Sorry for not posting here for so long. It seems like I fall in to the same trap I warn everyone about. Stay on top of your images or you will get inundated. As the Holidays come around I will try to get a few things up, before my life goes crazy. Bear with me and we can still enjoy photos together.---Mark

Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake

Always be on the lookout for something a little different. While everyone else was gathered around the basket, I got this great shot. I did ask if I could get as close as I did so the handler wouldn't think I was strange and he accomodated.

Pentax K20D w/12-24, f5.6, 1/80 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative meter

Another favorite for the day. What little light we did have, backlit this balloon well. This poor guy was about as full as it would get. The wind was just a little too much to get filled properly.Pentax K20D w/16-50, f9 Aperture, 1/15 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative meter

Of course the main reason for heading out was the balloon festival. As this was being filled, I got as close as I could stand from the heat of the propane filling the balloon. (A good photograper can never be shy!)

Pentax K20D w/12-24, f4 Aperture, 1/20 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative meter

The smoke froma few fires around and a sunrise combined for this beautiful image. I am not quite sure what is in the water. I thought it was just a few rocks at first but on closer inspection it seems to be something else.

Pentax K20D w/55-300, f18 Aperture, 1/60 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering

I though the sand felt a little different and it surely was. A high salt content mixed with sand to create a uniquely beautiful image.

Pentax K20D w/55-300, f18 Aperture, 1/30 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Spot metering

All along the shoreline can be found remnants of a diverse ecology. The contast in texture and color here was great. I in a hurry though and forgot to readjust my aperture. Still turned out ok though.

Pentax K20D w/ 55-300, f18 Aperture, 1/18 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Spot metering

As the sun was beginning to rise on my way out, the water was exceptionally smooth and a few of the birds had not quite awakened yet. The contrast of the grey mountain reflection and the golden colors of sunrise was beautiful and very calming.

Pentax K20D w/55-300, f18 Aperture, 1/50 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering

A little Desolate huh? It's hard to imagine only 5 miles to the left are a few million people. I love the hard cracks and stark contrast in this image.

Pentax K20D w/12-24, f22 Aperture, 1/80 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering, B&W created in Lightroom

I have seen this log a few times as I went out to the Island as always thought I should stop and take a few pictures of it. I am glad I did this time. The storm clouds and the desolate landscape exagerated the rough log even more. I would have liked just a little more contrast, but it was pretty flat lighting.

Pentax K20D w/12-24, f22 Aperture, 1/40 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering, B&W in Lightroom

Ishot images as I went out as the sun was coming up and on my way back. The heavy cloud cover started to break and presented this beautiful opportunity. This is one of my favorites for the day.

Pentax K20D w/55-300, f18 Aperture, 1/100 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering, B&W created in Lightroom

The Antelope Island Ballon Stampede is a great photo opportunity...if they can get those darn things in the air. Although they didn't fly, I still managed to get a few good images in the time I spent there.

Pentax K20D w/12-24 lens, f9 Aperture, 1/125 Shutter, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Evaluative metering,
B&W Adjustments in Lightroom

SUN-flower

As I was driving ome from work today, I couldn't help but notice the huge summer sun and the beautiful color as it began to set. When I pulled over to get a shot, I noticed the lone sunflower straining to get the last drop of sun.

Pentax K20d w/ 55-300, f16 Aperture, 1/1000 shutter, ISO 200, Manual Exposure, Evaluative metering

Ballon over ridge.

Man, I am so sorry for not posting on this blog for so long. Things have been so hectic and busy. I will try to do much better.

This is one of my favorites from the ballon festival at Antelope Island a few years ago. All the colors, clouds etc. made for an interesting shot.

Pentax K10d w/12-24, f7.1, 1/200 shutter, Sensitivity priority, Evaluative metering

Vanishing Point

Is it a mirage, is it water,where is the horizon? Theis image has all kinds of questions. The clouds are very interesting, and the vanishing horizon gives it a otherwordly look. I also shot at a higher ISO to give a little graininess to the image. I regret that now, wishing I would have added it later in editing, but, oh well. I probably should crop out the shoreline in the foreground as well, what do you think?

Pentax K10d w/ 16-50 DA*, f22, 1/60, Aperture Priority, ISO 400, Evaluative Metering

Antelope Island

A little while back, when returning from the Ballon Stampede on Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake, I captured this image. I loved the contrast mud, smooth water and Desert look of the Island.

Pentax K10d, 16-50 DA*, f7.1, 1/200 shutter, ISO 100, Multi-segment metering in manual mode, under exposed 2/3 stop.

Picture of the day.

I wasn't expecting a fly-by from the local Air Force, so I was not completly ready, even though camera was in hand and on. By the time I got the camera up to my eye they were directly overhead and I only had enough time to frame them, follow them and fire off one shot before they were gone. Somtimes a little bit of luck comes in handy. Some of these images I overexposed a bit because I was facing a little more towards the sun, so I didn't want the shadows to become to dark and muddy.
Pentax K20d w/55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/2500 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted, over exposed 2/3 stop

...and a little more to round it out.

I just thought the shapes and patterns of the frame and wheels were cool and the riders legs were almost the exact same angle as well.

Pentax K20d w/ 55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/100 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted, over exposed 2/3 stop

A lone piece of candy waiting for a child to pick it up. Bryndee was tired of this kind of candy, so she didn't want to pick up any more of it. Since when does a kid not want ANY kind of candy?

Pentax K20d w/55-300, ISO 100, f5.8, 1/50 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted, over exposed 2/3 stop

...and the tractors

Verlon is a family friend who loves his tractors and shows them off during multiple parades on the Fourth. Who knew Uncle Sam drove a tractor? I would have preferred not to have the post and wires in the background, but compression from the lens (about 170mm) Minimizes it a little bit, so I can live with it. Besides, he looks happy to have his picture taken, right?

Pentax K20d w/55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/250 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted, over exposed 2/3 stop
Verlon's tractor was decorated with red, white and blue. I love the snappy colors and the contrast between them. I used a polarizer to control some of the glare off the shiny paint.
Pentax K20d w/55-300, ISO 100, f4.5,1/100 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted, over exposed 2/3 stop

An old John Deere caught my eye, again because of the bold color contrast between the flags and the tractor in the background.
Pentax K20d w/55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/100 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted, over exposed 2/3 stop

Of course you always have the fire trucks...

As the truck pulled away, I couldn't resist one more shot of Old Glory on the back of the truck.

Pentax K20d w/55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/400 shutter,Aperture priority, Center weighted

Now, the darn truck was moving a lot faster than I expected it to in a parade. I would much rather had a crisper shot, but I still liked the color and pattern created by the hoses here. I will remember next time to push the ISO a little higher next time. This is the old film habits creeping back in again. Shoot low ISO for color and detail, but sacrifice speed.

Pentax K20d w/ 55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/60 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted

As the first truck began to pass, I noticed the flag on the back and immediately I was reminded of 9/11 and the heroic people of that day. It definitely makes you appreciative of those wonderful people.

Pentax K20d w/ 55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/400 shutter, Aperture Priority, Center weighted

The Parade Begins..

The first thing I thought when seeing all those kids in the back of the truck was 'sure gives a whole new level of difficulty to hoppin' in the back!' The colors were cool and I couldn't help it, I have always been a sucker for a big truck.

Penatx K20d w/ 55-300, ISO 100, f4.5, 1/60 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted
Hey you!... Pull Over! One more guy in the street to clear off before the official start. I am amazed at how oblivious the guy is to sirens and the sound of a motorcycle behind him.
Pentax K20d w/ 55-300, ISO 100, f5.6, 1/80 shutter, perture priority, Center weighted

Celebration Parade

Bryndee was quite excited for the parade to begin. She waited anxiously looking down the road for the first sign of the beginning of the parade. I loved the way you can see her anticipation just from her feet.

Pentax K20d w/ 55-300, ISO 100, f7.1, 1/60 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted meter, fired flash for highlights.

Brystyn & Trevor are both waiting on the side of the road for the parade to start. Brystyn was swinging her legs, so I didn't get the sharpness I was looking for across the whole shot, but I liked the way it turned out anyway.

Pentax K20d w/ 55-300 lens, ISO 100, f7.1, 1/40 shutter, Aperture priority, Center weighted meter

Idaho Wilderness

This image was shot in Island Park, Idaho. I found it quite an intersting contrast between the lush greens of the forest floor and the rough starkness of the lodgepole pines. It almost seems like two different places came together.

Pentax K10d w 16-50, ISO 200, f14, .08 sec shutter, aperture priority, evaluative metering.
I shot this late in the evening in Palisades, Idaho. The sun had already set and the trees cast a dark shadow over the trail. I used a very long exposure which shows in the light breeze that softens some of the leaves in the bushes to the right. It was a very quiet and relaxing time for pictures.

Pentax K10d w/ 10-17, ISO 100, f16, 4 sec. shutter, aperture priority, evaluative metering

This was shot at a botanical garden Miami. I loved the colors, but particularly the contrast between each of the different palms. It seems that they all are pointing to the one yellowed palm more and your eye always seems pulled there as well.

Pentax K10d w/ 16-45, ISO 400, f4.5, 1/60 shutter, multi-pattern meter, underexposed 1/3 stop.

Awaiting the Rider

While on a trip, I saw two boys set thier bikes up here and went into the store. I couldn't help but notice the leading lines and the way the curves of the bikes matched the curve in the sidewalk detail. The way the lines keep pulling you back to the bikes. When I shot it, it was in color and I tried changing it around in my camera. The B&W simplified it and it worked even better. I also added the soft focus in camera and loved the old time feel I got with it.

Pentax K10d w/ 16-50 DA*, ISO 100, f4, 1/400 Shutter, Multi segment meter, Manual mode.

Rushin' In for a Burger..

I shot this VERY late at night on a ship. The lights were still on, but this was the only time to get a shot without a lot of people in the picture. I didn't have the tripod, but I had shake reduction on my side with the trusty K 10d. I twisted the zoom during the exposure to create the movement in the frame. It took a few tries to keep the lines as straight as possible from beginning to end and this was the best of the bunch.

Pentax K10d w/ 10-17 mm fisheye, ISO 400, f14, 1 sec. exposure, spot metering, shutter priority mode

A few of my favorites to start..

One of my faves for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it was the first image I had accepted to the Pentax Photo Gallery. Not easy to get images into. I was thrilled to get one there. Second, it always reminds me of a great trip with friends I will always remember. Third, how could you not like a beach like that? It rejuvinates me just by looking at it. It was shot in Cozumel as was the chair below.
Pentax K10d w/16-50 DA*, ISO 100, f7.1, 1/320 sec

A favorite because this is one where I was asked the question 'why?'. Most couldn't see the reason for taking a picture of a chair, but I love the bold colors and the way they contrasted with the dark background. I almost left my polarizer here when I left also, so anyone who uses them knows that is not a cheap one to leave behind. I ran back like three blocks when I remembered it, and got there right when somone was picking it up to figure out what it was.

Pentax K10d w/ 18-55, ISO 100, f4, 1/30 sec, -.7 stop underexposed

This is a favorite because it was shot with just a simple compact camera and a little patience. I knew the light was poor, but I simply just set the camera down on the railing, turned off the flash and set the timer. I knew it would end up with a long exposure and I was very happy with the end result.

Pentax Optio 550

This is one of my favorites simply because it was the very first image I shot on my Pentax K10 when I first got it. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get home to try it out. So I shot this while waiting at a light on the way. It was so fun to see the results and how even with basic composition and an idea turned into a fun and interesting shot.

Pentax K10d w/ 18-55 lens, ISO 100, f27, 8 sec exposure

Why are you taking a picture of that?

How often do you hear that? I know somtimes a photograph can appear in the most unexpected places or times. That is one of the greatest things about it. I love to get a great image and share it. I love it even more when I get something that most people didn't even see, even though it was right there in front of them the whole time. I hope you enjoy seeing the images I have created and I would love any feedback you can give. Thanks to all those who share thoughts, images and inspiration.

Mark