Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Posted by Steve Greer & filed under Uncategorized.

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Forest, Virginia (Steve Greer / SteveGreerPhotography.com)

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Forest, Virginia (Steve Greer / SteveGreerPhotography.com)

Along the mountain ridges in the Shenandoah National Park this summer, I met some intrepid thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. They began their journey in Georgia and were going to arrive in Maine in the fall, a distance of over 2,000 miles.

I saw this chance meeting as an opportunity to learn what they have learnt, and to try to document the freedom and adventure of their quest. They inspired me to remember to take some time to shed the trivial distractions, and the busyness that can so consume us in our modern lives – to stay in the moment, to simplify.

The low light conditions and rolling fog added to the mystery of this backcountry, and the challenge to have enough light to photograph. With my 35mm lens at f2.8 and ISO at 800, my shutter speed was 1/15 sec – not quite enough to freeze the action of the hikers moving on the trail. Mounting the camera on the tripod, I asked them to walk very slowly, and even freeze in mid-step in order to achieve critical focus.

If by chance you’re out on the trail this summer and happen to see them at a trailhead, open up your picnic basket, or fire up the grill at your Winnebago and offer them some tasty vittles. They will be most grateful.

To see more images of these hikers visit my website

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Forest, Virginia (Steve Greer / SteveGreerPhotography.com)

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Forest, Virginia (Steve Greer / SteveGreerPhotography.com)

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Forest, Virginia (Steve Greer / SteveGreerPhotography.com)

Hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Forest, Virginia (Steve Greer / SteveGreerPhotography.com)

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Reptile Photo Shoot

Posted by Steve Greer & filed under Uncategorized, Wildlife.

Bearded Dragon, eating an insect (Steve Greer)

Bearded Dragon, eating an insect (Steve Greer)

On a recent photo assignment a client wanted an action shot of a reptile catching an insect.  The concept was to illustrate the speed and accuracy of an animal that dates back to the age of dinosaurs.  Talk about great design.

This lizard, with it’s beautiful arrow-shaped head and spiny points, and scales along the skin of the throat made it an ideal subject to photograph.  The “beard” in the dragon’s name comes from it’s ability to flare out it’s throat to scare off potential predators.

The tongue of a lizard is covered in a thick mucus, which sticks to the prey, and allows the dragon to draw the tongue, with prey attached, back into their mouths for eating.

Because the reptile flicks it’s sticky tongue out to snare their prey faster than the human eye can see, high speed strobes were needed.

Setting my flashes to high speed sync, and my camera to it’s maximum flash sync speed of 1/250 of a second, my settings were ISO 100, 84mm, f16, 1/1000sec.

My three 550EX flashes had no problem keeping up with my settings and the lightening fast tongue strikes.  It was my reflexes on the shutter that made the photo shoot go into overtime.  Thank goodness this cooperative lizard had a healthy appetite.

Bearded Dragon, eating an insect (Steve Greer)

Bearded Dragon, eating an insect (Steve Greer)

This cricket didn’t stand a chance.

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Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis

Posted by Steve Greer & filed under Butterflies.

Monarch Butterfly emerging from it's chrysalis

Monarch Butterfly emerging from it's chrysalis

 

I had a chance to photograph this caterpillar spin it’s chrysalis and then 10 days later, watch it emerge as a monarch butterfly.

During the 10 days it looked like nothing was happening  inside the shell.  But it was a time of rapid change.  For within the protective covering, the old body parts of the caterpillar underwent a remarkable transformation, called metamorphosis, to become the beautiful parts that made up the butterfly.

From the time when the butterfly breaks free of it’s sleeping bag to when the wings are inflated and begin to dry, takes approximately 12 minutes.  So without a crystal ball, on the ninth day, I set up my own sleeping bag next to the caterpillars’ and wait.  I don’t dare sleep.  I’ve watched paint dry and grass grow, but not being able to examine the inside of my eyelids was not fun.  But then it happened.  Miraculous!

This is a time lapse photo over those 10 days.  Each individual image was then stitched together in PhotoShop, and put together as a montage.

To learn more about these amazing flying flowers and what you can do to help ensure their survival, visit the good folks at Pollination Station.

And to see more photos of monarch butterflies, visit my website.

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Winter Mountain Climbing – don’t look down

Posted by Steve Greer & filed under Alaska, Denali National Park, Landscapes, Mountain Climbing.

Mountain Climbing, Ruth Glacier, Denali National Park

Mountain climbing, especially in winter is an exciting and challenging sport.

 Evaluating the amount of loose snow and ice on a rock face, and anticipating the ever-changing weather conditions while sucking high altitude air, can influence the next spot you decide to plant your ice axe.

 Looking up, a climber’s technical knowledge, fitness level, hydration intake, and body temperature, all have to be evaluated properly to match the degree the tectonic plates clashed millions of years ago.

 I always marvel at the skill of a climber who is also the photographer. They carry the same gear, plus their camera gear, hold onto the same rock face, and then scale to a vantage point that will make a compelling image.

 Yet, as a spectator, appearances can be deceiving.  I’ve included the accompanying photograph below to illustrate how composition and focal length can make an easy technical climb look like something more precarious.   One climber, one “well positioned” photographer….. and one wide angle lens.

 Side note:  Just off camera there was an assistant holding my cup of coffee.

 For more image of  Mountain Climbing visit my website  

Photographing a mountain climber, Ruth Glacier, Denali National Park

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The New Jersey State House

Posted by Steve Greer & filed under New Jersey State House, New Jersey Tourism.

The New Jersey State House Rotunda

Located in the heart of Trenton, the New Jersey State House is history come alive. It is the nation’s second oldest capitol in continuous use, the first being in Maryland

Its rotunda and145-foot dome was an essential keystone image for my latest book entitled

“Our New Jersey”

Because I wanted maximum depth of field to capture all the details in the foreground and the background, I dialed in an aperture of  f/16.  And being pressed so close to the sheer size of the space, I needed a 16mm wide angle lens.  With my ISO set at 100, my faithful light meter advised me the sensor required a 15 sec. exposure.  Ok, break out the sturdy tripod with a cable release, and be thankful for the unshakable solid marble floor.

All under the watchful eye of Abraham Lincoln’s bronze statue, sitting squarely in the center of the rotunda, it’s  a wonderful introduction on your way to the gallery to watch the New Jersey Senators, Assemblymen, and Governors making the laws of the state.

Side note:  In 1999, the dome was covered with 48,000 pieces of gold leaf. Each piece of gold leaf cost $1.00 and was paid for with money raised by New Jersey school kids through the “Dimes for the Dome” program. As a thank you for their contributions, the dome stands in honor of New Jersey children.

For more image of the State House visit my website

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