john_bald

<p>I so love lively public events like this, with action, colors and people. Should be fun.<br>

Please forgive my mistake re Formula One vs. Indy Car! I learned something here.<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Has anyone shot the Formula One Grand Prix race in St. Petersburg, FL? Any recommendation for locations for shooting? A park, building, street with a decent view of the cars? <br>

This year's race is March 28-30. I see they offer a paddock pass for $40, hmm<br>

Personally, I like close-ups of the cars and crews. Love panning, even if it's frustrating!<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Q: is it pronounced Folly Beach - rhymes with "jolly," or rhymes with "holy"? (Thank you for your help with this crucial matter.)</p>

<p>Ted Raper: I had to smile when I read your post, "you won't see much, if any, fall color at that time of year." Since I live in Maine, I'd be kind of crazy to go to South Carolina in October if fall color was what I was seeking! I'm sure I'll go out shooting foliage scenes around here this month (although the color seems a little late in coming) but this Charleston trip is all about getting away from the familiar and visiting some place new.</p>

 

<p>Kennebunkport, Maine, is beautiful village on the coast. There are neighborhoods of old houses, a harbor and a scenic route along the water's edge (rocky, waves). Look for Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport ME in Mapquest or Google Maps. Lots of seafood too!</p>

<p>Great comments, thanks a lot.</p>

<p>Also interesting to see that Charleston has a photography center: http://www.ccforp.org/main-workshops.html</p>

<p>I've never been to Charleston (or SC for that matter!) but I'm thinking about going in early October for maybe 3 days. I've read photo.net forums and I see where Charleston is great in the spring, but I'm wondering if Charleston and its neighboring islands are good/photogenic in Oct?<br>

FYI, I like to shoot seascapes, architecture, and nature.<br>

Thanks for your help,<br />John<br /><a href="http://www.johnbald.net/gallery">www.johnbald.net/gallery</a></p>

 

<p>Yesterday I was looking through David Middleton's book, 'Photographer's Guide to the Maine Coast' - very, very good source of info. Acadia included of course. I live in Maine and shoot along the coast but I found the book worthwhile, probably buy it.</p>

<p>Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is photogenic, I spent many hours there. The formal garden is beautiful, not huge but quite nice.<br>

The other part of the park is the piece of land on the ocean shore, and it includes the weirdly shaped coquina rock formations. Tip: there's a good public parking lot immediately south of Marineland.<br>

Here's an <a href=" of the coquina rocks</a>. And one of <a href=" formal garden</a>.<br>

Click here for the <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks/">park website</a>.</p>

<p>I'd love to hear suggestions for a few spots around St. Augustine FL (in add'n to posts already in this forum). I'll be going mid-March for 3 days of P+R (photography and relaxation). First time in SA.<br>

Based on what I've heard or read, I'm drawn to these locations:<br>

ANASTASIA STATE PARK<br />Any suggestions for seascape locations?<br>

WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS STATE PARK (south of SA)<br />Coquina formations on the beach side early morning, also the gardens of course, especially if cloudy. Would the seawall (Matanzas River) be a good site for sunset?<br>

ALLIGATOR FARM / zOOLOGICAL PARK<br />Ideal time of day?<br>

DOWNTOWN SA<br />Any favorite neighborhoods or streets with interesting architecture?<br>

<strong>All suggestions welcome - thank you!</strong><br />John Bald<br /><a href="http://www.johnbald.net/gallery">www.johnbald.net/gallery</a></p>

<p>All good ideas, thanks a lot!</p>

<p>Question about these parks in Portsmouth NH & Kittery ME. Are any of them good for photography? Thank you -John<br>

Rye Harbor State Park<br>

Wallis Sands State Park<br>

Odiorne Point State Park<br>

Fort Stark State Historical Site<br>

Fort McClary State Park (Kittery)<br>

Fort Foster Park (Kittery)</p>

<p>I promised myself I'd come back and report on my experience. I ordered two Induro models: the CT-113 (max load 17 lbs; 3 leg sections) and the CT-214 (max load 26 lbs; 4 leg sections). Both models fold up to fit into a carry-on suitcase, i.e., 23" or less. <br>

The CT113 and CT214 are well made and have a quality feel to them. The CT113 is amazingly light, and even though the 3rd extension of the legs (the part that is closest to the ground when the legs are extended) is VERY thin in diameter, I have to say the tripod felt steady. If I did multi-mile hiking and needed every last piece of gear to be small/light, the CT-113 would have been my choice. <br>

However, I kept the larger CT-214 and sent back the CT-113. The CT-214 was just right, it's bigger but it's still only 3.3 lbs and 20.9 inches folded up. It just felt more substantial than the CT-113. Now, the 4th leg extension (the part closest to the ground) on the 214 is the same thin, narrow diameter as the corresponding leg extension of the CT-113, but with the 214 model you often don't need that part of the leg to fully extended. Even extended only half way, the tripod can still have a useful total height. So I don't know if my logic is completely sound from an engineering perspective, but I can sum up my decision this way: I liked the CT214 because it's a little taller (3") and the legs are, for the most part, bigger. <br>

I've used the CT-214 a couple of times so far, and I find that (1) Carbon fiber legs are quite a bit lighter than aluminum legs - wow, it's hard to believe the CF legs can do the job; (2) I prefer flip locks on my old Manfrotto 055C over the twist locks on the Induros & Gitzos. I'll get used to the twist locks, but the flip locks were simpler and more convenient; (3) the [whatchamacallits] at the top of the legs which allow each leg to be opened out to a great angle -- really don't like the Induro's design because you have to carefully slide the thing to the unlock position, then move the leg out, then push the thing back in to lock it. The design of the same part on Manfrotto legs is much easier to use. You unlock it with your thumb, move the leg, then it automatically snaps back into locking position. Much smarter design, where that part is concerned. <br>

Anyway, I do like the CT214 overall. I have no urge to return it for another model. It does its job well, it looks great (nice dark color), it's light, and I'm getting used to twist leg locks! It's a keeper.</p>

<p>Joseph, thank you for that excellent info. Great point, the CT-113 is under 23" folded (just), so why not go for the 3 section model? I should have thought of that. Thanks. </p>

<p>Thank you, Tim, but no I think the CT series is what I'd like.</p>

 

<p>Time to swap a heavy old Manfrotto 055C for a carbon fiber setup, so... The specs for the Induro CT 114 look very attractive (including the price). For about $60 more there's the bigger CT214. Anyone using either of these Induro tripods? I don't live near a major camera store to try them out.</p>

<p>My gear is a Canon 5D, Kirk BH-3 & L-bracket, biggest lens probably 70-200 f/2.8. Most often I shoot seascapes, so I'm on rocky shorelines, sand, marshes. I want one good tripod for all around use, including flying with a carry-on suitcase - i.e., the tripod needs to fold down to less than 23 inches (58cm).</p>

<p>Thank you,<br />John<br /><a href="http://www.johnbald.net/gallery/">http://www.johnbald.net/gallery/</a></p>

<p>Anyone using the NEUTRAL circular polarizer by Singh-Ray? There are many comments and reviews online about their WARMING polarizer, but hardly any about the NEUTRAL one.</p>

<p>On the Singh-Ray site, the NEUTRAL is described as "New!" and also "LB" meaning it's Lighter and Brighter, i.e., 2/3 stop brighter than their prior polarizer.</p>

<p>Interesting: B&H sells the NEUTRAL version for $168 and the WARMING version for around $205. They're slightly higher if you order them from Singh-Ray directly.<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>What got me intrigued with Jekyll Island in the first place was a workshop I read about. I'm not able to go this time around but I do hope to go in 2011. In case anyone's interested, here's the link:<br>

<a href="http://www.tmelive.com/index.php/articles/view/258.html">http://www.tmelive.com/index.php/articles/view/258.html</a><br>

Jekyll Island Landscape Photography Workshop w/Craig Tanner and Marti Jeffers, 2/24-2/28/10, $1095/person</p>

<p>Thank you Harley, great info. Likewise, if you're ever visiting my neck of the woods, mid-coast Maine, let me know if you have any location questions.</p>

<p>Great, thanks for your comments Richard. I'm going to look up Merrit Island Wildlife Reserve & Blue Springs State Park.</p>

<p >Thinking about a photo excursion out of the snows of February in Maine down to the interesting islands and coastline of northern FL & southern GA. I like to shoot seascapes, sunrise, sunset, landscapes, wildflowers, architecture (my gallery: <a href="www.johnbald.net/gallery">www.johnbald.net/gallery</a>).<br>

Any locals want to comment on photographic locations in any of the following? Do you have a favorite?</p>

<ul>

<li>Ft. George Island</li>

<li>Timucuan – Talbot Island State Park</li>

<li>Amelia</li>

<li>Cumberland Island S.P.</li>

<li>Jekyll Island</li>

<li>Ponte Vedra</li>

<li>Anastasia</li>

<li>St. Augustine</li>

</ul>

<p>Thanks very much,<br />John</p>

 

<p >I’ve received some good ideas from other photographers, too. Here are some I’ll be trying out…</p>

<p > </p>

<p ><a href="http://www.merryspring.org/">www.merryspring.org</a> - <strong>Merryspring,</strong><strong> </strong>a non-profit, privately-owned 66-acre park and education center in Camden and Rockport, Maine, with nature trails and gardens open to the public every day free of charge. This member-supported organization offers talks, classes and workshops throughout the year.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Birch Point Beach State Park, off Rte 73, below South Thomaston, Maine<br /><br /></p>

<p >A photographer-friend who has traveled the backroads of Maine extensively (he works for CMP, the Maine power company) sent me this tip "might suggest some of the side roads on the back side of Camden Hills State Park. Less traffic - Rtes. 235 - 105, to the town of Hope, Maine - lots of farms - rolling hills - quiet roads, but with lots of hills and curves."</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Moose Point State Park: On U.S. Route 1 between Belfast and Searsport. Open Memorial Day to Sept 30^th. 183 acres with hiking trails, tidal pools, panoramic view of Penobscot Bay.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Aldermere Farms: Home of the original U.S. herd of Belted Galloways, a breed of Scottish beef cattle first imported in 1953 and locally known as the “Oreo Cookie Cows.” The 136-acre farm is owned and managed by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land conservation organization. The Trust maintains Aldermere as a working farm and educational center. <strong>Aldermere Farm, </strong>70 Russell Avenue, Rockport, ME 04856<br /><a href="http://www.aldermere.org/">www.aldermere.org</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p>Any off-the-beaten-path recommendations for good shooting locations in the Camden, Maine area? I've

shot there a few times but I'd like to discover some new spots.<br>

The towns I'm thinking of are Camden, Lincolnville, Rockport, Rockland and Owls Head.<br>

P.S. I'm especially interested in sunrise locations!<br>

Thanks,<br />John</

Every year is different, of course, but I'd like to time my visit to San Diego with a couple of days in the Anza-Borrego

Desert State Park with wildflowers in bloom. I have 3 possible dates: <br>

Mid-February <br>

Week of March 8th <br>

Last week of March </p>

 

<p>Which of these is most likely to be photogenic?

 

<p>Thank you,

<br>John

<br><a href="http://www.johnbald.net/gallery">www.johnbald.net</a>

Rene, have a good trip. I think you'll find plenty of photographic opportunities at Portland Head Light (see link below),

which is actually in the nearby town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The lighthouse is located within a nice state park,

Fort Williams Park. There's a parking lot fairly close to the lighthouse and I believe the terrain is fairly level between

the lot and the lighthouse itself.<br>

<a href="http://www.portlandheadlight.com/direct.html">www.portlandheadlight.com</a>

 

<p>Also, you could take a quick ferry ride over to Peaks Island if that appeals to you. The ferry leaves the Old Port

area of Portland and goes straight to Peaks, and runs frequently during the day. Here's a link:

<a href="http://www.cascobaylines.com/sailing_schedules.htm">Casco Bay Lines</a>.

 

<p>In the small, friendly and charming city of Portland itself, the photogenic spots include:

<br>1) The Old Port section (corner of Market St. & Commercial St.)

<br>2) Back Cove (Baxter Boulevard)

<br>3) The Eastern Prom (Eastern Promenade & Congress St)

<br>4) The West End (Western Promenade & Pine St)

 

<p>If you like seafood and want a real "coast o' Maine" eating experience, try The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth.

Follow the driving directions carefully -- it's rather out of the way. Here's the link:

<a href="http://lobstershacktwolights.com/">Lobster Shack at Two Lights</a>.

 

<p>I can't resist including a link to my own little gallery of Portland area images:

<a href="http://www.johnbald.net/gallery/cat_portland.html">www.johnbald.net</a>.

<i>There's got to be more camera clubs per capita in that state.</i>

<p>I meant: There's got to be more camera clubs per capita in that state than any other state.

I know, not the peak of foliage, but I can't reschedule Parents Weekend! THANK YOU for all the specific suggestions. My travel range is anything within 90 min.s of the Amherst area.

 

<p>You know, I've often found that there are good images to be made even when the foliage isn't at its peak. Sometimes the peak has passed, but there'll be a riverbank, a solitary stand of trees, etc., that's just brilliant.

 

<p>P.S., Massachusetts has an incredibly active community of photographers. There's got to be more camera clubs per capita in that state. I knew the locals would have some good ideas.