Diverse Gems Across the Front Range!
Seasons in Transition
Regardless of where it falls on a calendar, I think of Winter as the period of the year after the Autumn leaves have fallen to the ground. The “landscape” will have drastically changed. Of course, astronomer’s calculations are used to dileniate the date on a calendar. The Winter Solstice usually falls on December 21st⏤the shortest day of the year. It may have felt like Winter for a couple of months and we may have already run the snow blower a couple of times by then.
Everything in Perspective: We moved to Colorado in July after 36 years in Jackson Hole, WY. Back in the “old country”, any snow on the ground and definitely snow in the mountains would be part of the landscape until sometime in March. Snow banks could be three to five feet high. Here in Loveland, winter snow can come and go. Knowing it will melt off on warm winter days, the town doesn’t plow neighborhood streets. On some days, even in January, locals can shed their heavy jackets and get away with just a long sleeved shirt! Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/3200 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 500, Handheld
Photos on this page may or may not include snow! The images more or less mirror how people along the Front Range experience winter. Darla and I used to say in jest that we didn’t want to own a boat, we just wanted to know people with boats. Now, living in Loveland, we can say we’ve had enough of the deep winter snow, but we like the idea of living close to places where there can be a lot of snow! On any day, we can drive up the canyon to Estes Park and enjoy a day of real winter, then drive home! Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 329 mm, 1/2500 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ‒ ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 500, Handheld
You know it’s winter when you see subjects covered with the white stuff. Snow changes the landscape by simplifying the scene. Snow usually adds interest and details that let the viewer roam easily thgrough the image. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 293 mm, 1/800 at f/10, Manual Mode, 1 ⁷⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 1600, Handheld
Other scenes like this one , might leave a viewer wondering where this is an early winter photo or a pre-spring photo. Other than the temporary snow falls, not much canges until the trees begin to bud and fill in with leaves. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 150 mm, 1/400 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 200, Handheld
Black and white landscapes can be dramatic, especially when clouds are part of the scene. This was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 107 mm, 1/800 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ‒ ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 200, Handheld
Winter wildlife photography can be sketchy! Some of the animals hibernate, some migrate out of the region, and some move away from the roads. Except for places like the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, the inventory of winter wildlife subjects is considerably leaner than in the spring, summer, and fall. Moose, elk, and deer shed their antlers, usually making them less desirable subjects. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/320 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, 2 EV, Auto ISO 6400, Handheld
A lot of the winter birds are black, brown, white, or gray—or some combination of the group. The rather dull nature of their winter feathers usually work fine in black and white photos. I can find a bit of color in some woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and finches. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/320 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 800, Handheld
Being relatively new to the Colorado’s Front Range, I have been driving around the region, looking for potential subjects. On a snow day, I can go back to them. I photographed this same tractor in the fall when the leaves were yellow. I know I can go back someday when there is soupy fog for a completely different look. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 107 mm, 1/320 at f/7.1, Aperture priority Mode, 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
While back in Jackson Hole, I was a licensed photography tour guide in Grand Teton Nation Park and the National Elk Refuge. Clients came to the area from all over the country, excited to be in a destination resort area to capture the spectacular scenery and wildlife. Some of them never turn their cameras on, or take a photo until they go on vacation. Besides being out of practice and often unprepared, I always thought they were missing out by not capturing the subjects in their home town or county. As some of the images on this page shows, there are worthy subjects everywhere in the country. I enjoying offering the tours because my clients would often see subjects that were fresh and interesting to them that I had passed over for years. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 36 mm, 1/50 at f/6.3, Aperture priority Mode, 1 ⁷⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
My wife surfs the web a lot more than me. She recently saw long thread of posts in which a young local photographer posted photos of this sugar factory here in Loveland. The haters of the world viciously criticized him for taking and posting the photos on Facebook, suggesting the structures were an eyesore and should be scraped to the ground. I assume they would rather see a bunch more condos on the property. It is not a public argument I want to jump into, but I think there can be beauty in about anything. Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 129 mm, 1/2 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Through the rest of the page, I’ll include a wide variety of photos I’ve taken over the past couple of months. There’s no rhyme or reason for the order, nor would I suggest that any of the photos would qualify as “fine art”. I am simply enjoying the quest for what I consider “interesting” subjects. I then try to compose and capture them in a pleasting, artistic way. I hope you enjoy them! Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 62 mm, 1/500 at f/6.3, Manual Mode, 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 1600, Handheld
Railroad Crossing Lights – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 200 mm, 1/160 at f/8, Manual Mode, ‒ 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 100, Handheld
Grain Elevator and Tracks – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 225 mm, 1/1250 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ‒ ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Church Bell Tower and Shadows – Ft. Collins: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports 018 at 79 mm, 1/1250 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, 0 EV, Auto ISO 250, Handheld
Pine Bows – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 89 mm, 1/640 at f/6.3, Aperture priority Mode, ⁷⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Antennas – Longmont: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 150 mm, 1/2000 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Car on a Roof – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/160 at f/8, Manual Mode, ‒ 2 EV, Auto ISO 100, Handheld
Wild Turkey – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 341 mm, 1/3200 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, 1 ⁷⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 5000, Handheld
Warehouse Door – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 37 mm, 1/640 at f/4.5, Manual Mode, 1 EV, Auto ISO 500, Handheld
Windmill – Longmont: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 270 mm, 1/2000 at f/5.6, Manual Mode, ‒ 2 EV, Auto ISO 100, Handheld
Chevy Truck – Masonville: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/6.3, Manual Mode, 1 EV, Auto ISO 2500, Handheld
Railroad Crossing Gate and Shadows – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 86 mm, 1/500 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, 0 EV, Auto ISO 100, Handheld.
Winter Barn – Ft. Collins: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 46 mm, 1/30 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, 2 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 200, Handheld
Morning Fog – Loveland: Fog can hide distant elements that can be distracting without it. It softens noises and creates layers.
Dodge Truck – Longmont: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 150 mm, 1/800 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Winter Ridge – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 83 mm, 1/640 at f/6.3, Aperture priority Mode, 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Fence Line – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/3200 at f/6.3, Manual Mode, ⁷⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 1000, Handheld
Winding Rural Roads – Longmont: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 89 mm, 1/2500 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 400, Handheld
Tree Trunks and Shadows – Rocky Mounrtain National Park: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 273 mm, 1/800 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ‒ ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 640, Handheld
Wigeon in Flight – Ft. Collins: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/3200 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 500, Handheld
Fire Hydrant – Ft. Collins: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 110 mm, 1/60 at f/8, Aperture priority Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 200, Handheld
Coyote – Rocky Mountain National Park: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/800 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 4000, Handheld
Weather Vane – Ft. Collins: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports 018 at 600 mm, 1/1250 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ‒ ⁷⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 320, Handheld
Gable and Cupola: Downtown Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 600 mm, 1/160 at f/8, Manual Mode, ‒ 2 EV, Auto ISO 100, Handheld
Fence Detail – Longmont: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 143 mm, 1/60 at f/7.1, Aperture priority Mode, 1 EV, Auto ISO 320, Handheld
Double Doors – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 91 mm, 1/500 at f/6.3, Manual Mode, 1 ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 1250, Handheld
Historic 4th Street – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Tamron E 35-150mm F2.0-F2.8 A058 at 36 mm, 1/1000 at f/7.1, Manual Mode, ‒ 3 EV, Auto ISO 100, Handheld
Devil’s Backbone from the West Side – Loveland: Shooting Data: Sony A1 ILCE-1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS at 306 mm, 1/3200 at f/6.3, Manual Mode, ³⁄₁₀ EV, Auto ISO 800, Handheld