Antelope Canyon - Different Perspectives

I've been spending some time with images I made at Antelope Canyon last December. In addition to the normal adjustments like white balance, contrast, luminosity, etc, I've been rotating the images. It's quite interesting how the same image looks totally different depending on the perspective. Looking at the top image the line between the dark and light receeds but the same line in the image directly above protrudes.



The same things happens with the horizonal compositions. When rotating some of the image I get a totally different 'feeling'. I can feel safely nestled in a smooth fold in the rock but rotate it 180 degrees and I feel like I'm going to fall.

It's a fascinating journey I'm taking thru Antelope Canyon, from my digital darkroom.

Roger
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The Blind

On March 27, 2010 my buddy Travis and I spent the night in a photography blind by the Platte River on the Rowe Wildlife Sanctuary. This was Travis' fourth visit and my first. We first started talking about the trip when Travis told me about it last June. It wasn't long thereafter when it became an entry on our respective calendars.



Photographer blinds can be reserved on the first working day of the new year. So Jan 4 was marked on my calendar. I called as soon as they opened and was the first to get a blind reserved. I really wanted the get the blind 2 days before full moon and I was lucky to get March 27.



We entered the blind at 5:45 in the evening knowing that once the door closed we couldn't open it until it was opened for us the next morning after the cranes were gone. It turned out that time came about 10am. While it wasn't very cold, only getting down to the low 30s, when the door finally opened we were greeted by the warmth of the sun.



It hasn't taken us long to begin making plans for next year. This annual event is one I will not often miss in the coming years. Spending a night with the Sandhill Cranes is quite a memorable experience.

This was our 4'x6'x8' home for the night. It was very comfortable for 2 people, but my butt hurt after sitting on the stool for so long. We even got a good night sleep. I can't speak for Travis but once I took my hearing aids out it got real quiet. Sometimes those of us that don't hear so well have the advantage.

Roger
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Friday March 26, 2010 - Sunrise on the Platte River

Roger
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Night Descends on the Platte River

Evening is approaching in central Nebraska and the Platte River is once again coming to life. Sandhill Cranes have stopped here on their annual migration to the northern breeding grounds.



Having spend the day foraging for food on the surrounding farm fields, the night brings them all together on this 30 or so mile stretch of the Platte River. They begin by gathering on the surrounding fields.







Masses of cranes take to the air and begin landing in the shallow waters of the Platte. It's a busy time on the river and the ever increasing number of cranes means an every increasing level of chatter.



As cranes land there are more that take their place in the sky. The cranes become a blur of activity.







Steadily the surrounding fields empty and the Platte River becomes the nightly home to a half million migrating cranes.



As darkness takes over the land and with most cranes safely on the water the night is still young.



This final 1/2 second exposure captures the active cranes as they move about the river. The noise level is very high in the late evening. It's like the cranes are sharing stories of their day with each other.

These images were made in a group blind at the Rowe Sanctuary near Kearney, NE. We had driven all day from Elk River, Minnesota and found out on the way the group blinds were sold out. But the timing was right and Travis decided to take a chance. Luckily for us there were 2 no-shows so we were able to join the group. This was my first experience taking part in this annual migration and it was a great way to start our weekend.

Roger
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Note: Click on the image to see a larger version.

Ice that Once Was

As we explored the shoreline, the weekend before last, we looked for different and interesting ice formations. This small chunk of ice was 'frozen' to the block of ice below. As the water moved back and forth the ice chunk went up and down and this little piece held on tight.




These next few images were made at Hollow Rock. An ice bench was still in place so one could walk right out to the hole in Hollow Rock and is was at the entrance where these images were made. Just beyond the entrance the ice ended and the water was open to a depth of 3 to 4 feet. The ice around Hollow Rock made some interesting vertical patterns.



Along the sides of Hollow Rock's hole water would melt and run down then freeze in rib like patterns like you see here.




Once of my favorite patterns were these two holes the just looked to me like the eyes of a ghost, Casper specifically. I worked around these ice holes looking for a composition that eliminated most of the detracting background while keeping the holes as large as possible. Since there was virtually no color in the scene I converted it to black and white and added a little sepia tone.




It was a little later in the morning, a couple hours after sunrise, when we visited Hollow Rock. With no cloud in the sky a blue cast fell on the snow. Our eyes, rather our brain, knows that snow is white so compensated for the cast and we really don't realize it is there. But the camera doesn't know any better and captures the blue cast. But in this image the subtle detail in the blue light emits a delicate beauty.

It's been 8 days since these images were made. The weather on the North Shore has been unseasonably warm. These ice formations have melted away with most of the remaining ice along the shore.

Roger
(-:)