Brit' Gal Photography

Skywatch Friday

2009-11-05T23:34:00.000-06:00

These were taken the same August evening as my blog header picture, and show other sections of the amazing cloud formations on show. It was hard to know where to look and photograph next, the stunning changes in shape and light were happening so fast! It was quite a show and free to boot.

To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Sky Gazing

2009-10-04T17:11:00.006-05:00

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Skywatch Friday

2009-10-02T17:49:00.000-05:00

'Endless Horizons'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-09-24T16:00:00.002-05:00

"Lookout! Low flying clouds above! "

This is pretty much what our skies have looked like all week as Fall arrives in Okieland. These are some of my favourite skies seen here; with our endless horizons and flat landscape, clouds like this are truly spectacular.

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-09-03T13:26:00.000-05:00

'Endless Cloudscape'

One of the things I love best about the huge skies in Okieland, days when huge cotton ball clouds sail in a deep blue sky.

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-08-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

'Golden Delicious!'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Sukie!

2009-08-24T22:07:00.005-05:00

I will be entering this in the animal category of a local museums photography competition this week. It was a lucky capture as she 'talked' to me!

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Skywatch Friday - BIG Storm!

2009-08-20T13:26:00.003-05:00

'Backside of possibly tornadic storm'

This was taken at sunset last night, 1/2 a mile up the road from home. We were under a tornado watch, and this was the backside of a huge storm heading East to scare others! A spectacular sight but impossible to capture the full scale, even with my 10-22mm wide angle lense. We could also clearly observe the rotation within the storm, in addition to some wicked lightening.

I submitted this to our KOCO channel 5 TV station and apparently it was featured during their morning news show, I'm hoping it may appear tonight so I get to see it. UPDATE: Yay it was on again!

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-08-13T13:28:00.001-05:00

'Sunday Sunset'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-08-06T13:28:00.000-05:00

'Tree Huggers Sunset!'

Taken into the west on macro through our Maple tree

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Scenic Sunday

2009-08-02T01:33:00.000-05:00

Taken at sunset, as we headed home after a day at the lake in November, hence the lack of green anywhere in sight!

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To join in too or see the other great contributions, just click through to Scenic Sunday.

Skywatch Friday

2009-07-30T20:42:00.001-05:00

'Sun Kissed Storm Cloud'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Scenic Sunday

2009-07-25T22:03:00.004-05:00

Spotted near Navy Pier in Chicago, they just seemed so relaxed in each others company soaking up the sun!

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To join in too or see the other great contributions, just click through to Scenic Sunday.

Skywatch Friday

2009-07-23T13:29:00.005-05:00

'Curvaceous Reflections'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Scenic Sunday

2009-07-19T00:29:00.002-05:00

'Languid Lake Vincent'

Taken yesterday whilst out geocaching. So tranquil, utterly peaceful with just the sounds of nature surrounding us, and not another soul around - pure heaven and just 80 degrees!

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To join in too or see the other great contributions, just click through to Scenic Sunday.

Skywatch Friday

2009-07-16T14:12:00.001-05:00

'Into the blue'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Scenic Sunday

2009-07-12T01:20:00.003-05:00

'All paths lead to calm waters'

I have joined a new weekly blog event called 'Scenic Sunday', as it fits perfectly with my passion for landscape photography.

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To join in too or see the other great contributions, just click through to Scenic Sunday.

Skywatch Friday

2009-07-09T21:03:00.002-05:00

'Low flying country clouds!'

Taken this past weekend, whilst geocaching 20 miles north.

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Hazy Reflections on Chicago

2009-07-08T00:50:00.005-05:00

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Skywatch Friday - Chicago

2009-07-02T13:29:00.001-05:00

'The spectacular Trump Tower on the Chicago River'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Floral Delights

2009-06-08T11:04:00.004-05:00

Taken with Canon Powershot SD780 IS on Macro, double click to enlarge.

What do I use?

2009-05-27T22:22:00.001-05:00

Today I am responding to a question I have had from a few readers recently, "what kind of camera do you use"?

Well since last month I have two very different options, the latest is a tiny fully automatic digital I can stick in a pocket and the other is my less portable DSLR with all it's add-ons.

I like to always carry a camera so as not to miss a great picture and that's why a month ago I bought a Canon Powershot SD780 IS Digital Elph. This camera is tiny as can be seen from the picture and so I have it on me at all times now.

It has 12.1 megapixels, a 3x image stabilized zoom, face detection and numerous auto or manual settings, including a new feature i-contrast. This is my favourite feature, as a chip inside corrects the contrast automatically whatever the light conditions and I have yet to find fault with this excellent feature. I am having alot of fun with this little gem, good pictures are guaranteed from it and it enables me to capture anything quickly. Here are a couple of examples of pictures I have taken with it, it's definitely a camera I can recommend.

My main camera is a Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR , which I have had for almost 3 years. It has re-energised my interest in the art of photography and led me to take alot more interest in the technical aspects. As with most DSLR's they require more investment if you're serious and I have over time purchased additional lenses that expand my horizons. This is the beauty of an SLR, it enables you to pick the lens to suit your photography interests.

The camera came with a stock 18-55mm lens which is fine for everyday shots and is a perfectly acceptable general lens. But in addition I have bought three other higher quality lenses for specific requirements.

My first addition was a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom to enable me to get in tighter on subjects. My two best shots to date with this lens have been the following ones of a submerged car, and a totally unplanned moon shot. I would say having Image Stabilisation is an essential with a Telephoto Zoom.

My next addition was the Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard Medium Telephoto, a superb lens for individual close-up subjects due to it's outstanding 'bokeh' (background blurring). This is the lens I love to use for portraits, as the f1.4 also delivers outstanding sharpness, here are a couple of examples courtesy of Cal-Jo and my mum.

More than a year down the road, it was becoming clear that my real passion was landscape photography and so after some serious saving, I paid more for a lens than the actual camera! But the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Ultra Wide Angle was worth every penny and has without doubt improved my photographs. This amazing lens was an absolute must for me, living in the wide open expanses and under huge skies.

I also invested in a multi-coated Hoya UV Filter that stays on the lens permanently for protection and a Hoya Polarizing filter that I use to really make clouds 'pop' as can be seen below. I LOVE this lens, it was a major investment in fact it's gone up $300 since I bought it, but to me it was worth every penny and repays me all the time with results like these.

I then have an assortment of protective or working filters for my lenses and also a nice set of Hoya magnifying lenses for really capturing details. I also have a nice portable, fully adjustable tripod and two batteries for each camera, essential when I often shoot 200 pictures in one day.

I have invested in three really good books I would recommend to anyone and they have all helped me develop my skills.

Finally when I bought my camera I also got a great Canon photographers backpack, which is where I keep it all safely stored. It's also quick to grab and sling in a vehicle or the storm cellar as neccessary!

And yes I am a Canon woman through and through. My first ever 'proper' camera was a Canon T70 SLR for my 21st birthday and I only sold it after moving here. I am used to Canon software, have all the cables and chargers I ever need and think their products are first rate.

So what out of all this am I hauling to Chicago on vacation? Well after alot of thought I have decided the tiny Canon Powershot will do fine for all the general snapshots and is easy to carry with guaranteed results. But I will also be taking my Rebel XTi and it's Telephoto Zoom lens for the view from the Sears Tower, and of course the Ultra Wide Angle with the Polarizing filter for all those skyscraper vistas.

And there you were thinking blogging was my passion!

Skywatch Friday

2009-05-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

'Sunwarmed Tracks'

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Taken this evening, to see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-05-07T18:56:00.006-05:00

'A Celestial Angle!'

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To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Skywatch Friday

2009-04-30T18:47:00.006-05:00

'Windmill viewed through Waterwheel'

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Taken with my newly delivered Canon Powershot SD780IS, which is smaller than my cell phone!

To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.