Two minutes with the U11 Vipers

Some times it is better to be lucky than good, or so the saying goes.

The plan was to take a team photo before the game when they were clean and neat. After scouting a location in which the sun was obscured by trees. After setting up the Canon 7D Mark II with the Canon EF 50MM F/1.4 USM lens on a tripod, we scratched that plan owing to a couple late arrivals. So it was after the game (approximately 7:30PM), that we got the boys sweaty and dirty together for the team photo.

I chose to use the same location I had picked earlier owing to the uncluttered background. Now, the sun was low in the sky and casting wonderful light from the players right. While I don't often use a flash, I opted to use the Canon Speedlight 430EXII as fill in this instance alternating between using the flash and not. 

The boys were terrific and I, as well as all the parents, were able to snap away for about two minutes resulting in the above image. 

A version without flash is below.

And given that they are 10 and 11 year old boys, two minutes was about all we were going to get.

Thankfully, two minutes was all we needed.

Have a great day!

Luke in Sunlight

A sunny warm Spring afternoon, the dog, and the camera. A combination only surpassed when said dog sits still long enough to capture a sharp image with the Canon EF 135MM F/2.0L lens. On this day Luke was less than cooperative, however for a brief moment it all came together: dog, light, and klutz behind the lens. I think this is one of the better pictures I have captured of Luke this Spring.

Have a great day!

On Top of the Peony

The peonies are blooming and there is still another few days before opening. Upon closer inspection I find the plants are crawling with ants. In the harsh sunlight, the ants cast a dark  shadow on the flower bloom captured here with the Canon EF 135MM F2.0L lens.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Pink

A field of pink flowers...that's what awaits us as we turn into our driveway. In actuality, the above image is of a flower bed at the end of our driveway that covers an area no bigger than a medium size kiddie pool. Here I've gotten down low and used the Canon EF 135MM F/2.0L lens hand held to frame the flowers at eye-level. Taken at mid-afternoon, the light is harsh and nearly directly above which is why there is little shadow in the stems.

Have a great day!

Purple Iris

A warm and sunny Spring day and the Iris are beginning to bloom. This particular specimen is located in a flower bed in our front yard and catches the afternoon sunshine. Here you can see the sun glimmering off the unopened petals, which I thought contrasted nicely with the shadows on the side not exposed to the sunlight. I've used the Canon EF 135MM F/2.0L lens attached to the Canon 7D Mark II and a tripod to capture this image.

Thanks for stopping by today.

House Finch

A house finch visits the bird feeder.

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