Can't go a week without posting a few snapshots

[F.Gordon]

I recently spent almost an entire day experimenting.... doing some "documentary" photography and most importantly I practiced my Nature Landscape shots. I grabbed my bag of tricks and a tripod and headed out.....

There are a series of trails that zig-zag around, behind, and up from Rock Ledge ranch which was my starting point for the 380+ snaparoos I took that day....



Like I said. I was trying to do a better job of getting Nature Landscape Snapshots. Dealt with a variety of lighting conditions that day. Made it really challenging. Not the best.. but I'm tryin'....



I took one of the back trails that led to "Garden of the Gods". Didn't care much for it because it was soooo crowded but I did take this snap just for Robb. If you look closely you can see my self portrait reflection in the bumper. I'm the little blob crouching down to take this shot....



Took several shots of the rock climbers before I got sick of the congestion.....



Finally got back on the trails onto the ridge where I was by myself once again. Had a fantastic day. Cleared my mind.



I learned quite a bit that day. I make notes of the screwups I made (which were numerous) so next time I can hopefully do better. I'll post more someday. Very busy right now with work. Sorry I can't respond to everyone. I'm seein' some simply amazing photographs posted lately.

Hope everyone is doing well... all things considered.
:hi:

You can view LARGER versions of these snaparoos by going to the group smugmug site...

http://photogroup.smugmug.com/gallery/643162/2/35187766/Large

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods...

My childhood memories. :) Back in the '50s when I lived there, they used to have these "chuckwagon dinners" in the Garden of the Gods, that were set up like the old west, with beans and barbecue for everyone, and really corny entertainment. Waiting in line there one time with my parents, I witnessed my first epileptic seizure -- scared the hell out of me. Other memories - the Easter sunrise service. Are those three crosses still there? One other time we went to an outdoor symphony there of the 1812 Overture with actual booming cannons. Wow!

Thanks for the memories, F. I hadn't thought about that stuff in a long time.

[F.Gordon]

2. Sorry. Can't answer any of your questions

I didn't come in from the "tourist entrance" and I haven't been to this place since the 70's. Would have been a good time/place for taking candid people shots rather than nature stuff. I just wasn't in a people kinda' mood that day.



Mainly just took snaparoos of Rock Climbers and left.



View larger versions here....

http://photogroup.smugmug.com/gallery/643162/2/35187766/Large

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Yeah, I understand about tourists ...

They're always an issue up here, too ... especially in the summer. I'm sure everything around Colorado Springs has changed a lot since the late '50s, as things have changed everywhere.

[F.Gordon]

4. Impossible to get a shot without people in it

Unless I went WIDE and HIGH into the sun.... which produced some crappy results....



Did get a lot of kewl critter shots that day. This is one of my faves...(my other is a burst sequence I got of a duckie coming in for a landing on the water...will post later... much later)



It looks like DU is going to be at level 3 meltdown for quite some time. Don't know when I'll be back around here. Shouldn't be posting now. If someone could keep a link of the "finals" for the August contest that became the September contest that might end up being the October contest I'd greatly appreciate it. Jus' in case I can't find it when I finally do check back in.

Life has my &#@*% twisted in a tight hold right now. Requires my complete attention.

Bye for now.
:hi: