By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea / Dusk Seascapes
By the Sea, Deerfield Beach, FL 2013
Time and Tide Waits For No Man, Deerfield Beach, FL 2013
To create low light, dusk Seascapes such as these, you need: a.) patience, b.) a tripod), c.) a shutter release cable and d) bare feet. The patience is required to wait until just the right light, here, just after sunset. The tripod is a necessity to hold the camera steady to allow for a long exposure to capture the smooth motion of the ocean. The cable release adds an additional amount of steadiness when clicking the shutter. The bare feet are required because you will get wet, and you will sink into the sand as the tide ebbs and flows beneath you.
Here are some tips to avoid disaster, and hopefully capture a great image: a.) keep the camera strap around your neck in case somehow the camera becomes detached from the tripod (nothing worse than an SLR in sea water,) b.) aim one of the Tripod legs down towards the ocean so it remains somewhat steady as the surf comes in and goes out, c.) force the tripod legs deep into the sand (inevitably, it will still move with a big wave, but try to hold it down when that happens, d.) keep the shutter release cable high, (I lay it around my neck), so it won’t get wet dangling down, e.) pay attention to the waves in the background as well as the tide in the foreground to create a solid composition.
Do all of the above and you may come away with something great. Worse case scenario…there is no place better to find yourself as the sun sets on another day.
Birds of a Feather / Flamingo Triptych
Flamingo Triptych, 2009-2013
While we are on the subject of Flamingos (from my last post), an additional Triptych available to collectors is the Flamingo Triptych which was created from 2099 through 2013. Three images of three different birds exhibit the diversity in color and design of the beautiful feathers seen on different animals. This piece can add some beautiful color to the right residential or commercial space.
Art in Nature / The Devil is in the Details / Caribbean Flamingo
Flamingo Fire, Florida 2013
To capture a good photograph, sometimes you need to look at the big picture. Many other times, the image can be found close up. Here, the Devil is in the details. The back feathers of a Caribbean Flamingo rise as if forming a beautiful fire.
Six Months from Sandy / Seascapes from a Superstorm
Touch of Light, Jupiter, FL 2012
On the six month anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, a couple images of her effect on the South Florida coastline as she headed north. Wishing a solid recovery to all those affected by the storm.
Crest and Crash, Jupiter, FL 2012
Bright Eyes / From the Series: OF THE WILD / Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee, 2010
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), from West and Central Africa are members of the Hominidae family, along with gorillas, humans and orangutans. This particular Chimp shows his age by the grey in his beard, but still has a bright fire in his eyes.
Males can grow to 5.5 feet and weigh up to 150 lbs. they live in large multiple-male and multiple-female social groups called communities. Social hierarchy’s exist within the community and are dictated by the position of an individual and their influence on others.
In 1960, Jane Goodall discovered that Chimpanzees used tools, and now it is believed that they have done so for some 4,000 years. Chimps communicate in a manner similar to human nonverbal communication, using vocalizations, hand gestures, and facial expressions. This one was clearly looking at me while I was looking at him.
The Eye of the Tiger / Amur Tiger from OF THE WILD
Amur Tiger, 2010
More from my series: OF THE WILD. Intimate, close-up portraits of animals, formerly wild, now in some form of captivity. Looking at them as they are looking at me. Additional images from the series can be seen at www.barrystevengreff.com in the Portfolio: Of the Wild.
My favorite animal has always been the Tiger. Majestic beauty, magnificent coat and as fierce as they get. Here, the Amur, or Siberian Tiger is the largest of the big cats and is primarily found in the far east of Russia. They have been known to grow more than 10 feet long (head to tail) and weigh more than 700 lbs. Although their numbers had declined in the past, it has been somewhat stable for the last decade thanks to conservation efforts.
The phrase “Eye of the Tiger” means to have laser focus on your goals, failure is not an option. Used in the Rocky films by the band, Survivor, it is clearly an anthem to live by when you want to get things done. Yo….Adrian.
Here’s Looking at You / From Of the Wild
African Crowned Crane, 2010
In appreciation of significant, continuing interest in my popular series: OF THE WILD, I will post some previously unpublished images from the portfolio. An adult African (Grey) Crowned Crane, as shown above, is approximately 3 1/2 feet (1 m) tall and weighs 7-8 lbs (3.5 kg). It has a wingspan of about six 1/2 feet (2m), and a bright red inflatable throat pouch that stands out from its grey feathers. The crown of stiff golden feathers and beautiful blue eyes clearly make these one of the most beautiful of all the crane species and it is also the only one that roosts in trees. The additional red markings at the top of the face seen here are predominantly found in the birds of East Africa.
They have recently been elevated from threatened to endangered in most parts of their habitat due to drainage, overgrazing and pesticide pollution. On a positive note, the seductive dances performed by the adult birds are part of their courting/reproductive ritual and also an expression of joy (I’d say that we humans can relate to the connection between these activites and emotions, as well:)
Here’s looking at you.
