Dan Perovich's Cyberfront Property

1/30 sec @ f/1.8, ISO 800, 50 mm (EF50mm f/1.8 II)  I got a new lens!

With the imminent arrival of my fiancée’s third nephew over the next few days, we both agreed it was a perfect reason to add a “super” fast lens to my camera bag.  At only $100, the Canon EF 50MM f/1.8 II was the perfect option.  Sure, I would have rather had the 50mm f/1.4, or even the the f/1.2L, but at $100, it is tough to justify buying the the f/1.4 for four times the price or the f/1.2L at sixteen times the price.

Being that I bought the lens to be able to take pictures of my fiancée’s new nephew without using a flash, I gave the lens a go in our family room with only the TV and corner light turned on.  I shot everything at f/1.8 to see the results.

For the most part, the pictures were out of focus.  At f/1.8, the depth of field is so shallow that I have to be extra careful with my focus.  I was able to get a handful of in focus pictures.  None of them were as sharp as I have heard this lens can make them.  Though, I read that you have to be shooting at f/2.8 or above to get the full sharpness.

I am looking forward to using this lens going forward.  I certainly see using it in future strobist-type shots.

1/50 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 200 mm (EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM) I went to my first rodeo tonight.  What a blast.  Seeing the bull riding and barrel racing on TV does not do these events justice.  The raw power of the bulls and the insanity of the bull riders for getting on their backs is unmatched in person.

Before the festivities started though, all the bull riders and bull handlers took a knee and said a prayer.  From my spot up on a small hill at ringside, I was not able to catch the full line of 15 bull riders during the prayer.  However, I was able to make today’s photograph showing three of the riders and the rodeo clown.

The rest of the evening proved to be a challenge to get good shots.  The 70-200mm lens I was using had a maximum aperture of f/4.  In order to capture the action, I had to crank the ISO up to 1600 on my XSi.  This is something the XSi was not really designed for.  At ISO 1600, all the photos came back with a substantial amount of noise when viewed 1:1.  On the back of the camera, they looked good, but not so much on my monitor at home.

Next time I shoot a rodeo, I plan to get a more optimal spot at ring side.  Then, I may be able to use the 430 EXII flash to be able to stop the motion and eliminate the noise.  I will also be sure to reread Nicole Young’s “Rodeo – Part I” blog posting.

I have a few other pictures that I am planning to share.  When I upload them to Flickr, I will add them below.

1/160 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 800, 200 mm (EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM)  Today was the first big event at the Loudoun County fair in Leesburg, VA.  I left the house an hour before the demolition derby was to start.  I had 7 miles to travel from my house.  However, it took me 45 minutes to finally get parked at the fair due the traffic!  When I finally made my way to the horse ring where the derby was to take place, I was shocked to see that it was PACKED!  Luckily, I was able to get a spot a bit up on the hill so that I could get an angle for my photographs that went over the heads of everyone sitting in front of me.

This was my first demolition derby, so I did not know what to expect.  A few weeks back I read an article by Nicole Young titled, “Rodeo – Part I” in which Nicole talked about not having the best equipment for the light conditions at the rodeo.  I figured that I was going to have the same experience at the demolition derby, so I was prepared.  Luckily though, I was able to make use of the light what was left at 8pm to capture some good photographs of the action.

In today’s photograph, you see one of the cars involved in the first round of the derby.  While the photo is nothing earth shattering, I though the subject was quite funny.  The “Hey Girls!!” sprayed painted on the hood of the drivers car brings a smile to my face.  It is as if the driver is really saying, “Hey Girls!!  Come check out my fly ride.  Do you want to head out to Makeout Point after the derby?  If we’re lucky, we’ll still be able to take my car.”

Below are two other pictures from the night.  As always, click on them to be transported to Flickr were you can see them in several sizes.

1/25 sec at f/16, ISO 800, 49mm (EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS)  I had one item on this month’s Flickr group scavenger hunt list to photography before today.  The item was “ant’s eye view”.  I tried to knock this one off the list several times so far this month, but I always ended up with lack luster images.  Today I had a few shots in mind that I wanted to take down by Goose Creek Golf Club in Leesburg.  Right next to the course is a small park consisting of the old Goose Creek Bridge and access to both sides of the creek below.  Yards down the river is where the new Goose Creek bridges stand.  These new bridges are HUGE.  Each one carries 3 lanes of Route 7 traffic.  The goal was to take an ant’s eye view of these bridges from somewhere underneath. 

As you can tell, I did not get the shot I wanted today.  I was a bit rushed since I waited until the end of the day to go out and shoot.  I also was not prepared to lay on the wet shores of the creek to be able to frame the picture the way that I wanted to.  Instead, I relied on the Live View function of my XSi to try and frame the picture while kneeling down.

However, I was still able to cross the final item off my list.  Today’s picture is of only a small number of the shells that line the shores of the creek in this particular spot.  It is amazing how many of these shells are in This area.  I did not know this type of shell fish lived in fresh water.  After I did some research online, I found there is indeed such a thing as fresh water shellfish.  There is even a species called the Zebra Mussel which endangers the local environment and should be reported the proper government department.

Do you think these look like Zebra Mussels?  Should I report them?

1/400 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 200, 70 mm (EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM)  After the Dave Matthews Band concert, my friends and I stayed the night at the Days Inn at Hershey.  This morning, before piling into the car for the two hour ride home, I pulled out the camera to take a few pictures of the Hershey Kiss street lamps which line the streets.  I remember these street lamps from when I was a kid and my parents took my brother, sister, and me to Hershey Park.  In the few times that I have been back to the park since my childhood, I had never seen them again, until today.

1/250 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 200, 70 mm (EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM)  Today was the Dave Matthews Band concert in Hershey Park.  After arriving at the parking lot, we set up a tailgating tent, some chairs and the grilling necessities.  We chatted and ate chips and burgers like we had not eaten in days.  Then, the skies turned black!

It was obvious what was heading our way.  If the dark gray clouds on the horizon did not tip anyone off what was about to happen, the thunder and lighting sure did.  To make a long story short, our little group put on a show for everyone sitting in their cars during the storm.  We decided to lower the tent halfway and ride out the storm underneath.  It took a lot of energy just to keep the tent from being blown away.  30 minutes later, the storm was gone and we were soaked.

Today’s picture is from about 45 minutes after the storm finished.  A much more interesting picture would have been the three police cars and six police officers busting a tailgate a few cars down for underage drinking and providing alcoholic beverages to a minor.

1/4sec @ f/11, ISO 200, 18 mm (EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS)  Today I decided to play around with capturing motion in my photography.  My goal was to capture a completely blurred background with in focus and sharp feet and legs.  I got close, but could not get exactly what I was hoping for.  It was very difficult to concentrate on taking a picture and not falling off of the swing at the same time!