Lakes Region, New Hampshire's First Snow

Vine covered lamp post.

Street light and post light and textured brick walkway.

We had very unusual warm weather this year and no snow. Finally and very appropriate timing, while I was decorating and playing my Christmas music, it started to snow. I had to go outside and snap a few images.

Matthew Bamberg, Author, Photographer - Free Book For The First Correct Answer

Author Matthew Bamberg

I became acquainted with Matt Bamberg about 4 years ago, after posting my photo Christmas card on my blog. He wrote a reply offering a suggestion how to enhance my photo with a two tone block font, even sharing tips how to create the font. His reply on my blog was the beginning of our online friendship.

Matt has offered to give away his newest book
Coming in December:

101 Quick and Easy Ideas Taken from the Master Photographers of the Twentieth Century

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Master-Photographers-Twentieth-Century/dp/1435454367 to the first person located in the USA who correctly posts the answer this question.

Who took the picture titled "Migrant Mother"?

My busy friend's recent books published.

Coming in December:

101 Quick and Easy Ideas Taken from the Master Photographers of the Twentieth Century

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Master-Photographers-Twentieth-Century/dp/1435454367

101 Quick and Easy Secrets to Create Winning Photographs

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Secrets-Create-Winning-Photographs/dp/1598639021

101 Quick and Easy Secrets for Using Your Digital Photographs

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Secrets-Using-Digital-Photographs/dp/1435454375

50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in San Francisco

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Photo-Opportunities-San-Francisco/dp/1598638009

Matt's impressive biography:

Several years ago, Matthew Bamberg began to photograph for the articles he was writing while working for the alternative paper, the Desert Post Weekly. His writing focuses on popular culture: essays about topics from the Santa Cruz, California surf culture to the mid-century modern architecture revival around the world. Curious by light striking his lens (direct and bold or soft and willowy) and the sounds (especially of the shutter opening and closing), he struck a relationship first with film and then, like so many, with the digital camera's sensor.Aside from writing about f-stops, shutter speeds, and the fabulous job the digital camera manufacturers have done that permit photographers to take almost noiseless pictures in the dark at high ISO speeds, Matt has written content and provided photographs for articles on Homestore.com, America Online, and The Weather Channel. He is the author of several books including 101 Quick and Easy Secrets to Create Winning Photographs, 101 Quick and Easy Secrets for Using Your Digital Photographs, 101 Quick and Easy Ideas Taken from the Master Photographers of the Twentieth Century and 50 Greatest Photo Opportunities in San Francisco.

Beautiful Fall Foliage, Regional Differences

have been working on hundred of fall images I photographed this season. This year for fall foliage I visited New Hampshire, Maine and last fall, California. I realized how beautiful each area showcases their colors depending on the trees growing in each region. The east you see more reds, oranges, gold's and bronzes. In the west, California, Yosemite and Lee Vining, you will find mostly Aspen changing to a bright yellow with touches of oranges.

Rocky Gorge on The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Temperatures and rain will influence the colors. Maples you will find Reds, oranges and russet leaves, red maples, scarlet red, sugar maples, orange-red, black maples, bright yellows. Oak trees, turn red, brown or russet. Russet-colored leaves on White Ash trees. Shades of yellow on trees such as the Aspens, Poplars, Locusts, Hickories, a golden bronze and Ginkgo, Dogwood turns purplish red.
The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

I hope I do not sound impartial because I live in New Hampshire, friends have also mention to me, New Hampshire's fall foliage featured all the bright colors, yellows, browns, purplish reds and showcasing the most brilliant reds!!!

Albany Covered Bridge


Be sure when you visit New England to include New Hampshire in your tour, you will not be disappointed our colors are outstanding.

Early morning light.

The Wings of Freedom Tour at Laconia Airport

Consolidated B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft"

P-51 Mustang "Little Friend" (My husband Bob's photo)

Earl "Smitty" Smith

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine"

P-51 Mustang "Little Friend"

I had marked my calendar to attend The Wings of Freedom Tour at Laconia Airport to see the planes and take some pictures. I was excited about it. On display were two historical fighter boomers: a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine, and a B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" with an escort fighter, North American P-51 named "Betty Jane."

I was able to actually tour the inside of the bombers, and found that the interior conditions were very tight and cramped. The crew, I was told, numbered 10 or 11. In that special place I could feel and imagine our brave flying crews bombing their targets during WW2...the dangers they experienced. Attending the Wings of Freedom Tour made me realize how brave our servicemen have always been, fighting for our freedom.

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Earl "Smitty" Smith, who flew on the B-17 as a gunner in the belly turret. My husband mentioned to me that flying in the belly turret was the most dangerous place to be in the bomber. If they lost their landing gear, the gunners who flew in the belly turret would certainly lose their lives when the plane landed.

As I walked around I could hear several stories of flights and missions. There was a young woman there who knew all about her father's missions. He had been captured and made a prisoner of war. She had all the dates and research with her and proudly shared her story with a man who was most impressed with the extent of her knowledge about her father's tour of duty.

I had gone to Laconia Airport to take pictures but came away uplifted by a patriotic feeling that made me proud to be an American.

I never noticed before, the changing color of the roadside ferns. Their color changes in the fall, from shades of greens to golden color, with touches of brown.

We drove passed a patch of ferns, with perfect lighting late afternoon. I asked my husband to stop and turn around, he is very patient and is used to my requests.

"What the heck do you see?" "Look at the beautiful light on the ferns and the colors on the side of the road." "I would have never noticed and driven pass the ferns."

Smiling, that is why I am the photographer he isn't. He actually does have a great eye and will pick up a camera once a while. I will post a few of his images.

Book Feature: HOW TO FIND (and photograph) THE PHOTO-SCENICS IN VERMONT By Arnold J. Kaplan

Bob and I are planning a few side trips to Vermont and during our research Bob came across an outstanding book HOW TO FIND (and photograph) THE PHOTO-SCENICS IN VERMONT By Arnold J. Kaplan. I purchased the book and was so impressed with the information I wanted to share with my readers who might want to visit Vermont and find scenic places to photograph.

Book description:
"A mile by mile, turn by turn explanation of how to find 23 of the most farmhouse photo picturtorial scenes in Vermont with special Hints and Tips on the best time of day and best lighting conditions needed. Detailed maps of all the small country roads to you lead you to the Photo-Scenics. PLUS tripod hole diagrams to put your camera in the right place for the best composition." Arnold has added an insert of his images an a cd of his images plus update reports of the scenic areas. How could you go wrong with this book???? Arnold J. Kaplan author of this 5 star book (my rating), is 93 years old, still going strong he told me, Arnold has 80 years of photos. His photography is outstanding!!!

You are able to see his scenic photos by clicking on this Photo Guide for Vermont with tips on photo locations for fall foliage (click on the middle arrow to start the slide show and the book image if you wish to order.)

"I wrote this book years ago, because photographers would come up to Vermont and become frustrated because they could not find the scenes they had seen in calendars , greeting cards, magazines and books, and I was one of them. It took me three years of roaming around in the back roads of Vermont, and when I found one, I would record the directions. I did this until I found almost two dozen of the famous photo-scenics and finally wrote to book to help other photographers find them. Even Eastman-Kodak used my book when they sent a team of photographers to do a show featuring Vermont."

Lee's Mills Steamboat Meet & Event

Last year a friend mentioned I should photograph the Lee's Mills Steamboat Meets and Events, held at on Lake Winnipesaukee, Moultonborough Town Docks. Sept. 11-20, 2009 their 37th year. You still have time to visit the event.

I found hobbyist, who built or bought extraordinary steam engine boats. Offering free rides, willing to share information about their boats. The event was really nice experience and offered me great photo opportunities.

First Signs of Fall 2009

Bob and I were returning home from a Vermont trip we took back roads home looking for photo opportunities.

On RT. 25a, Wentworth, NH, I spotted in the distance beautiful swamp maples turning red at the Lower Bakers Pond. Swamp maples are always one of first trees you will notice turning red, a sure sign of the beginning of fall.

Weekend Weather At Hampton Beach, Hurricane Bill

The lower cloud, you can see it starting to rain over the ocean.

Something beautiful about waves.

Surfer riding the waves.

Nubble Lighthouse, Maine. You can see the surf starting to become stronger.

Bob and I had plans to meet friends at York Beach, Maine and decided to stay overnight in Portsmouth. Listening to the weather reports for the weekend I was not sure this was a good idea but realized I might find great photo opportunties.

We arrived Friday at York Beach and found the sun was out, a beautiful beach day. After our meeting with friends, we decided to go Nubble's Lighthouse, noticing the waves and winds were picking up. At night the weather changed to windy, tornado warnings, hail and rain. The rainy weather changed our plans, enjoying Portsmouth at night.

Next morning, (Saturday) the sun shining, we toured Portsmouth and headed towards Hampton Beach, finding the surf was really picking up.

The surfers were out in great numbers enjoying the rough surf and riding the waves.

We found a parking spot around noon, we wanted to walk Hampton Beach's stores and food concessions, it started to pour and appeared it was NOT going to let up, we changed our plans and headed home. How I wish we could have stayed another day, I was told the waves were up to 10 feet high. Thankfully NH did not suffer any damage from Bill".

Day at White Park, Concord, NH

Old Red Oak

Often when in Concord I will ride pass White Park but never seem to have the time to stop. Last week after completing errands, I decided to take advantage ofmy extra time and stop taking in the beautiful weather at the park.
I was not alone, I found children with their parents playing and running, feeding the ducks. Workers taking a lunch break, taking in the beautiful day. Bikers, sunbathers, people walking and running also enjoying the park.
What a beautiful day. I suggest taking the time to stop and enjoy a beautiful day, rejuvenating yourself.

New York City Skyline

A few weeks ago, we went back to our hometown for a visit with family and friends. I was determined to try and fit in photographing the New York Skyline to share with you on my journal.

We went to Weehawken,NJ, as luck would have it, it was a perfect day for shooting the skyline. Good lighting, clouds (clouds add interest to your image).

Sunset on Lake Waukewan

One of my favorite spots for sunset is Lake Waukewan, Meredith, NH. After a delicious dinner at Camp, located in the Chase House at Mill Falls, I notice we might make sunset at Lake Waukewan. As luck would have it, I found clouds, boaters and swimmers onthe lake adding interest tomyimages. A perfect setting and end to a nice day.

Swimmers not wanting to end the day.

A photo mistake I liked and kept.

Even the boaters took in the sunset.

Perfect Sunset

Dock, boat, Sunset

Conway, New Hampshire, Saco and Swift River Covered Bridges

Bob (my husband) and I decided a few years ago to find and photograph all of New Hampshire's 55 covered bridges, to date we have found all but three covered bridges and they are located in the North Country, we need to get there to complete our project.

Swift River Covered Bridge

Our adventure has been fun, exploring new areas to us around the state. I shoot repeat images of the bridges plus trying to photograph the bridges each season of the year and always looking for better lighting....always striving for a better shot of the bridges.

Saco River Covered Bridge

My Back Yard Photography

Last week I was busy with company, we had a wonderful visit. I took few pictures last week but today I was having the need to go shooting. I decided to go outside in my yard and see what I could find.

I spotted the rustic bench with great lighting.

The water feature caught my eye with afternoon sun high-lighting the area!!! Perfect!!!

While waiting for birds to land on the trees, I turned and discovered great lighting on the ferns.

I set myself on the upper level deck and stake out, waiting for birds to land on the trees. The feeders were below the tree line.

My photography need was filled today, with this shot of Grosbeak.

Lupines, Wildflowers, White Mountain and Photo Lesson

Field of Lupine and Wildflowers with the back drop of the White Mountains

Low view of Lupine reaching towards the sky.

Testing this technique of low shot of the tracks on the Cog Railroad

On a shoot, I had the pleasure of spending a day with a professional photographer Dale. Bob and I were showing her the North Conway area, stopping naturally to photograph scenic areas.

One of the scenic areas, a popular stop off of RT. 302, we found at this time of year Lupine and wildflowers mixed in the field with scenic backdrop of the White Mountains.Dale taught me how to get down low, angle and placing the camera towards the sky, a creative way of shooting flowers. I need practice but a couple of shots were worth saving.

This technique cans apply to any shooting, she was hanging out of steam engine on the Cog railroads, low towards the track. Another attempt of the new technique of mine, on the track of the Cog Railroad. As you can see it creates a dramatic feel to the images.

Sunrise On Top Of Mt. Washington Adventure

Early morning sun on top of Mt. Washington

Hiking trail and stone trail markers

Many tourists have attended Mt. Washington's sunrise, experiencing outstanding views. Would I go back again for the sunrise, in a heartbeat but I would check the weather before I go.

Last weekend my NEPE group met for sunrise on top of Mt. Washington 3:30 am. Because of the rainy weather only 6 of our members were brave enough to attempt the event, you never know, NH weather could change in a heartbeat and we could luck out...we took a chance.

We piled into Will's van and started our journey; we were #2 in the line. About 5 minutes into the drive fog started coming in, #1 car took off (we think he might have been an employee and knew the road) and we ended up the lead car. The fog was becoming thicker and thicker, you could not see more than two feet ahead. At one point Dale went behind the wheel of the van and Will walked in front of the van leading the way. We found a pull over and stopped!!! Thankfully a Mt. Washington truck pulled into the pull over and he lead the way to the top of summit.We made it to the top and for about 5 secs you could see stars and then fog took over!!!!

My photos did not turn out, I have never taken photos in heavy fog before. On the descend, still foggy but not as bad, the sun appeared for about 5 minutes and I took advantage of the welcome sun. I consider my adventure an experience of lifetime.

Sugar Hill Lupine Festival, 2009

Sugar Hill Farm, early morning.

Lupine and Buttercups

Lupine Field and mountain back drop.

St. Matthew's Chapel, Sugar Hill, NH

Lupine bordering St. Matthew's Chapel, Sugar Hill, NH

Busy, busy time of year but fun, we are having company, we attended my husband's class reunion, we had work done on our house and photography meeting with my NEPE photo group.

Last weekend we meet at Sugar Hill for the Lupine Festival, the festival is still running until June 21, you won't be disappointed, the colors are beautiful. Our group met on the best day of the weekend, beautiful weather.