Pictures from the Huntington Library

[schrackman]

Gene and Penny (along with grandson Terrance) coaxed me into going to the Huntington Library in San Marino after we got out of church today, and I'm glad I went! These are some of the most gorgeous grounds I have ever visited. Unfortunately we only had a couple hours left to tour what we could before it closed, but we made good use of our time. I'll start off with some flower pictures, which is only a sample of the many exotic species that have been planted there. The first one is from a water lily. I don't know the names of the other species, but God sure did make them beautiful to look at.

As a side note, I'm getting pretty good results by white balancing to a coffee filter as I go along taking photos. I barely had to do any color adjustments in PS to these photos. And that just makes my day.

Ray

[kkraczek]

These are beautiful Ray! What type of lens are you using? Do you use a tripod as well?

[schrackman]

This last flower should have been included above but the file size showed it was too large, so here it is reduced.

The second shot is of Terrance against some bamboo trees. Gene and I were experimenting with shutter speeds since the area where this photo was taken was so dark. Terrance was a good little boy and held very still like I told him to do. This the result handholding at 1/300th.

#3 is Terrance fishing the old fashioned way-with the hands! Actually, he's touching the Koi as they swim along underneath him. I tried coaxing him to put his finger in the fish's mouth but he wasn't going for it. We had a real good time watching him play with the fish.

And #4 is what the inside decor of classic Japanese house looks like. Simple, but beautiful.

Okay, now it's Gene and Penny's turn. I'll post a few more after them.

Ray

[schrackman]

These are beautiful Ray! What type of lens are you using? Do you use a tripod as well?

Thank you, Kristin! I appreciate you kind words, and glad you enjoyed the pictures.

I'm using the same lens set I recommended you get! These were all shot, however, using just the Sigma AF 28-80 3.5-5.6 Aspherical Mini Zoom Macro. I left the 70-300 at home because I just didn't want to carry anything but my camera today.

Ray

[kkraczek]

Thank you, Kristin! I appreciate you kind words, and glad you enjoyed the pictures.

I'm using the same lens set I recommended you get! These were all shot, however, using just the Sigma AF 28-80 3.5-5.6 Aspherical Mini Zoom Macro. I left the 70-300 at home because I just didn't want to carry anything but my camera today.

Ray

No tripod? What steady hands you must have! I can't even get a crisp shot from a distance half the time...

[Kokopeli]

I'm quite jealous that you went to the Huntingon... It's somewhere I've wanted to go for quite some time, but have yet to make the time to go. I'm glad Gene and Penny coaxed you into going.

I can't wait to see more of your fantastic images. I am very impressed by your increasing skill with a camera.
~Brian

[schrackman]

No tripod? What steady hands you must have! I can't even get a crisp shot from a distance half the time...

lol...the DRebel has trained me to hold veeerrry still. When I first got it my pictures were blurry too, espcially in macro mode. In fact, I complained about it on this forum and thought something was wrong with the camera, but it was just me. And with some practice I finally managed to get some clear shots. You will too, so keep shooting!

Brian - thank you for your comments! Spending only two hours there was like spending only two days at Yosemite-it just ain't enough time! You've got to get yourself there sometime soon. You've got my number and Gene & Penny's, so whenever you're ready to go I'll meet ya there and I'm sure Gene and Penny will too.

Ray

[schrackman]

Your pictures are so much better than anything we got. You truly "got the shot" on all of these.

Penny, what were your settings for the bridge? I have a feeling you didn't have your camera set up correctly, either in the parameters or the white balance. Your bridge shot should have looked like this below (there was no color correction on this photo, just sharpening). By the way...see that red spot in the upper right hand corner? That's that kid who was carrying that very huge and expensive looking camera!

Ah well, I might as well throw in a few more photos while I'm at it and I'll be done for the night. #2 is the entrance to the Japanese garden. #3 that little reflective pool on our way out. #4 was that bird we saw...can't remember what kind you said it is. Too bad the water was so murky.

These also needed no color correction whatsover, only sharpening in PS. My little white coffee filter is paying off! Tell Gene I hope to see some of his photos posted tomorrow.

Ray

[natatbeach]

you both had Beautiful shots...

Rays were great as usual and I love the carp (?) coming out of the water...your shots were wonderful too Penny they had a different (nice way) feel than some of the other shots you've posted I REALLY enjoyed looking at them...

[Janie]

I LOVE the second and third shots! The first seems to need more contrast or saturation - but a beautiful subject! What is the third flower? It's really interesting - i've never seen one like it here in NJ!

[schrackman]

Rays were great as usual and I love the carp (?) coming out of the water...your shots were wonderful too Penny they had a different (nice way) feel than some of the other shots you've posted I REALLY enjoyed looking at them..

Thanks Nat. Yes, Penny got the better of the Koi carp pictures. I tried getting a similar shot on the other side but I just couldn't get it right!

Janie - you know, I took that second shot with you in mind. Your bleeding hearts photo posted a while back inspired me! Too bad I didn't get the composition the way it should have been (i.e. it's too far left). Glad you enjoyed the series.

Ray