Just say No to I-5

For today's photo shoot I had intended on going to Pioneer Square (apparently, I have started a series?) but then I remembered that it was football season. A quick little look at the Seattle Times online, and yep, it is a home game, too. Yikes. No way was I headed to Pioneer Square! My other option was the Fremont/Ballard area, but sadly, it is Octoberfest in Fremont & I figured I should avoid that area, too. Could have been some fun shots, just not what I was in the mood for.



Oh, and the other thing... I wanted to AVOID I-5. I can't even count the miles I have spent on the freeway in the past few weeks... I needed a break. The good thing about being in the north end is that I can still access Seattle via HWY 522. So, that is what I did. I went to Magnuson Park, along the shores of Lake Washington. (I did need to make a run into Kits for a circular polarizer & remote control, but thankfully, I did not need to go on I-5 to find Northgate!)



Today's pics are, well, just OK. I am posting them more as a sample of what I worked on rather than anything nifty for people to look at. Um, enjoy?

Fin Art

I thought these are pretty dang cool. They are fins from old submarines used in the 60's. They are a symbol of peace. Check out a bit more about the fin project here.


Dang those Birds

I spent a while hanging out by the geese, too. At first, I started about 20 feet away, but couldn't really see over the bank from that distance. I was surprised though: as I approached they just calmly got in the water and went on to their next destination. I figured they would have flown away (Ok, ok, a little piece of me wishes they had flown away so I could get some cool action shots...). I still like the movement in this picture.



Its Black & White Kinda
I followed the birds along the grassy side for awhile, and found this area to take their pictures. It took awhile to set up the shot (I am s-l-o-w) so I missed the birds, but still like the neat leaves of the trees.

Looking straight into Autumn

From where I was standing for the black&white lake shot, I pointed my camera alllll the way up to get the shot below. fun. I didn't even do any composing, just tilted the camera and hit click.

The Dock

Then I kept walking. I ended up at the boat launch, which was kind of, well, sterile. Actually, the whole park seemed rather sterile. I think that is why my pics are turning out kinda just OK. Anyway, so here I am at the dock. weeee. I liked the big sky and clouds (you are right, DMA, contrasty cloudy northwest skies are interesting). My question, though, is this: is it better to have a straight horizon or straight stuff in the foreground? I think that the dock looks alright, but man, the Kirkland waterfront is a mess. It is falling off the screen.

pretty clouds... yes? hmmm hmmm hmmm? yes.

Signs of the Season

Yeeeep. In case you didn't get the memo, fall is here. I am feeling a little bitter-sweet over the end of summer. I like the seasons that we have here in Washington, but I was hoping to hold on to summer and its vibrancy for a little while longer. I noticed that many of the trees in the park were already losing their delicate leaves.

Hey, congrats, you made it through the entire post! Cool, thanks! I finally remembered to bring my tripod upstairs, so, who knows, tomorrow may be "macro monday"! woot-woot.