Taking Advantage of a Beautiful Situation

It's an iconic tourist destination. It is on most people's to-do list when they come to Seattle. During the summer months as relatives visit, they are taken to walk along the Seattle Waterfront with it's restaurants, shops, harbor cruises, views of the Olympics, parks, harbors and convenience to other downtown attractions. No wonder one can get a bit claustrophobic while walking the sidewalks.

But the Seattle waterfront isn't just for tourists. It's also a fabulous place to visit for photographers - any type of photographer. Beginners and professionals can find a myriad of subjects along the waterfront from views of Elliot Bay to the people who walk along the shops.

Stay after sunset when the skies darken and the lights of the city turn brighten, you will find another reason to pull out your camera. The vibrance of Seattle in the day, sparkles at night. The reflection of neon on the ripples in the water helps to create a glittering illusion and an understanding of why this is the Emerald City.

I recently joined a group of photographers for a night-time outing to photograph the Seattle Great Wheel as the wheel gave a special light show. The light show happens during special occasions and some home games of local sports teams. Give them a call to find out when they'll be doing the next one. Even if you aren't photographing the wheel, it's a pretty sight.

So if you're planning on a trip to the waterfront for a light show below re a few tips to help you prepare and get some great images.

1. To get the cool pinwheel effect as in the image above, you will nee to use a slow shutter speed. This image had a shutter speed of 3 seconds. As there was still light in the sky and I wanted the texture in the clouds, I had to adjust my settings. ISO went to 100, f/stop 22 - I then added a neutral density filter to finally get the shutter speed slow enough to blur the lights enough for the effect.

2. Since you will be photographing at a slow shutter speed, you'll need to take precautions to steady your camera. (Although hand held can add an interesting effect, we're focusing on sharp images today.) A sturdy tripod is needed. It doesn't have to be the heaviest or most expensive, but it does need to be tall enough to rise above the fencing in the area (which isn't very tall). One that stands about 4 1/2 to 5 feet should be adequate. Also, you don't want a lot of futzing with your hands on the camera because that will also cause camera shake. Invest in a remote shutter release or cable release.

3. Once you get your camera to the settings you want, all you need to do is hold the remote shutter release or cable release and click away to your heart's content. But even in summer, Seattle nights can get chilly. So while you're photographing away, be sure you have an extra layer, hat and gloves to keep yourself warm.

Next time you're along Seattle's waterfront for the day, plan on staying until the sun has set (sunsets over the Olympics can be quite picturesque) and photograph the Seattle Great Wheel.

Have fun!

Finding Inspiration

I recently went on an evening photo shoot with friends at the Pike Place Market & Post Alley in Seattle. I love the lights of Seattle. And I love Seattle nights - although they can be bitterly cold in the winter. But the wind & cold would not deter us as we explored the street & neon signs near Seattle's iconic market. We had postponed our trip once before because of weather that didn't turn out to be so bad, so we weren't going to be fooled again.

The sunset glowed as it set behind the cloud-shrouded Olympic Mountains and we lined up for the quintessential image of the neon coffee cup and the Public Market Sign along Pine Street. A crowd gathered to catch the sunset behind the signs. Then we stopped for a cup of hot coffee to warm up our hands. Did I mention it was cold.

From here we could explore Post Alley and Pike Place Market as the night progressed and night lights created a different Seattle. I was taking a picture of the Post Alley sign above my head when I lowered my gaze to the alley across the street. My gaze stopped at the little corner cafe, golden light illuminating the sidewalk and outside seating area. The Edward Hopper painting Nighthawks suddenly came to mind - A "simple" painting of people sitting in a corner cafe in the evening, the lights of the cafe lighting up the city street outside.

For me this is the image that made my cold fingers & nose worth it.

3 Days for Boobs

Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day.

For the last couple of years, I have followed my sister on her journey to try and end breast cancer. Her journey involves walking 60 miles over 3 days in the Seattle area, raising funds to go towards research an prevention of this devastating disease.

I usually follow her and her teammates around with my camera recording their efforts, their joys, their pains and feel somewhat touched by the event and those who dedicate so much to it's cause. This year I joined the crew as the photographer, to create images of the event that may be used in future marketing materials. It was 3 long days of exhaustive work, something I would do again if given the opportunity.

And for any who would like to help with the eradication of breast cancer, please check out events and opportunities during Breast Cancer awareness month of October.

Birds at Alki

Last year I started a new activity: Winter bird watching at Alki in West Seattle. I was amazed the first time I went out with the Mountaineers naturalists to Alki and saw bird after bird: Scoulers, Cormorants, Grebes, Turnstones, Surf Birds, ducks, geese. The list went on and my excitement grew.

This year, I stood on the pier watching and photographing a pair of Cormorants fight over a fish. All of a sudden, they dropped the fish and flew off. Then into my viewfinder flew a Bald Eagle. He picked up the fish then dropped it again, maybe it really wasn't that great after all, and flew straight to me.

I was still basking in the experience of it all when a Sea Lion that had also been close by started barking and swimming closer to the pier as if to draw attention to himself and away from the spectacular birds surrounding us.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park 1/20/07 3 miles

What better way to experience a sunny January afternoon in Seattle than to walk through one of the many parks? On this day I decided that a jaunt through Discovery Park would not only be refreshing but add a little mileage to my legs – plainly, I needed to stretch my legs a bit during the short winter days and Discovery Park is a great place to do just that.

After a quick discussion with the park volunteers in the visitor center and armed with my new park map, I started out on the 2 ½ mile loop trail circumnavigating the park. A gentle stroll through the woods led me to the big north meadow where couples, families and dogs enjoyed the superlative views of the islands and Olympics beyond. And the snow-covered Olympic mountains held their own against the afternoon haze settling in around them. Overlooking the north meadow are a few of the old buildings from when Discovery Park was within the perimeter of Fort Lawton. I had to squint against their shine in the afternoon sun, they were so bright.

I wandered along the cliff edge over-looking the sound and the beach below to where the trail split between continuing through the woods or down the hill to the beach. I can never pass up an opportunity to walk along a beach so made my way downhill to the beckoning waves. I’ve always felt a connection between myself and the rhythmic sounds of water and as I walked along the beach my breath slowed as did my pace. I absorbed the smells, sounds, and sensations of this beautiful day. A quick stop to admire our little lighthouse on the point and I rounded the point to watch a pair of kayakers paddle their way through quiet ripples.

A small pond lies on the north side of the point – a perfect spot for bird watching. I spotted a variety of water-birds, but sadly wasn’t able to get a clear photograph. Then came the climb back up to the original trail which not only exercised my leg muscles but my heart and lungs. Up there, in the trees, a sense of solitude accompanied me back to my starting point. Soon I was back in my car heading to Chinooks for a fish taco and lemonade. Looking forward to a spring filled with hiking and spectacular views.