Michelle Dion Photography: Week 2

February 6, 2011

Snowy Day

I got my Nikon D700 on Tuesday and I have been dying to use it all week. Between work and dance rehearsals for my daughters, today was my first real chance at using it. This afternoon my daughters were in a tea party ballet show and it started snowing like crazy outside. It wasn’t even suppose to snow today.

While I was sitting in the banquet hall, I was looking out the window and admiring the view wishing I had my camera with me. We were not allowed to take pictures so I didn’t bring it. Plus I was all dressed up and really couldn’t go trampling in the snow taking pictures in heels and a skirt. So I sat back and enjoyed the ballet show. My girls danced beautifully and the show was a hit. When it was all over we headed back home. It was still snowing but not as much and I was bummed because I really wanted to take pictures during the heavy snowfall.

When we got home I changed into my winter gear and grabbed my camera bag and tripod. When I looked outside I saw it started snowing like crazy again. YEAH!!!! I really wanted to photograph the scene I saw at the banquet hall so I headed back over there. The roads were completely snow covered and about 3″ of snow had already fallen. I had to drive really slow and the drive seemed to take forever. On the way I almost spun out. That was scary. I eventually made it back to the banquet hall and I got the shot I wanted. Here is my first landscape picture with my Nikon D700.

Nikon D700

24.0 mm

1/13 s at f/18

ISO 200

3 photos merged to make the pano

edited in CS4

Picking one picture for the week was really tough. The panorama "Snowy Day" is my official Week 2 photograph. I am posting other pictures from this week well. I figure some weeks I will have several pictures and other times I might only have one.

For Week 2 of our Phototastic Year, Ariana and I went to Dodge Park this afternoon. When I asked her if she wanted to go she said no at first. She wanted to just stay at home, watch television, and have a tea party with her webkinz. I asked her if she was sure and told her she would probably be disappointed if she didn't go. I also told her that we wouldn't be gone that long and that I had a really cool place in mind that we should go to. She then decided to go so we gathered up all the camera gear and put on our winter garb.

When we got to the park I noticed the entry wasn't plowed. I didn't want to try and drive the car through the snow so I went to the other opening on the north side of the park to see if that entrance was plowed. It wasn't plowed either. I then drove back to west entrance and parked across the street. We were going to have to walk in. Ariana was a trooper and trudged threw snow to the park. It wasn't a far walk but walking in the snow made it a little tough.

When we got into the park we saw a van that was there and it was stuck in the snow. Good thing I didn't try and drive in. I did not want to deal with getting suck. After I looked around and found a good spot for us to take pictures, I set up the tripod and taught Ariana a little about aperture and shutter speed. I put the D60 in the tripod first and had her take some pictures. After she was done I put the D700 on the tripod and I took my pictures. Ariana continued to take pictures without the tripod. We got some really good shots. After awhile Ariana started to get cold and was ready to leave. I made sure to snap a few shots of her before we left.

I think Week 2 was great. I got to spend some quality time with Ariana. Julia was sick this weekend so maybe next weekend she can join us.