photography

All posts tagged photography

A river out of the lake

Posted by Photonstopper on February 28, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: ice, lake erie, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, weather, winter. 2 Comments

Broken Ice

I’ve been tremendously busy lately, the annual bicycle events calendar project gobbling up as much time as I could give. So it was with great pleasure I was able to spend some time outdoors today shooting under a brilliant clear sky. This morning my subject was steaming waters flowing over an ice-enshrouded dam (at -3F), and at midday I visited the lake. I’m still recording the changing scene along the south shore of Lake Erie as we move toward the spring season. Since my last visit there, the winds and waters have piled the ice even higher over the sandy shoreline. Some of the beached ice plates have fractured and fallen, opening crevasses large enough to catch the legs of careless climbers. The sky today was clear and intensely blue highlighting the rough, barren expanse of ice. A good way offshore, a narrow passage has formed, a split between the lake’s ice cover and that attached to the shore. The gap forms river out of the lake.

Cloud shadow

Posted by Photonstopper on February 15, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: clouds, ice, lake erie, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, sun, weather, winter. Leave a comment

Photo: Snowy ice covers Lake Erie while shadows of clouds cross the plain. Photo by James Guilford.

Cloud Shadow

Lake Erie today looked every bit the arctic or Antarctic desert. As far as could be seen to the north was a vast expanse of brilliantly lit snow-covered ice. Close to shore, shards of broken ice plate piled up a bit, accentuated by drifts of wind-driven snow. Here and there were dark patches, scudding across the white plain; they were the shadows of clouds floating above and behind me. Air moved across the lake as well and at 16F, bit hard my face and hands.

A snow-desolate beach

Posted by Photonstopper on February 7, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: clouds, ice, lake erie, nature, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, snow, weather, winter. 1 Comment

Photo: Piles of broken ice, covered with snow, under a blue sky along the south shore of Lake Erie. Photo by James Guilford.

Snow-Desolate Beach

While I love the recent moody scenes I’ve seen and recorded along the lake shore, today was different. As I’ve said, the way the lake appears changes all of the time. Today brought sunny, blue skies decorated with sprays of cloud and it was beautiful… if still terribly cold. By the time I completed a 25-minute photo session this early afternoon, my gloved fingertips hurt! I had to hold my bare hands in front of the car’s heat vents as I drove away to relieve the pain. I captured many images of the lake, the sky, ice, and snow in the short space of time. Here’s one of my favorites.

Winter glower: between storms over Lake Erie

Posted by Photonstopper on February 2, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: Canon G11, clouds, lake erie, nature, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, weather, winter. Leave a comment

Photo: Glowering clouds over icy Lake Erie. Photo by James Guilford.

Winter Glower

Unusually, I stopped by the lakefront for a second time in a weekend. We were between winter storms this afternoon and travels gave me the opportunity to stop and take in the scene. A cold wind was coming in from the north and clouds glowered overhead. Out over Lake Erie, dark streamers connected clouds and open waters — snow, no doubt — against an eerie backround of colored light. We did not stay long.

Photo: Dark skies dominate view of lakefront park. Photo by James Guilford.

Walk in the Park

Icewaves: changes seen

Posted by Photonstopper on January 31, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: clouds, ice, lake erie, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, weather, winter. Leave a comment

Photo: Lake Erie at the End of January 2014. Photo by James Guilford.

Icewaves: Lake Erie at the End of January 2014

I wouldn’t mind living near Lake Erie; I mean, living really close to the lake. Most probably don’t notice that it’s different every day. Differences may be quite subtle but they’re there. The shape, darkness, and color of the clouds changes all the time, sometimes rapidly and sometimes almost imperceptibly. The lake, even when frozen, reflects changes in lighting over its vast canvas. I go look at our nearest Great Lake whenever I can and am never disappointed. Sometimes the sights can be awe-inspiring. Sometimes the view is calming. The lake is always changing and I am glad to be able to see it.

A good dose of spiritual tonic

Posted by Photonstopper on January 26, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: metroparks, nature, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, weather, winter. 3 Comments

Photo: Crossed timbers on the ground in the woods. Photo by James Guilford.

The Spot

I was feeling rather out-of-sorts today. Between work commitments and some fairly severe weather, it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to get out and enjoy the winter scenery. Today started out with that old “trapped” feeling — call it cabin fever — but as the snow stopped (for a while) and the temperature rose to a toasty 15F, we made our escape. Visiting the beautiful Brecksville Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks was a life-giving tonic. Deep, pristine snow covered the ground and evergreens. Snow lined the branches of winter-bare trees. Chippewa Creek, deep within its rocky gorge, was ice and snow covered, softening its rugged beauty. Soft light filled the quiet woods. We trudged along a path breathing in the clean, cold air, soaking in the beauty of the day. Camera in hand, I shot a few photos along the way (more than I thought … 90+ pictures) and that contributed to the experience. We couldn’t stay out for long, as She Who Must Be Obeyed was getting painfully-cold toes, but it was long enough: a good dose of spiritual tonic.

The Thinker?

Posted by Photonstopper on January 17, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: annie, cats, iPad photography, photograph, photography. Leave a comment

I usually don’t post iPad/iPod photos here but this one is just too fun! Annie was particularly interesting, settling in on a window-side ottoman. She pawed open the blinds for a better view, did a little sprucing up, and struck this pose. Write your own caption (this picture is ripe for that) but Annie looks lost in thought… The Thinker?

Moonrise: Into the darkening void

Posted by Photonstopper on January 14, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: astronomy, moon, moonrise, nature, northeastern ohio, photograph, photography, sun, sunset, winter. 2 Comments

Photo: The Moon rises into the space between trees on a January evening. Photo by James Guilford.

Moonrise into the Void

The waxing Gibbous Moon rises between trees of bare branches. Look closely and you will see that this is not a Full Moon — the lower-left portion of the disk is slightly darker, slightly irregular compared with the rest. In about two days Luna will shine brilliant and appear as a perfect circle … if our skies allow us to see!

Meanwhile, in the west, the Sun disappears in red-orange glory.

Photo: Sunset behind trees. Photo by James Guilford.

Sun Sets Abandoning the Sky

Gloom and ice

Posted by Photonstopper on January 12, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: clouds, mood, nature, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, weather, winter. 4 Comments

Photo: Ice piled on a Lake Erie beach. Photo by James Guilford.

Gloom and Ice Close In

Gloom and ice pile ashore on a cold day in January. Mountains of fractured lake were pushed on to the beach by strong winds. Low clouds, colored with despair, fill the sky and soul. An other-worldly stage is set by the forces of nature. Close your coat tight. Turn your back to the ice world. Seek shelter. Gloom and ice close in.

Toughing it out

Posted by Photonstopper on January 7, 2014

Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: birds, nature, northeastern ohio, ohio, photograph, photography, polar vortex, survival, weather, wildlife, winter. 2 Comments

Photo: American Robin on a frigid winter's day. Photo by James Guilford.

Bracing Against the Cold

It has been a rough day or two for those of us affected by the blast of frigid air ushered in by the “polar vortex.” These are also tough times for wildlife, often determining who survives into springtime. Today someone excitedly called my attention to a flock of American Robins. A dozen or so birds had gathered near some windows; they were alternately picking fruit from neighboring Hawthorne trees and sheltering themselves from the brutal wind along the building’s wall. A thaw is coming in a couple of days. I hope the birds can tough it out ’til then.

Photo: A group of American Robins sheltering against frigid winter temperatures. Photo by James Guilford.

Sheltering American Robins

PhotonStopper

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