (collectively, the “Work Product”) prepared for and/or submitted to ABC_XYZ CORP by Vendor in connection with the Services shall belong exclusively to ABC_XYZ CORP and shall be deemed to be works made for hire. Any Work Product or deliverable of the Services is the property of ABC_XYZ CORP and will not be made available by Vendor to any third party. Promptly upon the expiration or termination of the Terms, or upon the request of ABC_XYZ CORP at any time, Vendor shall deliver to ABC_XYZ CORP, in a form specified by ABC_XYZ CORP, all Work Product, documents and tangible items, including samples, provided to Vendor or created by Vendor for use in connection with Services, including, without limitation, all Confidential Information, together with all copies and abstracts thereof.

As you can see, they get all of your work - free of charge - and in return you get a pat on the back. I rejected this agreement and asked them to reconsider - their counter was that I "can post an image they took on social as long as they say it was for ABC_XYZ CORP and we own the rights." Hardly an equitable solution. I was even told by the person I spoke with that I could "show up and shoot, unbeknownst to the organization and then 'gift' all of the images to them." Strictly "unofficially", of course. So, I could help them except no one was allowed to know. Yea. Right! I still wanted to make this work so I offered to sign over all rights, including the ability to use on my social media, in exchange for $1,500.00 per event. This is a reasonable amount considering I was going to be working the event for 6 or more hours, plus the time editing - not to mention giving up my rights. They refused and so I have two weekends available to do other work. Now, before you accuse me of being unreasonable and taking away valuable funds from the program, consider this - according to Charity Navigator, the President/CEO received compensation of nearly $500,000 in 2015 and the Executive Vice President/COO received compensation of more then $2.7 million!

So, in closing, should you give up your copyright? That is something you have to decide but I would caution against it. You've worked very hard to get to where you are in your photographic journey and you need to demand the respect for your work that it deserves. You don't want to allow others to put their name on your work, especially if they don't pay you for it. I don't know how many photographers agree to these terms, maybe I'm the only one, but I cannot imagine there are many.

What do you think? Would you sign the agreement and forfeit your copyright? Would you do it for money? How much? I would love to hear your comments and stories - please post in the comments below.

Until next time - get out and shoot!

Sunset and a Peek-a-Boo Moon

Sunset

After a particularly rough day at the office I decided to shoot a sunset on the way home. The conditions were okay but I knew I wasn't going to get an incredibly spectacular sky. This shoot wasn't necessarily about getting a great image but rather unwinding and getting rid of a bad day.

When I got to MacLearie Park in Belmar I had about 30 minutes or so until sunset so I took my time finding a composition. I have shot here before but always at the westernmost point so that I can get a sailboat and small tree in the shot. I wanted something different this time so I walked along the water towards the east until I found the tree that is in the first image. I now had a subject but that is a long way from having a composition that I was happy with. I finally settled on the somewhat wide, landscape shot and waited for some color on the horizon.

While waiting, I took out my phone and wandered around - I turned towards the west and got this image of the sky. You can see the edges of the clouds just beginning to get some red and magenta along the edges. I shot this with the camera in Lightroom for Mobile, did some on-location editing and used this as my "I am here, where are you?" social media shot for the night.

I was happy with the first composition but wanted to see if I could isolate the tree a little more so I moved a bit to my left, went from wide angle to a moderate telephoto focal length and shot. I cropped it to a square in post-production and really like the way it came out. This is definitely a tree that is going to get more exposure in the coming weeks and months.

Peek-a-Boo Moon

Don’t pack up your camera until you’ve left the location. – Joe McNally

When the sun was down and I had gotten what I came for I picked up the tripod and headed back to the car. It was a chilly evening but nice so I took the long way. I had not gone far when I decided to take a look at "my" tree from the opposite side - maybe it would be a nice subject for a sunrise one of these days. I turned around and was confronted by the scene shown in the last image. The moon was peaking thru the cloud, I had the lights of the marina and bridge in the distance. I quickly set down the tripod, composed the image and grabbed a few shots before the cloud ate the moon for good.

The quote above is one that I found a while ago and I pull it out every once in a while. I used to pack up my gear when I was done shooting and then head back to my car - it was easier to carry and I could just get in the car and leave. I did this even after I saw this quote! I don't do it any more.... I had an instance where I packed up and an unbelievable composition with near perfect light jumped out at me - I grabbed by bag, set up the camera, pointed it and then muttered a few words that I won't use in polite company. The moment was gone.... I have not packed up before reaching the car ever since.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Sutfin House - panorama

The Sutfin House

It might be fair to say that I am somewhat fascinated by this house. I have shot it from every possible side, under many different conditions and many angles. I have sweeping panoramas, such as the lead image, and intimate details of the deteriorating siding. I even participated in a paranormal investigation a few years ago. The house has become quite run down and the front is now mostly covered in plywood, while a chain link fence has been erected to keep people out. It's a shame that they can't restore it, at least partially, like the Craig House not too far away. If you are interested in learning more about the house, check out a post I wrote last year - Hiking Through History: Monmouth Battlefield - Part IV; The Sutfin House. I also wrote Monmouth Battlefield and the Sutfin House, published on the anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth.

The Sutfin House - light sepia tone, 3 image panorama

When the plywood and fencing went up, I was very disappointed because I thought I had forever lost one of my favorite subjects. Recently I began hiking along the other side of the battlefield and discovered all new compositions that didn't show the plywood or fence. These are the images I am presenting today.

I am a big fan of black & white but haven't done a whole lot since my film days - I find the house to be the perfect subject for monochrome, especially when treated with some sepia or other toning. I'm not going to write too much about these images, most of what I have to say has already been said - I just want to share the images and, hopefully, inspire you to visit the house for yourself or find somewhere that inspires you and explore it to it's fullest.

The Sutfin House - black & white

This last image shows the local fire department beginning a "controlled burn" of the brush in the field. As I was hiking along the trail, I noticed the flashing lights on top of the trucks, then saw the men walking around close to the house. My heart sank - my first thought was that they were going to burn down the house. Happily, that was not the case but I did make sure to do some shooting - just in case.

The Start of a Controlled Burn

I hope you enjoyed these new images as much as I enjoyed shooting and sharing them. I'm sure this won't be the last post containing images of the house as I have many compositions still to explore. In the meantime, thank you for stopping by and please leave comments letting me know of your experiences at Monmouth Battlefield or where your "Sutfin House" is. I would love to hear from you.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia
All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos, or order prints of anything you see here, you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Winter is here! Snow makes everything beautiful!

I enjoy the winter months and the snow.

Yes, you read that right - I enjoy the cold and snow. Don't get me wrong, I don't like having to drive along snow-packed, icy streets but otherwise love the snow. There is a beauty in the freshly fallen snow that calls out to me, like a siren song. I can spend hours hiking thru the woods during, and after, a snowfall.

Our First Snow

Shark River Park - 1 January 2018

The image of Shark River Park is the first image of 2018 and shot with my smartphone on New Year's Day. I spent about 90 miles covering 2 1/2 miles hiking the woods that day - the temperature was a balmy 16°F and windchill of 0°F. That hike was more about being outdoors than photography and I never took the camera out of the bag. It has only snowed a couple of times since then but I haven't been back to the park - I like the image I got but have other compositions that I want to explore.

Snow and the Beech Tree

Beech tree - Manalapan

I recently discovered a shortcut to Monmouth Battlefield State Park, I can walk thru the office parking lot into a gated community. There is a paved path leading to a wooden footbridge, which ultimately puts you into the woods bordering the park. It was at the far end of the footbridge that I found this beech tree. I had actually passed it, unnoticed, on my way to the park but when I was returning it jumped out at me and I couldn't resist shooting. You would never know this scene is just about 40 or 50 yards from a residential neighborhood. If you look in the gap between the tree and bridge, you will see a stream that runs for quite some distance and, I believe, meets up with the water source Molly Pitcher used during the Battle of Monmouth.

Snow at the Lake

We have only had three (3) significant snowfalls this winter, the last being a couple weeks ago. This one had me the most excited because it also brought the most snow. I think I have mentioned in an earlier post that I leave quite early every morning - almost 90 minutes before I need to - so that I can take "detours" whenever the need arises. This morning I was thankful because I couldn't help but stop and shoot. I targeted Durand Park because of the lake and the one tree that leans over it. I, truly, came away with more than I was expecting to. I thought there would be ice but I wasn't expecting the part that was melted and mirror smooth. I knew these images were going to be monochrome and I was quite happy with the resulting images. That was until my son mentioned the "Winter Reflection" might look nice in a sepia tone. WHAT?! He said he had seen other black & whites images where I used the sepia and mentioned this would be a good place for it. I wasn't so sure but decided to give it a try. Well.... I think with a little bit of "tweaking" it might be a far better image in sepia. What do you think? I think I may have to consult with him a bit more often.

No session at the lake is complete without shooting this group of Aspens leaning out over the water. I have shot them in all seasons and weather conditions. There is just something about the composition that draws me in and keeps me coming back.

Winter Reflection - Durand Park, Freehold

Winter Reflection (sepia) - Durand Park, Freehold

Weeping Aspen Trees - Durand Park, Freehold

Don’t pack up your camera until you’ve left the location. – Joe McNally

Beech Tree - Durand Park, Freehold

The Joe McNally quote is one that I try to live by and is responsible for this last image. This beech tree was shot after I had finished shooting the lake and trees above. It was very cold and I was ready to get into the car and warm up. As I was walking back to the car, I noticed this tree standing alone not too far off the parking lot. The camera was already out and mounted on the tripod so it was just a matter of finding my composition and shooting. If I had been packed up I probably wouldn't have been looking for more compositions, it is also unlikely that I would taken the time to unpack and set up if I had. It's not that I am lazy but when you have been out in the elements for more than 30 minutes and are not properly dressed, you tend to want to get back inside.

So, as you can tell - I love snow! The weatherman is predicting 1 to 3 inches of wet snow Saturday night with temperatures getting into the 40's on Sunday. I am hoping to wake up on Sunday to a beautiful, snow-covered scene - I have been wanting to get back to the scene of the first image for a while but haven't had the opportunity. If we get a decent snowfall, I will post the new images here next week.

Do you like getting out in the snow? I would love to hear from you - leave a comment below and let me know your favorite snow activities or subjects to shoot.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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I Am a Formatt-Hitech Ambassador!

UPDATED 17 JULY 2018

I am updating this original post to say that as-of 17 July 2018, I am no longer a Formatt-Hitech Ambassador. The discounts mentioned in this post are no longer valid.

Announcement

In July 2017 I was offered a position as an "Ambassador" for Formatt-Hitech filters. I was, to say the least, quite honored to have been chosen as a representative. I have held off announcing this until now in order to give Formatt-Hitech a chance to put up the webpage - click here. The page contains the names, locations, brief bio, photo and link to ambassadors around the world. The list is in alphabetical order by last name so you have to scroll a bit to get to my listing. I am one of three currently representing the United States.

Who is Formatt-Hitech

Formatt-Hitech is a filter manufacturer headquartered in the UK, with a US office in California. They have a line of screw-in filters, as well as a filter systems. I currently own the 85mm Aluminum Filter system (for more information about my system, see "My System" below.) The filter holder will accommodate three (3) filters. For a more detailed description and information about the filters, check out their Product Knowledge page - here.

Why Formatt-Hitech

Buying a quality filter system can be quite an investment and so I did a lot of homework before choosing Formatt-Hitech. One of my main concerns was color cast - I had read quite a bit about other systems having a magenta cast to them (mainly magenta, anyway) and I didn't want to have to deal with color-correctly every image I shot with the filters. The other concern was, of course, cost. The "perfect" filter system doesn't do you any good if you have to mortgage your home to buy it! The reviews I read for Formatt-Hitech had no mention of color cast and the system was within my budget so I took the plunge.

My System

I spent a lot of time debating before choosing the 85mm filter system. My initial thought was to go with the 100mm system but because I am shooting a crop-sensor and maximum wide angle of 18mm (28.8 with crop factor), I wasn't concerned about vignetting so I decided to save a few dollars and put that towards filters. I went with the 85mm Aluminum Holder, two (2) adapter rings and eight (8) filters, as shown below.

• .3 solid & soft-grad (1-stop)
• .6 solid & soft-grad (2-stop)
• .9 solid & soft-grad (3-stop)
• 1.2 solid & soft-grad (4-stop)

The .3 thru .9 filters were part of a set that came with a nice, velvet case; the 1.2 filters were purchased separately. I am planning to add a circular polarizer and a 10-stop ND this year, maybe a 13- or 16-stop.

My Experience

I have to admit, as anxious as I was to get a set of neutral density (ND) filters, I haven't used them all that much. I have been so busy shooting foliage and trying to get other things done. The few times that I have used them, I was quite happy. The two (2) images included here where taken on two separate occasions using a combination of filters. The system is easy to use and I had no problem with vignetting, despite shooting some at 18mm. I will be writing a full review, as-well-as a video review, in the coming weeks. I will also be doing a lot more work with them, shooting sunrise, sunset, waterfalls, etc.... Stay tuned!

My Offer to You

As an Abassador, I am authorized to offer to you a 10% discount on any purchase made from the Formatt-Hitech website (either International or US). All you need to do to redeem the offer is to enter the code JOE10 at checkout. That's it! You get high-quality filters and keep some money in your pocket to put towards your next photo excursion. It doesn't get any better than that, does it?

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you check out my listing on the Ambassador page - leave a comment below and let me know what you think. I also hope you consider Formatt-Hitech for your filter needs and take advantage of the discount. If you have used their filters, please leave a comment with your thoughts.

Until next time - go out and enjoy the wonders of nature!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Hello, 2018!

Happy New Year!

I hope the new year finds you healthy, happy and ready for anything life throws at you! I know that I am excited about 2018 and what lies ahead.

I decided to start the year off on the right foot (it was probably the left foot but....) and went for a hike on New Year's Day. The image here is my first of 2018; it was shot and edited with my smartphone. The temperature was 16°F when I started with a wind chill of 0°F but there isn't a whole lot of wind in the woods. You can see that I wasn't the only one to have been thru this trail since the snow fell but it was a long time before I came across another soul on the trail - just the way I like it!

I took a few more shots with my phone along the way but never took my camera out of the backpack - I was just enjoying the hike. I did shoot a brief video that will be going up on YouTube this week so head over to my channel and subscribe if you haven't already. There is a link in the header of my blog or you can click here.

I have a lot planned for 2018 and look forward to sharing the ride with you! If you would like to collaborate on a project, leave a comment below or send me an email and let me know what you have in mind. While most of my work is done when I am alone, I do enjoy shooting with others from time-to-time and always find it to be a learning experience.

Best wishes for 2018!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Interview with Photographer Kelly Czupkiewicz

This week I get to interview another wonderful, and very talented, New Jersey photographer, Kelly Czupkiewicz. I was introduced to Kelly, virtually, by a mutual friend, Dave. You may remember Dave from earlier posts, he is a singer-songwriter friend. One day Dave was telling me about a friend who was working on his social media presence and mentioned that Kelly was also a photographer. Well.... As soon as he told me that I wanted to check out her work and asked for a website. I was blown away by the images I saw and immediately get ahold of Kelly via Facebook DM and asked to interview her. She was kind enough to agree - I should have known she would, she shoots with Canon and we're the best! ;-)

I think the best way to characterize Kelly's style is to use some of her own words - whimsical, honest, candid. Once you take a look at her body of work I think you will agree. You can tell that photography isn't just a job and her subjects, not just clients. She clearly loves her work and nothing is more important than delivering masterful images to her clients. Don't take my word for it, go to her Facebook page (see link below) and read the testimonials yourself. Her studio is in the wide open spaces offering unlimited possibilities and challenges.

I could go on about how impressed I am with her work and commitment to her craft but I think it is still to get out of the way and let Kelly speak for herself. Please keep Kelly in mind when you are looking for a wedding or portrait photographer.

The Interview

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

I have so many!! Very difficult to pick. This might be cheating just a little bit, since it's a series of memories and not a specific one, but I was brought up in and around boats, and we always went to this place called Tice's Shoal by boat. I still go there today as much as I can in the summertime, and I've inherited the boat, so I keep the tradition alive as much as possible. It's changed significantly, but those days when there were only a couple people anchored there and it was still kind of a secret are really fond memories for me.

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

• Cheese. I am such a cheese freak. I eat it every day. All kinds.
• Dark chocolate.
• Turkey and cranberry - I'm pretty sure I know every 'Thanksgiving sandwich' that every restaurant offers in the county.
• Sushi.
• Meatball pizza.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

I love reading, and I feel like one of my favorite quotes is also really sound advice. So, from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail."

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't shooting?

Boating! I hope to be a licensed captain by this February!
(Joe: I'm with you there - I love being out on the water, though it has been years. I hope you get your license!)

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Freddie Mercury, no contest.
(Joe: I didn't see this one coming! Very interesting choice.)

Professional questions

Why photography?

I have always loved taking photos, for as long as I can remember. I had a film camera, and I used to love shooting film and then having the photos developed and seeing what I'd gotten. When digital camera became more affordable I couldn't wait to get one, and I took it everywhere with me. I have always loved reliving moments through photos, so I love being able to do that for other people. I honestly never thought that I would be able to own a photography business, because taking photos has always been my 'reward' for myself. So to be able to do this, and make a living doing it, is amazing for me - I'm not sure I'll ever get over that.
(Joe: Kelly, I hope you never get over it! I find the same with my photography - just being out and shooting is enough; having others enjoy the images is icing on the cake.)

Can you explain your photography in 10 words or less?

Light, bright, airy, whimsical, authentic, honest, romantic, candid, organic, and consistent! Phew.
(Joe: Looking at your work, I couldn't agree more!)

What is your greatest achievement in photography?

Honestly any time I deliver a gallery I think it's my greatest achievement! This is such a competitive industry to be in, so I consider it an honor any time I get to document a time in someone's life, be it a wedding or a portrait session. I consider myself an artist, but I also know that ultimately I am in this for my clients, and being able to deliver the best possible product to them is the most important thing to me. That being said, I have a photo that will be in the spring print issue of The Knot New Jersey magazine - so I am pretty stoked about that! Getting published is definitely super exciting. I've also been featured in Contemporary Weddings Magazine, Brides & Weddings, and several others.

If you could share a gallery show with anyone past or present, who would it be?

Jose Villa is definitely a favorite photographer of mine and I am super inspired by his work!

Where do you draw inspiration from when you shoot and what’s your favorite part about the process?

I love authentic, real moments. I like to take the seemingly ordinary and find the beauty in it. I did bridal portraits in a Walgreen's parking lot once, and they were amazing! I've enclosed two. I love that I never need what most would consider a beautiful location to make something gorgeous! I love having to think on my feet, and being able to see and take photos of the dynamics of relationships.

What is your favorite location to shoot?

There is this place called Sayen Gardens in Hamilton. In the springtime, there is just nothing better! I am a sucker for blooming flowers.

But, one of the best and coolest things about wedding photography is that I am constantly at new places and I get to see new things and shoot in new places all the time. There are so many spots that I have visited for the first time and just loved.

What is your favorite piece of equipment?

Current obsession is my 1dx Mark II, but my steady always seems to be my 50 1.2L. Such a versatile lens!
(Joe: I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a 1DX Mark II, myself. The 50mm f/1.2L sounds intriguing, I love my old 85mm f/1.2L.)

How did you get your start and what advice would you give to someone looking for a career in photography?

I knew absolutely nothing about photography and taught myself absolutely everything. It was not easy, and it is not for everyone - but I am proof that it's possible!

I have built my business over the course of 6 or 7 years now, and I am still amazed every day. I had literally put an ad on Craigslist around 6 years ago for family portraits, after only ever having done landscape photography. This family ended up responding, and I remember being SHOCKED and also terrified! All I really had going for me was this crazy idea that I was going to have a business, and I was going to take photos of people, and it was going to work out. They ended up being the coolest family ever, and I still do their photos once a year! Honestly I credit so much of my journey to them, because I lucked out with getting amazing people who believed in me from the beginning, and that gave me so much confidence to continue. All of my early clients really took a chance on me - and there are still so many of them that I get to do sessions with regularly to this day. I seriously credit my business to them!

I do as much mentoring as I can to beginner photographers, because I know what it's like to just be starting out and have no clue what to do! The advice that I always give anyone who is just getting started, is that you get what you give to your business. You can absolutely not sit still and think you're going to be successful. You have to work at it every day.
(Joe: Great advice! I love the fact that you also mentor those coming up, I think it is so important to pass along our knowledge and expertise to others.)

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

• Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith
• Let it Bleed - The Rolling Stones
• Prolonging the Magic - Cake
• Philadelphonic - G Love & Special Sauce
• The Game - Queen

Links

Facebook: facebook.com/kellyseaimages
Instagram: @kellyseaimages
Website: www.kellyseaimages.com

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Engagement and Wedding images are (c) Kelly Sea Images 2016.
Images of Kelly are © Bryan Romeo Photography

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