Israel Putnam Monument - Day 60

ISO100, f/11, 1/500th sec

 This is a monument to Israel Putnam who was a general in the American Revolutionary War. He fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker during the early part of the war. He died here in Brooklyn in 1790 and is buried nearby the monument. The monument is located right along route 169 in Brooklyn and is worth a stop to see it. This is my second of five hundred monuments I want to capture.

Stained Glass Window - Day 59

ISO 100, f/11, 1/500th sec

 Stained glass windows are one of those features on a church that are very hard to capture in B&W. The lighting has to be just right or you more often than not want to be shooting the image from inside the church. However, all my images are exterior photos and the light was almost perfect the morning I took the image at the Creation Church in Thompson. I was lucky to capture the wonderful details in this window. This is the 15th of 100 churched I want to photograph.

Steeple with Windvane - Day 58

ISO 100, f/11, 1/250th sec

 The steeple and windvane were my favorite subjects on a recent photography stop at the First Baptist Church in North Stonington. This shot was taken from the rear of the church looking forward. I decided to process this photo using an antique finish and a vignette to focus your attention to the steeple and windvane. This is number 14 of 100 churches I want to photograph here in eastern Connecticut.   

Six Windows - Day 57

ISO 100, f/11, 1/180th sec

 This set of six windows was found on a small building located at the First Baptist Church in North Stonington. With the snow on the roof and small piles in the lower corners of the windows I decided to use a cool high key processing technique. I am very fond of this technique for highlighting the season and the color of the building. This is my 3rd architecture photo of 100 I want to capture.

Into The Fog - Day 56

ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/1000th sec

 Foggy mornings are just great for creating moody and mysterious photos like the one I captured here. I used the railroad tracks to draw your eye into the distance fog but then the tracks disappear into the mist. I also use a vignette to darken the edges of the photo to keep your eye focused even more on the tracks and fog.

Plainfield WWII Monument - Day 55

ISO 800, f/4.0, 1/3000th sec

 The Plainfield World War II monument is my first of five hundred images I want to capture of military history and veteran memorials. I think it's important to remember all the veterans that served this country and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.  This monument is located on a small green near the town Hall. An M-5 Stuart light tank from WWII is on display at the location as well.

Stonewall in the Snow - Day 54

ISO 100, f/11, 1/180th sec

  This scene was captured in the late afternoon which really drew out the textures throughout the image. The shadows in the snow really helped in that aspect. This was taken after one of the few snow falls we had in the area this year. I also like the contrast between the hard stonewall and the soft snow.

A Set of Windows - Day 53

ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/45th sec

 Here is another image from St. Catherine's church in Preston City. My attraction to architectural details includes windows and doors. In most cases I look for a set of windows to reinforce repeating patterns and lines like the set above. I also used a low key approach in the digital darkroom to help darken the windows and overall mood of the shot. This is my 2nd out of 100 architecture images I want to create for my bucket list.

Check out my complete list under the page "The List".

Double Cross Entrance - Day 52

ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/45th sec

 This double cross doorway is the main entrance to St. Catherine's Church in Preston City. I used a different technique in the digital darkroom to get the worn and antique feel to the image. I have trying several different styles lately on my images. This one worked out well in my opinion because I believe it helps highlight the cross windows on the doors. This is my 13th of 100 churches I want to capture.

Preston City Steeple - Day 51

ISO 100, f/11, 1/180th sec

 This steeple is on the Congregational Church in Preston City. Though I have driven by this church numerous times, I finally stopped to capture it with my camera. The sky was overcast so I used the bare trees on the right to help break up the background, but I also used the tree as a framing technique. This is my 12th church image I have created in my search for 100 churches in eastern Connecticut.

Butts Bridge by Drone - Day 50

ISO 100, f/1.7, 1/200th sec

 Butts Bridge is an area where I do a lot of practice flights with my drone. It allows me to fly up and down the Quinebaug River and take some nice images as well. The DJI Mini 3 Pro has several different camera settings and offers a couple of panorama presets. In this case a selected the standard pano mode and took this photo. 

Waterfalls at Pachaug Pond - Day 49

ISO 200, f/8.0, 1/180th sec

 In this shot of the waterfalls at Pachaug Pond I used a faster shutter speed than I normally do to try and freeze the water in motion. It still gives you the sense of motion but adds a lot of details through the image. Everywhere in the image you have texture and patterns as well. This is the 8th aquatic image I have posted out of the 100 I am aiming for to complete that goal on The List.

Wiley Schoolhouse Windows - Day 48

ISO 160, f/8.0, 1/125th sec

 I am drawn to older buildings and the Wiley Schoolhouse is one of those. It was a one room schoolhouse that is now a historic classified location. I have photographed it a few times always looking for a fresh perspective and in this case I capture these three windows. The view actually goes through and out to the other set of windows as well. This is the first of one hundred unique architecture images I want to create.

Rocks in The Natchaug - Day 47

ISO 100, f/8.0, 0.5 sec

 This photo of a rock in the Natchaug River is my 7th of 100 aquatic images I want to create for my 70 by 70 project. The half second shutter speed still allowed for enough details in the water to give it a sense of motion. It also produced numerous diagonal lines in the image to enhance that effect as well.  

A Set of Windows - Day 46

ISO 100, f/11, 1/90th sec

 This set of windows was also found on the Moosup United Methodist church. Part of what I like to do is try different styles working in my digital darkroom. In this case I used a cool tone in the overall image creation and added a border with some unique markings. In most cases when I add a border I prefer a small black one to help highlight my B&W photos. However, in this case I like this particularly like this one.

Steeple and Clockface - Day 45

ISO 100, f/11, 1/250th sec

 The Moosup United Methodist church steeple with its clock face is today's subject. There wasn't a cloud in the sky when I took the shot as you can see so I decided to include the large cedar tree on the right side of the image. I also darken the sky a bit to highlight the weathered look of the steeple as well. This is the 11th church I have photographed out of my goal of 100 here in eastern Connecticut. 

Rocks and Leaves - Day 44

ISO 2000, f/8.0, 1/180th sec

  In this closeup photo I used the hickory leaf as a focal point. However, I like all the textures, patterns and shadows throughout the image. In color this would been a boring picture but in B&W you focus more on the elements I just mentioned. This image just makes me want to look deeper into what can be found in the scene. This is my 4th closeup image out of 100 I want to create.

Edge of the Forest - Day 43

ISO 3200, f/8.0, 1/30th sec

 Many a stonewall can be found throughout eastern Connecticut like this in the photo above. This one is used to define the edge of a cornfield and the forest. It's a good composition tool to help define the foreground and the main subject the forest. the large maples and ash trees are also great points to view before your eyes staring looking into the darker reaches of the image. 

Railroad Tracks - Day 42

ISO 3200, f/8.0, 1/125th sec

 One of best composition tools to use in your photographs is leading lines. There are different ways to use this technique and in this image I used the railroad tracks from the bottom of the photo to guide your eyes into the scene and beyond. You can also see other lines that parallel the tracks that help reinforce the technique as well. 

Ornate Door Handle -Day 41

ISO 100, f/11, 1/10th sec

 This ornate door handle was part of the Lester Memorial large metal doors. I tend to be drawn to the details of the buildings I photography. In some cases I will shoot the overall structure but in most cases I prefer looking for the details that help give the architecture its charm and beauty. Unless you took the time to look close you never would have seen this handle.

Lone Stained Glass Window - Day 40

ISO 100, f/11, 1/45th sec

 Architectural details always draw my attention and this stain glass window did just that. I found it on the backside of the Lester Memorial. The two bushes help frame the window and the stone slabs add a nice pattern and texture to the overall scene. Once again nothing to check off on my bucket list but this is the 40th post out of 365 I want to complete. 

Worn Work Shed - Day 39

ISO 100, f/11, 1/90th sec

  This is the full view of the image I posted yesterday of two windows on a work shed. This photo gives you a better sense of the place. The trees in the background and the tombstones around the shed gives a somber feel to the scene. The late afternoon lighting helps drive home that feeling too. 

Windows on a Worn Shed - Day 38

ISO 100, f/11, 1/180th sec

  My photographer's eye is always drawn to weather and worn architecture like the one displayed above. This was part of a work shed I found driving by a cemetery. This type of architectural detail works so well in B&W which helps bring out the textures and patterns so well. I also like how it had one window and one boarded up which lends a nice contrast as well.  

Waterfalls and spillway - Day 37

ISO 100, f/11, 6.0 sec

 With all the rain we have had so far this winter the rivers and streams have really been flowing. This image is at the waterfalls at Glasgo Pond. As usual I do several shots all at different shutter speeds to get different moods and feelings in each one. This particular scene I capture images from 1/125th of a second all the way up to 10 seconds. I settled on this one at 6 seconds long. This is my 6th out of 100 aquatic photos I want to capture.

Into The Mist - Day 36

ISO 125, f/8.0, 1/45th sec

Fog and snow...what's better for a moody landscape photo. I captured this scene along the access road for the Brown Hill Marsh area. I used the tire tracks in the snow to lead the viewer's eye into and through the photo. The fog and snow also help bring a nice contrast to the image as well. As I have already posted a landscape image from Hampton this is just an image I enjoyed making.

Beaver Den in the Ice - Day 35

ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/180th sec

 It was another foggy winter morning at the Brown Hill Marsh when I took this photo. The beaver den was surrounded by ice and the fog helped create this minimalistic scene. I have several areas that I visit on a regular basis and you get a good idea what your looking for before you arrive. That being said it never gets old to me because you can always find something new to shoot if you're willing to look for it. 

Mashamoquet Brook in Motion - Day 34

ISO 100, f/8.0, 1.5 sec

 Mashamoquet Brook State Park is an area I spend a lot of time photographing. Its not a large area but it does offer numerous subjects and vistas to capture. This day I was focusing my attention on this particular area of the brook. I shot at a longer shutter speed, 1.5 seconds, to create some texture in the moving water and it does well to provide a balance with the snow on the rocky bank. This is my 5th aquatic image out of 100. Check out my entire bucket list under The List.

Rocks and Pebbles - Day 33

ISO 1000, f/8.0, 1/90th sec

 While walking along the Mashamoquet Brook I came across a section that the water had diverted exposing these rocks and pebbles. It offered different patterns and shapes, textures and shadows to work with. These types of scenes are always there when you are outside for a walk or hike. You just have to take the time and look down at your feet for a change. This is my 3rd closeup shot out of 100 I want to capture.  

Three windows - Day 32

ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/1000th sec

 The Chaplin Congregational church is where I found this three window scene. I am always on the lookout for interesting features when I shoot church architecture, These three similar but different windows fit that to the tee. Plus the weathered and worn siding adds a nice touch as well. This is the 10th church out of 100 I have photographed.