Western Maryland Photographers Association

2010-02-04T10:42:00.001-05:00

Watch out for water drops...

2010-01-24T12:11:00.000-05:00

Here's a cautionary example to periodically check your lens for obstructions. I stopped at Casselman Bridge yesterday morning for a quick shoot.
I kept the lens cap on the camera until the camera was set-up on the tripod for the shot. It wasn't raining or snowing, but it appears a stray drop of snow or water somehow found a way to get onto my lens. I had the camera LCD screen on histogram-view, so even though I was checking the screen after each shot, I didn't notice the big water spot until I was downloading the pics from the camera.

If you're interested in seeing some of my previous Cassleman shots (without huge blobs of water ruining the shot), you can view them here - Casselman Bridge & Spruce Forest Artisan Village

WMSR #734 in December

2010-01-14T11:57:00.003-05:00

Here's a shot of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad #734 loading passengers in December. This was taken on the last run of the 2009 season. I like how snowy & icy the passenger cars are...it looks like it was a cold night at the rail yard.

WMPA in the news

2010-01-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

Cumberland Times-News photo feature on 1/12/10:

http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_011232642.html

Header pic

2009-12-08T07:35:00.002-05:00

Anyone up for changing the header pic to a winter scene?

Here is my entry!

What say y'all? Let's see some snow!!!!

Glory of Fall

2009-10-30T05:35:00.001-04:00

Pittsburgh skyline

2009-09-12T12:05:00.002-04:00

Here's one that I took last weekend of the skyline of Pittsburgh. Shot was hand-held, mid-day, from a boat, using the fixed length 50 mm lens...settings were 1/1600 @ f8. ISO 400.

Saturday Morning in Damascus

2009-08-15T21:29:00.003-04:00

Here are a couple of shots I took this morning at a horse show in Damascus. I have a lot more work to do in getting my action shots and I sure could use a better telephoto, but I'm happy with these for my first time shooting a sporting event.

2009-08-13T20:25:00.003-04:00

Well since there have been no post in a while I thought I would kill 2 birds with one stone.

First I posted a shot of one of the HDR images I have been working on for a show and the Kayaks is an image Marcia has been working on for the show.

Secondly is to invite everyone to Sanctuary Studio's Show and Sell.

At least 5 members (that I know of) will be showing this weekend, Mary Ellen, Ginny, Jinx, Marcia and myself. If I left anyone out, I apologise. Just chime in and let us know.

I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of everyone's work last evening when I dropped off a few of my pieces. Everyone has done an awesome job. I know we all hope you can make it. Hey free food and drinks on Saturday between 6 & 8 pm. And it is a beautiful ride.

I hope we see you there.

DIRECTIONS:
Take I-68 east, take Exit 62 turn left, go less than 2 miles and turn Left onto Green Ridge Road.
Go 2 miles (There is a retreat on the right and a small church on the left). Turn right onto Scofield Rd. follow to Y in road keep left. Studio is in woods on the left across from 13910 Scofield. You will see a large wooden sculpture in the yard on the right. If you need further directions call 301-478-2735.

Pano of Pittsburgh Skyline

2009-07-28T15:38:00.002-04:00

Here's a shot I took of the Pittsburgh skyline last weekend. Actually it's several shots, stitched together to form one panorama.

2009-07-21T23:34:00.001-04:00

One more from the walk.

Lamp post detail

2009-07-21T23:32:00.000-04:00

Another image from Saturday evening. Not quite a turtle...

2009-07-21T23:29:00.001-04:00

From the Photo Walk. I never did see any of you!

This is how to keep the birds from roosting! (and doing 'other' things!)

OLD GLORY

2009-07-20T23:31:00.000-04:00

PHOTO BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

TALL WINDOW

2009-07-20T23:03:00.001-04:00

PHOTO BY HARVEY

MECHANIC ST.

2009-07-20T23:02:00.001-04:00

PHOTO BY HARVEY

ANOTHER STEEPLE

2009-07-20T23:01:00.001-04:00

PHOTO BY HARVEY

STEEPLE

2009-07-20T22:59:00.001-04:00

PHOTO BY HARVEY RINGLER

SCULPTURE ON THE MALL

2009-07-20T22:57:00.002-04:00

PHOTO BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

LAMPPOST

2009-07-20T22:56:00.002-04:00

PHOTO BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

LIBERTY ST.

2009-07-20T22:55:00.001-04:00

PHOTO BY HARVEY RINGLER

DRINKING FOUNTAIN

2009-07-20T22:54:00.001-04:00

PHOTO BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

CUMBERLAND FIRE TRUCK

2009-07-20T22:52:00.003-04:00

PHOTO BY HARV

FIRE HYDRANT

2009-07-20T22:50:00.002-04:00

PHOTO BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

FIRE ESCAPE

2009-07-20T22:49:00.002-04:00

PHOTO BY HARV

OLD COURT HOUSE

2009-07-20T22:47:00.003-04:00

PHOTO BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

CHURCH

2009-07-20T22:46:00.002-04:00

HARV

BARBER POLE

2009-07-20T22:44:00.004-04:00

photo by Sara-Ellen Ringler

Bank

2009-07-20T22:33:00.002-04:00

photo by Sara-Ellen Ringler

Baltimore St.

2009-07-20T22:30:00.003-04:00

photo by Sara-Ellen ringler

As seen on Kodak.com...

2009-07-15T10:16:00.003-04:00

This is kinda fun. Go to Kodak.com, then either wait for the rotating slideshow to start (or if you're impatient like me), just hit refresh.
That's my pic of the entrance to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Station.

...or if you're REALLY impatient, just click the image below for a larger view.

Movie shoot in downtown Cumberland

2009-07-10T15:42:00.005-04:00

Earlier this week they were filming a special downtown for NatGeo about a WWII spy. I was fortunate to be allowed on the set & I managed to get a few pics. This one is probably my fav...that's the spy, right there...

Finzel Swamp Pond

2009-07-08T17:34:00.005-04:00

I thought I heard Michelle mention at the last meeting that they went to the main sign at the swamp and they didn't make it to this pond. Check it out next time, preferably in the fall!

Abstract Fireworks

2009-07-05T20:51:00.003-04:00

Here are five examples of numerous photos that I created at the Fireworks Show. The only thing done was to resize them for viewing on the internet. Otherwise they are the way I photographed them.

You can view the rest of them at RiffsPics Gallery here: RiffsPics/Fireworks.

They were all shot with a DSLR and an 18 - 105 lens, handheld on Programmed Automatic.

I wanted to create something a little different and I believe that I did.

More 4th of July Fireworks

2009-07-05T11:43:00.002-04:00

This was my first time shooting fireworks. It was really fun but far from easy. These were taken at my neighbors with setting at f/16 and bulb.

July 4th fireworks

2009-07-05T08:28:00.001-04:00

Here are a few fireworks shots from Cumberland's 2009 fireworks show. These shots were taken from Constitution Park as the fireworks went off directly overhead. All pics are straight out of the camera, Bulb setting was used at f11.

Shrek's New Lot

2009-07-04T10:10:00.003-04:00

Took a friend yesterday who has never visited Mexico Farms canal. Found this interesting.

Cattail Sunset

2009-06-29T17:48:00.003-04:00

Here is a little something for consideration as a blog header. Is this going to be a seasonal contest? More often than that? That would be nice.

This image is Rocky Gap a year or two ago. I metered the sunset first, then popped the flash open to light the foreground. It worked fairly good.

BOTTOMS UP

2009-06-24T12:23:00.004-04:00

OFFERING FOR CONSIDERATION FOR WMPA COVER PAGE .

HARVEY RINGLER

STEEPLES

2009-06-24T12:18:00.002-04:00

OFFERING FOR CONSIDERATION FOR WMPA COVER PAGE BY SARA-ELLEN RINGLER

On Another Part of the Canal

2009-06-21T19:06:00.004-04:00

First off . . . HAPPY FATHERS DAY . . . to all you Dads out there. Sorry I missed you. I was late and you were already gone. What part of the canal did you shoot on? I went to Old Town. I saw deer, green heron, turtles, some really big fish, a few ducks and lots of dragon flies. Maybe we can meet up next time when those yellow buds are in bloom.

2009-06-21T11:27:00.002-04:00

This isn't a great picture but it was the only critter that would stand still long enough to shoot. Bill is right this would be a great place to go back to in a couple of weeks.

North Branch C&O Canal shoot - June 21st

2009-06-21T11:11:00.003-04:00

There weren't a lot of critters out on the canal today (ha, just the three of us)....so I just focused on the scenery of the canal. It's such a beautiful place. Here are a few...

The lush green color along the towpath in June.

This spot might be worth another visit in a few days when this guy opens up.

I couldn't get this shot exactly how I wanted it in-camera...so I pumped up the Contrast a bit (+30) in Photoshop.

Thanks...

2009-06-21T10:51:00.002-04:00

First time out on a morning shoot with the group and had a wonderful time. As Jim mentioned, no wild life to speak of but a lovely morning none the less. Oh, unless you count the wild photographer.

2009-06-21T10:23:00.004-04:00

Today's photo shoot was short but still lots of fun. We walked along the canal looking for wild life. Most of the wild life was getting ready for Father's day and weren't around. We did see a couple of turtles and a very wet goose but not much more. The light was good and the time spent with friends is always good. We will have to give this spot another try as it looks great.

See you all at the meeting Thursday night.

This shot was taken with a 10-22 wide angle. The tricky part was the exposure for the sky and the ground. I fixed it somewhat in phot shop using the shadow / highlight adustment. I just like the clouds.:)>

2009-06-17T19:58:00.000-04:00

It is hard to find a new way to catch a bird. This fellwo elped by cleaning his or her wing.

2009-06-14T10:36:00.002-04:00

This fellow came to see me as I was sitting in a "blind" at Rocky Gap. He was not sure what I was since I smelled like a human but looked like a bush. I will have to keep trying as I am still very funny to watch setting this thing up but it wa fun.

Faster than the camera can think!

2009-06-12T14:51:00.005-04:00

Over this past weekend, I was trying to get some shots of the raindrops on the flowers in my yard when I started getting buzzed by a hummingbird. Now, I've never been able to get good hummingbird shots (nor flower shots for that matter :)) but I thought I'd just aim the camera at the bird, snap off a shot and maybe I'd luck out. Although this certainly isn't the best hummingbird shot in the world, I'm still pleased by the way I got the wings in action and his face is somewhat in focus.

2009-06-11T19:37:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to share with my friends what my staff did to me today. No animal gave their lives for the tropheys on my wall.

WMPA Blog Photo Contest

2009-06-11T08:39:00.005-04:00

Good morning everyone. In talking with Bill and a few of the members, we thought it would be cool to have a little contest for the photo behind our Blogs tittle. Between now and Wednesday June 24th (the day before our next meeting)submit a photo that you believe best represents the WMPA. We will have a secret ballot vote at the meeting and post the winner's photo to the Blog title page by the weekend. So get your cameras out or search through your albums and submit your photo. Keep in mind that we will need to add the Title of the Blog to the photo. When you post your photo either edit this post or if in a new post, please make a note that it is for the contest. If you are still unsure about how to post, I can post instructions here; just let me know. Good luck !

Noah the chef

2009-06-10T11:41:00.004-04:00

I had a bakeoff for my greatnephews and when I turned around this is what I saw. He ended up winning the blue ribbon by votes---maybe the taste testing helped. Sara-Ellen

finzel swamp

2009-06-10T11:33:00.006-04:00

this is one of my experiments with high definition resolution(HDR). Harvey

2009-06-09T09:43:00.002-04:00

After missing the first Sunday trip out to Cucumber falls I decided I just had to go, so about 3 weeks ago I did and got this shot among others. Fell in the creek twice too but never got the camera wet (and my backside suffered to keep it dry). So this turned into my first sale during the Frostburg Arts Walk on 5/30! Very exciting!

My favorite Model

2009-06-08T21:27:00.002-04:00

This is my grandson and I am using my new equipment. This 70 - 200 2.8 lens is wonderful and the D50 gives me a range I never had before. This is early evening shot at 500 at 2.8. The ISO is 400 and it is very sharp. I was going to use Noise Ninja to reduce the noise but I could not find any. I promise I will now shut up about this equipment.

FELTEN'S BRIDGE

2009-06-08T15:32:00.004-04:00

THANKS BILL FOR SETTING US UP FOR THE NEW BLOG. HARV AND SARA-ELLEN

Trial Run

2009-06-08T09:09:00.002-04:00

We're getting ready at the zoo this week for Heritage Days. Not sure what animals we'll have there yet. It's a safe bet one of the big boas will be there. come on out and hold one.

Hey Wini, I challenge you to, and I'll take the pictures.

Mr. P

2009-06-07T22:58:00.004-04:00

I spent most of the weekend doing work around the house & in the yard, so I didn't travel anywhere to take any photos. I did snap this one of Mr. P, our Puggle, supervising the yard work.

f6.3 - 1/50th sec - ISO 200

Welcome to Your Blog

2009-06-07T11:40:00.000-04:00

Hello fellow members of the Western Maryland Photographers Association. I have set up this sample blog to show you what we could put together as a group to share our love of photography. This could be a way for us to share ideas, techniques, locations and of course photographs, in between our monthly meetings. Several of our members already have their own blog spots, so I thought why not our group.

For the sample post I have identified some of the covered bridges located in nearby Bedford and Somerset Counties. There has been a suggestion made that we visit them for a group shoot. The past two weekends I have done a little research into which ones might better suit our needs. I have included photos and minor details of each. Please note that the photos are here only to give you an idea of what the bridge looks like and it's surroundings. I hope you find this helpful and that we will soon see our group's photographs and words in our own blog.

1. New Baltimore Bridge - very small parking area and not a lot of room for taking photos

2. Pack Saddle Bridge - good parking with lots to photographs in the surrounding area, small waterfall under bridge (this is the closest and my favorite)

3. Burkholder Bridge - small parking area and not the most scenic of bridges

4. Barronville Bridge - OK parking good area to move around and get photos from all angles

5. King Bridge - small parking area, nice location, renovations being cleaned up

6. Lower Humbert Bridge - very little parking, some private property