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Urban Black and Whites

Submitted by: Mark on Sat, 2007-06-23 19:51.

I've done very few black and white conversions of my digital pictures in the past. Recently a friend of mine, Jim, from the local brew pub showed me some black and white shots he's done with 4x5 field camera, and it inspired me to go out and shoot with black and white conversions in mind.

» read more | Mark's blog

VanRensselaer Lodge No. 87 Officer Installation

Submitted by: Mark on Sun, 2007-06-17 20:13.

At our last meeting in May VanRensselaer Lodge No. 87 installed our new officers for the current year. A good friend of mine, David Neidrauer was installed as Worshipful Master. It was great seeing this occur. David is the first of a young group of Masons taking leadership roles in our lodge.

» read more | Mark's blog

Experimental Dance Photos

Submitted by: Mark on Sun, 2007-06-17 19:47.

I've been taking photos of dancing for some time now. While at a wedding a few weeks ago I snapped a photo of the couple dancing and had a slow shutter speed. This resulted in a wonderful image, with some motion blur, but other parts of the photo being sharp. At a recent dance night I sought to duplicate the effect. It takes some patience, and getting just the right shutter speed. I haven't mastered the skill yet, but here are a few attempts at it.

Here's the photo from the wedding that got me started on this:

» read more | Mark's blog

A Rock Garden Afternoon

Submitted by: Mark on Sun, 2007-06-17 15:27.

We went to Goshen to spend time with Sylva's Dad and Step-Mom for her birthday. (Happy Birthday Libby!)

Libby keeps an amazing rock garden. It really has to be seen to be appreciated. I headed out with our EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens and took some flower photos. All of these are hand-held with my 1D Mark II.

» read more | Mark's blog

Grand Lodge of Wisconsin F&AM Annual Session

Submitted by: Mark on Sun, 2007-06-17 14:46.

Earlier this month I had the honor and privilege of being the Personal Representative of the Most Worshipful Neal I. Bidnick, Grand Master of Mason in the State of New York, to the annual session of the Grand Lodge of Wisonsin Free and Accepted Masons.

This was my first opportunity attending a Grand Session outside of my home jurisdiction of New York. I truly enjoyed the session. The Grand Master of Wisconsin, Most Worshipful Rodney Paulsen conducted the session with great joy and dignity. It was truly a pleasure.

» read more | Mark's blog

Masters Lodge Number 5 Installation of Officers

Submitted by: Mark on Sat, 2007-05-26 00:49.

On May 14, 2007 Masters Lodge Number 5 Free & Accepted Masons held its election and installation of officers for the ensuing year. My congratulation to all of the new officers, and in particular to R.·. W.·. Robert Walenta on his election as Master of the Lodge. Here's to a great year.

» read more | Mark's blog

New Lenses

Submitted by: Mark on Wed, 2007-05-16 02:27.

It's that time of year. It seems that in the spring I add lenses to my collection. In '05 it was a 50mm f/1.8, in '06 it was a 100mm f/2.8 Macro and a 17-40 f/4L. This year I added the Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS, and the EF 70-200 f/4L IS. These are both incredible lenses. I haunted the local brew pub, and hounded the cats for a few pics.

» read more | Mark's blog

Wool Gathering

Submitted by: Mark on Sat, 2006-10-28 16:40.

Sometimes you stumble upon something that takes you back in time. In past times this would frequently occur in an attic, or old closet that someone was cleaning out. For me this happens when I change computers. I just got a new laptop, and I'm moving into it, after migrating all of my files over.

In this process I happened on an old QuickTime movie I made with photos from the first year of having my Canon Digital Rebel. Take a look (10MB). I thought I had posted it on this site, but apparently I hadn't. This video covers Septmber 2003 to September 2004.

» read more | Mark's blog

Torrey XI

Submitted by: Mark on Sat, 2006-08-19 02:38.

I've finally gotten my files from Torrey XI to the point where I wanted them. So, here's the gallery. This was an amazing trip. More to come in the near future.

  

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Cream of the Crop

Submitted by: Mark on Sat, 2006-08-19 02:33.

I track my photos with iPhoto and I have been rating them since the beginning. Here are my five star favorites.

  

View the gallery: Five Stars
This gallery is well edited.
Canon Digital Rebel (300D)
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon EF 70-210 f/4