people: December 2008 Archives

FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL--

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED IN THE MOST PERSISTENT BANDS WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW... SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AND WHITEOUTS FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME.

Yep, it's winter, and in the Buffalo area that means blowing snow. The current storm is creating drifts that sometimes force making narrow paths--clearing entire surfaces come later. Even here, where snow storms are as common as pigeons, snowblowers and snow plows are having a hard time keep up.

That creates problems for photographers. Snow can 'fry' a digital camera in a minute, because if a flake or two melts into the wrong crevice, you'll spend the holidays learning to use a new camera.

Wipe the camera dry immediately, use a plastic bag to protect it if it's windy or snowing.

As for taking the pictures, stand with your back to the wind, expect a blue cast. Better yet, unless there's a good reason to be outside in the blizzard, wait until the storm is over. That's pretty obvious, but the snow will still be there tomorrow.

Longwood Gardens is known for its horticultural beauties, but this time of year, the lights of the holiday shine.

The Christmas lights are switched on there until January 11, and if you've never seen the display, it's a place you ought to visit. Weekends are jammed with crowds on weekends, so try to get free on a weekday. Visit the conservatory first to see the trees fountains and flowers--be sure to check the cranberry pond in the lower picture-- but once the sun goes down, just wander in wonder at the lights. And the nightly musical fountain concert.

No tripods are allowed except with special permission from the management, so for some of your shots, take along a bean bag and perch your camera on that for the time exposures you'll probably need. For more information about tripods and photography in the gardens, click here.

The picture at top was a 1.5 second exposure at about f11, flashed to light up Richard and Jennylynn Adleta of Kennett Square, Pa. As they walked under the arch of blue lights, the flash illuminated them, and I zoomed a 17-55 mm lens to create the 'motion'. It's tricky balancing the flash with the lights, and to zoom without creating blue tracks over their faces. I took dozens of shots, mostly because people went to great pains to get out of the picture-- and therefore ruined the picture.

They didn't understand that I wanted people in the photo. Understandable. 'Tis amazing how people are so considerate... Fortunately for me, some people didn't see me lurking in the dark until I blinded them with the flash.

Yep, it's a 'gimmicky' shot, but it's different, and worked. What do you think?