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Photo: Contrails and the moon over Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

It was interesting to see four contrails and the moon converge over Batavia tonight. This is my attempt to capture that moment.

Howard B. Owens

I'm looking forward to the photographic possibilities of snow.

I didn't get my D-90 until December last year and I've learned a lot more about photography since last winter ... I spent all winter looking forward to spring for picture taking possibilities, now I'm looking forward to winter.

Nov 21, 2010, 11:02am Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Yeah, Bea I am feeling better. :) I couldn't be electrified even over great visual stimulation until today.

If I were to break down everything that I like about this photograph on a compositional basis:
- great vertical,horizontal and diagonal lines keep the eye and interest in the photograph.
- Classic contrast of colors crossing directly through the color wheel.
- interesting perspective drawing the eye to the vanishing point at the end of the street.
- a battle between the moon and the closest street light that adds just the right amount of visual tension.

Nov 21, 2010, 2:32pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Lorie, thanks for the critique.

My knowledge of color is novice at best right now. I have some color theory (doing web development as long as I have, you're going to pick up some color theory, plus some of the photography books I've been reading cover it), but in this case, the color is a happy accident rather than planned.

As for the composition -- I did wander around the street with my tripod quite a bit before picking the spot. I was thinking more about how the contrails and the phone lines complimented each other and converged. Since I couldn't get the lines out of the photo, I had to find a way to make them a part of the photo. I'm sure the two middle school kids riding their bikes on and off Thorpe thought I was some kook.

The lens flare works in this case, helping to draw that line from the moon to the street light, but I tried to eliminate it when I was shooting ... couldn't, so decided to live with it. If the flares of the moon and the light, didn't align, it would be a very different picture, I imagine.

It was shot at 18mm / F8 / 20 seconds. Some color balance and contrast correction done in PhotoShop.

One of the challenges of photography that I enjoy is to take a busy scene and create a composition that imposes some order.

Nov 21, 2010, 3:00pm Permalink
George Richardson

Perspective is everything Howard. If no one thinks you are a kook then you have failed. You are not failing and I think you are Kookie Gilcrestish. I like that, 77 Sunset Strip. That's in Cali!

Nov 21, 2010, 3:26pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

You definately have a natural eye for it Howard, just a suggestion though, with so many beautiful shots of our local area.

I have a photographer friend in Ithaca Dewey Nield who took to specializing in the Finger Lakes Waterfalls. He began making calendars that have become VERY popular. Everyone needs a calendar, I bet if you made some selections and put together one it would be very popular.

Just a thought :)

Nov 21, 2010, 7:36pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Thank you.

I was going to do a barn calendar this year, but don't think I can afford the initial print run cost before the end of December, so maybe next year.

Nov 22, 2010, 7:28am Permalink
C. M. Barons

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Nov 22, 2010, 10:35am Permalink

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