Light Happens

Friday, March 8, 2013

New York's Colorful Subway Signs

Take The 'A' Train

I enjoy photographing subway signs even though they're not a classic subject. Or perhaps because they're not a classic subject. They present us with an opportunity to discover the magic within the mundane.

a photo of a subway sign near bryant park in new york

My eye is drawn to the simple shapes, the bold lettering, the clean layout, and vibrant colors.

Inspiration can happen anywhere. The way that we look at our world is more important than the subjects themselves.

The sign below was posted during a construction project at New York's Fulton Street Station and has since been removed. I'm glad that I took the shot that day, because I'll never get another chance at this unique combination of elements.

a photo of a sign at the entrance to the Fulton Street subway station in New York

What hidden photo opportunities await discovery in your city, in your neighborhood - even if you don't have a subway?

Keep your mind and heart open. Your next memorable image might be waiting just around the corner.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lens: Canon 24-105 f/4L IS

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

http://www.dansouthphoto.com

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Wedding Photography

Chronicling the Big Day

I can't think of a higher honor than being asked to photograph a wedding. It's one of the most important days in a person's life. Being entrusted to capture memories of the experience is an enormous responsibility.

I want my images to be clear and direct. I think about that one person who couldn't make it to the event for whatever reason - there's always someone like that, a frail aunt who lives far away, for example.

If that person were to see the photograph that I am about to shoot, would it help them get a sense of what it was like to be there?

If not, then the image hasn't succeeded, and neither have I.

There are no second chances at a wedding. There are only moments, and those moments pass by very quickly. You need to work fast, and your skills need to be up to the task.

When it all comes together, there's nothing more rewarding than photographing a wedding and capturing special memories for a couple who are about to embark on their new life together.

Cameras:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Nikon D800

Lenses:

Canon 24-105 f/4L IS
Canon 70-200 f/4L IS
Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 G AF-S

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

http://www.dansouthphoto.com

Monday, February 18, 2013

28 Days Sharper - A New York Portfolio

Last Ten Days!

Eighteen days down and ten to go! One new image every day for the month of February 2013.

a photo of the empire state building tilting in a skewed perspective

Skewed Perspective, Empire State Building

Be sure to vote for your favorites. The winning images will be offered as prints for a limited time.

a photo of girls in hot pants and bright socks near times square

Hot Socks, Times Square

Please visit our new home page to see each new image on the day that it's posted. Enjoy the Slideshow feature for hands-free viewing.

Cameras:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Lenses:

Canon 24-105 f/4L IS

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

http://www.dansouthphoto.com

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

28 Days Sharper

A Portfolio of Diverse New York Images

Unclassified and wide ranging, from landmarks to sunsets, candids to abstracts, this collection represents a selection of my favorite New York photographs from recent years.

a photo of the prometheus statue at rockefeller center new york

Prometheus Statue, Rockefeller Center

Twenty-eight images of diverse subjects, never before published, carefully selected to work together as a collection.

a photo of a subway station in new york city

"No Entry"

One new image will be posted each day during the month of February 2013.

a photo of a sailboat in new york harbor at sunset

Sailing At Sunset in New York Harbor

Please visit our new, fully revamped home page to view each new image as it makes its debut.

Cameras:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Lenses:

Canon 24-105 f/4L IS

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

http://www.dansouthphoto.com

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Last Moment Of Daylight

Photographing the Orange Glow of Sunset

Blue light dominates our atmosphere. The short blue wavelengths bounce freely off of dust particles and gas molecules spreading blue light across the sky.

As evening (or sunrise) approaches, light from the sun has to travel a much longer distance through the atmosphere. The easily bounced blue wavelengths fade and reveal the longer, slower wavelengths of yellow and red.

a photo of a bell tower in dubrovnik croatia in the orange glow of sunset

Bell Tower at Last Light, Dubrovnik

If the sky is clear and the setting sun is unobstructed by haze or clouds, the last moment of daylight can cast a strong orange glow on westward facing objects.

If you can catch this fleeting light before it fades, the glow will add a rich, saturated look to photographs. But you'd better work quickly, because it won't last long!

Camera:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lenses:

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

http://www.dansouthphoto.com

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Scotty's Castle

Death Valley's Mysterious Mansion

I won't attempt to tell the story of Scotty's Castle. No one knows all of its secrets, and even the 'facts' are murky.

Scotty's Castle, Death Valley National Park

The project started as a vacation home for Albert M. Johnson, a millionaire insurance executive with an interest in gold mines, and his associate, Walter E. Scott. Scott, also known as "Death Valley Scotty," may or may not have convinced Johnson to invest in non-existent gold mines in the California desert. Johnson didn't seem to hold a grudge, and the two became close friends. Death Valley Scotty lived in the 'Castle' for the rest of his days.

a photo showing detailed wood carving at scotty's castle

Scotty's Castle, Exterior Detail

a photograph of the interior of scotty's castle in death valley

Scotty's Castle, Interior

a photo showing the detailed tiles at scotty's castle

a photograph of the clock tower at scotty's castle

Scotty's Castle an attraction in Death Valley National Park in California. The National Park Service provides entertaining and informative tours of the property. The location is remote, but the tours are suitable for visitors of all ages.

Camera:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lenses:

Canon 24-105 f/4L IS

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS

Canon 16-35 f/2.8L II

Canon TS-E24 f/3.5L II

Light happens. Be ready. Shoot hard.

http://www.dansouthphoto.com