Parks of Monmouth County - Turkey Swamp Park

Turkey Swamp Park

Early Fall Panorama from Boat Dock

Welcome to the third installment of my series - Parks of Monmouth County. I have come to fall in love with Turkey Swamp Park over the past few years. The park is rather unique from all the others in the Monmouth County Park System in that it is the only park to post warnings about black bear. I don't recall reading about any bear sightings at the park but the brochure and park bulletin board issue warnings.

Turkey Swamp Park is a wooded park just under 2,300 acres in size located in Freehold with something for everyone. There is a 17-acre lake for fishing, boating and ice skating; you can bring your own boat or rent a boat, canoe or kayak. Please note that there is no boat ramp and you must carry your boat from the parking lot; no gas motors, electric motors are permitted. If you plan on fishing and are between the ages of 16 and 69, you must possess a valid New Jersey Freshwater Fishing License. If camping is in your future, Turkey Swamp is a great place to stay. They have two (2) different camping areas, one for Family camping and another for Group camping. I have camped a few times in the group area when my son was in Cub Scouts and had a great time. The main attraction, for me at least, are the trails. There are seven (7) trails of EASY and MODERATE difficulty ranging in length of about a mile to 2.5 miles. I have hiked the three EASY trails more than once and hope to get to the other three trails in the coming months. Lastly, there are a number of picnic areas, a couple playgrounds and the main Shelter Building. The Blueberry Path & Metedeconk Trail are accessible from the Nomoco Activity Area while all others are directly accessible from the Main Entrance on Georgia Road. The northern trail head for the Metedeconk Trail is accessible via the Link or Fitness Trail. I will have links to brochures you can view or download at the end of this post.

Mushroom along Alder Trail

Lake as seen from the Alder Trail

The Trails

Turkey Swamp Park, like most (all?) of the other parks, offers a Fitness Trail. I am not going to write about it as I haven't used the trail but wanted to mention it. It is a 1 mile trail along the outside of the big field on the west side of the park. There are 20 stations, each representing a different exercise or stretching regimen. I've also not hiked the Metedeconk Trail (1 mile MODERATE) or Blueberry Path (1 mile MODERATE) so I won't be writing about them. I will, at some point, hike and write about both. Stay tuned!

Alder Trail

The Alder Trail is a 1.6 mile EASY trail that takes you all around the lake. This is the trail I hike most often - if you can only hike one trail, make it this one. The trail takes you thru the Sandy Run Picnic Area which is where you would have found the boat dock shown in the image above (see Endnote below.) While the trail is rated as "easy" you need to be vigilant while hiking thru the wooded sections and keep your eyes on the trail in front of you - roots and stumps litter the trail and it is easy to trip over one. While hiking the trail you will come to a few spots that afford a wonderful view of the lake, if you approach quietly and keep an eye open you might catch a glimpse of a great white egret or great blue heron. Of course, spotting deer on any of the trails is always a possibility, particularly when you get to the big field on the east side of the lake.

Along the Old Lenape Trail

Old Lenape Trail

The Old Lenape Trail is another 1.2 mile EASY trail, this one is entirely wooded and takes you around the Family Campground. The trail is named for the Lenape Indian tribe who were indigenous to the area. As with the Alder Trail, keep a lookout for rogue roots, stumps and rocks that can trip you up along the way. I have hiked this trail a few times and always found deer along the way; the woods can get a bit thick at times and often I didn't know the deer were there until I caught a fleeting glimpse of them running deeper into the woods. As you can see from the image to the left, the woods are a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and most of the area is covered in a lush carpet of leaves and needles. I love finding intimate scenes like this while hiking, landscape photography isn't always about the grand vistas and sweeping panoramas. To me, this image captures the essence of being in the woods in autumn - no better place nor better time of year.

Link Trail

The Link Trail is a .7 mile EASY trail that allows you to extend the length of your hike by acting as a "link" between Old Lenape Trail and Metedeconk Trail or Fitness Trail. The second time I hiked Old Lenape I took the Link over to the field, followed the Fitness Trail to Alder Trail and back to the parking lot. It made for a nice, long hike with a varied environment.

Manasquan Trail

Manasquan Trail

The Manasquan Trail is a 2.5 mile MODERATE trail that starts on the Alder Trail, runs north and connects with the Old Lenape Trail on the way back. Though the trail itself is 2.5 miles, the entire hike is considerably longer - I hiked it for the first time this week and I covered just over 4.3 miles. I started at the Shelter, took the Alder Trail to Manasquan Trail and then back to the shelter via Old Lenape Trail. This is another heavily forested trail which runs along the Manasquan River in sections. The trail definitely deserves it's MODERATE rating due to some of the terrain and it's length. There are a couple small uphill grades but they are gradual and not very long. The trail, for the most part, is well defined and wide but it does become nothing more than a narrow passage shortly before you get to the river at the furthest point of the trail.

Metedeconk Trail

The Metedeconk Trail is a 1 mile MODERATE trail beginning at the Nomoco Activity Center. I haven't hiked this trail yet so I will refer you to the brochure for more information about it.

Blueberry Path

The Blueberry Path is a 1 mile MODERATE loop at the southern most section of the Nomoco Activity Center. I haven't hiked this trail yet so I will refer you to the brochure for more information about it.

Endnote: The wooden dock shown in "Early Fall Panorama from Boat Dock" is no longer there. It has been replaced by a larger, fiberglass dock and the trail leading to it has been enlarged.

For a full list of the series, with links, check out the "Parks of Monmouth County" page.

Brochures

• Turkey Swamp Park Brochure & Map
• Campground Brochure
• Nomoco Group Campground Brochure

How to get there

• NJ Turnpike to Exit 7A to Interstate 195 east. Follow I-195 east. Follow I-195 to exit 22. Turn left onto Jackson Mills Rd. north. Follow Jackson Mills Rd. to Georgia Rd., turn left and follow 1.7 miles to main park entrance.
• Garden State Parkway to Exit 98 to Interstate 195 west. I-195 west to Exit 22. Turn right onto Jackson Mills Rd. north; follow Jackson Mills Rd. to Georgia Rd.; turn left and follow 1.7 miles to main park entrance.
• State Hwy. 9 to route 524 west. Follow 524 west to Georgia Rd., turn left and follow Georgia Rd. 1.7 miles to main entrance.
• Nomoco Activity Area Is located 1.5 miles past the main park entrance. Continue south on Georgia Rd. to Nomoco Rd.; turn right and follow signs to Activity Area.

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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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Parks of Monmouth County - Thompson Park

Thompson Park - Lincroft

Welcome to another installment of my series - Parks of Monmouth County. I started this series in May 2017 with the intention of writing about a different park each month - well, life got in the way and I got involved with other projects so I fell a bit behind. I will try to bring more in a more timely manner. 🤞

For a full list of the series, with links, check out the "Parks of Monmouth County" page.

Thompson Park has been the scene of several other posts in the past (I will list a few at the end) but I have never written about the park, in general, until now. The park is located on Route 520 (Newman Springs Road) in Lincroft, adjacent to Brookdale Community College. I worked about three miles away for a while in 2011/2012 and used to go to the park quite a bit - most lunch hours and often after work. There are a number of wooded trails that I enjoyed hiking thru, as-well-as paved trails. If you are quiet and remain alert, you are almost guaranteed to come across deer and, if you are lucky, a good-sized buck like the one shown here. I came across this guy during one of my lunch hikes, I had no idea he was there until something caught my eye - I turned and was able to grab a couple shots before he turned and ran off.

Trails

The trail here is the Track Loop, an easy 1 mile oval that is a favorite for runners. You can branch off this trail onto the Wanderer Trail which brings you into the field and is a nice little change from the dirt trail. If you are looking for a quick, wooded hike check out the Woodland Trail and consider taking the Marshy Walk along with it. The hawk shown here was taken on the Woodland Trail.

My favorite trail is the longer (4.8 mile) Reservoir Loop which runs from one end of the park to the other, most of the time surrounded by woods. There is the Swimming River Reservoir on one end and Marlu Lake on the other and you are almost certain to come across deer in your travels. The buck shown above was taken on the Reservoir Loop and the geese were on Marlu Lake. If you want an easy, paved trail for a leisurely walk you can try the Inner Loop or the Thompson Loop, 1.2 miles and 4.2 miles respectively. The Thompson Loop runs along the perimeter of the park and along local roads - it is ideal for walking or bike riding. All of the trails are rated as Easy or Moderate.

Wildlife

While I am mainly a landscape photographer I am drawn to the wildlife at Thompson Park more than the landscape. The park is quite beautiful but my money is on the hawks, deer and other fauna that I routinely come across. I don't think there was a single hike where I didn't encounter at least one deer and I always see hawks; though the close encounter depicted here is very rare.

There was one hike that afforded me the chance to photograph a garter snake and the lake is always alive with waterfowl - whether the geese shown here or ducks. The lake provides an opportunity to fish, whether from the shore or boat. You may bring your own boat or rent a canoe or kayak, either way, don't forget your freshwater fishing license.

Recreation

Hiking and fishing aren't the only activities available - there are picnic areas, a playground, open fields and even an "off-leash" dog area. If you want a workout, you can play tennis or pickleball on one of four tennis courts or reserve one of the athletic fields for a game - Ultimate, maybe?

The Visitor Center is housed in the mansion not far from the park entrance where you can pick up information abut the park and check out some of the exhibits. Finally, the Creative Arts Center offers many programs for people of all ages and skill levels - I suggest checking out the website to see what activities are scheduled.

In Closing

It should come as no surprise when I say that Thompson Park should added to your regular rotation. There is something for everyone, any time of year. I would caution you to check the park's website during deer hunting season because it is closed to the public during certain hours of the day.

If you have been to the park, let me know what you love about it. If you have a park that you think I would enjoy or that you would like to see me write about, leave me a comment below - I would love to hear from you.

Links

• Thompson Park
• Shhhh – there’s a deer but where are my keys?
• Improve Your Photography: f/8 and be there

How to get there

From the North:

• Garden State Parkway to Exit 109, turn left onto Rt. 520 West, 2.2 miles to Park (past M.T. Thompson park and Brookdale College entrance ) on left.
• State Highway 34 to Route 520, turn left. Follow Rt. 520 east to Park entrance.

From the South:

• Garden State Parkway to Exit 109, turn right onto Rt. 520 West (Newman Springs Rd.), 2.2 miles to Park (past M.T. Thompson park and Brookdale College entrance ) on left.
• State Highway 34 to Route 520, turn right east to Park entrance.

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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 go to nature to be soothed...."

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." - John Burroughs

Lily Pad Lake - Allaire State Park

This is a quote that I found posted by a Facebook friend a few years ago and decided to write about it someday. That someday is today.

When I first read this quote I immediately thought of the "Lily Pad Lake" at Allaire State Park. I don't know if it has a "real" name but I have always called it that. This is where I go if I want to be alone with just my thoughts and the beauty of nature. It lies on a major trail but not many people venture that far back. There is something about the stillness and serenity of this spot that I find very soothing and inspiring. The lake is a small oasis in the middle of a dense wood and it's surface is almost always mirror-like. I was once asked where my ideal home would be and I found myself describing a scene very much like the one shown here. I have come up with topics written about here, solved code problems for work and written letters while sitting on a bench on the bank.

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope. – Bernard Williams

Sunrise - Ocean Grove

A sunrise over the ocean is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Watching the sun come up is like a rebirth or hitting a reset button. I have witnessed sunrise at lakes (Manasquan Reservoir - A Sunrise & Sunset Weekend), in the woods and on the road but, for my money, there is nothing as splendid as a the sun rising over the ocean. A friend recently told me that a sunset over the Pacific is equally as splendid, I will have to accept her word for it. The best time of year is anytime that isn't summer because that is when the air is crisper and the beaches are nearly deserted. I start planning sunrise shoots in October and go thru March or April; it isn't unusual for me to be at water's edge when the thermometer is well below freezing. My favorite sunrise location was the Fishing Pier at Ocean Grove but the pier was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. They have rebuilt the boardwalk and pier but they stopped short of where the shack once stood. I don't know if they will ever replace that section of the pier so, for now we just have our photographs and memories.

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. - Gilbert K. Chesterton

Sunset - Maclearie Park

I guess the flip-side of sunrise over the ocean would be sunset over the river. It can be quite soothing after a long day, putting an end to one chapter and refueling for the next. It's like all of the day's struggles fall away and follow the sun over the horizon. I will often stick around for a while after the show is over and catch the encore that is twilight; this can often outshine the sunset but is often ignored by many. The ensuing darkness of night is a great equalizer and presents is own miracles with the twinkling of the stars. Much like the sunrise, I prefer sunsets in the cooler weather but there comes a time when I am sitting in my office as the show begins and have to watch out the window.

I grew up with Oceanport Creek (a small branch off of the Shrewsbury River) in my backyard and saw many incredible sunsets. There are slides and negatives waiting to be scanned some day. The sunset here is of a place that should look familiar to many of you - Maclearie Park in Belmar. I love this little park and am always pleasantly surprised when I discover a new composition.

There's no better place to find yourself that sitting by a waterfall and listening to it's music - Roland R Kemler

Waterfall - Dunnfield Creek, Delaware Water Gap

The magnificence of a waterfall cannot be overstated and, in this instance, size doesn't matter. The waterfall here is part of Dunnfield Creek along the same named trail on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap. This is only about 1 mile or so from the trailhead and a spot I am anxious to get back to. There are quite a few waterfalls in this area, Buttermilk Falls being the highest in New Jersey (200') and I am hoping to get to some of them this autumn. There is something magnificent in the waterfall - the beauty and grace of the falling water deceptively mask it's sheer power. It's impossible to witness the water flowing over rocks worn smooth over time and not be in awe. The sound of the waterfall is truly one of the more melodious voices in nature's choir.

Bushkill Falls is called "Niagara of Pennsylvania" and I have visited it twice. My visits there were back in my 35mm days and I have many slides from those trips, still another job for scanning. If you are looking for a large waterfall and not excited about hiking thru the woods, you can check out Great Falls in Paterson. Only in Your State has an article named Ultimate New Jersey Waterfalls Road Trip where they list eight (8) must-see waterfalls in New Jersey - #1 on the list is Dunnfield Creek! This article may very well be the road map for my next vacation. 😉 There is a site for every state in the U.S. - look for yours and sign up for the updates.

Watching birds has become part of my daily meditations, affirming my connection to the Earth body – Carol P. Christ

Last, but certainly not least, is wildlife. I love to sit and watch birds come and go in my backyard. Looking to the sky and seeing a hawk flying around is awe inspiring. For my money I enjoy watching deer, chipmunks, egrets and herons more than any other of Mother Nature's creatures. There is something majestic about a deer, especially a buck, and the gracefulness of an egret is virtually unparalleled. I have been chasing egrets and herons for well over 30 years, going back to my 35mm days and Kodachrome. I have 100's of slides but never felt like I got "the" shot - it seemed the egret had become my Wildlife Holy Grail. That changed in 2012 while I was working in Union Beach. I discovered a small beach not too far from the office and I would drive over to enjoy the view; soon I discovered it was a favorite spot for egrets to fish during low tide. The great white egret shown here was shot during a lunchtime visit. I had my Sigma 400mm lens with me and walked away quite satisfied. The Sigma lens is one that I bought in the mid-80's so I needed to buy an adapter to use it on my digital camera - fully manual.

I will often sit in a park for no other reason than to watch, and listen to, the birds. A couple years ago I wrote Stop and Listen to the Birds Sing for my other blog. It is all about taking time to just relish the sights and sounds of nature. Birds aren't the only entertainment to be found in nature, deer are incredibly beautiful and graceful creatures; have you ever come across a buck while hiking thru the woods? It is a rare sight and one that you will take with you til your last breath. Chipmunks, on the other hand, are cute little creatures with an amazing amount of energy - I get exhausted watching them run around.

We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts. - William Hazlitt

And so goes my tribute to the soothing, healing effects of nature. If you find yourself feeling stressed or life has been dealing you a losing hand lately, go to a park, a beach, woods or whatever you favorite getaway spot is and get reacquainted with Mother Nature and all she has to offer. Nature has a lot to teach us if we take the time to learn. The egret is the embodiment of patience - standing stock still in the water waiting for it's next meal to get within striking distance. Watch the chipmunk in his mission to find food for the long winter months as he tirelessly darts thru the woods.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your stay. If you have any quotes you like, leave them in the comments below; you may inspire my next post! What is your favorite thing to do to celebrate the natural world around us? Comments are always welcomed.

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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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Manasquan Reservoir - A Sunrise & Sunset Weekend

Smartphone Reference Shot

It is officially autumn, my favorite time of year! Last Thursday was a beautiful day (about 65°F) and it got me excited to get back out with my camera. I almost totally hibernated this summer and cannot wait to get back out. I have been looking for a new location for sunrise and sunset so I thought I would give Manasquan Reservoir in Howell Township a try. I checked out a couple apps I use to check the location of the rising and setting sun, then stop at the reservoir on my way home from work on Thursday to scout locations.

Scouting Locations

Sunset - Chestnut Point #1

Sunset - Chestnut Point #2

Georgia Tavern Road

Thursday afternoon I got to the reservoir about an hour or so before sunset with no camera other than my smartphone. I had a couple spots I wanted to check out and wanted to have my compositions ready to go so that when the time came, I pretty much just had to set up my camera. I even brought my compass with me so that I could see exactly where the sun would rise and set. The first, obvious, composition was from the walkway alongside the road where there is a nice rocky slope down to the water and many dead trees coming out of the water. This is to the east so it is an obvious sunrise image but I thought it might make for a good sunset, too. I found a couple interesting compositions, took some reference shots with my phone and headed back to the parking lot.

Sunset - Chestnut Point #3

Chestnut Point

Chestnut Point is parking lot and a trail head on Georgia Tavern Road, not far from the Environmental Center. When I got to my car I noticed the trail going into the woods and caught a glimpse of the water thru the trees. Could there be a shot somewhere? There was only one way to find out. I entered the trail and saw a small trail leading right to the water. It looks as though this part is underwater when the reservoir is full as it is quite muddy and slick. Scattered about the mud are pools of water in various sizes. When I got thru the trees my eyes widened and I immediately thought, "This is it!" I found my sunrise! The smartphone came out, grabbed a few reference shots and had to run because I still had another spot to check out before it started getting dark.

Visitor Center

My last stop was at the Visitor Center on Windeler Road and a small bridge a short walk from the parking lot. I have shot here many times before, always during the day. Honestly, by the time I got here I had already made up my mind to shoot at Chestnut Point so, while I did scout to area I wasn't very thorough. This would be a good spot if the weather conditions are terrific and I will definitely give it a try some day but it wasn't going to be this time.

Sunset on Friday

I consulted Clear Outside (app and website - more at the end of this post) and was disappointed to see very little cloud cover projected but, on the plus side, they were all high clouds. If you have been following me for any length of time you will know that I love clouds in my landscape images, especially sunset. There is a difference in clouds - low, medium and high - and their impact on sunrise and sunset. I will cover that in a different post but, suffice it to say, I like a good amount of high clouds.

I decided to start the evening on Georgia Tavern Road and end at Chestnut Point because I thought that was where the magic was going to happen. While I got some nice images from the road, the best spot was down at water level.

Sunrise - Chestnut Point #1

Sunrise on Saturday

I decided to concentrate on shooting at Chestnut Point for sunrise and knew exactly what the composition was going to be. HA! I ended up with a few shots that weren't even on the radar. This was also an unusual sunrise shoot for me because I had company - I had invited my son to come with me. Typically, landscape photography - for me - is a solo event. I do go out with others occasionally and when I do it is usually other photographers, or my wife. When I am with others I always feel as though I have to be sociable but when shooting landscapes, it is just me, the camera and the landscape. One reason I invited my son, other than I thought it would be nice and he would enjoy it, is that he is perfectly content to silently soak in what nature has to offer. There is no need for "chit chat". I'm glad he came with me because I think the silhouette of him looking out over the reservoir may be the best image of the day.

Sunrise - Chestnut Point #2

The Apps & Websites

I have been using a variety of apps and websites over the years only to delete the majority of them. One that I have kept and rely on is Exsate Golden Hour, an app I reviewed here in 2017 - http://joevalenciaphotography.blogspot.com/2017/05/app-review-exsate-golden-hour.html so I won't get into it here.

Suncalc & Mooncalc

These are two new apps for me and ones that I highly recommend. There are also web-based versions - SunCalc.org and MoonCalc.org. Using SunCalc I was able to determine exactly where the sun will rise and where it will be at any given time, this was invaluable for my planning. I highly recommend checking out their web-based apps and then downloading for your phone.

Clear Outside

Clear Outside is the app I spoke of earlier and one that also has a web-based counterpart. Clear Outside will give you sunrise and sunset times as well as forecasted weather conditions for your location. The part of the app I find particularly helpful is the section on clouds. It gives you "Total Clouds", "Low Clouds", "Medium Clouds" and "High Clouds" as a percentage of the sky covered. Some of the other useful bits of information are precipitation, wind speed/direction, frost chance and fog. This is an excellent tool to consult before planning a sunrise or sunset shoot. The app allows you to set a "Home" location as-well-as other locations you might frequent. You can, at any time, use "Current" to get the conditions and forecast for where you are.

Silhouette

The Images

• Smartphone Reference Shot: I was immediately drawn to this clump of overturned trees and roots. I decided this was a "must shoot" for a sunrise and grabbed a quick smartphone reference shot.
• Sunset - Chestnut Point #1: This is the same clump of trees from the smartphone shot but I decided to include the rest of the tree as a leading line. This started out as the second of four images for a focus stack but decided to use it as it was.
• Sunset - Chestnut Point #2: This is the same basic composition as the "Smartphone Reference Shot". I do like this composition but no longer think it is the strongest to be had at this location.
• Sunset - Chestnut Point #3: I like the strong vertical lines of the dead trees standing against the waning light.
• Sunrise - Chestnut Point #1: I'm not sure if this is a little too busy. I like the tree with it's roots in the air and think it might be nice with a better sky.
• Sunrise - Chestnut Point #2: I started playing around with this image and thought, "What would it look like in black & white?" The image here is a quick black & white using Lightroom on the web. I like the moodiness of it.
• Silhouette: My son had been shooting a video while I searched for a composition, when he was done I told him to look out over the water so I could capture this image. I think this might be the best image of the two days.

Next Time

The next time I go, and the will be more than one "next time", I am definitely going to spend more time at Chestnut Point and down at water's edge but I also think Georgia Tavern Road holds more potential - maybe a bit further up from where I was. There is a wildlife blind about a mile and a half (or so) up the trail at the north end of the reservoir. I have never been to that part of the trail, will have to check it out because I think that may afford me some great views.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the images and that you are encouraged to go out and shoot some of your own.

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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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Is It Real or Is It Photoshop? Does It Matter? Part III – Everyone Else

Note: This is the third, and final, installment in a three-part series titled, “Is It Real or Is It Photoshop? Does It Matter?” The other installments are The Purist and Anything Goes.

Image by Alexas_Fotos

The Argument

Is it okay to "Photoshop" your images or is it the ultimate photographic sin?

I have already written about “The Purist” and "The Anything Goes". I conclude the series with “Everyone Else” but before I get into that I want to discuss something I forgot in the first installment; Photojournalism. It is never okay for a photojournalist to manipulate an image - in fact, many (most? all?) news agencies will not allow something as minor as color correction.

Everyone Else

Then we get to the other 99% of us (I am one of you now) who use the computer editing tools to fine-tune our image and make it represent what inspired us to make it. We don't have a problem with adding a touch of magenta to a sunset sky or getting rid of a garbage can in an otherwise beautiful landscape. Yes, I have done both and more. We are the folks

Conclusion

It wasn't until I was having a discussion with a friend (thanks Chris!) that I changed my outlook. He made me look at Photoshop as the digital darkroom that it is. I have come to use the phrase, WWAD - What Would Ansel Do? - to describe my attitude change. Lightroom and Photoshop are nothing more than electronic darkrooms. When I was young and just learning photography I had an old-timer tell me I couldn't call myself a "photographer" until I was able to handle myself in a darkroom. Why does that same mindset now scoff at the electronic equivalent?

In the "Old Days" of analog photography the only "straight from the camera" images were slides (transparencies) and the image was influenced by the film manufacturer and, to some extent, the lab processing the roll. When you shot negatives you had the same influences of the film and the added aspect of interpretation in the printing process. The black & white photographer would dodge and burn his images to get the tonality he wanted - the same for the color photographer but they also had the ability to tweak colors. Then there were the characteristics of the paper used to make the print.

I now shoot in RAW format and edit each of my "keepers"; first in Lightroom and then, if needed, Photoshop. I don't usually go terribly heavy with the edits and very seldom will I remove something from an image. I try to get everything "right" before squeezing the shutter - exposure and composition - but there are times when distractions just cannot be avoided. I don't see any reason why a rogue branch, or other distractions, cannot be removed in post.

While I have no problem with the "Anything Goes" mindset, I have one caveat - if you created something that didn't exist, tell people! Now, I don't mean that you have to explicitly tell people that the collage was "shopped" or anything else that is blatantly obvious. I am talking about when you take two different images and create something - for example, you take an incredible shot of a full moon with an 800mm lens and put it rising behind a shot of the Statue of Liberty. I believe in this instance you should divulge that it is a composite.

I am okay with focus-stacking and exposure blending but some other techniques are a bit more "gray" for me. I have recently heard about "focal length stacking" where you use two different focal lengths and combine to a single image. For instance, if you are hiking thru the mountains and find a peak beautifully framed by trees but it appears a bit small in the composition - you shoot a frame of the peak with a telephoto and the over-all shot with a wider lens - then you composite it in Photoshop. Is this okay to present without explanation? If it is not a dramatic difference, I don't think you have to - what do you think? The same with running water - I have seen photographers take a long exposure to get the silky smooth water but then take a few more at higher shutter speeds to freeze some of the water, and then they combine the images in post. Is this something that should be divulged to your audience? Once again, I think I am okay with presenting the image without explanation.

So, we have come to the end of the series. What do you think? Where do you fall in this spectrum? I would love to hear your thoughts - leave me a comment below.

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Except as noted, 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

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

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Is It Real or Is It Photoshop? Does It Matter? Part II - Anything Goes

Note: This is the second installment in a three-part series titled, “Is It Real or Is It Photoshop? Does It Matter?” The first installment, The Purist, can be found here.

The Argument

Image by Alexas_Fotos

Is it okay to "Photoshop" your images or is it the ultimate photographic sin?

I began the series with The Purist and now move on to The "Anything Goes".

Peek-a-Boo Moon
Real or Photoshop?

The "Anything Goes"

This is an interesting, and oft-maligned, category of photographer. There are times when images are processed to the point that you cannot even realize it originated inside a camera. I recently saw an image that was purposely made to look like an oil painting; I, myself, have created some images that people mistook for a painting though on my part it was unintentional over-processing. If you have an image you like but the sky is dull and listless - replace it with one you like! In this realm, there is nothing wrong with that and, if done well, no one would be the wiser. Have you ever wanted to ride a camel? Go to a zoo, get an image of a camel and put yourself on it. Are you carrying a half-keg around your waist and want six-pack abs? I saw a Photoshop tutorial about that once - go ahead! You can even fill your yard with a whole menagerie of wild creatures if you want.

My Thought on "Anything Goes"

I don't have any problem with the anything goes mindset. This group never takes "straight from the camera" as a completed image and can spend hours working on a single image that looks nothing like what the camera saw. They take pride in their editing prowess and how they can create what never existed in the physical world. I am one who thinks that photography is an art form and, through extension, photographers are artists. The job of an artist (in my opinion) is to interpret life and present that interpretation to the audience. We tend to categorize artists by their medium - painter, sculptor, photographer, etc... - but at the end of the day they are all artists. I do think, however, there may be a tipping point from being a photographer creating artistic images and an artist using photography as a medium. Does that make sense? Could it be that the "Anything Goes" photographer is actually always the latter and not the former?

Your Thoughts

Are you an Anything Goes photographer? If so, I would love to hear from you and know why. If not, what are your thoughts on the subject?

I will take on "Everyone Else" in my next blog post.

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Except as noted, 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

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

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Is It Real or Is It Photoshop? Does It Matter? Part I - The Purist

Note: This is the first installment in a three-part series titled, “Is It Real or Is It Photoshop? Does It Matter?” In each post I will present an image with the question, "Real or Photoshop?" The answers will come in the last installment.

Image by Alexas_Fotos

The Argument

Is it okay to "Photoshop" your images or is it the ultimate photographic sin?

If you have been around the photography world for any length of time you have undoubtedly heard people "discussing" the use of Photoshop. I'm sure this argument is as old as photography itself but under various guises, such as photo-manipulation, darkroom manipulation, etc.... There are those who consider themselves "purists" and frown upon any editing - many of these photographers brag about "getting it right in the camera" and label their images as "straight from the camera" or some variation. There are others who fall on the side of "anything goes" and all is fair. I believe most people fall somewhere in the middle - I tend to be one. I will discuss each of these schools of thought in a series of posts.

I will begin the discussion with someone I call, The Purist.

Foliage @ Lake Topanemus
Real or Photoshop?

The Purist

It has been my experience that The Purist is the most vocal in this group and, to be fair, counted me as a member at one time. They believe that photography is a representational medium and should only show things as they were at the time the image was made. You can't remove something that you wished wasn't there and, *gasp*, you can never add something that wasn't there. Changing colors, changing hues, adding clouds, removing garbage cans, etc... make veins stick out of the sides of their neck. They don't consider that to be photography. These are also the souls who will argue that you cannot call yourself a photographer unless you shoot manual, but that argument is for another day.

My Thoughts on The Purist

As I mentioned, I used to be a purist. When I first started with digital photography I shunned the idea of processing an image and lived with the jpeg given to me by my camera. To be fair to myself, my first digital camera only allowed for jpeg and my editing suite consisted of whatever Canon gave me with the camera. That said, I was still on the side of only "minor" tweaking such as exposure compensation like you would get from a one-hour photo printer. When I hear someone say, "I like to get it right in the camera." and describe their images as "Straight from the camera." I tend to chuckle a bit. Don't get me wrong - the former is quite important while the latter is not.

It is important to get it right when you squeeze the shutter, if only to reduce the amount of post-processing time. However, it isn't always possible to do that with a single image due to dynamic range and your camera, among other factors. What I take issue with is the "straight from the camera" guy who thinks post-processing is a sin. I argue that you are relinquishing part of your responsibility to the image by allowing the camera to decide what the scene looks like. The jpeg is just an image that was processed based upon the algorithm developed for your particular camera. You let a programmer decide what is important in your image and what it should look like. Imagine that you painstakingly composed your image, manually focused, many set your exposure and then let some software decide what it should look like!

Your Thoughts

Are you a Purist? If so, I would love to hear from you and know why. If not, what are your thoughts on the subject?

I will take on the "Anything Goes" photographer in my next blog post.

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Except as noted, 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

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

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The Jersey Shore: An Introduction

Blue Hour - Spring Lake
February 2019

DISCLAIMER: This post is about the REAL Jersey Shore - the beaches and shore communities. It has nothing to do with "Jersey Shore" television show or any of it's cast of characters. That is an abomination (in my humble opinion) and does not properly reflect life here.

An Introduction

I have called the Shore "home" all my life - I've never lived more than about five (5) miles from the beach and rode my bicycle to many of the places I will write about in this series.

I am writing about the Jersey Shore for a number of reasons - the first is, "Why not?" It is probably the only place in New Jersey that people don't need to be told about - we have been a popular summer destination since the 18th century! Well.... definitely the 19th century. The "Shore" has hosted a number of U.S. Presidents over the years - from Franklin Pierce in 1855 thru Donald Trump in 2019 - and been the birthplace for some of Hollywood's biggest stars. There is also a guitarist from Freehold (born in Long Branch) who made it big in Asbury Park - what's his name? 😉 😃

It is also the part of New Jersey that I know the best, having spent my life here. You will find that most of the images in this post were shot during the "off season", Labor Day thru Memorial Day, when the beaches are virtually deserted and the air is it's crispest. I shoot my sunrises primarily between October and February. So, without further ado, let's get started.

The Jersey Shore

Let's start with defining where the Jersey Shore is - according to Wikipedia, The Jersey Shore "encompasses about 141 miles... of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south." The article also mentions that most of the shore is located in South Jersey but it also only divides the state into two (2) regions - North and South. I favor the three (3) region idea and include Central Jersey which is where I was born, raised and still live. I am not going to cover ALL of the shore in this series but, rather, some of my favorite locations and a few that were shot just for this project. I decided to break this down into a few different parts due to the size of the area. As-of this writing, I'm not sure how many parts this will be or exactly how I will break it down but I have already decided to start with Sandy Hook, followed by Ocean Grove. If you follow my "general interest" blog - From the Mind of Joe Valencia - you may recognize some of these places, as I have written about them in the past.

Host to Presidents

Long Branch has a long, proud history as a resort town hosting presidents, Ulysses S. Grant summered in Long Branch between 1867 and 1885, when it was known as the Long Branch Commission. Long Branch didn't became a city in 1903. Grant had a home on Ocean Avenue that he would spend summers in - even convening Cabinet meetings there. Sadly, the home at 995 Ocean Avenue was bulldozed in 1963.... The "Church of the Presidents" is a former Episcopal church where seven (7) presidents worshipped - Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson. The church was deconsecrated by the church in the early 1950's and had been scheduled for demolition. A group of local preservationists stopped to demolition and the church was turning into a museum. It is being restored and is not open to the public. You can learn more about the church here - https://www.churchofthepresidents.org/.

Not Just Amusements

As mentioned above, The Jersey Shore has more than 140 miles of shoreline, many of those miles have boardwalks and on those boardwalks you will often find rides, games, restaurants and other attractions. There are amusements to be found in Keansburg, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights and Wildwood, among others. Asbury Park used to have many rides and four (4) or five (5) miniature golf courses but most of that is gone now. There are a few "kiddie" rides but it is mostly replaced by restaurants. Asbury Park was one of the places we used to ride our bikes to, about 10 miles each way, just to play pinball and miniature golf. The amusements are fun but they make up just a small part of the boardwalk; you can walk for miles smelling the salt air, listening to the crashing waves and watching to boats. This is some of the most beautiful views you will find.

Parks - National, State, County and Local

No doubt, the most well-known park along the Jersey Shore is Gateway National Recreation Center, aka Sandy Hook. There are many others along the shore or in neighboring towns, including Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park which is part of the Monmouth County Park System. Yes, "seven presidents" ties in with the church and the seven presidents who vacationed here.

Of Course, the Beaches

Yes, of course there are beaches! That is the big draw to the area and why tourism is such a big industry here. Personally, my favorite time of year to go to the beach is from Labor Day to Memorial Day; most times I have the beach to myself. You will find many seascapes in this series, virtually all taken in the "off season" and many taken during sunrise. The is something magical about a sunrise over the ocean, everyone should witness it as least once in their life.

Other "Stuff"

There is plenty of other things to do at the shore and many things to see, I will be bringing to you what I can but it will be far from comprehensive. If you have anything you would like to see me cover in the "Shore" section, please let me know in the comments below and I will do my best to do it. I would also love to hear your ideas of other areas of the state you think are beautiful and worthy of recognition - I will try to cover them, too!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the series - I think it will be a lot of fun and, hopefully, it can help change opinions of the great Garden State.

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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 New Zealand Photographer Crystal Brindle

Crystal Brindle is a very talented landscape photographer who currently calls New Zealand home. I discovered her when a search for "Female Nature Photographers" brought me to this website - Female Nature Photography. I was looking for some interesting profiles, particularly women living in other countries. Her images are awe-inspiring and her bio intriguing. Within minutes I was going thru her website and sending an interview request.

Crystal's parents were Park Rangers with the US Park Service and she moved around from park to park as a child. Imagine having national parks as a playground! She followed in her parent's footsteps and is, herself, a ranger for the National Park Service but she also works for the Department of Conservation in New Zealand - traveling back and forth between the continents. I cannot imagine a better job for a photographer - your job is to oversee some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth!

The first thing you will notice with Crystal's landscapes is the sheer beauty of the land and the incredible lighting. If you look closely, on many of the images you will find a person (Crystal?) or, in the instance of an image shown here, a tent or other structure in the frame to give a sense of scale. This is something that many photographers, yours truly included, often overlook. It is that attention to detail that helps separate Crystal from the rest of the pack. She is also versatile - shooting landscapes, wildlife, and astrophotography. I would love to spend time with her out in the field, experiencing nature the way she does, but I don't think I could keep up!

I encourage you to check out the links below to Crystal's website and social media and follow her career. She is quite a talented photographer and someone I am looking forward to following for years to come. Now, without further rambling and ado, I present to you Crystal Brindle!

The Interview

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Lying beside my best friend on a giant granite glacial erratic boulder in the middle of a meadow of golden grass in summer looking to the sky ringed by tall evergreen trees in Wawona – the small ‘neighborhood’ in which I spent my earliest years in Yosemite National Park.

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

These answers might seem quite unusual but at the moment I’d say:

• nutritional yeast
• oats
• chia seeds
• homemade pizza
• almond butter.

😊
(Joe: Pizza? Yes, that is quite unusual 😉)

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

That’s such a tough one! Many people have given me wonderful advice. I’ll go with, “look up and look out.” This piece of wisdom was bestowed upon me in my first season after moving to New Zealand on my own and taking up work in the hills as a hut warden/park ranger. It came from one of the wisest women I’ve ever known, Karen Cooper, who mentored me in my work and beyond. What she means by this, I think, is to look up and look out and remember where you are in the present moment – appreciate your surroundings and don’t get bogged down by daily minutiae. It is something that has come back to me often and reminds me to take a look around and appreciate my life.
(Joe: Once again, great advice! That is something I have to force myself to do at times.)

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

Running on a beautiful forested trail first thing in the morning would be my favourite thing after my number one love of seeking brilliant sunrises far in the mountains with my camera.

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

John Muir. I’m not sure if he counts as “famous” but he is definitely the person I’d want to spend an hour with.
(Joe: John Muir is a great choice! How fun would it be to sit with John Muir and Ansel Adams together?)

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

That I have an overwhelming interest in New Zealand’s alpine flora. Actually, it is probably obvious at times, but I don’t think most people know that I often think about going back to school and studying botany.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Whew, that’s a big question! Yikes. I would hope to be remembered for having a passion and zest for life, championing wild natural landscapes, and connecting people with the awe and wonder that is found in nature. If I can live a life that helps more people connect with their authentic selves and cultivate a love for the natural world on every scale, I will have done something I deem meaningful.

Professional questions

Why photography?

I found photography when I was living and working in Rocky Mountain National Park during college. I grew up in national parks across the western United States and had most often throughout my childhood been surrounded by incredible natural beauty. When I was in college, I started to feel the pull to share these experiences with others. Photography was the natural medium that caught my attention and I was hooked before I knew it. I became enamoured by the practice of challenging myself to reach remote locations high in the mountains, photographing magic light, and returning to the ‘civilised’ world to share what I had seen.

Can you explain your photography in 10 words or less?

My photography is an expression of connection with the land.

What is your greatest achievement in photography?

Eeek… I suppose I’d say winning the overall Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) of New Zealand photo contest in 2016. This meant the world to me as I had read cover-to-cover every FMC bulletin I could get my hands on in the two years preceding this win and since moving to New Zealand there was no organization I respected more. When I first saw the photo contest in a bulletin I thought, “I want to enter that one day and maybe, just maybe be printed in these pages.” I could not believe it when I won the whole thing. The judge’s comment topped it all off when he called the place I photographed a “suitably remote location” that he had to look up on the map. Hearing that from a respected icon of the New Zealand mountains and guru of all things wilderness, was incredible!
(Joe: That truly is a great achievement. It’s inspiring to hear you set a goal and achieved it!)

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

Ohhhh, I think I’d share a gallery show with Erik Stensland of www.imagesofrmnp.com if I could! He has been, and remains, my greatest contemporary photography inspiration.
(Joe: I checked out his site – I can see why he inspires you so.)

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

I draw inspiration from the landscape around me and the light that comes. I work with the scene in an unplanned way and compose on the fly. I’m certain I could produce better imagery if I did a bit of pre-planning but given the backcountry nature of my photography and often first-time visit locations, this isn’t always an option. And, to be honest, I love the process of darting around and trying to find what I want to photograph. I often stumble across something totally unexpected that blows my mind about the natural world even further. I cannot believe the wonderful intricacies that exist out there, even after all this time.

What is your favorite location to shoot?

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand – baby! I cannot believe that I now get to live on the very edge of my favourite place on earth.

What is your favorite piece of equipment?

My Fuji XT-2 camera. I couldn’t do much shooting without it! 😉 For the last three years it is what I’ve used and I’m still quite happy with its performance. It has been into some interesting places, I can tell you that!

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

I got my start by diving in head first – spending most of my free time either shooting or researching online about technique, manual control, and post processing. I also was fortunate to live in Colorado in close proximity to many professional photographers. A few were kind enough to spend time with me and answer my questions. I kept up the momentum when I moved to New Zealand by seeking out opportunities or creating them, not waiting for them to come to me. Although I do not fully support myself with a career in photography, it is only a side venture at this stage, the advice I would give to someone wanting a career in anything is the same: do the work, make connections, be bold, learn your craft, and be proactive.
(Joe: Great advice – you are so lucky to have found those willing to mentor you. )

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

I have never thought about this but I’ll go with a blend of classics inherited from my dad’s taste in music and my own taste I’ve developed in adulthood:

• Led Zeppelin – Mothership
• Florence + The Machine – Lungs
• Florence + The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
• London Grammar – Truth is a Beautiful Thing
• Mumford and Sons – Babel.

Yikes, I definitely don’t feel too certain I’d be happy with those choices for the rest of eternity on an island, but there ya go!

Links

• Website: https://www.inpursuitofthewild.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@crystalann_b/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inpursuitofthewild/

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All images are Copyright Crystal Brindle - www.inpursuitofthewild.com

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8 point buck
Thompson Park, Lincroft

New Jersey Wildlife

New Jersey is home to a wide variety of "critters", some are cute & cuddly while others are quite dangerous. If you walk along any trail or sit in a park you will certainly find squirrels and chipmunks running around as if they are late for their train. If you are quiet and look hard enough, you may find deer or any of a number of other creatures that call New Jersey home.

Deer

I came across this beautiful buck while hiking thru Thompson Park in Lincroft one afternoon during the rut. I was looking in the opposite direction as I was walking when something caught my eye - I turned and there he was, just staring at me. I had but a few moments to grab this image before he ran into the woods.

Young buck @ Golden Hour
Lake Topanemus Park, Freehold

The young buck in the golden hour image was one that I was watching for a short time during a morning hike in the park. I sometimes detour to the beach or one of the parks along the way to the office to walk or maybe do some shooting. If I go to the park I often have the place to myself and will come across quite a few deer. This particular morning it was just after sunrise and there were about a dozen deer grazing in the field. This buck was by himself and didn't seem to really care that I was there. I got as close as I dared, took out the camera and grabbed a few images before he ran off into the woods. This is one of my favorite deer images, though I have many.

Northern Mockingbird
Henry Hudson Trail, Union Beach

Birds

New Jersey is home to more than 475 species of birds and is an important stop along the East Coast migration route. While I have photographed a wide variety, I have nowhere near all - nor have I even seen them all. I have still not gotten a good glimpse of the Bald Eagles we have but still have hope.

Black-Crowned Night Heron
Oceanport

The Northern Mockingbird shown here was captured during a lunchtime walk along the Henry Hudson Trail in Union Beach. This is another great example of the old axiom, f/8 and be there, as I had but a moment to shoot before he flew away. When it comes to birds, I do "play favorites." I have a great love for egrets, herons and raptors - in part because of the challenge but, mostly, for their beauty. I was fortunate to grow up with a small river inlet behind my home and we would see egrets and herons all the time. I have countless slides of them fishing along the banks or sitting on a dock. The black-crowned night heron is one such slide - he was perched on one of the pilings of a neighbors dock when I captured this image. The scan quality isn't great but the image is a good one.

Red-Tailed Hawk
Thompson Park, Lincroft

While I have yet to capture an eagle, I have been able to get a number of red-tailed hawks - including the one shown here. This was another lunchtime hike and he caught me by surprise. I was in the woods and saw this hawk flying low across the trail and landed on a downed tree. He had caught a snake and was perched on the tree eating. When I got around to that side of the trail I started looking for it, hoping to get an image. To my disappointment, he was no longer eating and had flown off. I looked up and saw him sitting in the tree right next to me, he was maybe 10 feet away! I shot until he had enough and flew off.

I have written two blog posts about birds in New Jersey if you wish to read more - Birds of New Jersey - The Gray Catbird and Birds of New Jersey - The Great Egret.

Bullfrog
Lake Topanemus Park, Freehold

Reptiles / Amphibians

Not all of New Jersey's wildlife is warm-blooded, as we have a very diverse range of reptiles and amphibians, too. This bullfrog was sitting on the side of a trail in Lake Topanemus Park in Freehold one afternoon. I had never shot a frog before and have not since. I was amazed at my skill of getting so close and not scaring it away, only to find out later that the frogs will freeze if they feel threatened and are not near a water source to jump into. I could have jumped up and down yelling and he never would have moved....

Box Turtle
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Freehold

Turtles of all types are abundant - from the docile box turtle to the dangerous snapping turtle. I find box turtles in my yard rather frequently (I live at the edge of a large woods) and they can be found throughout the state. They are also probably the easiest to photograph - they are not overly dangerous, they move quite slowly and if you get close they "clam up" like this one. I often come across turtles sunning themselves on rocks or tree limbs in and around lakes but they often see me before I can get close enough for a decent shot and dart back into the water. Snapping turtles are rather mean and very dangerous and also the most common turtle in the state; I've only seen one in the wild once and that was in my own backyard about 25 years ago. I saw, what I thought was a large black trash bag in the yard. I went out to pick it up and noticed it was a snapping turtle - it was headed right for a forsythia bush in the middle of the yard. I stayed under the bush all day and then I never saw it again - later that year I dug up the bush.

I don't come across too many snakes in my travels but when I do they are invariably the harmless garter snake. The largest snakes in New Jersey are the Northern Black Racer and Black Rat snake, both can reach more than six feet and are found throughout the state. We only have two venomous snakes, the Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake which are typically found in the northern part of the state - a friend recently came across a rattlesnake while hiking along the Appalachian Trail on Mt. Tammany. You usually don't have much to worry about with snakes unless, like most wild creatures, you startle them or encroach too closely on their space. While it is always a good idea to keep your eyes on the trail, it is particularly important when you are in "snake country" - just to be safe.

Squirrel
Thompson Park, Lincroft

Small Mammals

I mentioned squirrels and chipmunks at the top of this post, here is one of the many squirrels I have encountered on my treks. You can read the story behind this image at Shhhh – there’s a deer but where are my keys?. Of course, rabbits are a frequent sight, too. This little guy was at Deep Cut Gardens one fine afternoon. Rabbits are fun to watch but can be difficult to photograph well.

New Jersey is also home to the bobcat, in fact, it is our only wild cat. They once roamed throughout the state but are now endangered and found primarily in the northwest part of the state but there have been sightings in the Pinelands. The bobcat is an extremely shy creature, as are most cats, and you are rather unlikely to see one and they pose very little threat to humans. I have never seen one in the wild.

Rabbit
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Bears

New Jersey has a growing population of black bears and can be found in all 21 counties, though predominately found in the northwest part of the state. I have never had a wild encounter with a bear but they are always on my mind when I am in Bear Country. It is crucial that you learn what to do in case of an encounter with a bear - the wrong move can cause you serious harm, even death. You can read about what to do at get BEAR SMART society. There are many other places where you can get information, including kiosks at trail heads where encounters may be likely. REMEMBER - you cannot outrun a bear, trying to do so will most likely cause an attack!

Red-Tailed Hawk w/snake
Thompson Park, Lincroft

I have covered but a small amount of the abundant wildlife to be found throughout our state. You can find other images in the Wildlife gallery on my website.

I leave you with one last image - the red-tailed hawk eating the snake. This was the best vantage point I could get, I was disappointed the branches were covering his head but you can't tell a bird to move to a better location!

I hope you have enjoyed my menagerie and would love to hear from you in the comments below. There is such diversity in our state and I have only covered the creatures that are found on land - fishing is incredible throughout the state, both freshwater and saltwater.

Until next time - get out and explore, witness the beauty of The Garden State firsthand! If you aren't in New Jersey, get out and explore the natural world around you; I can't think of a better way to recharge your batteries.

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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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Does Your Gear Matter? No, It Doesn't! Yes, It Does!

Does Your Gear Matter?

This age old question pops up all the time and I have heard many "definitive" opinions on both sides. I decided to give my own definitive answer - gear does and does not matter. Yes, you can have it both ways. Let me explain.

Gear Doesn't Matter

This is very true - to a point. I have heard a lot of photographers say, "It isn't the gear, it's the photographer that matters." I have also seen more than a few (most?) of those same photographers walking around with very expensive gear.

Ansel Adams once stated, "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!" and he was absolutely right. If you don't understand composition and exposure, you have to count on luck to get a good image. If you give a five year-old a Canon 5D Mark IV and an experienced professional a disposable camera, I would put my money on the professional making a better image. You have to learn the craft - how does shutter speed affect the image? Aperture? What is the "Rule of Thirds"? Is it okay to have a centered horizon? The answer to the last question is - maybe. The important thing is to learn when it is okay and when it isn't.

Learn the rules and learn when to break the rules - I wrote about this last September in Should We Teach the "Rules" of Photography to Beginners? If you haven't read it, I hope you will when you finish here.

"Play" with your camera and learn what everything does. This doesn't take a $3,000 camera body, you can learn with even a basic point-and-shoot if it allows you to control exposure. At this point you are learning about light and composition.

Gear Does Matter

Here is what I mean by "gear matters" - the quality of the image is, in large part, a function of the gear. All things being equal, you will get sharper images from a Canon "L"-series lens than you will with a "kit" lens. You will get better image quality from a camera capable of a 50 megapixel image than you will 8 megapixel. The dynamic range of the high-end camera is much better than the low-end, you typically get better/faster focusing, better low-light capability, less noise at high ISO, etc....

I was recently watching a podcast on YouTube when they were discussing this issue - one of the photographers said something I thought was interesting. He said that when you are shooting a wedding, the gear says a lot about you as a professional. Now, I paraphrased but that is the meaning of what he said. I believe that to be true; if you are hired to shoot a wedding and show up with a Nikon Coolpix you won't be taken seriously, even though you may produce spectacular images. When dealing with the public, perception matters.

So, What's The Answer?

The answer is, as I stated earlier - gear matters AND gear doesn't matter. I quoted Ansel Adams earlier and I think I will use another quote from him, "There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept." That is why gear doesn't matter until it does. When you are consistently producing good work it might be time to think about upgrading. I said "think" about upgrading because you don't have to. I am currently shooting a Canon EOS Rebel T3i that I bought in August 2011 - it's a great, crop sensor, camera. It has served me well and many professional photographers carry crop sensor cameras, particularly wildlife photographers. Upgrading isn't an automatic thing - if you are happy with your results, save the money and take a vacation. If you find that your gear is limiting you artistically - by all means, upgrade to something that will help you achieve your goals.

Personally, although I cannot complain about my T3i, I am ready to upgrade. I have been frustrated lately with some of the results I have gotten and the frustration is directly linked to my gear. It isn't all camera related, it is all around; tripod, filters, lenses, camera body, etc.... The crop sensor is great on the telephoto range but it's frustrating that my 18mm is actually 28.8mm. I also find the results unacceptable when shooting at night and/or ISO over 400. The tripod is nice but I had trouble when wind was blowing and shooting in water or at the beach has caused trouble at times. I could go on about filters and other things, but you get the point.

The header image is one reason I wrote this article and one of the reasons I think it is time for me to upgrade. If you are a regular reader you may recognize it from Shooting the New York City Skyline, a post I published in March. I was happy with the composition but noticed a lot of noise (even at ISO 100) and there was camera shake even though the camera was mounted on a tripod set as low to the ground as it would go. I also protected it from the wind as best I could.

So, what do you think? Does it matter gear you have? What are your experiences? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me what I got right, what I got wrong, what I may have left out.

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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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