Silhouette

Following my proclamation on New Year's Eve that I try to avoid the sunset cliche, yep, here's my very next image that appeared across the street. It's a silhouette, a common technique associated with sunsets, of my neighbor's roofline this afternoon. Taken with my telephoto lens at ISO 400 and a slow shutter speed of 1/25 second, it required a steady hand to maintain sharpness.
So why a sunset today? Well, cold, dry weather produces crisper, more vibrant sunrises and sunsets than other times of the year. After doing some quick research to find out why, I found this explanation from Outdoor Photographer:
During the winter, the sun remains low in the sky, which provides a more favorable angle of light. It also hovers closer to the horizon at sunrise and sunset, extending the time at which you can shoot with warmer light.
Also a quick plug for a workshop I'm giving, Blogging for Artists, this Saturday at the East End Arts Council. Any fellow artists out there interested in creating their own blog, come and find out how easy and fun it can be! Details in the News section here.

Serenity

This afternoon I waited until after four o'clock, about 20 minutes before sunset, to drive to one of my favorite local spots, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, to take a photograph for my New Year's Eve posting. There's a serene spot overlooking the lake that I had hoped would be illuminated by a dynamic winter sunset. Although I try to avoid that particular cliche, I thought I'd make an exception for today.
However, there was only fog to be found when I arrived even though the sun had been out not long before. For a moment, I thought I'd just post a dramatic image taken several years ago of the sun rising over the bay down the street from my home. But then, I reconsidered. This scene, although not nearly as cheerful, seems more fitting for the tough times we're facing and more a reflection of the serenity I hope we'll find in the year to come.

Rugelach

During the holidays, any holiday, one of my greatest pleasures is cooking with my kids. Here's a plate of chocolate raspberry rugelach baked yesterday by my daughter, Jackie, and photographed overhead using natural window light.
I'm sure most of you have seen or eaten these cream cheese cookies traditionally baked on Hanukkah, but available in bakeries year-round. Yesterday while walking with my friend and author Julie Sheehan, I expressed my "trans-cultural" delight over the fact that Jackie had baked 150 ruggelach to be wrapped in sets of a dozen and presented as Christmas gifts to her boyfriend's family.
"Rugelach, what's that?" she asked.
"You know, those little crescents I had at my Hanukkah dinner."
"Oh those," she said, "I didn't know what they're called; how's it spelled?"
Never quite sure, I looked it up when I returned home. Here's what I found: Rugelach ( /ˈruːɡələx/; Yiddish: רוגעלך), other spellings: rugelakh, rugulach, rugalach, ruggalach, rogelach (all plural), rugalah, rugala (singular), is a Jewish pastry of Ashkenazic origin.

Family Photo

Taking a family photo is one of my biggest challenges, especially when I'm in it! First of all, when I announce that I'd like to take one, everyone clams up and starts complaining about what they're wearing or how their hair looks. So I've discovered that it's best not to tell them in advance and to plan to take the photo on special occasions when people are already looking their best. Sure, they will still whine, but they won't have as much time.
Also by using the self-timer on your camera (if you have one), you can get everyone engaged and smiling as they wait for the timer to count down and the shutter to release. This image, featured on my holiday card this year, was taken just before we sat down to Thanksgiving dinner.

Holiday Buzz

Accidents happen. And sometimes for a reason...

Last week I was in midtown Manhattan taking more photographs for my Phantoms series. At around five just after the sun set, I was walking down Fifth Avenue amidst the crowds, just past the tree in Rockefeller Center. Gazing up at the holiday lights, I spotted a small formation of branches framed against a building that I found interesting.

With my camera set at aperature-priority, I raised it and pressed the shutter. It stayed open for several seconds, far too long with too much shake to render anything discernible, or so I thought. Realizing it was a mistake, I shut off the camera.

When I looked at it later, this is what I found...all the holiday buzz and energy that had been circling around me...

Phenomena

In the last week, I've been to the beach four times with my dog, Copper. Yes, I know it's December, but it sure doesn't feel like it! On one of our walks at Cupsogue Beach, the county park at the far western end of Westhampton Dunes, we came upon this incredible sight. I'm not quite sure what to call it. An etching, engraving, masonry in sand?

Raising my camera, I started to snap away, excited about my discovery, wondering whether it was man-made or some kind of natural phenomena. Juxtaposed against the streaky clouds, I couldn't believe my luck. As I shot away, Copper crept into the image. At first I wanted to shoo him away, but then he sat down in just the right spot providing his profile.

They say things come in threes, it seems that also applies to photography.

On The March

Here's a photo of an Occupy Wall Street protester taking time to donate during a march taken by artist Patti Robinson at just the right moment. On this day of Thanksgiving. this image seems to project just the right spirit.

As he leans back digging into his pocket, it epitomizes the movement itself. No matter how busy, how stretched, or how little we have ourselves, giving to others produces a smile.

Bravo, Patti, for carrying your camera and sharing with us!!!

Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches this year in the midst of so much global uncertainty, I find myself giving thanks for the little things I take for granted each day. In lieu of admiring the vast display of color that has been prematurely blown away this fall, my eye has been gravitating to the plumes gracing the tips of ornamental grasses that populate the area. Here's a spiky one at the end of my neighbor's driveway that gives me pleasure each time I drive-by.

So this week as you prepare for the holiday, savor the sights all around you, then take out your camera and snap away. And please send your favorite image to meryl@merylspiegel.com and I'll post one here on Thanksgiving!

Autumn Colors?

Looking out my window, I can't help but notice that there's not much color this fall nor many leaves left on the trees. Due to Hurricane Irene and the recent nor'easter that dumped snow everywhere in the area except here on the East End, most were blown away before they could reach their peak. Therefore, I thought I'd post an image from a glorious fall taken several years ago.

Up until recently, Northeasterners could claim that climate change hadn't affected them as badly as those in other areas. After all, we weren't subject to tsunamis, earthquakes, fires and drought. Yes, we've been kvetching about hotter summers and much colder winters, but we seem to be finding the money to pay for more energy and to clear away all that snow.

But now it seems to be claiming one of our most sacred pleasures---our autumn colors! Have you noticed?

Halloween

On Halloween this past week, I found myself pushing a stroller through the parade on Main Street in Westhampton. Gazing around at the crowd of trick-or-treaters, there was a myriad of adorable faces. Unable to break away from my watch, I looked down and realized one of the sweetest, my newest grandson locked in his seat, was right in front of me waiting to be photographed. A willing subject, he gave me many smiles to choose from, however I kept shooting and after 15 frames, it was this wide-open expression that captured him.