Great Places to Photograph

Great place to photograph from the staff and customers of Bergen County Camera

Fireworks Photography – Where to Photograph – July 4, 2013

John Tworsky

Where to photograph fireworks – these links will be updates as we get closer to July 4th.
North Jersey’s parade, firework and celebration map
List of North Jersey fireworks, times and dates

Here are some basic starting points

If you have any questions, stop by the store, email or call. We’re here to help. Please let us know if you get some great shots we’d love to see!
Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Have a great 4th of July Holiday weekend from all of us at BCC.

Find a fireworks display on NorthJersey.com’s 4th of July celebrations page.

Tripod
Electronic release (available for most cameras at BCC) or 2 second self timer to eliminate the motion caused by pressing the shutter button.
Manually set your camera ISO to 100 (You do not want Auto ISO)
Lens Choice – Wide Angle Zoom to frame what you’d like to capture
Auto White Balance or Daylight
Set your lens to manual focus then focus to infinity (take a test image and make sure things are sharp)
Set your camera to Manual exposure – Try 5 seconds at f/ 16
Carefully release the shutter if not using a release to capture from one to several bursts
Evaluate your exposure – Shorter exposures (or smaller apertures ) will darken the image and capture shorter trails, Longer exposures (or larger apertures ) will lighten the image and capture longer trails.
Evaluate sharpness by zooming in on your image – adjust as needed

If you are using a point a shoot, check your camera’s manual for fireworks mode.

Improving Fireworks photos
Shoot with a tripod – it will give a more natural cascade of light

Shooting the Finale!
The finale is many times brighter than rest of the show. Be ready to choose a shorter exposure or smaller aperture to prevent overexposure. The exposure you need is dependent on the number of simultaneous bursts. In some really incredible finales I’ve found myself shooting at 1/4 or 1/8th of a second. Experiment for best results.

Why use a tripod?

Hand-held image above shows motion from camera shake in the burst of light.

The image below is steadied by a tripod, 5 seconds, f16 at 100 ISO

Other Techniques
Set your camera to B and lock open your shutter – keep the lens covered with a dark hat and remove the hat to capture a burst then recover and repeat to capture several bursts. Just be careful not to bump your camera.
You can even zoom the lens during exposure for some interesting effects

Experiment and best of all have fun

Gallery images below shot mainly at 5 seconds, f16 at 100 ISO

Lensbaby goes to Grounds For Sculpture

Carly Rahl

Sunday, April 14th, Bergen County Camera partnered with Lensbaby to create an unforgettable trip down to Hamilton New Jersey’s Grounds For Sculpture. Lensbaby provided lenses for the participants to walk around the gardens and explore their creativity with.

Lensbaby is a Portland, Oregon based company that launched in 2004. The idea of the Lensbaby started with a vacuum tube and has evolved throughout the years into eight different optics which each create a unique effect. See attached gallery for examples of images from the trip that were taken with several different optics.

Grounds For Sculpture is a 42-acre property located in Hamilton, New Jersey. It was the former location of the NJ State Fairgrounds and has been transformed into a array of sculptures, flowers, trees, and more for the public to wander and enjoy.

Click on an image below to see it larger and to see which Lensbaby optic the image was shot with.

Boot
Macro
Glass
Shadow
Tree
Relaxing
Path
A Couple of Statues
Zen
Bridge
Peacock

[Show as slideshow]

Photo Excursions and Meetups – Bronx Zoo with Ron Magill Added

John Tworsky

Additional information is available by clicking on any trip name listed below. Every trip includes a pre-trip session, and Saturday Focus Session Review.

Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ – Sunday, March 24, 2013
Price: $250 with registration required. SOLD OUT
Our friends from Tamron will be joining us for this event. They will have an assortment of Tamron lenses to borrow and try during the trip.

 

Grounds for Sculpture – Sunday, April 14, 2013
Price: $99.99 through March 17th then $129.99 with registration required. Register
Our friends from Lensbaby will be joining us for this event. They will have an assortment of Lensbabies lenses to borrow and try during the trip.

Includes bus transportation, admission, and lunch.

grounds-for-sculpture

 

Rockland Boulders Dugout Experience – Meetup Rockland County, NY – Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tickets: $50.00 with registration required. Register

rockland-boulders

 

Bronx Zoo trip – Sunday May 19, 2013
Price: $99.99 through March 17th then $129.99 with registration required. Register
Our friends from Nikon will be joining us for this event along with special guest Ron Magill.

Includes bus transportation, snacks, pre-trip info session, post trip Focus Session, admission, and lunch.

Register Now

 

 

 

Indian Summer

Franklin Viola


Click image for a larger view

As the heat of summer fades with the waning of daylight and wind vanes clock north, dry conditions prior to and just after autumn’s first frost can produce ‘highly saturated’ compositions.

From water lapping up on a deserted beach to cityscapes shimmering at dusk, NOW is the time to capture nature’s majestic changing of the guard.

So, before total darkness engulfs your pm commute, plan an evening ‘outside’ with a basketed meal, spirits of the vine, a lover or friend, and a Camera to archive the memory!

 

Tools:
Nikon D2Xs Digital-SLR Camera
Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 DX Lens (set at 17mm)
Gitzo Tripod and Ball Head

Shooting Notes:
ISO 200
Manual Exposure
Center-weight metering
f/11
1/50 sec

Processing:
RAW file processed in Nikon Capture NX2
Saved as hi-res Jpeg with minimal enhancement in Photoshop CS2

Fireworks Photography Tips – July 2012

John Tworsky

Where to photograph fireworks
North Jersey’s parade, firework and celebration map

Here are some basic starting points

If you have any questions, stop by the store, email or call. We’re here to help. Please let us know if you get some great shots we’d love to see!
Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Have a great 4th of July Holiday weekend from all of us at BCC.

Find a fireworks display on NorthJersey.com’s 4th of July celebrations page.

Tripod
Electronic release (available for most cameras at BCC) or 2 second self timer to eliminate the motion caused by pressing the shutter button.
Manually set your camera ISO to 100 (You do not want Auto ISO)
Lens Choice – Wide Angle Zoom to frame what you’d like to capture
Auto White Balance or Daylight
Set your lens to manual focus then focus to infinity (take a test image and make sure things are sharp)
Set your camera to Manual exposure – Try 5 seconds at f/ 16
Carefully release the shutter if not using a release to capture from one to several bursts
Evaluate your exposure – Shorter exposures (or smaller apertures ) will darken the image and capture shorter trails, Longer exposures (or larger apertures ) will lighten the image and capture longer trails.
Evaluate sharpness by zooming in on your image – adjust as needed

If you are using a point a shoot, check your camera’s manual for fireworks mode.

Improving Fireworks photos
Shoot with a tripod – it will give a more natural cascade of light

Shooting the Finale!
The finale is many times brighter than rest of the show. Be ready to choose a shorter exposure or smaller aperture to prevent overexposure. The exposure you need is dependent on the number of simultaneous bursts. In some really incredible finales I’ve found myself shooting at 1/4 or 1/8th of a second. Experiment for best results.

Why use a tripod?

Hand-held image above shows motion from camera shake in the burst of light.

The image below is steadied by a tripod, 5 seconds, f16 at 100 ISO

Other Techniques
Set your camera to B and lock open your shutter – keep the lens covered with a dark hat and remove the hat to capture a burst then recover and repeat to capture several bursts. Just be careful not to bump your camera.
You can even zoom the lens during exposure for some interesting effects

Experiment and best of all have fun

Gallery images below shot mainly at 5 seconds, f16 at 100 ISO

Tips for fall foliage photos, and state foliage websites

John Tworsky

Acadia National Park Fall Foliage

Acadia National Park – Maine
Got a great image to share? Enter it in our Thanksgiving Card photo contest.

Foliage Photography:
Tips for great pictures

Filters

A polarizing filter is really the only “must have” filter to bring along for great digital fall foliage pictures. A polarizer creates dramatic fall foliage pictures by darkening the sky, increasing contrast and deepening colors and removing the sheen from the leaves. Most other filter effects such as enhancing reds and oranges, sepia and graduated effects can be easily created in Photoshop. Your standard protective UV filter should be removed before putting your polarizer on – never stack filters. Also, don’t forget to remove your polarizer when you move back inside, as it reduces light by one to two f-stops.

A second type of filter is an enhancing filter which does just what the name implies – enhances. This filter is especially effective with the bright primary colors of autumn (reds, oranges and browns). A third filter is a Color / Neutral Graduated filter which utilizes a color (or gray) that gradually diminishes from dark to light across the filter. These filters are often used to deepen the sky or to balance the exposure between foreground and background, which helps you keep the sky blue rather than washed out.

Tips

  • Nothing takes away from foliage more than a bright white overcast sky. In these situations, try to reduce the amount of sky in your images.
  • Dramatic storm clouds of autumn thunderstorms interspersed with blue sky make a stunning backdrop for the brilliant colors of fall, especially when the vivid colors are brought out with a polarizer filter.
  • Use a tripod for the sharpest possible image. This will allow an ISO of 100 or 200. Remember to use a remote release or self timer to prevent motion when pressing the shutter.
  • Colors are warmer and can be more dramatic closer to sunrise and sunset. The hour before and after sunrise and sunset are considered by many to be the “magic hours” where you get an amazing quality of light.
  • Experiment, take lots of pictures and above all have fun!
  • Since you are shooting more with your digital camera, be sure to edit out some images before showing off your work to family and friends
Once you’ve assembled your camera and a few filters, all you’ll need is foliage at the peak of color. We’ve assembled a list of state hotlines below to help schedule your trip. Need some ideas for places to shoot, be sure to visit Bergen County Camera’s Where to take great Pictures page. Have some suggestions of your own? Please send us an email and we’ll include your suggestions.

Fall foliage websites and hotlines

The Foliage Network

New Jersey 
mid to late October 
Connecticut
 
 Late September - mid October 
Maine 
Early September - mid October
 
Massachusetts
 
October 
New Hampshire 
Late September - mid October
 
New York
 
Late September - late October
 
Pennsylvania 
Early October
 
Vermont 
Early September - Late October
 
Virginia 
September - Late November
 
Delaware 
Late October
 
Maryland 
Late September - Late October
 
Rhode Island 
Late September - mid October

Remember to visit Bergen County Camera in Englewood or Westwood, NJ for filters, tripods, lenses, cameras and prints.

Fall Foliage Photography – State Hotlines & Tips

John Tworsky

Acadia National Park Fall Foliage

Acadia National Park – Maine

Foliage Photography Tips for great pictures

Filters

For digital there is really only one “must have” filter to bring along for great fall foliage pictures – a polarizer. A polarizer creates dramatic fall foliage pictures by darkening the sky, increasing contrast and deepening colors and removing the sheen from the leaves. Most other filter effects such as, enhancing reds and oranges, sepia and graduated effects can be easily created in Photoshop. Your standard protective UV filter should be removed before putting your polarizer on – never stack filters. Also, don’t forget to remove your polarizer when you move back inside as it reduces light by one to two f-stops.

A second type of filter is an enhancing filter which does just what the name implies – enhances – especially the bright primary colors of autumn (reds, oranges and browns).  A third filter is a Color / Neutral Graduated filter which utilizes a color (or gray) that gradually diminishes from dark to light across the filter. These filters are often used to deepen the sky or to balance the exposure between foreground and background, which helps you keep the sky blue rather than blown out.

Tips

  • Nothing takes away from foliage more than a bright white overcast sky. In these situations, try to reduce the amount of sky in your images.
  • Dramatic storm clouds of autumn thunderstorms interspersed with blue sky make a stunning backdrop for the brilliant colors of fall especially when the vivid colors are brought out with a polarizer.
  • Use a tripod for the sharpest possible image to allow an ISO of 100 or 200 and use a remote release or self timer to prevent motion when pressing the shutter.
  • Colors are warmer and can be more dramatic closer to sunrise and sunset. The 1 hour before and after both sunrise and sunset are considered by many to be the “magic hours” where you get an amazing quality of light.
  • Experiment, take lots of pictures and above all have fun!
  • Since your shooting more with your digital camera, be sure to edit down before showing off your work to family and friends
Once you’ve assembled your camera and a few filters, all you’ll need is foliage at the peak of color. We’ve assembled a list of state hotlines below to help schedule your trip. Need some ideas for places to shoot, be sure to visit Bergen County Camera’s Where to take great Pictures page. Have some suggestions of your own please send us an email and we’ll include your suggestions.

Fall Foliage Websites

The Foliage Network

Fall Foliage Hotlines – click on a state below

New Jersey 
mid to late October 
Connecticut
 
 Late Sep - mid October 
Maine 
Early Sep - mid October
 
Massachusetts
 
October 
New Hampshire 
Late Sep - mid October
 
New York
 
Late Sep - late Oct
 
Pennsylvania 
Early October
 
Vermont 
Early Sep-Late October
 
Virginia 
Sep - Late Nov
 
Delaware 
Late October
 
Maryland 
Late Sep Late October
 
Rhode Island 
Late Sep - mid October